Opening the front door to his new home was the biggest relief of the whole day. Running into his mother unpacking boxes in the living room was not a relief.
He loves his mom and cares for her a lot. He knows why they move and he never has complained about it. He loves her enough to know she does this even though she rather not. One thing he doesn't love all that much about her is how protective she is. She hardly lets him go out without knowing his schedule for that day by heart. She questioned the smallest scratch since he was small.
Her being a nurse, he has accepted that part early in life. She has seen many things in the world and doesn't want anything to happen to him. So he went along, became the best son she could ask for, most of the time. He tries his best, but some things are out of his control. Today was just one of those things.
That's how his mom found him. Her son standing in the door, boxes surrounding the room in various stages of unpacking, covered in the paint like a modern art piece.
Then the laughter began. She just kept laughing while he shut the door hoping his hair hid the blush on his face. He knew he looked ridiculous but he couldn't get the stuff off. He went to the office to ask for clothes but they didn't have anything his size.
Shuffling over to the couches he moved a box and flopped down on the now open space. He knew the paint was dry which is why he didn't care anymore. When it happened he was more annoyed about being wet than a modern art piece. Scratch that. He was more annoyed about the attention. He dislikes being in the spotlight, today's new wardrobe just brought more.
Rubbing his face, he listens as his mother's chuckle dies down. He was glad she found it funny, but seriously, just a little sympathy here. She was his mother after all. 'Comfort your son please' he pleaded with his eyes to her.
She just gave him a warm smile. Reaching the couch she cups his face looking at him and his colorful glory. Her blue eyes locked with his own. She reached up and picked at a strand of identical black hair to hers.
"It isn't that bad, you just look very...colorful." She said, trying to bite back the laughter he knew she still had. Sighing, he pulled her hand from my head. Looking away he saw she managed to unpack almost everything downstairs. Empty boxes littered everywhere in the room making the progress she made hard to see.
"Seems you were busy mom," he stated while getting up and sidestepping her. She just laughed which turned to a tired sigh Jack was far too used to.
" Yeah, I have to get started at the hospital tomorrow so today was the only day I could help you unpack." She said looking at her handy work. Turning back to him, she gave him an apologetic smile. "Can you finish the rest on your own? Tomorrow is a weekend so you don't have much to do."
Knowing the question was coming he just nodded then slipped through the mess to the stairs.
"Oh and Jack."
He turned from halfway up the stairs.
"Do take a shower. It may help with your colorful problem."
He turned and stormed up the stairs with more determination leaving his mom's laughter echoing behind me.
"Today wasn't my day" He repeated to the empty hall.
Barely a week passed since his first day at Jasper high school. The school still happened to be turning its attention on him. It was a pain that they haven't moved on but he did make an impact, sadly.
During that week he had gotten back into his normal patterns. Wake up, make food, get dressed, and head to school. At school, he avoids people and goes home. Once home he cleans and does homework before making dinner for mom, whenever she gets home.
The pattern was one thing to stay the same since he was 10. Different homes but the same things to do. Same things to not do as well.
As if on clockwork he was also getting antsy and tired of the pattern. He had made it through a whole week of school and today was Saturday again. The house was unpacked last week and he already explored the town. Homework was easily done during class and he was itching to do stuff.
Picking at his eggs he watched a conspiracy show. It was showing images of cars and saying they were aliens. 'Ha, like anyone will believe that' he thought, shoving a spoonful of eggs in his mouth. The second the eggs hit his tongue, he made a face.
'Gross' he said numbly. He then proceeds to shovel the rest down his throat. He had to forcefully swallow it down with water. "Why do I even try, eggs are just gross," he said to the TV. Holding his stomach he knew his body wasn't very happy, but it had to deal. He needed food.
Turning the TV off, he dumped his dishes in the sink and looked at the flier on the fridge. It was one he got a few days ago.
"Help wanted, KO burger" he read out loud pointlessly. Shaking his head he smiled, grabbed the sheet, and went to his bike.
'This can keep me busy for a while, and mom will be happy with me.' He thought as he locked up and left.
'I hope', he prayed while his body peddled off the excess energy.
