Rick's POV
The world seemed like a dark, lonely place as I drove to school by myself. When my alarm went off this morning, I got up to go and wake up my sister, only to remember that she had gotten suspended yesterday. Our parents were a little criss with her when they first heard, but after they heard that it was self defense, they were more understanding. I turned away from her door to go and do my bathroom routine. Once I stepped outside the sun had risen a bit and it was cloudy. This only added to the feeling of despair. I know it seems a tad bit over dramatic, but without everyone there it was gonna be… lonely. Without Kate to talk to in class, without Angel making random remarks, and Lilly to just brighten any mood. I couldn't even count on that.
Silently I climbed in my truck and I was off. The ride was silent, I didn't even bother to turn on any music. I just drove until I had made it to school. I of course would have to make up the work from yesterday because I had left to go and take care of Kate. messed up or not, I actually really enjoyed taking care of her. Of course I would never want her to be in any type of pain, but if she was I would always be there for her. Yes she was still sick, but Lilly was there to take care of her this time. I still felt kind of bad seeing her the way that she was yesterday. Angel had seemed to calm her down a bit but still, she seemed really upset.
I pulled in next to Humphrey and shut my truck off. I then looked sadly to the passenger side of the truck and… it seemed so empty without Angel. Normally I wouldn't be so upset by this, it's a normal thing to not have her in the car all the time, but the fact that half of our group wasn't here because of the shit that went down, it seemed like everything was falling apart again. Just when it seemed to be getting better again too. I sighed and unbuckled my seatbelt to get out. Once I did I walked around the truck to meet Humphrey who met me at the back.
"Hey, Shaky ain't here yet?" I asked, scanning the parking lot as if he was magically just gonna show up.
"No, he didn't say anything about being sick though, maybe he's just running late" Humphrey said. The reason we were always used to Shaky being here first was because he lived the closest to the school, so whenever he didn't show up it was because he overslept, or he was sick, or even a doctor's appointment.
"Hopefully he ain't sick, Kate was pretty bad yesterday" I said. I then leaned against the tail gate and Humphrey did the same as both of our hands were dug in our pockets for warmth.
"Yeah, I messaged her yesterday when I got home. She said she was fine" Humphrey replied. I Laughed lightly.
"Yeah… she would want you to believe that, she hates when people worry about her '' I explained. Just then I saw Shaky's car come into the parking lot, driving over to us.
"There he is" Humphrey said. I only nodded in response as we watched him park. We heard his car turn off and the his door open and shut. Now we just had to wait for him to walk around. When he did he also had his hands dug in his pockets, but unlike me and Humphrey, his was in his jacket pockets.
"Hey guys, been waiting long?" Shaky asked.
"Not really no," Humphrey answered. Shaky sighed.
"Any idea how every girl in our group got suspended?" he asked. I scoffed.
"Our new saga of bullshit" I said.
"I know, it's gonna suck without them" Shaky replied. Thunder roared in the distance, making me look up to see that the sky seemed to get dark just a little bit away.
"Hear that? Looks like things won't be so bad for ya Rick" Humphrey said, tapping my arm. I loved stormy weather.
"Hopefully it wont start raining until we're inside" I replied, looking at the clouds still.
"Should we start heading over there now? It's almost eight" Shaky said, looking at his phone. I checked my watch and then turned to Shaky.
"Yeah… lets go" I said, beginning my walk over to the building as the others followed me and thunder roared again.
"It didn't say it was supposed to rain yesterday did it?" Shaky asked.
"I don't know, I didn't look," Humphrey answered. I then felt small rain droplets as the storm had finally reached us, and I didnt wanna get stuck behind everyone trying to get in the building.
"Once we get inside I'm gonna head to class alright guys? I'll see ya at lunch" I said. The others agreed and so I continued speed walking to the door as Humphrey and Shaky followed. To our surprise we were let in before the first bell. Before I went to leave for my class though, Humphrey gave me another pat on the arm.
"See ya soon bro" he said, taking off for his class. For Shaky it would be later since because of my schedule this year I only had him in one class after lunch, as for Humphrey though I had him in third period. It wouldn't be too long though until I saw the two, or three including Salty.
When lunch time finally did roll around, the four of us took a seat at the table. Shaky had his hands folded as he rested his head on them, meanwhile me and Humphrey took a short glance around the table.
"It's weird without any of the girls here," Humphrey said sadly. Salty shrugged.
"Come on, we can still have fun. I mean what's really the difference?" he asked.
"I don't know, it's just weird without them" I said, taking out my phone. By now Kate should definitely be awake, and I really wanted to check on her and see how she was.
