Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mateo Torrez
8:32 p.m.
I’ve been laying next to the guy who I fell in love with, even within these 20 hours..I’m already fantasizing everything in the future with him.
But it’s not like I’d have that time, I mean—
This is the first time I’ve completely fallen over in love and affection for a single person..
Only if this feeling would last until the next day.

I struggle just to keep still for 3 more hours I have without tossing and turning just thinking of every second, possibly everyday with Rufus Emeterio. I think to myself for a few minutes before deciding on one single thing..What if Death-Cast is wrong. There are only theories of what could happen if you live to pass their accusation, like, free food or even money since the caller would be fired for spreading false information to some stranger—possibly even getting thrown in jail.
I decide to finally sit up out of bed, grabbing the glasses off my nightstand.

But before I can even get off the bed, I feel a warm grasp around my torso and then it pulls me back.
``Stay here.`` Rufus mumbled, barely even letting the words out of his mouth.
I turn my head slightly over my shoulder, where I’m gazing at Rufus’s legs. I mean, If I were able to do a 360 with my neck—Rufus would think I’m possessed and immediately punch the soul living in my body right out.

``But I’m just going to my kit-`` I’m instantly cut off by Rufus’s glare, staring directly into my eyes. Jeez..I’d love to stare at this man’s eyes for eternity, and just end up hypnotized.
As if the moon would have no reflection of light in a lake, just some empty circle in the sky that people find beautiful.

``We can’t risk anything right now Mateo, especially at this time..`` Rufus closes his eyes while still mumbling.
He’s right, I mean anyone can be roaming around the apartment complex right now. Just creeping around with a knife and a lock pick..Maybe even a partner.

I end up giving in and laying onto top him, my head resting on the side of his hip.
``Do you think we’ll live?`` I have a slight attitude in my voice, but managed to shift it to a monotoned voice..Like you’re about to get in trouble by a teacher.

Rufus places his fingers between the curls of my hair, brushing them out. ``If you leave the island—even if I possibly do, then probably not.``

What a sudden answer, I can’t tell if he’s serious or not. His tone of voice just sounds like he’s joking but not as a friend who doesn’t get your humor at first, something like a mom telling her kid that “Your her favorite child” then yet, says the same thing to their sibling. Not like I can relate.
``Then, if we both leave..We’ll stay alive?`` I ask, I don’t understand if we’ll die outside of our island—if I do somehow manage to leave, Rufus would be sick to his stomach and think it was his fault for not waking up, possibly not following me to where I was walking to.

Just imagining the way I’d die without someone by my side is sending shivers down my veins, giving my goosebumps.

Rufus rolls flat on his back, keeping my head in place while managing to sit up. ``Just get up..``

He groans underneath his short sigh, lifting his legs out of bed. ``Let’s go, I’ll lead you to your kitchen.``

I’m not that paranoid. I have you protecting me, right?

Chapter Text

Rufus Emeterio
8:41 p.m.
I’m currently holding onto some dude’s hand while he follows behind me, like a kid being dragged away from a store in the mall throwing a temper tantrum.

But the ‘some dude’ is now my 4 hour boyfriend.

Damn, I feel like I’m just about to topple over against his wall and not wake up in front of him. I fear that a single action can just come out of nowhere and kill both of us, but since Mateo is trusting his gut—I should too.

We make it to the kitchen without a single scratch or scar against our necks.
I open the fridge, just to find shit ton of containers, each with their labeling on it.
I end up closing it since I have no care just to go rummaging through so many containers of food that would probably be old.

I open the freezer which was on the top.

There’s a tub of coffee ice cream, along with frozen tatter tots and meat..

Wow, this guys dad has been gone for awhile that there’s not much snacks for himself. As long if there’s food in the cabinets—then he’ll survive with ice cream for now..I’m not going through his cabinets and find my hand cut off.

I grab the tub of ice cream, instantly placing it on Mateo’s neck, who was beside me all this time. Simply resting his head on my shoulder while wrapping his arms around me. His glasses fall off from twitching his neck as a reaction and I chuckle.

This guy; is somehow my boyfriend.

I end up planting a kiss on his forehead as an apology, Before then—I’d mess around like this with Aimee. She would always shower me with small pranks, making trouble, and going out with me while I go out with the Plutos.

I think about how my life would be with Mateo.

If we live, we’re going to spend every moment together. Living our lives to the fullest.

I rummage through the drawers, trying to find a simple spoon. Finally, I end up on the last drawer on the left. Mateo walks away from my reach, but I don’t worry since I’m still in the same area as him.

I grab a spoon or two and turn my head. Mateo’s just gazing out of the window above his sink, and I look at his glasses and see the reflection of the stars bouncing off his lenses.

He’s so beautiful under the moonlight, I’d love to just kiss him all over, throughout the entire night.
I pull him to his couch near the TV, grabbing the remote off of the small coffee table and switching the TV on just to watch a random channel, or whatever channels he has on this thing.

Mateo is slowly falling asleep before I can even open the ice cream, I scoop a small portion and Mateo squints his eyes while I leave the spoon in front of his mouth.

``Come on, eat it before it melts..`` I say while pushing the spoon more closer to his mouth.

He opens his mouth a bit, before biting down on the spoon and letting go afterwards, shutting his eyes moments later.
More for me..I stare at the clock and it’s already 9:13 p.m.
Meaning it’s been 21 hours before 12 a.m.—and probably our death.

I watch 9-1-1, surprised it’s even streaming right now at this time. This show makes me really think about how someone can be saved in a short amount of time and still manage to pass on.
—
It’s been 8 minutes and it feels like eternity, like 100 years already went by. I even ate half of the tub of ice cream, didn’t think the flavor of coffee ice cream would be good.

I should probably leave some for Mateo’s dad, though I wouldn’t know if he’d be out of his “sleeping” coma before we’d be dead.
I stretch up my arms before lifting myself up to walk to the fridge, eventually once I stop in front of the refrigerator, I notice a calendar with a date circled.

“Sean fixes stove!” I sigh out in relieve, hopefully Mateo isn’t thinking to use the stove anytime soon..Because I—myself, don’t know if the stove is broken to the point it’s dangerous, or it’s just unable to work.
—
It’s 9:34 p.m.
Time seems so slow and at this point, I just watch the clock, zoning out the sounds from the TV.
I end up finding myself laying on Mateo’s lap while his hand rests on my forehead, it’s luckily still warm and I can see his chest moving up and down.
I might as well fall asleep too, dying in our sleep is better than going through something slow and horrible.

Chapter Text

Lidia Vargas
9:43 p.m.
I’m waiting for the callback from Mateo, it’s been 4 hours since I last seen him. I’m anxious, but I can’t show it in front of anyone, especially Penny.

I cup my face in my hands while Penny crawls and cradles around my leg, catching my attention. Mateo really helped me live my life before I met Christian. I owe a lot to him, mainly in heaven—if it’s a thing.
I pick up Penny, placing her head on my shoulder and rocking her back and forth as she falls asleep.

I think to myself right now, if I were to answer Christians frantic messages and calls..would he still be here? Taking care of Penny along my side, coming out with me to hang out with Mateo—possibly even Rufus.

I don’t believe that I spent majority of my life with Mateo that it feels like my own life is ending along with him.

I walk to Penny’s crib, and gently place her down. Then immediately sitting down on the floor, silently sobbing to myself of what achievements I never completed with Mateo or Christian.

I fall asleep next to Penny’s crib, holding her hand between the cracks.

Chapter Text

Aimee DuBois
10:01 p.m.
Aimee DuBois didn’t get a call from Death-Cast, it’s already been 22 hours since.
All she knows of her ex—Rufus ran off with someone named Mateo..Which she didn’t get much time to meet.

The only place that she remembers last seeing Rufus’s face is when they were at the club..But Peck ruined it all by just coming along with his gang, with stupid people in it.

Aimee grabs her phone, scrolling through Instagram, Twitter..Any social media platform that she knows Rufus may have.
No recent pictures show up, only a picture from 5 hours ago.
She immediately throws the phone away from her, cracking the screen and denting a hole in the wall where she kept polaroid pictures of Rufus and Peck, the pictures that were hanging by a threading line fall down.
She’s so pissed off at Peck for ruining everything, everything she ever loved would be gone soon and there’s no time to make up for her mistakes.

She missed Rufus Emeterio..

She ends up laying down on her bed, wiping away tears. Falling asleep a few minutes later, holding onto one of Rufus’s old hoodies.
—

Chapter Text

Mateo
4:36 a.m.
I feel the beam of light on the TV aiming at my eyes, it’s bright that I can barely see.

Once I can make out everything around me, I look around trying to figure out where I’m at. Sighing in relief to find out that I’m in my living room, I try to sit up, then hear Rufus groan while I move my legs around.

Letting out another sigh, I reluctantly slouch back into the couch. Until my eyes lay upon the clock.
Reading “4:36 a.m.”
.
.
.
Is this for real? I’m possibly still dreaming. I shake Rufus awake to see if I’m going insane.

``Rufus—Wake up!`` I have a slight stutter in my voice, I’m panicking, this doesn’t feel real.

I’m hallucinating, definitely this isn’t true. We even got the stupid call from Death-Cast.

``Rufus!`` I yell, I shouldn’t be this loud this early but I don’t even know if I’m a ghost—! I hate this if this is all a dream.

He finally jolts up, hitting my chin with both of us hissing in pain. It’s definitely not a dream, or a hallucination.``Look at the clock..!``

He looks at the clock, his eyes widens and then looks back at me—I’m already tearing up and my face is sweating.

``Holy shit..! Mateo—! We’re alive!`` His nervous look instantly turned into a purely innocent smile.

He got up from the couch and picked me up, twirling around while I’m way above his head, holding onto his shoulders.

``WE’RE FUCKING ALIVE, Mateo!``
His laugh and yelling fills my ears, I can’t help but end up sobbing once he places me back on my feet.
I’m crying below his chest while he’s hugging my head and we slowly fall to the ground.

``It’s not a dream..`` I whisper, smiling while tears are flowing down my face. Rufus lifts my head up to see my face, taking off my glasses, and kisses under my eyes all the way down to my cheek. I’m laughing and smiling through all of this.

I’m clinging onto to him to the point I’m not letting go, we’re alive..

We both stand up and he pulls me in for a kiss.

I’m in heaven, not really, but it feels like I’m in a paradise where no one can ever harm us. There’s a barrier blocking any type of danger from us..making sure we’re safe for the rest of our years ahead of us.

Then I hear the Death-Cast alarm going off in my room, my heart instantly drops.

Are we still going to die? There's no way the Herald on the other side is about to break the same news again, not after we lived..

I break the kiss right when the third ring goes off, Rufus can easily see the panic in my face.

He lets me go and I run to my room, unplugging my phone from the charger. I answer the call expecting the warning..again.

``Hello, is this Mateo Torrez?`` the caller asked.

``Yes, this is..Why—?`` My voice is shaking and I clench my phone in my hand, I feel Rufus’s presence behind me.

``I see, you gotten a call yesterday midnight—am I correct?`` She has a hazed-type voice, like she’s been working 24/7, but that’s not important.

``Yea—I did.`` I heard the alarm behind me, I turn around and I catch a glimpse of Rufus moving to the living room, talking into the speaker.

``Alright, have you been in contact with anyone from the yesterday—like relatives, friends? Especially last friends.`` She asked.

``Uhm, I have been with friends that aren’t dying today—I mean yesterday,,but there is one person who also got the call and didn’t—die..`` I stammer a bit at the end, knowing that Rufus is still alive with me, honestly scares me to the bone, there’s so much possible ways we both could’ve died..

That explosion at the bookstore, The guy that Rufus jumped pulling a gun at him and—Aimee, if I’m correct.

I just remembered that Sean didn’t fix my stove today, Im considering myself lucky that I didn’t remind myself to make tea.

And we even woke up in my living room, someone could’ve easily broke in without us knowing and stab us to death—or choke us.

``Can I have that persons name?``
``His name is Rufus Emeterio, ma’am``
There’s a slight pause for a second—I can hear, for some reason, typing from her side.

``Sorry, this hasn’t happened ever, at all.
Was there any other occurrences that came upon you that could’ve possibly—may have killed you?`` She sighed a bit, knowing she probably heard the news about the bookstore.

``Uhm—yea, I suppose`` I muttered.

``Oh, then I deeply apologize for that occurrence, our system hasn’t ever failed since it came out. I give my sincerity to you and your friend, Mateo.

Please keep living your life to the fullest, even if you’re not dying today or didn’t die yesterday..`` She sounded gentle after she said that, like she’s grateful that someone like me didn’t die but—there’s way more people that had it worse, and I can’t believe she’s letting that go so easily.

``Thank you, ma’am.`` I wipe my face after the call ended, trying to relax from that entire experience from yesterday.

It seems like Rufus is still on the call with Death-Cast, but I jinxed it

I hear him walking back to my room, having a slight smile towards me and immediately kissing my lips. I hold his head in my hands while he’s has his hands on my neck.

I can feel tears dripping down my face, I break the kiss and smile..I’m happy to be alive, But first, I should definitely call Lidia.

Rufus is telling me that he’s going to call his friends real quick, to break the news that he’s alive.

Chapter Text

Tagoe and Malcolm
5:01 a.m.

These two boys didn’t get a call from Death-Cast yesterday or today.

They’ve been expecting for a call from their friend, Rufus, just to see if the prediction from Death-Cast was fake. Malcolm is already losing hope while Tagoe is staring at his phone, waiting for a call from a dumbass who was on the run from the police and is—or was a decker. They’ve been sitting outside the diner they’d hang out often at, underneath the window and the sign light flashes on and off, while passersby’s glare at them.

``Look man, there’s no use. He’s probably dead by now—We both even saw him get the call.`` Malcolm says.

``He’s not..! I know he’s not dead, he’s Rufus—he’s like our brother.`` Tagoe replies, his neck is twitching out of stress just watching every minute go by.

``Tagoe, he’s gone!`` Malcolm said, slightly louder, Malcolm isn’t one to show emotions unless you count that time in the cop car, even if he’d known the person for a long time—He wouldn’t show any weakness easily.

``Are you actually letting go that easily?`` Tagoe sounds serious. . .Finally not being a total blown-out idiot.

``You’re letting him go into the place he calls “The afterlife” just like that—?`` He says.

``I’m not saying I’m not upset—It’s just..`` Malcolm looks down, not like he’s going to get out of this.

``Dammit Tagoe..You’re panicking too much.``
He sighed.

``You’re saying that like Rufus was invisible to you—your whole life! Just sound like you care, for once!`` Tagoe yelled, with his neck and fingers twitching like crazy, dropping his phone on the concrete. He had enough with Malcolm’s fake shit, always acting like there’s good in something bad, or to what he saw in him.

Tagoe grabs his collar, pulling him back and forth. ``You’re so..selfish!`` Malcolm pulls Tagoe’s hands off his shirt and shoves his foot in Tagoe’s stomach.

``I’m not being selfish, Tagoe! That’s how life is, you’re born and then you live for a bit then you go, just realize that—!``

Tagoe’s glasses come off, slightly cracking the frame on the floor. ``Fuck you! You don’t understand a single thing that Rufus ever done for you!``

Then there’s an immediate silence.

Tagoe, elbowed directly in the nose—cause a nosebleed seconds afterwards, Tagoe gives up even trying to fight, with Malcolm’s ego—there’s no point trying to persuade him now. Sitting back down without hesitation.

While Malcolm breathes in and out, having a small drop of blood on his elbow—like that took much effort.

Right then and there, their truce is broken.

Until Tagoe’s phone was ringing through half of that. The contact name “Pluto #1” pops up for the last ring then disappears.
Tagoe finally notices. ``Holy shit..``
Malcolm heard the ringing from Tagoe’s phone for a few seconds, hearing the specific ringtone for Rufus’s contact.

``Bro, you have to be fucking around with me with this.`` Malcolm chuckles while shaking his head.

Tagoe’s eyes fills with tears which falls down in multiple groups of blobs, like their racing each other. He often doesn’t shows emotion like this..First time in awhile Malcolm saw him sob.

``Grab your phone you dumbass—!`` Malcolm shouts. Tagoe’s reaches out for his phone, going to his contacts and clicking on Rufus’s contact to FaceTime.

