On our way to the Starbucks on the outsides of El Paso, Marcus and Austin talked about some sport I couldn’t remember the name of. I sat in the passenger seat beside my best friend. She was quiet. I was quiet. We were both quiet and that didn’t happen most of the time.
“And on the final round, he punched him straight on the nose. I guess you know what happened then.” Marcus paused to let Austin answer.
“He broke his nose?” I heard Marcus chuckle. “That must’ve been gross.”
“It was.” I smiled to myself knowing my friends had gotten to know Austin during his time at the house.
Marcus wasn’t a guy with many friends. That blonde boy with blue eyes was a case that not even the FBI could solve. Many girls looked at him but he only had eyes for one girl in specific; Victoria. Victoria only had eyes for Leonardo but I guess you can’t make anyone change their mind.
Marcus was the best guy friend in the world. He understood girls considering he was raised by his mom and his grandma. He was very respectful and a very good listener. He had gotten to know Austin one day over a game of chess. They got on really well. And I was glad had Austin enjoyed being his friend as well.
“Alright Marcos! Leave poor Austin alone. He needs to breathe.” I chuckled at Victoria’s words but also at the fact that she called him Marcos. He hated the name considering it was the name of the father he knew.
“Don’t call me that. We’ve talked about this.” Victoria shrugged. I rolled my eyes and rested my head against the window.
The rest of the ride was quiet except for the sound of the radio playing Spanish songs. I’ll be honest. My body was in the car but my mind wandered to another place. I wondered how Austin was going to react when he saw his mom. What would he say to his friends? What if he got mad at them? Would they all be there?
“We’re almost there.” I snapped out of my daze and turned to look at Victoria. She kept her eyes on the road. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I was just thinking.” I shook my head and turned around to look at Austin and Marcus. Marcus was somewhat entertained with his seatbelt while Austin just stared out the window. “Austin?”
“Yeah?” He turned to look at me. I noticed his knee was bouncing again. I guess asking if he was okay was not going to help.
“Everything’s going to be okay.” He gave a small smile before looking away. I sighed. I didn’t like seeing him so nervous.
I turned around to look ahead of us. Victoria stopped at a red light behind a car. We all stayed silent. Silent as in funeral silence. The light switched to green and the cars in front of us moved. Victoria began driving again and I could see the big Starbucks Coffee sign. She turned around the corner and entered the parking lot. We looked for a parking spot when I noticed a woman with brown hair standing by a Range Rover with a tall blonde man with big arms, three other boys who looked tiny beside him and a blonde girl who didn’t seem too happy to be there.
“Park next to the Rover.” Victoria did as I told her and parked next to the Rover. She shut off the engine and in that moment, I felt my heart banging against my chest. “Calm down Calli.”
“Are you okay Cal?” I took a deep breath and turned to look at Austin.
“Yes. Let’s get you back home.” I faked a smile and got out of the car followed by my best friends and Austin. We all walked over to where Austin’s mom and friends stood. I felt a hand slip into mine and gripping it. “No one’s going to hurt you, Austin.”
“She will hurt me.” I looked at the blond standing with Austin’s mother. She wasn’t too happy to see Austin and his hand holding mine.
“She won’t. I promise.” I squeezed his hand as we finally stood in front of everyone. They all stared at me and Austin.
And there he was, finally back with his family and friends. I assumed the blonde girl was his girlfriend, Jessica. I guess Austin thought he liked her because of her blond hair, big brown eyes and curvy body. His mom stared at him while her hand covered her mouth. Her eyes were full of happy tears as she approached her son.
“Austin?” I looked at Austin who looked down at me. I nodded and let go of his hand. He took a few steps to meet his mom halfway. Austin was probably the most important person in his mom’s life. He quickly wrapped his arms around his mom pulling her closer. I noticed his friends smiling at the scene in front of the just like I was.
Looking at his friends, the smiles on their faces were true smiles. Austin was finally home and I couldn’t help but feel more than happy for him. That’s until I noticed a familiar face among them. Andrew Constancio’s little brother, Alex. His eyes turned away from Austin and his mom and landed on me. I noticed his eyes widened in surprise when he saw me. He remembered me. I was ashamed of myself at that moment. What if he told Austin what happened between me and his brother back in San Antonio?
“Mom, I want you to meet some people.” I turned my gaze back to Austin and his mom. He grabbed her hand and walked over to where I stood along with my best friends. “Mom, these are Marcus, Victoria and Calli.”
“It’s nice to meet you kids. I’m Michele.” We shook her hand and she offered all of us a smile before looking at me. She reached out her hands to grab mine. “Thank you Calli. Thank you for keeping Austin safe during this whole time. If there’s anything we can do for you just ask.”
“Mom!” Austin was about to protest but Michele shot him glare. I smiled at the scene before looking at her. I placed my other hand on top of hers.
“Just take care of him. That’s all I’m asking for.” She nodded.
“I will.” I smiled at her and she let go of my hands. “I’ll give you kids some time to say goodbye.”
“Sure.” She turned around and walked away. Austin looked at all of us as smile crept on his face.
“Thanks for everything guys. I wouldn’t have made it back home without you.” Marcus and Victoria smiled at Austin. “I’m just going to ask you for two things before we say goodbye.”
“Habla Mahone. We don’t have that much time.” We all laughed at Victoria as she snapped her fingers a few times.
“Look after each other.” We all nodded. He followed to open his arms. “And now give me a group hug.”
“What are you waiting for? Hug him like your life depends on it!” Marcus was the first to hug Austin. Victoria and I hugged them. I guess saying goodbye wasn’t going to be easy. We all let go off each other and I noticed Victoria wiping her eyes.
“Alright say adios before I cry a river here!” Austin chuckled and hugged Marcus again. They exchanged a few words and let go off each other. After that he and Victoria shared a hug, making me wipe away a few tears. And finally it was my turn. Austin stood in front of me and sighed.
“Well, I guess this is it.” I nodded. Austin smiled through his words. “I don’t like saying goodbye right now.”
“Me neither.” His hand went up to my cheek to wipe a tear that slipped.
“Don’t cry.” He caressed my cheek before wrapping his arms around me. I cried into his chest while the hug lasted. “Thanks for everything.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” He pulled away from me and stared at me. He wiped my cheeks again and smiled.
“I’ll try not to forget you.” I chuckled through the soft sobs.
“Can you go now? You’re going to make me cry here.” He chuckled and pressed his lips against my forehead.
“I’ll miss you Calli.” I smiled up at him. How could he manage to smile through that whole situation?
“We’ll miss you too.” He wiped his thumb across my cheek one more time before taking a step back. He slowly turned around and walked back to his mom and friends. They all hugged him and I couldn’t help but over hear Alex Constancio’s words.
“Welcome back buddy.” They exchanged handshakes and hugs.
Turning around to look at my best friends, I nodded. They both nodded and looked at each other. We began to make our way to the car. I was just about to open the door when I heard someone calling my name. I turned around to see Alex coming over. I was bit taken aback by that. I looked down at the pavement below me.
“Calli?” I sighed and looked up. Alex held a happy look with a hint of worry in it. He took a deep breath and let it out. “Thank you. For taking care of him. ”
“No problem.” I nodded. He did the same before turning around and walking away. I turned my head back to the car to see Tori and Marcus staring at me obviously confused by what had just happened. “Can we please get home?”
“Uh, sure.” I opened the door and got in the passenger seat again.
Here goes everything.