35
August
I bite my lip, looking over at a wide eyed Estelle, I simply mutter. "Come in."
"Thank you." He walks in the house, shrugging his bag and coat off on the couch, before sighing. "Can I have something to eat?"
"Uh, yeah, what do you want?" I ask.
"Do you have pizza?" He asks.
"I can order one." I say, pausing. "Do you want eggs? It's only 7 AM."
"No, I want pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and garlic crust please." He says, reaching into the pocket of his dirty black jeans and pulling out a crumpled twenty dollar bill.
"I can pay." I say, softly shaking my head, refusing the money.
He shoves the money back in his pocket. "Nice house."
"Thanks." I murmur, walking into the kitchen to get my phone.
"I'm gonna go shower and get dresssd." Estelle whispers into my ear, before walking upstairs.
I call the pizza place and place an order, before hanging up.
"August?" September asks.
"Yeah?" He asks.
"Is that your girlfriend?" He asks. "Yeah, she is." I say, walking back into the living room, where September was slouched on one of the couches.
Atlas stands at his feet, his head cocked and curious.
"What's this guy's name?" He asks, reaching down and scratching his head.
"Atlas." I answer.
September nods.
"Do you want some clothes?" I ask.
"I brought some, I should change though, maybe wash up." He answers.
"Bathroom is down the hall and to the left." I say.
He nods and grabs his bag, walking towards the bathroom.
I grab his dirt covered jacket and walk to the laundry room, chucking it, along with a few other articles of clothing, in the washing machine, before turning it on.
The doorbell rings and I walk to collect the pizza, giving him a twenty dollar bill along with a five dollar bill.
I set the pizza on the counter, keeping the lid closed so no heat escapes.
Estelle walks downstairs and into the kitchen. "Hey."
I give her a smile. "I can't believe I have a brother."
"Neither can I." She smiles, walking to stand next to me.
I smile. "Do you think my birth parents got back together?"
Estelle shakes her head. "I thought your dad was in prison."
"He is." I sigh, biting my lip.
September comes out of the bathroom, his hair wet and in a new change of clothes, he was wearing ripped black jeans, a white tee-shirt, and a blue hoodie.
I grab the pizza, setting it on the breakfast bar.
He scrambles to sit in front of it, tearing into it ravenously. "Should I park my bike in your garage?"
I glance out the window to see a well used bike on my front lawn.
"I'll go get it." Estelle murmurs, walking out the front door.
Eating noises fill the kitchen while September eats.
"So." I start, once he finishes the pizza. "Who are your parents?"
"Your mom, and my dad." He says. "He's a realtor."
"Where is your house?" I ask, sipping on the now cold, repulsive coffee.
"Los Angeles." He answers.
I choke on my coffee. "You biked all the way from LA, to here?"
"To Portland first, then here."
"How long did you bike for?" I ask.
"A weekish." He says. "I brought a water bottle and that's really all the substance really."
"Are you thirsty?" I ask.
"A soda wouldn't hurt." He murmurs.
I open the fridge and grab a can of cola, tossing it to him.
He cracks it open and chugs the whole can.
"Do you know what she looks like?" I ask.
"Who?" He looks up.
"Mom." I answer.
"No, she left my dad after I was a year old." He answers. "I have a photo on my phone, though." September pulls out a phone webbed with cracks on the screen.
"How?" I ask.
"My dad used to be a photographer, and she was his muse. He dropped it after she left." He places the phone on the counter.
Hesitantly, I pick up the phone, examining the photo.
It was obviously September's mom, with black curls to her chest, her lips were fuller, once again, just like September. Neither of us had her nose but both of us had her warm brown eyes.
"You look like her." I say, looking up at September.
His face breaks into a crooked grin. "Thanks."
I smile as well. "So September, what do you like to do?"
"I like to play guitar and piano, I like to watch TV, I used to play soccer, I like to read, and I like pizza, but my favorite food is sushi." He rambles. "What about you?"
"I like to write, listen to music, read, obviously, I like to hang out with my friends and family, and I used to play football." I say.
Estelle walks back in the house, bee-lining to the kitchen, latching onto me. "It's freezing out there."
"Tell me about it." September laughs.
She unlatches herself and sighs. "What are you two up to?"
"We're bonding." September says, grinning.
"Oh! Can I bond?" She asks.
I laugh. "We're just going over interests."
"You can bond with us..." He trails off, looking for a name.
"Estelle." She nods, smiling.
"Okay, Estelle, what do you like?"
"Reading. I love reading, I like turning music all the way up and dancing like a fool. I like to help people, and I really like coffee." She smiles up at me.
"How interesting." September says. "I'll have to join you dancing like a fool one day."
"We'll all dance like fools together." I suggest, before we all bubble into laughter.
"Do you have any siblings Estelle?" September pipes.
"Yeah, I have a twin sister named Maverick, I haven't seen her for a while." Estelle says, her smile fading.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realize that it was a sensitive topic." He says.
"No it's fine." She lies through clenched teeth.
"I should go." I murmur, looking down at my watch. "Off to work."
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