“Morning beautiful” Mike said as he planted kisses all over Erica’s face.
“Right back at you” She smiled and copied him with the kisses. “You look so hot in the morning” She winked.
“I wish I could say the same to you” He poked her in the sides. “Fuck you, you little shit” She pushed him onto the floor causing him to hit his head. “OW BITCH” He got up and threw a pillow at her. “That’s what you get for being mean” She mocked. “Now go make me breakfast to say sorry” Throwing the pillow back at him. “I have a concussion I can’t” Mike jumped back on the bed and hid under the covers.
“Fine but I was going to give you morning sex. I guess if I have to make breakfast and don’t look good in the morning you can forget it” Erica sarcastically stated while getting out of bed, pulling on a pair of pyjama bottoms.
“No no no, I can do breakfast and damn girl, you look fine on this sunny Thursday morning” He taunted. “It doesn’t work like that Michael. You lost your chance. We’ll have to wait till later now” Erica teased as she ran downstairs to start on breakfast. “I HATE YOU” Mike shouted down the stairs.
“SHUT THE FUCK UP MIKE, I’M TRYING TO SLEEP HERE” Vic bellowed from his room at the other end of the landing.

After breakfast Erica had a shower, Mike had joined her and the pair were now getting dressed for the day. Erica had bought some shorts when shopping with Jess so she wouldn’t be so hot today. She paired them with her grey Pantera shirt and black trainer socks. She had a cute little anklet on that sat just above her socks.
“Why do you have to hang out with Vic today? I feel like I’ve barely spent any time with you.” Mike moaned as he lay on the bed. “We’ll be out for less than 2 hours and then you and I can spend the day together before we go out for dinner with everyone tonight.” Mike suddenly felt better. “I still want to know what you guys are up to” He sat up pulling Erica by the waist on to the bed with him. “You’ll have to wait a while to find out” She kissed him on the lips and jumped off his lap. “You’re so mean to me” He pouted and followed her out of the room.
--
“This place looks fucking amazing Vic” Erica sounded amazed as she looked at the ad in the paper. “Two beds, one bath. Open plan with Kitchen Island and large living space. It looks and sounds perfect. I hope it’s as great in person” She said as they turned onto the street of the apartment complex. It was right by the beach and only a 20 minute drive from Think Ink. Erica was beginning to think her life was finally coming together in a way that she liked. She hoped it would stay like this forever.
“We’re here” Vic said turning off the engine. “Let’s go get you an apartment E” He jumped out of the car and Erica did the same.
“Mr Fuentes?” A petite brunette woman asked. “That’s me. This is Erica, the one who is looking at buying the apartment” He pointed towards Erica who had her hand out for the realtor to shake; she obliged “It’s nice to meet you both. Shall we have a look at the apartment?” “Lets” Vic and Erica said in agreement.
The apartment was beautiful. Everything Erica could have wanted. As you walk in you are welcomed by a large hall, to the right a long kitchen with an island in the middle of it. The kitchen ran to the length of the apartment. To the left was the lounge. Currently there was no furniture in the lounge. She assumed that the owners were already out. A White cupboard bordered the bottom of the living area; it was stylish and didn’t stand out too much. Erica liked that. There were no walls besides the four ones of the main structures. Very open planned which is something Erica adored. To the back of the apartment were three rooms. The one to the left and situated just off of the living area was the spare bedroom, in the middle and further back a little was the bathroom. The bathroom was pretty large. Finally, to the right was the main bedroom. It was beautiful. Erica’s eyes lit up as soon as she walked in to it. It was all dark wood flooring and features with white walls. Opposite the door was another door, this lead to the walk in wardrobe. Up one small step was an open space but also included a cubby hole of sorts, to the left in which lived the double bed with two bed side draws, either side of the bed. At the back of the room was another set of doors. They were double doors and once opened revealed a large window and even more storage space. Erica immediately knew what she would put here, her instruments.
The three of them made their way into the kitchen.
“What do you think?” Jenny, the realtor asked.
