taken Ⅱ [jason mccann]

s e v e n t e e n

[ J A S O N ]

Led Zeppelin played loudly on the stereo as I wiped a drop of sweat off my forehead. It was Thursday evening and I was all alone in the house. Everyone else was busy running errands or visiting family so that left me with no plans whatsoever. I had no work to do and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to do it without the boys. So I figured since I wasn't busy and had free time on my hands, I would fix my car considering it's been making a weird noise for the past week.

My garage door was open wide to allow a breeze to flow in as I worked in on my car. It was Friday so barely anyone was home, including the Vasquez family. The only car I recognized in the driveway was Aubrey's, but I figured she wasn't there and was with her boyfriend somewhere.

It had been awhile since I had spoken to Aubrey, and honestly, I was grateful for that. Ever since Carla and Candice's fight, I had been embarrassed because of the way Candice acted and the stuff she told Aubrey after the fight. I didn't want to face Aubrey because maybe she dislikes me now for allowing Candice to push Carla's buttons, and I wasn't ready to face that.

As I continued to work on my car, a ball rolled down across my driveway. I looked up and furrowed my eyebrows at the sight, slightly confused. But then a tiny body came to view, chasing after the ball itself -- My favorite Vasquez sibling, Matt.

"Sorry Jason!" Matt yelled as he chased the ball onto my front yard, his curly locks blowing through the wind as he ran like his life depended on it.

I laughed out loud and shook my head, "It's okay, bud."

"Matt! Get your little ass back here!" I heard the familiar voice that belonged to Aubrey, causing me to smile and laugh more. Aubrey soon came into view, her ponytail flowing in the wind as she chased after Matt, who was now proudly holding the ball in his hands with his mouth open in shock.

"You said a swear!" Matt gasped as he pointed at Aubrey in shock.

"And you left without telling me!" Aubrey yelled back at him and was about to go on a rant, when she heard the music I was playing. She then turned around and gasped once she saw me.

I shined a toothless grin at her while waving. "Hi neighbor."

"O -- Oh my god." Aubrey panted in shock, her cheeks blushing in embarrassment. "Jason, I am so, so, sorry. I -- I don't cuss at kids if that's what you're thinking and -- and Matt he shouldn't have...I'm sorry!" Aubrey blurted out.

I laughed once again and shook my head. "It's okay, don't worry about it. You like to yell at kids. I get it." I shrugged my shoulders.

Aubrey's eyes widened. "No! N -- No, I don't. It just came out and --"

"Aubrey, I'm kidding. Relax." I chuckled, causing Aubrey to breathe of relief.

"Yeah Aubrey, relax." Matt cooly said as he placed his hands on his hip.

Aubrey looked down at Matt with a raised eyebrow before saying, "Matt, go inside with Amber. You've got homework to do."

Matt whined, "But Aubrey --"

"I said go inside and do your homework. Unless you want to be like that guy at the park." Aubrey said, making Matt's little eyes widen in horror.

"I'm going! I'm going! Bye Jason!" Matt yelled before quickly running back onto his front yard to go back home.

"Bye Matt!" I replied as I watched him disappear into the next yard. I then turned to Aubrey and raised my eyebrow, "What's with the guy in the park threat?" I asked out of curiosity.

Aubrey chuckled and walked over to my garage stool to take a seat. "Well, I took him to the park after school and there was some homeless alcoholic sleeping on the bench with a bunch of bird poop on him. Matt asked how he ended up homeless and I told him it was because he didn't do his homework when he was in school. Now he's terrified of ending up like him."