You Better Bring an Umbrella, Vol. 2

Chapter 13: Unabashed Dancing

Surprise! It's my 20th birthday, and to celebrate, I'm releasing 3 whole chapters today, in addition to the ones you'll get on Friday. Enjoy!!

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The muggy Texas air sunk its deep claws into my body, causing my limbs to feel like they weighed a thousand pounds each. Even in November, when the whispers of winter chills were beginning to creep in, a heavy rain threatened to reverse any of that cool air. Some of Lila's hair was beginning to frizz up slightly, and I noticed drops of sweat elegantly sliding down the sides of Five's face. Ever since the incident at the store, he'd been reluctant to speak to me, providing the longest period of time either of us had gone without speaking to the other (save for the years he had disappeared, which I didn't count because we weren't near each other). He'd refused to meet eyes with any of us or utter more than a sound every now and then, making it difficult to effectively communicate a plan. Diego and I threw together the best semblance of one we could muster, but it lacked a clear and concise path.

Couples chatted and laughed as the valets took their cars off to where they were meant to be parked. Every person that entered appeared to be middle-aged, save for some of the young women elderly men had somehow roped into coming with them. We were going to stand out a lot more than previously intended, but as long as no one stopped to question us, we should be able to get in and out just fine.

Diego led the charge as he climbed up over the side of the bridge the four of us had crouched behind, following him like ducks as we moved to take the same position as before, just beside a car this time.

"So, what's the plan?" Lila whispered from behind me. Diego cast his eyes in her direction momentarily, before they trained right back to our intended location.

"We infiltrate, we identify, we extract. Double time." He spoke quickly, as though he couldn't be bothered to waste another second.

"What the hell's he talking about?" I turned back slightly, glancing down at Lila with a smile.

"Find the old man and get out fast," I translated. Diego rolled his eyes at me.

"That's what I said." I shook my head, telling him off slightly and forcing him to move on. "On me."

Once Diego darted over to the next car, I jumped out from behind the safety of the vehicle and took my place beside him. It took them both a couple of seconds, but eventually, Five and Lila caught up, and once we got our opening, the four of us crept in through the side door.

Opalescent chandeliers cast tiny circles of light down on the faces of attendees wandering about, searching for food or making small talk amongst both familiar faces and new acquaintances. The joyful, bouncing notes of a mariachi band twirled their way into my ears as the delightful spices and scents of various foods set on trays drifted through my nostrils. For a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the grandeur of it all, completely forgetting the reason we'd come here. A server, dressed completely in white, bowed slightly to us, offering champagne for the new arrivals, which all but Diego gladly accepted. Under normal circumstances, I would have tried to take the drink from Five, but I was too deep into my own awe to really give a shit at the moment.

Diego, on the other hand, couldn't bring himself to lose focus for even a second.

"I don't see Dad anywhere," he murmured, leaning down so only we could hear his observations.