My Favorite Explosion

It was so strange being home, not that I wasn’t happy to be here, but it was just so strange to know that this was permanent, not just a vacation. It was definitely going to take some getting used to.

Mike helped me bring all of my stuff inside that I had brought on the plane with me while my dad had already set up most of my stuff in the basement where I’d be staying until I found a place of my own. But I was pretty content with what my sleeping arrangements would be for the time being, I wasn’t sure I’d be leaving anytime soon. Mike was helping me arrange everything the way I wanted it to be situated in my room.

“So Scar, what bring you back to good old San Diego?” Mike asked as he slid a dresser across the floor
“Oh Mikey, you know how I am. Running from my problems one at a time” I smiled as I placed clothes into my drawers.

“What do you have to run from this time Scarlett? Didn’t you leave all of your problems here when you left?” He asked sarcastically. “Oh please, that’s the least of my problems to be honest. Aside from the fact that I’m terrified to see him before I’m ready for it” I chuckled, “But I’m serious, you know how I run from my problems better than anyone you know”
“All too well Scarlett.” He sighed, “What happened this time?” “I told you Mike” I sighed, “that’s a conversation for a night of drinking. But I’m not sure if I’m ready to open Pandora’s box yet.”
“Well, I think we should have that night of drinking regardless!” He exclaimed with excitement on his face, “My best friend has returned and I think you should walk your happy ass across the street, we can have a night filled with movie marathons and cheap beer or wine for the lady and none other than the whiskey for myself.” I laughed at Mike’s offer, unsure of what I wanted to do. Going over there meant seeing Vic, something I’m not sure I was ready for.
“And before you start the ‘well what if Vic’s home?’ shit, he won’t be. He’s been in the studio nonstop writing and playing for the last like 2 months. He threw himself into his writing lately, he won’t let any of us go with him to work with him on it. He’s been really out of character lately” I was shocked by Mike telling me that Vic wasn’t letting anyone work in the studio with him. Vic hated being there by himself. He was also a huge team player, making sure everyone was involved in the writing process. Maybe things had changed more than I thought since I had left.
“I think it’s a great idea Mike. I don’t go back to work for about 3 more weeks so let’s do it. I think I deserve a relaxing night of getting hammered” I laughed.
“So what are we waiting for dummy? Let’s go!” He laughed as I watched him face light up like a four year old. “But you’re positive Vic’s not gonna be home? I can’t see him yet Mikey. I’m not ready for that” I said, knowing the fear was thick in my voice.

“Do you want me to call him and find out if he’s going to be coming home?” I just stared at him with pleading eyes and he obeyed. I walked away from him as he called Vic, not ready to even hear his voice. It may be seven years since I’ve seen or spoken to him but I’m still not ready for it. I probably never will be.
“Alright, yea. Okay. I’ll talk to you later. Bye. Love you too.” Mike said as he pulled the phone away from his ear. “Ok Scar, you’re safe. He’s in the studio, like I said he would be” “phew” I sighed with relief and gave Mike a thankful look.

“You know you’re gonna see him eventually Letty.” “Don’t call me that Michael.” I glared at him and sighed. “And, yea I know. But with any luck he won’t recognize me! You didn’t, and you’re my best friend dick head” I laughed

“Do you know how many brain cells I’ve probably burned?” he laughed “And you know for a fact Vic is going to recognize you. How do you forget the face of your first--” He said with his ‘I told you so’ face. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence Michael Christopher Fuentes. I don’t want to hear it” I said cutting his sentence off quickly. He looked stunned by my use of his full name, but I knew it was the only way to get his full attention. He sighed and held his head, realizing this was harder for me than he thought. To be honest, it was harder than I thought it was going to be.

“Hold on, does this mean we can’t selfie and I can’t express to the world how happy I am you’re home?!” His face and tone changed instantly upon this realization. “Can we at least wait until tomorrow, Mike? Please?” I begged

“FINE!” He pouted “Let’s go get me some cheap wine to get drunk off of” I laughed as I shooed him out of the house.

“Already taken care of my lady, had Jamie run out and grab it for you. Barefoot Moscato right?” “Yellowtail, but I’ll drink what’s put in front of me” I laughed

Mike let out a long sigh “Alright, sounds good enough for me. I’m just glad to have you by my side again” He smiled placing a kiss on my forehead. “You leave again, you’re in serious trouble missy” He said as we walked up the stairs to the living room. “You can bet your scrawny ass she will be Mr. Fuentes” My dad laughed hearing what Mike had said.

“I’m not going anywhere guys, I can’t afford the pain of it again. I missed you guys so much.” I smiled at both of them, “I’m going across the street to hang out with the boys dad”

“Alright sweetheart, I’m leaving soon anyway, got stuck on the graveyard shift tonight after switching so I could get you from the airport.”

