in the line of fire // Eddie Diaz

╰ • two • ╮

Micah woke at 3:30, just like every morning. She dressed in a pair of joggers, a sports bar, and a loose fitting pullover hoodie. Walking to the kitchen with her sneakers in her hand, she sat her kitchen table and pulled her black and light grey sneakers on over her ankle socks.

Standing up she pulled her arm out of her sleeve and slipped her phone into the arm band after connecting it to her headphones. Walking out of her house and locking the door behind her, she took off running through Los Angeles.

Soon the sun began to rise and she was wishing she brought her sunglasses along with her. She was on her way home when she checked her smartwatch on her wrist she realized she had been up for five hours; doing nothing but running.

At least she had gotten in her 15 miles for the day. When she was almost home, her phone rang. Pressing a button on her left earbud she answered.

"Hello?" She panted as she came to a slow walk.

"Chelle, why are you out of breath? Did I catch you at the gym?" Her brothers voice sounded through her head.

"Uh, no, a run." She said scratching the side of her face. "What's up, Evan?"

"I want to ask you something, but I'll stop by your place before my shift. Anyways, how far out are you from your house?"

"About an hour." She said shrugging like it was nothing.

"Where the hell are you?"

"A trail in the woods down by the Hollywood sign. It's no big deal. I'll probably beat you there anyways. You're further out than I am and have to take the highway." She chuckled.

"Doubt that."

"Let's test that theory. I'm going to hang up and I'll see you there." She said and as her music started up again, Micah took off in the direction of her house.

****

Just as she thought, Evan took the highway, which gave her another half hour before he would get there. That meant she could get into a shower and have breakfast ready by the time he got there. She walked to her room and grabbed clothes for the day.

When she got out, she dressed and walked into the kitchen to start breakfast. Getting out the ingredients for pancakes and a skillet she started making everything. Just as the pancakes got done she could hear the front door open.

"Chelle?" Evan's voice called out.

"I beat you by almost an hour. You took the interstate, didn't you?" She said as she walked to the front door to meet her brother.

Though when she got there, he wasn't alone. There stood her brothers best friend and kid. When she saw Christopher she smiled widely. "Hi Chris!" She said going over to him and getting to eye level.

"Micah!" The little boy beamed.

"I made pancakes, you want some?" Micah glanced at Eddie who only shrugged.

"Yeah!" The little boy exclaimed. She smiled at him even wider as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Morning." She hugged her brother before doing the same to Eddie. When they let go, they walked into the kitchen where Christopher had piled a plate full of pancakes. She laughed to herself as she got four cups down.

"You guys want coffee?" She asked Buck and Eddie who nodded. "Chris, milk or orange juice?"

"Milk." He responded, his mouth full of pancakes.

She got Christopher his milk before handing the guys their coffee cups. They sat at the table around Christopher, making their plates and eating. As they sat there they talked about a few things.