Chapter Text
==> New House
The move was hard on you. You grew sad and refused to go and hang out over Summer vacation. The only thing that seemed to cheer you up was when you would call Dave. Often, you would be greeted by the friendly voice of Bro, before being able to talk to Dave.
Currently, you had just finished coloring a picture of you and your dad in your new house. You had gotten used to living in Washington now, having lived here for almost month. You still missed all your old friends, though. You sighed and picked up the picture before going downstairs.
Your dad was in the kitchen and he smiled at you lovingly, which you happily returned before pushing up your glasses and putting the picture on to the fridge, making it stay put with a small letter J magnet.
“I’m gonna go call Dave!” You say happily before hurrying back up to your room. There were three house phones; one in your room, one in your dad’s room, and one downstairs in the kitchen.
When you returned to your room, you plopped down on to your bed, kicking your feet. You pick up the phone and hold it to your ear and dial the number you had now memorized, biting your lower lip as you heard the familiar ringing on the line.
It took about four rings before someone finally picked up on the other line. “Hello?” Bro asked, sounding distracted.
“Is Dave there?” You ask politely.
“Aw shit, sorry, kiddo. Dave’s at a friend’s house right now.” Bro said apologetically. “As soon as he gets home I’ll tell him to call you, alright?”
You tried not to sound disappointed and held back a sigh. “Alright, thanks.” You hung up the phone and pouted, resting your chin against your knuckles, upset.
You had noticed lately that over the past weeks, Dave had been talking to you less and less and hanging out with other people. You know you shouldn’t be getting mad, but he was your only friend and you didn’t want him to stop being your friend just because you moved.
You sighed then, slipping on your sneakers after getting off the bed. Might as well go outside and play while you wait, you thought to yourself. After you had put your shoes on, you took the stairs two at a time until you reached the living room, opening the back door and going outside.
You hurriedly run over to your swing set, taking several times before you were actually able to successfully get on. You began swinging your legs, giving yourself momentum. It was about ten minutes later that a large moving truck parked near the driveway of the house right across the street.
A new neighbor? Taking interest, you jump off the swing, landing on your knees and hands. Brushing yourself off, you look both ways before crossing the street.
It seemed a young mother was moving in with her child, who was currently no where to be seen. You searched the yard before turning to go back to your own house, only to see a girl standing in front of you.
“Ah!” You shout in surprise, stumbling back. The girl giggled and when you stood back up, you were able to get a good look at her. The girl had short cropped ginger hair and freckles covering her olive skin, along with bright olive green eyes. She wore a pair of light blue jean shorts, flip flops and a plain brown tee, a small blue cat hat on her head and a cat plush in her arms.
“Who’re you?” She asked happily.
“I-I’m John,” you manage out. “I live across the street.”
Her eyes brightened at that. “Oh, really? I’m Nepeta! Do you wanna play for a little bit?”
You were surprised at the offer, but didn’t decline. You had never met anyone so willing to play with you before. She led you to a small plastic table that had been set down in the front yard and set her cat plush on it.
You played tag and a few other games for a bit, heart swelling when you got to explain something she didn’t know. You didn’t know how much time had passed, but soon you saw your dad walking over with a small pie in his hands.
“Oh, I’ve see you met our new neighbors, son,” your dad says happily before handing the pie over to Nepeta’s mother. They chatted for a bit and all too soon, you felt yourself dozing off and then in the arms of your father as he carried you back to the house.
“Bye, Nepeta,” you call out sleepily and you think she calls out a reply, but you can’t tell as you’re burying your face into your dad’s chest. When he put you in bed, you soon fell asleep, completely forgetting to try and call Dave back.