People bustled along the sidewalk beneath the afternoon sun, its warm rays washing over a small diner nestled against the street as customers drifted in and out.
Adrian brought his motorcycle to a stop and dismounted the new love of his life. He stood there for a few moments, his gaze lingering on the familiar establishment.
Things have changed so much... and yet this diner hasn't changed at all.
A wave of nostalgia washed over him. He embraced the feeling, drew a slow breath, and stepped through the diner's door.
The cheerful chime of the bell echoed through the cozy space as he walked inside. His eyes swept across the room before settling on the far-right corner.
There, resting on a metal table, was a head of dark blonde hair. The near-golden strands caught the afternoon light, shimmering as though each one had been spun from gold.
Adrian walked over to the table, rolled his eyes at Kyle's sleeping form, and gave his shoulder a light shove.
"Hey, Kyle. Wake up."
Kyle's eyes slowly fluttered open, revealing a pair of bright hazel irises before settling on Adrian. He straightened up and dropped into the chair opposite him.
"Adrian, you made it." Kyle stretched his arms above his head with a groan.
"Yeah, I did. How've you been doing lately?" Adrian asked, leaning back against the comfortable backrest.
"I've been good. Everything's been a little boring lately." Kyle covered his mouth to suppress a yawn.
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "How are things with Jessica? And why do you look like you haven't slept in a week?"
Kyle let out a long, weary sigh.
"Those are basically the same question. Jessica came over to my place for a 'sleepover' yesterday. It was great... right up until bedtime." He dragged both palms down his face. "I might as well have been sleeping next to a washing machine filled with bricks. I swear I can still hear her snoring."
Adrian snorted.
"So I shut that relationship down instantly," Kyle finished.
Adrian chuckled. "Shocker. Who could've seen that coming?"
Kyle rolled his eyes. "I really thought she was the one this time."
Adrian reached across the table and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Kyle... she's your third 'the one' this year, and we're not even halfway through May."
"Speaking of girls... Adrian, we've been friends for a few years now. I've introduced you to plenty of my female friends, and you've never shown the slightest bit of interest in any of them." He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Unless..." He cleared his throat dramatically. "You have... more... 'exotic' tastes."
Adrian stared at him blankly.
Kyle quickly raised both hands. "Hey, no judgment! You don't have to be ashamed. If that's your thing, I'm totally supportive."
Adrian sighed. "Kyle."
"What?"
"I hate the way your brain works."
Kyle leaned back with his eyes closed, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
Adrian wasn't about to let him have the last laugh.
"Actually, I got myself a girl today." He smirked. "And she roars, not snores."
Kyle cracked one eye open. "What do you mean?"
Adrian simply pointed through the window toward the red-and-black beast resting beside the sidewalk.
The instant Kyle's gaze landed on it, every trace of exhaustion vanished. He snapped back to Adrian, both hands planted on the table.
"Wait... that's yours?"
"Of course."
Adrian dangled the keys in front of him. Kyle immediately lunged for them, but Adrian pulled his hand away before he could grab them.
"Come on, man. After everything we've been through, you can't trust me this one time?"
"There ain't no way in hell I'm letting you anywhere near my bike."
"Why not?"
Adrian rolled his eyes. "Because the first thing you'd do is try to pop a wheelie at eighty miles an hour. And I promise you, if the crash doesn't kill you, I will."
Kyle burst out laughing.
"Fair enough."
He leaned back again before grinning. "So, what've you been up to this morning? Judging by that thing out there, I'd say you went on one hell of a joyride."
Adrian thought back to the morning's chaos and couldn't help but smile.
"You could say that."
He spent the next several minutes recounting everything that had happened—from the frantic girl who begged for a ride, to the confrontation with Tyler, and finally his unexpected reunion with Principal Evelyn.
Kyle listened without interrupting, only letting out an impressed whistle when Adrian finished.
"That's one way to start the day I guess." He sighed. "And I stand corrected, you actually do know how to talk to a girl, looks like all my advice didn't go to waste." Adrian sighed.
"Can you give me a break? I was just helping her out."
Kyle grinned. "Yeah, yeah. One second you're giving her rides, and the next she's riding something el—ow." Before he could finish Adrian gave him a light hit on his head, Kyle didn't mind at all and continued.
"Seriously though you got her number, right?" Adrian Stared at him. "Right?!" He kept staring. Kyle face palmed so hard he might have bruised himself. "In my defense there was too much chaos for me to even ask her." "I guess that's reasonable." Kyle dropped his arm on the table and stared at Adrian.
"And as for those bullies? I didn't raise no bitch who'd be intimidated by some random punks. I know Ade never ducks a fade." Adrian chuckled at the last line. Though it was true, if anyone wanted to pick a fight with him he wasn't backing down.
They ordered some food and kept on talking for a bit, cracking jokes and talking about random topics. The afternoon sun fell lower in the sky casting shadows across the streets.
Adrian stretched his arms above his head, remembering the text Kyle sent him. "You said you had something important to tell me this morning right.
" Adrian reminded him as Kyle's smile dimmed slightly. "A week from now... I'm leaving."
Adrian frowned.
"Going somewhere we won't be able to keep in touch. I don't know for how long."Adrian's expression became slightly more serious. "It could be months, maybe a year or two." Adrian placed a hand on his shoulder from across the table. "But you'll be okay right?" Kyle stared at his hands on the table. "Honestly, I'm not sure."
Adrian wanted to ask more questions but his phone rang out from his pocket. "Hold on." Kyle pulled out his phone, talking with the person on the other side before hanging up. "My dad needs me to come back home, says it's important." He got up from his seat with a sigh. "This is it huh?" Adrian asked. "I guess it is, bye man." Kyle turned around to leave.
"See you later." Adrian replied. His steps slowed slightly. I hope so. And he was out the door, Adrian wanted to take some time to process his short conversation with Kyle, exactly on cue he got a text from Drew.Adrian stared at the message for a second before slipping his phone back into his pocket. Whatever Kyle meant, it would have to wait.
*I need you to go pick up Natalie from school, you free?* Adrian replied. *I'm on my way there.* He left the diner, started his bike and was off.
***
The last bell of the day rung as students poured out of the school forming groups with each other on their way back home.
"C'mon Amaya just tell me who's the guy everyone was talking about this morning." Ever since the rumors started that morning, her friend had been pressing Amaya for answers. "I already told you it was nothing." Amaya retorted. "Then why are you blushing so much." Red lit up her face as she started walking as fast as possible.
"Amaya, just tell me what he looks like that's all." Amaya slowed down and finally relented. "Well he..." Her gaze locked ahead."That's him over there."
She pointed toward Adrian, who was leaning against his motorcycle while scanning the stream of students.
Her friend's expression darkened.
"Amaya?"
"Yeah?"
She looked back at Adrian before saying,
"That's my brother."
"...Eh?"