``No fucking way.`` Tagoe had a shiver in his throat, down to his spine, to his feet. ``Please pick up..!``

Then, Rufus’s face shows up, with Mateo talking to Lidia on the phone in the background.

There’s a silence, Tagoe’s blood is dripping on his phone where Rufus can’t notice while Malcolm is keeping his distance.

``Are you fucking serious—!`` Tagoe shouts, sobbing into the speaker.

``Sup, Tagoe.`` Rufus says, acting like nothing happened at all for the pass 24-hours. Malcolm hears his voice from Tagoe’s phone, and runs towards Tagoe to push himself into the camera.

``Roof!`` Malcolm fell onto his knees and sat next to Tagoe, like nothing ever happened..

``Where are you? Are you hurt?`` Tagoe’s screaming his ass off, his voice is cracking at this point.

``At Mateo’s apartment..`` He looks around the hall where he’s been sitting, looking at Mateo pacing around in his room through the doorframe after saying that, it’s not like Tagoe realizes that.``And yea, I’m—We’re both fine.``

``Are you staying calm all this time—?! How aren’t you yelling your vocal cords off right now!`` Malcolm says, pushing Tagoe out of the frame of the camera with his hand.

``Because Mateo’s apartment is way too quiet, plus it’s like..5 a.m.``
.
.
.
``SEND ME YOUR LOCATION, WE’RE RUNNING TO HIS APARTMENT—!`` Tagoe shoves himself back into the frame, standing up..not like Rufus can see that.

``Are you crazy—? It’s still pitch dark!`` Malcolm announced.

Rufus in not hearing a single thing Tagoe and Malcolm is shouting about, he’s just keeping his eyes on Mateo, every motion of him.

``Rufus! Send your locat—`` The video call ends there.
—
Tagoe freezes.

``YOU SHIT HEAD!`` His voice cracks from the amount of yelling he’s been doing.

``SHUT UP! WE’RE RUNNING TO MATEO’S HOME`` Malcolm picks himself up through the extra edge of the window.

Rufus sighs and immediately sends both of them a message of his location to Mateo’s address.

Chapter Text

Lidia
5:20 a.m.
Lidia wakes up to a ringing sound to her

phone, she panic’s thinking it’s from Mateo—or even Death-Cast, she instantly runs to where phone is, which was pushed under the couch.

``Dammit Penny..!`` Lidias manages to grab her phone and read the contact.

“toMat(e)o 🍅”

``What the fuck—?!`` She yells softly, running to the other side of the room to not disturb Penny. She answers the call.

``Hello—``

``Mateo Torrez Junior—!`` Lidia keeps her voice at a loud enough tone.

``Lidia Vargas..`` Mateo laughs as he hears her voice.

``How—Where are you? Are you okay, did you get hurt?!`` Lidia panics and paces around the room, stumbling over Penny’s toys.

`` I’m in my apartment with Rufus, I’m perfectly fine..and well—!`` Mateo shouts, then Rufus shushing him right afterward.

``I—I’m coming over! Let me wake up Penny!`` Lidia trips over and it echos to Mateo’s speaker. ``Wait but it’s too early for her to wake up—``

The call ends.

It’s starting to come together again.

Aimee
5:27 a.m.

Aimee wakes up to mass-spam texts from her phone. Silencing her phone, she ends up grabbing it and looking at the messages while her vision is still blurry.

“Pluto + Saturn GC”
Holy shit, she immediately sits up—getting a minor headache but who cares..She
reads every text carefully.

“Asteroid Nerd #3: AINEE ROOF IS ALIVE!!”
“Asteroid Nerd #2: EUFUS ISNT DEAD AIMEE”
“Asteroid Nerd #3: ANSWER MY CALLS. “Asteroid Nerd #2: NVM WERT PICCKING YOU UP GET RESDY.”

Aimee felt like she was drunk and imaging things. Until she finds herself answering a call from Rufus. ``…YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE—!``

Chapter Text

Mateo and Rufus
5:39 a.m.
Mateo is sitting down, leaning against his bed frame. Breathing heavily like he just ran a 10-mile marathon.

``I’m alive..`` He mutters, Rufus walks back into his room and sits beside to him, overlapping his knee over Mateo’s so he knows he’s there.

Rufus brushes through Mateo’s hair while looking at all of the Pluto’s text and listening to Aimee’s yelling through the phone.

``HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ALIVE??” Aimee yells through her crying.

``For 5 hours.`` Rufus whispered.

``WERE YOU JUST GOING TO KEEP THAT FROM US—?``
``I promise, I wasn’t..I just needed time to—process this.``

``TAGOE AND MALCOLM IS PICKING ME UP..STAY WHERE YOU ARE!`` Aimee said before hanging up before Rufus could respond.

``Not like I was going anywhere.`` He scoffed, looking at Mateo—who’s eyes were closed.

Rufus felt his chest, in relief his heart was still beating, then pulled him up onto the bed, placing his head on the pillow. — He walks out to the living room minutes later, to hear running down the halls and knocking “These dorks run fast..” He thought—
They’re pounding on each door, until he finally opens the door.
Seeing the two idiots where one has dried blood going down his nose to his chin, while the other has an unraveled collar—The last one is still going up the floors while Tagoe and Malcolm is dazed at Rufus.

``ROOF!`` Tagoe and Malcolm run into Mateo’s apartment and tackled Rufus down.

They’re all on the floor, laughing their ass off—then Aimee runs inside, watching this all happen.

Tagoe coughs while getting up, while also pulling Rufus and Malcolm up. Getting to a group hug—Rufus then notices Aimee and signals her to join.

``No homo, Bro`` Malcolm’s voice sounded silvery but he ended up laughing at himself—then being elbowed in the shoulder from Tagoe. ``Let us enjoy this man.``

Aimee is sobbing while Malcolm has light tears dripping on the floor..He finally cried without shame, for once. They break the hug—looking around seconds later.

``You stayed here—for the rest of your hours?`` Aimee asked.

``I mean—why not. If he were to bike home, he would’ve been hit by a car or worse.`` Tagoe wheezed, he’s been running in front of Malcolm and Aimee the whole time he barely stopped once to breathed.

``This place isn’t that bad—we can stay here and rest for bit and then go out..`` Malcolm requested.

``Oh—alright. I’ll let Mateo know..`` Rufus walked away into Mateo’s room.
—
The Plutos and Aimee is just waiting in the living room, just staring at each other because they thought it wouldn’t be awkward after they saw Rufus alive.

Until there’s a knock at the door and a small voice.

``Uncle!`` Penny is tapping both her hands repeatedly on the door and babbling random sounds, waiting for someone to open it.

``Penny, quiet down..`` Lidia says—everything is completely muffled until Malcolm gets up and opens the door for both of them.

``Yo..`` Malcolm straighten up his back after seeing Penny, way below him. ``Jeez, who’s this kid?`` Malcolm picked Penny up and she pats her hands around his face, knowing it’s not Mateo, she starts squirming around.

``Sorry to disturb, Malcolm right..We met at the club?—Anyways, I just came by to see Mateo.`` Lidia rushed a bit of her sentence, but who cares. She already met these people for awhile.
``Nah your good Lidia, We’ve only stayed here for awhile.`` Malcolm placed Penny on the floor so she can run around a bit more. ``Come in—Mateo’s in his room right now. I’m guessing..`` He pushed the door a bit more open so Lidia can walk through.

“This is weird..” Lidia thought. “Mateo gained a few new friends in a day.”
.
.
.
“I’m proud of him.” She smiled at her remark.

Chapter Text

Mateo
5:59 a.m.
I’ve been awake for the past hour—I know that Rufus’s friends are here since I heard them enter but Rufus also told me not so long ago, but I can barely get myself to walk out of my room and see them.

Impulsive thoughts are running through my head, like how would I introduce Rufus to my dad, if he were to wake up. I didn’t really think of that—at all.
I find myself managing to get up and go through my closet for a something random that would probably entertain me—like a photo album or a box of my old things from my childhood.

I lay my eyes on a box of my graduation robe and cap. I realize—It’s been awhile since I actually went through my clothes.

I grab random crap off my hangers that I thought would look good for the day, I already took a shower so I don’t need to worry about anything. I end up grabbing a grayish-blue sweater that Lidia gifted me and a white T-shirt, along with some baggy jeans..Hopefully these aren’t too small for me, I haven’t styled myself for a long time.

I take off my shirt and toss it onto the bed—I grab the sweater and walk to my mirror.

I knew I was skinny—I mean Lidia said that already and Rufus probably saw my body while we were out “swimming” But damn, Lidia is right, I’m fairly skinny for my age.

I glide my hand down my neck to my waist I can even feel my hipbone poking in my skin. I either need to eat more or work out sometime..l hear small footsteps coming closer to my door so I quickly put on the sweater—pretending nothing really happened.

I turn around and see Penny walking through the door. ``Uncle!`` Penny runs to me and hugs my leg.

``Penny—!`` I pick her up and slightly toss her in the air. Her small giggles fill my room, I’m glad I’m living for her, I’m living for everyone. Lidia follows not so long after her.

I place Penny down and Lidia runs to me and squeezes me more tighter then we were at the Arena.

``Mateo..``
``Lidia..`` She’s digging her fingers into my shoulder blades but I don’t really care. It’s nice to feel my best friend’s warmth..Not trying to be weird by that, she really made me start my life from the very beginning.

She breaks the hug—and I crouch back down to Penny, tickling her stomach and hearing her laugh again—I get back up and scratch my head.

``You guys can go into the living room, I’ll come out in a little while.`` I insisted them by slightly pushing them out. Penny is holding onto Lidia’s hand while she has Penny’s small backpack on her shoulder, some of her toys peeking out.

I close my door and finish changing—I just realized, I forgot to even close my door before taking off my shirt. Not like anyone saw anything I did but..whatever.
—
I finally manage to put some real clothes on, and not just some unbuttoned flannel with a dirty white shirt and jeans.
But instead a hoodie that’s covered with a clean white shirt and baggy cargo jeans.

I open the door and walk into the living room, where everyone is huddling over Penny and playing with her toys, Aimee is helping Penny as she’s doing a puzzle—while Lidia sits next to her watching Penny smile and babble to both of them, Aimee is agreeing to every gibberish thing she says.
Then there’s the Plutos, Tagoe is being a total doofus and actually playing the other stuff Penny wasn’t interested in. Malcolm is being intertwined with the small rattle and the Dr.Seuss books, being completely dazed. Lastly there’s Rufus, doing nothing but keeping an eye on everyone.

I try not to make myself noticeable while I walk to my dad’s room, making my footsteps light so there’s no creaking sound on the floor boards—I just need to grab something. Not like they’re paying any attention to me, but all their focus are on Penny. I hope she doesn’t get a call from Death-Cast until she’s much needed to get one.

I’m looking under my dad’s bed, hoping I’d find my long board from Middle-school. I’ve only gotten the motivation to try riding it again because I don’t want Rufus to keep riding around the city and getting tired—and I’m going to start something “new” again. I finally lay my eyes on it, the board is all scratched up and has the excess stickers all over the bottom after being torn off, but who cares.

I hear Penny running around the hall with a “few” people following her, she ends up watching me crawl out under the bed—and hitting my head on the bed-frame, I panic as I also see everyone right behind her.

``Good morning, Mateo`` Rufus laughed.
``Good morning..`` I push back the long board farther under the bed, I’m probably going to regret that later.

Penny is running into my arms and I pick her up as I’m also picking myself up. ``I’ll—I’m going out for a bit.`` I stuttered

Tagoe replies``You want us to come along? We’ve practically been waiting for you—`` He’s cut off from Malcolm nudging his shoulder.

``Uh, sure, you guys can.`` I sound nervous, I shouldn’t even be embarrassed of the fact that I used to skateboard or that I’m sneaking around in my dads room, but they don’t know that..They probably see me as a wuss that’s scared to even be on a bike.

They all show a smile on their faces and they screaming out of joy for letting me; let them go out with me, I don’t know how long exactly I’ve been laying in bed without knowing they were waiting for me, I feel bad. I place Penny down and go back under the bed, while she’s running around the entire room—gazing at everything she sees.

I manage to grab the board again and I get out—holding Penny’s hand and walking her out.
I decide on a game for me and Penny that’d I used to play with Lidia.
When we would be leaving school, we would take the other persons belongings and run to the apartments seeing who can be there quicker—Lidia always won since her backpack was for some reason always heavy. I’m not usually used to these thoughts, but since this is the second day I can live my life to the fullest..I might as well continue it.

I hold Penny in my arm, holding her legs tightly to my chest and sprint to the door and unlock it—swinging it completely open until it bounces on the wall and closes again. I hear everyone stomping and running at the door to chase after me, I even hear screaming seconds later. I know it’s a stupid idea, but I want to live for Penny and everyone else. I’m quickly running through the halls, but I don’t have time to use the elevator before the “game” is over. I can hear someone falling over then there’s a few laughs, everyone running towards me. ``MATEO!`` Lidia screams while laughing, she still remembers..hopefully, I just pray she doesn’t think I’m trying to steal her kid.

Maybe this isn’t so bad.
Actually nevermind, I’m already regretting this and I barely made it down the first flight of stairs.
—
I manage to make it to the Lobby, then I see Aimee and Malcom coming out the elevator and Rufus, Tagoe, and Lidia is right behind me. I feel Lidia’s hand behind me, trying to grab onto my hoodie..But she ends up missing. I pushed the door open and drop the skateboard on the ground, immediately hoping on it and hardly pressing my foot on the ground—making me get pushed insanely quick.

Penny is laughing and screaming as the wind presses against her face and blowing her hair back. I don’t stop skating, I’m going to Althea park and not stopping til’ I get there. This breeze is making me feel free.

Chapter Text

Lidia
6:27 a.m.
I’m running after some curly haired idiot who has my fucking kid. I trust Mateo to go somewhere where I know so we can easily find him and not worry as much.

I slow down my pace and lean on the side of a wall—trying to catch my breath. Aimee is holding Penny’s backpack and Tagoe still has the toys in his hands. ``Holy shit—`` I uttered between my breath. ``Let’s,,hope he’s going to the park.`` Malcolm mentioned.

I get back up onto my feet and start running again, probably not the best idea since my side is starting to hurt—But Mateo has my kid and I’m not willing to sell my rib cage for them to be hurt, more importantly to have hurt is Penny.

I take a hard right and see Mateo standing at the stop light, putting Penny on his back while holding the truck hangar of his long board.

``MATEO!`` I scream. His shoulders spring up a bit and he aggressively starts pushing the button to cross the street. He places down the skateboard again but before he can even start pushing himself. I pull his shoulder and slap the back of his head. He hissed in pain and he looked at me in sorrow.

``You stole my kid, you asshole!`` I’m struggling to breathe while he’s just showing a cheeky smile, I hate this man with his guilt tripping face. ``I didn’t “steal your kid”..I just took her along with me—I said that you guys could come along.``
``That’s not what we meant, bozo!`` I’m holding onto his shoulder while hunched over, I’m just very, very much glad Penny is safe and still smiling. The others come up behind me, breathing heavily, they’re all somewhat sweating.

``Who knew—``Rufus coughs while balancing himself with one hand on Mateo’s right shoulder, and his other hand on his knee. ``Who knew that had you a long board..``

The second he said that, the cross-walk sign turned on so we can cross, everyone groaning knowing they still need to follow Mateo.

Rufus walks up behind Mateo, patting his lower back—I see this and react silently, my eyes slightly widen, so I “accidentally” end up ease-dropping on their conversation. ``How long have you had that board, dude?`` Rufus asked ``We could’ve been riding together instead of me peddling you around like a prince.`` I chuckled softly to what he said, but it’s pretty true—Mateo was somewhat pampered as a kid. Considering that he didn’t have a “Mother-figure” to really scold him.

``I had it since middle school, when I would walk home alone I’d take it along with me quite often. I always had my I-Pod in my pocket and listen to music—I only stopped because I ate it once..`` Mateo replied. He’s still holding Penny on his back while she’s looking up at the buildings, babbling with her thumb in her mouth.

I start walking slow, being side-by-side with Aimee. Seeing the two dorks in-front of me, I can suspect something about those two.

Chapter Text

Rufus
6:41 a.m.
Who knew this Mateo kid can skate fast, we literally booked it out of the apartment and chased him down. Kinda wish he did that when we first met—when I was “forced” to pick him up, I notice that we’re walking to Althea park. He stops, holding his arm in front of me, looking both ways then running across the street.

