Chapter Three
Vince’s moving
Thursday Night: 10:50pm
It was dead silent in the room as we all looked at Vince.
“W-What…?” I stuttered out
“My dad got a better job offer in New York”
“A better job offer?! He’s the friggin General Surgeon in Dallas!” I yelled.
“He got a job offer as head Surgeon!” Vince exclaimed as I went silent.
“What about your mom?” Hoyt asked
“She’ll be getting a better job as an Orthopedic Surgeon… They’re both excited about the move”
“When were you planning on telling me?” I asked
“I just found out when we got here… I didn’t wanna ruin Hoyt’s day” He explained.
“But…” Hoyt started
“I already tried, man… I’m really sorry guys” he apologized as he nodded
“Not your fault” We all said as Hoyt stood up
“Is tonight your last night in Houston?” He asked as Vince nodded
“Yeah. We leave in the morning—around 5ish”
“Let’s go to your house and pack… “
We all went downstairs and saw our parents playing cards.
“I see that you told them” Mr. Tortelli said as we all nodded.
“Can we come help Jason pack, Mr. Tortelli?” Hoyt quietly asked
“Of course… You all can” We nodded as our parents stood.
The ride over to Vince’s was a silent one. Hoyt sat in the back seat as I sat in the front.
“I can’t believe he’s moving” Whispered Hoyt sadly.
We arrived at Vince’s house as I waved to my mom as she drove off. Jason and Tommy got out of their parents vehicle’s also, Vince waiting on the front steps as we all walked inside. We climbed the stair case for the last time and made our way down the long hallway and into his bedroom. He flipped on the light as we found empty boxes littering around.
“Well… What do you want to start with first?” Tommy asked
“Um… My trophies, posters and magazines…” He said as we all set out to pack his things. Hoyt got his clothes and I got his pictures.
“Hey guys, remember that time we all decided to see if we could jump across the river?” I said as we all laughed.
“Yeah…! Vince broke his arm and Junior… You broke your ankle!” Tommy exclaimed.
“Or how we clicked when we all met?” Hoyt told us as we all nodded.
“Did you turn in all your books and whatever?” I asked him as he nodded.
“What classes are you going to take?”
“Just think! You’ll be going to a bigger school”
Vince had pictures of his family and friends and his cat and dog. There were pictures of all of us as we all grew up or when we stole his brother’s camera and took a bunch of pictures together. There were birthdays, holidays, goofing off, sad moments, angry moments, and a bunch of football pictures. I put them all in a smaller box, and wrapped the framed ones.
“How are you getting there?” Jason asked as he glanced at Vince from where he’s packing his trophies.
“We’re all taking a private jet… It’ll have all of our stuff on it, and then we’ll just get a moving truck to the new house… As for the cars, they’ve already been sent ahead of time. We’re taking a rental to the airport” He informed us as we nodded.
Vince had a lot of shit for a male. He had a bunch of football trophies, basketball trophies, wrestling trophies, and track trophies. Just then, a knock on his door sounded as he yelled to come in.
“When you’re done packing your boxes, you can put them out in the hall, okay?” Mr. Tortelli stated as he nodded.
“Are you all packed?” Vince asked him as he nodded.
“Am I to register at the school when it opens?” He asked as his dad nodded again.
“You already took the test”
“I did? When”
“That thing your mother had you do”
“Clever” With that, his dad shut the door as we resumed packing—music playing in the background.
We had just finished packing all of Vince’s stuff and were now in his pool, relaxing. I saw a flash and realized that Hoyt had Vince’s camera. We all (except Hoyt) surrounded Vince as Hoyt snapped more pictures. We got a few group ones and then his mom came out and took a shit-ton of pictures.
“It’s going to be weird without you, bro” Tommy stated as we all nodded. We were now dried off and dressed as we all lay around his room—what was left of it anyway. I got the futon with Vince, Tommy and Jason got the bed and Hoyt got the recliner. Music played from the stereo as we all sat around, talking.
“You still gonna play football?” Jason questioned as Vince nodded.
“Yeah…!” He exclaimed as I looked over towards the wall.
“Remember when we were little and we would write on that wall?” I asked him as he looked over and nodded.
“Oh yeah… My mom was pissed, but we said it would be our wall forever…We’d write on it or leave each other notes…” Vince laughed softly.
“Have you two ever gotten into a fight?” Hoyt asked us as we glanced at each other.
“Nope…. If we ever did, it only lasted five minutes” I answered.
Another knock on his door sounded.
“Come in” Vince announced as his father opened the door and walked in.
“Change of plans—We’re leaving at 4:20…Get the rest of your stuff together”
“Why’re we leaving so early?”
“Mine and your mother’s job… They need surgeons earlier than they expected so we have to leave earlier than expected. Grab Wolverine and Bijou and let’s go.”
