California Love A7X

Brian: did you see the shiner on Zacky's face yesterday?

Melly: yes I did. What are we looking for?

I knew what he wanted.

Brian: my cross. How do you think he got it.

Melly: he tripped he said.

He looked back at me.

Brian: on what?

Melly: Ichabod.

Brian: bullshit.

He said turning back around and continuing his search.

Melly: why?

Brian: think about it. If he fell he would have smacked something else.

Melly: I guess so.

Brian: and if his eyeball hit the corner of something that asshole would be wearing an eye patch. So its bullshit. I know him and he doesn't fall.

Melly: everyone falls Brian.

Brian: sure, but he just doesn't. Trust me.

His eyes narrowed as we entered the kitchen.

Melly: I trust you, you know him better than me.

Brian: exactly. Now if I were Jenn...where would I hide a cross...and you said you haven't seen it?

Melly: nope I haven't.

Brian: ok then. Plus tripping on your dog is like the biggest easiest lie to tell. I mean its so stupidly retarded that its believable.

Melly: why would he lie about getting a black eye though? I mean its obvious something hit his eye. Why lie about it.

Brian: maybe its about who hit him.

He started looking through the cupboards.

Melly: and why would someone hit Zacky.

Brian: he's an asshole. Who wouldn't hit him. You looked like you wanted to punch him when he called you a stripper.

Melly: I didn't though. So then if he's an asshole and anyone would hit him why is it a big deal?

Brian: my point exactly.

Melly: I'm confused.

He stopped his search for a moment. Leaning against the fridge.

Brian: like I said the who and why. Who hit him? I'm not sure. Why did they hit him? I'm not sure about that either but I got a good assumption about it. And because of that assumption it gives me a good idea as to who it was.

Melly: then who do you think it was?

He smiled and opened the fridge. Closing it he opened the freezer. He slammed it shut. I could see him pondering.

Melly: who?

He reached on top of the fridge. His hand inches away from the door ornament.

Melly: well?

Brian: personally I think it was Johnny.

Melly: now that's bullshit.

Brian: really now? A HA!!! Found it Ms. Reinelle. Its all dirty and covered with dust.

He started blowing on it.

Melly: Johnny?

Brian: yeah Johnny. It makes sense to me. Him or Jenn.

Melly Jenn I could see, there is always you.

Brian: if it was me, you would know.

He perked a brow.

Brian: did you tell Johnny what Zacky said?

Melly: said about what?

Brian: you being a stripper.

Melly: ofcourse, he's my bestfriend.

Brian: and his reaction?

Melly: he got serious.

Brian: and quiet?

I nodded.

Brian: it was Johnny. I'm telling you. I mean its funny how Zacky hadn't been over since he told you that stripper shit. Johnny came and went but not Zacky. Think about it.

His eyebrow remained perked. I just couldn't believe it.

Brian: its ok by me though. Zacky should have never said any of that.

Melly: he apologized.

Brian: there are somethings you just shouldn't say Melly.

He carefully inspected his cross. Wiping here and there.

Melly: I get the feeling you're more upset with that than I am.

Brian: I am. Clearly. Even Matt pulled him aside. Yet you just brushed it off.

Melly: I told him off.

Brian: yeah you did. His face was priceless. He didn't expect you to have a come back. That's the Haner spirit.

He patted my back.

Brian: enough of that bullshit though.

Melly: yeah, its passed and its not like it fucked me up or anything.

Brian: right. Now let's go hang this amazing thing back up.

I blocked the sun from my eyes.

Brian: Jenn is going to be so pissed.

He laughed evilly. Honk from the street made both of us turn. Jimmy pulled up in his El Camino. Yelling as he got out. Matt followed him. An amused smile gracing his cute face. Jimmy ran up and pointed at the cross, yelling even louder. I laughed, I couldn't help it. After he finished that he hugged me.

Matt: you know I can see a resemblance between you two now.

Brian and Melly: what?

Matt: you both get this smirk. Its the Brian smirk.

I frowned.

