~Kari’s POV~
I was sleeping soundly when I was woken up by a noise coming from downstairs. It was about three. I got up and walked downstairs cautiously. I was relieved to see that it was just my dad.
“Dad, where are you going at three in the morning?” I asked curiously.
“I have to go. Go back to bed, I’ll explain later.” He walked out the door. I was starting to get a little worried. What happened? I turned off the lights and made my way back upstairs to my room. I wanted to ask my dad what had happened as soon as he got back, but I soon found myself sleeping against my will.
~~~~~~~~~~~
I woke up and looked at the clock. It was five in the morning. I got up quickly and made my way downstairs. My eyes went wide when I saw who was sitting at the table with my dad. Tony. They both looked up at me.
“Dad, remember when you told me you would explain? Yea well this would probably be a good time.”
My dad stood up and led me to the living room. “Listen Kari, last night, I had to go pick up Tony. He’s going to be staying here for a while.”
No. He was just joking right? “What? Why?” I asked.
“Because… his apartment burned down last night. He has nowhere else to go and is probably really upset right now so just please try to get along with him ok?” I instantly felt bad.
“O-ok.” I stuttered. This wasn’t going to be easy, but I had to try. We walked back into the kitchen where Tony sat at the table looking down while his hands played with an empty mug. I tried to be kind, “You uh want some more coffee?” I asked in a somewhat low voice. He didn’t bother to look up “No thanks.” He simply said. I made my way over to the fridge and took out some things that I would use to make breakfast.
My dad and Tony stayed talking at the table, “Listen Tone, I know the past few hours have been really tough so I want you to stay home for a couple days and miss work.”
“What? I can’t miss work now that I have to save up to pay for my own place!”
“Don’t worry about that Tony. We’ll figure things out later, but for now, just relax for a bit. Maybe you and Kari can go somewhere today to get your mind cleared.”
I looked over to them and Tony looked over to me, “but they wouldn’t let me get my truck for a while since it was on the other side of the building from where we evacuated.”
“Well you guys can take Kari’s car.”
Right then I was done cooking and set the food on the table for the three of us. My dad ate quickly and said bye to us on his way out the door. The room was completely silent for a few minutes. I looked up at Tony, he had barely touched his food.
“Why aren’t you eating?” I asked.
“I’m not hungry.” He said in a voice barely above a whisper. He got up and headed upstairs. I sighed and continued to eat in silence. When I was done, I picked up Tony and I plates and washed them. I then headed upstairs and went to my room. I scanned through a few drawers trying to decide what I would wear. I finally settled for a Bring Me the Horizon shirt and red skinny jeans. I headed towards the bathroom, passing Tony’s room on the way. The door was open and he sat at the edge of his bed looking at the ground. I forced myself to continue the walk to the bathroom as much as I wanted to figure out how to make him feel better. I showered and got dressed. I towel dried and brushed my hair before leaving the bathroom. I stood at the door of Tony’s room and knocked on it.
He slowly looked up and said, “Hey.”
“Hey,” I replied, “um so you want to do something today?” I asked.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Well first of all, you can barely stand me, and I don’t know if I’m up for anything….”
“Well even if I can’t stand you, or you can’t stand me, being stuck in here is boring. So I’m not asking I’m telling you to get ready so we can get the hell out of here.” I said laughing a little at the end. He gave me a surprised look. Honestly, even I was surprised at myself for wanting to spend the day with him. “The bathroom is at the end of the hall.” I informed his as he grabbed some clothes out of a backpack. ”Thanks.” He said as he left the room and headed to the bathroom. I returned to my room and put on my shoes. After about fifteen minutes, Tony was out of the bathroom. He went to his room to finish getting ready then came out. I saw him standing at the door of my room. I got up and we headed down stairs. I grabbed the keys from the counter and we headed towards the car after I locked the door. We climbed in and all of the sudden I felt my phone vibrate. I reached for it and read a text message I had just received. It was from my boss. It said that a customer needed pictures of a mountain view urgently and that she needed me to do the job. I face-palmed myself a little frustrated that she had texted me last minute, but I also felt relieved because I honestly had no idea where I would take Tony. I replied with ok and I slouched in my seat.
“Everything ok?” Tony asked from the passenger seat.
“Um yea. I just got a text from work and they need me to do something.”
“You have a job?” he asked a bit surprised. I was a bit offended that he thought I was just a person that lives off their parent.
“Yes I do actually.”
“Oh. Well what do you work as?”
“I’m a nature photographer. My boss said that a customer urgently needs mountain view pictures and she needs me to get the job done.”
“Oh well you want me to go back inside?” he asked already reaching for the door handle.
“No no no. You can come with me. You up for a trip to the mountains?” I mentally slapped myself. Why did I say that? I should’ve just let him stay home.
“Ummm sure if you don’t mind.”
“No not at all. I’ll be right back let me just go grab my camera.” I leaped out of the car and jogged to the door. I opened it and ran upstairs. I grabbed all my camera equipment and sprinted back outside. I closed the door for the second time and placed all my things in the back seat. I got in the driver’s seat and turned on the car.