Chapter Two: Ezra

" max I'm open!" I yelled as I ran down the long green field.

We had played three practice games already and my legs felt like they were going to collapse under me. My knees felt weak and wobbly and sweat dripped down over every surface of my body. I watched as max kicked the ball and it rolled towards me. I weaved it through several opponents feet and ran it down the field. The goal was in my sights! I adjusted my direction and angled myself for the kick. I ran past one more opponent and took my shot. It was going to be a clear shot! The ball came flying back at me and hit me in the face causing me to fall on my back. I looked up to see the goalie had blocked it at the last minute.

" good shot Ezra but next time don't aim where the goalie is going." I heard the coach yell as I sat up and held my face.

"Note taken."I chuckled as  Max helped me up.

"Alright guys I think that's the last game. Get home and rest. Don't forget we have a game next week! We're going against Green Wood. We have to make sure they know we're not losing again!" Coach Wells said as the team gathered their things and began to head home. I sat on the bench and chugged my water and wiped my forehead. The sun began to set and the air felt cool as the breeze blew by.

"Ready to go home?" Ollie asked sitting next to me.

"Yea I'm exhausted."

"What do you think of Micah?" We both stood up and grabbed our bags.

"I think he's a really nice guy but has things he's got some skeletons in the closet. Why?"

"Just curious."

"Do you not like him or something?"

"No I like him. He kind of reminds me of you a little."

"I don't see it."

"Never mind. You ready for that rematch against Green Wood?"

"Oh hell yea they're gonna eat my dust!" My voice echoed through the field making me sound louder than I actually was. As we walked to the car the sky melted into these deep shades of pinks and oranges and you could see bats starting to venture out.

We threw our bags into the back seat and flopped down in the front. I stretched and yawned before starting the car. We drove in silence for the most part. It wasn't cause we didn't have anything to say though. We knew each other like the backs of our hands. His mom thanked me for dropping him off but I don't know why. I always drop him off and it's never been an issue for me before. My trailer  wasn't too far from his but it was already dark by the time I pulled into my yard.

"Where the hell have you been?" My mom asked as I walked through the door. I could smell the stench of cigarettes lingering in the air.

" I told you  this already, soccer started up again I was at practice." I sighed and walked past her to the kitchen.

"We need bread."

"Yea I know."

"So when are you going shopping?"

"This weekend."

"With what money?" I asked looking up at her skeptical.

"Well, I had to borrow something from you." She twisted her hair around her fingers.

"I swear to god mom!" I walked into my room to see it ramshackled.

"What the hell did you do?"

"I was looking for something."

"You've got to be kidding me." I mumbled as I held up my empty bottle.

"I can't get a refill on this until the end of the month  and you know I need to take this! Why the hell would you-"

"Don't you dare speak to me that way! You know I need them too!" She had her hand held back like she was about to hit me.

"See mom, this is why I don't fucking come home! I'm going over to ollie's." I packed a big duffle bag with several weeks worths of clothes. And other things I might need or want.

"Leave now and you won't be allowed to come back."

"That's fine with me!" Malice dripped from words as I continued to shove stuff in my bag.

"We needed money. Why are you mad at me?"

"You sold drugs! Specifically my medicine that I need! And maybe we would have money if you got a fucking job!" I yelled as I shoved past her.

"Please don't go honey."

"You sold my medicine. And destroyed my room in the process. I was fine with you doing other things for money but that is to far! Do you know how much trouble you  would be in?"

"I wouldn't get in trouble!"

"Yes you would! Selling drugs is illegal. You know what no I'm done arguing with you. Ruin your life. I don't care anymore." I stormed out the house and threw my bags in the back seat. I called Ollie as I started to pull out the drive way.

"I'm coming over for a few weeks is that cool?" He didn't hesitate to answer.

"I'll be over in a few." When I pulled into his driveway he was already waiting for me outside.

"Everything alright?" He asked as he grabbed my bag.

"No everything isn't alright!" I accidentally snapped at him.

"I walk into my room to see it completely destroyed only to find out she was looking for my medicine! I was fine with her selling herself, actually no I wasn't! I wasn't fine with any of it! But selling my medicine that I need crossed the line."

"I'm so sorry dude. I wish I knew how to help.  What does she need with anti depressants to begin with?"

"It's whatever at this point. She sold them. And she looked like she was about to hit me so that was it. I left and she told me not to come back but, we all know by tomorrow she'll be begging for me to come home." When we entered the house I was greeted  with the smell of pizza and candles. It was nice to not have to smell cigarettes and hear yelling. But I was still so angry.

"Hey honey. Ollie told me you're staying with us for a bit. You can use the guest room dinner will be done shortly." Ollies mom was a very kind hearted woman. She gave me a long hug and patted my back.

