Chapter Text
Well, how to start… you were finally settling in. Well, for the last few years at least. You were born in Texas, but moved to Virginia when you were five. So you started school there, but then moved to California when you were eight. Then you moved back to Texas when you were ten and your dad finally was able to stay there for these last seven years. You were so close to staying in one school until graduation, but then your fucking dad had to up and say you’re moving to Maryland.
Mom’s just fine with it, like always. How could they not understand that you have no friends and not many things to own because of this? You had finally settled on the idea that you were here to stay. But then you heard from them that you had a cousin who moved to Maine about two months ago. Maine is only a few states away from Maryland, so you woman up and ask them.
You asked at breakfast the next morning. You were quietly eating your cereal and kept glancing up at them, trying to gauge when you should ask. Of course, your dad notices everything, so he suddenly interrupts the silence that you hadn’t realized was so comfortable until it wasn’t, “What is it Y/N? You keep glancing at us. Did you do something?” He puts down the newspaper and crosses his arms. He was always assumed the worst… “No dad, I actually have something to ask you.” You say and put down the spoon. You sit up straighter before he can say something about it, “So.. you know how we have to move to Maryland? Well, you also know about how aunt Arlene moved to Maine recently? I was thinking… what if I stayed with them instead? That way I could graduate properly and you guys wouldn’t have to worry about moving me again and all the registration and-“ “No,” my father interrupts, “Have you lost your mind? You can’t just move out, you’re only seventeen.”
“You never listen.” You say and slouch again. “And I’m not gonna be living on my own, I’ll be with family only a few states away.” My mom speaks up, “Have you even asked them? They only just moved, they probably have enough on their plate.” You say, “No, I wanted to make sure you guys were okay with it first. Please just think about it. Dad, you’re always away on base anyways, it’s not like you’d be watching me.”
”Watch it.” He says with a hard look. “The bus will be here in fifteen minutes. Finish getting ready.” He says. You huff and leave the table. On the bus ride to school you jam your beloved Walkman earbuds in and blast Led Zeppelin.
What you didn’t expect was for your dad to tell you at dinner that night that they wanted to talk about it.
”So, your mother and I have thought about it. You are getting to be an adult, and we understand that you need more stability,”yes… “and, your aunt is wonderful and we trust her,” yes..! “So we’ve decided, if you really want to, you can live with her. But only if she agrees. We’ll ask her tomorrow.”
You had practically jumped for joy. You could actually be getting what you want!
And the next day, it went exactly how you wanted. She had actually agreed. She had always been sentimental and she especially had wanted to be closer to family ever since uncle John died.. is it bad to say that at least it’s good that something good came out of it? Probably, forget that. But she agreed and even has a guest room. She made it sound unused, poor thing.
Your cousin, Ben, also seemed excited if the letter he sent you was anything to go by. He had written to you to welcome you before your trip. He was about fifteen and seemed nice enough. Good then, it won’t be awkward.
Two weeks went by and it was time to move. Goodbye military housing forever. The amount of times people had gushed to her about how lucky you were for have free housing, but god it was awful. The drainage sucked, there was always some grass mess that was permanently stuck there no matter how much you cleaned, the doors were squeaky and stiff, and there was always a weird smell.
The flight took forever, which you spent the entire duration reading books and magazines while listening to your Walkman. When you landed with your parents, you hugged your teary eyed mother and stoic father goodbye before taking a second flight independently to Maine. After relistening to every album you owned again, you landed in Maine. It looked beautiful, but fuck it was cold. And it was barely October.
You weren’t sure if you were gonna spot your aunt and cousin when they picked you up, but sure enough, in the sea of black and brown coats, there was your aunt in her bright purple coat and purple hat. Ben looked a bit embarrassed as she ran up to you and hugged you tight enough to make you wheeze.
“Hey aunt Arlene.” You rasp out, “Oh you stop it with that formal tone right this second young lady.” She smiled and set you down. “You call me auntie from now on. And here is Benny.” She says and brings him forward. He smiles a bit and does a dorky little wave. “Hey Y/N. Long time no see.” He looks down and twiddles his thumbs. Bless his heart, he’s so helpless. “Oh, don’t be so shy Ben. We need to welcome her, not scare her off.” Aunt Arlene, er- Auntie says. “Oh trust me, nothing you do short of murder would make me go back to my parents. Nothing could be worse than Maryland.” I chuckle.
Ben gives me a funny look, kinda like he’s scared. But Auntie hugs my shoulder and leads me along. “Well, what’s new about my brother-in-law. He’s always been so icy.” She teases. “Totally.” You say excited to gab about your dad with an adult. Ben trails behind and Auntie makes him carry your bag. Hehe, this is gonna be the best.
While you’re in the car headed to their town, Derry apparently, you notice how bare everything’s getting. The longer you drive, the less things you see one the road. Fewer food chains, fewer landmarks, fewer cars. Even as you pull into town, there are no names you recognize. No McDonald’s, no Burger King, not even a Pizza Hut. There’s nothing.. you stop talking to auntie and turn to Ben, “Where is all the stuff? There’s like, no food stuff and I don’t see stores that I recognize.”
Ben sighs, “This town is kinda old. There’s not even a mall. No chain restaurants. But there are stores and diners, just local stuff.” He says. “Aw man, that’s so totally bogus.” You say and look out of the window.
“Hush now,” Auntie says gently, “There’s still stuff to do. Ben is out practically every day with his friends doing… what is it you do Benny?” She smiles and looks in the rearview mirror. “Oh, we just bike around and have fun. Just whatever we find.” I laugh, “Good for you, that’s better than what I got. Probably better than what I’ll have for a while, I probably won’t have many friends.”
”Oh no, Ben let her hang out with your friends.” You sit up straighter and try to placate her, not wanting to impose yourself on his little friends. “No, no, that’s alri-“ “Sure.” Ben says. I turn to him, “Huh? It’s ok, I’m sure you don’t want your older cousin tagging along with your group.” “Well if you don’t want to. I’m just saying, if you feel alone then you can. They won’t care, trust me.” I smile, “Well alright then Benny.” I chuckle. He groans, “Mom, now you got her calling me that.”
“Good, and you’re gonna let our guest call you whatever she wants.” She says despite his grumbling. “I think I changed my mind, leave me alone.” He says and sits back. “No takesies-backsies.” I smirk deviously.
When the car pulls up the driveway, Auntie makes Ben carry your bag again. The house is small, but she is pretty good at making a house look like a home. But damn, she really does like purple. Purple flowers, purple pillows, purple carpets. At least the house isn’t painted purple, then you would be more embarrassed.
Ben shows me to the guest room and leaves you alone to get situated. The room is bare, save for only a simple bedspread, empty desk, and bare walls. Auntie was probably just anxious about what to do to make you comfortable and just left it up to you. You leave your bag on the floor and lay on your new bed.. your new bed that wasn’t stiff and didn’t smell like cigarettes masked by strong detergent or like fifty other people.
Yeah, you could get used to this.