(Jasper P.O.V.) >>>>>Monday>>>>
“Jasper, ten minutes! We have to go, now!” Dad’s voice boomed as I wrestled my duffel bag into the trunk. Today was the day—four months in California with Mom and Danny. I missed them both fiercely, but a knot of anxiety tightened in my chest. Four months felt like a lifetime. Summer visits were one thing; living with them for an entire season felt different. I hadn’t wanted to hold Dad back with my presence while he pursued this new job, but still…
We arrived at the airport, and just as I was about to head through security, I spun around and hugged Dad tightly.
“Be good, son. I promise I’ll get you as soon as I can,” he said, ruffling my hair as if I were still a little kid.
“Dad… I’m not four,” I groaned, playfully punching him in the gut.
He chuckled, deflecting the blow. “You’ll stop acting like it, you little runt. See ya, kiddo! Your flight’s leaving!”
He turned me around and ushered me toward the gate. The flight was long and monotonous. When we landed, I spotted Danny holding a sign reading “Welcome Home Jasper!” Mom’s smile was radiant. Danny had gotten a haircut—shorter, sharper.
“Hey, gassy gaspar!” Danny grabbed me in a headlock.
“Let go, and that’s not my name, dummy. Daniel!” I laughed, twisting his arm into a mock police hold behind his back.
“Okay, boys, enough of that. This isn’t the place to wrestle. Let’s get going; we’ve got catching up to do.”
Mom pulled us both by the arms toward the car. Once at the house—my home for the next four months—Danny helped me carry my bags to the guest room.
“I picked up your school schedule and everything. Oh, and tomorrow after practice you’ll have to take the bus home,” he said.
Danny was the football team captain—built, confident, a real charmer. He was everything I wasn't. Back home, I blended into the background, a nobody. I lacked the physical presence to command attention, and my shaggy blond hair didn’t help.
“Why can’t I stay and watch you play?” I asked.
“Look, dude…err, what I mean is, I don’t want you getting caught in the crossfire,” he said.
“What’s wrong with me? Why would they bully me?” I hung my head. He lifted my chin.
“No, no. It’s just…if they knew you were my brother, well, I guess it won’t hurt to let you come see me shine.” He smiled, and I couldn’t help but grin back.
Later, I fell asleep, excited about school tomorrow and meeting Danny’s friends. It was a fresh start, and maybe, just maybe, California would be exactly what I needed.