The Bonding Process
Chapter One:
Leon entered the small white house with maroon shutters that he called home and threw his backpack on the living room floor. School had been hell today and he just wanted to relax before even thinking of doing homework. He flopped onto the well-cushioned couch and looked around the familiar area. The living room was modern but not expensive. The couch, loveseat, and chair were blue and the carpet was tan. A 27-inch t.v. sat across from the couch, against the far wall. Yeah, this was home.
He closed his eyes and rolled onto his side. His dad wasn’t home yet, leaving the house quiet, just the way he liked it most of the time. He cleared his mind and tried to go to sleep.
Jerod entered his home, the strong smell of fish coming to his nose. The kitchen lights were on and he smiled. His son had made them dinner. His smile turned into a sigh. His son wouldn’t like the news. His life was here.
He took off his coat and stepped into the kitchen, watching his son cook. His son had spiked black hair like a porcupine and baby blue eyes that switched in shade when his mood changed. He was tall and muscled from the sports he participated in. He was a good boy even if he was defiant sometimes. Everyone had his or her faults.
“Hey dad.”
“Hey.”
Jerod sat in a kitchen chair. “Why don’t you have a seat Leon.”
His son turned to him. “What’s going on?”
“Sit down and I’ll tell you.”
Leon frowned. “Dad, I’m not a girl. I think I can handle it standing up. I promise not to faint on you.”
“Yeah, well your going to be pissed.”
His son smirked. “I can’t promise I won’t be. So what’s up?”
He rubbed his forehead and took a deep breath. “Next week we’re leaving. I’m going on a year trip and I’m not leaving you here.”
Leon glared. He was not leaving everything he had here for a year just to be in space. He could go over the summer. He had friend and sports right now. “I’m not leaving. I have track practice and I still swim to stay fit, not to mention my friends. You can go.”
His son was not going to change his decision. “You have a week to get everything together. Be ready by then.”
Leon growled. “You’re a medic. They can easily find another. Besides, who will take care of the house, pay the bills?”
“I’ve taken care of that.”
He glared at his dad once more before stomping to his room. Who did his dad think he was disrupting his life like this? He had worked hard for what was his: the good grades, being team captain in swimming and basketball, the true friends. How could his dad rip that away from him? His friends would get sick of e-mailing back and forth for a whole year, even if they did think going into space was cool.
He picked up his room phone and dialed his best friend’s cell. It was answered after a few rings. ‘Hello.’
“Hey,” Leon started. “ Are you busy man?”
‘No.’
He sat on his bed. “Come over then. I’ve got some news.”
‘Ok, see you then.’
“Bye.”
He hung up the phone. This day was shitty.
Steve, his best friend, arrived shortly after the call. “So what’s up man?”
“I have a week left before I have to leave. Dad’s making me go to space with him. I’ll be gone for a year.”
His best friend shoved his shoulder slightly. “What are you looking so glum about then? You get to miss school for a year!”
He looked over his friend. His black hair was should length and tied in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. His slanted eyes were brown and friendly. His skin was copper and he wore a pair of blue jeans and a tan t-shirt. He was going to miss him.
“Yeah, but for a year I’m stuck with adults. No people my own age.”
“Don’t sweat it. You’ll be fine.”
He sighed. Steve didn’t understand. Just like usual. His best friend was cool but he couldn’t think about the future in a realistic way. He wished he were Steve.
“Where are you going anyway?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Steve noticed his friend’s glum mood and frowned. “Want to stay over at my house tonight?”
His friend nodded. “I can’t stay with my dad right now.”
The Bonding Process by puppydogeyes
Author's Notes:
This story is already on fictionpress, but I thought you guys might want to read it too. Please review and give me feedback if you have time. The implied het warning is just to be safe.