No Status Quo

25. New Plan

Why isn't there an earthquake when required?

"Dad! What a–pleasant surprise." I manage to say feebly,

"I could say the same." He says while Cam stares at me in mortification.

"Who's your friend?" Dad asks then, interested. I look at Ren, who immediately gets to his feet and holds out his hand,

Cam looks as though he's gonna have a heart attack any minute now. He looks at me in disbelief, then narrows his eyes.

"Ren Accetta, sir," Ren tells Dad, who looks him up and down. I hold my breath; I feel like I'm awaiting the verdict of some crime that I haven't committed. You haven't done anything wrong. I tell myself. And he hasn't done anything wrong either.

I sigh with internal relief when Dad takes Ren's hand, shaking it. "Nice to meet you, Ren." he claps him on the back then, "It's always nice to meet Gina's friends."

Cam clears his throat, "She didn't tell you about him though."

Shut up. I turn to glare at him. What is his problem exactly? what is he doing here anyway? He doesn't meet my gaze, that idiot.

"Anyway, I should get going. I have to finish some work." Ren says, breaking the awkward silence.

"And I'll see him to the door," I add. We half walk-half run out of the room and down the stairs,

"That's probably why Olivia was calling." I guess with a grimace, "I should have answered the phone."

"No debería haber venido aquí." Ren sighs. I scowl at him.

"Nonsense." I remark, "We'll be careful next time. He doesn't know anything for now, so I guess we're in the safe zone."

"He doesn't know anything, yet." He corrects me, well, he does have a point. Once in the lounge, we run to the table and I help him gather his things. Olivia comes out of the kitchen then, with the tray of brownies in her hand.

"Gina, I tried to stop him–" She begins,

"Aunt Liv, it's alright." I assure her, "He doesn't know anything for now."

"Yet." Ren calls out,

"Oh callate," I call back, and he laughs. I've been attending extra Spanish lessons in school. If he didn't know that before, he knows now.

"Anyway," I turn back to Olivia, "It's going to be fine."

I look at the brownies in her hand, and back at her. "Can I–?"

"Yes, of course." She nods and together, we go into the kitchen. She places some brownies in a white container while I grab two of the takeout bags. Sucks that we can't have Chinese together. I was looking forward to that,

Of course, cam had to ruin everything.

"Ren! Wait up!" I call as Olivia thrusts the box in my hands and I dash to the door. Thankfully he's just on the porch when I reach him,

He shoulders his bag as he looks at me. I hold out the paper bags with the box, "For you," I breathe,

"Gina, this isn't necessary." He tells me, pushing the bag back.

"But it is," I insist, "Especially the brownies, and of course, you have to know how the Chinese tastes,"

"And if I like it, we go to that place for dinner sometime?" He suggests,

"Be safe on the road," I whisper gently. He moves a strand of my hair behind my ear and gives a nod. We hold each other's gaze for a moment before he lets out a deep sigh.