Returns

Chapter 6: Benjy

The party had certainly taken a toll on JJ. She woke up feeling even more terrible and embarrassed than when she had gone to sleep, and the worst part was that Ryn had to work and June had to go to a family wedding, so she would be alone for most of the day. After they'd both gone, she took a long, steamy shower in attempt to dispel the toxins Mikey and Benjamin had doused her in. After feeling sufficiently cleansed, she put on her comfiest pajamas and curled up in bed to watch Pride and Prejudice, wanting nothing more than to be lulled by the cadence of Mr. Darcy's voice.

JJ was about halfway through the film when her phone screen lit up. She side-eyed it to find an unknown number calling her. She contemplated whether or not she would answer, but then remembered that she was expecting a call from the Women's Wellness Center she'd applied to intern at.

"Hello?" She answered sweetly.

"Hey princesa, you feeling any better?" A silky voice hit her like a ton of bricks.

She blushed, "Tavo? How did you get my number?"

"June and I were chemistry partners last term, your boy had to call in some favors." She could hear him smiling.

"Favors? From what I heard he carried your ass through that class." Her heart skipped a bit as he laughed.

"Maybe so. Hey, so I never got that dance last night. You think we could make up for that?"

JJ wasn't quite sure she felt like being around anyone new, but she was simultaneously intrigued, "What did you have in mind?"

"I was going to leave that up to you, anything you want to do?"

JJ was silent for a moment. She really wanted to drive to the beach and see the ocean. Most of the time that calmed her down when she was feeling icky, but it was an hour and a half drive, and that was a lot to ask for a first date. However, food was simple. It could be cut short if it needed to be, "How does lunch sound?"

"My kind of girl. You ever been to El Kora?"

"No, but that sounds good to me!"

"Perfect, text me your address, I'll pick you up in an hour."

An hour later, JJ was in the front seat of Tavo's civic, parking in front of a cute little Mexican restaurant downtown. There was an orange "El Kora" above the doors, and inside were a bunch of retro red booths.

"It used to be a 50's shake place, but my uncle bought it when my family moved here." Tavo explained as they approached the counter.

His hair was no longer concealed in a baseball cap and it flowed freely. It was dark and waved just past his ears. He was dressed comfortably, but somehow he still looked like a magazine spread. His smile made JJ feel warm.

"What are we gonna eat? I trust you to order." She said easily.

"Okay, how do you do with spicy food?" He asked earnestly.

"Don't worry about that," She laughed, "my best friend is Thai. I've adapted."

"Oh word? Ryn, right? She's cool, her mom probably makes bomb food."

JJ nodded, but couldn't answer before a kind looking man behind the corner began speaking to Tavo in spanish. They were all smiles and warmth, and JJ was momentarily sad that she didn't live close to any of her extended family. She didn't have many aunts and uncles, but the ones she could remember were only blurry memories in her mind. She was brought out of her thoughts when she realized the man behind the counter had asked her a question.