Xavier

28

I caught the car keys with ease when Lucas tossed them to me over the car. "Where are we going?" He questioned.

"I hadn't really thought that far ahead. Let's go to Jersey." I suggested with a shrug.

"Jersey?!" He exclaimed. "Yeah it's not like it's far."

"I know...it's just...never mind. Stop at Starbucks first though I need something caffeinated."

I nodded and we were on the road.

We didn't embark on our trip to Jersey until maybe 45 minutes after I pulled out of the driveway. Much to my surprise Lucas didn't even complain about that.

"We gotta stop at Walmart." He said. "Okay, why?"

"Come on, Lu, really?" He questioned with a huff. "I was just asking." I replied defensively.

"You don't remember how we used to go and do that all the time when you got your license?" He questioned. My eyebrows raised for a second as realization hit me.

"Oh yeah!" I exclaimed with a smile. Because my parents weren't that strict, when I got my license I was pretty much allowed to go where I wanted. They never said anything about beyond state lines, but one day Nadia suggested it and so after school I told my parents we were going to Nadia's and then out to eat.

In reality, me, Lucas, and Nadia went to Jersey. Because we didn't have anything to do there we went to Walmart or Target just for the hell of it.

Those were the good days where I didn't have to worry about bills and shit like that. I miss doing that kind of stuff.

The rest of the ride was pretty quiet aside from the sound of Lil Baby playing through the speakers. "How's school?" I asked. I was obviously just trying to make conversation.

I don't know why but I didn't like complete silence for too long. I appreciate Being able to sit with someone in silence and enjoy the company but this silence felt...odd to me.

"Fine. Mr Calderon is always asking about you."

"Really!? I'll have to see him one of these days. He was great."

Mr. Calderon was my precalc and calculus teacher in high school. "Yeah he's also been asking how you were so good at math and I'm hanging on by a thread." He snorted.

"You know I can help you out if you need it."

"I'm good thanks. I got a tutor. She's so fine too bro." He gushed. I laughed softly at his remark and shook my head. "Focus on the math and not what she looks like."

"Oh I am. But it's cause she's so fine that I can pay attention well. I think I'm going to ask her to chill with me when we go back to school."

"What's her name?"

"Amari. She's like a few inches shorter than me, she has dark brown skin and I swear she has the best smile I've ever seen."

"That's so cute."

"I just don't know if she likes me back, ya'know? And I don't want to ask her out because what if she says no?"

"Her loss?" I asked in a questioning tone. "Damn right, but like the rejection would still suck."

"Yeah I get it. Rejection is never easy."

"When have you ever been rejected?" He asked with an astonished tone. "Quite a few times actually. I know I look good now but I wasn't this good looking in the 10th grade. I had my glow up my junior year." I laughed. "I wonder how many people know how big your head is."

"Oh shut up."

He and I shared some laughs as we drove and it made my heart feel full. I was actually having fun. We pulled into the parking lot of the target and shared a similar expression of excitement.

He grabbed a cart and I casually managed to sit inside with my legs hanging over the edge. "To the skincare aisle." I pointed.

It was like a game of rapid fire as Lucas and I went speeding through aisles. He almost ran over someone's grandmother. "Okay, okay, chill. They're gonna kick us out."

"Fine." Lucas laughed.

We picked up a few things before checking out. He had to help me out of the cart when we were leaving because my leg got stuck. It was extremely embarrassing.

"See that was fun." I laughed as we got back in the car. "Yeah...don't tell anyone I told you this but I missed doing stuff like that with you."

"Secrets safe with me, kid."

We drove a few miles down the road to Chick-fil-a and sat in parking lot eating our food.

"We've gotta start doing stuff together more often. I feel like we haven't been close in a long time." I said to break the silence. "Yeah I know."

"I cant even think of why. I mean it's not like we ever argued or anything."

"Yeah but when Quincy got sick, you were so hard to reach. Then he passed and not long after you left for school." He shrugged. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be it's not your fault. I wanted to give you your space. I know that it was a lot happening for you all at once." He added. "That's gonna change though. Especially since The semester is almost over. I want to try to be home more so we can get back to how we used to be."

"I'm gonna hold you too that. I'm glad you're getting back to normal. It was rough seeing you so...desolate for so long."

"Yeah...anyway let's not make this sad im always sad and for once i'm feeling good." I laughed jokingly.

"Where are we going next?"

"Next!???"

"Don't tell me you're tired already." He teased. "No, no, Im just shocked you're not feigning to get back on that game."

He pushed my shoulder a little and laughed. "Enjoy this time with me while you can."