California Love A7X

Brian seemed unhappy this day. He couldn't get over the fact of Johnny taking me out. Plus he couldn't find his cross again. Naturally I knew where it was. Underneath his very own bed.

Melly: what is it?

Brian: please don't tell me you like him.

Melly: fine I won't. Its far to soon for shit like that. Not that there's much you could do about it anyway.

Brian: I guess not.

He sighed flopping on to my bed.

Brian: the guys are coming over.

Melly: that's cool.

Brian: you know if you ever get annoyed with them coming over so much all you have to do is say so.

Melly: its your house.

Brian: and you live here.

Melly: for free. I've got no right to say anything.

Brian: you do. You're family.

Melly: whatever Brian. Where's Jenn?

Brian: out with Jimmy.

Melly: why didn't you go?

Brian: its their quality time together. They're best friends you know. This bed is extremely comfuy. I just might take a nap.

Melly: go for it.

Brian: this grey bed spread is so grey.

Melly: its usually the case with the color grey.

Brian: are you fully recovered from the party now?

Melly: yeah I'm cool. It was just-

Brian: overwhelming I know. Sorry. I didn't know you'd react like that. Most people we take who've never been are excited. You seemed terrified.

It had been a bit intimidating. I had never been to anything like that before. So big and ridiculous. I'm not used to people treating me special for no reason. We stayed silent. I busied myself by cleaning my closet. Not that it needed it, I just did it a lot to keep busy. The house seemed to quiet without Jimmy romping the halls. Or Jenn cussing at the computer. I smiled. Brian had fallen asleep. Face up, mouth slightly open. Hands folded on his chest. His shirt rode up a bit showing his mid-drif. I went down stairs.

Melly: hello Todd.

He followed me around. The kitchen floor felt a bit cold on the bottom of my feet. I debated eating or not. The clock on the wall told me it was twelve forty five. Really early, I thought it was late. What do they do on days like these? Sleep like Brian. I was in no mood for that. The dishes in the sink needed washing. They had a dishwasher but I did them by hand. It would pass the time faster. Next I cleaned the counters.

Melly: what Todd?

He panted lightly and sat by his bowl.

Melly: I'm going to guess you need water.

I did that and went back to the counters. He lapped it up greatfully. There was a stack if cds next to a stereo. This surprised me. What with ipod docks and shit. I looked through. Oingo boingo. Queen. Pinkly smooth? Sounds dirty. I took a moment to examine the makeshift cd case.

Melly: interesting Todd. Brian hasn't mentioned a side project.

Todd looked at me and sat down again.

Melly: this sounds cool. I'll have to listen to it later.

I continued with my snooping. Motley Crue, The Scorpions, Van Halen, and Aqua. I looked around with a what the fuck face. I didn't have to see myself to know that's what I looked like.

Melly: really? Aqua? That's fucking amazing. Todd why didn't you tell me?

Guy: he's not much of a talker.

My reaction. Throw cd at voice. Which hit the stranger in the face. Todd ran over and jumped up and down.

Guy: that hurt. A lot.

His hand rubbed his cheek. Loud rushed foot steps filled the quiet gap between me and the stranger. A grunt was heard from the hallway before Brian appeared in the kitchen breathlessly. Clearly just woken up.

Brian: fucking Danny. You're early.

Melly: so you're Danny.

Matt: hey Dan don't forget Brian's cousin is jum...py.

Danny: yeah to late. Home girl threw a cd at me.

Brian laughed.

Brian: she hit you?

Danny: hell yeah and hurt like hell.

He continued laughing.

Brian: Matt got the shit beat out of him and all she did was throw a lame ass cd at you.

Matt: hey that's mine and Jenn's favorite cd.

He picked it up, carefully examining it.

Melly: Aqua cus? Doesn't really come off as your style.

Brian: its Jenn's. I like Queen. Never mind that. You just threw a cd at my friend. That's not very nice.

Melly: maybe if your friends didn't feel the need to be sneakin' in, this type of shit wouldn't happen.

Danny: sneakin'?

Melly: yeah sneakin'.

Matt: its not our fault you're an easy scare.

Melly: I am not.

He jumped towards me and I flinched. They all laughed.

Melly: assholes.

I crossed my arms. Brian came over and put his arm around me.

Brian: aww come on Melly.

I scrunched my face.

Brian: Danny this is my cousin.

