The Good Life

*Izzy*

I drove Daddy and myself to school today since I was ungrounded and still waiting for my license to come in. I felt sick the entire drive to school I didn’t know how this would play out with Kellin. Part of me hoped we could pretend it never happened and never have to talk about it, but part of me wanted to talk about it so we could clear the air. I texted Lynn when I woke up this morning asking her what she thinks I should do and she suggested that I “take a chill pill” so she was no help.

I parked in my usual parking spot and told Daddy goodbye as he walked to go inside. I walked over to Lynn’s parking spot. She was pulling up now to park her car so I stood there waiting for her to finish. I could see, from where I was standing, Kellin’s parking spot but it was empty which is weird because he usually beat us here.

“He rode with Justin today.” Lynn said as she got out.

“Why?” I asked.

“His Aunt took away his car for the week.” She laughed.

“We can’t all be lucky like you and have parents that let us get away with everything we do.” I pouted.

“That’s not a blessing that’s a curse.” She sighed.

Before I could say anything Jesse came up and grabbed me from behind causing me to scream. “Jeez is really that easy to make you scream?” He said earning a punch in the arm from me.

“Let’s go before we’re late to class.” I groaned.

“Or before we run into Kellin?” Jesse asked.

“Wait how do you know what happened?” Lynn asked before I could.

“I was at the party too. I saw them sucking each other’s souls out.” He said and making himself and Lynn burst into laughter.

“I hate both of you.” I mumbled and walked into the building.

I successfully dodged Kellin and made it to my first class, Algebra. I had this class with Jesse though so I was still going to be teased about it for the next hour. I had my last class of the day with Kellin and we usually sat together at lunch with everyone else so I was going to have to see him sooner or later.

“Izzy did you do your homework?” Jesse whispered to me so Mrs. Henderson, our teacher, didn’t hear him. She didn’t pick up the homework until the end of class to give people, like Jesse, extra time to do it.

“Yeah I did” I said smugly knowing what he was going to ask next.

“Can I copy it?”

“Only if you promise to stop teasing me about making out with Kellin.” I told him.

“Eh never mind.”

“You would rather fail than stop teasing me?” I scoffed.

“Yeah” He said proudly and asked the guy sitting next to him if he could copy his work. Of course the guy said yes.

“So what did Kellin’s lips feel like pressed against yours?” Jesse asked not taking his eyes off of his paper.

“Jesse, I know I tell you this a lot but trust me when I say I mean it this time . . . Please go fuck yourself.” I tried to say it in a serious tone, but I started laughing halfway through. Jesse started laughing along with me which attracted the attention of our teacher.

“Do you guys want to tell me what’s so funny?” Mrs. Henderson said from the front of the classroom.
“Nothing ma’am.” Jesse said apologetically and I agreed.

“Isabella, Alex’s room is right above mine do you want me to go get him?” She threated. That’s one thing I hated about daddy working here, my teachers that knew him would always use him to threaten me.

“No ma’am.” I said.

“Pay attention.” She said sternly and turned back to the board.

“. . . What did his tongue feel like?” Jesse whispered, but I was too busy planning his death to answer.

***

I just got out of my second class of the day, Spanish, I had by myself so that class was always boring. It was time for me to meet up with everyone in the cafeteria. My hands started sweating at the thought of having to talk to Kellin. I honestly just didn’t want our friendship to end over this because his feelings for me were too strong or something.

I was two steps away from being in the cafeteria and felt a hand grab my arm and turn me. I looked up to see Kellin standing there with biting his lip.

“Hey can we talk?” He asked. I thought about making up some dumb excuse to leave, but I didn’t because this was inevitable.

“Uh Yeah.” I answered and followed him outside to a bench. We both sat down and waited for the other person to speak first.

“How much trouble did you get in?” He asked.

“At first I was grounded for three weeks, but my family convinced my dad that I should be spared thank God.” I said. “What about you?”

