Darksun - Volume 1: Neco'ma

Chapter 8: Passing the Torch

School had just ended for the day; the same routine would happen for Eddie like clockwork as his bus left without him again. Chad, Gina and their posse were laughing down on him at the back of the bus. 

 'Great, I missed it again, guess I'll have to take the public bus again,' Eddie muttered to himself. 

Suddenly, a red Chevrolet drove towards him, 'hey Eddie, you need a lift?' Jake called from it. 

'Ugh yeah sure,' Eddie replied. 

 As Eddie entered the car, he told Jake where to drive him, 'number eleven, Quetzal Way, Lincoln Heights.' Lincoln Heights was known for its diverse Latin American community. Like parts of East LA, this location was one of many districts that made the Eastside area infamous. The house Jake pulled up to was moderate in size, neutral in colour and creeping with multiple plants. But to Eddie it was home. 

 'So, this is where you live, Eddie?' Jake politely asked as they both got out of the car.

 'Yeah, my whole family has lived here nearly my whole life, I pretty much know all the neighbours in this street,' Eddie answered. 

 As night was approaching Jake decided to head home, 'well thanks for lift Jake,' said Eddie. 

 'No problem, look if you want I can give you a lift to and from school until the end of the semester. I don't have a problem with it and at least you don't have to chase down the bus ever again,' said Jake. 

 'Thanks Jake, I guess I'll see you in the morning.' 

 'Cool, I'll be here to pick you up,' said Jake, he drove out and headed off to get home. 

 As Eddie entered his home, Eddie's dad Alejandro entered the living room surprised to see his son home early for once. 

 'Hola mi niño, how was school today?' he asked. 

 'Um yeah it was alright, my new friend gave me a lift home,' Eddie replied.

 'A new friend? Well how nice of him, we should meet him one of these days. Hey, your mum's coming home in an hour, do you want to help me make some rice?'

 'Sure, I can help with grating the carrots if you want,' Eddie replied.

The next day... 

 Eddie got an early start to the day as Jake pulled his car in ready to collect him. Eddie was still getting used to the fact that he now not only had a friend, but his usual routine had already been disrupted.

 'Hey Eddie, are you ready for another round of high school blues?' Jake asked.

 'Um yeah why not,' answered Eddie nervously.

 As the freshman entered the car, Jake sped up to impress Eddie with how the car could handle itself in the speed limit. It was a while before they got to school, so both boys had time to talk. 

 'So, did you manage to tell your parents about the program?'

 'No, I didn't need to tell them, since they already found about it thanks to Mr. Greenberg calling them and letting them know before I got the chance to say anything,' complained Jake. Eddie began to assume that Jake did not like talking about his family that much, 'and on top of that when it came up at dinner all they said was that they expected better from me, that's what I get for having lawyers for parents,' Jake added. 

 Hoping to change the subject Eddie asked Jake, 'so where in LA do you and your family live?' 

'My family own a house in Mulholland Drive. It's big, so most of the time my parents host a few boring parties and awkward dinners,' Jake replied. He quickly asked a question back at Eddie, 'so what do your parents do for living?'