Oh. My. Gosh. What an INSANE season finale! Holy cow! I cannot WAIT to see what happens next season! Of course, there's a whole year to wait. Ugh. :(
Thank you so much for everyone who took the time to review! I got back to most of you but thanks also to DarkChild19 (I made her young when Chico died because the SOA app said Chico died young of a heart attack. :( You're also correct that the reason I made her so young is so she could meet Thomas that once and not remember it when she was older. Gemma never got her name, so she wouldn't remember Angie either. ;) Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you as well!).Disclaimer: I own nothing but Angela and other characters you don't recognize!
It Won't Be Soon Before Long
Chapter 7: New Friends & Challenges
By Love Ink
Angela stared at Happy over the slice of cheesecake she'd ordered at their favorite diner. The candle that had been lit a top it was still smoking. She pushed the plate at him, waiting for him to take the first bite before taking off a bite for herself. They ate in silence for a brief moment before Happy set down his fork. "Got some news, kid."
She lifted her eyebrows at him. "What?" she asked around the bite.
"Remember that job I did up in Charming?"
Angela nodded, slowly chewing on the piece of cake in her mouth. "The dangerous one?"
"Yeah. Gonna have to go inside for a nickel."
Her stomach turned as she blinked at him, trying to process it all. It didn't make sense. Happy didn't get caught. "You're going to jail?" she questioned, eyes wide. "For five years?"
He nodded, taking another bite. "Three on good behavior," he corrected.
Her shoulders sagged as she shook her head. "Yeah, but you don't behave," she said, tossing her fork down, no longer hungry. "Shit, Hap."
"Don't swear," he ordered, glaring at her.
She looked at him like he was crazy. He was going to jail but still thought it was his place to tell her not to swear."Hap, I start high school in two weeks. You gonna be there for that?"
"You don't need me, kid. You'll be fine," he said confidently.
Angela swallowed at the lump in her throat. "Hap, I don't have a dad. I don't have anyone to watch out for me besides you."
"You'll be fine, kid. You're smart," he replied. At her doubtful look, he shrugged. "I'll have some brothers look in on ya."
She knew about the club, but he kept her at arm's distance. He'd never taken her to a club event or introduced her around; she just knew that if something happened, they were good people to call. They had the SAMCRO clubhouse number tacked up by their phone at the house in case of emergencies. "No, fuck that," she said on a scowl. "I don't want anything to do with your stupid club."
"Watch your mouth, kid," he said again, his eyes darkening in annoyance. "You stay straight. Go to school, get the grades, go to college. Your dad and Ma got a fund for ya. Stay away from that little Mayan shit."
Angela rolled her eyes. Her friendship with Rosa Perez was continually a sore spot between her and Hap. Rosa was the Mayan SAA's daughter, her brother, Rafael, was best friends with Esai Alvarez, the VP's son. She couldn't count how many sleepovers she'd been to when those boys were staying just down the hall in Rafa's room. Rosa and her cousins were her only friends, all of them allied to the Mayans, all of them people Happy hated. "She's my best friend. I don't have any other friends besides her crew, Hap."
"High school is big. Make new ones," he suggested. "Her Dad's a Mayan officer. Stay away. Ain't gonna do you no good."
She scowled at him. "So I lose you and my best friend all in day. Awesome. High school's going to be great."
Happy smiled a little at her sarcasm. "You're gonna be fine."
"Stop saying that," she said, her voice catching in her throat as tears gathered in her eyes. "Five years, Hap. I'll be almost twenty by the time you get out."
He nodded. "I'll be there to see ya graduate from Stanford or some shit."
"Ain't going to Stanford."
"Not talkin' like that you're not," he said, glaring at her. "I wouldn't be leavin' ya less I had to. You know that."
Angela nodded, wiping at her eyes. "When you leavin'?"
"Tonight."
"Hap, its your birthday," she said wiping at her eyes. He was turning twenty-eight and headed inside for a five year sentence. She hated that idea.
He nodded slowly. "Pigs don't give a shit. Stop cryin'. You ain't hurtin'."
She sucked in a long breath, trying to reign in her tears. "I know, I know."
He slid out of the booth, carefully counting out his cash to the exact right amount and setting it on the table. "Let's go," he said, tucking his wallet back into his pants.