“A week.” He shrugged.

“Oh” I said awkwardly and played with my fingers. We sat there in silence for a minute before he spoke again.

“So how much of the party do you remember?”

I knew it was coming, but it still caught me off guard when he asked. “Um a lot . . . well uh I uh remember everything.” I said and he nodded his head.

“So you remember us-“

“-Yes.” I cut him off before he could finish. I didn’t want to hear him say it as silly as that sounds. “And I’m sorry if I lead you on Kellin. I like you, but our friendship means the world to me and if we ever were to date and broke up I would hate the fact that it would feel weird to be around you.”

“There’s someone else isn’t there?” He asked worriedly.

“No Kellin I promise!” I told him.

“Okay . . . well we should go catch up with everyone. I’m sure they’re wondering where we are.” I sighed and followed him back inside. I could tell he wasn’t completely over this.

Everyone was sitting at our normal table when we walked in. Of course they all stared at us curiously as we both sat down not saying anything to anyone.

“So I was thinking we should have a game night this weekend at my house.” Gabe said to cover up the silence.

“You mean a monopoly night?” Lynn questioned. Every time someone wanted to have a game night we would just end up playing monopoly until someone got accused of cheating and the game ending with everyone yelling at everyone. Last time Justin was accused, but he actually was stealing money from the bank so I guess it was necessary sometimes.

“I’ll have to see if Tay will let me go since I’m grounded remember.” Kellin said.

“I’m sure if I asked she’ll let you go.” I said and he smiled at me knowing that that always worked in the past.

“Okay we can try that.” He said and I smiled back at him trying to slowly get our friendship back to normal.

Lynn looked at me and asked with her eyes if we got everything straightened and I nodded letting her know everything was fine between Kellin and I for now.

***

School was finally over and I was upstairs in the media room watching old episodes of Family Guy. I heard the doorbell ring two times but I didn’t think we were expecting anyone over so I was sure it was someone trying to sell us something or teach us about Jesus. I stayed laying on the couch assuming Daddy or Papa would go answer the door and tell whoever it was to go away. A few seconds later the doorbell rang again. I grumbled to myself and got up about to walk down the stairs to answer it, but Papa was at the door before I could make it to the first step. He gasp at the family standing on the other side of the door smiling. I, on the other hand, never seen those people a day in my life. It was a lady and a man who looked like they were in their mid-forties and two teenage boys.

“Vicki? Emilio?” Papa said as he reached out to hug the two older people.

“Hey Jack.” The man, Emilio, said with a big smile on his face.

“Oh my god it’s been so long!” The lady, Vicki, exclaimed.

“I know! And look at these two! They’re all grown up!” Papa moved aside to let the family in and to hug the two boys. “Do you two even remember me?” He asked them with a huge smile on his face.

“I kind of remember a Mr. Jack and Mr. Alex.” The taller and probably older of the two boys said while the other one shook his head and said no. I couldn’t really get a good look at them because they were at a weird angle, but I knew it was only going to be a matter of seconds before Papa made me come down to meet everyone.

“Where’s Alex and Izzy?” Vicki asked excitedly.

“Alex is in the living room” He called Daddy’s name to come out. “And Izzy is upstai- right there.”
His eyes locked with mine from where I was watching behind the ledge. I smiled nervously and made my way down the stairs to meet them.

“Oh Izzy!!” Vicki hugged me and I awkwardly hugged her back. “I’m sorry you probably don’t remember any of us.” She laughed.

“No I’m sorry I don’t” I said as politely as possible.

I finally got a good look at their two sons and boy did they both look good. One was at least six foot tall with a sleeve of tattoos running down both his arms, he had long hair but half of his head was shaven. He looked like he was the oldest and a little bit intimidating. The other one was a significantly shorter, but still taller than me. He had long curly/wavy hair that reached his shoulders, a nose piercing, and he was wearing a backwards baseball cap. They were both attractive I couldn’t tell which one I liked better.

