Lionblaze Lost the Lightning

Chapter 5: (You're) Too Sweet

a/n: So since I'm writing Apprentice and Pregnant 2 also, I type Firepaw out of habit instead of Firestar. I've had to correct myself so many times when I'm writing this story lol

Lionblaze pulled into Dovewings driveway, wincing as he accidentally drove onto her lawn a bit. He looked out his window, hoping he didn't tear up the grass. A giant tire track met his view.

They won't notice, he told himself as he parked the car. He looked at Dovewings house, wondering which window led to her room. He locked the car and got out, grabbing his coat and putting it on. It's freaking cold out tonight! He wished he brought a better jacket than Hollyleafs raincoat; he zipped up the zipper all the way to the top with shaking fingers. He felt his pocket vibrate suddenly, and he pulled out his phone.

Txt from: Hollyleaf

Did you take all my smokes and money?

Lionblaze could barely type with his cold fingers, but he managed to send a quick reply anyway.

Idk

Lionblaze looked at the clock on his phone, realizing it was nearly two in the morning. Ugh, why is Hollyleaf still up? He thought to himself, feeling worried. She KNOWS she works tomorrow, and she's gonna be hungover and tired all day.

Lionblaze put up his hood on the jacket, which had fur around the edges. It was Hollyleafs favorite coat, and she never let Lionblaze borrow it. It was really expensive; Hollyleafs voice rang in his ears. You'd just spill coffee or juice on it and you know it. Why the hell do you want to borrow it anyways? It's obviously a girl's coat!

His phone vibrated again, distracting him.

Txt from: Hollyleaf.

What do you mean, you don't know? And where the heck is my car?

Lionblaze didn't really know how to explain himself so he didn't reply. If she asks later I'll just say I had bad service. He walked closer to Dovewings house, trying to figure out which window was hers. He swore as he stubbed his toe on a lawn ornament, kicking it a few feet away. Shit. I'm gonna wake up everyone in her goddamn house. He walked around a bit more, noticing one of the windows had a light on. There was purple curtains, and a bunch of pop cans on the windowsill. That must be hers. I think she has purple curtains… Probably. He picked up a few rocks, throwing them at the window. They clanged off way louder than he thought they would, and he swore again.

"Dovewing!" Lionblaze half whispered and half yelled, hoping he wouldn't wake her dad up. "Dovewing, open your window!"

He threw some more rocks, reaching into his pocket to look at his phone again.

5 txt messages from: Hollyleaf

He ignored it and grabbed her smokes, lightning one up as he continued to throw rocks at the window. They clattered off and landed in the flower pots below. He was just reaching down to pick up some more when the window opened. Lionblaze's smile turned to a look of horror when he realized it was Dovewings dad.

"Lionblaze?" The dad said sleepily, putting on his glasses and squinting his eyes. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, ah," Lionblaze chucked the smoke away at once. "Good morning. I thought this was Dovewings room."

"Is there something wrong with the door?" Her dad sighed loudly, rubbing his forehead. "Lionblaze, it's two in the morning. Are you drunk?"

"No," Lionblaze replied. "I didn't drink anything. I just wanted to see Dovewing… sorry about all the rocks."
"It's fine," the dad mumbled. "Just come on in, Lionblaze. The doors unlocked."

"Thanks," Lionblaze said, happy that he wasn't mad. He ran around the house again and walked in the front door, hanging up Hollyleafs coat on the hanger. The dad walked over, looking very tired. He yawned and looked over at the coat hangers.

"That's a nice coat," he commented, touching the brown fake fur. "Where'd you get this?"

"It's actually my sisters," Lionblaze said proudly.

"Very nice," the dad mumbled, pulling his hands away. He looked over at Lionblaze, looking awkward. "Dovewings sleeping right now," he said slowly. "Do you want to just sleep over? You can hang out with her in the morning."

