A Little Piece Of Heaven

Chapter Eleven Part II:

I got a little nervous about Matt coming over. I didn't know how civil Jace would be. I know what he said but boys will be boys. That much never changes. I don't want a pudding contest on my front yard.

The doorbell rang and I answered the door. Brian handed me a few bags of chips. I chuckled.

"Thank you. You didn't have to." I told him. He shrugged.

"Matt said you making cookies so I thought I should bring something."

"You're sweet." I told him. I showed him the kitchen and grabbed him a soda. Matt found his way inside and started talking to Jace. "Sorry to ruin your guys' night." I apologized. He waved away my apology.

"You have cookies. Somehow, I'll survive." He stole one off of the pan.

"So... You play guitar in the band, right?" I asked him. He nodded. "Cool, cool."

"Yeah. I like it. What about you? What's your deal?" He asked. I shrugged.

"I used to be into art. I don't draw as much anymore. I like music, too, but I have no musical talent." I told him. He cracked a smile.

"As long as you're a lover, not a hater." He joked. I nodded. "Do you write?" He asked. I nodded.

"Sometimes," I told him.

"Maybe I could check out your stuff sometime. Matt and I write most of our songs. We're always looking for new material. And I've always been a sucker for poetry." He offered. I nodded. He's easy to talk to. I can easily see us being friends. I can see why the guys like him.

"Yeah, sure. Most of it's not too... Pleasant." I warned him. He shrugged.

"The good stuff never is."

"True. I've got a notebook you can flip through. It's my room." I told him. He followed me into my room.

At least I didn't leave my dirty clothes on the floor this time. I grabbed a couple notebooks out of my desk and grabbed the older books. I was careful not to get anything from after the sexual advances started.

He sat down in my armchair and started leading through it. He didn't say much. I decided to clean out my purse while I waited. It stopped things from getting awkward.

"Angela, these are really good. Are you gonna write in college?" He asked me. I shrugged.

"I guess I haven't thought much about it. I haven't even decided on a school yet. I just wanna go somewhere away from here." I told him.

"Not a fan of Cali?" He asked.

"I love California, but I'm not a fan of my stepfather. He's a dick." I told him. "What about you?"

"I might take a year off and pursue music. We'll see how it goes."

"That's awesome." I told him. Jace poked his head in my room.

"I wanna have fun, too." He whined and dropped himself on top of my lap. I groaned.

"Dude, slim fast. Now."

"But you said you loved my fat rolls." He frowned.

"I lied. I only like your fake fat when it's not crushing me to death." I pushed him off and got up. We grabbed some movies and met Matt in the living room.

After heaps of Chinese take-out, bags of chips, cookies, a belching contest, Nightmare On Elm Street, American Pie, Identity Thief, and The Fast And The Furious, we all laid sprawled across the living room. My stomach hurts from laughing so hard, and all the food.

“We should make a habit of this.” Matt suggested.

“Binging on Chinese?” I asked him. He smirked down at me and played with my hair.

“Hanging out like this every weekend.” He explained. We all murmured agreement.

“My place is good for the next two weeks. We’ll have to find some place else after that.” I told them.

“My mom will never let you leave if you come over.” Jace told Matt. “When Gel told her that you asked her out, she almost died with pride. I think it’ll end like Misery, but without the violence and with duct tape.” He laughed. I shook my head.

“She might tie him to the couch or something and question his intentions. I could see that, actually.” I agreed.

“Who’s game for anywhere but Jace’s place tomorrow?” Brian asked.

“I’m actually going to San Diego to see my dad. It’s been awhile and I wanted to talk to him about school options next year.” I admitted. It seems like as good a time as any. It’s only about three hours away.

“And I’m her partner in crime, in case he decides to douche it up.” Jace volunteered. I rolled my eyes. I hadn’t actually asked him to come along. I hadn’t decided if I wanted company or not. I guess he decided for me.

“Alright, how about dinner Tuesday night? My mom is bugging me about meeting you.” Matt offered. I nodded.

“That’d be great. I’ll probably need something to look forward to after seeing my dad. He’s hard to predict. Now that I’m almost eighteen, he’s been trying to be my friend instead of ignoring me. So, it should go okay. I’m not looking forward to school on Tuesday. Why aren’t we going tomorrow?” I asked.

“I think it’s a paperwork day for teachers or something.” Brian told me. I nodded.

“Guys, if I fall asleep, I’m sorry. If y’all don’t wanna drive, you’re more than welcome to crash here. We’ve got extra bedding out the ass.” I told them.

“I’m gonna take you up on that offer.” Matt smiled. I cuddled closer to him.

After a while we dug out a bounty of blankets and pillows and the living room looked like an insane pallet of bedding. Tonight was awesome. I only hope that tomorrow goes half as well as today did.

Notes