Angela waited for him to head to the door before tossing in a few more dollars for tip. Hap was always stingy with his money. The waitress behind the counter gave her an appreciative wink. She walked towards where Happy was waiting for her by his bike. "You owe me three bucks," she said, taking the helmet he offered her. "A two dollar tip is bullshit, Hap."
He smirked at her. "Dollar for each time you swore. We're even."
"I'm not a kid anymore," she said on a scowl. "I'm almost fifteen. I think I'm allowed to swear without owing you stuff."
"Nah." Happy set one of his big hands a top her helmet and gave it a shake, a small smile tugging up the corners of his lips. His smile faded when he spotted a young gangster eyeing her as he headed inside the diner. "Gotta stop gettin' older, kid. Bullets are expensive."
"Fat lot of good that'll do ya in jail," she said, getting on top of the back of the Dyna. "Send you right back in. By the time you get out you'll be an uncle."
"You got jokes, huh?"
Angela shrugged a shoulder. "Jokes for days."
"Love you, kid," he said, tapping the side of her helmet lovingly with his knuckle. "I'ma come home soon, aight. You gotta stay strong for me. For Ma. 's all on you."
She sucked in a deep breath as she felt that responsibility weigh on her shoulders. Her eyes itched with tears, but she held them back. Tears wouldn't make him stay. "Okay, Hap. Love you too."
Angela watched the taillights of Happy's Dyna get smaller as he drove off into the night. He was heading for Charming. They'd take him away there, and she wouldn't see him for another five years. She felt her mom and aunt's eyes on her back, waiting for her to come inside, but she didn't want to. She didn't want to be in that house. She didn't want to talk to anyone, see anyone. She just wanted to run.
So she did. She took off, chasing his taillights as tears streaked down her cheeks. "Come back!" she shouted, running as hard as she could. "Hap! Please!"
She stopped in front of the old playground as a wicked cramp hit her side, making it hard for her to breathe. Holding her side, she walked to the swing set and sat down heavily, her head hanging down. Happy was gone. He wasn't going to come back. She could run all the way to Charming, but it wouldn't stop the inevitable from happening. He was gone. For five years, there'd be no one to protect her, to teach her things or take her on adventures. She loved her aunt and her mom, but they were different from Happy. They didn't understand her like he did.
She walked the swing back, taking a deep breath before pushing off the ground and launching herself into the air. Pumping her legs back and forth, she propelled the swing higher and higher. The cold air whooshed by her, the sound of it drowning out her thoughts and drying the tears that wouldn't stop falling. With one final pump, she let go, launching herself off the swing into midair. For a second, she was weightless, above it all. Then the earth started to come up, and she prepared herself to meet it. She landed in a crouch on the sand, like Happy had taught her, her hair in front of her face.
A loud, slow clap alerted her that she was not alone. She wiped at her eyes quickly before lifting her head to see who was clapping. Esai Alvarez stood at the edge of the playground looking just as handsome as ever. She'd always had a crush on him. There was something about his dark skin and pretty blue eyes that made her stomach do those weird flops.
"Nice jump, chiqui," he said, his blue eyes raking over her figure as she stood from the sand and dusted off her knees. She'd grown up, filled out a little. He knew she'd be starting his high school soon and the boys would be all over that tight little body. (Slang for little one)
"Thanks," she said, blushing as she pushed her hair behind her ear. Her dark eyes met his, black liner smudged underneath them. She sniffled slightly, wiping away the mess before crossing her arms over her chest trying her best to play it cool. "What're you doin' out here?"
Esai looked over his shoulder to where a few of his friends were sitting on a park bench passing around a joint and a handle of cheap tequila. He'd been in on the fun until he saw the young girl start swinging. He couldn't take his eyes off her. "Messin' around," he said on shrug. He walked by her, hitting her shoulder with his before he took a seat down on one of the swings. "Que paso?" (What happened?)
She watched him walk by before going to sit on the swing next to him. "Nada," she murmured, dragging her foot back and forth and swinging just a little. (Nothing.)
"Your primo got taken in today, huh?" he asked, his blue eyes staring at her face. Angela focused on the ground as she nodded. He sighed in response. "Heard some of the Sons were going inside. Lo siento. Know he was a big part of your life." (Cousin, I'm sorry.)
