Unbreakable Promise

Chapter 3

It's been three days since Riona saw War and Mad at the parlor. Her heart still beats uneasily as the time nears for her brother's birthday. She wonders if War is okay; she wonders if Mad is okay, as distasteful as their interaction was. She wonders if she should have stayed. More than anything, she wonders what happened. 

"Riona," Becket, her younger brother, greets her as he enters the coffee shop she works at. His two friends followed in toe. 

"Hey, Beck," She says, smiling fretfully. "Happy birthday. Rina, Val, you two have a seat. I'll bring some cake."

Beck, Rina, and Val take a seat at their usual table, talking nonchalantly as she prepares the cake. The door chimes and she hurriedly sets the cheesecake on the table, Beck's specialized birthday order that arrives every year. 

"I'll be right with you," Riona hollers, ruffling her brother's hair affectionately. Beck returns the favor with a light tug on one of her long curls, earning a playful glare and a kiss on his forehead.

"Take your time," the newcomer replies, "We're not in a hurry."

Riona turns her head in the direction of the door, almost immediately met with War's piercing stare. She kisses her brother's head, dismisses herself from the table of friends, and walks towards the older boys standing by the coffee house door. 

"War," she breathes. He smiles at her sweetly, inclining his head towards her. She turns to look at Mad, who stands by his side looking rather unhappy. "Glad you're both okay," she says, returning her stare to the other boy. 

"I will wait here," Mad says disinterestedly, glancing at her and back to his companion. 

"I'll be quick," War says, looking at him with an undecipherable hard stare. 

"Don't rush," Mad comments, shrugging his shoulders and digging his hands into his pockets. 

War takes Riona by her hand, pulling her to the side of the main area. He drops her hand, looking into her eyes with furrowed eyebrows and frowning lips. She shifts self-consciously, a swallow working its way down her tightened throat. 

"What... what happened?" she asks, her voice low and worried. "Are you guys okay?"

"Hey, hey," War mumbles, taking both of her hands in his. "We're okay, everything's okay. I just came to tell you that I can take your brother to his appointment today." 

She nods, her eyes still appearing greatly concerned. "and you're sure... everything is alright?" 

He studies her for a minute longer, his eyes resting uneasily on her serious face. "Everything is fine, Butterfly. You don't need to worry." 

"Okay..." she releases a labored breath, staring at their hands woven together. "Wait, how did you find me?" she asks, glaring at him. 

He laughs softly, shaking his head the way she liked to watch. "You really don't want to know the things I can find out, Butterfly," he says, watching as her lips turn into a frustrated pout. 

"Riona?" a voice interrupts. Beck walks to stand beside her, glancing between her and the stranger. 

"Hey..." she says, War dropping her hands. "Where are Rina and Val?" 

"Rina went to finish her art project, and Val went to football practice. Who is he?" Beck asks, now staring War in the eyes. 

"Beck, be nice," Riona scolds and War coughs to cover the laugh in the back of his throat. 

"My name is Warren. It's nice to meet you, Beck. Your sister has said much about you," War says, nodding his head politely towards the younger boy. "I hear you want to pierce your ear?"

Beck nods reluctantly, still watching the older boy with skepticism in his eyes. War decides he likes Riona's brother very much. "What about it?"

"Beck," Riona scolds again, this time rewarded by War laughing unrestrainedly. 

"It's alright, Butterfly," War says, "your brother is skeptical; it's natural after all, he's just worried about his sister. I would be too." 

Riona sighs, glancing back at War with an apologetic look. War notes that her look, although apologetic, isn't fearful the way it once was. He finds this intriguing. "I'm here to tell you that your sister set up an appointment for you and that we are ready when you are."

"We?" Beck questions and War inclines his head towards Mad, who stands near the front of the coffee house. 

"This is Maddox, he's the one who specializes in piercings," War clarifies and Mad comes to stand beside him. 

"What is it you would like for me to do?" Mad asks, a softer tone in his voice than before. 

"Uh... I want a piercing in my right ear," Beck replies, his eyes catching on Mad's. 

"Fine," Mad answers, nodding his head once. "Is there a specific earring you wish to put in?" 

"Riona," Beck says, turning to her with an outstretched hand. 

"Here," she replies, dropping the earring into his hand. 

"This one," Beck turns to say to the second older boy, placing the earring in his palm. 

"Alright," Mad says, his eyes staring intently at the younger boy. "Do you want to go now?" 

"Yes," Beck answers immediately, before a light pink flushes his neck and face. "If you're available." 

Mad's lips twitch slightly but he quickly covers it up with a disinterested look. "I am ready when you are." 

Beck nods and follows him from the coffee shop, War and Riona momentarily forgotten. The two turn to watch the other pair exit down the walkway, their eyes following until they can't see them anymore. 

"Huh," War comments, frowning at the now empty street. 

"What?" Riona asks, turning back to him. 

"Nothing," War says, shrugging his shoulders. "Mad isn't so easily persuaded to be nice usually. Maybe he likes the kid. Who knows."

"No..body," Riona replies, the single word stretched out. 

"Don't worry about the kid, Butterfly. Mad will return him safely," War reassures her, pulling on one of her loose curls teasingly. 

"I was never worried," Riona replies, shrugging and turning back to walk towards the coffee bar. "Want anything?" 

"Sure," War replies, sliding easily onto the barstool. "A coffee. Black."

"Like you're soul?" Riona remarks in a monotone, turning back to grin at him. 

"Cute," War says, smiling at her softly, "but no, I just don't like the taste of creamer or milk." 

"Really?" Riona asks, pouring fresh coffee into a mug. 

"Ever since I was a kid, I couldn't stand it," War replies, shrugging and taking a sip. "I don't know why."

"What about cinnamon?" She asks and he raises an eyebrow skeptically at her. 

"Cinnamon... in coffee?" War asks and she nods. 

"You should try it. I like my coffee black but with cinnamon," she replies, shrugging one shoulder. 

"I'll remember that," he says, nodding at her thoughtfully.