I smiled back at my dad thankful for everything he had done for me in the past few weeks alone, let’s not mention my twenty-six years of life. I walked over to him giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek and walked out behind Mike, closing the door behind me.

Mike pushed the front door open signaling to me that that still left it unlocked constantly and I walked into the living room behind Mike to see Jamie and Tony sprawled out on the couch and floor playing video games when Mike cleared his throat,
“Ahem, gentlemen. I have someone here to see you guys” Jamie and Tony both turned their heads towards Mike as I stepped out from behind him. Both of their faces went flush white either realizing who I was, or not recognizing me and embarrassed by the fact that they were lounging around in the boxers and tank tops. Judging by their facial expressions, I was going to guess the latter. “sorry about our terrible presentation right now, Mike didn’t tell us he was having a lady friend over tonight. I promise we’re not usually this messy and disgusting. I’m Jamie and that’s Tony” he said, his voice a few octaves higher than normal as he stuck his hand out waiting for a handshake. Oh yea, definitely embarrassed. Mike and I couldn’t help ourselves, within seconds we were both hysterical laughing grabbing our sides from the pain we were in.
“I don’t see what’s so funny…” Tony said with a perplexed look on his face.

“Do you wanna tell them, or should I?” Mike asked between laughs “Oh I got this Mikey” I laughed slowly calming myself down. “See guys, you don’t need to worry about your lack of clothing cause uh, I’ve been friends with you guys for way too long. And I know for a fact that you are indeed always this messy and disgusting, I’d say roughly fifteen years. But I really hope you fuckers didn’t forget about me in the last seven” I chuckled.
As I finished my sentence I heard the front door close from behind me. I knew I had closed the door behind me when I had come in so it meant that someone else had walked into the house, being that Mike had said Vic was going to be in the studio all night I figured it was either Tony or Jamie’s girlfriend.

“Scarlett?” The voice from behind me said with a gasp in his voice and I could recognize that angelic voice from miles away. I felt my eyes widen and my face drain of any color that may have been present from Mike and I’s laugh fest. “Letty, is that you?” Mike turned around first, knowing the voice of his own brother. “Fuck.” He mumbled under his breath realizing the one request I had asked him to make sure of went any other way then where I wanted it to go.

I slowly turned around terrified to face the man I had ran away from those long seven years ago, the man I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to see for at least twenty four hours since I returned home. I took a deep breath as I tucked my hair behind my ears.

“Hey Vic” I said as my voice cracked from the fear of being face to face with him again. I’ve got a lot of explaining to do. I had no idea what to expect him to say or do. He just stood there staring at me for about three minutes before anyone said anything.

“Um, I’m gonna go upstairs and take a shower. I’ll catch up with you later Scar” Tony said quickly slipping up the stairs.

“Same Scar, I got a date tonight so I should probably go get ready for that. I’ll talk to you later” Jamie said giving me a quick kiss on the forehead, “I’m glad to see you’re home though” he whispered and ran upstairs.

I looked over at Mike who looked as if he was about to say something, “Michael Christopher, don’t. Please. Don’t.”

“Why Letty? You can’t talk to me alone?” Vic asked finally speaking. “Nope, can’t do this. Wasn’t expecting this.” I answered quickly.

“And I wasn’t expecting to walk into my house to find my ex-girlfriend who up and left me seven years ago without so much as a good bye” He snapped. “I’m going home. I can’t do this today. I’ll call you tomorrow Mike. We’ll catch up then” I said looking at him with pleading eyes as he went to argue me, but knew better than to do so.
He responded with a simple nod, but now I had to figure out how to push past Vic who was the only thing standing in my way of the door.

“Please Scarlett. Please talk to me.” Vic begged with those eyes that had always made me melt, that I gave into every time. “Vic, I’m sorry. I can’t right now. Please, just let me go.” I pleaded on the verge of tears.
I watched as his chocolate brown eyes glass over and he stepped to the side, leaving me just enough room to slide through and out the door.

“You fucking idiot” I heard Mike say, “you just let her walk out of your life again” he finished with a sigh as I walked down the steps and back over to my father’s who had already left for work. As I walked in the empty house, I locked the door behind me, not wanting anyone to stop by uninvited. I was hoping to have a few more days to prepare myself to see him after having dealt with all the pain I left back in South Carolina. I walked into the kitchen to the fridge and grabbed a Miller Lite, my dad’s beer of choice; popped it open and planted down on the couch. Maybe I shouldn’t have come back. Or maybe I shouldn’t have left in the first place.

Notes