"You can just admit that you give up," Reyna taunted as she looked down at her sister. Why Hylla would think to challenge a cage fighter to a wrestling match Reyna would never know. She would be lying if she said it didn't feel great to completely wipe the floor with Hylla.
"You're cheating," Hylla complained.
"Or I have just been training for years," Reyna countered slyly. Hylla tried to pull away from the front headlock that she was trapped in. Reyna had it locked in tight enough that Hylla couldn't escape, but she was careful not to hurt her.
"Cheating," Hylla wheezed. She huffed as she tried to pull away once more. Reyna smirked as it was no use. "Fine! You win."
"You have to say you give up," Reyna teased. She heard Hylla grumble under her breath. "What was that?"
"I give up," Hylla muttered. Reyna's smirk widened before she released her hold on her sister. She stood up in triumph, satisfied with victory over her older sibling. The door to the room opened, drawing Reyna's attention to the newcomer. Distracted and with her guard down, Reyna had no chance to react as Hylla wrapped two arms around her waist and pulled her to the side, throwing her on the couch and pinning her.
"And you call me the cheater?" Reyna complained. She felt Hylla sit on the small of her back. While Reyna could probably shove her off, she didn't want to hurt Hylla or tip the couch.
"Yeah yeah," Hylla dismissed. Reyna lifted her head enough to watch Kinzie walk in. "Hey, babe."
"The investor pulled out," Kinzie muttered.. She took her jacket off and threw it to the side. It wasn't until she closed the door and turned to them that she seemed to notice their position. "Oh. Hey, Reyna."
"What investor?" Reyna questioned. Neither Hylla nor Kinzie answered her right away, and that slightly irritated her. "Investor for what?"
Hylla stood up and still didn't answer. She walked towards Kinzie and pulled her into a supporting hug. Reyna sat up and watched both of them.
"You didn't tell her?" Kinzie whispered so softly that Reyna barely heard. Hylla shook her head.
"What investor are you two talking about?" Reyna asked as she stood up to meet them. Hylla looked at her and sighed. "Hylla?"
"We're trying to start our own company," Hylla muttered.
"What kind of company?" Reyna slowly asked. She wasn't sure why Hylla was so hesitant to tell her about this. Did she think Reyna wouldn't care? If there were investors, they had to be far along in the process.
"It's a coffee shop of sorts," Hylla answered nervously. Reyna raised an eyebrow and motioned for her sister to continue.
"Our plan was to employ homeless kids to give them a safe place to stay and work," Kinzie explained.
"Oh," Reyna exhaled after a few moments. She looked at her sister, but Hylla didn't even spare her a glance. Reyna wasn't sure what to say, so she looked back at Kinzie. "Why did the investor pull out?"
"He thinks that with having homeless kids employed, all they'll do is steal from the register or not show up, and we won't have enough people to work," Kinzie elaborated. "He doesn't think it will be profitable enough. At first, he was all in, but something gave him cold feet."
"How much was he investing?" Reyna pressed.
"Almost a hundred thousand," Hylla answered. "That's half of our costs. Without that money, we're dead in the water."
"We can try for a smaller shop babe," Kinzie said. "Or maybe push back our idea of hiring the homeless until we have our feet under us."
"I'll give you the money," Reyna offered suddenly. Kinzie looked at her in surprise. Hylla didn't even glance up. "I'm serious."
Between saving her fight money and living with a roommate, Reyna had saved up a lot of money. One hundred thousand dollars wasn't exactly a drop in the hat, but it wouldn't cripple her either. And truthfully, she wanted to help Hylla live out her dream.
"Absolutely not," Hylla refused.
"What? Why not?" Reyna asked, confused by Hylla's rejection.
"I'm not going to ask you for that kind of money, and you don't even owe it to me either," Hylla said.
"I don't feel like I owe it," Reyna began. "I just want to help you out."
"I already know you're offering it to make up for how guilty you feel for running away and not letting me back into your life. And I'm not going to let you do that," Hylla explained resolutely.
"But I want to do this," Reyna insisted. She stared down the barrel that was Hylla's rejecting glare, slowly processing the words that she had said. "Hylla."
"This isn't up for debate," Hylla snapped. "You don't have to pay me back to alleviate the guilt that you feel."