R. hey. Are you up?
K. yeah. What's up?
R. not much. Me and the guys are sitting at lunch right now, we all miss you girls.
K. can't live without us huh? Why don't you come over after school?
R. How are ya feelin?
K. better, if I wasn't suspended I woulda tried to come in today. Normally when I'm sick like that it's only for one day.
R. So you're completely better? That's good.
K. well not a-hundred percent. I still feel a little dizzy and weak. I'll be fine though. Lilly's been taking real good care of me.
R. well I'm glad you're feeling a bit better. I'll admit though, I loved taking care of you.
K. like at the hospital?
R. Sure, I just love making you happy.
K. I guess I should get used to it.
R. you aren't already?
K. I think it goes both ways.
I smiled at my phone, she did make me happy, she really did. I couldn't wait to spend my life with her and then some. I was pulled out of my state of happiness however by Shaky, who patted me on the shoulder to get my attention.
"Hey, look who's back?" he said. I looked up to see where he was looking. Across the cafeteria was Garth, talking with his buddies at another table. He seemed to be… just hanging out. I don't know I found it so weird but something about it just seemed off. I saw him nod at something that was said to him and then get up, crinkling a bag in his hand. I guess he was going to throw something out. When he got up to head over to the trash can I stood up as well.
"Rick?" Humphrey called out to me very subtly. I didn't pay him any mind though, I needed to take this chance and see what was going on. I walked over to Garth as he threw the small bag out and then stopped when he turned around and faced me. His slight smile faded once we made eye contact.
"Oh… Rick…" he said awkwardly. I didn't really know how to start this conversation. Garth tried walking past me saying a quick "excuse me"
"Wait" I said, stopping him. He did stop as well asd turn around, I did the same to face him once more. "I just… have to ask… what happened with your cousin?" I asked. I saw Garth's face tense for a moment before he replied to me.
"What about her?" he asked, seemingly a bit angry.
"Did you… tell her to go after my sister?" I asked. I didn't want to but there was no way that Hutch would know if he didn't put it in the chat. The only clue I had was when he said he was planning something for her.
"No, I didn't. Is that all you wanted to ask me or can I go on with my day?" Garth asked. I don't know if I believed him.
"Your friends showed up at my house, Mindy attacked my sister, so did her friends" I listed. He was starting to see the point.
"So you think I put them up to it?" Garth asked angrily.
"You may have had an influence but your friends said that you didn't" I answered. Garth scoffed.
"Yeah I figured you would think something like that. They were right, I didn't put them up to it, I didn't put Mindy up to anything either. I just ranted to them and they took matters into their own hands, I apologize for that" Garth said. He apologizes? What the fuck is going on with him? Did he get laid?
"What about Mindy's friends?" I asked.
"Like my friends I have no control over what they do. I simply asked mine to stop. Mindy though I don't know. After what Kate did to her I don't think she could just forget about everything" Garth explained.
"So what are you mad at her?" I asked.
"Mad at who?" Garth asked back.
"Kate," I answered. I needed to know right here and now if she was in any sort of danger.
"No… I can't be mad at her. You know you might not actually believe it but I really do love her… you took her from me and I fucking hate you for it. But… I guess I can admit that… I went far at times… I can ask Mindy to talk with her friends but I can't promise anything. Can I go now?" Garth asked. Went far at times. Yeah I'd say. But why was he being like this all of a sudden?
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked. I didn't buy this act for a second.
"What do you mean?" Garth asked aggravated.
"I mean why are you being so cool all of a sudden?" I asked, for lack of a better word. I saw Garth grow angry again.
"Is that what you came over here for? Another fight? I don't wanna fight you, I don't want to be anywhere near you. Because of you, I can't have the girl of my dreams, and you seem to be doing better than ever. Me though… I'm about to lose my spot on the team, and if that happens I am fucked. I won't be able to do what I want to do, and I won't be able to progress the way that I need to" Garth ranted, but what was that about him progressing the way that he needed to?
"Garth…" I started but he backed up.
"No. I'm done, I tried getting somewhere but I'm done. You keep coming after me, or thinking that I'm behind everything because I started it, I'll admit it, I started it. But everything else, I'm just an easy target, someone to blame. Well you know what? Fuck you. Leave me alone Rick" Garth said. And with that he walked away making me feel… bad? Was I really feeling bad for this prick? Was this an act? No it couldn't be, he just explained why it wasn't, and from what Kate told me, Mindy did mention something about Garth's spot on the team.
"You okay?" I heard someone ask next to me. I turned to see that it was Humphrey, hand on my shoulder.
