Friend, Please (Joshler)

1

I watched the rain slide down the car window. It was drizzling and gloomy, not to mention no sights to see. Just endless fields of yellow dead grass from the cold. Somewhere underneath all this gray and doom is Columbus Ohio. And that's where I'm moving to, well, sort of. Instead of the big beautiful city my ass is being dragged to the outskirts. A small village like place called Granville. Population 5,600 plus me now I guess.

After my brother Zachary passed away things haven't been the same. I haven't been the same. He wasn't just my brother, he was my best friend. And to say his passing has taken a toll on me would be an understatement. I found myself locked away from everyone and everything. Grades started dropping and suddenly my favorite hobbies seemed meaningless. After a year of mourning my parents got tired of the sadness. "Things are going to change, Tyler. For the better." My dad told me. Little did I know the next week I'd be stripped away from my home and cramped in the car for 2 days. A trip from LA to Ohio isn't exactly a short one.

My mother turned back and looked at me from the passenger seat. She gave me a soft, warm smile. "I know you're probably not too happy about all of this. But it'll be great Ty, you'll see. A fresh start away from all the sad memories." She said, attempting to cheer me up. It didn't work of course, but I faked a smile for her sake.
"Sure, Ma. I'll get used to it so don't even worry about me." I replied. She ruffled my hair
"That's my boy." She said before turning back to face the road. I let out a quiet breathe and put on my headphones. This miserable road trip doesn't need anymore forced happiness. Besides, there would be plenty of that to come. I found myself thinking of all the things to dread. Negative, I know, but I couldn't help it. What if the new house is awful? What if the moving van gets lost? Not to mention it's October, so I'll be joining a new school in the middle of semester. I dragged my hands across my face in frustration of myself. Stop thinking like that Ty, it'll be fine.

Hours passed and before I knew it the car was slowed down to 25 and cruising through the little town. I slid my headphones down to neck and looked out the window. Small decorative trees stood on either side of the road along with black street lamps. The sidewalk was made of chipped maroon bricks and the buildings looked old fashion like something straight out of the 1960's. There was a little coffee shop and a run down movie theater. On the other side was an ice cream shop and an antique store along with other places. "Maybe I won't be completely bored." I mumbled to myself.
"Don't worry kiddo, this is just Main Street. They purposely keep the old timey look. We live on the more modern side of town." My dad joked followed by a dry laugh. Guess he heard me talking to myself and thought I was cursing the place. Sure enough as soon as we turned off of Main Street the sidewalk went back to cement and the houses dull.

After a bit more driving we finally pulled into the driveway of a little white house. It was a two story two bedroom with a covered front porch, blue window covers, and a big tree in the front yard. Not bad, kinda cute actually. "Well, we're here!" My dad's booming voice and enthusiasm interrupted my thoughts. By the time I even got the car door open my parents were already inside. I couldn't help but laugh a little at their excitement. I grabbed my phone and ukulele, the only two things I currently had with me. I walked in the empty house, wasting no time to get upstairs and into my new room. I walked down the small hallway, curiously peeking into every door until I reached the end. I opened the door to reveal the small hollow room. The walls were a light gray while the floors were a dark hardwood. There was a window that sat above the porch roof and looked into the front yard. Guess this one's mine for the next year or so. I leaned my ukulele against the window seal and sighed. I turned around right as my mother walked in. "So what do you think? Pretty neat huh?" She exclaimed happily.
"The moving truck is gonna be about an hour or two. Why don't you go explore town?"
"I don't know, I'm okay with just waiting here."
"Well, if you change your mind let me know." She patted my back and went back downstairs.
I stood there for a few minutes before giving in to the boredom and going out. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet somebody.

(I swear the next chapter will be more interesting lmao)