Under the Lights

Chapter 2: First Day

Chapter 2

“Do I look okay?” Brian asked, combing back the front of his hair as he leaned forwards to look in the mirror. 

“You look like you do any day. What’s the difference?” I rolled my eyes, running my hands through my damp hair to rough it up and attempt to dry it. 

Brian ignored my comment, still focusing on his hair. 

That was the major difference between us. Brian cared more about what other people thought. His hair was always combed, while mine was messy and untamed, constantly needing to be pushed back from my eyes. 

Brian was wearing jeans and a Allison Football t-shirt, while I was wearing grey sweatpants, a blue under armor, and timberlands. Not something I’d usually wear in Texas, but who knew what people wore in Michigan?

“Could you at least try and make your hair presentable?” Brian raised his eyebrows. 

I rolled my eyes, spitting out the toothpaste as I rinsed off my toothbrush. 

We were identical with the basic features, but completely different on the inside. 

“Boys! I made you breakfast!” My grandma called up the stairs. 

I let out a groan, stuffing my wallet and phone into the pockets of my sweatpants as I headed towards the hallway. 

It was Wednesday, which meant we were starting at our new school. 

Kill me now would be an appropriate expression at this time. 

“Thanks Grandma.” I said sweetly as I sat down at the kitchen table. 

“Wait for your brother, dear.” She told me as I reached for my fork. 

Brian appeared down after me, taking the seat across from me. 

“I made you both lunch, by the way.” She said, toddling over to two brown paper bags. “Just the way your daddy said you like it.” 

“Thanks Grandma.” Brian replied with a grin as we dug into our breakfast. 

I glanced at the clock. We only had about 2 minutes before we needed to leave for school. 

Brian seemed to see the exact same thing as we started shoveling down our food at a record pace. 

“See you later Grandma.” I smiled, giving her a kiss on the cheek as I pulled my bag over my shoulder. 

“We’ll be home after practice.” Brian told her as he gave her a kiss as well. 

We each grabbed our lunches as we headed out of the front door. 

“I’m driving.” I told him as he tried to grab the keys out of my hand. 

“But I-” 

“But shut up and get in the car.” I snapped, tossing my bag into the bed of the pick up. 

Brian just muttered under his breath as we got into the front seat. 

“Do you even know how to get there?” He raised his eyebrows. 

“Clearly.” I replied, turning on the radio as I pulled out of the driveway. 

“You reckon Hank’s got buddies we can hang with?” Brian asked. 

“How the hell should I know? I haven’t spoken to him since the last day he was in Texas.” I replied shortly, turning up the music to drown out my brother. 

I parked near the back of the parking lot, shocked that most of it was already filled despite the fact that school didn’t start for another 30 minutes.