Beautiful Boy

melodramatic milkshakes

amara haven

I dusted my eyelashes with mascara and slipped my converse back on, making sure I looked okay in the mirror.

It was just past seven, I grabbed my bag and waited by the door for Nic.

Jasper appeared from the kitchen and climbed onto the little bench next to me.

"Amara," he said, his eyes glassy.

"What's up, Jasper?" I looked down at him.

"Is Nic okay?" He asked.

I hesitated, not sure how to answer, "In what sense, sweetie?"

He shrugged, "We didn't see you for two years, and you're here again and I heard Daddy talking about him on the phone last night and I'm scared."

I tucked him under my arm and rubbed his shoulder, "Your brother is going to be okay, I promise."

"He said he loves you," Jasper leaned on me.

I felt my breath hitch, "Did he?"

"Mhm," he nodded, "Do you love him?"

"Of course I love him," I mussed his hair.

"I knew it!" He exclaimed.

"Knew what?" Nic walked up to us.

"Nothing! Bye!" Jasper jumped up and ran out of the room, making me laugh.

"What was that about?" Nic asked, turning to me.

I shrugged, "Nothing."

"Oh, you-"

"Let's go!" I smiled, "We're taking my truck."

"Can I trust you driving?" He cocked his head.

"I assure you I'm a better driver than you are," I mussed his hair and he followed me out to my truck.

We got in and I started the engine.

"There are CDs in the glove box," I said.

He opened it and grabbed out the few CDs, handing them to me.

I put the cd for 'Enema Of The State' in the radio and 'Dumpweed' started.

I gave him the other CDs and he returned them to the glovebox as I pulled out of the driveway.

"Do you know where Lombard is?" He asked.

"I'm glad you think so highly of me," I replied.

He held his hands up in defence, "Just asking."

As we were driving over the bridge and into San Francisco, our favourite Blink-182 song came on.

Nic reached over and turned it up and we both rolled our windows down.

We got weird looks from pedestrians and other drivers but neither of us cared enough to give them a second thought.

When the song ended we both broke into a fit of laughter for no particular reason.

"Fuck, I missed you," he said, leaning back in his seat.

"I'm pretty great," I teased.

He smirked and rolled his eyes, "Full of yourself, I see."

"You know you love me," I mocked.

"Got me there, Mara," he agreed.

~

Traffic in San Francisco was never forgiving, making us the last ones to get to Mel's.

We walked in and saw the poetry club immediately, sitting in the corner by a window.