Disturbed

Chapter Seven :

Brantley storms upstairs as he slams his door shut and locks it. He wipes his tears and pulls out his phone as he begins to text Toby, while getting some clothes into his backpack.

Brantley : Hey, you still close to my house?
Toby : Yeah kinda, what's up?
Brantley : Can you come pick me up?
Toby : Of course, is everything okay?
Brantley : I might need to stay the night over, if that's okay?
Toby : Yeah definitely, no problem. I'll be there in five minutes.

Brantley grabs the rest of his essential stuff and notices a picture of him and his mom hanging on the wall. He cries softly as he grabs his pillow and holds it tight. He sits on the bed in silence as his phone vibrates and looks down at the screen. Toby had just texted him that he is outside. Brantley sighs as he walks to the living room with his backpack as Valerie looks at him and asks concerned,

Valerie : Where the hell are you going?
Brantley : I'm going with Toby. I'm going to spend a few days over there.
Valerie : You can't leave me.
Brantley : I have to, eventually.
Valerie : Just like your father. Leaving the ones you love behind.
Brantley : Have a nice day, and take care of yourself.

Brantley walks to Toby's car as he notices Brantley wanting to cry as he immediately hugs him after getting in the car. Brantley wipes his tears as he sighs.

Toby : What happened?
Brantley : I don't really want to talk about it. Is that okay?
Toby : Yeah, that's fine. I'm here for you, always.
Brantley : Thank you.
Toby : Yeah, no problem.
Brantley : No, like thank you. For everything.

Toby smiles at Brantley as they stare at each other. Brantley turn to face the window as they drive to Toby's house. While turning on the radio, Toby starts to sing and use the stirring wheel as a drum. Brantley smiles and giggles as he stares at him.

Toby : So listen, my parents are both home. They're grilling some burgers. If you want, we can go somewhere else?
Brantley : No it's fine. I would very much love to see you your parents.
Toby : Alright. Also, you can take my room for tonight. I'll sleep on the couch.
Brantley : No, it's okay.

Toby grabs Brantley's hand and looks deeply into his eyes, worried. He whispers and glances back at the road.

Toby : Dude, take my room.
Brantley : O-Okay.
Toby : You excited to hit the ranch tomorrow?
Brantley : Yeah hehe. Caleb told me to meet him back tomorrow at the mall. I'm going to need a ride, so if you can I would-
Toby : For sure. Whatever you need Brantley.

As Toby drives his car into the driveway, he notices extra cars parked on the side as he groans. He mumbles and puts the vehicle into park.

Brantley : What is it?
Toby : My parents. They invited my aunt, uncle, and I think some of their friends. Ugh. I'm so sorry.
Brantley : Don't be. I'm sure this will be fun.
Toby : You sure?

Brantley smiles and holds Toby's hand tight and nods. He laughs as he gets out the car stretching and carries his backpack with him. Toby notices Brantley struggling as he takes the backpack.

Toby : Here, let me help you with that.
Brantley : No, it's okay. I got it.
Toby : Dude, you're not that strong. I got it.
Brantley : Whatever mister Hulk.

They both laugh as they enter the house. Toby's mother was in the kitchen washing the vegetables, getting ready to chop them for dinner. Toby's mother, Mia is waitress at a local diner. She usually gets well tipped but that's most because of how she services her customers, especially the drunk businessmen. She turns and looks at Toby and Brantley with the knife in her hand.