Chapter Text
Griffin looked out the window, leaning his head back on the head rest with his headphones over his ears. His music blasting over the radio his step-mom was playing in the car. He sat in the backseat, while his step brother, Vance, sat in the passenger seat next to his mom. They had moved to North Denver for a fresh start. New school, new town. They streets were filled with kids laughter as they rode their bikes and people walked their dogs.
His step-mom, Camille and met his dad, Steven a year ago. Steven also had a son just 2 years older than him, Vance. They married after 9 months, thinking their marriage would last through tears and hardships. Unfortunately, Steven turned abusive. Griffin and Camille were mainly targeted, just because he probably wouldn't take on Vance that easily. Vance looked like Camille, but personalities were the complete opposite. Camille Hopper was a sweet and strong woman with curly blonde hair and ice blue eyes just like Vance. They were German, and Griffin was even able to learn it thanks to Vance.
She would stand up for Griffin when he felt too weak around Steven, only to end up getting beat too. Vance Hopper-Stagg was strong too, but his soft spot was harder to reach. But maybe more in hand when it came to people he cares for. He used to get into fights a lot at their old school, which most likely won't change. When Camille couldn't bare to see Griffin get hurt, she filed for divorce. She won custody for both of them.
Griffin Stagg-Hopper. The scrawny, short, pale and blonde haired boy. He wasn't like Vance. Strong, brave, and confident. He barely made it through middle school. Now, he's just a sophomore trying to get a fresh start.
"When are you gonna get there again?" Vance asked for the 10th time in two hours. Camille huffed, turning what seemed like the thousandth corner. "In a little."
Griffin slipped off his headphones to the nape on his neck, "And how much is a little?" Vance grinned, "Exactly. My legs are fucking cramping from sitting my ass on this seat for six hours." Camille laughed, slowing down as she pulled into a gas station, "Well then, you're in luck kiddo. Stretch before we go, I need to pump in gas." She grabbed her purse, making her way inside the station to pay for the pump number. She turned and yelled, "Any snacks in mind?" Griffin rolled down his window, "Gummy bears and a Sprite!"
"Chips and a slushie!" Vance said after Griffin. Their mom smiled and nodded, entering the door. Vance yawned and stepped outside. Griffin kept his window rolled down from the backseat, not minding when Vance leaning his crossed arms on edge. Vance looked at the shorter boy who was sitting while picking at his cuticle. "You should try harder to make friends this time," he started, "Maybe it'll be easier than you think." Griffin looked up, his expression unsure. "I dunno. Maybe." Vance chuckled softly, ruffling his hair. "If anyone fucking messes with you, just tell me." Griffin rolled his eyes sarcastically, the corner of his lips daring to go upright. "I'd prefer to just lay low and not be known for having a crash out as my brother."
"Wow, I'm butt-hurt."
At that moment, Camille came back from paying. "Here are the snacks requested, princesses." Vance's hand dashed to the black bag, reaching for his chips and getting his slushie handed over to him. Griffin just got his Gummy Bear bag. "Thanks," the two boys said in union. As they munch on their newly gained snacks, two boys walk out the gas station. One has brunette hair with soft curls, while the other has raven black hair while holding a black bag. They two boys have baseball uniforms on.
The two boys made eye contact with Griffin in the car, smiling and waving. Griffin smiled back slightly, shyly waving back. The boy with raven hair told something to the boy next to him, then starting jogging his way over. Vance noticed Griffin looking past him and turned around. The baseball boy made eye contact with Vance, his cheeks turning dusk pink. It's like he became shy as he spun on his heels back to his friend. Griffin side eyed Vance. "You just ruined my chances on getting friends during summer." Vance shrugged it off, "I didn't even do nothin'. He seemed like one of those shitty popular kids anyways. I did you a favor." When their mom finished putting in gas, they got in the car and drove off. After 5 minutes, the car slowed in front of the new house. The house was pretty nice. The front door was on the side of the vertical side. The horizontal side had pavement on the floor like a large patio, and the walls were white with a coffee brown roof. There was no second floor or anything fancy but he liked it. "I like it," he said aloud, "It's pretty."
Camille smiled softly at Griffin. "I'm glad you like it," she looked at Vance, "What about you kid?" Vance gulped, eyes looking at the house. It was clear to everyone that it'll take a week before he felt at home. "It's.." he paused, "It's actually not that bad" Camille's smile widened and Griffin smirked, "You know you like it." They laugh as they start getting out of the car. Unpacking was a struggle. Well, for Griffin. His short weak arms didn't really help when carrying boxes.
Not to mention having to help out Vance place his drum set in his room. Vance was cackling while Griffin kept cursing at him to shut up as he dragged one of Vance's drums from the U-Haul truck. Eventually, he got to set up his own room (as he should've been doing the whole time). His room was a burgundy color, a window right across the wall from the door to show to side of the front yard, and brown stained floorboards. Wow.
He set up his bed, occasionally muttering curses under his breath trying to get the sheet on. When he would put one corner on, the other would come off. He had to place his shelf over his bed, calling in his mom to put the nail in. He taped his posters up, and soon he went out to take his bike from the truck. While taking his bright red bike out, he heard someone say, "Hey! You must be the new neighbors, right?" Griffin looked up to see a girl around his age. She had brown hair just below her shoulder, tied with red ribbons. She wore a white polo and brown shorts. Her eyes were a warm brown. Griffin paused, then nodded slowly. The girl smiled, "Cool! My name's Donna. I live across the street and I wanted to stop by and say hi." The corner of the boys mouth slightly turned upright. "Oh, well thanks. See you around?" Donna smiled, nodding, "Yeah, totally! Bye!" She skipped off and Griffin smiled. He made a new friend. He parked his red bike at the side of the house before heading inside.
...
The first week of staying at North Denver ran by fast. Vance had started this dumb obsession everything him and Griffin walked to a convenience store called Grab N' Go. He would stay at this dumb pinball machine for hours, dragging the younger one with him. The store owner, Jessica, started noticing and called him pinball Vance. Griffin had become closer with Donna, biking around occasionally. He learned she has lesbian, her favorite color was dark red, she loved dogs, and was a fan of rom-coms.
Sooner or later, summer would end. There was only 2 weeks left before school started.
Everyone had adjusted. Camille had started a new job as a nurse and Vance had went back to normal and was calmer than usual. Griffin made a friend, but he still felt weird. Like he was missing a puzzle piece.