"I don't feel any guilt," Reyna snapped back. While it was a lie, she didn't know why her sister wouldn't accept her help. "I'm just trying to give you money to help you!"
"And I don't need any!" Hylla yelled. Kinzie stepped in front of her and whispered something to her girlfriend. Reyna wasn't just about to let herself be yelled at, though.
"You clearly do," Reyna said, raising her voice just a little bit. She wasn't yelling yet, but she was about to. "You just said your investor backed out, and you need a hundred grand. It doesn't matter if you don't want me to help; I want to. Can you not be so stingy, asshole?"
"Both of you stop!" Kinzie snapped. "You don't need to argue over this!"
"I'm not accepting money from you," Hylla hissed. "And, that's final."
"Whatever," Reyna muttered. She shoved past Hylla and made her way towards the door. "Just forget I said anything. I'll see you on Thanksgiving."
"Reyna," Hylla began. Reyna paid no attention to her sister. She just walked to her car and tore the door open. Reyna got in the car and slammed the door angrily. After jamming her key into the ignition, she tore out of the driveway and sped down the street.
How could Hylla be such an idiot? All Reyna wanted to do was help her sister out, but instead, she got screamed at for it. Reyna did her best to keep her temper in check as she raced down the street; but, she couldn't ignore the anger starting to erupt from the refusal.
Hylla wanted Reyna to open, but in keeping up her role as a hypocrite, Hylla wouldn't do the same damn thing. She wouldn't allow Reyna to help her out. Hylla couldn't swallow her pride and just take the money. It wasn't like Reyna was going to demand it back or force her sister to pay on a time frame.
Hylla kept saying that Reyna felt guilty for what had happened, but maybe, it was Hylla that was feeling guilty. Maybe she felt like this would be a way to make up to Reyna for kicking her out of the house. That was probably why she didn't want any help and was insistent on doing this alone.
It wasn't fair to Kinzie though. The two of them were going to be in the business together, and Hylla had made a serious financial decision for the both of them. Reyna doubted that the two had a lot of options if Kinzie looked so devastated about the investor pulling out.
And Reyna wasn't investing just out of guilt or whatever Hylla was trying to fabricate. Reyna really did want to help her sister. She also thought it was a great idea. If Lupa hadn't allowed Reyna to have a job, Reyna would still be on the streets. Why wouldn't she want to return the favor? Especially since she knew how it was to be without a home.
Reyna's mind raced the entire ride home, and she felt the anger inside of her growing and growing, continuing to boil up. By the time she pulled into her parking space, she slammed her fist into the steering wheel. A growl of pain left her as her broken knuckles were jolted. Reyna slammed her fist into the steering wheel again from the new frustration.
It only took a second of jolting pain for Reyna to immediately regret her decision. She gasped in pain and pressed her knuckles against her shirt. Reyna planted her forehead to the steering wheel and tried to ignore the throbbing in her hands. By the time Reyna got out of her car, she was in a worse mood than when she stormed out of Hylla's place.
Reyna stormed up into the apartment and towards the freezer. She grabbed a pack of ice and pressed it against her hand. Then she turned and marched away, slamming the freezer door shut behind her.
"What's wrong?" Nico asked. He was lounging on the couch and listening to music. It seemed like he had just gotten back from taking Frank and Hazel to the airport. Nico pulled his earbuds out and looked up at Reyna.
"Nothing," Reyna muttered.
"It's not nothing," Nico called her bluff. Reyna shook her head and walked towards her room. "I need to talk to you."
"Later," Reyna blew off. She could feel her temper slipping and the rage bubbling up again.
"It's important," Nico began.
"I don't care," Reyna snapped, turning on her roommate. "I do not care right now. Just leave me alone."
Reyna turned back towards her room and stepped inside. She slammed the door behind her and walked towards her bed. Reyna collapsed onto it, and she slammed her fist right into the pillow. It still ached, and she cursed at her stupidity.
Reyna laid on her stomach and kept the ice trapped between her hand and the bed. She rested her face against the soft pillow. Tears came to her eyes, but she refused to lower herself to crying. Hylla wasn't worth it. Reyna wiped her eyes and then buried her face back into her pillow. It took her an hour or two, but she finally fell asleep.
"Reyna, wake up."
"Reeeeeyna!"
