Autumn Leaves

Nine

*time skip**two months*

*Vic's POV*

Today is a very big day. I'm moving in with my Kellin. We bought an apartment, not too far from The Art Institute of California, the school we both got accepted to, but we start in the spring, which is maybe six months or so from now. I adopted a snake to keep myself company while Kellin is at work at the diner down the road. I know it sounds kind of bad for only one of us to be working but, we don't eat out a lot or order food for delivery often, so we don't spend a lot of money. We bought the apartment up front so, there's no rent. But, we still have to pay bills so while I'm home, I kind of just play with the snake, Drakie, my brother Mike named him, he's obsessed with Harry Potter so he named him. Playing with a snake is actually quite fun. Unpacking our stuff while Kellin is at work is kind of boring, but I pass the time by singing some songs that I've been writing, Kellin doesn't know I've been writing music, but I'm working on some songs that I think he'll like. (video is at the top of the chapter. I put in that this song was for Kellin because of his battles with depression)

**

*Kellin's POV*

Vic and that damn snake spend more time together than we do. Drakie is cute but seriously. We bought this apartment together for a reason. But, I'm just happy that they're both content. I can't handle having Vic unhappy, and if it means keeping that snake, that's fine with me. As long as my Vic is happy.

Today is an important day for me at the diner. My boss is watching how I treat customers and how I am as a waiter/bus boy. I've only had a couple small tables today so I think I'll do okay. But of course, as soon as I said that a big group of boys come into the diner and sit in my section. Fucking wonderful. I actually thought my day was going to be okay. I'm just glad I get to go home and see Vic. I made my way over to the table to greet the boys, get menus, and take drinks. There's about 7 boys at the table and I recognized a few of them from college. One of them was one of the boys I saw when I first met Vic. I think his name was Tony if I remember correctly. The other two that I recognize are from the same dorm building that I was in. I think their names are Austin and Matt. The other four boys I have no clue who they are but that isn't why I'm here. I took their drinks and thankfully enough they all ordered the same thing except for Tony and Austin. That made for five Dr. Peppers and two Mtn. Dews. I handed out menus and they all quickly decided their appetizers by the time I got back from getting their drinks. The other waiter, Jack, just showed up to do his shift, late again. (I've connected two of my stories now whoops.) I shrug it off and take the boys' order of loaded nachos for their appetizers. And by the time I was back with them they knew what they wanted.

After I dropped off their bill, I went over to Jack to see what was going on with him. I currently had nobody coming in to my section so I could take a quick break to catch up with my work friend. This is the second time this week that he's came in late and I worry about him.

"Hey Jack. You okay?" I ask with a concerned tone.

"Hey Kell. Yeah I'm okay. Just got a lot on my mind."

"Like what?" I ask. Normally I'm not one to get into anybody's business outside of work issues but I'm a concerned friend right now.

"I might be getting fired from here and I might be heading back to the hospital soon."

"Shit man, are you okay?" Now I was genuinely concerned.

"Yeah. Like I said I have a lot on my mind." He gave me a half assed smile and a nod.

"Okay. Well, if you need anything let me know okay?"

"Of course."

I don't care for awkward silences so I walk away to do some bussing. At the end of my shift, my boss gives me a nod of approval and my check with a bonus on it. Sweet.

*Vic's POV*

I hear keys jingle and the door knob turn. Kellin walks through the door of the apartment and shuts the door with his foot and sets his stuff on the counter. He then makes his way over to the couch next to me placing his head on my lap. He's so cute. I ask him how his day was and got a grunt in return. Damn. "You okay Kells?"

"Yeah I think I just need to unwind. I learned something about my work friend Jack." He seemed concerned.

"What about him?" I ask. I like learning about his day. Well, the five hour shift out of his day.

"He might be getting fired. I gave him my phone number incase he needed anything. He said he might be going into the hospital again because of the things on his mind." He sat up and turned his body to face me. "I personally hope he's okay."

"I understand." I get up from the couch and head towards the kitchen. I figured I would actually cook dinner tonight instead of just heating up some leftovers from yesterday's Chinese food. I asked him what he wanted and he said mac n cheese. I love him but he must not think I'm any good at cooking sometimes. I grew up with my little brother Mike and my parents who would always be teaching me how to cook traditional Mexican foods and as I got older I taught mike and my mom the things I was learning in my home and careers class.

After I finish making the mac n cheese I get Kellin to come to the kitchen to sit down and eat with me. The rest of the night went fairly good I guess. Nothing too exciting but I loved my time with him.

"I think I'm going to start looking for a job tomorrow. Maybe work in a gym or maybe as a host as the fancy restaurant down the road. I could do that. maybe I can learn how to be a soccer coach considering that's what I did in college besides being an art major." I gave him a kind of "grown up" look with a side of smile. "Doesn't your sister work at the fancy restaurant Kells?"

"I think so." He said with a mouthful of food. Must really like that mac n cheese.

"So I finally get to meet her?" I say with a smile. I've never met his family and the only family he's met of mine was Mike and that wasn't a very good time. Mike was in tears and just found out that I used to cut.

"Yes Vic." he says with a chuckle. God I love his laugh. It's one of the few things that make me blush while smiling ear to ear. It's ridiculous how much love I have for him.

We ended the night talking about random memories from when we first met and when we first started talking to each other. I really miss those days where we would sit in the library or in the kitchen to eat our food instead of by others. I wish my time with him was better than what I had to have it be like because all the other boys on the team except for two of my close friends knew about me and Kellin being close but, if the others knew my reputation would be ruined. Not that it would affect me all that much but its fine. I remember the moment he tripped in McKinnon's class and I laughed. He thought I was hot and it was obvious. The way he stumbled on his words was adorable. Hell, everything about him is adorable. I want to keep him forever.