“I want it. I love it. It’s everything I could ask for and then some. I would most definitely like to buy this apartment.” Erica was so enthusiastic that both Vic and Jenny couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle.
“The owners are looking for a quick sale since they have already found a new home and are in the process of moving in. I could give them a call and say that you are willing to pay asking price, if you are indeed willing to pay that?” She told Erica.
“Yes, please do. I think the asking price is perfect just like this place. I can write them a check out now if they want me to.” She really did want this apartment.
“Okay then” Jenny smiled and made a quick phone call. “They will accept your offer. I have the necessary forms here for you to fill out” Jenny took some files out of her bag and passed Erica some pages.
Soon after the paperwork was all done and a check had been written out by Erica. Jenny passed her the keys and informed her that the beds and drawers in the bedroom will be staying in the apartment and that all belongings were out. Erica could move in whenever she so desired.
“Thank you so much” Erica shook Jenny’s hand again as Jenny left the apartment complex. Vic and Erica decided to have another look around the apartment, this time knowing that Erica now owned it.
“VIC, I HAVE A FUCKING APARTMENT. I HAVE A JOB. LIFE IS SO FUCKING GREAT RIGHT NOW” She shouted as she jumped up and down on the spot.

Vic and Erica had just pulled up at Vic’s house and were about to go in. “Tell anyone and I will hate you forever” Erica said punching Vic’s arm lightly. “I won’t tell a soul” Vic mimed locking his lips and throwing away the key. “Good, I might tell Jess since she already knows what’s going on though” Erica said. Vic nodded and unlocked the front door.
“Good, you guys are back. I missed my little lady” Mike jumped on Erica as she walked through the door, almost knocking her to the floor.
“I missed you too Michael” She pulled back and kissed him on the lips. It was a passionate kiss but it wasn’t something that would lead into sex in the middle of the hallway. They may have only been together for just over 2 weeks but they felt like it had been a lot longer, in a good way. Mike was falling for Erica hard and as much as she would deny it if asked, Erica knew she was too. She had never really believed in love. Not the romantic kind anyway but then again she had never been in a relationship either. Maybe Mike would be the one to change Erica’s mind about love and maybe even marriage. Who knows?
“What did you two get up to today?” Mike enquired as the brothers and Erica were sitting in the kitchen eating sandwiches that Vic had just prepared. “We went to the movies” Erica lied. “ugh, I know you’re lying to me. I can’t believe you aren’t letting me know what you guys are planning” Mike pouted. “So why do you keep asking?” Erica asked. “I’m hoping that if I nag you about it enough, you’ll have no other choice but to cave in and let me know” Vic and Erica looked at each other, then faced Mike once again before together shouting “NEVER” at Mike who threw the crust of his sandwich in their direction. It hit Vic who thought it would be a good idea to throw the rest of his lunch at his brother initiating a food fight. It got messy, real quick since the older Fuentes got ketchup involved leading to Erica pulling out a squeezy bottle of Mayonnaise from the cupboard. The fight lasted about half an hour before each party made the decision to wave their white flags and call a truce. During the war they had somehow made their way to the back garden. The 3 thought what better way to both cool and rinse off than jumping in the pool. They held hands, ran and jumped into the pool creating quite the splash. Luckily most of the food was still on their clothes which they had discarded as not to get the water in the pool gross. Soon after jumping in Vic’s phone rang, he got out walking in the house as he answered it. Erica and Mike didn’t waste any time before grabbing hold of each other’s body and starting a make out session. It was hot to say the least.
The rest of the afternoon the couple spent sat on Mike’s bedroom floor. They had been sharing stories from their lives. Some were happy, some were sad. Some they fell over laughing at. But all in all they were enlightening. The pair had learned so much about their partners. Mike had learned how Erica had caught her mother cheating on her father at the tender age of 9. He also discovered that Erica secretly loved Backstreet Boys and N’Sync. Erica learned that Mike had a secret love of these bands also. She also found out that Mike was crowned homecoming king in high school. She had her own member of royalty now.
