1When Aaron got to the apartment no one was home but he was used to it now. Last week his mother got a job and worked until five every night. His father had such a crazy schedule that Aaron didn't even try to figure it out.
Dropping his backpack on the kitchen table he noticed a note from his mother asking him to call her when he got home. Aaron ignored it, not wanting to talk to her right now. Besides, he knew he if didn't call in the next half hour, she would.
As if on cue his cell rang right then and he pulled it out of his pocket. He expected it to be his mother but was surprised to find that it was Jordon's number.
"Hey, Jordon," Aaron answered, trying to sound nonchalant and carefree. The last thing he wanted right now was Jordon to drill him on what's wrong.
"Hey, man, how's the big city?"
"Oh, you know, big." Aaron slouched down on the couch. He was sure if he closed his eyes and talked with Jordon, he could pretend to still be in Montana, his best friend calling from next door. He snapped his eyes open. There was no way he could pretend. The apartment stunk, cars rumbled outside. Even sitting on the couch he felt dirty.
"Big?" Jordon laughed. "Come on, Aaron. Give me more than that."
Big. Dirty. Stinky. Horrible. "Well, there's lots of people and hills and stuff everywhere. It's sure different than Calridge," Aaron replied, opting for a more pleasant answer.
"Do you like it?"
Aaron froze, his mind scrambling for a response. No, of course I hate it. There's nothing to like about it. "Um, I'm not sure. It's okay, I guess."
Jordon changed the subject then, going off about how everything in Calridge was going, a subject Aaron was delighted to talk about. When they hung up fifteen minutes later, he was feeling much better. His friend could always seem to do that to him.
It didn't last long though because he mother called and asked why he hadn't called her as soon as he got home. They spat some about it, ending their conversation still tension filled. Carla promised they would talk about his 'attitude' when she got home. Aaron was dreading it. He knew he was being ridiculous but he was sick of his mother pounding him to act like he was fine. He wasn't fine. Being in such a huge city isn't natural, at least for him. His mother might not mind, as she grew up in Chicago, but he did.
Solemnly, he grabbed his math book and started on his homework. He used to hate math but now getting lost in the numbers was a blessing. He was just finishing up when Carla walked in the door.
"Aaron, honey," she said pleasantly, her arms full of groceries. It sounded like she cooled down from their fight over the phone. "I stopped at the store before I got here. Will you help me bring them in?"
Aaron gave her a 'you've got to be kidding me' look before shaking his head. "No, I'm doing my homework."
Carla set the groceries down and stared at her son. "Aaron, I'm telling you to. Go."
Aaron shot to his feet, suddenly angry. "You didn't tell me, you asked me."
"I'm telling you now," she snapped, pointing at the door. "Go!"
Furious, he stormed out of the apartment and down a flight of stairs. He didn't even know why it was such a big deal to him, it just was. Grabbing as much as possible, he stomped back up, nearly plowing his mother over.
"Aaron!" she gasped, but he ignored her, continuing up. He dropped the bags on the floor and went to his room, frustrated with himself. He didn't like being angry and mean but he didn't have anything to be happy about right now.
Sitting down at his desk, he turned his laptop on and listened as it hummed to life. He had just clicked on the Internet icon when someone knocked on his door. Aaron didn't answer and the pounding came again followed by the door swinging open. A very distraught Carla stood in the doorway.
"Aaron," she said softly. Aaron could tell she was trying to be calm but she looked like she was about to burst. "Can you tell me what's wrong, sweetheart?"
Aaron gritted his teeth. "Nothing. I'm fine, just leave me alone. I'm trying to do my homework."
"What are you working on? Do you need any help?" Carla came up behind Aaron and looked over his shoulder.
Aaron turned around and stared at his mother. Not since elementary school did he ever need help with his homework. His mother was trying so hard to make everything work but it was only making him more frustrated. It would almost be easier if she would get angry and yell at him. Not something she did often.
Taking a deep breath, Aaron shook his head and tried to smile. "No, Mom, I'm fine." He silently prayed under his breath that she would leave him at that.
She did. "All right, honey. Dinner's at six." With that she left.
Sighing with relief, he turned back to his computer, suddenly feeling guilty that he lied to his mother about doing his homework. He wasn't doing anything bad, just checking his email, but that didn't make it any better. Shaking the feeling off, he continued what he was doing.
AN: It would be nice to know if anyone wants this to continue.