It’s now 4:22 and Tommy, Jason, and Hoyt had all left—all of the having said their goodbyes. My mom and Vince’s parents were outside talking as Vince and I said our goodbyes.
“Man… I can’t believe you’re actually leaving…” I whispered as I looked at him.
“Friends since the beginning, brothers for life” Vince said as we looked at each other.
“Why is this so hard?” I whispered, swallowing the sob that threatened.
“I don’t know man…” He said as we embraced tightly
“You better not forget me or I’m coming to New York and kicking your ass” I threatened as he laughed.
“Hell no I won’t forget.” He said. We saw a flash go off as our moms were taking pictures. We both walked down the stairs as we both looked back for the last time.
“I’ll miss you, man” I said as we embraced again.
We took one last picture as he got into the hummer—his dad following in the truck with their stuff. Mom and I watched as they disappeared as Vince stuck his body out the window.
“Don’t forget me!!” He yelled out as we waved.
“I won’t!” I yelled back as the tail lights vanished.
I looked at my mom as I went back into the house. Vince had told me there was something in his closet he left for me so I went in his room. I smiled at the missing part of the wall that Vince took with him. I walked into the closet and found a box as I opened it. There were pictures and whatever in the box as I lifted it up and walked over to the door and took one last look. Memories overtook me as I shook my head, turned off the light and walked back out. I locked up as I put the box in the trunk. Mom started off for home as the realization that my best friend was really gone hit home. I looked out the window as tears went down my face. I swallowed thickly and quickly wiped my eyes.
FRIDAY MORNING: 4:35AM
Mom and I made it home as I got out and opened the trunk. I took out the box and headed up to my room. Most of the people were still up as I darted upstairs. I opened my door, set the box down, flew onto my bed and sobbed. I felt my bed dip as I jerked myself into my mother’s embrace as she stroked my hair and told me everything would be okay. I don’t know how long I was crying for. It seemed like hours. I passed out as mom had left the room, but turned on my alarm.
SAME DAY: 6:25AM
I dragged myself out of bed and showered, getting the chlorine out of my hair as I dried off. I sighed softly as I got dressed in jeans and an old AC/DC shirt as I yanked on my socks. Just another day—oh wait… My best friend moved early this morning! I turned on my TV and turned up the volume as Seth’s face came up.
“Holy shit…” I swore
“…Seth didn’t make it last night. His funeral is to be for later today.” I kept listening as my phone buzzed in my hand as I looked down—finding a text from Vince.
Made it to New York finally!
Took 3 hours as Bijou and Wolverine got antsy
I’m going into the school right now.
It’s 7AM.
Mom and dad had already went into their jobs
Laurie and Rachael are at the house, unpacking.
I’m going into the school to register and whatever
~Vince
I read the message as a smile graced my face. I responded back.
That’s good! I bet you’re tired as hell. :P
I got the box. School and class aren’t going to be the same w/o you
Oh yeah… You’re an hour ahead of us! :D
Tell me what the school’s like, okay, man?
Miss you
~Junior
I grabbed my bag as I headed downstairs. I sat at the table, refusing to eat.
“Bro… You have to eat” Em encouraged
“Not hungry” I responded.
“But…” She protested
“Dad, can you take me to school?” I asked as he nodded. He grabbed his keys as I got up and slammed the door open. I made my way to the truck and climbed in. Dad got in and started for the school.
“Did Vince make it okay?” He asked
“Fine… He’s excited about the new school”
“That’s good.”
“I guess”
“I know it’s hard, son”
“Do you?”
“I do… When my brothers all went into the Marines, I felt like I was left alone—even though I’m the oldest.” He shared as I glanced at him.
“I guess”
Dad pulled up as it started to lighten up outside. I grabbed my bag as I climbed out of the truck and nodded my head as he left. I walked inside and to my locker. I looked over at what was Vince’s locker as I unloaded my backpack. I grabbed my English as I got pushed up against my locker and whirled around my Dex.
“Get your fucking hands off me!” I yelled at him
“Seth just died you fucking asshole!”
“So?!” I screamed at him
“So?!” I screamed at him
“It’s your entire fault! You and your freaky friends…!”
“Get a life!”
“Where’s your loser sidekick? Guess he couldn’t handle the pressure!” He smirked as anger ignited within my belly. I flipped us as I slammed him against the lockers—hard.
“Do NOT talk about Vince that way you racist bastard” I hissed angrily in his ear as I slammed my locker shut and walked away, leaving Dex holding his head. If Vince were here, he would’ve prevented me from doing that. No. I have to happy for Vince. I walked outside to the football field and sat as I rested my books next to me. Last year Vince and I rode our bikes a lot and we would get here early and sit under these very bleachers and hang out. We had our first cigarette here… We hated it. I flashed back as I quickly wiped my eyes as my phone buzzed in my pocket. I took it out and answered it.
