I walk out of the kitchen and instantly frown. Art has fled. Again.
He is the absolute worst sometimes.
He didn't even tell me he was leaving. He never does.
Clover walks in behind me and looks at the table where Arts things were just a few minutes ago
"Where's Art?" She asks.
Steel and Jay look up from their phones and look around.
I'm instantly annoyed. I take a deep breath. "He's fled...Again."
Art is the worst. When things are not going his way he does this every time without fail. You say the smallest, tiniest thing to annoy him and turn your back for even a second and he pulls a vanishing act.
When we were kids he would just go hide in some nook or cranny, over time I found all his hiding spots. As we got older he took to the streets. I can't even count how many times our groups turned around at one of us saying this now comical phrase "Where's Art." The dude is crafty in this regard. He waits until all our attention is focused on something else and pulls a Houdini instead of simply using his words and telling us what is wrong.
Clover rolls her eyes and puts her hand on her hips. "What we do this time?"
I clear my throat as sit at the edge of the dining table.
"He's upset because we aren't taking studying seriously. He thinks we won't go on the trip. I won't name names but he feels some people in this group will fail exams and have to miss the trip to take retakes."
I look at each of them slowly. If someone is going to fail it will be either one or all of these nob heads. I always listen when Art teaches us. I won't fail.
I continue, "What I didn't get a chance to tell him is my mom already bought us all tickets to stay at a resort near Choeng Mon Beach."
Jay, Steel, and Clover's eyes light up in excitement. "So whoever fails, doesn't get to go."
Clover's eyes get really big.
"Why aren't you calling Art?!?" Clover demands.
"Don't be stupid, Clover every time Art runs away he never answers our call." Steel stands up and walks over to a jar of snacks on the table.
Clover looks at me while she speaks to Steel, "He answers sometimes when Fiat calls."
Jay stands up and grabs his keys off the table. "We'll have better luck just splitting up to go find him."
He points at me "You go to his house and the park. Clover the library and the camera store, Steel check the cyber café and the Miss Changs Eatery."
"Where are you going?" I ask him as he heads for the door.
"Sometimes he walks around when he is mad, I'll try to find him on the street." He says as he hurries out the door.
We all grab our keys and split on another mission to locate the elusive and cunning Art. Spirits willing he doesn't see us before we see him.
As I'm heading to my car, I kick myself once again for forgetting to install a secret locator app onto his phone when he isn't looking. Before I start my car I set a reminder on my phone. Bug Art's phone.
-Gotcha. I knew the little shit would come to the park. I quickly park my car and head toward him. I parked a little further than I would have liked to, if he sees me first he'll disappear in a cloud of smoke. Lucky for me he is distracted, taking pictures of a collage on the cement wall that encircles the park. I fast walk over and shove him.
"Hey Loser, what did I tell you about ghosting us?"
Art turns around and looks at me, and lets his camera dangle from his neck by its strap. He gives me a guilty grin.
"Don't smile, you're freaking annoying."
He scratches at his scalp nervously.
" Everyone was preoccupied. Didn't think it mattered."
"Liar."
"I'm not."
"You are."
" Fine, I'm lying." He says flatly and resumes taking pictures. Essentially dismissing me.
"Hey you little shit, everyone's out looking for you."
"Hey yourself, I didn't invite you guys to look for me. I left because I had no further business there. Is that not my right?"
He is trying to annoy me. I take a deep breath.
" Give me your phone, I left mine in the car and I have to call the gang and tell them I found you."
"It's dead."
"You're lying again."
"I'm actually not." He sighs and reaches into his hoody. He shows me his phone.
This kid is so annoying. I reach into my pocket and produce my phone.
"I thought you left in the car."
" You lie to me, why can't I lie to you?"
He looks confused. I turn to call Clover but think better of it. I back up and lean against the wall, I can't take my eye off this kid for a moment.
"Move!" He protests. I'm obstructing his view. I give him my middle finger and text our group. When I have finished I look up and Art is staring daggers at me.