I notice that Penny is peeking over his shoulder and starts smiling brightly, she climbs up Mateo’s back to his shoulder, pulling his hair to pull herself up—Mateo is surprised and laughing but screaming in pain.

``Penny!`` Lidia yelps and laughs at Mateo. I chuckle to myself at how quick Penny can react to being at certain place—just like how she first ran into her “uncle’s apartment” and going to see everyone, then waddling to his room. I’m happy that I’m actually spending time with these people.
—
We make it to the park, and Mateo squats down so Penny can be able to get down, she slowly glides down his back and instantly falling backwards when she hits the ground—Lidia weeping and Aimee giggling. Not like Penny cares, she’s immediately running to the playground with Lidia behind her and Aimee following right after.

I sit down on the bench, wishing I had my bike with me right now. Mateo sits next to me—then comes along Tagoe and Malcolm, making us immediately getting pushed to side, making him go on the end and while I’m on the opposite side. I watch Mateo rest his board on the side, wiping his sweat off his forehead with his sleeve. I just noticed he has a thick-ass sweater on, he has some style for once. He rests him arm on the back rest of the bench, I do the same and grab his hand. I look over and he’s already facing the other way, I’m silently laughing inside at his reaction.

Now, how did I—we tell our friends we’re together..

Then there’s a small voice from Penny, yelling for Mateo, he lets go my hand and runs to penny who was on the slide waiting to be caught. Damn, wished that lasted longer.

Chapter Text

Tagoe
7:26 a.m.
I’m starving, I haven’t eaten a single thing since yesterday’s afternoon. I look around to see if there’s any type of food cart that I can get something small to eat, but to no avail.
I grunt and slowly slide down off the bench to the ground.

``What’s up with you?`` Rufus asked.

``I’m hungry, I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon..`` I utter, burying my face into my arm.

``Wanna sneak off and leave them behind to go get something?`` Malcolm snickered.

``You guys can, I’m staying here, just get the others something.`` Rufus sighed while pulling out his wallet and taking out two twenty bucks.

``Wow, who gave you money?`` I ask.
``Mateo gave me some earlier..`` He reaches his hand out to give me the money ``Use it up if you want.`` I would want to use it up; on food, I’m about to take it then Malcolm snatched it before me and runs away.

``You slut ass—!`` I run after him out of the park, trying to catch up..I missed this.

Chapter Text

Rufus
8:10 a.m.
I’m starting to get bored, I’ve been seriously wondering how Aimee, Lidia, Mateo and Penny aren’t getting bored right now..At this point my mom would force me off the playground and go home.

I slide down the bench to grab Mateo’s skateboard, then get up to walk around for a bit, probably for 5 or 10 minutes then I’ll come back, then I hear running coming up behind me.

I feel Mateo’s hand grab mine and I look at him, seeing his smile beaming at me as the warmth from his hand warms mine.

We stay quiet for a few minutes, just walking around the outside of the park, both of us looking at the ground, until Mateo says something.

``How are we supposed to say that we’re together to everyone?`` He whispers but I still hear him, the streets are loud but not loud to point I can’t hear him.

``We don’t need to immediately tell them that we’re together, Teo.`` I say—Hopefully he doesn’t get weirded out by what I called him.

``I know—`` He pauses for a second ``Did you just call me Teo?`` He looks up into my eyes, with a somewhat remarkable sparkle in his.

``My bad, was that weird?`` I chimed.

``Not at all! It’s just my dad used to go by that, since I’m a junior..`` He laughed at himself, trying not to seem awkward.

He rests his head on my shoulder while we walk. ``I enjoy this.`` He added ``I enjoy spending time with you like this.``

I look up at the sky, watching the sky turn from a shaded orange to a slight pink color. ``I do too.``

``Can we do this more often, or everyday?`` He giggled—his laugh is so gentle and marveled, I could listen to it for hours.

I see Tagoe and Malcolm in the distance, walking back and talking to each other. I tap Mateo’s hand and he looks up then immediately lets go, like he’s embarrassed—I grab his hand back and he stands up straight, trying to not make it obvious he’s still flustered about everything.

I hide our hands in my pocket of my gym shorts, pulling him a bit closer so it’s not as obvious as he expects it to be.

Tagoe is holding an oddly amount of cup holders filled with drinks and smoothies, and Malcolm has 2 happy meals and 2 bags—Pretty obvious they went McDonald’s for Penny.

Tagoe peeks his head over the drinks and tries to say something. ``Hf fiys!`` he muffled through the fries in his mouth. ``He said hi.`` Malcolm “translated” for him.

``Yo.`` I use my open hand to wave at them, while Mateo is looking down at the ground—I rub his knuckle with my thumb and he lifts his hand to wave a bit.

``Come on, we’ll turn back around.`` I whispered in Mateo’s ear and he follows what I say.

I can tell he doesn’t really wanna make any remarks to what we’re doing. But it’s not like Tagoe and Malcolm can realize it.

We all walk back to the park as Malcolm is complaining about some stupid customers and bro—Mateo slips both of our hands out of my pocket and lets it swing freely, not seeming to care.

I’m proud of him, seriously, I even start feeling my face get all warm.

I don’t know if the two guys behind me and him can see our hands together—but who cares.

Chapter Text

Malcolm
8:24 a.m.
We make it back to the park, where Lidia and Aimee is sitting on those table benches, Penny is too small to see anything over the table so she sits on Lidia’s lap; cooing at Aimee while she pretends to understand her.

I place all the shit ton of bags on the table and Tagoe places the drinks beside them.

``It’s on us—!``
``It’s on us``
Damn, we said it at the same time.

``Jinx!``
``Jinx!``

``You owe me a coke.`` I spit my out my sentence before his and Tagoe throws his hands over his face.

``I always lose, man.`` He whined.
``Sounds like a you problem, dude..Now come on—let’s eat.``

The four who was standing immediately sit down and scatters their hands all over the bags trying to see what they got.

These dike ass homos..not like I know if they like the same gender but—you do you man. No judgements from me or the Plutos at all, we respect.
—
I’m peacefully eating my Big Mac while I’m skipping my gaze at everyone for a few seconds as they eat their food, Tagoe eating his Happy meal next to Penny, looking weird as shit.

Aimee and eating those pies that’s shaped like a rectangle..And Lidia’s eating off of Penny’s small fries while also drinking most of her fruit punch—she has her Iced Tea next to her, I even bought her hot-cakes

Then there’s Mateo and Rufus—Mateo is eating a platter with Portuguese sausage with eggs and a hash-brown, while Rufus is eating the large fries while drinking his Sprite

I notice that Rufus is just dazed at the dude in front of him. Mateo is rambling about something that I have no care about, while Rufus is staring—not daggers staring—He’s just staring and seems zoned out, his deep-dark eyes seems relaxed.

It’s either the topic is so boring that he can’t help but zone out.
He doesn’t want to make the dude he met for a day feel bad.
Or—He’s staring at someone else besides him and I don’t realize that.

Rufus finally talks back to what Mateo is talking about—but I was also listening to a bit what Mateo was saying.

Bro was saying tons of remarkable things that me or Rufus can make fun of, something like “That’s like crazy” or a sarcastic comment.

But Rufus just talks about the same interest, not acknowledging whatever Mateo ever said that could’ve easily turned into a joke.
Rufus seems soft around him—Not in a sexual intimacy way, just soft.
He’s not all loud as he would be with Tagoe when he says something that’s completely stupid.

He’s just—man, I can’t explain it.

Just think of something like how you would talk to a puppy thinking it could understand you, but exclude the over-high voice.
—
Everyone finished eating, and just sitting there in silence.

We all watch Mateo get up, grabbing his skateboard and start walking away.

``Where are you going? You can’t just leave us without saying anything—`` Lidia snapped a bit, knowing that we’d only spent a few hours with him.

``I’m gonna skate around for a bit, don’t worry about me. I’ll be careful``

``You don’t want us to come with you?`` Rufus asked.

``You guys just finished eating, rest a bit—I won’t be far from here.``

Rufus has a strong gaze on Mateo while he leaves the area; by that I mean “I’m gonna watch every move you make to make sure you’re not lying” as he walks out.

I break the remaining silence—going straight for the question.

``Do you not like the guy, roof?`` I ask him, like some investigation detective.

``How would you get that? He was my last-friend and I spent the day with him.`` He scoffed to my dumb question.

``It look liked you wanted to stab him with your eyes.`` Tagoe says.

``That’s kinda true, you looked kinda dazedly`` Aimee added.

``I don’t dislike him, he’s pretty neat, considering that he’s older than me by a year, it’s weird how he still has interests like a kid.`` Rufus slouched over the table a bit.

I can feel Lidia’s eyes, glaring directly at Rufus as if what he said was an insult.

``To be honest, he’s cool. We have shit ton of things in common.`` He adds, Lidia relaxes a bit—lowering her gaze along with her shoulders.

``He doesn’t seem to bad, he just needs to open up a bit more`` I hear Tagoe’s voice..That’s completely true to be honest, even though we met at the club—he seems like the type of person to keep a lot to himself.

Hopefully he still lives along with us stupid teenagers.

We start picking up our trash that’s scattered all over the table, while Tagoe is stuffing the McDonald’s toy in Penny’s small pink backpack, knowing that Penny would want it more, plus he didn’t get the one he want.

We start walking out the park, talking about how remarkable Mateo and Rufus managed to live pass the Death-Cast prediction. We’re; excluding Rufus, surprised that the news team isn’t casting them live right now, we’re in a public place so like—why not try find the two teens and make them famous?

As we’re walking out the park, we can see a small crowd forming on the next block, by a small bakery. Some people are even running to see what happened, but mostly trying to get pass.

All I can make out from it is “Are you okay?”’s and shit.

I peek over a bit above some dude’s head.

You’d have to be fucking with me right now.

Chapter Text

Mateo
9:05 a.m.
I can smell the coffee and pastries from the bakery I just skated pass, I’m not even paying attention to anything at this point, until the wheel gets stuck on some stupid pebble on the platform of the cross walk—causing me to almost eat it but still end up on “somewhat” the middle of the road.

I try to grab my skateboard which was slightly behind of me until a car swept passed my face, thankful avoiding the board and me.

But holy shit—I hear pedestrians whispering and talking over my thoughts. I’m shaken by what just happened, I pick myself up and just grab the board then continue walking like that could’ve never possibly killed me.

I end up falling on my knees when I make it to the other side of the road. The people who were on the side, watching me almost get my body get crashed into like roadkill—asking me if I were okay, if I needed water or help getting home. I shake my head yes to the first question, then no to the second, I’m sitting down on the curb where some cars are parked on the side.

If I wasn’t leaning a bit more, I totally would’ve been eliminated, would’ve gotten the message saying that I still could live my life more for nothing.

The speed the car was going at was completely out of the speed-limit, which is around 25 or 30–while the car was probably going at 60 mph, a highway limit.

I might as well walk around instead of skating—but first, I’m staying here a bit longer before getting a move on.

My breathing is unstable.

The past events were worse than this one today..

My hands are shaking and everything falls into a blur, even with my glasses on—my chest is tighten completely to the point taking a single blink or breath hurts. It all hurts—mentally and internally.

I’m exhausted.

My eyes feel heavy, my back is hunched over and my head on my knees, with my board under my feet—going sideways, left and right over and over again, I don’t think I can walk.
But why am I feeling so scared now? The amount of times I faced death, I shouldn’t be scared..
I close my eyes for a bit, then open them seconds later with Lidia and Rufus shaking me, everyones has eyes in on me, did I pass out?—Frantic questions are flooding my ears, which makes me dizzy as hell.

I can barely concentrate on a single thing, which stops me even answering any sort of questions—I’m trying to push everyone away from me, but they don’t know how to help me if I don’t reply.

``Mateo! Are you okay—?!`` Lidia picks up my face with her cold hands, I grab her wrists and somewhat mutter an “I’m okay”.

Everything is just—weirdly blurry, I try taking off my glasses and rubbing my eyes, that doesn’t help at all.

I feel arms pulling me up under my arm, then immediately putting my arm around their shoulder. I can’t really see anything, but I can just feel the heat bouncing off their body onto mine.

I’m wobbling and shaking—I can hear Penny crying, I want to tell her I’m okay, I have to tell her that I’m going to be fine, I need her to not cry over me.

Because that’s how life is, she shouldn’t be crying over a person who shows weakness to easily.

That’s too cruel.

Chapter Text

Aimee
10:00 a.m.
``Penny..Your uncle is going to be okay..`` I say while rocking her, I’m trying to make sure she’s not seeing whatever’s happening but she has a lot of strength for a small infant that she’s pushing me away from her and reaching her arms towards Mateo and Lidia.

I don’t know what’s happening, passersby’s is on their phone, probably talking to police or their friends while Rufus is holding Mateo so close to his body because Mateo—himself, isn’t in the best state.

Chapter Text

Penny Vargas
10:32 a.m.
Penny didn’t get a call from Death-Cast, considering she’s still a young infant and doesn’t have a proper phone yet, unless you count those toy phones that are the old 1970’s dial phone.

But she’s crying into Aimee’s shoulder, worrying about her uncle, Mateo, who’s getting better by the minute. 30 minutes ago he wasn’t doing so well, she’s scared that he was badly hurt and she doesn’t want to see him in a bad state.

She’s trying extremely hard to be in his reach, until realizing that she’s quite far, she’s continuing to scream for him. Just to feel his touch on her hands or face.

Chapter Text

Aimee
10:40 a.m.
We start walking while Mateo is just limping and Penny’s calming down. He starts coughing a bit and stops walking, we follow along with his movements and he sighs.

``I-I’m sorry, I made the day worse.`` He laughed at himself.

``It’s the second day of me living my life and I almost lost it, again``

He tries to maintain a balance so he doesn’t rely on being supported as we continue on.

``It’s not your fault, you probably woke up this morning too early and gotten a headache..You had a stressful day yesterday too.`` Lidia reassured Mateo by rubbing his back.

``I promise I’m fine it’s just—`` He pauses, but is still walking.

``The fact only now I’m panicking over something that could’ve happened yesterday.``

``It’s not your fault.`` Rufus lifts his hand off Mateo’s shoulder to his hair, ruffling it a bit.
``We both took it kinda hard yesterday, getting a call, being strangers—then becoming closer in such short hours.``

Rufus and me are ex’s now.

He used to ruffle my hair like that back then as comfort. He probably did that to Tagoe and Malcom before, I shouldn’t be overthinking.

We’re not—together.

I was so into my thoughts that I accidentally walked to far up from the group—I hear my name behind me and I run back to them, cupping Penny’s head in my hand while her head rests on my shoulder.
.
.
.
It’s all in the past, we’re living the present and waiting for the future.

Penny
10:47 a.m.
Penny calmed down eventually also falling asleep while she’s being held and kept warm from Aimee’s arms. They’re walking around the city more careful than even, Mateo is finally walking on his own next to Lidia, while Rufus is walking along Malcolm.

They know they can’t risk anymore crap, they have to keep each other safe from now own, even if it costs one of them getting hurt—of course, not Penny.

Chapter Text

Lidia
11:20 a.m

We start walking to who knows where, we’re just letting our feet lead the way, who cares if we end up stranded.

We all stop walking, realizing how far we walked, Tagoe bumping into Malcolm—with Aimee nearly tripping on her shoe but instantly catching herself with my back.

I didn’t realize we ended up at Central Park, me and Mateo haven’t been for ages, last time we’ve been here was when we were 8th graders, when his dad used to pick us up from school as it would be dangerous for us to be walking home alone at the age we were—He’d walk us through the park as we talked about what we did in school, he’d even buy us ice cream if we were lucky.

Now thinking of it, we should visit Mateo’s dad soon, I considered him as a second dad or another tío to me as for my parents used to work long-hour shifts.

We continue to walk, then we pass a group of people with instruments, there’s a dude with a trombone, one baritone saxophone, three flutes and clarinets, a drum kit along side a pianist and a few trumpets.

I stop for a second while everyone is walking ahead, Mateo notices I’m not with them and walks back to me—listening to song.

``I haven’t heard this song in a long, long time..`` He chuckles and I nudge his shoulder, considering the song was “It’s been a long, long time” by Kitty Kallen.

