Made In America

4

I'm sitting in the garage replacing the grip tape off my field hockey stick and listening to music. I've been in here since Peyton left over an hour ago. Suddenly the music stops. I look up and see my mom.

"Ryan, could you take Hunter out and show him around town?" she asks

"I've got nothing better to do," I say as I hop up.

"Great. He's in his room. Could you get him. Oh and try to be patient. I don't think he's adjusting well to the move."

I walk up to his room and knock on the door. I get no response. I knock again. "What," an irritated Hunter says as he opens the door.

"I was asked to show you around town today."

"Not interested."

"Are you sure?"

"I said not interested."

"Well I tried," I mutter to myself from outside his now shut door.

I go downstairs and see Rick and my mom waiting for me in the kitchen. "He said he's not interested."

"Let me go talk to him." Rick says and walks off.

My mom gives me a small smile before going to her office. I grab a drink and I am about to leave when I hear shouting. Some shouting carries downstairs.

"I know you didn't want to move, but you need to stop being a jerk and start adapting," Rick shouts at Hunter.

"You were the one who decided that we were moving to the middle of the county. I had no say. It's my senior year. I had a chance at soccer scholarship, but not anymore."

"You haven't even seen the school or the team yet. You don't know. I know you are mad about your mom, but you need to stop taking out on the Callahans."

I hear a door slam then footsteps coming downstairs. I go to the game room quickly.

###

I am putting eggs on my plate when I hear footsteps behind me. I turn and see Hunter. "Want some?" I ask holding up my plate to show him.

He grunts in response and I make a plate for him. We sit eating in silence until my mom comes walking in dressed for work. "Rick and I have meetings this afternoon and your car hasn't arrived yet," she tells Hunter, "Ryan will take you home after practice. See you this evening."

"Bye mom," I call after her.

She pops her head back into the kitchen. "Oh and Hunter, have a good first day at school."

"Thanks," he mumbles.

I grab my backpack and keys. "We better get going," I tell Hunter.

We start the fifteen minute drive to the school. Our school is near the line where the suburban and rural areas of the county meet. As we approach the school I can see Hunter is in awe at its size. "Not what you were expecting?" I ask.

He just grunts.

We park and walk inside. The inside of the school is very modern with lots of windows and sitting areas. The decore is all red and black, our school colors. I stop outside the main office. "I have to get to class. The office aide will give you a tour. My practice lets out at four thirty. I'll meet you at the car," I tell him before I leave.

I get to class just before the bell rings. "How is city boy adjusting? This must be completely different from Charlotte," Peyton whispers as I sit down next to her.

"Not very well. I didn't see him more than twice yesterday and when I did he was pissed. He didn't seem as angry this morning though," I whisper back.

"Maybe he is just taking a while to adjust."

"Good morning. Please take out your homework and we will go over the answers shortly," our teacher says drawing our attention back to class.

The rest of the school day was uneventful and pretty boring. I only saw Hunter in the halls twice. I didn't see him at lunch but maybe he didn't eat in the commons.

The sound of the team chatting greets me as I enter the locker room after the last bell. "Hey Ry, you think Coach is going to let up a little bit after we won last weeks game?" Peyton asks.

"I hope so."

I was wrong. Our coach pushed us even harder today. By the time practice was over, I was sweatly and only by a miracle able to walk to the car. "And here I thought that cheer wasn't a sport" Hunter says as I approach.

"Shut up," I say as I get in the car, "And for your information, I play field hockey not cheer."

"See your at the tailgate Ry!" Peyton calls as she gets into her car which is parked next to mine.

"So you guys actually worship football?" Hunter asks.

"Why don't you wait until Friday and find out for yourself."