The Angel Trumpet

4.

It's morning and l'm woken by the smell of sweet citrus fruit with the mixture of greasy bacon knowing it's Pito in the kitchen already. It feels nice since growing up I was always the one in the kitchen. Once I got older they started taking care of me for a change. I get out of bed almost stepping on the broken glass from the picture. Forgetting to pick it up I crouch down grabbing the broken picture frame then the glass. Leo knocks at my door seeing me jumping in and helping. "Pito wanted to know if you wanted eggs or not." I stand up throwing the pieces I had in my hand in the trash in the bathroom. "It doesn't matter, i'm going to be heading out in a little bit." Leo throws away what he picked up washing his hands in the bathroom sink. "You're heading out? Where? Why?" I chuckle softly while putting on a sweatshirt, lacing my combat boots and already having on my jean shorts. "It's something i'll tell you guys about later. For now just enjoy breakfast and a little bit of freedom." I pat his back going downstairs seeing Tobias chugging a glass of orange juice.

"The juice wasn't going anywhere." I joke hitting his shoulder playfully.

"I think I drank too much last night, I feel like a fish out of water." He says holding his head.

I go into the fridge getting myself water and tossing him one, "That's why you drink water and not juice." Pito comes from beside me and plates the food he made giving it to the boys then me.  "You're giving off dad vibes." Tobias jokingly says biting into the freshly baked bread with scrambled eggs and bacon. "With you two? Always. Aleya? Not so much." We all laugh sitting down enjoying the food until I tell Tobias and Pito i'm going out for a bit.

"For how long?" Pito asks unquestionably.

"Two hours maybe."

He nods while the boys just stay eating making it easier for me to swipe the card off Pito's pants from last night from that Conor guy having him part of my revenge plan.

"I'll see you guys later."

I head out the door into my car putting my shades on speeding out onto the street.

My initial thought is to approach Conor with an apology, maybe take him up on his offer, then ask him to do me a favor to get things going (revenge wise). When I look at the small card locating the address I realize it's near this community college grandpa Louise told me about that mom went to. I move my shades to the top of my head admiring the tall building getting my view blocked by a crowd of college kids. In the group was Steph and Basil from last night's house party talking about the fun they had. "Leo was so cute! Like he was a gentleman and I didn't expect that from a guy that looks like him." Steph says biting her lip flirtatiously while explaining. Basil just laughs saying Tobias was the total opposite and that he knew exactly what he wanted and he got it. I move feeling like I shouldn't be listening spotting Conor holding a binder with a pencil behind his ear looking like a contractor ready to do business. The guy he was talking to slaps the side of his arm motioning to look at me walking towards them.

Conor hits them back taking his pencil out from behind his ear placing it inside his binder, "Didn't think you would come and find me after our encounter in the bathroom last night." He says remembering the blow he took from me. "Should have told you that I don't do well with physical touch," I shrug, "but I wanted to take you up on hanging out if that's alright with you." His friend cheering him on silently tells him to say yes but he walks away bringing me with him.

"I have school now but around two I should be free."

I nod looking at the watch I took from my dads nightstand calculating the time I have stashed in my mind.

"That should be good."

He nods, "Where should I meet you?" I think about it saying the beach since it's one place that's out in the open and not intimate. "Okay see you then." He jogs off catching up with his friend entering the building blending in with the rest of the people attending there. On the way off the campus I stop and get a smoothie since they were handing them out to show gratitude for the visitors that come and go. To pass the time I drive around then get to the beach sitting out on the hood of my car watching surfers jump in and out of the water with their surf boards. A car approaches half an hour later and a  few minutes later Conor emerges walking to me in the sand holding his shoes in his hand. I wave a short wave leaning back on the hood of my car taking in the sun showing no real interest in him.

"Are you hungry?" He asks as he shields his eyes from the sun looking to me.

"Not really, why?"

He smiles holding his hand out to me to grab so I follow him to a food truck serving hot dogs and chili cheese fries.

"That actually smells good." I smile watching the cook make the fries.

"Two hot dogs and chili cheese fries." Conor orders paying the man smiling back to me.

Oh no...that's a smile wrapped in trouble.