"Wake up!"
"Gets up."
"Reyna!"
"Leave me alone," Reyna groaned as the annoying voice tore her from her blissful slumber. She cracked open one eye and looked at the time. "It's two in the morning, Nico. Go to bed."
"I need your help," Nico said. His voice sounded different, and Reyna couldn't tell if it was a plea or something else. Reyna groaned and rolled onto her stomach. She blinked a few times, and her nose crinkled as she smelled alcohol.
"Are you drunk?" Reyna questioned. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. If there was one thing she hated, it was being woken from her sleep. Especially when it was from drunken nonsense.
"What abouts it," Nico slurred. "Hazel and Frank need to be picked up from the airport."
"Airport?" Reyna slowly asked. She groaned and laid her head back. "They're not due back until Friday."
"Something happened, and Hazel called me crying. Can you just help me for once and take me?" Nico snapped, his voice still slurred but full of anger. Reyna looked at him in surprise. Nico glared at her and then turned. "Forget it. I'll drive myself."
"Nico," Reyna called out to the drunken fool, grabbing his arm to stop him. "You're not driving. Just give me a minute."
Nico grunted and walked away. Reyna slowly stood up from the bed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She grabbed her keys and wallet before heading out into the living room. Nico was standing by the door, but he seemed to be swaying. Reyna stopped by the fridge to grab an energy drink and then followed Nico to the car.
As the two made it to the car, Reyna practically had to help Nico walk. She watched him in concern but wasn't sure if she should ask him what was wrong. Reyna knew that Nico only got drunk when he was really upset. Did Hazel's crying really set him off this bad? Or was there something else to it?
Instead of asking, Reyna focused on driving. She stopped by a fast food place that Nico and Hazel loved. Reyna bought enough food to help Nico sober up and then food for Frank and Hazel. She also got something small for herself to eat while driving and downed her entire energy drink while she waited to pay.
The thirty-minute drive to the airport was one of silence. Nico ate his food and then kept quiet and to himself, staring down at his phone. Reyna held all of her attention on the road ahead and struggled a bit trying to stay awake. She finished her food by the time she pulled into the terminal, and she found it impressive considering she was eating it with her broken hand.
Reyna parked the car outside of the airport and got out. She followed Nico inside silently, and the two walked towards the incoming arrivals. Reyna finally asked the million dollar question, "What happened?"
"Hazel was trying to tell me something, but she was crying too much to hear her clearly. It was about her family," Nico answered quietly, sounding much better than before. Reyna nodded and didn't press further. She didn't ask why he had gotten drunk or why he was so upset. Instead, she found a wall to lean on and nearly fell asleep until Nico nudged her.
Reyna snapped awake and saw Nico walk towards Hazel. He made it to her side and pulled her into a tight hug. Hazel cried miserably into his chest. Frank was behind Hazel and trying to get their suitcases. Reyna walked towards him and grabbed one of them.
"You guys okay?" Reyna asked as she looked at Frank. The two of them hadn't really talked since Frank's fight, and she still felt terrible.
"I am. Not so much for Hazel. Her family only wanted money from her," Frank revealed. Reyna turned to look at Hazel.
"Assholes," Reyna decided. "Hazel doesn't deserve that."
"I agree," Frank said. Reyna sighed and walked with Frank towards Hazel and Nico.
"We bought you guys food," Reyna said. She gently rubbed Hazel's back. "Our place is closest, and Hazel can have my bed. I'll sleep on the couch. Let's just get you guys some sleep."
Hazel pulled away from Nico and turned towards Reyna. Fresh tears streamed down her face. Reyna wiped the tears from her eyes, and Hazel flung herself into Reyna's arms and cried miserably. Nico rubbed Hazel's back.
After a moment, Reyna shushed Hazel and rubbed her back as well. She spoke softly in her ear, "It's going to be okay. I promise. And, you know what? Screw them. They don't deserve you, Hazel. You are the sweetest, kindest, and most wonderful person I have ever met, and if they don't see that, they can be bitter and alone."
After a few moments, Hazel calmed down enough to pull away. She wiped her eyes and mumbled thanks to Reyna. Nico wrapped one arm around Hazel, and Frank did as well. The two led her outside. Reyna followed behind the three of them and looked down. She just wanted this day to be over with.