Tate Kingston
Secondary Character – Willow
His footsteps fell in time to the beat of the heavy's 'how you like me now,' small plumes of vapour trailing into the cold predawn air as Tate ran along the streets of Doncaster. Reaching the outer limits of town, he slowed to a stop beside a large signpost, a colourful 'Welcome to Doncaster' that was faded from age. Pulling his earbuds out briefly before bracing his hands on his sides as he sucked air into his lungs, he looked out at the road coming into town before turning to view the first few houses dotted in the distance. The quiet nature of Doncaster was a far cry from the chaotic streets of Boston, the striking absence of vehicular noises, trains and chatter of people who were all up at the wee hours of morning in the city. Instead there came a soft warble of an early waking bird and the sound of his own breathing as he took a moment to collect himself. There were many reasons for having moved to Doncaster but whether he could get used to the place was a big question that only time would tell.
After a few moments, Tate shoved his earbuds back in, a new track beginning as he turned on his heel and began to jog back towards town. The first day in the new place, a new chapter and a plethora of possibilities just waiting to be discovered.
***
There was no missing Willows protest in the form of a stifled groan as Tate snatched the curtains open at 6am in her room. Wincing and rolling over to bury her head as a husky mischievous laugh echoed throughout the almost empty room.
"
Up and at 'em," Tate murmured as he approached Willow as she mumbled incoherently. The room fell silent as he snuck up to the side of where she lay on her mattress on the floor, moving boxes stacked haphazardly surrounding it. Her bed frame was still in pieces and lent against the wall adjacent to them; the task of putting it together no doubt one of the last things Willow was wanting to do when they had finished unloading the moving truck.
The sudden blasting sound of an air horn prompted her to jump, throwing the covers back with a scream as glaring eyes focused sharply on Tate who had taken a step back and thrown his head back with a loud laugh.
"
You're an asshole you know that?!" she screamed as Tate laughed loudly at her expense.
"
I was trying to sleep! Why do you have to do things like that?" She continued to growl as Tate waved her off dismissively.
"
Time to get up and get moving, you need to check out school this morning and I have a long list of shit to get done."
"
I don't have to go until like nine!" Willow argued with a grumble, trying to roll back under her doona until Tate unceremoniously yanked the bedspread from her clutches.
"
Hey!"
***
Opening the fridge had been a big mistake on Willow's behalf. The old appliance hadn't looked great from the outset, covered in grime on the outside with a dozen old stripper stickers and an occasional sticker advertising a fuel brand. As she had pulled the door open, her nose caught the rancid smell of old food, the shelves barely full except for a couple of mummified tomatoes in the vegetable crisper, a half open bottle of beer and a container of something so rotten it had become covered in mouldy moss.
"
Oh my....gross," Willow managed to stifle between retching, slamming the door closed as she looked about the half empty kitchen area. Everything was still in boxes and given the state of the fridge she angrily crossed her arms in defeat until Tate had reappeared from his section of the upper floor.
"
Have you even noticed the crap in there?" Willow snarled at her uncle who glanced over and casually shrugged, irritating her further.
"Seriously? I wouldn't let a dog eat out of that fridge!" she scolded at him as he chuckled at her, slipping his wallet into the pocket of his jeans before looking up to see the look on her face and hefting a sigh.
"
Calm down, walk into town with me and I will buy you breakfast."
****
The walk into town was only a good five to ten minutes, Willow spending the entire time critiquing the landscape and arguing why staying in Chicago would have been better for her. It was the same conversation they had previously had and given he didn't agree to let her stay behind on her own, Tate understood that for a while he would be her verbal punching bag.
"
You have to give this place a chance, hell it hasn't even been twenty four hours since we got the place Willow," Tate repeated for the tenth time that week, though by now his own attention was focused on taking in the sight of the main street and its stores. The town was already beginning to liven with activity and before long Willow broke the subject by pointing at a sign.
"
There is a café, thank god we won't starve," she muttered, taking a sharp turn to beeline for the door as Tate followed a couple of steps behind with a look of amusement. There was nothing like an angst ridden teen to make things oh so enjoyable.
Willow pushed the door open and wandered in, ignoring everyone while her eyes scanned for the first available seat at the counter with an available menu. Tate managed to catch the door before it closed, following behind at much more casual pace as he glanced about, noting the people present and given the woman behind the counter a smile in acknowledgement whilst trying not to interrupt the ongoing conversation. Finding a seat next to Willow he pulled his wallet from the pocket of his jeans and rested his forearms on the counter edge as he glanced about the establishment.