We’re both listening to the swing of the trumpets and the singer, Mateo grabs a 5 dollar bill from his pocket and places it in one of the cases that was open along side some other change while the song comes to an end.

``Mommy!`` I hear from a distance—I was so interested in the group that I thought I left Penny, turns out it was just a different kid running to her parents. I sigh and turn my attention back to music, leaning against Mateo’s arm while he stands there.

There’s slight footsteps walking up beside us, luckily it’s just Aimee them, not some burgler roaming around and trying to mob people.

They stand beside me and Mateo, and Aimee places down Penny so she can somewhat dance to music, then the small band starts playing a tune that’s somewhat recognizing able.

The vocalist announces on the microphone along the lines of ``This next song is called “Sing, sing, sing” a song that was remastered by Louis Prima—This is instrumental version so listen and relax!``

Mateo straightens his shoulders, with full attention—Because his dad would play instrumental songs on the radio. He would usually play songs from the 1900’s, mainly musicians like Louis Armstrong, or Frank Sinatra, so he would usually hear these type of songs.

I see Penny swaying a bit to the tune and I immediately pull out my phone, everyone else who was watching was cheering her on, including the percussionists. Mateo is laughing a bit while Penny is holding onto his hand, Rufus is taking pictures, while Malcolm and Tagoe is clapping along to the beat and Aimee is standing there, smiling.

—

The song comes to an end when the last note is played, the crowd that was watching claps and cheers while Penny is also clapping at the herself—but also the band.

``Thank you!`` The vocalist says to the crowd and crouches down a bit to wave at Penny, while Penny is running to Mateo and isn’t paying much attention to her.

I laugh and wave at her so she at least gets some acknowledgement, we start walking away, Mateo is bending his knees a bit as he holds Penny’s hand so he can let Penny walk.

Rufus is walking on the side of me, still taking photos with Mateo’s board in his “free-hand”.

``You take a lot of pictures, Rufus``

``It’s my thing, my 70 followers on insta need content`` He says.

``That’s pretty neat..``

``Yep, I actually wanna be a photographer or at least some type of vlogger.`` Quite surprised to be honest, he seems like some totally athletic guy who would pick sports over nature, but he likes keeping memories.

``That’s actually cool, to be honest—I would’ve thought you would’ve chosen something sportier—`` I cut myself off, realizing what I said.

``I don’t mean it because you’re..you know!`` I messed up by just saying that.

``Chill, I get what you mean since I’m tall and kinda muscular`` He laughed a bit before looking straight ahead.

``Before, I used to post all my pictures in black n white.`` He then shows me a few photos on his account that had a minimalist color tone.

``Then I met Mateo, your best friend. He honestly brought some colors into my photos—and probably me, my family used to say that “before you meet someone that’s desirable to you, your life is gray and has no color”``

``He has that effect on everyone..`` I say.

``It’s funny, he used to be extremely introverted in school, he only ever talked to classmates who talked to him first, I didn’t see how he couldn’t speak to a single person without knowing he can leave a trail of vivid colors in a person’s memory.`` I stated while staring at the trees, while some of the leaves are falling onto the ground.

We cross over a bridge, watching a few boats go under and out on the other side.

``If I didn’t notice Mateo, my life would’ve been upside down the entire way of living, I would’ve been some popular girl with dumbass friends who smoked and were Socs..I mean—socials.`` I explained while taking down my hair from the Bobby-pin that’s been holding it in a messy bun the entire time.

``Glad that I don’t keep in contact with them anymore, would’ve been a dumbass just like them.`` I continue talking while Rufus is listening carefully like I’m teaching him something.

``I miss the times when Mateo would take time to put my hair up into different braids each day—then we walk through the hall having all eyes on us, Mateo by my side hunched over while I looked like I just came out of a brand new salon with amazing hairstylist.`` I laugh, picking up my hair between my fingers—watching the strands immediately slip through.

``What do you think of Mateo?`` I asked looking up at Rufus, who was looking down at his shoes.

``I told you guys when we were at the other park, remember?`` He chimed.

``Besides that! I mean like, did he change your life yesterday or what was the after affect he had on you?`` I say.

``He did change my perspective of life and time,,that’s for sure`` He says

``I taught him that time is way worthy then it may seem, and it’s not a thing thats meant to be wasted until your last breath``

``But that’s what you did for him, what he do for you?``

He looks to me, then looks at Mateo who’s in-front of him, with Penny on his shoulders.

`` He saved me `` He whispered.

Chapter Text

Mateo
12:45 p.m.
We make it to the exit of Central Park, I’m sweating like a non-stop waterfall, wishing it were raining right now.

``We should split ways here`` Tagoe sighs, I turn my back to face him.

``You sure?`` I question, I enjoyed this—Kinda wished it didn’t end right now.

``Yea..We have to visit some people, we can go your place back at 8 p.m.?`` Malcolm asked.

``Sure..See you guys later then-`` I wave at all four of them then walk to the right, then The Plutos along with Aimee start walking to the left.

``You have your long-board, right?`` Lidia asks, looking start ahead knowing I forgot it with someone. I then look behind me, realizing Rufus has my board—``Ah-! Wait, Rufus!`` I take Penny off my shoulders quickly and start running to him, Lidia laughs start fading as I’m running to Rufus.

Rufus looks down and realizes too, he hands the board to me. ``Sorry Teo, took this by accident`` He chuckled a bit.

``It’s fine—! See ya’ later..!`` I wave to him, running and almost tripping over the uneven concrete and catching up with Lidia, then I hear the Pluto’s talking right after.

I can still feel Rufus’s small glances on my back.

I can’t love these people enough.
—
It’s 1:03 p.m. now

We’re close to the hospital, I’m nervous.
—
Me and Lidia check into the hospital, luckily Jared wasn’t there, as I’m about to press the elevator button until a crowd of doctors run out pushing a carrier, with a skinny middle-aged woman on the bed. Her hair was faded brown and glossy, while her face was covered with moles—but she had a huge bruise on her eye while cuts laid on her neck.

Her child followed behind the crowd, having an obvious nervous and scared look. His hands were holding each other, and his fingers were twitching—he was small, probably like 4’9 at least, poor kid looked around the age of 5 or 7..

We walk into the elevator, trying to not acknowledge anything.

``I hope god is watching over that small family..`` Lidia says, looking down at Penny—holding her hand while Penny is trying to reach her small backpack.

``I do too`` I reply, hopefully that woman lives long enough to watch her kid graduate Highschool.

We make it to the floor where my dad is.
``You want to come inside?`` I ask, that’s a stupid question to ask since Lidia hasn’t seen my dad in awhile. ``Yea, just go in first`` Lidia says, presenting her hand forward as I walk through the door, my eyes meeting with Elizabeth.

``Mateo..!`` She stutters, slight tears form in her eyes.

``I thought you were dead—`` She says. ``You even said it was your last day, yesterday..!``

She starts crying a bit, her voice is whimpered and soft as she talks in between her breathing.

``I’m sorry, I did tell you that, but I’m still he—`` I’m cut off by a unexpected hug, her tears are going through my shirt—staining it with water.

``Your dad is going to be so glad that you’re alive—! I’ll leave you guys be.`` She then picks up the tray of medicine needles that she was injecting to that blood or liquid bag thing..Leaving immediately closing the door behind her.

``Hi papa, I brought Lidia along with Penny with me..`` I say, looking at Lidia who was looking at my dad.

``Hi Tìo-! You meet Penny before, she grown a bit since she last saw you.`` Lidia then places Penny on her lap, and places her small hand on his.

``This is your other abuelo, Penny! Say hi``

``Hii!`` Penny babbles, she’s not really interested in my dad—which is somewhat funny.

``Papa, I lived throughout Death-Casts prediction..!`` I get straight to point.

``I spent the 24 hours of yesterday worrying and praying that I’d live to see your face the next day..and I’m here``
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``Finalmente encontré el amor en alguien. `` I finally found love in someone, I’m picking at my fingernails.

Lidia’s eyes lay on me, I’m not looking up at all, just directly down. ``I hope you know your dad is very proud of, I am too Mateo..`` She murmured.

``I know so he’s proud, but you’re the first person that I came out to!`` I announced, I cover my mouth and Lidia pats my back then rubs it. ``I’ve always been proud since the first day I’ve met you..``
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``To be honest, I have no care about who you love, your dad said love is a superpower—right?`` She questioned, she then placed Penny in my arms.

``Yea, a superpower that I can’t control, it could’ve worked at anytime and anywhere, but it worked yesterday—at Clint’s Graveyard..`` I slouch back into my chair.

``Mateo.`` Lidia says.

``Yea?``

``Are you very much into Rufus?``

``Of course! I may have met him yesterday but our bond is strong enough..`` I stop and think for a second.``But are you okay with the gay?``

``Okay with the gay, Mateo.``

``You sure-sure?``

``I’m sure-sure..``

I stand up and pull Lidia up as well, I glance at my dad—his hair is kind of greased and he’s growing a stubble, which is kinda funny at the sight of it..``Bye dad..``

Chapter Text

The Plutos
1:35 p.m.
These 3 boys are walking back to their foster care home, the only home they’d get if it wasn’t for Francis and Jenn Lori.

They’re at the plot, you’d think it wouldn’t be so scary—seeing your foster care parents again since 23-hours ago, but Rufus can barely get his hand up to unlock the door.

``You good?`` Malcolm questioned, shaking Rufus’s shoulder.

``Yea, totally..`` That’s an obvious lie, the tone in his voice is shivery and sounds like he’s about to breakdown. Rufus ends up shoving Tagoe in-front of him, trying to make him open the door. ``Man, you open it Tag..I can’t.``

``Alright, just chill Roof`` he placed his hand on the doorknob about tossed the door open.

—

Rufus
2:22 p.m.
Yo, I’m mad nervous that I’m gonna faint.

The Emeterio’s aren’t one to show emotion but look, you get a call from some stupid cite that makes no joke about you dying, you tell whoever you want you’re gonna die at any moment, then you manage to live? Now that’s worthy to tell everyone—but they won’t believe that. My hands are for real sweaty and shaking the moment that Tagoe even pushes the door open, making the light shine from the foyer.

``We’re home!`` Tagoe announces.

That’s right..It’s my home, our home. The safe place we lived for part of our life. (Not part but—you get what I mean..)

I’m not gonna book out like last time, at my funeral because of Peck being a wussy..can’t handle a simple hit, but I’m staying.

The two dudes step in through the doorway, while I’m still standing on the step. Look, I’m not a man for word—but I am for this moment. My world feels like crashing, my ‘good’ Rufus inside me is about to break out my body and start sobbing on the spot. I then feel my body being dragged by my arm; tripping over the metal part of the door frame.

``We brought a guest, ma!`` Malcolm says, wow, this guy sees me as a guest? After the pain in the foot caused by that metal platform? Damn. Nah, I know he jokin’.

Tagoe pushes my back to talk when I finally get into the house, I have a knot in my throat—it hurts that I for real start sobbing my eyes out.

Malcom and Tagoe is shocked, not really but you get me, even Jenn Lori.
``Ma..`` My voice is chocked, more chocked than when Mateo made the first move before I did. ``Rufus..!`` Jenn Lori speeds walks to me and while I’m sprinting on my feet—landing in her embrace.

I start breaking down, I thought I wouldn’t see my people again. Tagoe’s little twitches, Malcolm’s dumb comments and voice, Francis’s eyes and Jenn Lori’s cooking. ``I’m so sorry..`` My hearts aching, and my voice is cracking. ``There’s no need for a sorry..! You’re home, Rufus.``

I then feel Tagoe’s and Malcolm’s arm around my back, Francis’s eyes on all four of us.

``I’m still sorry, I left 22 hours ago..Last time I’ve seen your face and heard your voice!``

``Don’t blame yourself for a thing you messed up on..Better thing is you’re alive in my arms,,`` She says, that finally takes a blow to my heart, breaking it instantly..These two adults helped and rebuilt my life again. My head is buried in her shoulder, I feel like I’m hugging my mom again.

``Please, look up at me, Rufus..`` She says, in her gentle tone, I look up and she wiping the tears off my cheek, while more just end up flowing down. ``You make me ever so proud, forget what happened yesterday..be glad you’re here in the moment right now!``

Yea, I’m mad glad..I’m living for the Plutos, and the Emeterios.

Chapter Text

Mateo
3:09 p.m.
Me and Lidia left the hospital, we’re currently waiting by the entrance gate because there’s a group of doctors and a patient arguing in front of us, blocking us from leaving.

``Oh my gosh..`` Lidia groans, she’s bouncing her foot while they’re still at it, so we just—squeeze through the small gap they made for us and sigh. Lidia glances at me and at the road ahead, having a sense of guilt of what’s she’s going to do.

``I’m going home, Mateo. Don’t get hurt when you’re going home, alright?`` She simpered, she then places her hand on my back—patting it.

``I’ll be safe, I promise this time..You have to make sure you get home safely, Lidia!`` I rejoiced, knowing that’s not much a promise—since Death-Cast probably messed with me saying that I’m gonna keep living when I almost got hit by that car..``Just be more safer than me, please.`` She sighs.

``I know Lidia..See you later tonight—!`` I smile at her and she waves at me while Penny is dead asleep on her shoulder, I laugh at myself knowing that Penny is in the perfect care of Lidia.
—
I’m looking down at my feet, realizing what happened yesterday. As much I can remember, not like I can't—I was supposed to die, I’m supposed to be in a grave right now. I wonder what is filled in my grave if it’s dirt or just not filled at all. Just some plot someone else could use.

I step my foot on the curb and look both way, running across the street, seeing my apartment not so far. This breeze is making me want to stay outside longer, but my clothes are all sweaty and my hair is oily.
—
I’m finally in my apartment, the AC is blasting on my face and it’s making me feel amazing.
.
.
.
I’m gonna shower, I can smell myself.
—
They say that don’t use hot water for when you’re all sticky and sweaty. But who follows that? Probably some people but not me, hot showers are better in my opinion, it’s just good self-care, you know? I mean there’s downside—but no one cares, let them enjoy their steaming hot shower.

I step out the shower and grab my glasses off the sink, wiping my face before I put them on. I should try contacts, but I’m scared that it’ll get stuck inside my eye and never come out. I seen videos of where people put 5 or more contacts in their eye and get it stuck way above their eyelids, don’t want that to happen to me even though I’d only have one in each eye. I’ll stick with glasses til’ then.

I walk into my room, a trail of water following me. I grab some sweat pants and a gray-tanker..Or tank-top, I just call it “tanker” because it sounds funny. I look like an average teenager trying to look good for catfishing Instagram photos, so I decided to switch to a normal white shirt. I have way too much white shirts, some aren’t even my size.
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.
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I lay face down on my bed, wishing one of my friends were here. We wouldn’t even need to talk—just be by each others side and watch the sky change colors through my window..

Even just watching TV! I’m fine with anything.
I sigh and grab my computer, might as well keep myself busy while I wait.

Chapter Text

Lidia
5:22 p.m.

Lidia made it home safely, luckily.
She’s planning on going to Mateo’s apartment with some other friends, by that I mean The Plutos and Aimee.

She grabs Penny’s bib and bottles—including different toys and shoved them in a tote bag Mateo gave her on her 15th birthday. Lidia cherished it a lot and started bringing it out on special occasions, this occasion is considered special to her. As her best-friend was supposed to be 6ft under already, but he cheated death.

She gets neatly dressed in a classic sweater and ripped jeans, then she ties Penny’s hair in two pigtails and calls it a day..They’re just about to walk out the door until Lidia remembers something. She walks quickly to her room and grabs a box with “Childhood Memories !” Then opens it to get a book; might as well bring something to show off..

Aimee
6:00 p.m.

I had fun this morning, I’m exhausted—I don’t wanna go back out, but since Tagoe and Malcolm are happy that Rufus is alive and well, (not saying I’m unhappy) I might just come along and knock out in Mateo’s apartment..

I decided to switch my clothes to a Raglan shirt with a star on it and some shorts, I didn’t do laundry yesterday since I got the news from Rufus he was going to die..I’m in disbelief that he didn’t die from a viscous dog or a stupid drunk-addict driving.

I grab my phone and charger, then shove them in my pocket. I feel the cold breeze once I walk out the door—realizing it already way dark, hopefully I can make it to his apartment by memory..

