Highway To Hell •Steve•Billy•

VOL. 1 Chapter One: The Hellfire Club

"Okay, I have to find my pants"

Mike finally gets down the stairs and I chuck him his bag as we both walk into the kitchen to grab some last minute food for lunches.

"Michael, I know your D&D club is tonight -"

"Hellfire" Mike corrects Mom

"Why don't you call it the High School Dropout Club?" Dad chirps in from behind the counter as he sips his now cold morning coffee. I shove some extra food onto my bag and sling it across my shoulders.

"I want you home no later than 9:00" Mike pushes the leaver down to toast some egos

"I'll try"

"No trying. You need to go to bed early"

"Why?"

"It's a 6:30 flight, Michael" Dad makes his way over to Mike

"Yeah, I know, but -"

"No buts. Nine or no California"

"And no sweetie pie" Dad tells him slowly before taking another sip of coffee

"Sam, Mike! Let's go" Nancy stands at the front door, bag across her body, dangling the keys, ready to leave the house

"Jesus. How am I gonna survive a whole week without you guys?" Mike pops his eggos and walks out of the kitchen with me following him

"Nine" Mom calls out as we exit the house

"You sure you still even want to go to California?" I ask Mike as we get into Nancys car. She insists on driving us now but she always want to leave so early.

"Of course I still want to go, what makes you think I don't?"

"Nothing. Just curious" Nancy pulls out of the driveway straight away and I pull my seat belt across me "Joyce will be there, correct?" I turn fully around in the passenger seat to look back at Mike

"Yes, and Jonathan"

"Ok good, good" I turn around and look down at my rings. I quickly turn back around to him "Maybe Dad should go with you. Or Mom. No, actually it might be better if I come"

"Sam, you are not coming to California"

"You're right" Agreeing with Mike, I turn to face the front again "I'll stay here with Nanc, Dad can go with you. I'll sort it out today"
I start to bite my nails and the skin around them, a habit I've now picked up. It happens when I have a lot to think about and worry about.

Mike just huffs in frustration but not wanting to continue the conversation, knowing at the end of the day he's going to Cali alone weather I like it or not.

We get to school, Nancy having no trouble in finding a car space since we are one of very few.

"I'll see you guys later" I wave the two off and head into the direction of the library, where, if I'm not touting, I'm putting returned books back in there rightful places, pointing students in the right direction and somehow the unofficial school councillor, unofficial school nurse and unofficial 'signature forgery' - for some reason the students come to me when they need detention slips signed, excursion notes, false injuries, ect. Not sure how that one started but it's almost like a side hustle, except I get nothing out of it.

I place my bag down behind the library desk, where Deborah, the much older, meaner, typical librarian spends most of her time. Lovely lady, love her books, not sure she shares the same amount of love for students though, but that's usually how it goes.
I get straight to work while it's still quiet by putting some returned books back and some books left on the desks.
Before I knew it the halls got louder and it was 8:30AM. I head out to the car park where the teachers were instructed to direct the students directly to the gym.