Lost Boys

• Chapter 8 •

Theo

"Are you sure you're gonna be okay," I asked, gently caressing ma's cheek. Her gorgeous black hair was tied up into a bun with little baby hairs messily falling on her pale face. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she bit her lip trying not let her tears fall from their cradles.

"Yes, honey," she sniffed, a sad smile covering her face as she ran a hand through my unkempt hair.

We were currently at a sort of caretaking place where they would try to make sure my ma wouldn't try anything when I was gone for the game. I would have never left at a place like this if I had no other choice. I mean, yes I could just not go to my basketball game. Now that I think about it, it would have probably been better if I didn't go. But I couldn't turn back now. I had already paid for her stay, and I had promised my team I would show up. My teammates were still getting used to me. Some still passed a snarky comment or two but mostly things were under control. Even though they might not like me that much I still had the responsibility of showing up, after all, I was a co-captain.

"Excuse me," one of the workers said, smiling warmly at me and my mom. Her smile almost distracted the dark bags under forming under her hazel eyes. Her gaze lingered on my mom before she took a quick look at the clock. "It's time to go," she gestured towards the wooden door behind her still smiling. I wondered how her lips weren't falling off considering the huge smile covering her tan skin.

My mom simply nodded before engulfing me in a bear hug. I hugged her back and gently stroked her hair. I slowly pulled away and jutted my hand in the direction of the door a small smile covering my face. Even the smallest of smiles was strained. Everyone who said that smiling uses less effort than frowning has not done their research properly. Cause for me frowning is much easier to do. Frowning and sulking, both very easy.

My mom shot me one last glance before walking into the place with the worker trailing close behind her. With that, a small sigh escaped my lips as I pulled my bag over my shoulder. I had called a cab since I didn't have a car nor did I have a license. I know what you guys are probably thinking: "If you didn't have a license then how did you drive Grey at that party, oh so many days ago?"

In my opinion, it was a better option than letting him drive that day.

I stepped outside the anti-disinfectant smothered building the smell of fresh air allowing me to finally breath without inhaling a shit ton of rubbing alcohol. Thankfully the cab driver was waiting outside for me so I didn't have to wait outside awkwardly for a while.

***

The car ride was painfully long. The cab driver kept on playing the worst songs on the radio then he called someone in between driving and was talking extremely loud to the person on the other end. I'm pretty sure I overheard something about a butt rash. The thought made me shudder in disgust.

As soon as he pulled over at the bus station from where we would be leaving to Red Wood High I immediately rushed outside after handing him the money. He shot me a quick crooked smile before driving off. My eyes scanned the dusty bus station and my gaze landed on a medium-sized indigo bus parked on the sight. I immediately knew it was our bus as soon as I saw Coach Landon yelling at everyone to "stuff the bags in properly". I walked over to the bus, instead of stuffing my bag inside the trunk I decided to place it under my seat.

I stared out of the window seeing nothing but buses and some trees here and there. I wondered how ma was doing. I really hoped she was doing well. Maybe she could even make some friends. She could be happier. Happy that word was almost foreign in my mouth. Even thinking about it left a bitter taste on my tongue.