It was a bright and early morning. Too early if you asked 30c. Everyone was down and eating breakfast and the atmosphere actually felt normal. However, 30c felt uncomfortable when Kuki and Wally started to bicker and then make up and then bicker again. It seemed it was a rather love-hate relationship on the outside, but it was clear that the two were very much fond of the other.
And as much as that bugged him, for some reason it bugged him more to see Nigel shooting glances at Abby. Hoagie just sat in his seat eating the pancakes that was cooked by Abby.
They had a system here. Each one of them took turns cooking and since Abby cooked breakfast, Nigel would be cooking lunch. Such a fascinating way the ex-operatives of KND lived.
30c slowly ate his food, watching the way Kuki and Wally acted, determining if he still had a chance. However, he paid more attention to Nigel and Abby for some reason. His scowl would deepen with each furtive glance Nigel would make. Soon, he completely ignored Kuki and Wally and focused on Abby and Nigel. Abby stood abruptly. "I just forgot something! Guys, I'll be back in two weeks. My mom wants me to go with her to San Francisco, CA. I know that I usually stay here when Mom goes on her business trips, but due to some complications (she looked pointedly at Nigel for a second which 30c caught) I decided to go with her. I thought it would be fun. Is that alright?"
Nigel opened his mouth and said, "No it's not alright and – never mind. Yeah, uh, have fun…" Kuki glared at Nigel and then turned to her friend, girl-wise. "Of course! Don't forget to get me a souvenir either. Hope you have fun!"
Hoagie nodded and then he went
back to having this contemplating look on his face. Wally was like, "Yeah,
yeah. You better be careful."
30c didn't get what was wrong with Nigel. First, Nigel started out angrily then his words died on his lips, like he just realize something.
And Abby leaving. Everyone else seemed okay with it, but Abby said she didn't normally go. What was different this time? And why did she glance at Nigel?
Plus, it would really suck if Abby had to go. He would actually be alone. Kuki and Wally would be spending time together, leaving him in the cold, Hoagie was bound to be working on something, and Nigel didn't seem like he wanted company at the moment. Mind made up, he followed Abby to her room while the others went into theirs. Nigel stared jealously up at the two.
"Hey Abby. Need help packing?"
Abby looked surprise for a moment then nodded, with a grateful smile. "Thanks."
They packed in silence and soon they were done in no time. Then 30c popped the question. "So, you think your mom would let me come with you? I mean if it's no trouble…"
"What? Er, I don't know. Why do you want to come?"
"Well, I'll be alone here since Kuki is off with her boyfriend and Hoagie will be working on something. Oh, and Nigel seems to need a bit of time alone."
"I guess I can try to work something out with my mom. Er, are you packed? 'Cause we're leaving in about half an hour."
"Half an hour? Jeez, good thing I didn't pack yet."
"Well then, let's go."
And 30c picked up his bag from its spot next to the couch. They headed out and passed by the others who said goodbye. Then Kuki questioned where 30c was going. "Eh, well, I'm going to go with Abby. Different scenery, you know? I've always wanted to go to San Francisco." Nigel looked like he wanted to say something, but just scowled. They left and headed towards Abby's house. "What's up with Nigel?"
"I don't know." Abby lied and 30c knew it. He'll find out later on. But that still doesn't mean he was getting involved.
He realized they had reached the richer homes and he was confused as to why they were there. Seeing the confused look on his face, Abby clarified. "I live here. My mom's a very successful businesswoman. So naturally she wanted to live somewhere luxurious, what with the money she gets. Bad part is she doesn't really have a lot of time off so she doesn't spend a lot of time around the house." 'Or around me.' Abby added silently in her head. "That's why I joined the KND. I was bored and had nothing to do when I just found something that made life more interesting and saved me from missing my mom too much."
30c's eyes widened. "Oh man! Sorry. This would probably be a time where you could just hang out with your mom on this trip and I went asked you if I can come along. I'll just go back."
Abby shook her head. "Mom's probably busy anyway. This is a business trip. She wouldn't have enough time for me."
30c nodded, though still unsure.
They reached the house and entered. 30c tried not to show too much surprise at the house. Abby's mom, however, was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, a beautiful woman around her early 30's appeared. "Abby, dear? Are you ready? Oh. Who's this?"
"This is 30c, Mom." Abby saw her mother raise eyebrows at the name. She shrugged at her mother and her mother copied the move. "Hello, 30c. I'm Abby's mother. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Lincoln."
"Oh, I'm not married anymore. It's Ms. now. So are you Abby's boyfriend?"
Abby's face turned red. "Mom! No! He's just a friend…"
30c nodded with her, a faint blush on his face. However, just like those other times, he felt a tinge of sadness at that statement, though he still was not informed why he felt that way.
"Oh, okay." Ms. Lincoln still had that look on her face that said she knew something they didn't.
Abby rolled her eyes and asked the question, "Mom, is it alright if 30c can come with us?" Her mother raised an eyebrow. "With us to San Francisco? I guess. I mean I'm going to be busy and it won't be that fun for you without someone your age to hang around with."
30c grinned. "Thanks, Ms. Lincoln. I appreciate this."
And soon they set off for the airport.
