Curious

37

I'm flipping pancakes and pouring myself some coffee when the sound of the doorbell rings loudly in my apartment. I strut over to the door, swinging it open, "Oh. Hey, Joel." I give him a hug as he walks in.

"Hey. Sorry for coming unannounced." he apologizes pulling out a stool from the kitchen island.

I shake my head, "It's cool. You came alone? Who dropped you off?" I ask turning my back to him, placing the last few pancakes that i've made on a platter.

"Yeah," he waits patiently for me to turn back around before snatching a plastic looking card out of his pocket, "I got a license!" he exclaims proudly.

"Oh my god!" I squeal excitedly, making my way over to him quickly, "Let me see!" I snatch it out of his hand, looking at his picture in the little square, I bring my hand up to my heart and sag my shoulders, "Aww, you look so handsome in your picture." I look up at him grinning.

He rolls his eyes taking it back quickly, placing it safely into his wallet. "I knew you were gonna say something like that."

I laugh, "You know me so well." I gesture at the stack of pancakes, "Eat some. There's no way i'm finishing them all." I place a bottle of syrup in front of him.

"I'm sure Juan could finish the whole stack himself. He's a big guy. Where is he anyway?" he asks not bothering to use the plate that i've just placed right in front of him. Instead he takes a pancake in his hand, pours some syrup on it, folds it like a taco, and takes a big bite out of it.

I take a seat in front of him, "Okay, first of all, use a plate, you pig." I say in disgust. He just shrugs. "Second of all, Juan and I aren't really on speaking terms right now." I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

He pauses his sloppy eating, "You guys broke up?! Why?" he asks grabbing the plate that's in front of him to plop down his pancake.

I roll my eyes, "Do not tell anybody about it, okay? I plan on going to talk things through with him either tonight or tomorrow morning." I say taking a sip of my coffee.

"You're going to Colombia? Cool, take me with you!" he sits up straighter in his seat excitedly.

I laugh, "Yeah, no. Where am I gonna leave you when I go talk to him?" I shake my head.

"I could wait in the car! Come on, Anna. I'm on spring break anyway." he pleads.

"And what if things don't go as planned? What if he tells me to leave?" I ask.

He shrugs, "Then we both leave."

I groan, "I don't know, Joel. Why do you even want to go?"

"I don't know. I'm bored. He has a lot of hot friends. Do I have to go on?" he asks.

I roll my eyes, "Ah, now I know why you want to come. It's to see his little friends who are way, way older than you."

He bats his eyelashes, "And to spend some quality time with my favorite sister." he shines his perfect smile at me.

I scoff, "I'm your only sister. Fine, you can come." before he can get excited I say, "But, we have to ask Mark first."

"Yes!" he runs over to me, crushing me in a hug, "You're the best." he kisses my cheek roughly.

I laugh, "I know I am."

~~~

"So, exactly why did you break up with Juan?" Joel asks after a few minutes of silence in the car. After Joel practically begging Mark to let him come with me, he's given permission. It's about two in the afternoon and we're on our way to the airport.