thrashin', mid90s.

ice cream - ruben

the heat in ruben's house was unbearable. it felt stuffy, the small fan only producing warm air from its plastic blades. ruben and his little sister both sat in front of the fan, though it wasn't much better. this summer was meant to be memorable, but the intense heatwave just had to ruin it.

sweat trickled down ruben's forehead, he cringed as he felt a drop make it's way down his back. his younger sister, lucía, looked just as exhausted as he did. strands of her hair stuck to her forehead, her oversized ninja turtles t-shirt slightly damp at the neckline.

the ring of the home phone made ruben groan with irritation. he hoped it wasn't his neglectful mom calling in a drunken rage. if she were high, she'd be less angry but still hard to deal with.

ruben sluggishly stood up from the couch, his cheeks feeling heated. he made his way over to the small table near the door, picking the phone up from the stand.

"hello?" ruben asked meekly, gripping the phone tightly. he was getting prepared for his eardrum to burst as he waited for his mom's screeching voice.

he was surprised, relieved that the person on the phone wasn't his mom, but his girlfriend. his tensed muscles relaxed at her soft voice. he could tell she was smiling when she greeted him and asked what he was doing.

"nothin', just sitting in this hot ass house," he sighed. lucía sat up straighter on the couch, wondering who her brother was talking to.

"well. . . i was wonderin' if you wanted to go grab some icecream? i'll buy your sister one too, my treat," she knew whenever his mom left, he was in charge of lucía.

"sounds good. meet you at the corner store?" ruben suggested, grinning to himself.

his girlfriend hummed, "see ya there."

they both said their goodbyes. ruben put the phone back onto the stand, turning to his sister.

"(name)'s gonna buy us icecream!" ruben announced and lucía jumped off the couch with excitement.

-

lucía's hand was held by her brother's as they made their way down the street. it took little time to arrive at the corner store, it was within walking distance. ruben practically rode his skateboard everywhere but with his little sister tagging along, he had to carry it. he couldn't repeat the same mistake from last time: he was riding his board with his little sister holding onto his back.

he almost tumbled off with his sister. it was a stupid decision and he was glad she wasn't hurt. he wouldn't be able to forgive himself if she was.

ruben could see his girlfriend through the windows of the shop. she was making conversation with the cashier, she offered the elderly man a polite wave before she exited the store, the ice cream bars in hand.

lucía dashed up to her as she stepped out of the corner store, the chime of a bell ringing as she closed the shop's door.

"hi, (name), i missed you!" lucía cried, hugging the teenage girl.

"there's my favorite girl," (name) laughed, wrapping her arms around the smaller girl, "i missed you, too."

"she's not the only one that missed you," ruben admitted, a small smile on his lips at the sight of his girlfriend and younger sister.

the three adolescents enjoyed their much needed ice cream, lucía cheerfully thanking (name). ruben's wrapped an arm around his girlfriend and she rested her head against his chest. he felt so damn lucky.

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i don't remember if ruben's sister's name/age was ever mentioned, so i made it up.