“I was wondering when you’d call” I stated as Vince gave off a husky chuckle.
“I just got done registering at the school. I’m calling to tell you what’s up with this very big school.” He started
“Okay, man… Start” I encouraged him.
“Okay. I get here at 7 and I walk into the office as I told them my name as they then gave me my counselor. I walked into the back office and told him my name. He then gave me the 411 on what this school’s about as he told me they have football. I was glad to hear that. Anyway…They have TEN classes, man…TEN!!” He exclaimed as my eyes widened.
“What, do they get out at like… 7pm?!”
“No man… They get out at 3:31. Football practice is from 3:35 to 4:55pm.” He continued.
“So here are the classes I’m signed up for: AP English Lit and Comp, AP Statistics, IB Chem, College Math Advanced. Then I have lunch. AP American History, Sociology I, AP French II and Journalism I” I whistled low.
“Dude… Dex pushed me against my locker this morning because Seth died earlier this morning” I told him
“Shit… What did you do?”
“I flipped and smashed his head against the locker and left.”
“Dammit! You can’t be doing that!” He lectured me
“I know… He was talkin’ shit about you”
“Oh… Well… Go head!—no, it’s wrong, but funny. Did he cry?”
“He had tears”
We shared a laugh
“You’re sitting on the bleachers, aren’t you?” He asked
“How’d you know?”
“Cause you go there whenever you’re sad and don’t feel like skipping school” He said matter-of-fact.
“When do you start your first class?”
“The counselor dude is printing off my schedule right now…It’s 8:32am”
“Do you have everything you need?”
“I sure as hell hope so… But I’m missing something?”
I raised an eyebrow
“What’re you missin’ Vinnie?” I asked, using his childhood nickname.
“You” I laughed softly.
“Give ‘em hell, kid” I told him
“See ya”
“Bye”
We hung up as I saw the rest of the guys walking towards me.
“How’s Vince doin?” Jason asked
“Good, Good. He’s now just getting his class schedule”
“What’s the deal on that school he’s at?”
“They have ten classes. School starts at 7AM.”
“Holy shit… TEN?!” Jason exclaimed
“They have Varsity football.” I told them
“Good. He’ll like that.” Hoyt said as I nodded
“Class is going to be so weird without him, man… I had English, Math, and Gym with him”
“I guess”
We sat in silence for a few minutes as Hoyt cleared his throat.
“Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Yeah… About two hours, I think” I answered
“I did. I passed out once I got home” Jason said
“Me too” Tommy mentioned
“What about you, Hoyt?” I asked
“Not really… I finished unpacking and setting up.”
Just then, Ember came out—without Karrie-Ann.
“Where’s KA?” I asked as she sniffled.
“Today’s her last day… She’s moving to Boston!” She exclaimed
“Massachusetts?” I asked as she nodded.
“Yeah… I want to be there to help her pack and say goodbye…”
“Then ditch.” I said as she looked at me
“What?”
“Ditch…. You know… It’s when you—“She smacked me on the arm
“I know what ditching is, smartass…”
“Why is she moving?” Tommy asked
“Her dad got a better job offer that’ll pay more” Em explained as we nodded.
“That’s understandable… I mean…” I started as I drifted off
“Yeah…”
“When’s she leaving?” I asked
“8:30AM”
“You still have Gina!” Tommy said.
“True, I guess… But Karrie and I have been bestie’s since we started school together” She explained.
Ember headed back inside as we all heard the bell ring. I got up off the bleachers as we all walked inside. We finally got inside as I climbed the backstairs and made it to English.
English just wasn’t the same without Vince as I walked up to Mr. Black’s desk.
“Can I turn in my novel early?” I asked him
“You finished?”
“Been finished for a while”
“Okay… Yeah sure…”
I handed him the small booklet and the grading rubric as I left the room to go down to my locker. I grabbed my Spanish books and went to Spanish.
I took my seat as Mrs. Hotchner was passing around the test we took a few days ago. She handed mine back and smiled at me.
“Very good, Junior… Excellent work” She complemented as she shook her head at Dex, then went into the front of the room.
“We’re going to finish watching the movie we started yesterday and then we’re going to watch another one. I’ll be giving you another worksheet and then we’ll have a quiz on them both on Monday.” She announced as she started the movie. I took out the worksheet from yesterday and watched the movies.
Calculus had come and gone pretty fast also. We turned in our homework and got more. Lunch went by pretty slow. It was an open campus for Junior’s and Senior’s and you could stay on campus to eat so I went out to the bleachers and sat. I didn’t have any lunch because I just wasn’t hungry. Then, my phone started buzzing.
“Hello?”
