TATTOOED TEARS
19:02 (2/23)
San Diego, California
"Hey, how's it going, kid?" Blake announced as he walked into Zebulon's room.
"Don't call me kid. Or Zebby. Or anything. Get the fuck out." He glared at his cousin standing in the doorway.
"I'm sorry about that. For real." Blake walked over and sat on the bed next to Zebulon, offering a small smile.
"Yeah, sure. I know Alicia made you come in here and talk to me."
"Maybe so, but can't I still mean it?"
"No. That defeats the whole purpose, dumbass."
Blake sighed before continuing, "I was gonna come up here anyway. I wanted to talk to you."
"Really? You sounded super excited when you came in and-"
"Listen. I know I was a dick."
"No shit." Zebulon picked up his phone and started scrolling through it, ignoring his cousin.
"Don't you think it's kinda weird for me? Like, dude, I haven't seen you in four years, and now you're living across the hall from me. It's like a bad TV show or some shit."
"I know. I don't want to be here either."
Blake noticed his sour tone and quickly tried to amend what he said, "Hey, hey, I wasn't saying I don't want you here. I'm just saying it's weird. Cause it fuckin is."
Zebulon sighed and leaned back on the bed, covering his face with his hands.
"It's a lot," he mumbled into his hands.
Blake laid back on the bed beside him. He was silent for a minute, unsure of what exactly to say next. He thought about what he had overheard his uncle saying on the phone.
"It's gonna be alright, man. It'll be better here." His words came out strong and sure, and he hoped Zebulon could feel that.
"Maybe," Zebulon finally replied, taking a deep breathe. Anything had to be better than what he left behind.
YOU ARE READING
Line of Best Fit
Teen FictionWhen Zebulon gets kicked out of another school, his dad sends him across the country to finish out senior year with his extended family. He's reluctant to let his guard down, but finds himself surrounded by a supportive family for the first time.
