the-fanficer

[the-fanficer]

Hard Life

(Should I continue this story? Let me know in the comments or send me a message.)

Tw: slight depression, mention of cancer, slight mention of death

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He started to unload the bags. The bags didn’t contain much. He heard movement before his mom appeared into the apartment. “Did I wake you?” Newt asked not looking up at his mom.

“No, I was waiting for you in the living room” His mom, Joanne, said as she walked closer to her oldest child. “How was your day?” Joanne asked as she helped him unload the grocery’s Newt brought home.

“It was okay,” Newt said with a shrug. When they finished, the Mother-Son duo made their way to Joanne’s bedroom. “Is Sonya asleep?” Newt asked as he helped his mom onto the bed.

Joanne nodded with a tired smile. “She went to bed after dinner. She looked tired, ``she replied. “Goodnight mom. See you in the morning” Newt said with a small smile as he leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He squeezed her hand before he turned and left the room.

He closed the door behind him and then he made his way down the hall to his younger sister’s room. He opened the door quietly and tip-toed his way to his sleeping sister. He bended down and planted a kiss on her forehead just like he did with his mom. He then made his way quietly out of the room. He shut the door and headed to his room.

He closed the door to his room and went and sat at his desk. He ran a hand over his face as he opened his math book. He didn’t have time to do it after school with his job and all so he’s been doing his homework late at night these past couple of weeks.

His dad died of cancer when he was ten. Since then, Newt had to pick up the pieces of his family and become the man of the house. His mom has been unable to work so Newt spends his time after school and on weekends working long tedious hours just to be able to pay rent for their apartment.

With taking care of his sister and mom and working a job it’s surprising how Newt is still the top student in his high school. He’s been labeled as the high school genius. He’s not very athletic so he has to make that up with his brain. He knows he won’t be able to pay for college so he has to get a scholarship.

His body ached. He may not be very athletic but he can dive pretty well. He would have joined track but he can’t with his limp. He has been able to join football cause his boss is a huge football fan so he allows Newt time off as long as he’s there right after practice.

Newt’s the smallest on the team and he can’t run that well so he’s mostly the towel boy and water boy. The football coach, Mark Veech, loves Newt. Mark thinks of Newt as his own son. Newt’s glad to have a father figure in his life, he would have completely crumbled when he went to highschool if it weren’t for Mark. Mark is also the Math teacher at Newt’s High school. Another reason why he and Mark get along, is their love for math.

Newt smiled at the thought. He then shook his head and grabbed a pencil. If he wanted to get some sleep then he would have to get a move on with his homework.

Newt’s alarm went off at 5:00 AM. Newt lifted his head slowly and realized he fell asleep at his desk. When did he fall asleep? An hour or two ago? He shook his head and got up to turn his alarm off. He stretched when the beeping finally stopped.

He made his way to his closet and changed into gym clothes, a blue shirt and black shorts. He was trying to gain muscle for the football season this year. Maybe he won’t be pushed around as much. He also wanted to be able to defend his sister from her bully’s and his own. He was done being beaten up by them. He packed his backpack up and placed it on his bed. He had to come back and take Sonya to school.

He grabbed his keys and phone and pocketed them into his shorts. He also grabbed his jacket and pulled it over his slender shoulders as he exited the apartment building. He decided to walk to the gym. It wasn’t too far, maybe a block or two.

He pulled his hood up as he walked down the streets of Glendale, Colorado. He didn’t want to be noticed and he hoped no one he knew was really awake at this hour. Even though he was smart and known throughout the whole school he was also the quiet kid.

Well he used to be known as just the quiet kid. But now he was labeled the genius quiet kid with a temper. He does admit he did punch some kids but that’s because they were picking on the 9th graders.

He felt his phone buzz and he pulled it out of his pocket. It was the school, they usually sent out notifications but not this early. He shrugged it off. He was reading the new article as he walked. ��New Student?’ Newt thought, why post an article about that.

He should have been paying attention but usually there’s not a lot of people out at this time of morning and if there was then they would avoid him. One second he was and then next he ran into someone and fell backwards.

He shook his head. He looked up and saw the person had their back to Newt. The next second the person, now Newt could see he was a boy around his age, turned around. The boy’s eyes went wide and he held his hand out.

Newt took it and the boy helped him to his feet. “Sorry about that” Newt said, a blush of embarrassment spread across his face. “It’s okay, I shouldn’t have been standing in the middle of the sidewalk” The boy said as he rubbed his neck.

Newt studied the boy, he had broad shoulders and was at least 2 feet taller than Newt. Newt knew he was not as tall as some boys his age, 5’7”, but he was taller than some people. The boy had jet black hair and he had ocean blue eyes.

“I’m Thomas” The boy said as he stuck out his hand. Newt shook it and gave a smile “I’m Newt” he replied. “What are you doing up this early?” Newt asked. Thomas looked inside the coffee shop that they were standing in front of. “My boyfriend likes to go on runs really early in the morning. He likes the quiet. I accompanied him today and right now he’s getting us coffee” Thomas said with a grin.

Newt nodded, he loved coffee. It’s what kept him up through his night shifts at his work. He didn’t bring it to school because his teachers hate when students bring it in and then they spill it. He wants to stay on their good side this year.

“I’ve never seen you around town before” Newt said as he studied the boy. Thomas let out a laugh “Yeah, I just moved here” he said as he rubbed his neck.

Newt heard the bell jingle and he turned his head to the door. His mouth dropped as he saw a Asian boy walk out. Minho, the top football player at his high school.

Newt gritted his teeth as Minho walked over to them. “Got your favorite” he said as he handed Thomas the cup. Minho had the stupidest grin on his face as Thomas leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Newt had never seen Minho this soft with anyone. Not even when he was with his girlfriend, Amanda, two years ago. He can’t believe a sweet boy like Thomas was dating the biggest jerk in Glendale, Colorado. He wondered if he knew Minho’s mean side.

Newt and Minho had been best friends through Elementary and Middle School until the 9th grade hit and Minho changed into a completely different person. All because of his cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda and his new football friends. He still felt hurt by Minho’s actions and didn’t think he could ever forget him.

Newt was about to turn when he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. “Newt?” Minho spoke quietly. Newt couldn’t help but feel disgusted at the hurt look on Minho’s face. “What do you want? Wanna chase after me until after dark? Wanna shove me into the trash can?” Newt spat at Minho.

“Newt stop. I’m sorry for what I did in the past, okay? It wasn’t right” Minho said as he put his hand by his side again. “Are you only apologizing because your boyfriend is right there?” Newt said as he crossed his arms. He could feel tears wanting to breach. He so desperately wanted to forgive Minho but he didn’t want to get hurt again. He gave his heart to Minho and he ripped it to shreds. Newt didn’t want to go through that again.

“Is this the Newt?” Thomas asked with a raised eyebrow. Minho just nodded. Newt was now confused. “What do you mean ‘the Newt’?” Newt asked as he used his fingers as quotation marks. “You're all Minho talks about.” Thomas said as he took a sip of his coffee. He seemed to be..enjoying this?

Newt scoffed “See you at school Minho” Newt said before he took Minho’s coffee out of his hands and then he stormed off. “He seems feisty,” Thomas said as he watched Newt walk off. “Shut up” Minho grumbled before dragging Thomas down the sidewalk, the opposite way of Newt.