...

“for fucks sake, monte. how many times do we have to go over this? you’re supposed to save your money so you can actually afford a place that’ll shelter that cuckoo head of yours. the fuck you’re going to do with all those deli sandwiches?? open up a kebab stand?? even then you’d probably accidentally burn it down.” 

“ivy, i don’t want a place... i don’t need a place. it’s my life...”

a shocked expression fell upon audrey’s face. “i would never use you, monte. what would i use you for?” audrey cried, trying to keep her voice level. she felt tears well up in her eyes at the mere thought of monte hating her. “you are my truest friend monte and i would never do that to you.” audrey continued, her voice thick with tears. audrey felt stunned that she was even having this conversatoin with monte. “fine, we can get a divorce. whatever.” audrey whispered, bringing her hand up to wipe her tears away.

“i don’t know... for money, for something i can’t give you... i don’t know anymore, i just don’t. i honestly don’t...” monte said in a hopeless, surrendering tone as he felt himself giving up on the closest things he’s ever had in his life. he didn’t know where to go from here, all he knew was what she was saying was true: he’s homeless (he has practically nothing) and everyone has taken advantage of him or has hurt him that much before and all he knew now was that he can’t trust anyone. not even the one person that made him smile the most and hurt the least. before leaving anything else behind but many tears, he walked away from the girl, emotionally not having the ability to do this.

“i know you’re an adult but fuck monte people constantly use you and you never learn.” she said quietly. she didn’t really want to hurt monte’s feelings, but someone had to tell him, right? “please don’t cry monte.” audrey sniffed, cautiously putting a hand on his shoulder.

“well then if you’re right, doesn’t that mean you’re using me too? how do i even know you’re really here for me? i want...” monte cried more into his hands before trying to calm himself down in order to say what he was about to say. “i want a divorce, audrey reyes.”

audrey made a face and turned to look at monte. “fuck, i meant in the literal sense, monte. like, dictionary definition. and i’m just concerned, jesus christ. you’re more vulnerable out there for multiple reasons, and i don’t want to get a call at like four in the morning telling me that you’re half dead in the hospital or something.” audrey rambled, all the time glaring at monte. “please don’t cry.” she said quietly, looking down at her sandwich.

“audrey, i’m an adult, i can handle things, okay?” monte said, in a defensive tone, mostly wanting to believe it more than anything. but all that did was make him start crying, and very hard at that.

monte knew about the puddle the entire time, but wanted to feel a little bit mischievous, so he did not tell him. seeing the boy be startled by the huge puddle beside the other, monte began laughing very hard, having to cover his mouth with his hand. “that was... that was...” he began before falling into a pit of even more giggles. “that was so funny! can you say that line for me again?” monte laughed even harder, thinking the phrase was just as funny as this little trip.

“no offence monte, you’re kinda homeless. that’s not a good thing.” she sighed. audrey laughed at his suggestions, “i think a deli shop is a great idea! we can call it reyes and reza’s rad deli shop.”

monte stopped eating his sandwich to furrow his eyebrows heavily at the girl. “what the... what the fuck, audrey? you of all people know i’m not homeless. you know that i just don’t want a place, that doesn’t make me homeless. i didn’t know you saw me that way.” monte looked very hurt, somewhere in between sad and angry.

“oh that sounds lovely. not the coyotes bit, but like, the trail part. you should probably like, get a place or something. i don’t think riding your bike around at night is safe.” audrey mused. “eh, it’s been alright. i’ve been around.” audrey said, shrugging. “haven’t done anything special.” she continued, taking a bite out of the sandwich.

“aw audrey, i love it, i swear. i’ve been doing it for a couple years and i’ve never really had a bad experience! i’m a big boy.” monte laughed at that. “i say we change that after work, and do something crazy. like, start a twenty-four hour business overnight or something. like a deli shop...”

“no offense, handsome but no one really cares about sandwiches,” he shrugged, thanking the person who tossed the basketball back to them. “love it when they do the work for me. what a great life i lead,” he smiled, picking up another basketball to spin on his finger. “how’d you find disney and that? let’s talk about that.”

“hey, i care about sandwiches!” monte pouted playfully. “miles, can i ask you something? ... would you consider yourself a... lazy individual?” monte tilted his head to the side. “aw, i loved disney! it was nice seeing everyone fully dressed as like, disney characters. i really loved seeing prince eric at the castle! oh, where were you too, by the way?”

“why do you always call people by their full name, monts?? it sounds strange.” she sighed wistfully, “i wish i could. he’s still in new york, sadly. maybe he’ll raise enough money to come over one day. —– oh, my. no, no. six is a good size, depending on how big your mouth is.”

“because... well, i don’t know! i think i’m used to it because of work but also i feel like it just shows how much i care... i love everyone here, y’know?” monte beamed just at the thought of it. “well, i’m not going to eat the six inch all at once, silly!” monte begins laughing.