with the pack

 

Matty was certain this was going to be the most awkward moment of his life, showing up to hangout with Rosie and her boyfriend Chance. Had she forgotten that she used to date his older brother Sunny?

Not that they knew each other then. It felt like another world now. Sunny was off in Chicago studying classes to be an architect. Only he'd learned on the job to be an electrician first so it was a rather tedious work study program he was in. It was as if his brother wanted to make it on his own and that meant closing himself from everyone back home. 

Naturally, Rosie was all apologetic about the mix-up text. He knew it wasn't meant for him. Why couldn't she leave it at that, instead of feeling she had to make it up to him, instead. True, he seldom went out anymore but to work and to school and if remote learning was available he took it. But she was endearing and persuasive wanting to meet at the nearby pumpkin patch. "You'll see it'll be fun?" She'd said in her text and he'd wanted to reply, "Will it?" But he didn't. 

He went with it because after all what other opportunities came along like this, or so his little brother said. After all, Kevin was off with his one and only best friend Dakota. They'd already been to the pumpkin patch weeks ago with Dakota's parents. Now he was at her house making Jack-O-Lanterns.

So there Matty was and in an instant, he knew it finally hit Rosie that he was Sunny's younger brother and why in the world would she ask him to an outing like this. But she'd paid for his ticket and in spite of her squinty yet smiley face, she introduced him to one of her closest friends, Valentina.

Suddenly, Matty felt a little faint and not sure if he was happy or full of sadness. Of course, the girl was not smiling. She was even lipped and so very stoic. Matty did his best to smile and got in line behind Chance after a quick hello and stood next to Valentina.

"But you can call her Val?" Rosie looked over her shoulder at him and Matty gave her a nod. 

"Don't I know you?" Val kept her arms wrapped around herself tightly as if she didn't want to have anything to do with any of this.

Matty winced on to ponder the question which came out to be a wink when he looked at her. He rubbed his right eye as if something might be in it. Then it came to him.

"Cross country," he smiled. She wore her hair in a ponytail. How could he easily forget? Of course, he was ahead of the pack. He'd been running since grade school He really hadn't noticed those behind him. "This is your first year, isn't it?"

She nodded. Of course, it didn't take much to make the team. Most who were in sports tried out in other trending athletics like football, basketball, and volleyball.

She soon told him she was a senior. It was one of those credits she'd put off until now. She hadn't expected to make the girl's team. He nodded as if in spite of him being good at the simple task of distant running he was still an underclassman. 

Soon they were in line for the hayride to take them to the pumpkins. At the moment the haunted house was off-limits due to COVID, but there were games to play and of course all sorts of crafty stuff to buy. She looked over some of the fallish stuffed creatures.

"Did you want one?" He asked.

"No, I make my own." Her answer was blunt. He sensed she was going through something. He was certain now she worked at the downtown bakery. He'd remembered her smiling then. Now she was like a completely different person. And somehow, he understood this. It was best just to be here for Rosie and Chance. He guessed. Matty checked his watch. Hopefully, he could manage the next couple of hours being here as if they were all the best of friends.