"What?"
"Move!"
"Move your mother."
"I'm gonna tell her you said that."
"And I'll tell her you're lying, and she'll believe me 'cause you're fucking liar."
He rolls his eyes, turns, and walks away. "I'm not gonna argue with a child."
"I'm the child? Who's the one who runs away and hides as soon as a situation isn't going his way in the slightest." I return as I move to keep up with him.
"Who's running away? I went there to study, you guys didn't want to, so it serves no purpose staying there when I can be doing something that is actually productive instead of wrangling a bunch of freaking babies."
"Fine we're babies, but so are you."
Art shakes his head and his shaggy bangs cover his eyes. He starts to say something but resigns.
"You need a haircut," I say.
"No."
"No? You don't need a haircut?."
"No, I was declining you being in my business. You're a pest go away and leave me alone."
I feign consideration. "No, I like being in your business."
He doesn't say anything and heads to the parking lot. I grab his elbow. "I'm parked over there."
"So?"
"So get in the car or I'll make you get in the car, your choice. I actually don't mind the hard way today."
I grin at him. I can definitely do it, this skinny brat is so weak. His nose flares and he rolls his eyes and turns to head to my car.
I quickly walk ahead of him and open the passenger door. He rolls his eyes and takes a seat. I bend in and secure his seat belt. "I can do it myself."
"Just making sure you don't disappear in a cloud of smoke," I say as I check the seatbelt is secure.
"Moron," he says under his breath.
"Dickhead." I respond and slam the door shut.
"Where are your books?"
"I dropped them off at my house."
I turn out of the parking lot and head to his house.
I drive into his driveway and he quickly jumps out and I quickly park the car and follow.
"You can wait here."
"Nice try but no. I have to greet your parents anyway."
" Why? Do you have an appointment? What do you have to say to them."
" No, but I love your parents and they love me."
"You're ridiculously sure of yourself."
I love going to Arts house it's really unique there. Both his parents are artists and there is always something to look at. His mother is warm and sweet and his father doesn't say much but he is kind as well. I have no idea how Art is such a sour puss with such nice parents.
We are quickly greeted by his mother. " Oh, Fiat you're here?"
I greet her respectfully and she waves my hands away and gives me a hug. Arts Mom was raised in the U.S and their home is way more relaxed than mine. I never mind being there.
She smells good like she's been cooking. I love Arts Mom's food.
She pulls away but I can still smell the deliciousness wafting from the kitchen.
"How is it possible you have gotten more handsome?" She asks.
Art coughs and rolls his eyes.
She looks at him and shakes her head.
"Instead of coughing you should get a haircut, you could be just as handsome if you would just cut your hair and stop wearing all these dark hoodies."
She strokes the fringe away from his eyes.
"I can barely even see my baby's face."
He swats her hand away gently. "Mommmm" he groans and I smile. He looks like a kid when he whines.
" I can't touch you? I made you!"
" Mom!"
" Alright, alright. You having dinner with us?"
He shakes his head and his shaggy bangs fall back over his eyes.
"I'll eat later. I'm just grabbing my book." He picks his books and bag off the foyer table and looks at me.
"What?" I ask innocently.
" Let's go dummy."
His mother swats his arm. " Don't call your friend a dummy!"
"Oww Mom."
"Did I even raise you? What's wrong with you?"
Art rolls his eyes and pushes past me out the front door.
"Come back later and get some food." She says to me.
I nod and turn to follow the sour puss.
Art is actually pretty amazing. He's good at basically everything. He is very smart and funny in the most adorably dry way. Also, his mom is right he is handsome, and when he smiles he has the cutest dimples.
I don't know why he hides behind his hair, his glasses, his hoodies, and even his camera. He could definitely get a boyfriend if he showed the world even a sliver of the adorableness he shows me. These are facts, even though I kinda don't want him to show himself to anyone else. He is my Art, so even though I know one day he will get a boyfriend I hate thinking about it.
I'm really protective of him and I don't want anyone messing with him or hurting him.
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