Matt: yeah the Syn Gates smirk.

Jimmy: how about the blank I'm bored face. I like that one. Let's talk about it.

Matt chuckled.

Matt: yeah that one too.

Brian: what fucking blank I'm bored face?

Jimmy: the one you get when we're talking as a group.

Brian: I have no idea what you're talking about.

Matt: come on man. You just look blank.

Brian crossed his arms and shook his head.

Matt: Melly you do it too.

Melly: I'm gonna have to agree with Brian. I've no idea what you two crazies are talking about.

Jimmy: I know what I'm talking about. I said it.

Melly: this conversation is random.

Brian: yes it is. I need a beer. Shall we guys?

Jimmy: we shall.

Back into the cool house. Where many a drink lay for us.

Brian: what do you feel like drinking Melly? Bahama mama? Martini? Jimmy can do it all.

Jimmy: I can.

Matt: maybe she'd prefer a daquri or margarita.

Melly: how 'bout some whiskey.

They all gave me a look.

Brian: straight up?

Melly: how else?

Matt: get the girl some whiskey.

Jimmy grabbed a glass and poured some for me. He got beers for the rest of them. We clinked drinks.

Brian: here's to drinking before noon.

I think I could easily become a drunk in this house. They all seemed to drink booze like water.

Melly: we should drink and swim.

Jimmy: that sounds like a good idea.

Matt: why the hell not. Its nice out enough.

Brian: why are we still talking about it?

I ran upstairs drink in hand. I'd bought a suit since the last time. Figured I need one living in Cali. What with pools at everyones house and the beach so close. Simple black hurley suit. The green H stood out boldly. I finished of my drink and went outside.

Brian: who let you get that?

Melly: excuse me?

Brian: who let you get that suit?

Melly: I let me get this suit.

I twisted the cap off a beer. The day was extra hot. Meaning this extra cold beer tasted fantastic.

Brian: what happened to no money?

Melly: I felt this was necessary. With all the swimming I've been doing lately.

Brian: maybe swimming isn't such a good idea for you anymore.

Melly: why?

Matt: damn....

Brian glared at him.

Matt: damn...you've got a lot of tattoos. Yeah tats.

I shrugged. He smiled innocently toward Brian.

Melly: you do too.

I smiled and drank from my bottle.

Jimmy: I like the Little Mermaid tat Mellifus.

Melly: thanks Jimmy.

Matt: I had no idea you even had a chest piece.

Melly: most people don't.

Matt: I like it.

Melly: its an actual song too.

Matt: sweet. Which one?

Melly: Stone Temple Pilots, Interstate Love Song. My most favorite song in the world.

Matt: Johnny loves STP.

Melly: me too. Definitely on my top ten.

He smiled.

Matt: mind if I get a closer look?

I shook my head.

Brian: I do.

Melly: please he's checking out my tat.

Brian: sure.

Matt to me was like another cousin. Or older brother. He was a big sweetie. Intimidating to those who didn't know him. I could tell from the get go he was just a softy. He nodded approvingly.

Matt: I like how the treble and bass clefs are scattered about. The swirly shit looks cool too. Must have been a few sessions.

Melly: yeah. But all worth it. You know.

Matt: that I do. So what else you got?

Zacky: what is this a pool party and no one invited me?

Suddenly I understood why Brian might think this was a bad idea. I felt bare. Naked.

Zacky: good thing I wore shorts.

His eyes lingered on me a bit. I waved idiotically. He gave a nod.

Matt: I was just checking out all her ink.

Zacky: I dig this one.

His finger slid over my side. Giving me involuntary goose bumps. Matt took a peek.

Matt: you've got a Zacky V. tat.

I nodded, breathing out slowly.

Melly: I got it a long time ago.

Zacky had a small smile. Brian was out of the pool and by their sides. Examining all my tats as well.

Melly: before I knew the real Zacky.

Zacky: what does that mean?

Melly: that I didn't know you. Only what I saw.

Zacky: oh.

Brian: I'll pay to get that removed.