THE CALLING

That’s hard to do when the room feels like it’s spinning.

Does it look deep?

Yeah, I get that. Woke up feeling like on the back end of a terrible bender.

It’s not all glitz and glamor, Harrison. Beauty comes with a price.

Enzo grunted in amusement, turning the man’s head to the other side before finally dropping his hand, “Since I put my sister through medical school. Consider me doctor by proxy.” He sighed, “I always worry for the younger ones, kid. You’re still my responsibility even if we’re not in the same faction anymore if you haven’t heard.”

Oh, I’m aware.

I know this shit isn’t attractive, at least it’s more than you.

“You might get one someday, kiddo.” Enzo reached out a hand and turned Harri’s head, inspecting the wounds with a sigh, “I think you’ll live. It’s not so bad.”

Look at you, getting some action and all of a sudden you’re more attractive than me.

It’s that manly masculinity, remember? Shit doesn’t scare me, not even this jacked mug.

That’s the best joke you’ve ever told. I think I almost smiled.

That was sort of a self-burn?

I don’t remember a day in my life where my face wasn’t healing from something.

Yeah, yeah, hush up. That hit you took actually made you look prettier. Who knew.

I’m surprised you don’t scare yourself shitless when you see yourself in the mirror.

I’ve been pummeled worse than this, kid.

Don’t be a pussy. Let me look at you.

Yeah sure, your face looks like it’s taken a few beatings in your time.

I’m fine… just need a breather.

It’s just a few bumps and scraps. Like a fucking earthquake is taking me out.

Do you ever get tired of that manly persona of yours? Jesus, go away.

I’m questioning everything about her now.

Where would I even go in Newford? I can’t go back to my apartment, I would rather drop dead than live with my parents or my sister to avoid the shit show that was my childhood. Rosie’s better off without me, Harrison. 

I’d be surprised if you didn’t.

If you’re making assumptions about what you saw at the bar, it wasn’t what it looked like. There ain’t no laws against sitting in a booth with Eleanor Cabello having a drink. I was showing her around the dirtiest Newford had.

I’m not having a fling with her.

I’m making assumptions on what I heard-- y’all weren’t quiet.

I don’t know. Even when I know her.

And how it is I would matter to them now when I was all but meaningless in my goddamn hour of need with Jason? So, all of a sudden, they care? For all I know, there could be people looking for me with revenge on their minds.

I don’t think we actually know anyone, Pan.

It’s the only safe place I had left. I’m not going back to Newford even if they have to drag me there kicking and screaming. Fuck. That.

Is it really safe still if another family took it over?

Why, because that fucker writes a letter and think it’s a one way ticket to redemption? And don’t get me goddamn started on Eleanor.

We all know that Sebastian isn’t exactly the smartest, but I think you should talk about that shit with Eleanor since I’m assuming I’m one of the few people that actually knows about your fling before you blow a gasket on someone.

If you aren’t losing your home, Harri, shut it.

A. No.

Son of a bitch…

“Ew, Harri, why must you torture me with such awful atrocities?” Mady gave her cousin a disgusted glare, sticking out her tongue with the shake of a head. “Nothing screams like keeping it in the family than two of our very intoxicated cousins kissing. Pretty sure Aunt Erlene encouraged the theming because god forbid they do tacky like a Vegas wedding.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at his cousin’s silly antics, it was as if they were kids all over again. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a Vegas wedding-- it all depends on the company, and our family is not good company,” Harrison shivered. There was a reason why he didn’t talk to his extended family except for Mads. They drove him nuts.