Love Thy Neighbor

Chapter 2

Shortly after the movie ended, Nicole and Nate came over to check in on me and Tristan. They've made a habit of doing this everyday since the carnival. I told them it was unnecessary, there's nothing they can do to change what happened that night, but Nicole insisted on trying to boost morale. I appreciate that, though I think her intentions are off base from mine and Tristan's plan to take back The Underground.

"Leila, please can you just take one minute away from plotting Carter's demise to edit my admission essay?" Nicole whines from the floor of the living room.

"No, she needs to help me first with this algebra worksheet," Nate complains from his perch on the couch's armrest. He shoves his homework packet toward my face, waving it around. "I can't even think about starting college applications, let alone writing a make or break essay, until I'm certain I'll pass this class."

My internal groan synchronizes with Tristan's eye roll. He reaches over me, not without a slight wince that doesn't go unnoticed, and grabs the packet. Nate punches the air in victory and hops off the armrest to take a seat next to Tristan, who is already marking up the paper in pencil with equations and comments. I can see Nicole staring at me with a pleading expression from the corner of my eye. This time I let out an exasperated sigh out loud before joining her on the floor. Just like her brother, Nicole celebrates by dancing in her spot.

I know that we're all supposed to keep up with our daily responsibilities in addition to our not so normal after school life, but I don't understand how my two friends can even concentrate on such mundane tasks like college applications and math homework when there are three sociopaths in town. Despite the burning desire to switch tonight's activities back to picking a viable plan of attack to reclaim the club and get rid of the aforementioned sociopaths, I hold my tongue and push down my frustrations. Nicole and Nate deserve to be productive in other aspects of their lives.

"Tristan, may I speak with you," Uncle Luke enters the living room, looking like he's in pain. I furrow my brows at him in question, but he ignores me. After the incident at the carnival, my uncle has taken every precaution to keep me out of the situation. He thinks it's too dangerous and I have no reason to be involved. He's right about one of those things; I agree that it's not the safest situation to be in. Just look at Tristan, he pops a painkiller almost every other hour because of his dad. I've noticed that he tends to to this when he thinks I'm not looking, also trying to protect me from my own past.

Uncle Luke is wrong about my involvement, though. How could I not put myself in the middle of something that is a danger to my family, friends, and boyfriend? It's not like I'm completely useless either, but Uncle Luke's image of me seems to have reverted back to when I first moved in. Weak. Helpless.

I know better. I'm not that person anymore. I can take care of myself and the ones that I love.

"Of course," Tristan responds, slowly and carefully getting off the couch. He follows my uncle into the kitchen and out to the back porch. Uncle Luke makes a big show of closing the sliding door loudly, making it clear that I shouldn't try to join the conversation.

I leave Nicole on the floor, my own stubbornness and curiosity kicking in , and open the window next to Nate as quietly as I can. The cool Halloween night air wafts through the screen sending a chill up my arms. But the breeze isn't what raised the goosebumps on the back of my neck and down my spine.

"I have some bad news," Uncle Luke's voice drifts to my ears, carried by the next small gust of wind.

"Brian," Tristan guesses, disappointment clear in his tone.

"He's already fulfilled one condition of his reinstatement," Uncle Luke continues.

"His parole meetings don't start until Tuesday," Tristan stated more than asked.

"Brian just moved into a permanent residence. He needs to prove that he's going to stick around, keep up with his bills and everything, but the board thinks he's showing initiative by securing a place so quickly."

It was silent for a long time after that.