Chapter Text

Malcolm
7:12 p.m.

It’s almost time go back out, but first—we need to finish eating our mom’s cooking, she made our favorite food, so we can’t miss that.

Rufus is stuffing his mouth on his third plate and Tagoe is getting seconds; while I’m still on my first—I grabbed a bigger portion that’s why. Always appreciate your mothers cooking, even if you don’t enjoy it as much as take-out.

I slouch back in my chair, I really wanna pass out in my bed right now. But, we’re doing our best friend a favor by going back out to his other friends house, Mateo’s.

Not tryna sound mean, but they have a serious connection already, those two dudes be separated from each other for a second and one always need to look at the other one, like person A and person B. Person A keeps watch on person B so they’re not doing something stupid that’ll get them busted in a cop car—like me and Tagoe earlier midnight..

A few hours ago, Rufus was watching Mateo, taking second-glances as we were leaving Central Park.

I think they are onto something but I’m not for sure—again, no judgement, I sigh. Keeping the thought to myself before Rufus gets all defensive.
—
We all end up finishing our food and now we’re just chilling in my room, there’s still piled laundry in the corner of my room, which Tagoe is laying on while Rufus is sitting against the wall on his phone and I’m on my bed.

I grab my phone off my pillow and look at the time, reading 7:45 p.m.

``You guys ready to go?`` I ask, looking at Rufus.

``Yea, go get ready real quick though.`` He replies. ``You’re gonna wear that? You weren’t sweating?`` I jolt up from my bed and walk to the closet we tried stuffing Rufus in, tossing him random shit that I kept long ago.

He catches a black T-shirt and some grayish gym shorts.

``Jeez, your style is boring`` I remark at him, he doesn’t seem like to care though. ``I have more style than you, at least.`` He laughs and walks out the room.

I kick Tagoe out my room so I can change as well, he needs a new shirt where there’s no blood stain on it…
—
We changed into more casual clothes, while I have baggy jeans on with a hoodie, Tagoe has a red-ish orange stripped shirt on which I gave for his birthday because it was thrifted and I thought it matched him, by the way it doesn’t—at all.

We say goodbye to Mom and Dad, and take off on our bikes, Rufus leading the way while we follow behind. Its so fucking cold that I wanna turn back and grab a jacket right now, who cares if I get lost trying to find them again..I’m freezing.

Chapter Text

Mateo
8:12 p.m.

I’m awake, I didn’t even realize I fell asleep. My computer’s shut, so I grab my phone for any recent messages, there’s none as expected.

There’s a knock at my door, not a soft one either. ``Mateo! Open the door!`` It’s Lidia, I can tell because her voice in basically engraved in my head, but her tone is stentorian and ringing. I end up slowly pulling myself out of my bed while getting a text from my phone, just the same thing she said but in text form.

I step out of my room and make my way to the door, then peek my out of the peep-hole, seeing it’s Lidia and Penny, I swing open the door a bit.

``Wow..What wrecked you?`` Lidia laughs, she looks me up and down and walks in.

``Your hair is all fizzy and poofy..You smell like Floral`` She says, Penny giggles when she sees me, I’m guessing I look like a guy that doesn’t do well with his hair, which I don’t. I pushed the door closed and take Lidia’s bag off her shoulder, setting it beside the couch.

``I just woke up, that’s why—`` I’m cut off my Lidia looking at me funny.

``Wow, did your balls drop or something? Your voice deepened for a second—!`` She sounded cheeky like she was teasing me.

``Don’t say it like that..It’s embarrassing to hear you talk so seemingly`` I sigh.

``Mateo, I’m a mom and I’m gonna act like one so suck it up.`` Jeez, that hit home. I reluctantly slip myself on the the couch, taking up the whole thing. Lidia squeezes herself between my feet and a small space by the armrest.

``Do you actually love someone, Mateo?`` She’s look straight ahead, Penny is running around my apartment, going into the kitchen and grabbing some stuff out of the bottom cabinets.

``What?``

``You heard me, Mateo..`` She steals a glimpse at me.

``Did you find someone you want to spend your life with? Someone who you want to fulfill your achievements, including theirs, and one who would listen to you about your silly little rambles of superhero’s..`` She says, she sounds so plummy, I can’t take her seriously..I’m only half awake right now and my voice is wheezy.

The remaining silence steals the spotlight, I don’t know how to respond, so I give an “I guess—?” As an answer.

``That’s it? An “I guess” is all you have to say?`` She questioned me with an attitude, like she’s growing irritated with me.

``I mean, yea—I can’t describe it.`` I winced. ``If you really want me to ramble on about what I think of this person—``

``Mateo, I know who we're talking about, just say, Rufus!`` Lidia laughs and crosses her legs while Penny is running back to her with a plastic bowl in her hands, she then places Penny in her lap and looks at me with all of her attention. ``So..?``

``Oh, uh..`` There’s another knock at the door,  I let out a groan but then Lidia gets up instead. ``I’ll get it—!``

I hear The Pluto's voices from afar, but I rarely bother to get up since I’m barely awake even though it’s been 8 minutes since.

``Yo, Mateo`` Rufus says, he sits on the floor next to me. I utter a “Hi” and I feel awake, that’s an odd effect after someone says your name. ``You just woke up?`` He asks, I turn to him while his head is facing forward. ``Yea..I’m a mess right now—`` I murmured, I then sit up and lean against the arm rest, Rufus then whispered but I didn’t catch it since everyone else is talking about take-out and things we could do..

``What?`` I touted, all I can make out is Lidia talking to Malcolm about Sottocasa..``I said you look ugly, go back to sleep.`` He groaned while he looked up at me. ``Wow, I mean, I was going to talk to you longer but since you’re moody then—`` I’m cut off by being dragged down off the couch to the floor.

``Talk to me you dork.`` He laughed, we end up talking about some Marvel crap—something about how Moon-Knight isn’t as much talked about. I mean theres some comic books with him and a few shows but dude doesn’t get much praise, not saying he’s a good protagonist, you get what I mean if you’re a geek about superheroes and other stuff.

Penny runs to me with a whisk in her hand, I’m guessing she managed to grab a stool or something to get to the drawers and grab my utensils. ``Woah—Thank you..`` I chuckle a bit and she smiles brightly, then runs away again.

``You enjoy being Penny’s uncle, Mateo?`` Rufus said, looking behind his shoulder then back to me. ``Yea`` I say. ``Lidia made me her godfather the minute she was born..``

``But it’s not like I’m able to kick a small child if one were to bully her, I couldn’t`` I laugh a bit and lean my head on the couch cushion.

``I could if you wanted me to—`` Rufus looks at me and places his hand under my head. ``You’d get arrested if you were to.`` I scoff. ``That’s the point! If a kid were to mess with her, just call me.`` He opens his mouth to say something else until there’s a loud knock at the door, like a gunshot down the hall.

``HOLY SHIT—!`` Malcolm yelled while Tagoe screamt like a girl..It was funny until Lidia opens the door to see Aimee holding 3 pizza boxes, guess from where? Sottocasa. ``You actually agreed to my text? Wasn’t it expensive to buy that much food—`` Tagoe got cut off by Aimee’s death-glance, she looked pissed off. ``It was! Now you owe me $59.23, Tagoe!`` Apparently Tagoe didn’t pay her for the food so she can order take-out (I’m guessing this by the way..) She then walks to the coffee table and places the boxes. ``Go eat—I bought this all for us.`` She said while walking to the kitchen, Rufus pulls himself up and turns to me holding his hand out. ``Come on, let’s eat.`` My eyes softened a bit, It’s silly that I completely fell in love more to a simple sentence ending with “let’s eat”.. I guess it’s just his generosity.

Chapter Text

Rufus
8:37 p.m.

Aimee finally came, wasn’t expecting food though, was kinda wishing for all of us to make something in Mateo’s kitchen and create a mess that we wouldn’t clean until midnight. By “midnight” I mean the next day.. I used to sneak out my room when everyone was asleep just to make food at 4 a.m. before Malcom and Tagoe got to the cereal first, by the time I’d wake up again—I’d hear yelling from the kitchen that someone ate all the cereal and saved 1/4 of it.

We laid out the boxes in order.
There’s Romana pizza, then Capricciosa-something pizza, and Fresca pizza. There’s some other side-dishes too but let’s focus on the main shit..

It’s not often that The Plutos go out and choose places this “fancy”, we only went to the diner or eat something from home, I mean not saying this Sottocasa pizza is anything fancy or something (expect the names of the supplies). Seems like Mateo doesn’t go any place “fancy” either—he’s staring at the food and looks guilty like he’s been caught doing something. ``Mateo, eat—it’s not gonna cost you anything if you take a bite`` I say, the whole room is already on their second slice while Mateo never started on his first, kinda concerned. ``Oh, sorry.`` He finally took a bite out of his pizza and the sparkle in his eye makes me wanna start smiling brightly. He continued to eat and I’m mad proud of him, I guess he never had this type of pizza, I wouldn’t know.

Damn, I’m dazed at someone eating? That’s kinda creepy Rufus..Mateo already finished his first piece so I grab another slice and place it on his plate. He smiles a bit; this dude is adorable as fuck.
—
It’s 9:01 p.m. and it’s raining a bit—Lidia and Malcolm are eating whatever sides Aimee bought and Tagoe is passed out on the single couch, I hear the wind blowing against the kitchen window. And I can’t really do much since Mateo is playing with Penny with a bowl and whisk, acting like their baking..

I end up laying down on the floor, scrolling on Instagram seeing recent pictures of people running in the streets or jumping in huge puddles when the water splashes back up which is captured at the right time. Then I come across a story with nice flowers, the type where you’d give someone on their tenth anniversary or a Valentine’s Day special. My eyes land on “Angel Trumpet” flowers, Aimee used to love these flowers a lot—she used to tell me how these flowers were the “Entry into heaven”, not gonna lie they’re pretty neat. Too bad they’re poisonous..

``You like flowers?`` I hear a thick voice behind me, it’s Mateo. Didn’t know his voice can sound like that—scared the shit out of me that luckily I didn’t scream like Tagoe, I didn’t even realize he moved away from Penny.

``Yep, they’re pretty nice right? Look at this one`` I say with my voice cracking a bit, I give him my phone where the pictures showed some light pink bell flowers. ``They mean affection and everlasting love, don’t they?`` He questioned.
``My mom would’ve adored these if my dad were to buy some for her on their anniversary, well she likes any types of flowers. Even if it were to harm her.`` He leaned on back of the couch, going over it a bit to see me. ``Your mom was a keeper to your dad, wasn’t she?`` I added, I’ve never seen a picture of his mother. But she seems like a sweet lady..knowing that she rejected his dad twice seems like she enjoys saying “Tough Love”.

``I guess she was, I can’t really say much about her..I just known from stories from my dad where he said she was a woman of her word, but she could fight if she wanted to.`` He glanced at me, his pupils dilated a bit, showing a warm and perfect smile.

``My dad described her with gorgeous curled hair that would go back into it’s normal form no matter how much times she’d tried to straighten it, it was tinted an bronze hue shade. She had thin eyebrows, moles covering her face—one on her nose and a few on the side of her forehead. He said that his favorite mole laid below her bottom lip where he said he would’ve kissed her for hours-on-end, I’m guessing that’s how she gave me her freckles`` He stopped to take a chance to breathe, I’m already picture his mom in my mind, not being weird by that. She seems beautiful, I think I can tell why she was a hard to get person. ``She had a somewhat hooked-nose but also button nose and her lips were shaped as cupids bow.`` He paused and pulled his phone out his pocket. ``I’ll try find a picture, but I probably won’t be able to..``

``That’s alright if you don’t, I can picture her face perfectly—to be honest it seems like you took more of her appearance than your dads.`` He then had the same guilty look when he was eating. ``My dad said she was tough, but she was his friend. His best friend.`` Best friend, I see Mateo as a friend in a much more lovable way.

``When the weather was like this, they’d run up and down the streets not giving a single care if they were getting in harms-way the amount of times they were to cross the street onto on-going traffic! I would be doing that, I’d sell my soul to not give a care about facing death.`` He then slouched and I got up the second he did.

``Well, it’s raining now—why not try it now?`` He looked up at me like I was kidding. ``It’s a perfect rainy day, it’s pouring so let’s do it, Torrez.`` I asserted then stuck my hand out. Mateo hesitated for a split second and finally grabbed it.

Right then and there, I book out his apartment feeling free as ever. Trying something new isn’t scary to me but it is to him, so let’s try change it. Who cares if any of the other 4 idiots in the room are gonna be worried about us, let’s live this moment until it ends.

Chapter Text

Mateo
9:35 p.m.

I’m being dragged out of my apartment at night, it’s pouring rain and there’s footprints of water on every step down the stairs. Rufus is rushing down and I almost trip on my feet getting down the first flight of stairs.
We made it to the lobby and he pushed against the door into the cold rain, laughing and smiling while he turned to me. My face flushed at the sight of his gentle charm, his deep-dark brown eyes made me dizzy and hazed.

We’re running down the street, not giving a care if there were to be a speeding car right around the corner. We’re stomping in huge puddles that make our shoes and socks all soaked, I burst out into laughter when I see Rufus almost tripping when his shoes slip on the wet concrete. ``Thanks for asking if I’m okay.`` He scoffs, his smile is so beautiful under the street-light.
``Sorry, you alright?`` I question, my voice is plummy and sarcastic.
``Yea, let’s keep running. I’ll never get tired, you probably will, be prepared.`` He then grabs my hand tighter and hurried to the next block, my glasses are blurred from the droplets of rain. I hear cars driving on the curb-side puddles splashing onto the sidewalk.

``You enjoying this, Mateo?`` Rufus shouted, he’s running in front of me and I can see his shirt is soaked with water. ``Yes!`` I yell, I adore his small giggles. We halt under a crossing light. Trying to catch our breath. ``Are you tired yet?`` He asked, he then wipes his face with his shirt, not really helping considering that his shirt is drenched in water. ``No, let’s keep going..`` I’m heaving but I feel way too alive for this, I really do need a break but who cares. I’m safe in the hands of Rufus Emeterio.
—
We ran in the rain for about 8 minutes now..Rufus found an empty street where there’s rows of townhouses, didn’t really expect to go this far..So we end up sitting under the shade, I’m feeling dizzy as hell while Rufus is trying to squeeze water out of his shirt.

``You had fun, Mateo?`` He echoes, he lifts up my front hair to see my face—since my curls are all soaked, they just flop over my eyes and half of my nose.. ``I want this to continue, really.`` Rufus looked kinda puzzled, like I wasn’t afraid of getting pneumonia or a cold. He then glanced at the road, where there was continuous raindrops falling at a quick speed and the wind blowing it to the side—flashing it towards the streetlights.

``You sure? It’s been 10 minutes now.`` He pauses and glances at the stars that were practically unnoticeable. It’s all blocked by the dark clumped up clouds. ``I’d doubt that if we were to star-gaze into the sky for hours, I’ll never get sick of it.`` I say. ``Exactly like how we’re spending this moment right now—!`` I then turn my face to him and smile, my teeth has a small overbite, but I don’t think Rufus would care about it. It seems like a good perk of mine. I take off my glasses so I can wipe the water off, once I do—I can just feel the wind brushing against my face, like I jinxed it at the right second..

``Mateo, you have beautiful eyes. You know?`` Rufus said, brushing his hand across my under eye. I then press my head more into his palm and I can feel his hand get warm.

``I love you, Mateo.`` He clears his throat and leans his shoulder on mine.

``You know that I love you too, Rufus`` I never realized that Rufus had a scar on the side of his cheekbone, I accidentally end up touching it and his eyes widens bit. I stop myself from pressing to hard and pull away—``My bad, I zoned out.`` Rufus didn’t seem to be bothered, in fact he’s laughing at the point I even noticed the scar.

``Come on, get up—I want to try something real quick while it’s still raining..`` He then pulls me up to my feet and we go into the middle of the street. ``You want to stand in the middle of the entire street and get ran over?`` I laugh. ``Don’t jinx it, kid.``

He place his hand on my waist with his other on my shoulder and I straighten my back, while his fingers intertwined in mine. The guy who I spent 22 hours with is slowing-dance with me at who ever knows time. We don’t even need the right music or the right movements, we just keep our own pace and dance the night away.

