[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190630/88ffa922b96f4bfc96c6c90722614193.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/HX96Qxt.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yAXE1vw.png[/img][/center] [indent][color=silver] Graduation Day had gone by in a blur, one heck of a stressful blur. Elias had been sat in the back row of his graduation ceremony a surley face plastered over his face as he listened to the people making their speeches. If one listened closely you would hear the sound of Elias gritting his teeth. He could not wait for it to be over so he could get his plan his escape from this backwards town. As soon as the caps had been thrown and the applause had died down the messy haired teen had almost ripped of his gown and headed for the stands to get the inevitable awkward moment with his parents over and done with. And just as he had thought there they were glowering at each other, probably just done with a fight. When his mother caught sight of her son her face broke into a soft but obviously fake smile [color=679194]“Eliii… Congratulations!”[/color] she cooed and embraced him. [color=659475]“Thanks mom”[/color] Elias muttered as he endured her tight hug. His father just slapped him on the shoulder with a quick [color=909463]“Proud of you son”[/color] even though it was just hollow words Elias appreciated that Charlie was even there. [color=silver]“So you know where Dusty is going to play next year then?”[/color] his father asked looking around to see if he could spot one of Elias’s best friends. A loud sigh escaped the boy [color=659475]“No dad haven’t really asked him”[/color] he monotoned staring out into the crowd. [color=659475]“But I can ask him tonight if it’s that important to you”[/color] he said sarcastically, knowing his father hated when he talked back like that. Charlie cleared his throat loudly indicating that Elias was on thin ice. Rolling his eyes Elias said goodbye to his parents and ventured out into the sea of people in search of his friends. When the crowd had long gone the mismatched group of friends had gathered together behind the small building that housed all of the sports utilities. Where Roxy had insisted they made their friendship eternal by signing their names on the wall. [color=C30000]“Who has the pen?”[/color] Roxanne asked in a shaky voice holding back the sentimental tears. With a soft sigh Elias dug around in the pocket of his jacket retrieving the felt-tipped pen he had swiped from Mrs Rome’s classroom. [color=659475]“Here”[/color] he whispered handing it to the redhead. The girl smiled in response as she took it from him and uncapped it. Elias watched as one by one his friends signed the dusty wall. At last it was his turn. With one last big sigh Elias signed his name beside his friends before capping the pen and pocketing it admiring their work. [color=C30000]“We’ll meet back here, every year. Wind, rain or shine, This is our home. Promise me guys” [/color] he could hear Roxy say quietly behind him. Elias turned around trying to rearrange his face into a convincing expression [color=659475]“Of course, you won’t get rid of me that easy!”[/color] he cracked a smile and hugged her. [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yAXE1vw.png[/img][/center] The cab came into a screeching halt, shaking Elias who had been asleep in the back seat awake. He straightened his glasses as he peered out of the window up at the house that he had grown up in. The rain pelted him as he got out of the car and gathered his belongings from the trunk of the car. He shielded his face with his hand as he jogged up to the house, Elias stopped when he got to the porch. He took a moment staring at the door handle almost as if it would burn him if he touched it. Closing his eyes the young man took a deep breath before he opened the door as quietly as he could so to not notify his father of his arrival. Stepping into the house he could hear the tv showing the Longhorn game, and it was not hard to imagine his father parked in front of it while drinking his beer. [color=659475]“Dad?”[/color] Elias called out setting his bags down waiting for answer. He stepped towards the living room, and just as he had though there sat his father eyes fixed on the tv screen. [color=659475]“We winning?”[/color] he asked. [color=909463]“Hey son… yeah looks like it.”[/color] Charlie said finally turning his head away from the game and facing his son standing up as he did so.[color=909463] “Come here!”[/color] he exclaimed as he embraced Elias. Blinking slowly the young man patted his father on the back awkwardly. It was a confusing scene for him because he could probably count on one hand the times that his father had hugged him. [color=909463]“You holding up ok?”[/color] Charlie said as he pulled away. There it was, the hug was some sort of act of pity now that the only good thing about this town was gone. [color=659475]“Yeah I’m alright I guess.”[/color] he lied straightening his coat. [color=659475]“Well, I need to head out again. Dusty is waiting for me at the tavern.”[/color] Elias drawled almost as he was bored with what was happening. The small light that lit up behind his father’s eyes whenever Dusty’s name still annoyed Elias to no end. [color=909463]“Oh give the champ my best.”[/color] his father chuckled as he sat back down to watch the game. [color=659475]“Sure…”[/color] Elias muttered as he turned away and made his way out of the house. Walking through the town that he had grown to hate made the short walk to the Border Tavern feel like a slog through old memories. Even from under his umbrella he could spot the old movie theater where they used to watch movies one month late and the small liquor store where they used his fake ID to buy beer and then the alley behind the quick n’ go where Diana and Roxanne calmed him down when he had a panic attack the day his grandfather died. Squeezing his eyes shut Elias quickened his pace to get away from the painful memory. The door of the Border Tavern still creeked when it was pushed opened. His nostrils was filled with the smell of stale beer and peanuts as he entered. It didn’t take long before he spotted the broad shoulders of his old friend. [color=659475]“Long time no see Cowboy”[/color] he said sitting down on the stool next to Dustin. [/color][/indent]