“Wow is that the Fuentes’?!?” Daddy woke me up from my moment as he walked into the foyer where we were standing.

“It’s good to see you again, Alex!” Emilio said and gave him one of those guy hugs. Daddy then went down the line to hug Vicki, baseball cap, and tattoos. I really wish I knew their names.
“And look at you two. Last time I saw you both you were this tall.” Daddy told the two boys and gestured to the height they were.

“Izzy, I know you don’t remember, but these used to be our neighbors. This is Vic and Mike you guys used to have play dates together.” Papa told me finally.

“I kind of remember you.” Mike laughed and hugged me. He voice was softer than you would expect.

“Sorry I have the worse memory.” Vic smiled as stuck his hand out for me to shake. I guess it would be a little bit weird for us to hug since we basically didn’t “know” or remember each other. I put my hand in his and shook it weakly. His hands were so warm and soft I didn’t want to let go. I guess I liked Vic a little bit better than Mike, plus he looked closer to my age.

“So what are you guys doing back?” Papa asked.

“We’re moving back into our old house!” Vicki said before Emilio could attempt to answer.

“Oh! I saw the moving trucks this morning, but I just assumed some new family was moving in.” Papa said.

“No it’s us!” Vicki said not hiding her excitement.

“That’s great! This neighborhood has been so boring without you guys.” Daddy said and they laughed.

“Yeah we liked San Francisco, but we missed San Diego too much to stay away.” Emilio said.

“Well how about you all stay for dinner.” Papa offered. “We have a lot to catch up on!”

“That sounds great!” Vicki smiled.

We all went to sit in the living room so the adults could catch up. Mike, Vic, and I were all on our phones not paying them any attention. Well I was kind of on my phone and kind of sneaking peeks at Vic, he was soooo gorgeous. It’s like when you first look at someone and you’re think ‘they’re so good looking’ and then the more you look at them the more attractive they become. I just wondered how old they both were, maybe I could get Papa to tell me later without sounding obsessed with them.

“I’m going to go start on dinner.” Papa said after a while.

“I’ll help you!” Vicki followed him to the kitchen leaving Daddy, Emilio, Mike, Vic and I in the living room to watch some irrelevant football game.

“’You still a Raven’s fan, Alex?” Emilio asked while the game was on commercial.

“Forever and always.” Daddy chuckled at the face Emilio made.

“You would think after living here so long you would convert to a Chargers fan.” Emilio joked.

***

After what seemed like forever we were all sitting in the dining room eating dinner. Papa and Vicki made white cheese chicken lasagna. Once again the adults were talking while Mike, Vic and I were on our phones and eating not really paying anything much attention. Vic’s phone kept vibrating from text messages and I couldn’t help but to get jealous. It was probably his girlfriend or someone like that texting him.

“So Izzy what’s there to do for fun around here?” Mike unexpectedly asked me. I was caught off guard because I was staring at his brother so hard, but I quickly recovered.

“Um well if you’re over twenty-one you can pretty much go to bars and clubs to drink and dance since there are tons here.” Mike cheered and Vic booed which at least let me know Mike was at least twenty-one and Vic was twenty or younger. “You can get into some bars at eighteen but younger people, like me, just go to the mall or do other teenagery things for fun.” I answered.

“Teenagery? I’ve never seen that word in a dictionary.” Vic chuckled.

“You just haven’t looked hard enough.” I joked. Mike laughed, but Vic didn’t say anything he just smirked at me.

“What are you, like seventeen?” Vic asked me. I couldn’t even bring myself to look him in the eyes to answer because I had butterflies.

“No, I um just turned sixteen.” I mumbled and saw him look count to himself.

“Jeez you’re an infant.” Vic joked and I laughed of course. Anything he said was going to make me laugh.

“How old are you two?” I asked nervously.