"Thank you. Sorry that It was so sudden." It was hard to hide the anger in my voice. But I didn't want to see Pam upset so I did my best to keep calm.

"It's alright. I would do anything for you and Parker. Go get cleaned up you smell like a boys locker room." She laughed and sat down in the living  room. Ollie and I went upstairs where the guest room, his room and his brothers room was. The rest of the upper floor was one big room. there was a tv with a wrap around couch on one side and a pool table that could be flipped over to play air hockey on the other.

"I haven't been up here in a while." I tried to distract myself.

"That's cause every time you spend the night you fall asleep on the couch."

"You right." I sat my bags down in the guest room. I could unpack tomorrow right now I wanted shower food and sleep. The room had its own personal bathroom so I didn't have to bother Ollie with using his. By the time I was done and went back down stairs the pizzas were done.

"Will, dinner!" We all heard a loud thunk then the sound of him running down the stairs.

"I don't want to have to talk you again, no running!" Pam said in a stern voice.

"Yes ma'am." He solemnly mumbled.

"When's dad getting home?"ollie asked as we both got some pizza.

"He just called me today and said he had two more days on the road and then he'll be home for a week." There was a brief moment of silence as we all sat down at the table.

"So, Ezra, how are things with school and soccer?" 

"They're good. We made a new friend and we have a cool little project for A.P." I said picking at the pepperonis.

"I heard about your new friend. Can I ask how are things with your mom." Pam asked. She already knew they were bad and getting worse and I didn't really want to talk about. But I could tell she was worried. I stoped ripping the pepperoni and stared aimlessly at the table.

"They're getting worse. I would go ahead and move in with my dad but I would have to leave state. I don't really want to change schools."

"You can stay here whenever you need to. You've done a lot for Ollie and it's the least I can do."

"I really appreciate that. I'll probably stay here a week or two and then go back."

"Stay as long as you need hun. There's no rush."

We all finished dinner and by that point I was so exhausted. I barely remember setting an alarm.

Tuesday (August 20)

My alarm screamed at me as I was pulled from a deep slumber. I rubbed my eyes and stretched as I turned off off the blaring alarm. My face ached from getting nailed yesterday and across the top of my back was tense. I sat up and turned on the lamp next to me. The hardwood was cold under my feet. I dug through my bag and threw on a t shirt and some jeans. I forgot to pack shoes but thankfully Ollie and I are the same size so I borrowed some from him. I washed my face and didn't have to do much with my hair. It was naturally perfect and did what I wanted it to do.

"Good morning!" Pam  hugged us as we sat at the table.

"My face hurts." I mumbled as Ollie sat next to me.

"No shit it hurts, it's bruised did you not see it this morning?"

"Too tired to notice." We ate breakfast together and soon it was time to leave.

"We have time to get drinks. Do you want anything?"

"Oh a caffeinated Ollie sounds like a great idea!" Sarcasm spewed from his words.

"Alright never mind. I'll get Parker something. I don't know if Micah drinks coffee or not. I'll get him a hot chocolate." We went through the drive through that was across from the school. The order didn't take long to make so we had plenty of time to spare.

"Hey I wanted to ask if you were alright? You're acting like nothing happened." Ollie stopped before we got out the car.

"Not really but I don't want the others to worry."

"Okay." We both got out the car and made our way to our usual morning spot.

"Did you get me something?" Parker asked as she bounced.

"I sure did! I got you a caramel macchiato." I sat the drinks down on the ledge outside the main entrance and handed hers to her. She beamed with happiness as she took a sip.

"Does anyone know what time Micah arrives?" Ollie sat down and pulled out his phone.

"Nope. But we can wait for him here." Parker smelled her coffee.

"Do you realize you have a bruise on your face?"

"I'm fully aware. It's from soccer. I got hit pretty hard."

"Whose fault was it?" She asked.

"Mine." A big blue truck pulled up and stopped in front of us. The door opened and Micah's small frame appeared. His light blonde hair was partly pulled back like yesterday's and his bangs flopped in his face.

"Hey, Hey,Hey!" I exclaimed as he walked over to us.

"Got you some hot chocolate. Wasn't sure if you drink coffee or not so I just got you that."

"Thanks! I've never had coffee before. And I don't think I'll ever try it. Is your face okay?" He was very mild and soft spoken. He was excitable with us but for the most part he was very calm and timid.

"Oh my gosh if one more person asks me if my face is okay I'm going to... to um. Yea!"

"Is that so?" Parker teased as she gave me a smug look.

"That didn't answer my question." I heard Micah mumbled as he took a sip of his drink. We made our way down the side walk to the cafeteria when we ran into Ollies bully.

"Question for you four. And before you say anything yea I know big shocker I'm even talking to you losers." Her voice had gotten deeper almost like a growl.

"What's up?" Parker asked trying to keep the tension out of the air. She was always great at keeping peace.