"I guess," Lionblaze said, looking down. "I'm sorry for coming over so late. It's just… well…"

"You were at a party," the dad finished his sentence for him. "I already know, Lionblaze. She told me."

"She was upset, wasn't she," Lionblaze whispered. The dad shrugged, looking down. Lionblaze knew what the answer was and he didn't even have to say anything.

"That's why I'm not mad that you threw rocks at my window and woke me up," the dad smiled a slow half smile, looking at Lionblaze with kind eyes. "I'd much rather have you over here than out drinking and doing drugs somewhere. It shows a strong character on your part, Lionblaze. I'm proud of you."

"Oh," Lionblaze said in surprise, not expecting that at all. "Well, thank you."

"How about we go make some coffee and play a game," the dad offered, walking away in the direction of the kitchen. "I'm wide awake now anyway."

"Sure!" Lionblaze kicked off his shoes and followed him, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"Where was the party, anyway?" the dad asked as he shook some coffee grinds into a filter. "Ivypool mentioned that a boy she knows was having a party tonight, but I didn't let her go."

"Probably a good choice," Lionblaze mumbled, feeling embarrassed. He had completely forgotten Dovewing had an older sister. "Who was having the party?"

"His name is Firestar," the dad sighed, rolling his eyes. "The kids nothing but trouble. I've known him since he was very young, and I swear he only gets worse."

"Oh," Lionblaze looked down, thinking of Firestar and how much he liked him. "Yeah, he's known to um, cause a commotion sometimes."

"I know," the dad said simply. "I've seen your Facebook pictures."

Lionblaze took a deep breath, knowing very well that that could be bad. He had an entire album dedicated to him and Firestar, usually drunker than hell. The dad finished the coffee and set a cup down in front of Lionblaze. He sat down across the table from him, and looked at him with sad eyes. The mention of Firestar had made Lionblaze sad too; he sat and swirled the coffee around in the cup, staring at it.

"When this baby comes," the dad said slowly. "How are you going to support it?"

"Well," Lionblaze thought hard, realizing he had nothing to show for himself. "Um…"

"You live in your sister's house," the dad started, voice stern. "You drive your sister's car. She pays the rent. She buys your food. And that lottery money isn't going to last forever. When this child is born, how are you going to pay for it?"

Lionblaze swirled the coffee more, splashing a little out of the cup. It burned his hands but he didn't care. His anxiety grew by the second as he realized he didn't have an answer.

"Are you planning on living with your brother and sister forever?" the dad continued, crossing his arms. "Is the baby going to be raised in that house, where you smoke indoors and have parties twice a week?"

"I…" Lionblaze's voice broke off, and his hands grew clammy. He started shivering, suddenly feeling like he was standing out in the cold again. I feel horrible, Lionblaze thought to himself. He's right… I don't have anything going on to support a child. And I'm expected to, because Dovewing is still in school… Oh, why have I put off thinking about this until now?

"I know you don't have an answer, so I don't expect one," the dad said at last. "I really like you Lionblaze. You have a gentle heart and a kind soul. I just worry sometimes. Your sister can't take care of you forever."

"Hollyleaf, wake up," Firestar said, half asleep as he shoved Hollyleaf a few times. Hollyleaf groaned and rolled over, nearly falling off the couch. Her back hurt, and she reached under her to find an empty beer can.

"You gotta go to work," Firestar said, shaking her again. "Come on. I'll drive you."

"What time is it," Hollyleaf asked, sitting up groggily. She pulled on her green sweater that was laying on the floor, and combed her fingers through her hair.

"You look awful," Firestar said in a pleasant voice.

"Gee, thanks," Hollyleaf glared at him, but stopped when she realized he looked downright haggard. His eyes were red and bloodshot, with black bags under them. His lips were a little too red, matching his cheeks. His shoulder length orange hair stuck out from under a black toque, and he was wearing a gray hoodie that was at least four sizes too big.

