1. Arlo Wilson.
Edition played softly on hour-long loop, consistently reminding me of my horrible loneliness. My eyes dig their way to the ceiling, staring at the bumpy surface like it was the most interesting thing on the face of the earth.
My mother and father’s argument raged through the soft hum of the song, interrupting my mope session. They weren’t always like this, there was a time where we were all happy. Where I could go sit on the couch with my parents for more than 5 seconds. But I’ve come to realize that those times are long gone.
Their voices were full of anger, well my fathers was, he was a pathetic excuse of a man, And I’ve made sure he knew exactly what I thought of him. He’s cheated on my mom so many times that she's given up on even confronting him about it. He knows it hurts her move than anything, yet he still does the same exact thing every fucking time.
He’s a spiteful human being. And I hated him for putting my mom through this. But again, what in the hell could a 17-year-old high school boy do? Nothing, exactly. I lean my head back, contemplating whether or not I should call B.
Beatrice, my loud-mouthed best friend, my first real friend, other than Corey, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I roll my eyes picking up my I-phone X-R. I know what you're probably thinking, ‘This spoiled piece of shit.’ Well, I’ve come to let you know, this was a pity gift, for the prick himself, if I remember correctly he said something along these lines,
‘Arlo, I’m truly sorry about your mother and I’s constant arguing, so as a peace gift I bought you a new phone, I know yours is kind of old so I thought this was a good gift for you.’
Even though I really can’t stand him, he’s still my dad at the end of the day, and who am I to turn down a new phone.
My thumb tapped onto B’s contact, I pull the phone up to my ear, the loud beeps annoyed the shit outta me. Her raspy voice filled my ears,
‘Oi shithead,’ I roll my eyes a small smile creeping into my face, “Hello to you too,”
I could practically feel her eye roll, ‘I’m hella bored. Wanna go out?’ I sit up, licking my lips before answering “Hell yah, I’ll pick you up in 20.” She mumbles her answer hanging up. Sliding off my bed I walk over to my closet.
I ended up picking out a white t-shirt and black skinny jeans. Heading into the bathroom I took a quick shower, combing my naturally curly hair into a messy blob in the top on my head. Once I finished with my hair I walk back into my room, slipping my white shirt over my head, then the jeans.
After I’m fully dressed I spray column onto my body, the sweet yet masculine scent of cinnamon and sandalwood. Grabbing my black jacket and phone, I travel down the stairs.
The second my feet hit the bottom floor my dad’s eyes flick to me, trying to strike up a conversation. “Hey, where ya headed.” I roll my eyes, walking past him, and towards mom. “Hey mom, I’m heading over B’s,” Her dark brown eyes look up at me, a small smile graced her lips. “Okay, be careful and drive safely.”
With that being said she wrapped her arms around my torso, I hug her back before breaking away. “See ya later,” I walk directly past him, my face displayed zero emotion.
Once I was out of the hell house I swiftly open the door to my 2018 Jeep Wrangler, my absolute pride and joy, I truly think I love this car more than my own father, and that’s saying something. I turn the key into the ignition, plugging my ox into the radio.
I play my favorite song at the moment, ‘Edition by Rex Orange County’ I pull out of my drive-way, on my way to B’s house.
I stare directly in front of me. My body’s here physically, but my mind was long gone. My eyelids sank, my jaw clenched. After having a mini road rage session I pull into B’s driveway, climb out of my Jeep. I spent most of my time in either my room or over B’s.
She has a perfect family, parents that love each other to no end, an annoying little brother. I try not to dwell on that too much, reaching up I knock into the large white door.
Small feet storm toward the door, bringing a smile to my blank face. The door swings open, “Arlo!” My smile widens as I scoop up the small little bean. “How’s my favorite boy doing?” I asked closing the door behind me. “Beatrice! Arlo’s here!”
Mr. Bails yells in his loud voice. Baylor slips from my arms and into his dad’s, the site was truly beautiful, that’s something my father and I used to have. I roll my eyes, a bone-crushing hug snatches me out of my thoughts, Mrs. Bails squeezes me tightly, “Awe, you look so damn grown-up!”
Her soft and calming voice rather high. “Thank you, Mrs. Bail-” She releases me from her death defining hug, holding me at an arms-length, “For the last time, call me Amber or mom, you're practically my son anyway.” I couldn’t help but smile, B is so got damn lucky.
Specking of the lucky bitch, her petite body rushes down the stairs. She is absolutely beautiful, her long dark brown hair cascades down her shoulders ending at her lower back, she had deep, dark brown eyes the kind you that make you shiver at the very sight of them. But unfortunately, I’m nowhere near interested in her.
I’m gay, if you haven’t noticed, Not that I go around saying, ‘Hey everyone! I’m fucking gay! Come suck My balls whenever.’ If anything the only person who knows about my sexuality is B. And I’d like to keep it that way. She walks up to me, pulling me into a side hug, I have no idea why this family hugs so damn much.
“Alright, let’s go before mom loses it.” She whispers into my ear. “Okay, bye mom, dad, twerp.” I couldn’t help but laugh at her little brother’s nickname.
After saying bye’ to her family we pour into my car, “So where are we going?” I ask, turning the key into the ignition. “I was thinking we could go the ‘The Angry Mug,’ the best coffee house in all of Oregon.” I roll my eyes, she’s not lying though, their coffee literally life-changing. “Alright.”
I pull out of her driveway, giving the ox to her, allowing her to play anything you wanted. She ended up playing one of our many favorite songs. ‘Feeling Good, by Micheal Bublè’ She practically screams to the lyrics causing me to laugh as loud as I could.
After a full-on car-pool karaoke session we pull up to ‘The Angry Mug’. I push open my door, locking it as we get out. “Ugh! I can’t wait to taste the delicious coffee!” I smile, Beatrice is what I call ‘Coffee hooked’. I personally think it’s like when someone does drugs and gets hooked. So basically, Coffee is her crack.
We walk into the small hole in the wall coffee house. Her face lights up, causing a soft chuckle to erupt from my chest. “Heya, How are my favorite customers doing?” A rather tall man hovered over me, his dark green eyes filled with happiness, “Still short as ever,” I roll my eyes, Met Corey. He has to be the most down-to-earth guy I’ve ever met. He has red short straight hair, and cute freckles sprinkled on his nose.
“Oh fuck off Corey,” I grumble, causing both B and Corey to laugh hysterically. “It’s not my fault your shorter than average,” He says shrugging. He’s not lying, I am the shortest male 17-year old I’ve ever seen. And it bugs the fuck outta me. “Mhm, whatever, I just want my coffee.” He chuckles, “Alrighty then, what can I get for you shortie?”
I roll my eyes, “Um.. a frappe, with 2 shots of espresso and lots and lots of cream.” His eyes widen at my order, “Damn, Why espresso?” I shake my head, “I like the taste, there is no reason.” He narrows his eyes at me before nodding. After he takes B’s order we simply wait for our coffee to be made.
That’s when I saw him.
