Black & Blue

New Neighbors

Grian's Perspective-

Grian set down a box in his new room and looks around.

He stares at everything before walking downstairs.

"Dad?" Grian called. His eyes fell on his father, Andrew, who was talking to a woman he [Grian] had never seen before.

"Oh, and this is my son, Grian!" Andrew said, pulling his son over.

Grian tensed up and the woman smiled.

"Hello! I'm your new neighbor. You can call me Bella." She said, stretching out her hand.

Grian hesitates before shaking it.

"H-hi." Grian glances at his father who gives him a reassuring smile.

Grian nods and looks down.

"Is there something you needed?" Andrew asked, referring to when Grian walked downstairs.

"O-oh, no I was just wondering where you were."

Andrew nodded and Grian was about to walk back upstairs when someone knocked at the door.

Grian watched as Andrew opened it and there stood a father and son, each with a matching scar on their faces.

"Oh! Scar, you must be done with your pratro- presidential duties at your school!" Bella corrected herself and Grian tilted his head.

"Who's this?" Andrew asked.

"This is my husband Christopher and our son Scar. Scar's a junior at the local high school. He's actually student body president!"

"Oh really? How neat! You know, I tried to convince Grian to run for student body president back at his old high school, but he never did." Andrew said, chuckling, "He was too caught up in theatre and his studies."

"You do theatre? That must be fun! Scar's high school has a good theatre program." Bella said, looking at Grian who seemed nervous about being put on the spot.

"Oh- uh- cool." Grian said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?" Christopher asked, "We can help you get settled into the neighborhood."

"That would be great!" Andrew said and Grian sighed.

-

Grian heard someone softly knock on his door and he opened it.

"Hey dad." Grian said in a quiet voice.

"What's wrong? You still adjusting?" Andrew asked and Grian nodded, not making eye contact.

Andrew sighed and put his hand on Grian's shoulder, "I know this is a hard time, and this is all happening quickly, but we're in this together."

Grian nodded and his father smiled softly before hugging his son.

They stayed in the tight embrace for a second before Andrew leaned back and kissed Grian's head.

"Alright, you ready to head over?"

"Do I have to go?"

"I know you don't want to, but it'll be alright. They seem nice."

Grian shakes his head and his father sighs.

"I promise you everything'll be okay." He says and Grian hesitates before nodding.

Andrew smiles.

"Alright, let's go."

Grian nods and grabs his phone before following his father outside the door.

-

Grian watched as Andrew chatted with the neighbors so confidently. It was if he wasn't fazed by what had happened recently.

"Er- hi." Scar said, clearing his throat.

Grian jumped a bit before looking at his neighbor.

"Hi." Grian responded.

Scar sat in the stool next to him and they sat in silence.

"So I'm guessing you're gonna go to Wisteria High?" Scar asked, trying to make small talk.

"I mean, yeah. It's like right across the street. We could just walk there."

Scar shrugs, "Jeez, sorry. I was just trying to make some small talk."

Grian sighs, "You're fine."

...

"So what's it like living here?" Grian asked.

"It's alright. Nothing really out of the ordinary."

"That's good. Because all I'm looking for is a normal life where nothing unique happens."