A Fool's Revenge.

Four years, four very long years since I’ve left San Diego. I graduated from Santa Barbara College and now I was going back to SD to look for a job. I had majored in business management for half of my college career and photography for the second half. My mom had moved to Florida about a year and a half ago but as a graduation gift, she left the old house to me if I ever decided to come back. The house was fully paid for and I was happy with her kind gesture.

I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t excited to be back in SD. I looked like a totally different person now that I had grown up. All my baby fat dissipated as I got older along with my now vigorous work out regiment, my hair was darker and my skin much, much clearer. I was finally happy with myself, well, sort of.

Being done with living in Santa Barbara, I had packed all my stuff up and was more than ready to move back in to my childhood home. I pulled into the familiar driveway and got out, taking a look at my old neighborhood and how much it changed. All the houses looked older but it was all just the same. I hadn’t heard much from anyone besides the occasional call from Priscilla, just to check in and see how things were. I guess she was some photographer now, a music one, I think. I was more than happy for her, even if she did still slightly resent me sleeping with Mike then leaving.

I guess none of that really mattered now; all that mattered was that I’m back for good.

I unlocked the door to my house and it’s like it never even changed. All the furniture was the same, a little beaten up but the same. I began to bring all my stuff but stopped when I heard my name being called.

I snapped my head around to see Josh, Mike’s friend. Boy had he really changed. He used to be this scrawny kid and now he was all jacked up with a slight beard growing on his face.

“Josh?” I set the box I was holding down on the ground and eyed him uo and down.

“Yeah, um, how are you? I never expected to see you back in this shitty town again.” He chuckled and I couldn’t help but agree.

“I never expected it either but here I am. How are you?” I never really held anything against any of Mike’s friends because most of them just followed what Mike would do, almost like he was god or something.

“I’m good, just finished with college and came back to take care of my mom.” I looked at him in confusion.

“My mom had a stroke a while back, and then my dad died so I’m pretty much all she has now.” He said sadly.

“oh, geez, I’m so sorry, Josh! I’ll have to come by and see her one of these days, I know her and my mom were pretty close.” I sighed and glanced behind him at his house.

“Yeah, she’d like that. Hey, do you want some help with these boxes? It be nice to catch up with you, even though we weren’t friends.” I chuckled and nodded. We both grabbed a few boxes and after making two more trips, we plopped down on the couch.

“So, what have you been up to in these last couple years?”

“College, that’s pretty much it. Other than the little jobs I had to pay for my apartment, it’s just been all about school. How about you? And everyone else?” I asked and leaned back into my seat. I felt a little uneasy about being so casual around one of the guys that was Mike’s right hand man in my high school torturing but somehow, I was fine with it.

“Everyone has changed, even Mike. Well, maybe not Mike. He’s just become a player, from what I’ve heard.” I tilted my head in confusion and he continued.

“Ever since him, his brother, tony and Jaime got big with their band, he changed and not for the better. Everyone pretty much stopped talking to him, he’s seriously become a huge jerk, Vic is still genuine though.” I smiled; glad to hear someone was still the same.

“So they’re like some up and coming band now?” I chuckled at the thought, it fit though. Mike played the drums while Vic sang and played guitar. They were pretty good from what I remember when they played for the spring showcase at school.

“Yup, they’re good too. Just put out their first record. I think they’re still in San Diego for a while before some tour in the summer.” I was a little impressed to say the least. I never thought they would really make it out there, but then again nobody thought I would make it either.

“Good for them.” I smiled and Josh nodded in agreement before glancing down at his watch.

“I should probably get back, it was nice seeing you again. No hard feelings for high school, right?”

“Of course not, Josh. Tell your mom I said hi, okay?” he nodded and I closed the door as he walked across the street.

So Mike’s still the same old Mike, aye? At least he made something of himself. I’ll have to ask Priscilla for Vic’s number, if she still even has it, so I can congratulate Vic on his good work.

I can already tell that coming back to San Diego is gonna be a trip, let’s just hope I don’t run into the younger Fuentes anytime soon so I can actually relish in the fact that I’m back.

Notes

HOLY CRAP. I'm so surprised and happy that you guys really like this story so much! I can't even lie, I'm liking it a little more than my other stories right now too.

Thank you guys sosososo much for the feedback and everything!

I'm hoping to get one or two more chapters up tonight, so keep an eye out(: