Jo’s POV
“Where did Royal go?”
“Who fucking cares he’s an asshole,” I can guarantee the only reason that Cash is cussing is because the parents aren’t around.
“You’re an idiot.”
He looked at me like I betrayed him, “what did I do wrong?”
“Royal didn’t do anything wrong you completely over complicated things,” he was about to say something before I cut him off again, “yes, I was offended when I heard the word come out of his mouth for the first time, however, he explained himself and obviously didn’t mean it as offensive so I didn’t care anymore. You shouldn’t have cared either.”
“Whatever,” he shrugged it off while my eyes widened as I remembered.
“Didn’t you give him a ride here?”
“Yeah… so what?”
“How is he going to get home?”
“Uber, Lift, taxi, friend, I can go on.”
“No, no, no you douche. You made him come and you got into a fight with him. We are going to find him and make this right.”
“How, for all we know he’s already gotten a Uber. He’s not exactly short of cash.”
“Hand me your phone.”
“What?”
“Hand me your phone, now.”
He handed it over and I searched for Royal’s first and last name. Neither popped up, “what is his name in your phone,” he mumbled something, “what?”
“Ice Ice.”
“Like the song Ice Ice Baby?”
“I guess… it’s mostly because of the color of his hair and eyes,” I looked at him. I was starting to get why he was so upset when Royal said what he did.
“Whatever,” I sent Royal a quick text, however, he obviously blocked Cash since if wouldn’t go through. “Let’s go,” I quickly ran and told my mom that we going to the nearby town and she agreed.
“Where are we going?”
“There’s a town nearby. Walking distance even and I’m pretty sure that’s the only place Royal would be if he wasn’t already on his way home.”
“How do you know he didn’t walk the other direction completely.”
“Signs, Cash, signs.”
1 hour later
“I can’t believe we couldn’t find him!” We looked all around the town before getting a phone call saying we had to get back since we’re leaving soon.
“I can. The guy probably got an Uber. What? Wow!”
“Your sarcasm is appreciated thanks…” I got an idea, “MOM! Can I go home with Auntie and Uncle for the rest of the break since we’re moving there soon anyways!”
“Ask your Aunt and Uncle, but I don’t really have a problem with that.”
“Auntie!” I ran up to her.
“Mom said that if you’re ok I can go home with you since we’re moving there and I want a feel of the town anyways.”
“Jason are you ok with that?”
“Yeah, yeah, sure sweetie.”
“I see no problem, go load up.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
I walked over to Cash and pulled him down to my level, “you are going to bring me to Royal and you are not going to protest.”
He just laughed at me, “sure, cuz. I’m not going to stop you just cause I don’t agree.”
“Thank you. Now get in I’m not sitting in the middle,” he laughed again before sliding in.
A couple minutes later I was still worrying about my new best friend which Cash could probably tell since he called someone on his phone.
“Hey, Nat,” silence, “yeah, anyways can you get a hold of Royal for me,” silence, “thank you.”
“Royal is fine?”
“Yep.”
“Who’d you call?”
“His sister, now shut up I’m tired.”
Back in Hardensville
Cash had given me a bag apparently filled with Royal’s stuff and pointed to the house next door, which, was conveniently his. I had walked over to door and knocked a girl around my age answered.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Jo, is your brother home? Royal?”
“I only have one brother.. yeah.. he’s here,” she stepped aside and let me in, “ROYAL! SOME CHICK IS HERE TO SEE YOU!”
“WHAT IS THE CHICK’S NAME!”
“JO!”
“…BE RIGHT DOWN!”
“Not a chick, but thanks.”
“No problem. You Royal’s newest fuck? A bit innocent looking for his taste.”
“That’s vulgar and no. I’m his best friend.”
“Royal? As in Royal Diego Hawkson? My brother? You’re his best friend?”
“Yes, isn’t that right, Diego,” Royal had just joined us.
“Shut up and sure.”
“Since when did you make friends with good people?”
“Shut up Ivy, Jasper, and Tristan are great people. You just don’t like them cause they’re different than you, Nat.”
“Jasper and Tristan, yes, Ivy is a fucking bitch with a huge crush on you that I’m telling you is going to be a problem.”
He just rolled his eyes, “you going to stay or just came to drop that off.”
“Oh, yeah,”I handed him his bag, “is there anywhere we can talk… privately,” I eyed ‘Nat’ and then looked back at Royal.
“Follow me,” he led me to a bedroom bigger than the apartment my family was currently living in, “what did you wanna talk about.”
“Cash, and why you left.”
“Hugh is a bitch.”
“I agree with you for once, however, you are both in the wrong. I understand why he did what he did.”
“And what could that possibly be?”
“He’s in love with you.”
Royal looked at me with a certain look in his eyes that I couldn’t identify before going stone faced, “no, he’s not. You’re delusional.”
“I don’t think either of you realize it yet, but he loves you.”
“Whatever,” he looked really sad. Then I remembered his conversation with that guy named Max and his dad.
“You know people can care about and love you genuinely… right?”
“Of course I know that.”
“Max is your ex, isn’t he?” Silence, “he broke you and destroyed your trust, didn’t he?”
The fact that he was avoiding eye contact with me was answer enough, “You up for a ride? He grabbed a set of keys and a helmet.”
“Sure.”
“You scared of motorcycles?”
“No, I’ve always wanted to ride one, but my parents don’t want me to.”
“Todays your lucky day,” he shoved the helmet towards me and walked outside.
My mouth dropped when I saw what we were going to ride. It was a motorcycle that looked really fast, “how fast does that thing go?”
“Really fucking fast,” he swung his leg over and put on his helmet that’s was sitting on the bike before looking back at me, “we won’t go as fast as I usually go. If you want we can take my car.”
“No fucking way.”
When we arrived my mouth dropped open again, even further this time. A sign for “Ralph’s Piercings and Tattoos” stared back at me.
“You up to break one of your parents rules?”
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