I’m eating my pies, and Rava is sitting next to me. "Your mom puts actual fucking drugs in these, I’m convinced. Black market addictive shit."
Lorenzo laughs. "Mrs. Weston, I swear, the other day, I tried to grab one and he nearly broke my wrist."
"Worth it," I say, mouth full, already eyeing my next one. I swear, her pies could end world wars.
In another universe, I’d trade my bike for one. If I died right now, I’d want to be buried with one in each hand.
Suddenly the universe spits in my face. Charles walks in.
No hello. No soul.
He just walks into the kitchen, zero acknowledgment of the room, and reaches into the goddamn bowl in front of me.
Takes the last two pies.
He bites into one. Loud.
Smacks his lips like a villain in a fucking cartoon.
Silence. Rava drops his head into his hands and drags them down his face. "You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me," he mutters. Lorenzo looks like someone slapped him. "Did he just—"
He did not. He did fucking not.
I look down at the now empty bowl. I look back up at him. I can feel my soul leaving my body. "You didn’t just do that," I say,standing very, very still. He shrugs, chewing. "Didn’t think it was a crime."
"Oh, it’s not a crime," I mutter, stepping forward, "but I might fucking commit one in about five seconds."
Mrs. Weston takes a deep breath. "Charles, we need to have a serious talk when I come back home." Charles waves her off. "Come on. He’ll live. Doubt missing two pies is the worst thing that’s happened to him."
I smile. Full teeth. "Oh, wow," I say. "You really went there."
"Oh no…" Rava says behind me.
"Funny," I say, still staring at Charles, "you didn’t care when I was the street trash you thought I was. But now you care enough to steal my fucking pie?"
"I didn’t steal anything," Charles replies smoothly. "Food on the table’s for everyone. Unless we’re doing class systems now."
Lorenzo whispers to Daisy, "Is this conversation real?" "Charles, what is wrong with you?" Mrs. Weston snaps, pushing past Rava.
"You saw him waiting for those! You know what tonight means to all of us. Especially to him. His mom is literally in the hospital. Aren’t you ashamed at all? Don’t you have a soul?!"
Charles doesn’t flinch. "Ashamed because I ate something in my own house? Maybe if the boy had a little discipline, he’d be less attached to some stupid pies." Rava steps in front of me, fast. "Dad, for the love of God, stop talking. For once. You’re embarrassing yourself."
I grab Rava’s arm, firm. "Let it go."
Jin whispers to me as we get up.
"I should’ve spit in those pies earlier." He winks at me.
I sigh. Rub my face.
Try not to throw the bowl at Charles’ face.
Rava whispers, "Let’s go. Move, people." I nod. But before we leave, I turn back. Point at Charles with my whole soul."Hope those pies taste better than the respect you’ll never get from your family."
I turn slowly, teeth clenched behind a calm smile. Rava and the others go to the car.
I walk back toward him again. "Don’t touch him again."