He smiled still rubbing his cheek.

Melly: sorry about that.

Danny: its cool. I'll let it slide this one time.

Matt: Bri you look shitty.

Brian: I just woke up man.

As they discussed laziness I slipped out. Only to see the face that I can't help but stare at. He smiled a little.

Melly: hey Zacky, the guys are in the kitchen.

He gave a nod and left the room. I watched him.

Johnny: Melly Mel.

He sang out. I smiled.

Melly: Johnny!

I hugged him tightly. His eyes were bright.

Johnny: hi Melly Mel.

Melly: hi Johnny, I'm glad to see you.

He smiled widely. He kept his arm around my shoulder.

Johnny: so have you changed your mind about the car?

Melly: hell no son. Have you changed your mind about the car?

Johnny: hell no girl.

We laughed.

Melly: I met Danny.

Johnny: what'd ya think?

Melly: he looks nice.

Johnny: he is. If you need a workout plan talk to him. Have any eats been made yet?

Melly: I've been cleaning.

Johnny: shame. Hey Brian!

Brian: what?

Johnny: get the grill goin' I brought the fuckin' steaks! Come help me get them.

We walked out into the sun. It was blinding for a moment. He opened the trunk to the Audi he kept trying to force on me. I cringed as he placed the cold package of meat in my hands.

Johnny: don't tell me your afraid of a little meat?

He smirked. I laughed.

Melly: only this kind Johnny boy.

I smirked back.

Johnny: oh...I meant are you a veggie eater.

He smiled cleverly.

Melly: shut up.

Johnny: but its good to know about the other kind of hot dogs you eat.

Brian: what?

Melly: hot dogs Brian. A disgustingly dericious bbq time treat.

Brian: uh huh. The grill is on.

Johnny: come on Brian. I'm gonna show you how a man makes a steak.

They walked out the back door. I decided to make a salad. Its funny. I've been here long enough to know where shit is. Or so I thought. If it wasn't for Matt I would never have found anything.

Melly: Matty.

Matt: yeah?

Melly: where do they keep the big bowls?

Matt: bottom cupboard. To the left. No left Melly.

Melly: thanks for the help yo.

Matt: no problem. Any luck on the job thing?

Melly: yeah we took my of resames to a few salons.

Matt: don't worry Brian will take care of you if you can't get a job right away.

Melly: he shouldn't have to.

Matt: but he will, if you need the help. All of us would. Well I would atleast. I'm pretty sure Johnny would too.

Melly: I don't know why.

Matt: cause Melly.

He came to my side and wrapped an arm around me. A big smile on his face.

Matt: we're family. Sorry but there's no escaping that now.

Melly: no you can't escape that. You can hide from it though.

Matt: do you plan to hide from us?

Melly: no I like this family.

He squeezed my shoulder and went back to chopping carrots.

Matt: how's the date?

I groaned. No one would leave that be.

Matt: bad?

Melly: no. It was simple and fun. We ate and we went to see Mckenna. That's all we did.

Zacky: well that's not very fun. Please don't cut yourself this time.

Melly: whatever dude.

He sat at the counter. His hand quickly grabbing a cucumber slice.

Melly: becareful. You should never grab like that when the knife is in motion.

Zacky: ok mom.

The two laughed.

Jimmy: HI FRIENDS!!!

Zacky: hey Jimmy.

He hugged everyone in the room.

Jenn: how nice you assholes. Not you Melly the guys. Actually started cooking without me.

Zacky: we got Melly now so we don't have to wait for you.

Jenn: shut up. Melly you don't have todo anything they tell you. I don't.

Zacky: we didn't ask her she just did it.

I stayed silent in their little playful argument. I put all the stuff in the bowl and took it outside. They had a nice outdoor set.

Melly: have you learned to make a steak like a man yet cus?

Brian: no but I've learned how to make it charcol.

I laughed and squeezed between the two.

Johnny: its not burnt. Just cajun style. Its nice and juicy in the middle.

Brian: yeah right.

Johnny: you don't have to tell me that Brian I already know I'm right.

Brian snickered.

Melly: Jenn is home.

Brian: yay! She probley brought beer!

He ran off. I shook my head.

Johnny: he's your cousin.

Melly: I don't deny that.

I noticed I was perfectly fine with Johnny. I never had to force conversation. Our talk just came natural. I felt bad it wasn't like that with everyone else. I just needed time.