The Kings of National City

Magical Plans

The night passed by as I tossed and turned in bed. I already took two pills and still couldn't calm down enough to sleep. My heart wasn't racing anymore but my mind was pounding the beat, so to speak. I was replaying the night repeatedly, trying to remember how everything happened. As soon as Elmer was questioned someone popped off. I kept wondering who shot first. It technically would make sense for the other side to have shot first since they were upset but I swear I heard it come from ours. Why would we shoot first though? Elmer seemed calm throughout it all. The whole reason he wanted me there was so Chris didn't get crazy and mess anything up and then we had a complete shootout anyway. The light was starting to come through my window. I needed to sleep. I took another pill hoping this one would do more.

"Nick! Nick!"

"I'm coming."

"He's fucking blue."

"No, he's not. He's probably exhausted." I felt a hand on my cheek. "Last night was a rough drop."

"Mm mm." I groaned. "Why are you talking so loudly in my room?" I added.

"Chris thinks you are dead."

"You weren't waking up."

"That's what people do when they fucking sleep." I was agitated. The more agitated I got the less tired I felt. The more awake I felt the more angry I got. It was a bad cycle to be stuck in. It was quiet but I could tell they were still in my room. I rolled over and saw Nick in the doorway. Chris was still crouched down beside my bed. "What time is it?"

"It is 3:45." Nick looked at his phone. I sat up real fast.

"Oh that's right you have your mystery errand at 3."

"Yeah," I said searching for a clean shirt.

"Yeah?" Chris and Nick said at the same time.

"I mean no. Just... can you get out?" I motioned to the door Nick was already in.

"Okay. Okay." Chris stood up. "Here is some water." He handed me the glass off my nightstand.

"Thank you." I slowed down and took the water. I chugged the whole glass down and looked at my floor. I saw a funky Lyrical Lemonade shirt and switched my old one out for it. I left on my black jeans and grabbed a hat to cover my bedhead. I avoided making eye contact with my brothers as I walked through the house. If eye contact was made they would start questioning more and I didn't have the time.

I parked the car and walked into Grinds. As soon as the door dinged with me walking in I looked around the whole cafe. She was sitting with her laptop already out.

"You are late today." The cashier said.

"Traffic." I lied.

"Vanilla bean frappe?" She asked. I wasn't a coffee enthusiast. I didn't care to try anything new. I mostly just wanted something to sip on so I looked busy.

"Yeah." I went to pull out my wallet and realized I never grabbed it. I gave her a concerning look.

"Don't worry about it." She smiled in a flirtatious way.

"Thank you." I felt awkward. I never forget my wallet when I go out. "I owe you," I said not returning any flirty notions towards her. I watched her eyes scan the screen while my drink was being made. She had both of her headphones in her ears today. Her hair was still wavy like yesterday.

"Here you go." I grabbed my drink and sat in my usual spot. I remember the first day I saw her. I never usually want coffee so it was very out of character to want to stop here to get some. Nick and Chris consistently made jokes about it. They were with me the first time I saw her and from there, I have casually gone to the store, or bank, or car wash, or any other excuse I could think of to get me out of the house at 3 p.m. so I could see her. I knew if I told them about getting coffee or if they ever found out and came with me they would immediately put two and two together. This had to stay a secret. I pulled out my phone and headphones and started listening to music to make it look like I was occupied. She didn't look frustrated today. She looked focused but content. She still took a sip of her coffee before typing away.

About one hour passed by with people coming and going. She and I were the only people who didn't move. The doorbell rang and I watched as another girl walked in. She was blonde and flashy. I observed the interaction she had with my girl as she sat at her table. They knew each other even though they didn't look like the type of people to be friends. They started talking and she closed her laptop to give her attention to her friend. She was smiling and laughing. This was a new look for her. I studied it hard. I always wished after working up the nerve to talk to her I'd be the reason she was laughing and smiling the way she was now. I grabbed my car keys while standing up. I threw my coffee cup away while walking out the door. I hate that I just chicken out. My anxiety wasn't the only one to blame. I would love to talk to her, get to know her, maybe even take her on a few dates but how do I explain my "job"? Or how do I explain when Elmer wants to do a drop so I have to cancel a date? Bringing her over to the house to hang out is absolutely not an option.

"How were your magical plans?" Chris jumped me as soon as I walked in the door. That was exactly why she couldn't come over.

"Fine." I started looking for something to eat in the fridge.

"Ready to party?" Nick joined us most likely because he heard me come home.

"So excited," I said sarcastically.

"I have to go to the pharmacy, keys?" Nick held up his hand and I tossed him the keys.

"The party starts at 10. I am going to finish bagging. We are going light tonight." Chris yelled louder as he walked away. I dread most things that our "job" comes with but a party wasn't the worst part. Nonetheless, I was dreading this party.