Bandmate ||Ricky Garcia||

《t w e n t y - e i g h t 》

The shop only had a family and the sound of their kids was louder then the 80's music playing in the background. A lady most likely around her 50's came out with a wet apron and hair tied in a bun. Ricky ordered his and I did mine. He payed for them and as we started to walk to the exit I see a flash on the corner of my eyes and Ricky turns around.

The lady was too busy cleaning the counter tops and as for the family, we see the a girl behind her dad hiding. His father didn't seem to notice that a photo was taken, but Ricky didn't say anything. That's what he wanted.

Back in the car he turned on the radio a bit louder. ''You don't look like a mango type of person.'' He says licking the dripping cone.

I glance down at the bright sunrise in a cup. Swallowing I turn to look at him. ''Who do I look like then?''

''Cookies and cream or maybe bubblegum.'' He shrugs.

''Uh well you got the cookies and cream part right, but I hate bubble gum.''

''Just like I hate gum.'' He says taking a big bite before turning around and exiting the lot.

''Why do you hate it?'' I ask.

''I don't really know. I guess I started to hate it when I was dating this one chick and she would always be chewing on that shit and every time we kissed that crap tried to choke me. Only stayed with her a 3 weeks.''

I stayed quiet. Only 3 weeks. Three! How are we suppose to last a year? I don't even know if he sees me as anything more than a girl he kissed. I'm dying to ask but I fear he'll jerk away and burst to another one of his cold silence treatments.

There are so many things I need to know about him, us- if there even is an us. Yes, I know I signed that contract, and to everyone's business we are dating, but I guess my little head wants some reassurance on why that contract was made in the 1st place.

''You wanna go any where or straight to your house?''

''My house is fine. Unless you wanna go somewhere?'' I say. Everything was going so smooth and great. I really didn't want to ruin it with my questions.

''Whatever the lady wants.'' When he says things like this it just flusters me even more! He picked me up all moody now he looks fine. God, I swear this boy. I sometimes think he's on something.

For most of the ride home it was just basically him humming to the songs coming up and him cussing out the guy ahead of him for going so slow. The drive way was empty like always and I scurried to get out the key from my backpack.

''Where's your mom?'' Ricky asks behind me.

''At work. She usually comes back at 8 or 10 if it's really late.'' The familiar click lets me knows the door unlocks and I push it open. Dead silence.

''So were all alone?'' I answer him with a nod. ''You know what Mrs. A said about you?''

''Oh god, what?'' I asked leading him to the living room.

''Okay this is exactly what she said,'' He coughed as if preparing himself. ''I don't know why she involved herself in this. She seemed smarter. ''

My mouth dropped. I had no words. ''W-what did you say?''

''I just told her that, what's there not to love about me.'' He shrugs taking a sit finishing off his ice cream cone. Ask Audrey! Ask!

''Ricky how do you see me? Like what am I to you?'' The bomb is dropped and I just want to crawl away when he gave me his typical look. He didn't look upset or anything. He just laid back licking his lips.