Chapter Text

Rufus
10:00 p.m.

It’s been an half an hour since we been outside, we’re both drenched in water.

But we have no care this time, because me and Mateo are slowing dancing in the street and having a peaceful moment, unless a driver is going to be a total dumbass and hit us. Which is most likely, won’t happen..I sound like Mateo when I thought of that. But who cares—no one can hear my thoughts, I hope.

I hear a slated voice in my ear. ``I’m glad I met you, Emeterio.`` He didn’t butcher my last name, surprised he didn’t like most people. My last name isn’t as common but at least people attempt to say it.

I kiss Mateo’s cheek and look into his water-filled glasses, I laugh at the sight—considering I can barely see this dude’s eyes at all. ``You know damn well that I’m glad too, Torrez.`` Life has been feeling good again since I met Mateo, no joke. We made moments and we both appreciated it, we’re making some—we’re gonna cherish it..I could never forget his name even if I had amnesia.

We finally break the stance and just start walking back to his apartment, I stop at a corner. ``Come on, get on my back.`` I squat down and wait for him to do something.

``Are you sure?`` Look man, I may have slipped on a step yesterday and landed on you but I won’t do that anymore, probably.
I feel a light weight on my back, his legs go onto my waist while his arms wrap around my shoulders and neck. I lift him up a bit more and his head buries into my shoulder, I feel his hot breath trailing down my neck, weird feeling but I can deal with it.

We—or I, start walking down this empty street, it’s drizzling kinda hard but not pouring like a waterfall. I’m guessing the way I’m walking makes Mateo laugh, I bounce a bit so that’s probably the reason.

``You’re such a dork, Teo.``

``Im ‘your’ dork, aren’t I?``

``If you want to be, then sure—you’re choice man..``

I hope Mateo doesn’t see me as a person who’d get pissed off at something so small, I mean he possibly doesn’t but still—I beaten up a guy who has a ugly-ass haircut that thinks it suits him while he pulled up and tried gunfire. That obviously didn’t work, since Mateo punched him as a distraction.

``Mhm..``

This dude better not fall asleep on it, it’ll just double the weight on my back.
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Spoke too soon.

Chapter Text

Andrea Donahue
10:36 p.m.
Death-Cast didn’t call Andrea Donahue tonight or yesterday—their system has been sustained as there was an error in the system. The moment she walked into the office this early morning, people asked frantic questions to each other person in the room, pure chaos broke lose to the thought of how many people could be dead or dying at the exact moment and hour—it’s been 22 hours since they’ve been down and there’s been cases and articles already being posted online.

Each manager of each floor goes through the history calls of every “Harold”. Then they lay upon “Mateo Torrez, 12:22 a.m.”
Each dispatcher has known if the person were to see their name on the list (website), they were going to die—Mateo’s was one of the people that’s name wasn’t on list.

Andrea’s manager has blamed her for causing such a thing to happen to Death-Cast, an ongoing crisis caller to give an alarm for people that have 24-hours to live their life, people may think it’s unfair and unworthy—that maybe true but Death-Cast isn’t one to blame for their upcoming death.

Andrea is devastated, really. Her “streak” is ruined, and that’s all she ever can care about. Her calls and work-ethic is suspended for a week to sort out what to do with her, the management is disappointed of her show of work, she walks out of the place in sorrow, but wrath for this stupid website, it’s not her fault for the “fake news”, her files said Mateo Torrez was going to die. It’s not her fault..

Chapter Text

Lidia
10:49 p.m.

I’m bored as hell, so I might take this time as an advantage to do something for myself a favor. Show off pictures of me and Mateo’s childhood, since Mateo isn’t home. I should be worried—but since I saw him walk out with Rufus, and Rufus is kind of a tuff guy, he would be fine..unless they come back covered in cuts. I’ll call the ambulance. But what if they’re actually hurt? Should I call his phone, do I need to run out again?
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Don’t overthink, Lidia Vargas! You’re better than that, Mateo’s fine—and Rufus is alright..

``You guys wanna see something?`` I start walking to the front door, where the shoe rack is, searching through my tote bag. ``You have something for us?`` Malcolm asks, his gaze laying on my back.

``It’s something I’ve been working on since middle school.`` I pull out a large book, the pages are torn a bit and dirty.
``What’s that? A Harry Potter Book?`` Aimee question. I turn to her and show her the cover, it’s labeled “Chaptered Memories”

``Memory Cards..or photos.``

I walk to the couch and sink into the cushion, Penny climbs into my lap while everyone else huddled around me. I blow the dust onto Penny’s face and she sneezes, while I laugh. ``Sorry Penny..`` I sigh under my breath ``Your toys collect more dust than you.`` I hear Tagoe and Aimee choke on their laugh, as I’m brushing her face.

``Mommy means you are very valuable, you can even be kept on display..!``

I open the book while the cracks of the “books”
spine makes noise between the eternal silence..

Then shows a picture of me and Mateo at the start of 7th grade, Mateo had braces which he tried to hide between his lips, his hair is covering the top of his glasses while I’m posing, hiding him a bit in pretty nice clothes—a tank-top with black strips along the sleeves, matching with black bell bottoms.
Mateo is wearing a worn-out flannel with some busted up jeans, we kinda look like the poor/rich pair.

``You used to enjoy taking the spotlight, didn’t you?`` Tagoe husked, he then points to a picture where I’m leaning against the wall—and Mateo is peeping his head in the corner of the photograph. ``But seems like Mateo got some light too..`` Malcolm chuckled.

I turn the page and it shows me putting make-up on Mateo’s face, specifically eyeliner. ``He matches with eyeliner to be honest—`` Aimee said gallantly. I then pointed to him having his face completely under the sink, the water is literally turning black and her face changed. ``What the hell?``

``I jabbed his eye by accident, his eyes were darkened for two days—it looked like he had an eye condition along with his bad eyesight.``

``What did you want to do? Gouge his eye out?`` Malcolm murmured. ``The photo next to that one looks like has a bruised eye..``

He’s looking at the photo where I put too much purple eyeshadow and his dad was trying to wipe it off and it stained his eyelid. ``Yea..I used a certain pigment and it didn’t wash out great.``
I should try using make-up Penny and see how it goes, hopefully she doesn’t find my pouch of makeup by herself. Had to hide the scissors from the bathroom cabinet because she managed to climb up onto the sink and grab it.

There’s a sound at the door, it’s Rufus entering—with Mateo hanging barely onto his back drenched in water, head to toe..Mateo’s hair is all floppy and gross looking.

``What wrecked you two?`` Tagoe says. ``You look like death warmed you..``

``Right words, wrong time man.`` Rufus sighs and shakes his head. ``You right, my bad.`` Rufus then places Mateo who was barely awake on the single chair that’s kinda far from the couch, then walks up to us. ``What’s that?`` he asked.

``Memory book thing—go dry yourself first before you sit down, Roof, kinda gross you were out in the rain and all wet`` Malcolm scoffed.

``That’s what she said—!`` Rufus echoed as he walked away.

``See? Gross..`` Malcolm laughed and slouched, Penny got up and sat next to Mateo instead of me..Mateo jolts up a bit, he realizes it’s just Penny and he places his hand on her head and Penny lays on his chest, both of them fall asleep in seconds. I wish I had my camera—Well, I do have my phone but it’s charging. Rufus walks back with a towel and some new clothes, probably took it from Mateo’s room, he then placed the towel on Mateo’s head and sat on the floor next to the couch, below Malcolm.

``You gonna keep showing photos?`` Rufus asks. ``Yea, I’ll pull some out too.``

I stare at a picture when I did Mateo’s hair, I tried straightening it out but the ends of his hair ended up curling back—I gave him those feathered 1980’s hairstyle, kinda matched him, kinda didn’t..I did this in 2014 by the way, we were both 14 or 15. The lighting in the photo is tinted a sunset color, he’s looking up at something but looks like he’s in sorrow at the same time. ``Damn, that girl looks way too majestic..`` Malcolm stated, I had to hold back my laugh for a few seconds. ``Who’s that?``

``That’s Mateo.`` There’s a long pause, until Rufus lifts up his neck sees the photo. ``You’re serious?`` Silence overcomes the room, while I’m basically having a staring contest with Rufus. ``I’m being for real, that’s Mateo!`` I stated, I’m already laughing and Aimee looks shocked, she then feels her hair and clicks her tongue a bit.

``There’s no way, bro! Look at the hair, it’s all long and neat!`` Tagoe jumps over the back of the couch and he’s just in shock. I pull out some more pictures and lay them on the coffee table, each in order of every type of hairstyle I gave Mateo—but specifically of date and grade..

The first one which at the beginning was where his hair was completely straight but the ends were curled outward, it matched him really, with his freckles and facial features—it should’ve stayed like that but since he had curls, it went away after 2 hours. In the picture he was drinking an ice-slushee. His tongue was out since it was completely blue-ish, purple with a mixture baby blue yet still purple.

The second one is where he cut his hair short, like a normal haircut short..barely matched him at all—so I gave him a perm. His hair was in those old curlers, and he’s squinting because I made him take his glasses off for this. ``Jeez, he went through a lot of hairstyles when you guys were in Highschool.`` Rufus says, he then picks up the fourth picture, Mateo had pigtails..I was upset that day because I didn’t get a good score on my algebraic topology test. So he agreed to let me do his hair in silly ways—so I gave him pigtails, he was embarrassed when his dad took the picture in his room.

``I was upset that day, so he allowed me to do his hair—but when he found out his dad took a picture, he freaked out for 10 minutes and whined the whole time for him to delete the photo off the camera..`` I said, I took a glance at Mateo while the guy is passed out with a towel completely over his face.

I realize how much joy Mateo brought into my world, I enjoyed messing around with his hair, but since I have Penny—and her hair would probably is gonna be thick and silky when she grows up..I can try give style to hers instead of using Mateo as a test subject.

I flip to the next page, Mateo’s holding his skateboard while also having a bloody nose and I had a cut on my face—we’re both standing in front of the doorframe. This was when Mateo was skating and I watched him, I wasn’t paying attention then he crashed right into me—I landed on my side while he face planted, almost hitting the curb. I remember that day perfectly..

``Is that your blood?`` Tagoe asked.

``No Tag, that’s some rondo’s ketchup smeared on her face.`` Rufus scoffed.

``Mateo ate it, and he landed on me—he saw me as a cushion.`` I vouched.

``Jeez—I remember Tagoe told me a story where he tried popping an Ollie onto a railing then the board snapped and he—`` Malcom didn’t finish his sentence since Tagoe shoved a pillow into his face, Malcolm is vigorously kicking and trying to reach for Tagoe’s arm.

Me and Aimee are laughing, while Rufus is pulling Malcolm’s legs—causing him to fall hard to the floor. ``BRO STOP!`` Malcolm shouted and the three guys burst out into laughter. I couldn’t help but smile to how much it resembled the three stooges, kinda weird..

While everyone is screaming at each other, I see a picture of me and Mateo in front of a bookstore with his dad, Mateo has a marvel comic in his hand and I have a novel. Both of us were arguing about which one his dad would buy—but since that didn’t work we asked and begged his dad to pick either one, turns out he bought both of ours. We both were happy, unlike his dad who was completely drained of seeing two kids argue over pages.
—
Mateo finally woke up, after 46 minutes of me showing continuous photos of me and him in school..Most of the pictures were Mateo and me being total dorks and dressing in each others clothing, one day it was a theme for spirit week, and Mateo once wore my crop top to school with bell bottoms, and I wore his flannel with cut-up jeans and converse. We got weird looks but it was only for a day—Mateo was embarrassed the whole time his face was flushed as hell, like he was drunk. ``You didn’t have to go through every photo of me and you..`` He groaned as he laid on the armrest. ``That’s what funny, you share memories with people you got along with to create a better bond.``I gleamed.

Tagoe and Malcolm is raiding his cabinets at the moment, finding any type of sweets they can find and Aimee is talking to Rufus about how he should grow his hair out so everyone can do each others hair—like at a girl sleepover where they’d take hours to braid one’s hair in a line. That’s not a bad idea.

``Yo, Mateo, you don’t look half bad with that one hairstyle—the one that made you seem like a god.`` Tagoe speaks with his mouth full of marshmallows. ``Don’t talk with your mouth full!`` Rufus yelled, but he does nod his head.

``But Tagoe isn’t half-wrong, you looked pretty good with it.`` He appealed, Mateo then covers his face with his hands. ``It was just an experiment..It didn’t mean to turn out like that..`` I then run my fingers through his hair, then go to patting his shoulder. ``It’s alright, you can have a break from my curling iron and hair oils for now..``

``Yea, for now!`` He exclaimed, he chuckles a bit and picks up Penny. ``You have Penny now, do her hair instead.`` Jeez, he can read my mind or something.

He walks up to me and holds her in front of me.``Penny for your thoughts?`` We both smile and start laughing, Penny has her thumb in her mouth and giggling as well. It was finally funny for once, or it’s just the atmosphere..Rufus walks by and slouches on the couch—then he lifts his arm and places a marshmallow in Penny’s hand. ``Where did you find my marshmallows?`` Mateo questioned, he placed Penny next to Rufus and she topples over on her side, landing under Rufus’s arm.

``Tagoe gave me some, it would be better if we had hot chocolate though.`` Rufus bragged, giving Mateo a marshmallow then handing me the rest of his handful. ``If my stove wasn’t broken, I would use my kettle to make peppermint tea..``

``Why can’t you just use tap water, microwave it then add your tea in it?`` He scoffed, stealing a marshmallow from my hand and stuffing it in his mouth.

``That’s not a bad idea, I definitely would if you there wasn’t two people going through my stuff and didn’t keep eating my toppings for it.`` Mateo shook his head, with his hand between his eyes. ``I’m not the one who went through your secret stash! Just get a better hiding spot.`` Rufus must’ve experienced some things as a kid, considering he’s talking about hiding-spots and some other stuff parents would do to hide stuff from their kid, like parental locks or baby gates.

Malcolm and Tagoe walks back to the living room with the bag of marshmallows, and Malcolm mutters something but since his mouth is stuffed with them—there’s no way of understanding. ``Bro, don’t speak with your mouth full.`` Rufus says, grabbing the bag away from Tagoe’s arms. Malcolm swallows them and finally spoke. ``Sorry, let’s play a game—I think you know where I’m heading with this.``
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``Mal, don’t even.`` Tagoe directed, he turned his head quickly the second Malcom said anything else.

``But it’s gonna be funny! We haven’t done this since the week we met.``

``Man, you almost threw up! I’m not dealing with that again, it was gross and traumatic.`` I think Mateo can imagine that scene perfectly in his mind, he’s sitting beside the couch with his elbows on his knees while holding his face—his foot is bouncing with a rhythm.

``Please man, just a round or two and that’s it!`` Malcolm whined. Rufus stares at him and reluctantly nodded his head while Aimee is standing there—eating a bag of ruffles. I have a feeling the three of us are gonna regret everything, thankfully Penny is entertaining herself by sleeping. She doesn’t need to watch this at all..

Chapter Text

Aimee
12:07 a.m.
I’m tired as hell, I’m watching three idiots besides Lidia and Mateo try to not choke on marshmallows, the games called “chubby bunny”. I did this one time with Rufus when we started dating and I called chubby bunny the moment I got five marshmallows in my mouth, I could barely handle four.

``This is disgusting to watch..`` Lidia glanced at me. ``You did this one time with me and Christian.`` Mateo added, he crosses his hands and holds Penny in his lap while she sleeps. ``Christian put so much marshmallows in his mouth, when he tried drinking something the goo came out of his nose..It was so gross I wanted to throw up.`` Lidia held back her laughter between her smile, she then patted my back. ``If you were to see what we saw, you would be crying and laughing on the floor.``
I have, Tagoe ate so much spicy fries, the snot that was coming from his nose was a slight red..Malcolm dared him for $50 bucks but ever since that—Tagoe was embarrassed about it and we haven’t talked about it since fearing that he’d manage to black mail one of us. Malcom currently has 8 marshmallows, Tagoe has 9 alongside Rufus, Rufus and Tagoe has a tie.

