Arlan's Point Of View

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Dominic yelled above the chilling whiz of October air.

"I'm positive," I adjusted the ski mask adorned on my face, in which my men had on too.

We had just successfully taken down the Eckerberry Cocaine Adminstration an hour ago. It was quite comical to see Blake and his team so afraid, they handed the money to me on their knees, pleading to be spared. And not a single Silvercrest mafia man even tried to interfere. Just as I suspected, they were as good as dead without their lead man. And now, I was even filthier rich than before, which was pretty fucking filthy (wink).

I raised the baseball bat in my hand and swung it at my side.

"Get to it," I commanded curtly, and just like that, my men parted in several directions, chaos ensuing. We were destroying the cars in the Silvercrest mafia meeting parking lot, for a little cherry on top of this fantastic day. I mean, why not?

And who's brilliant idea was this? Well mine, of course.

I swung my bat at a random car window and dashed away before the shattered glass could fall. I hit the car door several times, battering the exterior of the vehicle. Meanwhile, other men were spray-painting and graffiti-ing God knows what, breaking windows as car alarms started blaring off. All I know is I was damn happy that finally, Santiago had no hold on me. He was gone. All his previous threats, his bullshit that Jake's death was "part of the mafia life", it all was infuriating. And now, he was gone, and I could do whatever the fuck I wanted. It was liberating. It was freeing.

"ALRIGHT, LET'S GET A MOVE BEFORE THE COPS COME!" I yelled, and the vandalism halted as we ran to our cars. Adrenaline rushed through my veins running from the scene, and I couldn't help but laugh my ass off.

(Aurora's POV)-

"Come on, let's grab a booth in the corner!" Hadley takes my elbow and leads me, over the sound of 1960's music.

"Okay," I giggle, almost tripping to catch up with her speed, while looking around at the retro-styled vegetarian diner. We're at Green Gatherings, a vegetarian restaurant adorned with neon signs, jukeboxes, long hanging plants and green and pink booths. It's quite busy and popular, lots of young people chatting and eating around us.

Settling comfortably into a booth, I smooth my bangs from my face, laughing and grinning at Hadley. This was exciting, it was my first time hanging out with a girl friend!

"And don't worry that you don't have money on you, seriously, I told you I'm cool paying," Hadley smiled sincerely at me.

"Okay," I reluctantly agree, even though I still kinda felt bad.

"Welcome to Green Gatherings, where in this establishment, we got no beef with youuu!" Beck approaches us and throws up two peace signs for effect, making Hadley snort. I giggle but being in his presence again makes me instantly nervous. His brow is slightly sweaty and his hair messy from a noticeably busy shift, and yet he was still art in my eyes.

"You're such a nerd!" Hadley giggled, hitting her twin with a menu. "I can't believe they still make you say that."

Beck shrugged a shoulder and took out his pen and paper pad. "Hey Aurora."

"Hi," I nervously say, smiling.

"I'm glad you guys came, it'll look good to my boss that I'm bringing in new customers!" He winked at Hadley. "Can I start you ladies off with something to drink?"

The sweet, chocolate hues of his eyes meet mine. "Aurora?"

"Uh, cups," I stammer out.

Both the twins look at me strangely.

"I-I mean," I shake my head slightly, cursing myself. "Water," I look to Beck, "just...a cup of water is fine," I smile politely.

"Think someone's been studying for too long," Hadley snorted, turning to her brother. "I'll take my raspberry iced tea, as usual."

"Got it," Beck quickly scribbled it down, smirking at both of us. "Water and raspberry iced tea. And, Aurora," He turned to me and I felt my throat dry up at his gorgeous, exquisite presence. "I highly recommend the veggie burger, it's nothing like you've ever had."

"Y-yeah," I broke into a shy half-smile. "I'll try it, definitely."

"Uh oh, trouble at twelve O'clock," Hadley, less than enthused, nodded her head at the door.

Beck glanced quickly, then immediately reverted his gaze and sighed softly in frustration.

"God, I don't know why she still even comes in here," Hadley snarled in disgust.

"I don't know," Beck said under his breath, shaking his head and resuming back to his friendly grin. "But anyway, I'll be right out with your orders!"

With that, he left us, and though I felt perplexed, I didn't want to question. Ten minutes later, he brought us our food, and he was right, this veggie burger was incredibly delicious! The rich flavors marinated perfectly together.

"This is so good!" I said incredulously, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Thanks," Beck grinned, sliding into his sister's booth. Hadley looked at him slightly annoyed yet moved over and wolfed down some fries. "I made it."

My eyebrows raised as my mouth fell ajar. "You made it? You're a cook, too?"

He proudly nodded, snatching one of his sister's fries, making her elbow him.

"Wow, that's a lot to do both. I actually used to be a barista, it got pretty tiring."

"Really?" He said. "I bet you can make a pretty mean cup of coffee. Making burger's would be nothing for you," He flipped his hand and I giggled.

