2|| Whispers in the Wind

19|| meeting the parent(s)

Kalyani

They waited.

He didn't come out.

They continued waiting.

He still didn't come out.

Kalyani was standing in front of a small apartment building with slightly peeling paint. It was painted a nice cream color and it looked really cozy.

She, Aria, and the Stones were the first ones here. Leo and Arlo were running late. So was their host, for that matter. Kalyani was relaxed- she had spent the night before explaining everything to Aria with Leo on call, and things finally felt like they were fixing themselves.

Kalyani had put together a simple itinerary for the whole day, something both easy and efficient. First, they'd have a chat with Wilder's mom, who had lived in Fir Hills for her entire life and likely knew a lot of the town's history and citizens. He'd told them she was in a rush, though, so it'd have to be quick. Since Leo's parents were having a party that night, Leo brought some of his books in a bag to rove over at the library.

The next part of their plan was a tad more complicated. However, Kalyani was a hundred percent sure it would work. And when Kalyani was a hundred percent sure, things were very likely to work.

And so, Evelyn got out her phone and started spam texting Leo, while Jacob found absolutely nothing to do and started a pistol squat slash insult competition with Aria. Kalyani had previously believed that only Aria's diseased brain could ever come up with that, but turns out Jacob was equally as odd. Eventually, Leo got there and joined the squat contest, but there was no sign of Wilder or Arlo.

Kalyani watched, impressed, as all of them hit 10 with no signs of stopping. As time progressed, Jacob tapped out first at 14 (probably because he was out of breath from throwing insults). 

She should have never doubted Leo's strength, because to her shock, Aria stopped at 17. "Holy shit man," she wheezed. "You're a monster." Evelyn was practically swooning.

Leo immediately stopped too, his face flushing. "It's nothing." 

Aria pointed at him accusingly. "You so could have done more! You totally quit on purpose." 

They moved on quickly, though, Aria and Jacob continuing their barrage of insults.

When Wilder finally came out, the first things he heard were:

"Slip into a coma!"

"I'll send you into a coma, little bitch boy."

"You talk to your mother with that mouth?"

Kalyani laughed. "Guys, he's here."

"Where's Arlo?"

She popped into view. "Right here. What are we doing again?"

"We're talking to Wilder's mom. Be polite." Kalyani shot Arlo her you-better-be-nice-or-I-will-kill-you glare.

The group entered the apartment building, approaching Unit 4. Before they could knock, a woman opened the door. She had warm brown eyes, the same complexion as Wilder, and very very dark hair only marred by a few gray strands. 

"Hello darlings! I've heard so much about all of you from Wilder. Leo, Evelyn, you're here too! It's been ages since you've been over. Do you want to come inside?" Her tone was very light, almost too light.

Kalyani decided to like her, pushing her concerns away.

"As long as it's okay with you, Mrs. Ramirez," Kalyani said, ignoring Arlo's subtle cough that sounded an awful lot like a laugh.