``Maflcolm, pif afmomfer one in yourf mouf!`` Tagoe screams between the “pillows” in his mouth—Malcom tries to speak but can barely say anything after he puts the final marshmallow he can put in before spitting them right out, I really just want to look away but everyone’s laugh fill me with joy. ``Groff fude!!`` Rufus heaved, I can barely look him in the eye with the disgusting pillow of spit and half chewed glob on the table. ``I can’t watch this, it’s so gross..!`` Mateo covered his face with his hands while chuckling silently. He gets up and walks into his room, leaving Penny in my arms and Lidia watching his slight moves.

I’m concerned but not really, just stay focus on these three planets so they turn into a smaller planet..

Mateo
12:56 a.m.

Mateo Torrez didn’t get another call tonight, because he was supposed to be dead yesterday. But since D-C system is down, there’s no expectations of calls any time soon.

Mateo lays flat on his bed, pulling his blanket above his chest and staring out the window that’s slightly covered between the small accessories on the. He sighs and closes his eyes, falling asleep within seconds.

He hopes that there’s nothing but a sound of people in his living room playing around and not the sound of an ringing alarm coming from his phone the time he’s asleep.

Lidia
1:00 a.m.

There’s no way Mateo back out of this, but since it’s late—it’s reasonable. I pick up Penny from Aimee’s arms giving her a warm smile, then speed walking to Mateo’s room. I take a chance to peek into his dad’s room, it’s pretty empty since there’s only a dresser with a TV on it, some pictures on the wall and a queen-sized bed. I manage to step inside without an alarm going off, like for some reason most apartments have. I pick up a picture frame that was laid flat down and I’m guess it was Mateo’s mom, jeez was she beautiful..I didn’t expect for Mateo to look so similar to her.

I place the picture frame back how it was and walk to Mateo’s room, it’s pitch dark—the light from the living room reflect back into his thought, so I guess it’s something. I climb into his bed, keeping my good distance and place Penny on the pillow besides Mateo’s head.

I end up snatching the blanket from him, and placing it on me. I lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling while there’s noise coming from the other side of the apartment, it takes me awhile to sleep because I’m so used to Penny keeping me up..I just need sleep right now and I can’t have it? This is a curse.

Chapter Text

The Plutos
1:23 a.m.

These three dudes didn’t get a call from D-C, since one of them was supposed to be ashes right now. But instead they’re playing a marshmallow game, one of them already gave out while the other two followed after 8 minutes. There’s another planet in their solar system who’s cleaning up their mess.

—

``I’m going to knock out pretty soon, it’s so late and I’m tired..`` Aimee groaned, wiping the small coffee table. ``I can clean it, just go find Mateo and Lidia.`` Malcolm says while taking away the cloth and spray from Aimee. Aimee walks away while Malcom finishes cleaning up the mess he made, she walks through the short hall, her eyes find Mateo and Lidia sleeping—

They’re stacked on top each other with Lidia’s arms over Mateo’s chest and her leg hanging off of the mattress, Aimee pushes Lidia’s leg back onto the bed and squeezes herself under her arm for warmth since the blanket isn’t long enough, falling asleep within a few minutes but still managing to remind herself ‘keep her distance’.

Rufus

1:42 a.m

It’s been 19 minutes since Aimee went looking for Lidia and that Mateo kid, did she get lost in his small ass apartment? I don’t know, so I’m gonna go to his room. I take a few steps and I’m already there, there’s three people sharing a small queen-sized bed. Only if there was space for me..I end up plopping down besides the bed, I pull out my phone and text the two other lonesome dudes thats a few feet away from me to find Mateo’s room and sleep on the floor, we have to keep each other safe if one were to get a call, you know?

I hear footsteps, so I pretend to fall asleep. “ Oh–” I hear Malcolm whisper. Then there’s something heavy leaning against my shoulder, clothes ruffling and everything. It’s Tagoe—His scent is too recognizable for me, even if we only knew each other for a week or two, or more. Then there’s Malcolm, laying on the floor with no pillow or blanket. ``Dude, come here.`` I pat the side of my leg and he crawls to me, laying all his weight from his head, it’s not weird for one of your bros to sleep on your leg, it’s not anything intimate.

I close my eyes, and think this. If our life was to serve a purpose—what’s that purpose? I mean yo, there’s only a purpose that people will ever follow is graduate school with honors, get a job with a good income, get married and start a family. Then what? Get paid off your retirement then pass? It's pretty useless to live a life with a rule. I should probably sleep though, everyones passed out but me..

Mateo
3:18 a.m.
I wake up to noise in the bathroom, I don’t bother to open my eyes since it’s dark, and there’s nothing suspicious about it. I turn to my side and hear Lidia’s snoring—she got a goodnight’s rest after taking care of Penny without me..and some other people, but how did she get in my bed? Whatever, I’ve known her long enough that I don’t mind anymore.

I stay in place for a few minutes until I hear small giggling from the room, this can’t be right. I wouldn’t believe some baby snuck into my house.
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Mateo, it’s Penny, your niece..I jolt up and put my glasses on messily and rush to the bathroom. Penny’s standing on the counter with a pair of scissors in her hands and parts her hair all over the sink, luckily it’s just her bangs and not the main part that’s messed up.
She’s laughing while the blood from my face drains. ``Uncle!`` Penny laughs while reaching her hands to me while she lifts her foot off the sink almost falling before I catch her. ``How did you..`` I see that the toilet lid is closed and there’s some of her stuffed toys on the floor, didn’t know she was smarter than me as a baby—by then I thought that things that were above my height were floating.

I stood in front of the bathroom sink, staring at myself and Penny who was talking in her own language she can only understand. Shit Mateo, how couldn’t you gotten up a minute or two earlier and prevented this from happening? I can’t show this to Lidia before she freaks out, but I have no choice—I mean I can hide Penny. Oh my goodness Mateo, you can’t shove a baby in a closet before she suffocates to death.
I’m hesitant to walk back to my room, considering I can barely see anything even with my glasses on, but Lidia is going to cuss me out soon. She’s definitely gonna scream once she sees Penny’s hair.

I make it to my room, I held my breathe for a second or more—I walk to where Lidia is, tripping over Malcolm’s foot and apologizing silently. The stars are clear and brutal, like it’s teasing for this mistake, but it’s really not my fault Penny’s smarts got the best of her. I shook her shoulder and she groans a bit before turning to her side. ``Lidia..!`` I whispered, I don’t wanna try again but if this costs me to get a small consequence then I’d be fine. ``Lidia! Penny cut her hair!`` I yell a bit louder, I’m guessing too loud because all I heard was Rufus saying “be quiet”..

``Huh..?`` Lidia uttered, her eyes squinted at me and she looked like I was messing with her.
``Penny se cortó el pelo ella misma.`` I say, Lidia eyes widen as I held Penny in front of me.
There’s pure silence until Lidia jumps up, throwing the blanket on whoever was next to her. ``ARE YOU SERIOUS?!`` I expected this, way too much. ``Mateo, why didn’t you stop her!`` She grabbed Penny from my hands and brushed her hair back, Penny laughs when Lidia’s hair falls onto her face. I scratch my neck and try to walk away. ``Mateo Torrez, no des un paso más.`` She had pure anger in her eyes, it wasn’t my fault! I didn’t know Penny woke up at hell hour and cut her own hair like she did to me.

``¡No es mi culpa, Lidia! Ni siquiera sabía que se había levantado tan tarde.`` I say, my fingers twitch a bit as she pushes herself out of bed and rushing to the bathroom. I slouch down a bit, following behind her while she rambled about how messed up Penny’s hair is and it won’t grow right anymore. ``Oh no,,Penny..!`` Lidia cried while she pressed her hands against Penny’s crocked bangs.

``Mateo, how much hair did she cut?`` I don’t answer, I just point to the sink where the excess hair is. Lidia sighs in relief of how it wasn’t that much. I would suggest to tape it back on—but she would take it too seriously.

Lidia slowly slides down the sink to the floor, holding her face in her hands then landing her head on her knees. ``por favor dios ayúdame..`` She silently cries as she’s praying to the ceiling, I pick up Penny while I also sweep off the extra hair off the sink so it doesn’t clog the drain. ``I can’t style her hair..It going to be messed up when it grows back.``
``That means it can grow back, listen to yourself! Hair grows back remember?`` She looks up at me, with tears stuck to her eyelashes. ``Are you sure?``
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``I’m sure, everything and Penny’s hair is gonna be okay, te lo prometo.``

Theres a loud bang at the doorframe, making me twitch and turn around and Lidia silently screaming. ``Why are you guys up hells hour..?`` Aimee rubbed her eyes while she leaned on the door. ``Penny cut her hair while we were asleep!`` Aimee ruffles her hair as she opens one eye, then closes it again to stand up straight. ``That’s sad, but go back to sleep. You two are so loud..``

``Don’t tell us we’re too loud when my daughter ruined her bangs.`` Lidia argued, she stood up and cupped Penny’s face. ``Oh Penny, how could you..`` Lidia sobbed a bit.

``If you want me to, I can try fix her hair.`` Aimee steps to Lidia by her side. Aimee takes the scissors and takes small snips at Penny’s hair while Lidia shoves her face in my shoulder. It takes a few seconds until Aimee backs away from Penny’s hair, her bangs were shorter than before, but it matched her natural hair length. Lidia saw this and she moved away from me and hugged Aimee tightly, swinging her both sides. ``You’re an Angel sent from god! Godsend, thank you Aimee!`` Lidia is bursting with colors, I can understand why it was pretty dramatic, Penny’s hair is natural and very impressive to Lidia.

I sigh in relief and walk away to my room, Rufus is on his phone while Tagoe and Malcom are still asleep. ``What was up with everything in the bathroom, dude?`` He looked up at me, his eyes deeper than ever—I sigh and lean against the wall, holding my forehead in my hand. I’m still exhausted just like yesterday afternoon, I look at Rufus and he’s looking back at me. As I open my mouth, I ended up speeding the explanation quickly so he doesn’t get bored``Penny managed to get a pair of scissors and cut her hair, Lidia freaked out and she started crying then Aimee woke up, fixed it up and now Lidia is screaming and thanking her.``

Rufus shook his head and laughed. ``My sister did something like that, I don’t understand how babies are so smart at one or two..`` I don’t either, the babies brains aren’t even developed the whole way yet. They seem smarter at time that they can figure out the Lucas Tower. This moment is so real, all it takes for a second—one impossible second—to forget that we’re supposed to be dead.

Chapter Text

Rufus
4:02 a.m.

I have no business in what happened in the last hour, but I just heard some Spanish sentences and in my household—you would know to shut your mouth if one person in that house was pissed and spoke a different language. Mateo is still holding his head, looking in mad distress until Lidia walks in with Penny, I notice that Penny’s hair is shorter than usually. But I keep my mouth shut knowing that I already heard what went down. Tagoe’s snoring is covering up the quietness in the room, it’s mad awkward that I wanna go back to sleep—I mean there’s nothing stopping me.

But I’m already fully awake from all the yelling..

—

This silence in Mateo’s room is unbearable, yo. I want to leave and just blast music in my headphones or listen to the city’s cars honking.  I mean Penny is crying in the kitchen but that’s since she’s hungry—I can’t do anything really because my leg and shoulder fell asleep, I mean I could knock these two dudes off me but we had a troublesome week.

Aimee is laying on Mateo’s bed, Mateo is with Lidia—and I’m..bored as fuck. Didn’t expect to wake up like this, being alive for the second day, it still shocks me. I’m supposed to be scattered in Althea just like I asked, Mateo is supposed to be in his “unfinished” grave next to his mom. I managed to push off Tagoe and Malcom off me without waking them, “dead-asleep” is the perfect example for them, I walk into the hall where I see Mateo holding Penny’s hands while she walks on his feet. I lean against the wall and take a quick picture of this moment, we’re growing mad fast so let’s enjoy the present—you feel me?

Chapter Text

Two stars—One Planet
4:21 a.m.

D-C did not call Lidia because she is not dying today, in fact she can’t be getting a call any time soon because she has a kid who’s having the time of her life and she’s like a side-character—living apart from her kids world and imagination, her daughter’s godfather; Mateo, was supposed to be gone from this world. “6ft under” right now while she’s supposed to be grieving. Her heart tightens while she thinks of this as she’s making Penny’s formula, she’s glad that Mateo’s alive but yet—it still feels like two days ago where she panicked and cried over his call, she would be grieving just as she was for Christian. ‘History Repeats Itself’ is the right phrase for this.

``Mateo, can you grab some new clothes for Penny in my bag? I need to change her after she finishes her bottle.`` She asks, looking at Mateo while he does his so called “Dinosaur Walk” that Penny enjoys. ``Alright.``

Lidia turned around from facing the sink and saw Rufus by the wall recording Mateo as he holds Penny her hand while she crouches down to grab one of her toys that fell on the floor. Rufus sees Lidia showing him a small smile—he then puts a finger his mouth sensing Lidia to stay silent for a bit longer. ``Sheep!`` Penny shouts and looks up at Mateo while she swings around her favorite toy. ``That’s very cool, Penny!`` Mateo pulls out a small jumper with a teddy bear on it from Lidias tote and walks over to Lidia, letting go off Penny’s hand when she runs away to the hall, bumping into Rufus’s leg and staring right up at him.

``This good enough?`` Mateo glances at Lidia as she hands him the bottle. ``Mhm, that’s great—Penny adores that jumper ever since my abuelita gifted it to her..``

``Uncle!`` Penny exclaims as she laughs. Mateo turns around, finding Penny to be near Rufus with his phone pointing down. Rufus’ eyes widen while he shook his head. ``Sorry kid, I’m not your uncle—he is`` Rufus looks at Mateo and smiles a bit before returning his attention to Penny. She speaks some gibberish before saying the same word she says to Mateo..”Uncle”

``She already likes you, Rufus.`` Lidia gives Rufus a welcoming smile as if he was already part of the family she created. ``You can pick her up—there’s no warning sign on her.``

Rufus crouches down and picks up Penny and holds her in front of him. Penny taps Rufus’ face and babbles, like she’s explaining some top mission for him. ``I totally gotcha, kid..`` Rufus hooks Penny in his arms and walks into the kitchen. ``Didn’t know she even realized me.`` He remarks, he thought Mateo was the only person she was way by known as her only uncle. ``She sees everyone as a random figure in her eyes..`` Lidia scoffs and she handed Penny the bottle then booped her nose. ``Mommy means that everyone is just a servant in your little kingdom, you’re the queen that rules it.`` She sighs. ``And we’re the Jester.``

Rufus got hit in the heart with that, that’s pretty real for someone who went through lose. Impassioned words who hit an impassioned guy like a ten-ton truck..

``Oh—she finished her bottle.`` Rufus held Penny in front of him, Mateo grabbing her afterward. ``You don’t know how to care for kids, do you, Roof?`` Mateo chuckles before placing Penny on his shoulder, patting her back. ``I know so, there’s two in your room asleep..`` Rufus stretched and sighed. Lidia laughed, as she puts the baby formula and extra bottles away.

``Penny was a blessing for me after I dropped out of school, like god was worshiping my prayers from me to him..`` She adds, looking into Rufus’ eyes. ``You know, there was an incident just like what you guys had—but the opposite way.`` Lidia says, leaning against the counter. Rufus gives her a puzzled look—he remembered a guy who was a decker who encountered his mom but never thought of him afterward.

``Yea, in 2010 when me and Mateo were 10 or 9, death-cast wasn’t giving out warnings and people were dying at any other time. You two, did the opposite of that.`` Lidia walks into the living room, fixing the cushions and arranges the table right. While she does that, Rufus remembers a time where he was told about a decker who was getting heart surgery.. ``I never heard of that, expect my mom probably knew someone?`` Rufus questioned himself.

``It was sad but a relief—the world would be better if no one got the warning, but miserable at the same time.`` Lidia shakes her head before turning to Mateo. ``You probably heard of this, right?`` She walks back towards Mateo, who shook his head no, giving her an unshaded look—like he’s been in that incident at 10.

Mateo remembers meeting two guys who his dad took a picture for, the memory that haunts him is that one of the guys tried giving him an fist bump, but Mateo went for a handshake; once he made his fist, the guy opened his hand, last time he ever encountered the dude. ``Jeez, a dude who’s on his computer all day and doesn’t read articles. Pretty shocking, unless your on something else..`` Lidia snickered and Rufus showed a knowing smile. Mateo shook his hand left and right.``Don’t even, Lidia.`` he chuckled a bit.

