Fast and Furious: Future (editing and adding to)

Chapter 5: Santa Monica

Hisquestion had turned into us going out rather than get a takeaway. Itwas a lovely Cuban restaurant with small tables and the rooms werecandlelit. It was called Cha Cha Cha. There weren't just candles onthe walls but also on the tables, which were surrounded by bright,fake flowers. The cushioned wooden chairs were comfy and the food wasamazing. I had some spicy chicken dish with black beans in rice. Thearomas of spice delicately filled the air. The Cubans loved theirmeat so I had a good half a plate of chicken. Jack had pork stew withstrange vegetables I couldn't name just by looking. We both hadHavana Coolers to drink though I think mine had been given an extrashot of Rum.

Itseemed neither of us really knew what to talk about for awhile untilwe'd been sat down for about fifteen minutes. It felt like a longfifteen minutes too. I started our current conversation off bysaying, 'So how is it you don't work? Ya know I'm justcurious.'

Hetook a sip and put down his glass with a smile. 'I don't needto.' I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. 'Going to college awayfrom home was my idea.' I thought he had changed the subject but helinked it back to his previous answer. 'I just wanted to get awayfrom my family. Live my own life without them muzzling in all thetime.'

Ithought about how much his mum looked out for him whenever they werein the same room. And then I remembered how much my mum tried to carefor me whilst at the same time avoiding pissing off my dad. 'It'sonly because they love you.'

Hegave a short huff of disbelieving laughter. 'Not exactly. I knowmost of what they did when they were a bit older than I am now. Youdo know they were on the wanted list?'

Notwanting to say too much on that, I kept my answer short. 'Somethingalong those lines I guess.'

'Yehand they risked so much just to live back here again. Their lives,their family and even their way of life. In some ways that's moreimportant to them. I just wanted a normal life, even if it was forlike three years, I could do whatever I wanted and no one around totell me otherwise.'

Itwas just then that I realised he hadn't actually answered myquestion. 'And that stops you getting a job... how?'

'Itdoesn't, I suppose but I don't really need money. I have way toomuch of it.'

Ibecame a little intrigued; not selfishly, just at how someone soyoung could say he had too much money. I mean, he was twenty-five,near enough. 'Is that the reason for the flashy car and theexpensive parts?' I asked, trying not to sound too imposing.

'Eh,I guess. Like I said, I've been around cars my entire life. It'sthe one thing I know better than anything else.'

'Isthat so bad?'

Hemet my gaze for the first time since I asked him my question. Therewas a slight tilt to his head and his face was expressionless apartfrom his eyes. It was like he was trying to tell me something and yethe probably wouldn't so openly. I leant back casually thoughfeeling uncomfortable inside. 'Not really. It's a lifestyle Ithrive on but it's meant I've missed out on a few things.'

Mylips began to open to ask the next obvious question but my headsnapped it shut. My heart wanted to know but my head knew it was abad idea; I listened to my head this time. That was when our foodarrived and we fell silent again though for a shorter time.

'Didyou go to college?'

Iate a bit more then answered him. 'I did one year. Then droppedout.'

'MayI ask why?'

AsI spoke, I drew my fork through my chicken. 'I don't really knowto be honest. I think I just didn't feel like I fitted in. Ofcourse I kept the friends I made at college. It never really crossesmy mind to go back. I have my own flat, two cars, a good paying job,close friends...'