The Boy Next Door

virginia

my brother would not stop chattering the way to the gas station. every time his "favorite" song would come on, which would be every song, he would sing along like a dying duck.
we both sang like dying ducks.
that didn't stop us though.

once we got to the gas station, it was around seven fifty. Jakes car was no where to be found.
"Is he ever gonna' show up?" Noah asked, picking at his chipped baseball bat. my eyes averted to the Parking Lot, "he said he would be here at least an hour ago." i sighed, grabbing my phone from the cup holder.
sliding back up to the conversation, the time showed brightly, six thirty three. he was supposed to be here almost an hour and thirty minutes ago.
my head thumped on the steering wheel in distress, thoughts whirling through my brain.
"I'm gonna miss baseball and football practice." he complained, running his mouth under his breath.
"Just wait a couple more minutes, okay, lazy?" I teased, looking back up to the parking lot.
The car pulled in slowly, then parking in the front spot. stepping out was our uncle jake, our mothers younger brother. his thick smile widened as he saw us, waving in the process.

we jumped out of the car, running towards him. Noah did a guy handshake, giggling and laughing with him. as I hugged him, his smile widened as big as Asia.
"How are you two?" he asked, ruffling Noah's hair. he never stopped smiling, always grinning ear to ear.
"just school and football, honestly." i answered, pulling back from the hug. "You?" i added, curiosity filling my head.
"Actually, getting ready for all you do this month!" his grin loosened a bit, "boot camp." Noah's face tightened, anger splattered on his face. "why?" He asked, gritting his teeth. Noah and I locked eyes, anger and annoyance flashing brightly. I shrugged it off, since I had that idea was coming. ever since the conversation, I couldn't stop thinking about who else they were talking about. I'm sure it wasn't jake, since my mother would be calling him 'lil bear' In the conversation. my focus snapped right back in the present, finally noticing Jake was rambling on about 'boot camp.'
after moments of never ending chatter, I cleared my throat. their eyes landed on me, curiosity filling both.
"we have to go to school. besides, Noah has practice." the excuse was a lie, no one would notice me missing, but they would for Noah.
Jakes eyes were amused, his smile coming back.
the conversation continues, and we decided to leave my car at a nearby park and ride.
Noah and I climbed into the car, Jake climbing into the front seat. we both looked back, noticing the bags piling in the back.
"Uncle Jake?" Noah looked towards him, his brows crumpled together in confusion.
"Hmm?" He looked back at us in the rear view mirror. Noah cleared his throat, "what are the bags for?" uncle jake slyly smiled, "did your parents not tell y'all?" I chuckled, "Jake, you just said 'yall'" he shrugged it off, turning back to the subject. "You both are moving to Virginia."
what?
did I just hear him correctly?

——

okay, I lied. this one is short. I want my chapters to be shorter so you guys get them more. there going to be round' 500 words, roughly.

btw! this is the house they are moving into ! >>