These three continue their conversations about how Mateo and Rufus spent their ‘last’ day, facing a world that’s against them, bonding over silly things, running through the dark streets during their darkest moments. Lidia listens and Mateo talks while Rufus adds on a few details, the Plutos have another planet added to their solar-system.

Chapter Text

Tagoe

5:24 a.m.

I wake to feeling the hard cold floor on my head, I remember falling asleep on Rufus’ leg but I don’t remember him moving. Did he die? He can’t be dead; we stayed with him through the whole night, he can’t be gone right now—Did he get the call again?

I sit up seeing Malcom passed out, with his head on his arm as a pillow, I see his chest moving and I turn my neck to see Aimee sleeping as well, there’s a blinding light from the other room.

I pick myself up, stretching and walking out of Mateo’s room to see the two guys who were going to be dead two days ago.

``Yo, good morning.`` Rufus says, giving me a small smile while holding Penny. I sigh in relief when I see Mateo too but—I was mad worried about someone who I’ve known for awhile and already bonded over had left. ``good morning..`` I yawn, before patting Mateo’s back and landing myself on his couch.

``Is there anything to eat?`` I ask, I had a good dinner last night considering it was our mom’s cooking. But I’m always hungry in the morning and I usually try to get the first bite of the cereal because me, Rufus, and Malcolm always fight over it.

``There’s some cereal in the fridge..But I was thinking of going out to eat for breakfast—There’s a cafe I wanted to try out.`` Mateo says, I think for a second. A cafe isn’t that bad to go to for an early morning.

``It’s up to you; I can’t force you to eat anything..``He says, giving me a half worried look like I didn’t get where he was getting at. ``You’re good Mateo, a cafe doesn’t sound half bad—`` I walk over to where Rufus is, ruffling his shaved head like there were to be hair on his scalp (and not some half buzzcut; half high fade..)

We laugh before he shoves my hand away. ``If you want to go, go wake up Mal and Aimes.`` Rufus was the one who made up their nicknames when we first met, he made fun of Malcolm’s name because it sounded like “mail”, I got where he was leading with it because it sorta does. He made up Aimee’s nickname when they started dating, honestly—I don’t understand what happened between those two to make them date and I don’t wanna know, honestly. ``Alright.`` I say.

Two days ago, I was recording Rufus knock out Peck. I shouldn’t laugh nor should I be concerned for him but the moment Rufus got the call, I knew Peck was happy about it and I hated him for a split second for that.

I take off my glasses and wipe them on my shirt before putting them back on when I enter Mateo’s room, didn’t realize how neatly placed each stuff was, his bed is against the wall right in the center, along side a nightstand. There’s a desk by the window covered with little organizers, small plants and trinkets, a bookshelf filled with books and figures, beside a mirror, a piano and a TV with an X-box? This guy’s room is a dream room I’d wish I had if I was organized.

I shake Malcolm awake and he groans under his breath. ``Yo, wake up..We’re going out—!`` I whisper loudly so he gets the hint. He gets up slowly and I point to Aimee, who’s on the bed, l comfortable..Malcolm sees right through me and he nods. We grab the pillows that were on the edge on the bed and lift them up slowly; next thing you know we hear slamming pillows on Aimee (not the weird way.)

She wakes up and everyone in the room is screaming and laughing, all I can make out is Aimee yelling at us and trying to get up off the bed. ``Get off!`` She exclaimed, she finally managed to push through the stuffed pillows and leap out of the bed. By then; me and Malcolm were already running down the short hall and hiding behind Rufus who was completely oblivious. Aimee came out of Mateo’s room, her hair falls into perfect strands along her face but still looks like a mess. ``Tagoe!`` She bolted towards me and before I can even make a single step, she manages to wrap her arm and my shoulder and nudge her hand into my hair. We both laugh while the bystanders are in a daze, Malcolm is laughing hysterically, and Rufus turned a way to grin—including Mateo.

``Say uncle!`` Aimee shouts, she isn't pushing her hand too hard. To To be honest I can barely feel anything..``Okay! Uncle!`` I holler, she finally lets me go and I shake my hair to fix it. Malcolm pats my back and we snicker silently, I watch Lidia throw her jacket at Aimee—Saying “it's autumn, it's gonna be cold” which is true, but “the cold never bothered me anyway,” said Elsa because of her powers.

—

We're outside of Mateo’s apartment; the sounds of a couple moaning somewhere in his apartment bugs me so I want to get a move on because I’m not used to hearing people have sex in the early morning (even if I watch gore and rated-r movies..) But the exact moment I'm about to hop on my bike, Rufus stops me. ``We’re walking dude, we can leave our bikes here.`` Damn, walking isn't bad but there's a quicker way to walk...Which is biking.

I sigh and follow the group that is against the world that the world has made for them, confusing right? We live in a world that was created for us to live and breathe its air, but there's gonna be a day when the will to live is gone and that air is gonna be harmful.

We cross the street while Penny is screaming out all the things she sees in Mateo’s ear, and I see Malcolm snap a picture of Penny waving to his phone camera. Let me in on something, I honestly thought Lidia and Mateo were together, like dating type of together. They just connect with one and I thought that was that, but that bond Mateo has with Rufus? Two guys went outside in the rain, when I wanted to bike in the rain, Rufus said I could break my head open. Which is possible but they were outside for an hour, AN HOUR! In the pouring rain and not one of them got sick, (plus I just realized Penny doesn’t look like either of them)...Wizard type of shit, no joke.

We turn a corner to where the cafe Mateo was talking about, it looks like some museum because it was way too nice to begin with, It’s like walking into Harlem but in the afternoon where the sunset makes everything a brown-orange. Everything is so calm; the cafe is covered with pale wood, small tables and some even connected to the walls.

Mateo taps on a table where we all can sit and tilts his head that he’s going to order, Lidia places Penny on the chair that’s not meant to sit in at her age and leaves us to go with Mateo. ``Did this cafe just open?`` Aimee asked, we all shrug because we never seen this place before—I mean I remember biking over here one time after school, but never saw this place.

Rufus pulls out his phone and starts snapping pictures, he points his phone up to the picture on the wall above me; so I lift my hand up and make a peace sign. I grin and he laughs, showing me the picture afterwards. ``You should post that, dude. It’s not half bad.`` I mention as I lean back in the change, tilting it backwards.

``I will, after I eat.`` He says, Mateo and Lidia came back with some pastries and coffee. ``You guys can eat, it’s my treat.`` Mateo smiles, not a face you’d see on a person who survived a series of “surviving death-casts prediction”

Me and Aimee grab the blueberry muffins he bought and no joke, it’s not what I expected; there’s a blueberry filling in it, and it’s just made which makes it better. ``Holy shit—`` I mutter and shove it in Malcolm’s face. ``Try this dude!`` I know I shouldn’t talk with my mouth full, so I swallow hard. ``It’s good, I promise.`` Malcolm reaches for an takes a bite, his eyes slightly sparked and nods then looks at his phone. ``Damn, this cafe doesn’t have much reviews—it opened a month ago.`` Seems pretty rough, I’d recommend Rufus posting the picture of me and the picture on his insta so it gets more good reviews, also recommend if you’re a sweets person.

Lidia places down a plate of macaroons, red velvet I’m guessing, I’m not a fan of it—but I know Aimee is, Rufus bought her a whole red-velvet cake for Valentine’s Day…She didn’t share with any of us except Rufus.

There’s way too much sweets on the table. There’s many options to how this day will go;

Penny is going to have a sugar-rush.

We’re not gonna leave until an hour later.

One of us are going to throw up.

Or we’ll just put these in a box and go home.

There’s donuts, coffees and teas, and whatever the hell you’d imagine a cafe to have, I’m spectating everyone beside eating, honestly..

—

Mateo has French-toast on his plate that he ordered, I know Rufus’ usual at the diner is French-toast…So guess what? Bet he’s gonna reach for some, I nudge Malcolm’s shoulder and point with my lip (force of habit I have..) ``Bet me that Rufus is get a piece of Mateo’s toast right now, dude.`` Malcolm nods, leaning on my shoulder so we can watch this happen. My jinx is gonna be realistic; too realistic. Within a second, Rufus grabs his fork and cuts off a corner piece off of Mateo’s plate.

Mateo says something about it and Rufus plays along, they’re both laughing. They’re creating moments just like The Pluto’s…Another planet to our solar system.

Chapter Text

Mateo

6:14 a.m.

This cafe isn't half bad, though Rufus did eat the majority of my French Toast, I let him since I know his usual at Cannon Café is French Toast.

I ended up giving Penny a cake pop, I'm unsure of what soft cakes babies are allowed to eat; so I just bought a birthday cake, because that's Lidia’s usual at Starbucks...

``Jesus Mateo, you have stuff on your face..`` Rufus says. ``I do?—`` Rufus then puts his hands on my face, turning my head every other place he could. ``Your face is covered in them, dude!`` He sighs, I raise my hand to touch my face before he lowers it down. ``Don’t worry, I got it.`` Just a split-second goes and all I feel on my face is his soft lips, pecking at my nose to my cheeks—I just remembered I had freckles…Jeez, I’m slow.

``Haha! Rufus—!`` I feel everyone who’s on the table eyes, not like I care. ``I KNEW IT!`` Tagoe slams his hands on the table before standing up. ``Shush, Tagoe!`` Malcolm snitched.

Rufus finally pulls away and I cover my face, every part of my face feels way warm—I’m probably blushing heavy…

``You two are cute, smile!`` Lidia snickered, all I see between my fingers is a flash and Aimee’s slight grin.

—

We left the cafe, Rufus is hanging his arm around my shoulders and I listen to the city (along with Aimee and Lidia’s voice behind us.)

Everything just snaps when there’s the alarm, buzzing through our ears. We stop and turn around frantically, Lidia’s eyes vigorously looks around and Rufus clenches his hand on my shoulder, I watch Aimee turn and notice that it’s none of us, but some young adult woman; gazing at her phone.

My skin starts to itch, I know—It’s not good to have a panic attack right now. Considering that she’s getting the call not me, but I would’ve thought that Death-Cast was shut down because we’re alive and…

My hand runs through my hair, I take Rufus' arm off my shoulder and just walk, I don’t know where my feet are leading me but I just hope it’s home. ``MATEO!`` I heard Rufus’ feet hit the floor as he runs up behind me and he grabs my wrist. ``Where are you going, dude? We had plans for today—`` His eyes widened a bit. ``Mateo, you're alright.`` He lifts his hand and places it on my face but I just take it off.

``I know we survived death-cast, but I was so confident of it shutting down after this incident; I can't trust it anymore.`` I say.

``Please, Mateo? I'll protect you-``

``Your protection and invincibility doesn’t last long, Roof. I don’t need your saving; I don’t need you to save me from something that’s crawling towards us.`` My stomach turns, and I step back before fully turning and walking to my apartment. ``Teo-`` Rufus gets cut off by Lidia’s whispers. ``It's best to leave him, he's still in his mind.``

I clench my hand and start running, my apartment isn’t far but I need to get home. Home is where I can live and close out this dumb world that put us in a stupid system where we get a notice we’re dying. Everything is  whizzing, and my skin burns.

I bolt into the apartment, ignoring my neighbor who was just leaving and trying to say ‘hi’—I’m skipping steps up the stairs, and I finally land in my apartment; that miracle of my dad waking up and waiting for on the couch won't happen anytime sooner. That system for getting a call when your die isn't  shutting down anytime sooner, time fucking sucks.

I slide down the door, my fingers are stuffed in my hair...My hair represents my mom, she got marked an early death and her final breath was wasted when she brought me into the world. It’s my fault she’s gone and my dad is probably marked next too; this is a curse and it won’t go anywhere or passed onto someone else. Death-Cast became a thing after my mother died; if it were to become a thing before I was born, she would’ve…

She would’ve been here with me and my dad, taking care of me and not having to rely on my dad to teach me how to eat right, brush my teeth or hair—Meeting Lidia or Rufus and The Plutos. Loving me… I wouldn’t have to rely on BLTs or toasted tortillas that my dad made and I could’ve tried her cooking.

I’m dazed complete, all I feel is myself getting up and walking to the bathroom. I lean against the sink; feeling light headed, I spot the scissors that Penny had used this morning.

You can guess what happens, I grab a good amount of my hair and the bathroom fills up with the snipping sounds. It eventually stops, my hair isn’t short nor is it long, a medium length as it is. My hair isn’t going slight lower than my shoulders, instead it’s up the ends of my ears.

Tears flow down my face, I cut off the only thing that my dad adores the most and can remember of my mom, his wife…My hair. All the strands I’ve cut off is scattered in the sink and floor.

I fall to my knees, exactly like how I did two days ago when that alarm and warning got right through me. My tears splotch on the floor. It’s no worth crying—I don’t have the able to have a “undo button” or “rewind” above my head. Every action, everything I’m thinking is going straight into the past.

If I died a month ago, my dad and Lidia would be on a long grieving process.

If I died a week ago, my dad wouldn’t know.

If I died last night, I wouldn’t have had the conversation with Rufus about my mom’s appearance.

I hate this, I hate this—I hate this—I hate… this.

—

7:14 a.m.
I’m currently in the bathroom, laying down with my face on the cold floor. Unsanitary I know, I know. I turn to lay flat on my back, staring directly into the light above, I lift my hand up so it’s in front of me. Never had I wished more than death could’ve grabbed me.

I hear my phone ringing in my room, I know it's not death-cast; because it's Lidia’s ringtone, specifically her favorite song...I close my eyes and just wait until that song ends.

Chapter Text

Lidia
7:18 a.m.

Mateo isn’t answering my calls, I know he couldn’t have blocked me because I didn’t start anything with him; or I hope not…After 3 tries of calling him, I gave up; the ringing irritated me after the second call.

``You want so split? We have to back to Pluto…`` Tagoe sighed, swiping his hand across the top of his head. ``You guys can go—I’ll be going elsewhere if that's alright.`` I begin to walk to Mateo’s apartment, and they don't stop me because they seem to know where I'm headed.

I can't wrap ahead why Mateo ran off or why he had a freakout moment, but it's understandable. Penny is in my arms and she's asleep after having her “sugar rush”

—

I'm outside of Mateo’s apartment door, I just need to make another call to make sure he’s not dead. The second I hear the ringing from my phone; all I hear from inside is my old favorite song…Was that my ringtone for him? I lift my hand to knock but instead of the door being closed it slowed opened itself, everything  just feels shallow—Did someone break in? I slowly push open the door and place Penny down, Mateo’s shoes is oddly parted far from each other.

The moment I look up, Mateo’s on the floor; no blood or anything. He’s just seems unconscious. `` Mateo —!`` I sprint to his side and fall to my knees, I shake his arm and he’s suddenly awake. Tears were clogged in his eyes and his glasses were on the floor beside him. ``Jesus Mateo get up—`` I take a glimpse at his hair.

``Oh goodness, Mateo your hair..It’s all messed up…!`` I suck my teeth and shake my head, how could he…His beautiful curls are ruined. ``I know, I know I messed up—`` His voice sounded like he held in a cough for too long.

He hugs me tightly, all I hear is his sobs being muffled in my shoulder. ``I overreacted, I shouldn’t have been such a wuss. I didn’t even get the call but don’t you think that it isn’t…fair? How could they still be calling people and not know we survived.`` He whispers, I lift his head up and his tears gracefully fall down his cheeks. Him crying just makes my eyes form tears. ``God is watching all of us Mateo….This race we’re playing? Nothing can be fair because we aren’t running…``

Nothing is fair, nothing can stay gold for this long and we have an expiration date; life isn’t fair at all and we have to expect the unexpected because we can’t see our life choices. ``You’re a good kid, Mateo ``  Mateo looks to the side when I say that, he barely keeps any eye contact with me and I know he’s upset. ``I’ll fix your hair later, go get some rest…I’ll make you a glass of water—?`` I smile gently and he nods, Mateo Torrez is still like the age when I met him; too pure and young for this messed up world.

Chapter Text

Hello!! If you have been reading my small snippets of an alternative ending of TBDATE; updates of this story will come out later since I have been getting into different stories/movies...I have posted a new work and it's about The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton! I will be posting more about them than this. Please do be patient though because I will come back to this! Thank you for the support and stay safe!

- Koniio