~Jack

         "Ma, why are we moving to America? I have friends here, I like my school, and I can't quit Raised to the Ground!" I protested at the table during dinner, earning an eyebrow raise from my father. My two older brothers and sisters avoided eye contact with me, suddenly interested with the stains on the small wooden table we ate on while slurping up spoonfuls of potato chowder, my ma's favorite meal she made when there were big news to share. "Your father lost his job, and there are no openings here." She stated simply with a tone of finality in her voice, expecting me to drop the subject. But I didn't. "Why can't I just stay here by myself then? I can take care of myself." I countered. "Sean, you're seventeen." Father deadpanned. "So?" I snapped angrily. "Stop fighting!" My oldest brother Malcolm interjected in exasperation. "We're moving to America, and that's that." He continued, leaving the room without finishing eating. I heard the door to his room slam shut moments later, echoing throughout the small cabin. Gizmo, the family dog, raced into the room barking wildly. "Gizmo!" I shouted over his barks. He immediately stopped, huffing before padding out of the room. My other siblings flinched at my shout, the scraping of spoons filling the uncomfortable silence that fell over the table. "Where in America?" I asked quietly, dreading the answer. "Cincinnati." Father replied. Great, like I know where that is, I thought bitterly. The room went quiet again, everyone having stopped eating and placing down their silverware. Having lost my appetite, I dumped the rest of my dinner in the trash, setting the bowl back on the counter before leaving the house, slamming the door shut behind me. It was night, the bright silver moon lighting the forest around me, accompanied with tiny glittering stars. I ran to Conan's house to tell him the news. He's my one of my only friends, as well as the vocalist and one of the two guitarists of Raised to the Ground. The harsh cold wind bit at my bare arms and face as I ran, tears quickly forming in my eyes from the force, blurring my vision as my pale skin began turning a light red hue due to the cold. His house was about a couple miles away from my cabin, but I didn't care. All I cared about was getting as far away from my family as possible, feeling like I would've suffocated if I had to stay with them a second longer in that confined space. My lungs felt like they were on fire when I skidded to a halt at his door, my legs shaky and the rest of my body numb as I sucked in gasps of breath. I rapped my knuckles on the door, rubbing my arms to regain feeling as I waited. Even though it was only the beginning of August, it felt like winter compared to the hot summer that ended a week ago. The door swung open, revealing Conan standing in the doorway. He was about my height with short raven black hair, wearing a black tank top that exposed his muscular arms and dark gray pants. "Dude, why are you here so late? It's like nine at night!" He frowned, dark brown eyes filled with poorly disguised concern. "I'm moving to America." I muttered. When I dared to look at him, his eyes were wide with surprise. "Have ye told Padraig and Eanna yet?" I shook my head no. Padraig was the band's bassist and Eanna was the other guitarist. "Come in, I'll tell them to come here for an emergency meeting." He ushered me inside, closing the door behind me. "My ma and dad aren't home, they're out on a date or something." He explained, flopping down on the couch while grabbing his phone out of his pocket to text the others. Several minutes later, there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it." I volunteered, walking over to the door and opening it. Padraig and Eanna were standing outside, their normally smiling faces grim. Padraig had short light brown hair and forest green eyes, dressed in a pair of jeans and a light gray hoodie. Eanna had black hair that hung in his hazel eyes, wearing a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. "You're really moving?" Eanna asked me incredulously. "Yeah." I sighed. Conan and I stepped aside so they could enter. "So does that mean Raised to the Ground's breaking up?" Padraig asked quietly. "Unless ye wanna find a new drummer-" "No way, we're not replacing him." Conan interrupted Eanna. "No offense Sean." Padraig added hastily. "I don't care if you guys replace me." I mumbled, ignoring his comment. Honestly, I did care. A lot. "Well..." Padraig trailed off. "How about this. We play one last gig at the school cafeteria, a send off for Sean before he has to go." Conan suggested. "When do you leave?" Eanna asked. "I don't know, parents haven't said yet." I admitted. "So, final send off?" Conan repeated. Everyone murmured their agreements, settling the issue. Before we could talk further, ma burst inside, seizing me by the ear. "Ow! Ma!" I complained, yanking my ear from her grip. "Don't run off like that, ye worried me!" She yelled. "I can take care of myself!" I yelled back. My friends sensed the tension between us and left the room. "Ma-" I paused, taking a deep breath before I lowered my voice. "Please, just give me some space. That's all I want." "Ye better be home after school tomorrow." She gave in, leaving me in peace. "So," I clapped my hands together as the others reentered the room. "Mind if I stay here tonight?"