Trusting Milo

IV

M I L O

"You don't understand, Tanner. The look on her face when I told her the time... it was like she had seen a ghost," I said for what felt like the fifth time. Tanner is my right hand, but he's also my best friend since birth and I need someone to vent to. 

"Look man, I believe you. I'll try talking to her tomorrow morning in Psych. You don't need to be getting all worked up over a hypothetical," Tanner responded with sadness in his eyes. I know he cares about Indigo already, we all do. I just have a bad feeling and it's driving me crazy. If anyone ever gave her trouble, I'd kill them.

I decided last minute to walk to the other side of the house. I needed to talk with my mom about this. She always knows what to say. I walked straight into their living room knowing that's where they would be. "Mom, can we talk?" 

Both of my parents looked up at me from the couch. "Come sit honey," she stated as she pat the empty couch cushion next to her. I didn't even care that my dad was here. He may be the leader of the Santino Pandilla, but one thing you'll notice quickly about our line of business is that we aren't just a gang, we're a family. We do handle illegal activities like drugs and weaponry, but we also take care of our own and comfort them in times of need.

"Talk to us baby..." my mom whispered.

I thought about how to approach the entire conversation but I didn't even know where to begin. "It's about Indigo," I stated, looking to see if they understood who I was talking about. Both of them genuinely smiled in my direction. "We love her, darling! She is just the sweetest little thing," she quickly stated. I already knew that but hearing my mom say it, made me feel prideful. "I can't figure out why but I just feel a connection with her. She makes me happy, and all she has to do is smile or even just exist," I felt better saying it aloud. "So, then what's the problem son?," my dad questioned curiously. 

"That's the thing... I don't know... she's very conservative and quiet. But the facial expressions she makes when some things are mentioned or said... it's almost like she's terrified. I couldn't live with myself if she got hurt. But I don't know how to keep her safe if she won't open up to me," I let out a frustrated sigh while running my fingers through my hair. 

"Oh sweetie..." I felt my moms' hand rubbing my back. "We don't have the answers all the time. We can't tell you what Indigo has or is going through. But I can tell you to be patient with her, she will appreciate it in the long run. You have known her for one day. You need to earn her trust. Be gentle, be kind, be her friend. Your father was mine for a few years before we even got together--"

"And 35 years later, she's still my world," my dad interrupted, smiling down affectionately at my mom. I admire what they have. I grew up wanting a relationship just like theirs, if not better.

"Thank you both, I needed that," I said to them.

"We're always here son. And if it bothers you that bad, find out her last name and I'll have Alfonso search her background for anything unusual, okay?," my dad stated firmly.

"That sounds like a good idea pops."

After talking with my parents, I went back to the dining room and informed Tanner of my plan; since he has a class with her, he should be able to get her last name.

"Dude. You know she's in our Spanish class?," Tyler said while walking into the kitchen.

"What?! Really?," I asked. I never went to Spanish. I didn't need to. I speak it fluently per our family business and always pass the tests, so there was never a need to go. But now... now I want to.

"Looks like I'm finally attending Spanish tomorrow," I chuckled out.

I N D I G O

I walked into Psych AP and sat in the same seat from yesterday. A few minutes after the first bell rang, Tanner walked in with a smile plastered on his face. I wanted to reciprocate it, but I was in immense pain from just walking to class. So, instead I just gave him a small wave and began to take notes hoping it would distract me.