"I don't know Humphrey, I really don't know" I answered. I was stuck with this conversation in my head for the rest of the day. Was it really over? Did Garth really mean what he said? The possibility of this ending seemed almost unreal. He wasn't out for revenge anymore? It just… didn't make sense to me. Was I in the wrong?
After school I walked out to my truck, I say walked but really it was more like running. Because of the pouring rain and thunder, I couldn't get to my truck without getting drenched. When I finally got inside though I shook from the cold of the rain. I turned on the truck and then heard a beep next to my truck. I looked over to see it was Humphrey in his car. I could just barely make out through the rain-covered windows him waving. That gave me an idea though. I pulled out my phone and dialed him. I watched as he dug awkwardly in his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Are you doing anything right now?" I asked.
"Well, I think Salty and Shaky are hanging out right now, and Lilly is taking care of Kate. I was gonna go over and see them but I don't wanna get sick" Humphrey explained. I nodded even though he couldn't see it.
"Yeah… listen Humphrey, I really need to talk with you about something. Want to go to a diner or something and hang out? At least for a little bit" I offered. I heard Humphrey sigh into the phone.
"I would, but it's pouring out," he said.
"Come on Humphrey, when you get home you're gonna have to run to the door anyway. Come on, this is really important" I said. Humphrey took a moment to answer but when he did I was pleased with the result.
"Alright. Where?" He asked.
"Stewarts?" I suggested. I saw him turn to me again through the windows.
"Sounds like a plan," he said. I smiled.
"Alright. See ya there" I replied.
"Alright, see ya soon brotha" Humphrey said before hanging up. Brotha? That's a new one, I guess we were a family. I put my windshield wipers on full blast and began driving to the restaurant.
"Alright so are you gonna tell me what's wrong? It's not about you and Kate is it?" Humphrey asked as he twirled his straw around in his root beer mug. When we pulled up to the diner we didn't even greet each other. I just ran inside while Humphrey did the same, except with him he had thrown his black jacket over his head to keep himself as dry as he could. It sorta worked. Humphrey often wore this jacket, unzipped with a black shirt and jeans. Not always that combination but the jacket was there. I don't know if it was the pockets or not but there were two on each side, by his stomach, and on his chest. It looked nice. We got a table as I tried to warm up once again from the outside. The diner smelled amazing but felt cold as they had the air on. It was part of the experience though. We picked a table, ordered our drinks and received them before putting in our order. Humphrey got a cheeseburger while I got chicken strips. Childish I know but the seasoning they put is to die for.
"No no, nothing like that… it's actually Garth" I said, looking up at him, across the table after saying that. Humphrey looked unimpressed.
"Him again? What the hell does he want now?" Humphrey asked, aggravated.
"That's the thing, when I went to talk to him about what happened he seemed… different. Like he wanted nothing to do with us" I explained. Humphrey tilted his head in confusion.
"Isn't that a good thing?" he asked before taking a sip of his root beer.
"Well yeah but… it's not like him. I don't trust it. But he said that he didn't put his friends up to go to my house, he didn't set Mindy up to attack Angel, and he even went as far as to say that he would talk with her. He said he was heartbroken about me taking Kate from him and that he just wanted to forget, and then he told me that he was close to losing his spot on the team and that's why he wants to be left alone" I explained, looking down again and feeling bad. I still didnt know why.
"Fuck him, if what he's saying is true then thats great" Humphrey replied.
"Yeah but that's the thing, it seems too good to be true. But am I being too…" I didn't finish my question after hesitating. Humphrey answered my question for me.
"You aren't anything dude. You're just cautious. And after what that son of a bitch put you through you should be. I'm amazed you even feel the way you do" Humphrey explained. Now it was my turn to feel confused.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Come on, your ears fell flat as you were telling me about him just now. You feel bad for him don't you?" Humphrey asked. I didn't answer. I just avoided his gaze. "Yeah, that's what I thought. He almost killed you Rick. Why do you feel bad for him?" Humphrey asked. I answered the truth.
"Honestly Humphrey… I don't know, I don't even know if it's that I feel bad, I think I'm just questioning myself and I feel like an ass for it" I said. My phone went off again, grabbing my attention. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw that it was a text from Kate. I went to answer as thunder roared outside, making Humphrey turn to the window right next to us.
K. hey. You okay?
R. Yeah, sorry I didn't answer you earlier. I'm just talking with Humphrey right now.
K. alright. I just wanted to know you were alright. Talk later?
R. anytime.
K. alright. I love you XOXO
R. love you too
"Kate?" Humphrey asked.
"Yeah… I don't know what to do Humphrey. On one hand I just want all this to be over, carry on with our lives. Graduate, get married, move" I said.
"In that order?" Humphrey smiled. I laughed lightly.
