I'm trying to calm myself on the ride over to Lance's house. He wont be there I know that, but I still get nervous. This is for me to do and for me to get satisfaction from. I didn't wear a helmet because I just wanted to cut to the chase and get it over with. My engine revs loudly as I turn onto Lance's street. I watch the town houses carefully as I pass them.
They almost all look the same. Once white wood that needs to be repainted, windows boarded up, people glare from their run down patios as I pass. This neighborhood makes me uneasy, but I know it's not fair to think that way. I see Lance's familiar house and slow to a stop. I can already hear children's shouts and roughhousing from here across the front yard and to the street. I swing my leg over my motorcycle and gather up all my confidence. I walk with my head high to the door. After jumping up a couple steps I tap on their wood door.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in-
The door swings open to reveal a short and curvy woman. Her curly brown hair up in a messy bun. She looks tiny in her gray sweater and dark circles cave into her face. "Who are you?" She asks softly with a hint of a Spanish accent. I smile my warmest smile, "Hi Ms. McClain, you're Lance's mom right?" The woman nods suspiciously then a look of horror crosses over her, "Is he okay? Did he do something? I know he has a bad past of doing things but-" I cut her off, "He's fine. I'm a friend." I can hear her shaky exhale and then she waves her hand.
"Come on in Mijo we can talk over cookies." I nod in her direction, a little gesture I thought would be polite, and walk in the house.
I hear the pounding footsteps of children and the sweet smell of baking cookies. I see on the couch a baby who I assume is Lance's baby brother watching a cartoon with space lions. I see another boy trying to catch a remote control car by running after it all around the house. That's when I think: who's controlling the car? I see a skinny girl with Lance's tan skin and curly hair on top of the fridge with an evil smile on her face and a remote control in her hands.
On. Top. Of. The. Fridge.
"What the actual fuck." I mumble under my breath. Like brother like sister I guess. Lance's mom skips into the kitchen when a sudden beeping goes off. "Those are the cookies!" I can see the boys' ears perk up when they hear that there's cookies. The little boy on the couch squeals something no comprehensible and waves his chubby arms. The baby shoots me a gummy smile and I can barely hear him say, "Wookies!" I laugh a little and smile widely and then say in return, "Wookies!" Lance's mother then calls out, "Cookies are ready come and get some!" Chaos breaks out.
The girl swings from the fridge to the cupboard. What the hell is she? Tarzan? She then hops from the cupboard onto the floor where she lands with a perfect ninja pose. I honestly have to give her props for that. She should show me that move.
The boy who was chasing a remote controlled car finally tackled it to the ground. With a triumphant smile he held the car up and pounded on his chest with the other fist. "COOKIES FOR THE CHAMPION!" I snort, are all of Lance's siblings mini versions of him?
The baby has somehow waddled his way into the kitchen as is already begging for some cookies by tugging on his Mama's sweater and squealing. Lance's mother gestures for me to sit down at the table and the kids do too. She sets a plate of delicious smelling and looking sugar cookies. She slides into the chair across from me and puts her baby in her lap. He immediately reaches for a cookie just as his brother and sister do when they sit down.
"So tell me; how is Lance doing? He moved in with his brother and Abuelita and I've been wondering ever since." Worry and hurt swirl in her chocolate brown eyes, I feel bad for Lance's mom now. I give the most comforting smile I can, "He's fine. Doing better there than here." Then my eyes widen when I notice Ms. McClains offended face and my rude words. Rude but true. "Sorry! I just meant he's happier it's less stress without the kids-" I'm cut off by the woman waving her hand dismissively. "So he told you. You two must be close then." I falter-so she accepts the fact that her husband is abusive, "Told me what?" Her faze on my face hardens from hurt to stone.
"He told you how much trouble he'd get into here didn't you? How he fought with the neighbor's kids?" I gape. That is not what I thought she'd say, she even has a little smirk when she says, "So I guess you don't know him as well as you thought he did huh? You thought you were close? Had a connection?" I look at her in question. Why is she suddenly so malicious? I clutch my jeans in my fists. This isn't true. He would never fight anyone....Would he?
Don't doubt him. You came here to help him. Don't doubt him.
"Lance never told you why he switched schools?" I shake my head in wonder. He told me he just decided to change, now looking back I see how suspicious that is. "He and two of his friends beat a kid bloody after school. They waited until he was off the bus and followed him home so they could jump him. The kid was found later that night bruised, broken and bloody." I gape in surprise. That's not true. Lance wouldn't do that. "Lance wouldn't do that." I say with finality and his mother eyes me like she's trying to decide what to do.
Remember what you came here for.
She knows what you came here for.
She's trying to protect him.
I gulp down my doubt, "Where is your husband?" A look of panic shoots through the woman and she sharply looks at a clock on the wall. She stammers at first but then her voice cools and calms, "He's at work." I give her a little smile, "Do you know when he'll be back?" The woman squints like she's thinking hard to think of something to say. She's caught in her own web of lies. Then she sighs and lets her eyelids shut over her chocolate eyes. Brown eyelashes curl over her dark circles.
"What is your name?" She ask with exhaustion clear in her voice. "Keith." She then opens her eyes and meets my gaze long and hard. "You care about Lance right? What if I told you Lance needs help right now? Would you help him?" I nod with passion. "I'd do anything." The woman reaches across the table and grips my shoulders. With a look of desperation and one last wild look at the clock she meets me eyes. Her brown eyes are so wide they scare me.
"Then help him!"
DID I JUST GET NUMBER ONE IN KLANGST?!?!?!?! AHHHHHH! I'm so happy! I'm also so sorry I haven't updated in forever!!!!! I am having some hard times in this rotation of school and sleep. I stay up too late on my phone, sleep in so I am late to start doing schoolwork which sucks (I do online school) and then I am tired and hungry all day >~< But I am always so happy to see you guys commenting and being ABSOLUTE SWEETHEARTS WHAG THE FUCK DID I DO TO DESERVE YOU GUYS?!?! But the end is near and I'm wondering: if I asked for it and made an Instagram account for this story- would you consider making fan art for it? I know my story is probably too small for a little fan base but I'm just wondering~~ maybe I'll make an Instagram for it and promote my story, and if any of you decide to make art for it, I'd post all fan art.
Have a good day/night and I hope you feel great. Get good sleep, eat good or smile some for me. Smiling makes people happier doesn't it? At least for the time being? So smile just once for me okay? 😊
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The Boy in the Rain//Klance
FanfictionHow ironic it would be that the first and last times I had seen him would be with him standing in the rain. Face tilted high, like he wasn't afraid. Yet you could see the tears staining his cheeks, the difference between the rain and his tears is th...