She shrugged a shoulder, doing her best to play it off like it was no big deal. "'s all right. I'll get by," she said rubbing at her arms. It was cold out, and she hadn't grabbed a sweatshirt.
Esai noticed the goosebumps dotted across the skin of her bare arms. He stood, shrugging out of his leather jacket before holding it out to her. "Take it. Hace frio." (It's cold.)
Her cheeks darkened in a blush once again as she stood and slipped into it. It was warm and smelled like cologne and weed, like him. "Thanks."
Esai stepped in front of her, brushing her hair away from her face. His blue-green eyes swept over her pretty face before settling on her lips. "No problem. You need anythin' you come to me. Entiendes?" (Understand?)
"I'll be okay," she whispered, tugging nervously on the ends of the sleeves.
He didn't reply to her comment. "Why don't you stop by my place tomorrow? My dad's firin' up the grill, ma's making tamales. It'll be fun."
Angela's dark eyes met his, a look of surprise in them. She'd heard about the Alvarez family dinners for some time and had been to one or two with Rosa, but she'd never been personally invited by Esai. "Yeah, okay. Sure," she stammered out. She didn't have anything else to do that day. Both her mom and aunt worked. Sundays were usually her "Happy" days where they'd hang out together. Being out with other people would be a good distraction.
"Aight, nena. I'll pick you up 'round three tomorrow," he said, his hands still on her arms. "You want a ride home tonight?"
She furrowed her brow, a little confused about all this driving talk. Esai wasn't sixteen yet; he still had a month or two to go. "You can't drive."
"Not legally," he replied on a shrug. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, dragging her towards where his friends were sitting. "Vamos, chiqui. I'm going to take care of ya." (Let's go, little one.)
To her surprise, his friends were quite welcoming when they approached. Raffa ran up to her and threw his arms around her, lifting her off the ground, and spinning her around before setting her on her feet. "Angelita, what you doin'?" he asked, his words slurred. Angela looked over at Esai, her eyes wide. Esai just smirked and made a drinking motion with his hands. "Hey, mami. Heard about your cuz. Dontchu worry, 'mana. We gotchu. The Mayans will protect you, right ese?"
"Ya'll ain't Mayans," one of the other boys said on a scowl. Angela recognized him. He was a white boy, Brent, all star football player who was clearly out of place surrounded by all the Mexican bad boys.
"Not yet, 'mano. But we will be." Esai smirked, making sure the booze and the joint stayed out of Angela's reach. She was fourteen. Too young for that shit, in his opinion. To her credit, she didn't reach for them or ask to try it. She knew better. That was something he liked about her; she was a smart girl. A beautiful, smart girl.
Brent looked her over slowly, an eyebrow raised as he appraised her figure. Angela pulled the coat closer around her, trying to hide in its large size. "Ain't her cousin a Son anyways?" he asked Esai as if she couldn't answer herself.
"Don't worry about it," Esai said draping a protective arm over her shoulders. He didn't like the way Brent was looking at her and staked his claim no matter how small it was. "She's cool."
"Yeah. Mad cool," Raffa chimed in, a drunken smile on his face.
Angela smiled slightly, the ache in her heart subsiding as she listened to Esai stick up for her. Maybe life without Happy wouldn't be so bad if she had Esai and his crew to hang out with.
Angela jumped at the sound of a knock on the door. She walked quickly to answer it, relaxing when Esai smiled at her from the other side. "Hi," she said, pushing her hair behind her ear nervously. "Wasn't sure you'd show up."
"Why not? I told you I'd be here," Esai said on a shrug. He looked her over, smiling at the conservative way she was dressed. Simple dark jeans, dirty sneakers, and a black v-neck. "You look good, chiqui."
"Thanks," she replied, blushing a little. She held out the jacket he'd loaned her the night before. "Here. Thanks for letting me use it."
He took it from her hands, slinging it over his shoulder before holding out a hand for her to take. "Let's go, Angelita."