"Can you maybe tutor me. In like all my classes?"

"I don't  see why we couldn't."

"I'm not available during the weeks cause I have practice everyday. And most weekends I have games or I'm just chilling but I can try and help during home room or study hall." I said as I placed a hand on my neck and extended the other towards her.

"I guess." Ollie mumbled.

"What about you?" She snapped at Micah. His face was a bit pale and he picked at the skin on his fingers.

"I'm a freshmen. I won't be much help sorry." He mumbled.

"I think two will be enough thanks and I swear to god if any of you mention this to anyone I'll beat the shit out of you!" She stormed off before anything else could be said.

"Well then, looks like we're tutors now!"

"Shut up Ezra." Ollie grumbled as we went inside.

We waited outside of Mr.L's classroom for the bell to ring. He always arrived two minutes after the bell rang for students to go to their class. He arrived with his usual coffee  in one hand and a book bag in the other.

"So, are you able to come Thursday for ice cream?" I asked pulling out my note book.

"My doctor never answered so I'll ask again." Micah cracked his knuckles and turned halfway in his seat so he could see Parker and Ollie.

"Alright." I said writing a reminder in my notebook.

"So did you hear that Green wood might be disqualified from the volley ball tournament?" Parker asked.

"They're always cheating so I'm not shocked. Hopefully they don't cheat next weekend."

"I hope so too." Ollie said as he pulled out his laptop.

"Who is green wood?" Micah asked.

"Our biggest competition in everything. Sports arts band." I explained.

"I thought it was funny when I found out my mom went to this school and my dad went to Greenwood." Parker sipped her drink.

"That's pretty ironic." I chuckled as the bell rang for class to start. We stood for the pledge and moment of silence and sat down when  the morning announcements began its long monotonous word vomit.

"Alright!" Mr. L boomed after the announcements were done. " your first project is to create something that represents you. I don't care what it is as long as you create it. You have the rest of the class period and this week to work on it. You'll be presenting on Friday." He sat at his computer and began to work on his lesson plans.

"Oh heck yea! I can make art!" Parker rubbed her hands together. I could tell her brain was kicked into high gear.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"It's going to be a surprise!" Parker beamed as she shielded her sketch book.

"What about you ollie?"

"Probably a power point or something." He continued to work on his laptop.

"Micah?"

"I don't know. I don't really know what represents me."

"What's your favorite animal food and color?" Parker asked looking up from her sketch book.

" Otters, gray, and Lo mien."

"Boom!You can make a collage with that!" I said clapping my hands together.

"What are you going to do?"

"Bring in a soccer ball."

"But he said you have to make something." Ollie chimed in.

"Then I'll put things on it!"

"You would marry soccer if you could."

"Hell yea I would!"

"So you never want to get married?"

"No not really. I feel like it would put a damper on my career."

"Aren't colleges scouting you now?" Parker asked.

"Yea. How's college going for you?"

"Still holding off for M.I.T."

"still think that those should be hobbies. You should go into a job like programming or coding."

"Why those jobs specifically?" Micah asked. He seemed more intrigued in the conversation.

"Oh no." Parker teased.

"Now you've done it." I smiled as Ollie closed his laptop.

"Because," He sat up properly in his seat and held his hands out in front of him like knives. "Society is heading in a more tech based future. Eventually we won't have paper currency. We'll be using digital everything."

"Do you think sports and art will become digital?"

"Sports no but, there is already digital art. So I believe art would head in that direction."

"You would still need to go to an art college."

"That is true. But the attempts to keep drawings seems a bit futile in my opinion."

"Okay mister I am robot."

"Aww is Park Bark upset?" I poked her shoulder and made a pouting face at her.

" I don't think it's futile. I mean I agree with some of the things you're saying but, art is art. And it becomes more precious if people try to keep the old ways."

"Thank you! Finally we get somebody with common sense!"

"Hey I have common sense!" I exclaimed a bit offended as i put his hand on his chest.

"You call me Park Bark. Of course I would tell you, you don't have any common sense." Parker said plainly.

"I've got more common sense than mister robot."

"Just because we have different view points doesn't mean I have less common sense."

"We all know who has the most common sense." Parker loudly announced.

"You sure as hell don't have the most common sense." I blankly stated.

"Well of course it's not me! Micah has the most common sense! He knows when to be quiet."

"I just enjoy hearing you guys talk." He let out a nervous chuckle.

We talked a bit more before we began brainstorming for our projects. Parker worked with Micah to help him figure out what he wanted to do. Ollie worked on his laptop and I watched videos on my phone. I already knew what I wanted to do and I knew it wouldn't be hard to make. The bell rang and we all said good bye as we split off in opposite directions. The day seemed slow and boring for my liking. Even my favorite class seemed dull. Lunch was quiet everyone worked on their own things. The final bell rang and I made my way to soccer practice once again.