reflection ● jason grace

Bonding times

"This is not California," Jason said in amazement as they exited out of a manhole cover.

The streets were bumbling with people. Daria had to pull her friends out of the way before they got run over in traffic. She had to blink a few times to get used to the brightness and was nearly overwhelmed by the cacophony of smells.

"Wow," Nathan said sarcastically as they caught their breath on the sidewalk. "What gave it away? Was it the signs in Spanish or Mexican flags?"

Daria watched as Jason grimaced at Nathan's sharp tone. She couldn't remember a time when the two boys had been mad at each other. Truthfully, it was kind of unnerving.

"Guys," Reyna said, voice raised in light panic. "It's 5 in the afternoon."

She pointed to one of the clocks on a shop front, the sleeve of her jacket bunching up. Daria wanted to say that the clock could be broken, but Nathan's eyes went wide, so Daria assumed Reyna was right.

"Well, what do we do now?" Michael asked, leaning against a pole. "I don't know about you guys, but I really don't want to go back in there."

Daria noticed there was a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. She really hoped it was just the heat and the monster hadn't been poisonous, but she didn't feel like taking chances.

"We'll find a hotel," Jason announced, taking the words right out of Daria's mouth. "Settle in for the night. Make a plan."

"Who died and left you in charge?"

Daria could see Jason's face morph into something remorseful. Even at the small gesture, she felt a bit jealous that it wasn't directed at her. "Nathan-"

"Save it," he mumbled. "We should go before it gets dark."

Daria and Michael exchanged a look. She wasn't all that tired, and she wasn't thrilled about sharing a hotel with all the animosity in the air.

She spared a glance at Jason who, like Nathan had said, was taking over the leadership role Daria usually held. She didn't mind it, but she wished that they were making decisions together, like they did when they were young.

"Excuse me," Daria heard Reyna say in Spanish. "Do you know where the nearest hotel is?"

If the man she was talking to was suspicious about why a couple of teenages would need a hotel room, he didn't show it. In a series of directions that was too quick for even Daria to pretend to understand, they were off again, in an even tenser silence.

Well, the boys were, with Nathan supporting Michael and glaring at Jason at the same time. Sidewalks weren't built to accommodate more than 3 people, so that left Daria with Reyna.

"You grew up in Puerto Rico right?" Daria hummed. "With your sister?"

Reyna gave her a wary glance that screamed, why are you talking to me? But Daria held her ground. After last night, she was determined not to make this quest more awkward than it had to be.

"Yes," Reyna said finally. "Though I've never been to Mexico. When I came to the states-"

"You came up through Florida," Daria recalled. "Then your sister left you alone."

Reyna frowned. "You make it sound like I was helpless."

Daria raised her eyebrows. "Well, when we found you..."

Reyna tried to cover her mouth as she remembered. "I'll admit I had better days."

"You were nearly dead!"