Bandmate ||Ricky Garcia||

《t h i r t y - s i x》

Audrey's POV

''What the hell is she going to do to me? Give me a bad rep? Yeah, she already did that.'' Ricky says clicking in his seatbelt. The sun had set hours ago leaving only a trace of purple to its dome.

''Bad enough rep you had to get Keta to make it better. I'm just saying maybe you shouldn't have called her out like that-''

''Calling her out like that, was a way to distracts those assholes from calling you out. I don't give a shit what's said about me, but no way in hell I'm going to let others believe fake shit about you. '' The cool in his eyes dilated once he turned and looked at me. I didn't say anything after that, I just smiled which was enough for him to clench my hand before using it to drive. His left arm rests on his lap and I wonder if the stitches have healed by now?

After a silent drive, he finally talks to me. ''How's your mom doing? You know after what happened the other day.'' He asks me parking the car in my driveway right in front of my mom's car. Truthfully I can't answer that question because when something like this happens the last thing you think about is how heartbroken you are, or if there are even pieces left.

''Well all of yesterday she locked herself in her room,'' And considering that I heard nothing but smalls chocking sobs I can say she is handling herself much better. ''But thanks for asking.''

''How come you don't have a car? I mean you drive good enough for a girl.'' He chuckles and I raise my brows.

''Woah okay, not everyone has money pouring of out of their pockets. Since we moved here we had to start from scratch and living in Santa Monica isn't the cheapest thing in the world.'' I say unbuckling myself the porch light seems to call me as it gets dimmer and dimmer.

''I mean I guess not everyone is lucky enough to be me. Before you leave do you remember the whole quinceanera bullshit.'' He asks and I nod finding it impossible to erase the day I saw him so fragile, almost glass. Like Peyton said and I can't help but run what she could have meant by those words. Ricky seems too happy with himself to have possibly harmed himself.

''Well I was texting Jester- her name is Celeste by the way- and she told me the date. It's on June 16, but the thing is that her parents want to have it in Mexico.'' He explains and I start to look puzzled. Great another trip across the border. ''Don't worry I'll get the tickets.''

I had a small discussion how he shouldn't spend on me like that, but I lost before it was over. He's so hard headed when he wants to. I say my last goodbye and start to walk towards the door feeling the greens specs in his eyes follow me all the way to the door. He waves at he and I wave back shutting the door to be sucked into the darkness of the house.

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The steam of the bus disappeared as it drove farther from my house. Coming to a lonely house has been a routine: eat, shower, homework, chores, free time. Pulling out the math book I start to do problems 12 through 25 when my phone started ringing. A smile fades seeing it's not Ricky. It's been a week and I've made no contact with him.

''Hey Jos, what's up?'' I ask putting her on speaker. I hear slight sobs and deep panting. ''What happened?''

''Audrey, I don't know what happened. I thought he didn't care I liked my boys, but it bothered him more than I thought-'' She started to brawl and immediately Alex came to mind.

''Jocelyn, what did he say!'' I knew they broke up just by the tinge in her voice. I'm used to hearing in charismatic tone but it is now replaced by sorrow.

''So you know how today was going to be our 2 years and 3 months anniversary, and well it turned out he stopped liking me a long time ago. But Audrey tell me why did he wait this long to tell me, that me liking FIYM was such a bother?'' She started to cry again and my anger rose to my fist, just picturing his mouth with a broken jaw.