“I’m twenty-one about to turn twenty-two in December.” Mike said. That was next month.

“And I’m eighteen.” Vic answered putting more food in his mouth. That kind of knocked me down to reality. Even if Vic did like me Daddy wasn’t going to let me date anyone eighteen or older. Plus I don’t know when Vic’s birthday is so he could be turning nineteen any time soon.

“Awesome.” I mumbled to myself bitterly.

“Vic and Mike what are you guys going to do know that you’re out of school?” Papa asked them. Vic had to have just graduated high school last year and maybe Mike was in college.

“We actually started a band called Pierce the Veil!” Vic said proudly. That just made him ten times more perfect.

“Yeah so far Vic and I have been recording songs together by ourselves, but we just found a bass and another guitar player here so we might actually be able to start touring next summer.” Mike followed up excitedly.

“Ooo that’s exciting” Daddy said and they both thanked him.

“I told them I would give them three years to try this whole band thing out before I made them get real jobs.” Vicki laughed, but I knew she wasn’t joking.

The adults went back to talking while I listened to Vic and Mike’s conversation.

“Mike, I’ve been texting Jaime and I like him he’s hilarious. He said that he and Tony can meet up with us this week to go over some more stuff.” Vic told Mike. Maybe Vic hadn’t been texting a girl this whole time which gave me hope, but not for too long. My hope quickly washed away when I remembered that he was maybe too old for me.

“Great! That gives us some time to unpack a bit.” Mike told him.

“What do you guys do in the band?” I interrupted.

“Mike plays the drums and I sing.” Vic said. Okay now he was one-hundred times more perfect.

“I’m bet you guys sound awesome.” I smiled and Vic smiled back at me. Why couldn’t I have been born two years earlier?

***

Our guest were about to leave because it was getting late. We were all standing by the front door having last minute conversations. I glanced up at Vic as he showed Mike something on his phone. They both laughed at whatever it was and I sighed looking at how perfect Vic’s smile was.

“Izzy you really have grown into a beautiful young lady.” Vicki told me.

“Thank you.” I said as I looked down to play with my hair. When I looked up and locked eyes with Vic but I quickly looked away feeling my face start to heat up.

“She’s still is just as dramatic as she was when she was younger though.” Daddy said and put his arm around me and I rolled my eyes at him.

“We’re really glad that you all finally are moving back!” Papa told them.

“We’re glad to be back.” Emilio chuckled.

“Well if you guys need helping moving your stuff back in we’ll be more than happy to help.” Papa offered.

“Thanks! We might have to take you up on that offer pretty soon.” Vicki laughed.

Vicki came back to hug us one more time before walking out the front door. I went to take one more look at Vic before he left and he was already looking at me. We both smiled nervously at each other and he waved before he walked out the door with the rest of his family.

***

“I’m so happy they’re back.” Papa said. I was laying in his and Daddy’s bed with him while Daddy was talking a shower.

“Yeah they seem pretty . . . nice.” Vic’s face was the only thing on my mind.

“They or Vic?” Papa asked and I looked at him in shock. How did he know? Was I that obvious?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I quickly lied.

“Of course you don’t. It’s not like you two weren’t eyeing each other the entire night.” He chuckled. He saw Vic “eyeing” me too?

“The only thing I was ‘eyeing’ was my delicious dinner.” I said. I didn’t mind Papa knowing when I had crush on someone it was just I didn’t want him to tell Daddy about this and then my chances with Vic are ruined before they even start. I mean maybe Vic and I could become very close “friends”.

“Mhmm.” He hummed skeptically, but he dropped the subject.

I pulled my phone out to scroll Tumblr and tried to forget about a certain pair of brown eyes.

Notes

Yaay I told you they would be back!! And someone should probably warn Vic about how protective Alex is over Izzy.

I'm going to have a set pattern now for the point of views. It'll go Jack, Alex, Izzy so next chapter will be Jack.