Chapter 4

  Fireworks Part 1.

  Damien Reyes.

  Time/Area: NYC 2013, 1-2nd month, July 4th

  The rest of the school day went pretty smooth. I got to talk with Selina during lunch, and it turns out we have a lot of things in common.

  She likes blue, I like blue.

  She likes Mexican food, I love Mexican food.

  She also likes Soul food, I love Soul food.

  And she also is very into architecture. She said that the shape of the school was one of the main reasons she wanted to go here.

  I did kind of feel bad that I wasn’t sitting next to Jason for lunch like usual, but he was with twenty other guys sitting at Melissa’s table.

  Right now, the school day had just ended and I was walking towards the front to meet Sarah.

  “Well,” Jason stated from my left, “Have fun at Energis.” He said, with obvious jealousy.

  I rolled my eyes, “C,mon, don’t be like that.”

  He laughed, “I’m joking.”

  He tried a smile, “Take pictures or something for me, okay?”

  We had just exited the building, the sound of car horns once again ringing in the air as I did a quick scan for Sarah’s car.

  “Yea, I will, don’t worry.” I replied. I didn’t see Sarah anywhere.

  “Uh, dude,” Jason motioned at the busy school street, “Where’s your sister?”

  I shrugged, “I don’t know,” I pulled my phone out, “I’ll call her.”

  Right when I was about to dial her number, she called me.

  I answered it with slight annoyance. I hate when I just finish dialing someone’s number and then they call me. It’s a pet peeve of mine.

  “Hermana, where are you?” I asked, not being able to hide all of my attitude.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “Not coming, lo siento” Her voice sounded like background noise.

  “Are you driving? And why aren’t you coming?”

  “Yea, I am, and Doc needs me for something,”

  She paused,

  “Do you mind walking over here?”

  I let out a very audible sigh, “Lo que, but you owe me.” I said.

  I heard her smile [Yes, it’s possible], “Great! Don’t get hit by a truck.”

  And with that I hung up.

  Jason winced in sympathy, “You have to walk altheway to Energis, huh?”

  I raised my eyebrow.

  “Sorry,” He said, “Your volume is up pretty high.”

  I was about to respond when I saw Jason’s mom pull up in her truck just beyond the stairs.

  “What’s your mom doing here?” I asked, staring at Mrs.Cole as she exited the Green vehicle and started up the stairs.

  Jason shook his head, “No si.”

  I laughed, “It’s No se.”

  Once Mrs. Cole reached the top, she did a quick scan of all the kids until she found us.

  She was wearing intimidating shades, a full green dress, and cherry red lipstick. Her blonde hair was tied back [Jason got his black hair from his dad] and her high heels echoed across the pillars as she stopped in front of us.

  She is also excessively tall.

  “Hello Damien, I trust school is going well?” She asked. I wasn’t quite sure if she was looking at me, or the bush several feet behind me. Her shades were making it quite difficult to tell.

  Jason elbowed me.

  I coughed, “Yea yea, school is good Mrs.Cole.”

  She nodded, “Son?”

  Jason sighed, “It’s fine.”

  She nodded once more, “Jason, I need you to come home with me today.”

  He raised his eyebrow, “Why..?”

  Although she had shades, I could feel her eyes narrow.

  I think Jason could too, as he gulped.

  I coughed again, “I could walk him!”

  Maybe I could save a friend from an awkward car ride.

  She swung her head back at me with such force, I could’ve sworn a breeze slapped me in the face,

  “Oh?” She said, her voice softening.

  I nodded, “I’m heading that direction anyway.”

  She thought about this for a minute, then nodded,

  “Very well, don’t get hit by a truck.”

  She then spun on her heels, looked at the stairs with hate, and began descending them.

  Was the phrase “don’t get hit by a truck” a thing now?

  “Thanks D,” Jason said, “At least I won’t be there for all of the fighting.”

  I gave him a sympathetic smile, “Let’s go, we can pick up bagels on the way.”

  I started to walk away but Jason paused, “Wait,” he started, “You don’t have any more money though..”

  I looked at him, “I never said I was buying it. Race you?”

  He smiled, grateful for something to look forward to, “Try to keep up mature 14!”