“How’re you doin’?” Gabe asked
“Fine…” I snapped
“Okay, okay… Just thought I’d check on my little brother”
“I’m fine.” Then I hung up.
Chemistry had come and gone. The teacher lectured for half the class as we took a test. We took notes and we did labs for the rest of the period. She told us we had to read chapters 2-15, answer the questions and take our own notes. She handed us a few worksheets and a thick packet and told us it’s all due on Monday.
History had come and gone. We finished watching that movie and the study guide as we had a quiz. We then watched another movie, answered more questions as Mr. Watson decided to give us more homework. He told us that he moved up the date of our projects and they’re all due on Monday.
For some reason, it was a short day today. School would get out at 1:00pm. I looked at Mrs. Swan as I presented my projects. Then Hoyt joined me as we did our group one. We all had to take notes because there would be a test on it on Wednesday. Everybody clapped as Hoyt and I sat down. Hoyt was the first one to do his project and I was the second. We then presented our group one third as the rest of the class presented there’s. One by one people went up. I took careful notes.
“Is your mom picking you up from practice today?” Hoyt whispered as I shook my head.
“She doesn’t know it’s an early out today. I just need to clear my head” I whispered back, still writing notes.
“Okay, Class… We’ll continue with the rest of the presentations on Monday. Your homework is to read chapters 2-10 tonight and answer the questions. And take notes” She stated as she handed out the study guides.
“And answer the study guides”
I opened my book as I started reading.
“Coach said there’s not going to be any practice until he can find a replacement for Vince” Hoyt mumbled as my head banged on the table with a sound thud.
“You alright Junior…?” Mrs. Swan asked
“I’m just fine, Mrs. Swan. Thank you for your concern.” I mumbled as I closed my books and turned to Hoyt.
“Man… It’s not even the same without my best friend” I whispered as Hoyt patted my back.
“It’ll pass” He comforted as I nodded.
The bell rang as Hoyt and I made our ways to our lockers. I grabbed my text books and put them into my backpack. I shut and locked it as I made my way out of the school. I started for home, the sun shining into my face as I walked on the side of the road. We lived in the country, out of townish. A few miles from the school and about 20 minutes from where Vince lives… You mean lived. I thought bitterly as I turned down the drive. The house came into view as I saw my dad and Kevin talking on the porch—Along with Taker and Glenn. They spotted me as I stopped in front of the porch.
“What’re you doin’ home so early?” Dad asked
“Early Release…” I mumbled
“You alright…?” Glenn asked as I nodded
“Fine.” I mumbled again.
“Look at me” He ordered as I did.
“You look tired and worn down”
“I’m fine”
“Sure?”
“I’m okay” I lied
“No practice?” Taker asked
“They have to replace Vince” I gritted out as I went inside.
I made my way up to my room as I booted up my computer. As I waited for it to load I flipped on my bathroom light and took a look at my reflection. I had dark circles under my eyes as I looked slightly pale. I looked tired. I look like shit I noted as I walked back out. I found my computer booted as I logged into Facebook. I clicked on the Status Update and wrote:
‘School sucked today. I miss my Best friend.’
I clicked ‘Update’ as I surfed the internet. I opened my ITunes and put on some ‘Killswitch Engage’ seeing as today was Friday, I said screw the homework, I’ll do it tomorrow as I changed into Basketball shorts and went over to my TV as I put in a video game. I pushed play and got absorbed into the world of my video game, Killswitch playing in the background.
TIME: 8:07PM
I glanced away from my video game as my phone buzzed. I pressed pause on my game and answered.
“Hello?”
“Oh my God” Vince gave a sighed whoosh
“Sup?” I asked
“That school is something else, man”
“I bet. How were your classes and football practice?”
“Classes were long as hell. I got on the team right away because they were looking for somebody to play defensive line back… Which is a good thing I suppose? Oh… Get this; the coach here is the brother of the coach at Houston!” I laughed
“Ouch…”
“How was it for you?”
“Went fine…Got out early around one…”
“Why?”
“Hell if I know”
“This new house is strange, man”
“How so….?”
“Is kind of bigger than my old one”
“That should be a good thing—oh… Ember’s friend, Karrie-Ann moved away this morning”
“How’s she taking that?”
“I dunno. I’ve been absorbed in my video game world for the past 8 hours.” I explained.
“Shouldn’t you be doing your homework?” He asked
“It’s Friday… I’ll do it tomorrow” I told him
We talked for a few more hours about this and that as we hung up. I saved my game and turned off the TV. I got up and stretched, yawning. Do I wanna go down for dinner? I asked myself as I shook my head. Nah… I’m not even that hungry anyway…I changed into my pajamas, put in a CD, turned off my lights and laid in bed, under the covers as I fell into an easy sleep.
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