Why Don't You Make Me

2

"Are you not happy I'm back?" Leo whispers. The moment of silence kills him and he shuts his eyes. He is about to turn his body away from Fiat when a weight is added onto his chest. He slightly gasps as his eyes shoot open to see a head full of hair. It makes Leo smile as he wraps his arms around the small frame and embraces him. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here now, Fiat."

"Don't make empty promises, Leo," Fiat nuzzles his face into Leo's chest and it makes his heart swirl. This is something he can get use to. That night, he slept better than he could imagine, but he did not wake up the way he wished to.

"Fiat?" He rubs his eyes as he stands and searches around his place. When he returns back to his room he notices the note on the nightstand.

Had to leave first. Don't come back to the bar. Stay on your side of the city. Don't come looking for me or wait for me, Leo. I'll come to you. Also, don't ask questions or report back to the parents. -F

Leo gawks at the scribble on the paper. Rather than making him feel assured by the note left, Leo feels even more uneasy and frustrated. "He expects me to just not look for him? Like hell!"

Leo throws the paper down and storms to get himself washed up for the day. He throws on his more casual attire to match the environment he is about to enter. His joggers and basic shirt is simple enough to the untrained eye. His once styled hair is now falling flat over his forehead. He makes his way back to the streets and wanders along the other side of the city. Inputting the address onto his phone and slipping on earphones to listen to the walking directions, Leo makes his way to Fiat's home. When he was in the taxi, he was unable to directly pass it as the driver refused to linger long than necessary.

As the GPS announces that he has arrived, he looks up and is silenced. While he has seen his fair share of rundown homes and apartments, he never expected someone he knows to live in one. Someone comes out of the main doors and he stops them. "Does a man named Fiat or First live in this building?"

"Mind your own business," the man barks. Leo's eyes widen as he watches him stalk away grumbling.

"Alright, no asking questions..." Leo mumbles to himself. He glances back at the three floored apartment complex and sighs. A heavy force bumps onto his shoulder and he nearly falls over from surprise.

"These goddam tourists. GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Leo cringes at the stench and glares at the staggering couple.

"Get off the road if your lost!" the other yells.

"I'll wait until the bar opens.." Leo grumbles and brushes his bumped shoulder. His perfect plan that he has been looking forward to since confirming his move has been shattered. He had a taste of something great, only to have it ripped from him. If it was not for the note, Leo would have believed that it was all a dream.

Feeling the hunger of the lack of a proper meal since his flight, Leo heads back to his part of the city and slips into a home style restaurant. He orders his favorites and sighs. He wishes to enjoy his meals with someone across from him. As he eats, his phone rings.

Mom

He puts down his chopsticks and brings the phone to his ear. He was suppose to call her when he arrived.

"Mae-"

"I get you want to see Fiat as soon as possible, but you need to remember that me and your father need to hear that you arrived safely."

"Sorry, Mae. I safely arrived to my place. It's just as the realtor showed us through video." Leo says as he takes a bite out of his meal. These kinds of calls are something he has gotten use to.