"No," I said. My smile faded as I continued. "On the other hand… I want Kate, Angel, you, everyone in our family to be safe… but I don't wanna be wrong about it. If I keep pursuing Garth and he actually wants this over with too. I'll feel like an ass" I explained.
"I'll say it again Rick. he stabbed you, almost killed you. You have every right to be suspicious of him. You don't have to go after him, just be cautious. We were already doing that anyway '' Humphrey said, even though it wasn't completely true. If we were all on our toes, being cautious at every second. Then Angel wouldn't have gotten the jump on her.
"So you don't think I'm wrong?" I asked. Humphrey shook his head.
"No, even if you didn't tell me your side of everything. I still wouldn't trust him" Humphrey said, making me nod.
"So… if he is lying, then what are we gonna do about Mindy?" I asked. Humphrey shrugged.
"I mean… she was already taken care of by Kate with no hassle from the looks of it, and Angel and Lilly took her friends on just fine too. I think we'll be fine" Humphrey answered. It all made sense except one little thing.
"But… what if they do something more, bring weapons or something like that" I said. Humphrey sighed.
"I don't think there's a way that we can be ready for that. All we can do is hope that it doesn't happen" Humphrey said. I looked down yet again, making Humphrey add to his point. "Yeah , I know. But hey… at least you have that gun" he said.
"Yeah… at least I have that" I said. It was then silent we both sat at the table, the other people around us seemingly having fun and light hearted conversations while me and Humphrey were pretty much talking about survival.
"So… is that all?" Humphrey asked.
"Yep, that about covers it" I answered. Humphrey nodded,I then smiled. "Hey Humphrey?" I asked.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"Was that brotha thing on the phone a permanent thing?" I asked. Humphrey smiled back at me.
"Maybe, I'm still thinking of what to call you guys in terms of family," he said. I started laughing.
"Alright, you'll figure something out," I said. Humphrey laughed with me.
"Yeah, I always do," he said. Our food came out ten minutes later as we continued talking about better topics.
When I got home the rain had calmed down to simple drops. No longer wasit a downpour. I locked my truck and then went inside. As I walked the stairs I heard Angel down the hall.
"That you Rick?" she called.
"Yep" I called back. She didn't say anything else so I continued with my usual after school activities. Showering and plopping on the bed until the next activity came up. This time though instead of going there right away I stopped by Angel's room. She was laying in bed on her laptop playing a game. I wasn't sure what it was. She turned to the door frame for a second and then looked back at her laptop.
"What's up?" she asked.
"Nothin, have you talked to Lilly?" I asked.
"Yeah, she's doing alright. Still bummed about what happened but she's fine. I talked to Kate also" Angel smiled. I smiled as well.
"Oh yeah? Why are you smiling like that?' I asked. Angel paused the game and then turned to me.
"When is the last time you two had sex?" Angel asked, catching me off guard.
"What?" I asked.
"You heard me," Angel answered. I thought back for a moment, scratching my head.
"I don't know, since we were snowed in?" I said.
"Damn, that explains a lot," Angel replied.
"What do ya mean?" I asked. Angel lowered her muzzle while still keeping eye contact with me, as if to give me a slightly stern look.
"She is really horny. And she really wants to talk with you" Angel explained. I laughed.
"You could've just said that," I said. Angel shrugged. 'What about you? How are you?" I asked jokingly. Angel turned to me again with an adorable smile.
"Just fine, now go on. Your Katie needs you" Angel said. I laughed and then heard my phone go off again. It was a text from Kate.
"Hey, are you ready to talk now? I kinda want to talk to you about some things, like how I'm feeling really thirsty. I've slipped my fingers in myself and masturbaited two times today thinking about you. I'm really wet and could use some of that sticky, hot liquid you've been keeping to yourself. Come on, my fur is nice and wet, especially down there. I'm dripping all down my ass. I've been getting all hot and bothered and it's left me all sweaty. I really need to discuss some dirty things with you before I wet my bed again 3"
I smiled at the text.
"What?" Angel asked.
"You would swear. That she's still in heat" I said. Angel laughed and shook her head as she went back to playing the game. I went to my room and shut the door, finally plopping onto the bed and dialing Kate. I put the phone to my ear and not one ring later, she picked up.
"I'm guessing you got my text?" Kate asked seductively.
"Yeah, I got it" I smiled. I heard her sexy giggle on the other end.
"Why don't we try something different since you can't be here to really take care of me" Kate said.
"What did you have in mind?" I asked.
"How about we try something a little old-fashioned?" Kate answered. I could already feel myself growing in my sweatpants.
"Sounds like fun," I said