"You look as bad as I feel," Hollyleaf giggled. Firestar smiled at her, not caring at all that he looked like crap.

"I woke you up an hour early," Firestar said. "Just in case you wanted to have a shower before you go to work."

"That was considerate of you," Hollyleaf said in total surprise. Firestars acting WAY out of character… waking me up early, offering me a ride… what's going on

"I'm gonna clean up while you get ready," Firestar said, kicking cans under the couch as he spoke. "I have no clue where Longtail is, but he probably won't appreciate his house looking this shitty. The shower doesn't work very well by the way, so you gotta smack it a few times."
"Okay," Hollyleaf said, getting up off the couch. As she stood up, her hangover kicked in full blast; making her want to fall over and throw up at the same time.

"Ugh, we drank too much last night," she mumbled.

"It was a good fucking party," Firestar replied, throwing more cans behind a chair. Hollyleaf walked into the bathroom, realizing that a shower was a really good idea. She shoved a bunch of clutter off the bathtub ledge and took off her clothes; realizing Firestar wasn't exaggerating about the shower not working. She whacked the rusty shower nozzle a few times, shrieking as it started spurting out ice cold water. She got out at once, waiting for it to warm up.

"Do you need any help?" Firestar asked from behind the door.

"DON'T COME IN!" Hollyleaf screamed, realizing that that was unnecessary because the door was locked. "I have no clothes on."

"Chill," Firestar said in an exaggerated voice. Hollyleaf relaxed as she heard him walk away. She put her hand out in front of the shower water to test it again, wincing.

Now it was scalding hot.

Hollyleaf climbed into the passenger seat of Firestars dark blue car, kicking trash out of the way to make room. Beside her, Firestar swore as he tried to start it. The car made some groaning sounds, but it wouldn't work.

"Maybe it's like the shower," Hollyleaf said, trying to make a joke. "Just smack it a few times."

Firestar whacked it with his hands, beating the poor car as if it owed him money. He turned the key again, and nodded as it started.

"Nice," he smiled, looking behind him as he pulled out of the driveway. Hollyleaf reached into her pocket, rolling her eyes as she realized Lionblaze had her smokes still. Stupid Lionblaze, just takes all my stuff.

"Excited for work?" Firestar asked, looking over at her.

"No," Hollyleaf said. Nervous, maybe. I haven't seen Ashfur since my interview. "What have you got planned for the day?"

"I'm probably just gonna go hang out at Brambleclaws house," Firestar said, picking up the half empty beer can that was in the cup holder. Hollyleaf realized with a jolt that it was the same can that was filled with vodka that she had seen yesterday. She looked over sadly at Firestar, wishing he didn't feel the need to drink before noon. Then to her surprise, Firestar opened the window and threw it out.

She stared at him in awe.

"What?" Firestar asked, glancing at her awkwardly. "Don't start harping on me about wasting alcohol. If you wanted it, you shoulda said something."

"No, I didn't want it," Hollyleaf said slowly, feeling as though she was looking at him with a new light. Firestar glanced over again, his red hair almost covering his green eyes. "I just didn't want that shit in my car, okay?" he said quickly, turning his eyes back to the road. "By the way, I made you some coffee."

Hollyleaf stared in even more awe as Firestar reached behind him and grabbed a thermos that was sitting on the back seat. He handed it to Hollyleaf as they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant.

"Thanks for the ride," Hollyleaf said gratefully. Wow, I can't get over this! What happened to Firestar? Where's the not caring, swearing every second word asshole that I'm used to?

"See ya," Firestar said as she got out of the car. "Don't work any harder than I would."

She waved as he sped away, shaking her head as he drifted out of the parking lot like he was in a racing movie, nearly hitting three different people in the process. There's the old Firestar.

She climbed the steps into the restaurant, taking a sip of the coffee Firestar had made. At once her face twisted up, and she nearly spat it back out.

It was far too sweet.