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Rain lightly patters on the Italian restaurants window. A calming sensation to Joe, he might seem like a big gorilla, but on the inside he's as gentle as a sheep. It often reminds him of when he and Cherry would jump in the puddles when they were little. Or when they were skating one rainy lively night, Joe and him shared their first kiss that night. It was truly a amazing night that was. He remembers how Cherry's lips fit just right for his, as if they were carved just for that.
Joe sighs, and continues wiping down his tables. "Stupid messy customers, getting tomato sauce all over the place." The restaurants currently closed right now, they closed a bit early due to the server storms. Although the weathermen monitoring his region aren't particularly good at their job. A couple weeks ago they predicted a huge server thunderstorm, only to flat out embarrass themselves when it only sprinkled. So to say their not very good at their jobs wouldn't be an understatement, considering this has happened a couple times.
Surprisingly the quite pitter patter on the window enhances, hitting the window more frequently than before. Hmm maybe they were right this time. Well if they are Joe hopes Cherry's alright, he'd hate if anything happened to his boyfriend. Joe's sure Reki and Langa's parents would protect them if the weather got out of hand. He's sure Miya's would too, although he's never meet Miya's parents. Come to think of it the kid never even talks about his home life. Usually kids such as Reki or Langa would talk about funny things, and or interesting things going on in their family. Not Miya though.
Joes been worried for Miya lately. He's a pretty reserved quite kid, but recently things have been...off. Miya hasn't been to S much the past few weeks, and Joe isn't stupid he knows Miya loves S. He would never miss a chance to go. Joe misses the little grins, or hidden smiles Miya would make when at S. He would never see Miya smile or laugh like he does at S.
Though these last few weeks when ever he would see Miya laugh or smile by Reki's stupid antics, or when he wins a race. His smile would immediately drop, it's like there's something invading his mind taking up all the space. He looks like he's constantly worried. Joe knows what it's like when something get stuck in your head, and you don't know how to get it out. It would always help Joe when he would talk to Cherry about it, heck if it wasn't for Cherry Joe properly wouldn't be here. Who does Miya spill his worries too? Joe knows Miya doesn't have any friends at school, why else would he hang out with them. He wishes Miya knew Joe was always there for him. Even Reki, Langa, and Cherry would say the same.
Joes got big hands he could scope some of that worry, and throw it out the window. It didn't help that Miya wouldn't answer his damn phone, what's the point in having a phone if you don't answer it! Joes been spamming Miya's phone for the past two days. When Cherry, Reki, and Langa saw that Miya wasn't attending S they texted him. When they got no reply they too started spamming his phone.
Joe heard a faint knock at the locked door he thought he must be imaging it, and went back to cleaning. He knew he wasn't imagining it when he heard three more knocks at his door, louder than before. Who would be knocking on a closed restaurants door? Especially during this weather, thunder strikes and the knocking quickened. It might be someone he knows, they often barge into his restaurant when it's closed.
Joe crosses his restaurant to open the door. Opening the door reveled a shivering wet Miya who looked half dead. His emerald eyes were puffy and swollen, like he had been crying? Miya never cry's. His black hair was plastered to his face hiding a bruise Joe was soon to know about. He's wearing a soaked red jacket, and shorts, why in the world is he wearing shorts? It's at least below fifty out.
"Uh kid what are are you doing here? Why haven't you been answering your phone? You should be at home, during this weather." Joe gently grabbed Miya's arm that was cold to the touch, and lead him in. "I...I uh it's hard to explain." Miya voice wavers slightly it sounds like the kid needs a drink.
"Well I got some hot chocolate I could make for you. While I'm making it you could figure out how to explain to me what's been going on. Here sit." Joe pulls a chair out, and makes a gesture for Miya to sit.
Joe adds the chocolate mix to the hot water. He gives a worried glance to Miya as Miya sniffles. No wonder the kids got a cold he's in shorts, and soaked. Why is he even out in this weather? Joe knows his first priority should be getting Miya into warm dry clothes, but he doesn't have any that could possibly fit him. He hopes the hot chocolate can warm him up.
Joe finish's making the hot chocolate, and grabs a blanket for Miya. "Here ya go." Joe drapes the blanket over Miya's trembling shoulders, and hands him his hot chocolate. He pulls a chair out, to sit across from Miya. "Could you explain what's been going on Miya?"
"Yeah," he lets out a sigh. "My parents kicked me out that's why I was outside." Hold up Miya's parents kicked him out? Miya the third teen year old sitting across from him? THIRTEEN! Sure Miya's plenty responsible for his age, even more than the average kid. How could his parents just throw him out? He's thirteen he can't live alone. How will he get all the necessities that are needed for everyday life? No ones going to hire a thirteen year old, he also looks younger than his age so that won't help. Where would he live?
"Wait they kicked you out!? Why? What did you do? They didn't find out about S did they?"Calm, think calm thoughts Joe, calm.
"I got a B on a Science test, and they freaked out. Even though I got the best mark, they got mad. They say it's one hundred percent or nothing. I can't get one hundred percent every time no matter how hard i study. Most of my classmates failed the others got a C. It's no fair, it's not my fault my Science teacher sucks at teaching! I even looked at videos on YouTube, but there's only so much they can do." As Miya went on his eyes got glassy, he looked at the floor. Slightly dry black hair wavered at the movement to which Joe could see a purple forming bruise.
"Miya what happened to your head?" Joe put a hand out to which Miya flenched. "They..they." Miya didn't have to finished that sentence for Joe to connect the dots. "Shhh it's okay I'm here for you always and forever." Joe pulls Miya into a tight embrace. Miya accepts and breaks down into a cry painful to hear. "Have they ever done anything like that before?" Miya let’s out a no through chocked sobs.
Thank god, thank god Miya told Joe before things could have escalated. Joe can still save Miya, anyone can save anything if they try hard enough. "I..I...didn't, I didn't know where else to go." Joes heart clenches at the painful unfamiliar sound of Miya's voice. "That's fine, it's fine I'm glad you came here. I'm always here for you Miya, and I will be here for ever. I'm going to get you out of this terrible situation, away from your parents forever if that's what you really want. I'm also not letting you go to some orphanage. Me, you, and Cherry will all figure this out. Just know we will always be here for you, k?"
"Mmk," Miya sniffles. "Mm tired." Joe will figure something out, and he sure as hell will not let Miya out of his sight once. Joe picks Miya up, and carries him to Joes home above his restaurant. Miya let's out a muffled groan as Joe lays him down in his warm cozy bed, and takes off his shoes. Good his clothes are pretty much dry now.
"Good night Miya." Joe gives Miya's temple a kiss. "Looks like I'm sleeping on the couch." Joe will tell Cherry in the morning, then they'll figure it out….they always do.