Peter Parker x BoyReader

Leaving Home

     It's summer break and the last of the moving trucks leave your driveway. Wiping off your glasses, your younger sister, Savannah, came up to you,
     "(Y/N)! I really wish we didn't have to leave."
You turn around to see her giving you a sad look.
     "Oh come on. It's not too bad. You'll get to be a freshman in a new school so your reputation won't be as bad."
      She gives you a shove in the arm,"Hey! That was mean!"
     You give her a chuckle and walk over to your car, Savannah follows. You open the front door and slide right in as you've done for plenty of years. But this time it was different. This time you're getting in with your sister. This time you're driving to another state. This time you're leaving your friends and old life behind. Not that you're exactly proud of the life you made in Indiana. It's just, it's all you've known for all the 17 years of your life.
     Savannah can see the pain in your eyes, "Hey," she places her hand on your shoulder "we'll be fine. New York is supposed to be a place of new hope and new opportunities."
     You're so glad to have your sister in your life. She's always been there to help you see that good side of things, even if you two have it equally as bad. "Thanks." You give her a solemn smile.
     You see your parents follow the moving truck, and you follow behind. Your sister plugs the aux cable into her phone and shuffles her playlist. The two of you zone out for the long drive ahead.

     The past week flashes in your head like a painful slideshow. Your family finding out your family uncle sold narcotics under your father's name. Then, your uncle's girlfriend stealing all she could from your parents' room. Then seeing the both of them beat by the cops and shoved in police cars. Your parents pulled you and Savannah aside one day, after school, and explain that Indiana wasn't safe for them anymore. Your uncle may break out of prison and do even worse things to the family, so you guys had to leave. And just to put the icing on the cake, you were just about to get your acceptance letter from Harvard.
     You spent the last three days shoving as much as you could into moving vans, quitting your job, and picking what to sell on eBay once you guys get to the new house. It was all a blur as the news of your uncle was so out of the blue. Your parents kept his actions well hidden from the family, so your sister felt the same shock.

     Your memories are interrupted from Savannah motioning to pull into the gas station. You notice your parents pulled over to get gas and park in front of the small, run down store. Silently, you turn off the car and sit there, breathing slowly.
     Savannah pulls out a pack of cigarettes, "Want one? You look like you need it." She hands you the pack, one conveniently sticking out.
     "Thanks." You say to her, pulling out your lighter and taking the cigarette from her.
     "I'm gonna go inside and see what I can buy for 10 bucks. Want something?"
     You shake your head, lighting your cigarette and inhaling a large breath of the smoke. She leaves the car, slamming the door behind her. As great as your sister is, she doesn't know her own strength sometimes. You lay back your seat all the way, laying flat, and pull out your phone. No messages, as per usual.
     Your dad walks over to the car, "We've reached the middle of Ohio, and we got to drive through a small part of Pennsylvania to reach New York."
     "Alright, I can do that." You say to your father with an assuring smile.
     "You sure? We've been driving for a couple hours straight. You don't need to switch out with Savannah?"
     "Dad, I've been fine binge watching Marvel movies for three days straight. Not getting up to eat, piss, or even say 'hi' to Mom. I'll be fine"
     "Okay, son. Don't need to spell it out for me." Your dad puts his hands up in defense.
     You stifle a laugh as he walks back to the mini van.
     Your sister sneaks her way into the car, "What's so funny?" Savannah asks, holding a sheer yellow bag of small goodies.
"Dad thinks I can't make the drive to New York." You give a little snicker as you sit your seat back up and start the car.
Your sister pulls out a share size bag of Haribo Goldbears and opens it, placing it between your guys' seats. You put the butt of your cigarette in your mouth, taking in the biggest breath. When you blow out, you notice your parents pulling out of the gas station and you follow close behind. You get back onto the road and zone back out to the sound of Savannah's tasteless tunes.
     The last of your cigarette is almost gone as you reach Pennsylvania. The night is cold and still. You reach a Walmart parking lot. You wake up your sister to let her know you two are gonna sleep in the car tonight. Your family left the house in a rush so not that much money was on you guys in cash. Your sister rolls her eyes, lays her seat back, gets the blanket from the backseat and goes back to sleep.
     You turn off the engine and exit the car. Slowly closing the door, you lean on the side of the car to watch the night sky. The streetlights hurt your eyes, but it doesn't bother you much. Back in Indiana, you always went outside for alone time. It was the one place where no one would bother you. Everyone in your family knew that when you went outside, especially at night, you were to be left alone. Alone with your thoughts. Alone with your feelings.
     Once you realize how cold it is inside, you throw down your cigarette, crush it with you foot, and quietly make you way back into the car. You lean your seat all the way back, grab the other blanket from the backseat and attempt sleep off the stress of tomorrow.