Latchkey kid. (A one-shot)
I ain’t the type of kid to complain. Never was. My ma has a house lock in the door when she’s at work so nobody can steal nothin. So, I’m used to coming home to a locked door just to unlock it with my house key. My ma is trying her hardest to support me and my kid sister so she works double to triple shifts.
Hey, that just means I get the house to myself, Right?
Tonight was no different than the rest. After school, I walked home and reached into my shirt to grab the house key that was on my necklace. As usual, I stuck it in the key hole. I missed the first time and stuck it in there again only to find it wouldn’t fit. I was confused, not knowing why the key to my house wasn’t workin. My sister wasn’t home yet, so it was just me. After a while, I shrugged it off and walked to my Bedroom window and open it. I crawled into my messy room through the window and fall on the wooden floor. as I sat back up, I groaned and rubbed my head, deciding to walk to the kitchen to grab a beer. We didn’t have any though, which I thought was weird, because I always made sure I had a beer. I shrug it off once more and simply walk back to my room.
Maybe I just forgot to restock my beer stash. …Yeah. I forgot.. That’s right.
The next day I followed my strange routine of waking up, going to my bullshit school, hangin’ out with the gang, and goin home. I tried to open the door again today with my own housekey. It didn’t work again, so I walked to my bedroom window. I tried to open it, but it didn’t budge.
that’s weird… I never lock the window..
I try to ignore the thoughts as i keep checking the windows. They were all locked. Even my sister’s. I was gettin’ anxious now. Why was the house all locked up? the garage was closed and everything. I peeked into my room once more and squinted to get a glimpse if anything was wrong. and boy, was it wrong. all my stuff was in boxes. I was confused.
they know I still exist… right?
I walk to the lot and try to calm myself with a smoke. Apparently, I ended up falling asleep, because I was woken up by a boot nudging my side and someone saying.
I open my eyes slightly and see Dallas. Immediately, I grin.
“heya, Dal. Nice to see ya”
It seemed as if Dally was mad, because he crossed his arms and shifted his weight to his left side.
“Keith, why the hell were you sleeping in the lot?”
He asked sharply. I averted his gaze and fidgeted with my necklace. I hated it when people used my real name.
Dally said as he tilted my chin up lightly.
“why were you sleepin’ out here?”
“My house is all locked up.. My stuff is in boxes.”
I replied softly, trying to look anywhere but at Dallas. Soon enough, I met his gaze. He crouched down, mumbling something under his breath. soon enough, he looked me in the eyes and spoke once more.
I hesitated and spoke with a fake grin.
“I guess so.. but hey, no biggie! the lot is quite cozy, if you ask me.”
Dal glared at me, stood up, and dragged me up along with him. I had not time to even process what was happening before Dallas spoke again, walking with my hand in his.
“Your stayin with me. Buck won’t care.”
I nodded and picked up my pace to walk next to him, still holding his hand. I was just about to speak up again, when I heard Dal whisper under his breath.
“You won’t be a latchkey kid no more..”
I blushed and looked away, pretending not to hear him.