Angela took his hand, letting him lead her to the passenger door of his truck. He opened it for her and everything. Smiling shyly, she climbed in and waited for him to slip in the driver's seat. The ride over was done in complete silence save for the Tejano music coming from the radio. Nervous butterflies flittered in Angela's stomach as she watched the houses go by. He pulled into his driveway and told her to wait before he ran around the nose of the car and opened her door for her. "Vamonos," he said, taking her hand again.
Angela stepped into the large house apprehensively. Reassured only by Esai's hand in hers. He dragged her towards the kitchen. "Mama! Angela is here!" he called out.
"Oh good! Veni, Angelita, necesito ayuda con los tamales!" Diana shouted back from the kitchen. (Come here, I need help with the tamales.)
Esai grinned at her, letting go of her hand and gently pushing her into the kitchen. "You heard the woman."
Angela furrowed her brow and walked into the kitchen where Diana was currently wrist deep in tamale dough. "Hi Diana," she greeted awkwardly shifting from foot to foot. She'd met Diana once before but hadn't talked to her very much.
Diana looked over her shoulder at the young girl. Esai had told her a bit about her story. Her father had passed away when she was very young, the only other man in her life had been sent to jail, her mother and aunt worked most days leaving her alone. Her heart went out to the pretty girl; she too had been left alone most days of her youth. At least she'd had siblings to entertain her. From what she knew, Angela didn't even have that. "Hola mija. Como estas?" (Hi, my daughter. How are you?)
"Good. Do you need help?"
"Yes, of course," Diana replied brushing a stray hair from her face. She smiled at the young girl who looked so shy as she washed her hands in the sink. "Do you know how to make a tamale?"
Angela frowned as she shook her head. "My mom and aunt don't make 'em that much."
Diana waved away her concern. "Bueno, veni. I'll teach you." (Okay, c'mon)
It didn't take long for Angela to catch on. In no time, she was chatting with Diana about everything from her family life to her upcoming first day of school. It was strange talking to an older woman so openly. She was usually so reserved with her mom and aunt, but for some reason, talking to Diana was easy.
It turned out that the "family party" Esai had invited her to was actually a club dinner. Angela realized it too late when she saw member after member walk through the door. Angela had thought that at least Rosa and Raffa would be around, but it seemed to be only club members. Her mind flitted to her cousin, knowing he'd kill her if he ever found out about this. Guilt pooled in her stomach; Happy hadn't even been inside for a full day, and she was neck deep in Mayans. If he ever found out about this, she was a dead girl.
Esai appeared by her side, slipping an arm around her waist, his touch completely derailing her train of thought. "Relax, chiqui," he said, grabbing two plates and holding one out to her. "We don't eat with 'em."
She followed his lead, serving herself some tamales and some rice and beans. "Where do we eat?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"C'mon, I'll show ya," he said climbing up the stairs. He led her to his bedroom, setting down his plate before opening up his window.
"The roof?" she asked, watching in surprise as he climbed out.
He turned around and gave her that lazy smile of his, his pretty blue eyes sparkling. "Yeah, veni," he said grabbing his plate and setting it on his lap. (Come.)
Angela carefully pulled herself out of the window and onto the expansive roof before picking up her plate too. The house wasn't very tall and only offered a view of more houses in the neighborhood, nothing too impressive but the stars were beautiful. "Cool," she said leaning against the house.
He nodded in response, taking a bite from his tamale before looking over at her. "You get to go to dinners like this with the Sons? Heard the head Old Lady there throws some mad parties."
She snorted in response, shaking her head. "Nah, the only Son I know is Hap. That's a part of his life that he keeps me out of," she said on a shrug. She frowned, disappointed. Did Esai only befriend her to learn more about the Sons? "Is that why you invited me over? So I could give you intel on the Sons?
Esai chuckled, shaking his head at her. "Of course not, chiqui. I invited you over because you looked damn good in those jeans last night," he replied honestly. "Just wanted to make sure I didn't have to worry about you runnin' to primo with Mayan intel."
Angela shook her head, putting another forkful of food in her mouth and chewing thoughtfully. "I'm not that kind of person," she stated on a shrug. "Honestly, I don't plan on telling Hap who I'm hanging out with. He specifically said to stay away."
"And here you are, you little rebel."
She smirked, meeting his gaze briefly. "Well, you said your mom was making tamales, and I wasn't about to pass that up," she teased, knocking her shoulder against his. "Company's not bad either."
