Percy ran home, grateful for a brief respite from the downpour. As he approached his small house, he could see the almost yellow fields leading up to it, with a small town visible on the other side of the hill. The sight of his modest home was a welcome one. Concrete steps greeted him as he finally reached his house, and he was soon enveloped in his mother's frantic embrace. "What took you so long? Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern. Assuring her that he was fine, Percy explained that he had been helping the new neighbors move in. His mother let out a sigh of relief and told him to come inside and dry off, as dinner was waiting on the table.
In a rush, Percy made his way to the bathroom, with thoughts of dinner occupying his mind. As he turned on the faucet and looked into the mirror while adjusting his hair, he was startled by the sight of Ronin outside the window. He fumbled backward in surprise as Ronin stood outside the window, prompting Percy to open it. "What are you doing here? How do you know where I live?" Percy asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. "Just get out here," Ronin replied, gazing across the fields. Percy was taken aback and almost speechless as he watched Ronin push the window open. With a mix of shock and curiosity, "I can't go through the window, why not?" Ronin prompted, and Percy started to respond, "Because of my mo—" before being interrupted.
Cutting Percy off, Ronin pushed the window open wider and urged Percy to follow him. After hesitating for a moment, Percy cautiously stretched his leg over the windowsill and joined Ronin outside. As Ronin began to walk ahead, Percy stumbled to his feet and followed, glancing nervously back at the road leading to his house. As they reached the top of the hill, the small town came into view, and Ronin's anticipation was palpable as he asked Percy if that was it.
Confirming that they had reached their destination, Percy looked at Ronin. Excitedly, Ronin urged Percy to continue with him as he sprinted down the hill, his jacket billowing behind him as if he were wearing a cape. Breathing heavily, Percy reached the bottom of the hill before hurrying to catch up with Ronin, who seemed to be leading the way.
Arriving at a gas station, Ronin breezed through the door, leaving Percy behind. While Ronin explored the store, Percy stayed near the entrance, trying to block out the overwhelming smell of cigarettes. As he absentmindedly picked up a magazine, he accidentally knocked over a rack upon hearing footsteps approaching. Startled, he turned to see a familiar face - a young curly-haired girl named Wren.
Excitedly exclaiming her name, Percy greeted Wren and expressed his surprise at finding her at the gas station. Meanwhile, Ronin strode up to the counter, placing a bag of chips and a pack of cigarettes on it. Wren's hesitant hands took the pack. Ronin paid for his items; Percy observed the interaction between Wren and Ronin with a mix of confusion and curiosity. With Ronin leaving the store, Percy followed him out and tentatively asked if the cigarettes were for his dad.
As Ronin lit a cigarette, Percy recoiled at the smell, prompting Ronin to tease him. Their interaction was soon interrupted by the arrival of two boys around their age, who entered the store. One of the boys commented on Percy's appearance, and before long, Ronin threw at them, leading to a brief scuffle. The boys quickly fled, and Ronin and Percy hurriedly left the scene, with the boys speeding away in their car. As they ran through the town streets, the tension lingered, and the boys disappeared behind a building, leaving the two friends catching their breath.
Shortly after the boys make their way back home, as the sun is going down, Percy runs ahead, afraid of what his parents will say. Percy waves and thanks Ronin.
Ronin opens the door, his father still at work. He walks upstairs tired and lays on his small mattress. Ronin's eyes flutter open, heavy from a deep slumber, as the reverberating knocks of his father break through the silence of the room. Lethargic and disoriented, he pushes himself up, his face contorted in confusion as he struggles with the unfamiliar blanket ensnaring him. With a weary exhalation, he shuffles towards the door and fumbles with the lock, only to be met with his father's unyielding stare.
"You know I said no locking the door," his father reprimands sternly. "It's time for school. I'll have your lunch packed in the count—"
"Yeah, okay," Ronin mumbles irritably and shuts the door behind him.
"Hey, what did I just say?" Ronin's father exclaims from the other side.
"I'm changing," Ronin snarls in response from behind the door.
As Ronin's father descends the stairs to prepare his lunch, he leaves a bag on the countertop before heading off to work, yelling his departure from the house.
Meanwhile, Ronin trudges down the creaky staircase, struggling to put on a shirt. Upon spotting the bag left for him on the counter, he seizes it and rushes outside, hoping to catch a ride with his father. However, he can only watch in frustration as his father speeds away in the distance, leaving him behind.
Feeling bewildered and famished, Ronin pouts as he begins to eat his lunch outside. Percy, the familiar stature, approaches him, a look of bewilderment etched on his face.
"Is that your lunch?" Percy asks, curiosity brimming in his voice.
"Yeah, and I was starving," Ronin replies, irritated.
Attempting to diffuse the tension, Percy suggests, "Wanna walk together while you eat?"
Rolling his eyes, Ronin stows half of the sandwich in his bag and reluctantly acquiesces.
The two boys stride forward, and as they approach a rugged path, Percy gestures toward the steep incline leading to the school.
"What about the bus?" Ronin questions, a hint of irritation in his voice.
"Oh, the bus stop was back near your house. I prefer walking anyway," Percy explains, taking the lead up the hill Reluctantly.