𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 (𝘣𝘹𝘣)

fourteen

"It was an accident! Fuck, I-I didn't mean to!"

José, Noah's father shakes his head. "Seriously, Mijo!? The day your mother is released from the hospital and you're stirring up shit!"

"I'm not stirring up anything!"

José chuckles sarcastically and throws his hands up. "So, driving to work while drunk and cutting your hand open like an irresponsible person isn't stirring up anything!"

Noah rolls his eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you it was a fucking accident!"

"No, Noah! You cannot afford to make 'accidents' like that! That's dangerous. You need to get the drinking under control!"

"I have it under control!" Noah shakes his head, officially done with the argument. He grabs his keys off the table.

"Where are you going?"

"Out! I'll be back when Ma gets home." Noah walks out of the kitchen, slamming the front door shut.

*
Benjamin rummages through his bag to find the key to his apartment when his phone starts ringing. He looks at his phone, seeing Noah was calling him.

He sighs and answers. "Hello?"

"Hey. Uh, what are you up to?"

Benjamin balances his phone between his shoulder and his face to grab his key. "Uh, I just got home. Stayed the night at my moms'. Why what's up?"

"Oh. You were at your moms'?"

Benjamin opens his front door and walks inside. "Yeah. I told her about Markus and the whole job situation. I needed that."

"That's good. I'm glad you were able to talk to her."

Benjamin smiles and walks into his bedroom, sitting on the bed. "So, what's up? Why'd you call?"

"Oh, uhm. My mom is coming home today."

"Really? That's good!"

"Yeah. She's not at high risk of anything anymore so they're letting her come home. She might have to go back if she has any setbacks but as of now she's okay."

"That's so good! Are you excited?"

"Yeah, but I have to go back in for surgery. Everything has such bad timing."

"Oh no. Surgery for what, exactly?"

"Uh, I forgot the name but they're replacing the damaged part of my knee. Recovery is like three weeks."

"I'm sorry. I can try and go with you if that'll make you feel better?"

Noah nods and smiles. "Sure. Yeah. That would make me feel a lot better."

**
Gabi walks into the apartment, seeing Benjamin in the living room, on his laptop.

"Benny! I'm home!"

Benjamin turns around, tucking his hair behind his ear. "Why are you screaming at me?" He asked in a joking tone.

Gabi giggles and sets her bags down, plopping down on the couch next to Benjamin. He smiles at her. "So? How was it?"

"It was so good." Gabi reaches up to yank the earrings out of her ears, throwing them down on the coffee table. "Alexis is so sweet!"

"So. Have you guys made it official yet?"

"No. But we did have a lot of fun. Oh my god, and she took me to this really expensive restaurant! It was so much fun."

Benjamin smiles again and turns back to his computer. "I'm glad."

Gabi sits up. "What about you? How was your weekend?"

Benjamin sighs and sits back on the couch.

Gabi's eyes widen. "Uh oh. That's not a good sign. That's your bad news face."

Benjamin turns his head to look at Gabi. "Markus came here. He was yelling at me and telling me how worthless I am. Oh, and he's dating one of my friends from college, so."

"Are you serious? What a creep!"

"Yeah. I stayed the night at Noah's. I-I couldn't be here alone. I was scared he was gonna come back and...I don't know."

"I'm so sorry, babe."

Benjamin shakes his head and smiles. "I'm okay."

Gabi shakes her head. "Fuck, Markus. You can't believe anything he says. All he spews out is his own insecurities."

"I know, Gabs. I just...Want that part of my life to be over with."

"Okay. Don't worry. I'm gonna talk to some people, ban him from ever stepping foot in this building again. And to make you feel better, I'll find us a new apartment and we'll be out of here by Monday."

Benjamin shakes his head and sits up. "What? Gabi, you can't do that...I-...I can't let you pay for it."

"Yes, you can. You wanna know why?"

Benjamin shrugs his shoulders. Gabi smiles. "Cause I got you a job!...Well, an interview. A company that one of my coworker's husband owns needs another software developer. I gave them your name and stuff and he said he'd sit down with you."

Benjamin gasp. "What?!?"

"Mhm! He said he's excited to meet you cause I totally bragged about all that nerdy shit you did in high school and he was really fascinated-."

"Gabi, shut up!" Benjamin smiles and grabs her into a hug. "Thank you so much."

Gabi smiles and hugs back. "Of course, Benjamin. You're my best friend."

**
Noah was sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for his mom to arrive. His dad and him hadn't made up for their argument yet.

He stands up when he hears the front door open, a big smile on his face. Selena, Noah's mom, smiles as she walks in. She was using a cane to help her walk as her muscles had begun to get weak.

"I've missed my house." Selena laughs as she walks in. She takes a seat on the couch.

Noah smiles and sits on the coffee table in front of her. Noah's dad closes the front door and sets all of her things down.

"How you feeling today, Ma?"

"Good. A lot better than last week. Doctors are saying I'm doing as good as can be hoped."

Noah smiles and looks up at his dad. "Oh," He stands up and walks to his childhood room, coming back with some red roses.

"These are from Benjamin. I told him you were coming home today."

Selena smiles and grabs them. "Benjamín? Oh, these are my favorite. I see he remember."

Noah smiles and sits down next to her. Selena looks over, setting the roses down. "Are you and him back together?"

"No. But we're hanging out. As friends."

Selena smiles and grabs Noah's face. "Mijo. You know papa and I love you."

Noah nods his head and his dad sits down on the opposite side of him. Selena smiles again, nodding. "We want you to get better, Papi. For yourself. I know you're scared and upset about me, but I'm fine."

Noah begins to tear up. He feels his dad's hand rest on his back. "I know I have bad days, Papi. But I'm still young as ever. And I'm strong, and I'm gonna hold on, you hear me?"

Noah nods and takes in a sharp breath. He lets a few tears fall before looking at his dad. "I'm sorry."

José smiles. "It's okay, Mijo."

Selena smiles and wipes under Noah's eyes. "My baby. Everything is okay. I love you."

Noah smiles back and leans in to hug his mom. "I love you too."

**