Soon enough it was 5pm and the pair had started getting ready to go out for dinner with everyone. Everyone meant Erica, Mike, Vic, Jaime, Jess, and Tony, Casey and Jaxin and their girlfriends. Mike was done pretty quickly since all he was wearing was a pair of black skinny jeans with a black button down. He was hanging out downstairs with Vic when Jess and Jaime made their way in the door. They were all supposed to be meeting at the restaurant but Jaime and Jess decided they would meet at the Fuentes’ for some reason.
“JESS COME HERE I NEED YOUR HELP” Erica shouted as she heard the newly engaged pair come in the house.
“Hey you” Jess started as she entered Mike’s room. “What do you need help with?” She shut the bedroom door behind her.
“I don’t know what to wear. I want to make a good impression with the boy’s friends but I don’t want to overdo it since it is just dinner. HELP!!” Erica pleaded. Jess went over to Erica’s suitcase and pulled out a black dovetail dress and some Jeffrey Campbell Lita’s. Jess was wearing a purple dress with strappy heels so Erica wouldn’t feel too overdressed. When dressed she checked herself out in the mirror, happy with the reflection. “You look stunning” Jess complimented. The girls took a photo together and were all girly for a few minutes. “Oh by the way I now own an apartment in San Diego” Erica blurted out nonchalantly.
“ARGH OMG YAY” Jess couldn’t contain her excitement. She jumped up and down before squeezing Erica tightly. The duo soon went back downstairs and grouped up with three quarters of Pierce the Veil. The looks they received were very amusing.
“What the fuck was with all the squealing?” Jaime prodded.
“None of your business” Jess said in a cheeky tone. “OMG, are you in on it too?” Mike asked sounding a bit annoyed.
“Yes Michael, she is” Erica said as she sat on his lap. “Aw, no fair” Mike sulked. “You look fucking hot by the way” He proclaimed, creating a grin on Erica’s face.
“Wait, in on what?” Jaime asked finally realising what was just said.
“Vic and E’s secret, Jess now knows. This isn’t fair, I want to know” Mike whined.
“I’m with Mike on this one. I want to know what’s going on” Jaime was hopeful.
“Well like Mike, you’re going to have to wait and see what we have planned.” Erica objected.
“We have to get going or we’ll be late” Vic announced causing everyone to get up and head for Mike’s car. They decided to travel together but Jess would be DD for the night since she had work the following morning and the gang had planned on hitting a club after dinner.
When they reached the restaurant Tony, Jaxin and his wife Natalie were already seated. They joined them and a waitress took their drink orders. No longer than 5 minutes later Casey came in with his girlfriend Mal and greeted everyone with hugs before sitting themselves. Erica was introduced to the new faces and so far everyone seemed to get on perfectly.
Dinner went smoothly; it was mainly everyone getting to know Erica more. She may have only just met them all but she thinks they’re really nice people. Which is good, she would hate to have feuds with her boyfriends’ friends. There were the obvious questions, where did you guys meet and how long are you in SD. Since being with Mike, Erica has never once felt out of place or uncomfortable. She loved that she could be genuinely happy with him. He made her into a new person. She didn’t feel like she had to hide who she truly was around him or his friends. She has never felt like that before. Not even with people she has known most of her life. Mike truly was someone special.
Before they knew it, dinner was over and like planned they were going to a club. When they got in it was packed. Which surprised Erica because it was a Thursday night, she didn’t realise so many people went clubbing on weekdays. Clubbing wasn’t exactly her thing. She loved to drink and she loved parties but when it came to drinking out Erica was more the going to a little pub that occasionally had live music, type of person. She was out of her comfort zone for sure but despite that she was having fun. She had been taking her anxiety meds regularly so knew she had nothing to worry about. Jess had managed to convince Erica to join her, Natalie and Mal on the dance floor. Erica hated dancing. She didn’t last long on the dance floor so journeyed over to the bar where she could see some stick thin, bleach blond, fake tanned skank hitting on Mike, she stayed out of sight but still in ear shot when she got a real shock.

Notes

Third and final update for today.. leaving you on a cliffhanger. I will probably update again tomorrow since I have most of this story already written.
What do you guys think the 'shock' is going to be?