Capítulo 4: F O U R
M I L O
"You don't understand, Tanner. The look on her face when I told her the time... it was like she had seen a ghost," I said for what felt like the fifth time. Tanner is my right hand, but he's also my best friend since birth and I need someone to vent to.
"Look man, I believe you. I'll try talking to her tomorrow morning in Psych. You don't need to be getting all worked up over a hypothetical," Tanner responded with sadness in his eyes. I know he cares about Indigo already, we all do. I just have a bad feeling and it's driving me crazy. If anyone ever gave her trouble, I'd kill them.
I decided last minute to walk to the other side of the house. I needed to talk with my mom about this. She always knows what to say. I walked straight into their living room knowing that's where they would be. "Mom, can we talk?"
Both of my parents looked up at me from the couch. "Come sit honey," she stated as she pat the empty couch cushion next to her. I didn't even care that my dad was here. He may be the leader of the Santino Pandilla, but one thing you'll notice quickly about our line of business is that we aren't just a gang, we're a family. We do handle illegal activities like drugs and weaponry, but we also take care of our own and comfort them in times of need.
"Talk to us baby..." my mom whispered.
I thought about how to approach the entire conversation but I didn't even know where to begin. "It's about Indigo," I stated, looking to see if they understood who I was talking about. Both of them genuinely smiled in my direction. "We love her, darling! She is just the sweetest little thing," she quickly stated. I already knew that but hearing my mom say it, made me feel prideful. "I can't figure out why but I just feel a connection with her. She makes me happy, and all she has to do is smile or even just exist," I felt better saying it aloud. "So, then what's the problem son?," my dad questioned curiously.
"That's the thing... I don't know... she's very conservative and quiet. But the facial expressions she makes when some things are mentioned or said... it's almost like she's terrified. I couldn't live with myself if she got hurt. But I don't know how to keep her safe if she won't open up to me," I let out a frustrated sigh while running my fingers through my hair.
"Oh sweetie..." I felt my moms' hand rubbing my back. "We don't have the answers all the time. We can't tell you what Indigo has or is going through. But I can tell you to be patient with her, she will appreciate it in the long run. You have known her for one day. You need to earn her trust. Be gentle, be kind, be her friend. Your father was mine for a few years before we even got together--"
"And 35 years later, she's still my world," my dad interrupted, smiling down affectionately at my mom. I admire what they have. I grew up wanting a relationship just like theirs, if not better.
"Thank you both, I needed that," I said to them.
"We're always here son. And if it bothers you that bad, find out her last name and I'll have Alfonso search her background for anything unusual, okay?," my dad stated firmly.
"That sounds like a good idea pops."
After talking with my parents, I went back to the dining room and informed Tanner of my plan; since he has a class with her, he should be able to get her last name.
"Dude. You know she's in our Spanish class?," Tyler said while walking into the kitchen.
"What?! Really?," I asked. I never went to Spanish. I didn't need to. I speak it fluently per our family business and always pass the tests, so there was never a need to go. But now... now I want to.
"Looks like I'm finally attending Spanish tomorrow," I chuckled out.
I N D I G O
I walked into Psych AP and sat in the same seat from yesterday. A few minutes after the first bell rang, Tanner walked in with a smile plastered on his face. I wanted to reciprocate it, but I was in immense pain from just walking to class. So, instead I just gave him a small wave and began to take notes hoping it would distract me.
About thirty minutes into the lesson, I felt someone poking my arm. I lifted my head up to see Tanner showing me that we had a quiz in front of us. I nodded my thanks to him and began my work. I'm too exhausted to handle this day and it's barely started.
"Everything okay Indie?"
I looked over to see a worried Tanner staring at me.
No I'm fucking dying on the inside.
"I-I'm fine."
Real confident, Indie.
Tanner didn't push anymore from there. I think it's sweet they care but I can't put them in harm's way. If Jim found out I told anyone, that could put them in potential danger as well. I honestly have no clue what Jim is capable of and I'm not willing to find out. With just being here one day, I had managed to make a group of friends and that baffled me, warmed my heart, and also terrified me at the same time. I don't want them getting caught up in my psychotic at home life. Not when I only had two months left. On top of that, I don't want them knowing how disgusting I am. I would lose them as fast as I had gained them.
