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Elevators were always a bit awkward for Faris in the nicer places of LA, he always looked out of place in facilities and buildings like this one. It was a nice place, a polished calming building, expecting mothers, couples looking to find out what their problems are, and children going to pediatrician appointments.
Everyone always looked so, suburbian, with the occasional outlier of course, everyone and every place has them, it's just something he's noticed over the years living here, he was the surprised, he was a outlier.
Faris looked more at home in a dive bar or in an ad campaign to not do drugs and stay away from gangs, stuff him and Dell would joke about during high school and when him and Faris sheared a shitty apartment for a few years. Tattoos, piercings, long hair, 6'4”, he blames that on his mother's side, her really, she's a solid 6'1”on a bad day.
He looked like what most people would tell you to stay away from, but kids love him and when half awake he looks like a long harried cuddly dog. Today his outfit was mostly different shades and tints of black, so that didn't help the staring or glances on this fine Friday afternoon.
He was used to it, people looking and watching him, didn't make elevator rides any less awkward.
He stood with his hands in his jeans pockets, watching as the elevator number change and ding sound off with each floor it passed. When the doors opened to the Oceanside Wellness Center with a light ding and a slow swoosh of the doors he stepped out, black boots hitting the floor with a thunk at each step.
He looked around unsure, he's never actually been inhere before, not like he had reason, this was a far to expensive private practice focused on reproductive health, but with Betsy being in Dell's care his friend needed help taking care of her after school, and besides, she loved uncle Faris, so here he was to pick her up.
He made it to the front desk, he placed his hands on the higher edge of the counter, folded together politely. She looked up from the computer, chewed on her gum for a moment, waiting for him to speak.
“I'm looking for Dell Parker, is he in?”
Faris knew the look she gave him, the up and down, the best she could from where most of the front desk was blocking anyway. Before she could speak, he heard a few quick footsteps some ways behind himself.
“Uncle Faris!” The normal sound of the practice was cut by a bright girls voice.
“Hey Betsy Bell!” Faris deftly turned, holding his arms out as he crouched just enough, catching Betsy as she forcefully jumped at him, expecting to be caught he heaved her up and held her to his chest before giving a kiss to her cheek. “How are you doing? Where's your Daddy?” He questioned with a wide bright sunshine grin, Betsy giggled at him.
“Your beard is scratchy and tickly.”
People stared. They always did, this felt different though, like important people were watching.
“Sorry, here let me just-” He started to rub his chin gently in Betsy's face, chuckling quietly and she squirmed but didn't start screaming about the treatment.
“Right here, Betsy I've told you not to throw yourself at your uncle.” Dell rushed over, he always had a worried tone with Betsy, even more so since Heather relapsed, Dell sounded exasperated, with a face to match his tone.
She relapsed Again.
How many times was it? 3? 5? Faris stopped counting at the second time when she came to the shitty apartment he shared with Dell at 4 am with a 3 year old Betsy.
Dell always worried something might happen, I mean that is his job, he's responsible for a whole ass human, has been the many times Heather relapsed, but you can't plan for everything, no matter what Dell tried.
He leaned to the side and head tilting as well, black hair falling in his face, smiling as he watched Dell, trying to put his best friend at ease, seeing the way he huffed, hands on his hips and watched him, annoyed at him, but Faris has seen it many times before.
“I didn't start working out to impress you dude, I started working out to carry our princess Betsy Bell!” He picked his head up and did a quick spin, glad she was laughing and healthy. He kissed her cheek again, easily taking Betsy's bag from Dell's hands and slinging the far to small and sparkly pink backpack onto his left shoulder.
She was healthy, that was the most important thing to Faris, she's gone through a lot, lots of problems, but in the moment right now there was no worries, just the promise of pizza and maybe one to many sodas from the tattoo parlour's front vending machine.
Dell cleared his throat, it made Faris glance over his way, a woman with short red hair smiled at him.
“This is Faris, Betsy's godfather and my best friend.”
He held Betsy with one arm, shifting her so he could shake the lady's hand, giving a small smile back before looking to Dell.
“This is Addison, my Boss.”
“Nice to meet you,” Faris got out quickly, his throat was dry, suddenly more people started to crowd, oh Jesus fucking Christ.
Faris smiled though, “Nice to meet you as well,” nodding quietly with Betsy still tucked into his side.
“Not gonna introduce the rest of us Dell?”
“Uh-” Dell faltered for a second and itched his nose with his right hand, “Cooper, Pete, Violet, and Sam.”Dell nodded and put both hands on his sides, smiling as his eyes turned to Faris. Faris nodded in greeting to them, shaking Cooper's and Sam's hands with his free one.
“Nice to meet you all, I'm Faris.”
Faris knew how to play polite with people, just because he wore a dark outside and looked like a modern vampire didn't mean he wasn't nice.
“So how long have you known Dell?” Cooper questioned, crossing his arms and leaning forward a little, jutting his chin out.
“Since we were 8 or something,” Faris chuckled, looking to Dell for a way out from this, suddenly being interrogated was not on the fucking list today, asshole.
“I'm hungry.” Betsy commented quietly, his true savior.
Faris cleared his throat, “Sorry, we should get going.”
Dell switched into parent mode on the flip of a dime.
“I'll be over to the shop at 8 to pick her up-” Dell started, hands being brought from his sides and fidgeting around his hair and face, covering his mouth and then not settling on where to land.
“I know, she'll have her teeth brushed by 7 and napping in the back or by me in a chair as I work, don't worry about it man, you act like I haven't changed her diaper at 4 am.” He let out a laugh when Betsy whined, embarrassed. “Okay, let's go.” Faris quickly moved to the elevator, turning around when inside and waving to everyone, grin on his face.
Betsy also waved, both Faris and her leaning so Dell saw them till the doors shut closed.