Esai smiled at her. "Not bad, ey? That mean I'm gonna be seein' more of you, chiqui? You're s'posed to stay away," he reminded her, his eyes playful.
"He'll be gone for five years," Angela said, feeling a little satisfied going against Happy's wishes like she was. He'd left her. Just up and left like it was nothing. Like it was easy. The resentment she felt was fueling this little rebellion, and she was going to run with it while she could. "Not much he can do about it from behind bars."
Happy stepped into the visiting room, a sense of relief coming over him when he saw Angela sitting there. He'd been inside six months and the kid had yet to visit him. Today was a special day though. One he hadn't wanted to miss. He walked towards her, noting the changes in his cousin as she stood up, shifting excitedly, a huge smile on her face. When he was close enough, she threw her arms around him in a hug. "Hey kid," he greeted, dropping a kiss to her head. "Happy Birthday. You get my present?"
She flashed him the ring he'd bought her. It was a simple ring. A skull with angel wings on either side of it. "Its awesome, Hap! How'd you get it from inside?"
He shrugged a shoulder sitting down across from her at the table. His mother "Don't worry about it," he said. He had Tig to thank for it, actually. Hap had ordered the ring from the same place the Sons got all of their rings before he'd gone inside. He'd asked Tig to go pick it up and mail it to his mom's place. He grabbed her hand, inspecting the custom ring. "It fits?"
Angela nodded enthusiastically. "Perfectly!"
"It's pure silver. Won't turn you finger green 'n' shit."
"Thanks, Hap. I love it"
He nodded, grabbing her hand and studying the simple ring. Her nails were painted a vibrant red, chipped in some places probably because she chipped it away when she was nervous. "How you been, kid? Ain't seen you around."
"Busy with school and stuff," she answered on a breath.
"How's high school? You doin' track like ya wanted?"
Angela shrugged a shoulder. "Nah, not yet. That's a spring sport. I'm just tryin' to get used to my classes. Advanced math is hella hard, but I got a lot of friends in that class so its pretty awesome," she explained, waving her hands around as she talked. She loved math. Since Esai was a year behind, and she was a year ahead, they had the same class. He sat behind her and was constantly messing with her. Playing with her hair, rubbing her shoulders, whispering nice things in her ear.
"Good," he said bobbing his head. The necklace around her neck caught his eye. His girl didn't wear necklaces especially not sparkly ones like that. A red gem in the shape of a heart with silver angel wings on either side of it. "That's new," he said nodding to it.
She looked down at the gaudy necklace Esai had given her the night before, picking up the charm and playing with it. Honestly, she hated the look of it, but she loved the idea behind it. He'd given it to her at midnight the night before as they sat close together on the roof, his arm around her shoulders. It was Esai's first present to her. His second had been a kiss, her first ever. "Umm…it was a present," she explained simply. A blush rising to her cheeks as she remembered the feel of Esai's soft lips against her own, the way his hand had tangled into her hair, his tongue sweeping into her mouth.
Happy narrowed his eyes at her, noting her flushed cheeks. "From who?"
Angela pushed her hair behind her ears nervously and shrugged. "Oh, just a friend."
"A guy?"
"No," she lied, twisting her ring around her finger.
"Don't lie to me, kid," he said, sitting up straighter. He hated being away from her. Hated that being stuck inside meant she could hide things from him.
Angela sighed, raking a hand through her hair. "It's a guy. A really, really nice guy from school. I like him a lot, Hap. He's really…sweet."
"Who?"
"Don't worry about it, Hap," she said lightly. She was cursing herself for not taking the necklace off the night before. What had she been thinking? "How are you?"
Happy wasn't buying it. There had to be a reason she wasn't gushing about her new friend, male or female. She'd told him every detail about her whole life since she could talk. "Who is it, Angela?"
Angela bit her lip, looking down at her hands. He only used her first name when he was mad or frustrated. "Umm…Esai Alvarez."
He stared at her in disbelief. Alvarez. As in Marcus Alvarez. He'd specifically told her to stay away from the Mayans, and she dived straight into them going after the VP's son. "Jesus Christ, kid," he muttered, shaking his head at her. "This ends now."
