𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐤•𝐓𝐢𝐥𝐥•𝐃𝐚𝐰𝐧 [𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐚𝐝]

"Here we are buddy. Think you're ready to start this new stage in your life?" Ameria asked.

Usually Carlos would've taken the bus to go to school, but since it's his first day of highschool in a new town, his Aunt Ameria insisted that she'd drive him there herself. Carlos hated to make her feel bad, so he reluctantly agreed.

"Ugh, gross Aunty! You're making it sound like I'm going through puberty again." He told her "And yes, I'm totally ready for this!"

He wasn't lying. In fact, he seemed far too excited about it. He was eager to try new things while making new friends.

Carlos didn't have many allies in middle school, so he could only rely on his best friend at the time, Averi. The two were nearly inseparable and quite infamous due to the crazy pranks they used to pull. They were partners in crime and Averi was the only one Carlos considered his true friend.

They could have been going to the same school now, but Averi moved to another town without so much as a warning muchless a farewell, so Carlos had no other choice but to move on with his life too.

This was his chance to finally fit in and try to be normal for a change, because believe me when I tell you, there is nothing normal about Carlos Jefferson.

Ameria seemed anxious about something, given the expression on her face, but Carlos couldn't tell what it was. That is until she said, "I hope so hun. I really wish your parents could see how much you've grown. They would be so proud of you. Just like I am." Her smile was genuine, but she could not hide the underlying tone of the pity in her voice, pity that they both knew she still felt for the young boy.

Carlos felt his chest tighten at the thought. The loss still bothered him albeit having to live with the painful truth of it for 16 years. He showed no sign of it to his Aunt, though. He wanted to be strong for her even if it meant faking it. He didn't want to make her life harder than it most likely already is.

"Promise me you'll be good and that you won't get into any trouble. After this, I'm not sure we can afford to start all over again."

She was right.

If it weren't for him, they wouldn't be in that predicament. From the moment he woke up earlier that morning, he was determined to change. If not for himself, then for his Aunt. She deserved much better than him.

Although he had no control over who raised him his entire life, all the decisions he made since birth --- both good and bad, but mostly bad --- were on him and no one else.

He never stopped to think about the repercussions his actions would reap, and it evidently backfired on Ameria whether he intended it to or not.

He made both their lives difficult and it was about time he did something to fix it, but if he were to change his ways, he would at least do it for his Aunt's sake.

"I promise." Carlos said, offering her a small smile before opening the door and stepping out onto the sidewalk. He closed the car door and just as he was about to walk off...

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Ameria said, leaning over to the window.

"But Aunty," Carlos whined, "What if someone sees? I don't want anyone teasing me about it. Can't you spare me this one time?"

He knew immediately that the look on his Aunt's face read 'I don't care' so he decided it made no sense trying to argue with her. He leaned down for the woman to kiss him on his forehead.

"That's much better." She said, clearly satisfied. "Don't forget your sunscreen."

"I don't need it, remember? I'm a Daylighter."

"Alright, Count. Enjoy your day. Be home in time for dinner, okay?"

"I will. Love you. Bye." Carlos waved goodbye as she drove off.

It seemed obvious --- since she failed to mention anything about it --- that he would be taking the school bus to go home. He didn't mind it. He now lived within a walking distance from school.

Besides, the boy never passed on an opportunity to take a leisurely stroll to clear his thoughts. It was the only way to tame his inner demons.

Carlos sighed and walked up the stairs to the school doors and as he entered them, he knew that it was going to be a great new start for him.