"No," I giggled. "I'm sure cooking actual food is way more complicated than pouring coffee."

"Yeah, well at least you never had to deal with angry vegan Karen's saying their lettuce is too warm."

"Damn," I chuckled. "No, I definitely didn't."

His lips slowly spread into a smirk and he licked his lips.

"Well, I should head back to work, but I'm really glad you liked the food."

"Bye loser," Hadley jutted her hip to get him out of her booth.

"Bye Beck," I smiled and waved.

I watched as threw a rag over his shoulder and headed back to the kitchen, his dark jeans and slightly stained apron, his shaggy red velvet hair...

"You know, to be honest," Hadley said as she set her chin in her palm and I turned back to her. "I'm not much of a...girl's girl. I don't really make friends, but you seem different. Beck was always the really social one growing up. When we were younger, he kinda made friends for us. But as we got older, I kind of got more closed off, fell off the social wagon, was kinda content being alone most of the time. But...I actually really like talking to you."

"Me too!" I admitted, reflecting on our conversation on the walk to the diner. "I mean, that's so cool that you saw John Mayer in concert! I love guitar."

"I actually play! I should totally show you my guitars some time. I usually just play alone in my room."

"No way! Yeah, I'd love to. I've always wanted to play, but never could afford one," I excitedly nod my head.

"Well then," She winked, sipping her tea. "Lessons on me! You should definitely come over sometime."

My face slowly fell as I didn't know how possible that would be. I just offer her a small fake smile, nodding my head.

"I'd definitely love that."

(Arlan's POV)

Rolling up to John Roberts Community College, I see Aurora right where I was expecting her, in front of the Ariana Whitman building like yesterday. She was always on time and right where I expected her. Only, today, she's with another person. I squint in confusion at the ginger girl next to my baby, but just as quickly, Aurora sees me, pats the girl's arm, and dashes to my car. I lift my elbow to the cup holder and rub my chiseled jaw with two fingers back and forth. Who was that other girl?

Aurora opens her car door and the delicacy of her incoming blueberry sugar scent floods my senses and makes my brain melt with lust. If it weren't for everyone around us, I'd hover over her and pin her on her back and make out with her. Actually, even with everyone around us, I still would...

"Hi baby," I greet, stroking her soft arm, craving to touch her.

"Hi," she says shyly. "I'm not late."

I raise my eyebrows and smirk at her obedience, it's the same exact thing she'd said yesterday when she'd first got in my car.

"I know, right on time, again, like a good girl," I coo, stroking her immaculately soft cheek with my ring-covered tattooed fingers.

I nod my head, gesturing behind her, bringing my hand back to my chin.

"Who's that girl?" I ask suspiciously. I didn't need my girl getting too close to anyone.

Aurora turns around and then quickly whips back to me, her ponytail lightly bouncing with her.

"Oh..that's Hadley," She says nonchalantly.

"Hadley?" I repeat. Kind of a strange name. Then again, my name is Arlan.

"Yeah, we have a class together. We're actually friends."

"Huh," I simply reply.

I start up the car and suddenly feel my heart rate increase, feeling jealousy of her getting close to someone else. I turn the engine on and drum my fingers quickly on the wheel, then grip it hard. "Give me a cigarette."

From the corner of my eye, I see Aurora's facing growing confused. I bet she thought I'd be in a much more chipper mood hearing she has a friend. Well, I'm not, I just feel threatened.

"Aurora," I insist.

"Okay," She hesitantly says, opening my glove compartment as I hit the gas hard. Gasping, she hits the seat back and flails around to clutch for her seatbelt.

"Arlan, I didn't have my seatbelt on yet!"

"I don't want you getting too close to anyone, Aurora," I stare intently at the road.

"What?" She spat. "You told me to make friends."

"Yeah, well, I changed my mind."

I took matters into my own hands and got the cigarette myself, feeling relief once I exhaled smoke. She stared at me in disbelief before exhaling a scoff, and looking away with crossed arms.

"I don't believe this."

Biting the cigarette harshly with my teeth, I exhaled slowly. "How was your day."

Silence.

"Are you hungry?"

"I ate. With Hadley."

I remove my cigarette with two fingers and blow smoke out from my teeth, inhaling with frustration. When I turned to look at her at a red light, her head was down. That made my heart squeeze with sadness, and I suddenly felt guilty.

What was I doing? Things are good. Santiago is dead, I'm rich, and Aurora is happy in school.

"Hey," I sighed, cupping her cheek and she looked up like a wounded puppy. "Dove. I'm sorry. You're right. I'm being a jealous man, you don't deserve that. I'm proud of you for making a friend."

Her glowering eyes met mine softly, blinking innocently.

"If Hadley makes you happy," I sighed begrudgingly in reluctance, moving my slacked jaw and shaking my head a bit. "Then I'm happy."

With that, the light turned green and I hit the gas again hard.

"Just no male friends."