My mind wandered to the black haired boy with mesmerizing crystal blue eyes. I've never had a boyfriend before-- hell, no one ever looked at me that way. But there's something about Milo... just being around him, I feel at peace. I feel safe. I want to speak to him again but I know I'll embarrass myself. Why would a guy like him want someone broken and damaged like me?
With that thought, I couldn't stop the traitorous tears from escaping. I ran out of the classroom before the bell even sounded, alerting not only the teacher but Tanner as well.
I skipped second period, not wanting to be apart of any social setting in this condition. By third period, I was feeling a bit better-- well enough to function in Spanish. I quickly applied more concealer to my bruises since my tears had washed some of it away and then made my way through the halls.
I sat at the back corner desk and pulled out my notebook, ready for another distraction. I heard the class door open but was too caught up in my doodling to see who it was.
"Mr. Santino, I didn't expect you to show up in class this year," our Spanish teacher, Ms. Rodriguez said.
I heard the chair scrape the floor next to me. I was ready to get up and move since I really didn't want to be bothered but stopped when I realized it was Milo who was sitting next to me, relief painted on his face.
"Morning mi belleza," he whispered with a wink.
My heart literally dropped out of my ass and I know my eyes were popping out of my skull this very instant. His beauty? Usually I'm quick to shut down all compliments but his voice was like butter and all of my worries and anxiety vanished. That's when I made it my mission to come out of my shell a bit more today.
"Good morning, Milo," I replied sheepishly.
His grin turned into a full on smile, from ear to ear. It warmed my heart knowing I had the same affect on him as he did me. The lesson seemed to drag on but for once, I didn't care. It turns out, Milo and I are Spanish nerds and already know everything being taught today. So, we sat in the back playing 20 questions to pass the time.
"Blue," I whispered after learning that his favorite color was green.
"How old are you?," I asked.
"18, what about you?"
"I'll be 18 in December. What's your middle name?," I asked in response.
"Walter," he grunted.
I couldn't help but giggle at his reaction to his own middle name. He looked at me with amusement, and something else... was that adoration? Yeah right Indie. I shook my head of the thoughts.
"Your laugh is too adorable," he chuckled out. My lips went into a flat line, my ears and eyebrows perked up as I fought the smile wanting to spring out, and my whole face burned a bright pinkish red. When I looked up at him, his eyes sparkled and he was grinning like a child. We both started laughing out loud, completely forgetting we were in the middle of class. Ms. Rodriguez gave us one of those signature eyebrow raises but continued on with class anyway.
"What's your full name?," he asked after the other students began working again.
"Indigo Rose Carter," I replied with pride. I always loved my name because it was chosen specifically by my mom.
"That's beautiful, Indie,"
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks again and heard him chuckle, making me shoot him my famous glare. He just held up his hands in surrender and stifled back his laughter.
"I've met your sister. Do you have any other siblings?," I asked, changing the subject quickly in order to brush off the embarrassment.
"Ah yes, my baby sis. She's my one and only," he replied as if it were no big deal. But to me, it showed that he valued family and THAT meant everything to me.
"What about you mi rosa?,"
These nicknames will soon be the death of me. I can feel my heart beat pounding in my ears while the butterflies in my stomach danced around.
"N-No. It's just me and Ji-- dad," I replied, hoping he didn't notice the slip up. His facial expression showed he did but chose not to ask.
"Where's your mom?," he asked. Even though it was a touchy subject at home, I felt happy to talk to someone... to him, about her.
"She passed away during labor," I said it so nonchalantly that it scared me a bit. I've never been able to talk about her. But it's almost habitual with him.
"I'm sorry, Indie," I could hear the sadness in his words and it was really comforting. I gave him a full hearted smile, not sure what to respond with. And like clockwork, out flew the 'word vomit'.
"I never got to know her but I've watched some videos of her during her pregnancy. She was so happy and I know she loved me unconditionally, even though she had never seen me. I was sad as a kid about not having a mom but I learned to live without one," I said, my eyes widening a little as to why I just told him all of that.
"Well how about I share mine, because she seems to adore you," he cooed. I smiled warmly at him as my vision blurred, tears threatening to spill. That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.
P L E A S E • V O T E
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder