The drive to Julie's house was interesting enough as it was, having to park so far away; it was even more interesting with Sam in the backseat, doing his damndest to relate to Mike's taste in music.
"So...This is alternative?" Sam had since pulled his hood over his eyes, attempting to appear cooler than middle school would allow him to be. Mike, sniffling a laugh, nodded,
"Yup. This is alternative." He confirms,. turning down Julie's block. Glancing at the boy through his rear view mirror, Mike almost had to laugh a bit more.
The boy really did try to be like his brother, though he only let his hair cover one eye instead of both. The blonde hair and freckles only made him look even more like Chuck, if not adding to his already dorky appearance. The two brothers were pretty close, usually bonding over practicing band instruments or attending a LARP group on the weekends. Mike had always figured that it was Chuck's way of making it up to Sam, who had put up a pretty decent fight when Chuck moved out. He was offered to come along, but opted to stay home.
It wasn't really his idea either; it was more so Jacob, who figured that, with Chuck's diagnosis, shouldn't be left alone. With a constantly working mother, the two were on their own most of the time. Though Chuck originally declined Jacob's offer, one rather traumatic event changed that.
But that was a a story for later.
"So, how've ya been?" Mike pulled up, three houses down and across the street from Julie, leaning on the horn for a few seconds to let her know he was there. Sam perked up, returning eye contact through the mirror,
"Oh, I've been good. Been busy with band practice." He rubs nervously at his arm, hoping that the sentence wasn't too lame . Mike laughs a bit, before turning to face the boy,
"Maybe you could answer a question for me.," He looks dead-serious at the boy, "How do you band members travel with all those instruments?"
"Sorry Claire had to come along; I know you don't like her very much." Julie commented, clicking her seat belt and Mike drove down the street. The previously mentioned girl sat poised in the back seat, tapping fiercely away at her phone. Sam watched her from beneath his hood, eyeing her beauty. She scoffed, noticing the middle-schooler and immediately turning to face the window, resuming her texting. A realization must've hit her pretty hard as she suddenly looks up from her phone and looks around the car,
"Hey, Mike, where's Chuck at today? He, like, never misses school." She noted, though she added a quick glance at herself in the rear view mirror to emphasize the fact that she didn't care where he actually was. Mike would have responded sarcastically had Julie not nudged him, curious herself.
"Had to take him to the e.r last night-"
"Oh my God, what happened?" Julie turns in her seat, immediately concerned by this new knowledge. She really should have been used to these types of things, considering Mike and Chuck were always getting in to some type of trouble, but she always showed concern.
"Would you believe me if I said Ru-"
"Yes." Julie cut him off once more, turning back in her chair, "Seriously, Mike, what is with your sister?"
"I dunno, Jules. She's in her own little world." Mike shrugged, reaching over to the stick shift to change gears. Julie reached over as well, placing her hand on top of his,
"Seriously, Mike, this is the upteenth time you guys have wound up in the e.r. Could you try to be a little more careful?" Julie beckoned, giving his hand a slight squeeze. Smirking lightly at her concern, Mike nodded,
"Would be nice to have someone other than Mrs. Gordy patch me up." The brunette commented, bracing himself for what he already knew what was coming. Julie punched him playfully in the arm before facing forward again.
"I'm serious, Mike. Be more careful." She closes her eyes for a second, but smiles. Mike only shakes his head,
"Alright, I'll try." Mike stops at a light just in front of the school. Julie, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly sat up, 'Wait, Chuck isn't here!'
"Yeah, so?" Sam sat up a bit.
"I'm gonna have to sit in Duke's class alone!"