The Boy I Knew

Chapter Nineteen

I woke up laying flat down on the couch, the headphones no longer around my head, and for a split second I thought that I had dreamt the entire thing. Larry, the fight, everything. That is, until I heard sizzling bacon coming from the kitchen, and the distinct cries of pain that Larry always let out when grease splattered out at him.

I sat up, looking in the direction of the kitchen with a tired gaze. Larry was shaking his head as he flung one hand around, using the other to continue trying to cook. Silently, I got up and made my way towards the kitchen, slinking in with a few protests coming from my arms and legs.

Larry quickly spun around, having heard my bone breaking noises, wielding a spatula as a weapon. I flinched back for a moment before chuckling at Larry's face of realization.

"Hey, Sal." He grinned, flashing the same gap toothed smile I always loved.

"Morning paranoid pants." I smirked under my mask, blinking slowly since my glass eye was pretty dry.

"Sorry.. you scared me. How'd you sleep?" Larry asked, smiling a bit before relaxing a bit. I shrugged, stretching my shoulders back a bit.

"Could've been better. But it was pretty good, you're a nice pillow." My face grew a pink tint before I shook my head. "I should get home soon. Brendan has been calling me non stop and Gizzy is probably hungry." Larry turned back towards the stove, making sure he wasn't about to burn the house down.

"At least stay for breakfast?" He asked, the pouty face he gave me radiating adorableness. I chuckled a bit before hugging him from behind, failing to rest my chin on his shoulder.

"Only breakfast. Then I have to go." He nodded before continuing with the delicious smelling food.

...

After breakfast I headed home, avoiding puddles and small drips of rain that fell from roof overhangs. Brendan was in the kitchen, and turned to face me as I entered the house. He stared for a moment, a deadpan gaze leaving his features cold with a clouded view.

"Where were you." Brendan asked in a monotone voice.

"...With Larry." I replied, raising an eyebrow at his strange demeanor. Brendan shook his head, gnawing at his bottom lip.

"You told me about him in collage. The way you talked about him... he hurt you. Plus he has daddy issues, like you do. He lies. He's a womanizer. I've already said my peace about him, and I don't trust him. You two are just damaging each other, even if you don't know it yet." Brendan turned back towards the kitchen to continue doing whatever he was up to.

"I don't get in the middle of your relationships.. stay out of mine." I snapped, glaring daggers at him from behind my prosthetic.

"Excuse me? I'm trying to protect you, Sal." Brendan sighed, letting out a wry chuckle.

"What, I'm finally happy with a relationship so you're mad??" I asked.

"He's toxic, you don't know what he's capable of."

"And you do?!" I shouted, tugging at my hair lightly. Brendan slammed his hand down on the counter and turned back toward me. 

"Fine, get your heart broken again! Fine by me, but don't come crawling back home crying because you found him with some whore from 7/11!" Brendan yelled, stomping into his room like a toddler. I huffed and walked over to the kitchen, trying to see what Brendan was doing. I guess he wasn't cooking and rather cleaning the stove, so I took the opportunity to make some disco fries.

Since I don't really like gravy, I decided to use a cheese sauce on top of the melted cheese. Don't judge me... I made some fries, sprinkled cheese over it, melted them, and put some cheese sauce on it. Healthy, I know. And I know I just ate but I want some goddamn disco fries, ok?!

As I was enjoying my lactose overload there was a knock at the door. A groan escaped my lips as I whipped off my hands and slid my mask over my mouth before I got up and opened the door to see blonde hair.

"Oh hey, Travis." I smiled. He smiled back, greeting me with a small wave. "What's up?" I asked.

"I just got the feeling that I needed to stop by. How's Gizmo?" He questioned.

"Good- I was gunna feed him after my disco fries."

"Disco what now?" Travis asked, raising an eyebrow before adjusting the strap on his book bag.

"Jersey thing. Wanna come in or are you just gunna stand there?" I smirked, moving over a bit and allowing him to enter. He nodded, walking inside. "So, what's up?" I asked.

"I feel like I need to talk to Brendan. How's he doing? Is he home??" Travis inquired. I stared blankly for a moment before nodding.

"He's kinda weird. But uh... he's in his room if you wanna talk to him."

"Weird in what way?" Travis questioned.

"He just doesn't like Larry I guess, are you feeling ok Travis? Now you're acting weird." I sighed, crossing my arms. Travis thought for a moment before gnawing worriedly at his bottom lip.

"I'm alright. Just wanted to make sure that you were too. Give me a call if you need anything- I'll always be here for you, Sal. No matter what." Travis stated, messing up my hair a bit before walking towards the door.

"Travis, wait up!" I called just before he closed the door.

I rushed over and gently set my hand over his, furrowing my brows in a mixture of sympathy, confusion, and worry.

"Does this... have to do with your dad? I know it's been almost a year since... ya know.." I asked, locking eyes with him for a moment. The 'ya know' was an incident that nearly made international news- "Phelps ministry explosion leaving 6 dead and 10 injured, only to discover underground tunnels. Who could be behind this, and is Nockfell hiding something?" What a dumb question. But Travis' dad was never found after the explosion.

"No. He's dead to me, and I hope he rots in hell where he belongs. It's the only place that has fires hot enough to burn down the memory of him.. and I hope one day it does." Travis replied, reeling his away before gently shutting the door as he left.

"Was that Travis?" Brendan asked, nearly making me fall over.

"Yeah, He was asking about you. Everything ok between you two?" I inquired.

"Everything is just peachy, Sal..." he paused, locking eyes with me for a moment. "Just... peachy."