RIM OF THE WORLD | Gabriel

chapter six

"My dad left... when I was about ten. You know, I got a job as a bag boy at the grocery store my mom worked at. To, you know...help her with money." Gabriel started off, grabbing my hand and began playing with my fingers. "One time she steps away, I took over the cash register-" Gabriel paused and took a deep breath, sitting straight up, "-I was helping a customer, and, uh, he started to accuse me of stealing from him. I guess I gave him the wrong change..." He trailed off.

I grabbed his hand, noticing how he was shaking a little and squeezed. "Take your time," I murmured, looking up and giving him a comforting smile.

"I get numbers... like, muddled in my head sometimes..." Gabriel started talking again after a moment. "unless I see them written down. But he didn't believe me. And, um... I just... I lost it. So I decked him. Broke his nose. Mom got fired and... they sent me away. She never came around to visit me once."

I sat up slowly, moving from Gabriel's legs so I was sitting beside him. I rested my head on his shoulder and he rested his head on top of mine. I looked around and noticed the others all giving Gabriel a comforting look.

"You can't choose your family." ZhenZhen spoke up, a small smile on her face, "but you can always make a new one."

I lifted my head and notice Gabriel's eye gloss over once again. "A young Yoda up in here?" Dariush questioned, making Gabriel laugh as ZhenZhen pulled out a camera.

"Come on, guys," Alex said as we all scooted closer together. "Oh, we're taking an old school selfie?" Dariush said held a peace sign up. I smiled as I leaned into Gabriel, holding up a peace sign as ZhenZhen counted.

"One, two, three." She said before a bright flash blinded me.

We talked for about another hour before we decided to go to bed. ZhenZhen and I went into another room to change as we left the boys to do the same.

"Soo you and Alex huh?" I asked, raising my brows as ZhenZhen and I searched for clothes. "Me and Alex? I should be the one asking about you and Gabriel." She fired back, a mischievous glint in her eyes. I blushed and looked away, "w-what about it?"

She laughed, "it's totally obvious you guys are into each other, you've both acted on it as well." I smiled and threw a shirt at her, "well it's obvious Alex likes you." I tell her, sticking out my tongue.

ZhenZhen rolls her eyes but the redness on her cheeks is visible.

We change quickly and ZhenZhen swings the door open and climbs over a bed, "one of you can sleep with me." She states, climbing under the covers of the nest resting against the wall.

I walk out as well, getting into the nearest bed. "same with me." I murmur, watching as the boys' eyes widen and they all run out of the room.

Gabriel's pov

My eyes widen as Kayla follows ZhenZhen into the room. My heart racing when Kayla says one of us can sleep with her. Alex, Dariush, and I all run out of the room and slam the door behind us as we all huddle together.

"Hold it. Hold it. Wait, wait!" I shout, making them both stop talking. "Did they both just say one of us could sleep with them?" I ask, looking at both of them with wide eyes. "Maybe we misheard them?" Alex questions, giving me a nervous glance.

"Okay, look," Dariush started, "I will volunteer my services for the good of the group, and because I've had the most experience."

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed, "with what? Not getting any?" Dariush looked at me with a raised brow, "hey, it's better than eating Lithuanian smoothies from your bunkmate in juvie. And, I call dibs on Kayla."