Chapter 1 #2
The rest of the moving process goes fairly smoothly.
Despite how hard the dorm’s AC is working and how many doors, elevators, and hallways there are between my parents’ Honda Odyssey and the dorm, there’s no escaping the oppressive August heat of Atlanta.
By the time all my stuff has been hauled up to room 319, Dad and I look like we’ve run a 5K.
“I should have brought a change of clothes,” Dad grumbles, standing in front of the open freezer door of our kitchen’s refrigerator.
I chug down another glass of cold water straight from the sink.
“You can borrow something of mine,” I offer, gesturing back to my bedroom.
We’re close in size—tall and relatively lean, except for Dad’s slightly bigger gut.
Plus, everything I wear fits a little loose on me, so I’m sure my clothes would fit him.
Dad laughs weakly. “Nah, it’ll be fine.” He checks his watch. “I’m heading straight home to shower before Bella’s recital anyway.”
I nod, guilt curling in my stomach as I remember why the rest of my family isn’t here.
While Dad and I have been moving, Ashley and my two stepsisters, Bella and Charli, have stayed behind in Specter.
Bella, the older of the two girls, is preparing for her annual piano recital this evening, a tradition in which Ashley takes her out to get her hair styled, her nails painted, and whatever other beautifying treatments she requests.
Charli is usually happy to tag along, but this year Ashley had to bribe her with the same beauty treatments as Bella to make up for Charli not being able to come with Dad and me instead.
Charli begged to come with us, but Ashley insisted Charli would likely be in the way or get lost in the chaos.
Now that we’re wrapping up, I know she was right. She usually is.
My guilt isn’t only for Charli, though. I haven’t missed a single one of Bella’s recitals since she became my stepsister seven years ago. Until now, that is.
Before we can say more, the front door unlocks and swings open. Theo, Caleb, and Nate file in with more boxes. Theo looks to my dad, then to me, and his shoulders slump. “Don’t tell me y’all are already finished.”
“You’re not?” I ask incredulously. “Dude, how much stuff do you have?”
“Told you!” Grace shouts from Theo’s room down the hall.
Theo grunts as he heaves a cardboard box onto the kitchen counter beside me. “Okay, fine, I may have overpacked. But look, I’m the one with all the plates and cooking stuff, remember?” He pats the box labeled “Kitchen” in bold, perfectly legible letters. “How much communal stuff did you bring?”
I take another gulp of water as I try to remember. “Cups?” I say, raising my acrylic shatterproof cup.
Theo blinks. “And silverware, right?”
My stomach drops. Shit. “Uhh…”
Theo’s eyes narrow. “You forgot, didn’t you?”
I bite my lower lip, offering an apologetic smile. “We can grab a new set tomorrow, right?”
“Seriously, Oliver?” Dad grumbles.
“It’s fine,” Theo says with a sigh, but he smiles. “We’ll need to make a grocery run anyway.”
“My bad. I’ll make it up to you,” I promise.
Dad’s phone vibrates on the counter by the fridge. “That’ll be Ashley,” he says. “I should start heading home.”
“I’ll walk down with you,” I say, checking that I still have my lanyard.
“It was nice to see you, Mr. Hammond,” Theo says politely, extending a hand to my dad. Completely unnecessary formalities—that’s Theo.
Dad smiles and shakes it. “Always a pleasure, Theo. Keep him out of trouble, will you?” He tilts his head towards me, and I roll my eyes.
“I’ll do my best,” Theo vows.
“Good to see you, Tom!” Kora calls out, peering around the corner and waving. “Tell Ashley and the girls ‘hi’ for me!”
“I certainly will. Y’all take care!”
With the goodbyes finished, Dad and I make our way back down to the parking garage. Dad opens the driver's side door and lets out a sigh. “Well, I guess this is it.”
I scoff. “You say that like I’m not going to be back home to visit in a couple of weeks. Remember? Charli demanded it.”
Dad sniffs, and suddenly I realize he’s trying not to be emotional. “Yeah, I know.”
“Come on, you’re not supposed to be the mushy one,” I plead. “Ashley and Charli already pulled this crap earlier today.”
“You’re my kid, I’m allowed to get a little mushy,” Dad replies. “Besides, now that you’re leaving, I’m the last man standing in a house full of girls. It’s going to be tough.”
I laugh. “Sucks to be you, dude.”
“Come here, you jerk,” he says with a grin, outstretching his arms for a hug. We embrace for a few stiff, manly moments, then Dad loudly pats my back and pulls away. “Make good choices,” he says gruffly.
“I will.”
Dad starts the car and rolls down the window. “If you can’t figure out which choice is the good one, ask Theo.”
I roll my eyes again. “Okay, Dad.”
“And if you’re going to go out at night, go with a group.”
“I know,” I say, taking a few steps backward towards the dorm.
“And if you’re going to have sex, use a condom.”
I turn to walk away faster so he doesn’t see my cheeks start to burn. “Bye, Dad!”