"Hap, I…"
"Now, Angela," he growled, his dark eyes angry. "Take that shit off. Give it back. And find some new fuckin' friends."
Frustrated tears gathered along her lower lashes. Sucking in a deep breath, she made them go away, squaring her shoulders, and trying to muster up the courage to stand up to him. "No."
His eyebrow shot up in shock. She'd never said no to him before. "No?"
"No," she confirmed, her hands curling into fists at the same time Hap's did. They were both angry as hell at each other. "He is…he is the one good thing I have going in my life right now, and I'm not going to throw that away because your stupid club has a stupid rivalry with his dad's. Esai is not a club member."
"Not yet."
Angela glared back at him, swallowing hard. "I don't give a shit. I'm not going to break it off with E just because you say so. You're not the boss of me," she replied, getting to her feet and looking at the prison guard. "I'm done here."
"Sit down, Angela," Happy growled, his hands curled into white knuckled fists. "Now."
"No," she replied, knocking her knuckle on the table.
Happy stood too. "Angela Ines, sit your ass down."
"No," she repeated, holding his angry gaze. She wasn't scared of him. There was nothing he could do to her while locked up. "Guard? You can get my aunt. I'm done."
It wasn't until Angela was alone, sitting in her aunt's car, that she broke down. Sobs escaped her lips as she buried her face in her hands. She hated disappointing her cousin, hated being mad at him. But without Esai, she'd be alone every day. Esai and his family were slowly starting to fill the void Happy had left when he'd abandoned her. She couldn't give that up. She wouldn't. She didn't want to be alone. Life had been hard enough without her dad, losing Happy had made it worse. Esai was the one thing that was keeping her together right now. She couldn't just let him go.
After a quick visit with his mom, Happy sat down heavily on his bed, rubbing a hand over his bald head. He was pissed beyond belief, stunned by her defiance. Angela had never gotten that mad at him before, had never walked away from him like that. That was not the little girl he left behind.
"Saw the kid visitin' you today. She yours?" Kozik asked, as he sat down on the edge of Hap's bunk next to him. He'd been indicted on the same charge along with some other Sons from different charters. They'd pulled some strings so they could share cells.
"Cousin," Happy answered curtly.
Kozik nodded in understanding. "You two close?"
"Been the only man in her life since she was three."
"How old is she now?"
"Fifteen."
Kozik chuckled, shaking his head at her. "That's rough, man. My brother's that age. He's a pain in the ass. Thinks he knows everything."
Happy smirked; Angela wasn't much different. "She's lost. Fell in with the Mayans down in Oak-town. She's datin' the VP's son."
"Rebellious little shit, huh?"
Though he wasn't pleased with Kozik calling his cousin a 'little shit', Happy had to admit, his brother's assessment was spot on. "Yeah," he said on a chuckle. "Kid was a lot easier when she was in pigtails."
"Most of 'em are," he agreed on a nod. He glanced over his shoulder to where a few pictures were taped to the wall. There was one of a gapped tooth little girl astride a Harley. "That her? She's cute."
Happy looked over at the picture. Angela had been five and toothless. He liked her a lot better then. "Don't even think about it."
"Nah, not like that, man. I ain't into kids like that. I mean, I like 'em as in some day I want to be an Uncle or some shit. Kids like me. Think I'm funny."
"Funny lookin'," Happy muttered on a smirk.
Kozik chuckled, rolling his eyes. "He treat her right?"
"Who?"
"The Mayan kid? He treat her right? Make her happy?"
Happy looked at him as though he'd grown an extra head. He didn't give a shit how the Mayan treated his little cousin. All he really cared about was the fact that she was betraying his club by getting into the Mayan shit. "Dunno," he answered on a shrug. "Got pissed when I told her to end it."
"Probably 'cause she likes the kid," Kozik mused, playing with the tips of his hair. "If she's anythin' like you, she ain't going to change 'cause you tell her to stay away. If she's happy, let her be happy. Ain't nothing you can do about it behind bars. When we get out, we'll set her straight."
"We?" Happy repeated flatly.
"Sure," he replied, shrugging again and flashing him a grin. "I like a challenge."
Yes, I know Angela's a bit of a brat but what fifteen year old isn't a bit bratty? ;) Let me know what you think! I love hearing from you!
~Love Ink
