returning {to the past} -crystal

[~echo~]

"Look at your brother, Carlos," Anita chimed in. "He got out of the gang and now he's doing really well by himself. He has a job, he's earning money fairly. Do you want to spend your life killing others or do something with your life?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Carlos snorted. "Open your eyes, Alex," he said. "I can't get out. I have nowhere to go! I'm not as smart at you. Hell, the only thing I'm good at is killing people! So why don't you stay the hell out of my life?"

Alex stepped forward. "Let me help you," he said, his voice taking on a pleading edge. "We can find you a better place to be."

[~echo~]

Anita stayed quiet for a time. Then, "I'm sure I could find you a job, Carlos."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"I don't want your charity," Carlos snapped at her. "Seriously, when will you people learn?"

[~echo~]

"Okay," she said, her eyes narrowing. "Then how about this? I can be your defense lawyer when you end up in jail for the rest of your life. How will that suit you?"

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Carlos opened his mouth to snap at her again, but then he stopped. "Lawyer?" he said, sounding somewhat confused.

[~echo~]

Anita looked at him, realizing they hadn't talked since she was seventeen. "Yes, I'm about to become a lawyer."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Carlos shook his head. "What is this world coming to? First Alex, and now you're gonna be a lawyer?" He scoffed and then turned his attention back to his brother. A defeated look crossed his face. "I made my choices, Alex. You can't save me now."

[~echo~]

Anita's head snapped to look at Alex. "You're a lawyer?!" she exclaimed. Why would he lie to her?

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(We should make another thread... I think I'm going through RP withdrawal lol)

Alex laughed and shook his head. "Uh, no," he said. "But we can talk about that later." He looked at Carlos again and held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Look, how about we just go to lunch? Okay? Just to talk."

Carlos eyed him warily. "I want your promise that you're not going to try and convert me into some kind of saint."

"Fine. Deal."

[~echo~]

(Sounds awesome. Me too lol.)

Anita blinked and watched the two, wondering if she should let them alone.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(Any ideas?)

Eventually, Carlos nodded. "Let's go, then." He pushed between Alex and Anita and stalked out the door. Alex glanced at Anita and raised an eyebrow before following his brother.

[~echo~]

Anita looked back at him and then followed Carlos out the door.

(I have some threads in the plot discussion board, but not any in my own brain atm.)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

(I'll go check it out then. And I probably have some floating around in there too lol)

By the time Alex reached the bottom step, Carlos was already walking down the street. "Whoa, where are you going?" he asked, jogging after him.

"I know a place," Carlos replied flatly.

"You know a place," Alex repeated. He gave his brother a skeptical look when he just nodded.

[~echo~]

Anita followed quietly after them, contemplating her arguments for Carlos to leave the gang.

(Okay haha)

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex glanced back at Anita and gestured her to his side. "Best not to argue with him," he murmured to her. "As long as he doesn't take us to a gang hangout, I think we'll be okay."

[~echo~]

Anita stuck by him and nodded. "Okay. I'll try not to."

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The place they arrived turned out not to be a gang hangout, but rather a place the four of them used to go--Luis, Carlos, Alex, and their mother. As a family. The Mexican restaurant was a small establishment, family owned, and was hidden away along a tiny street that could hardly fit a compact car.

[~echo~]

Anita looked around, thinking about how cute the little restaurant was.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Alex smiled faintly as they stepped inside, surprised and slightly pleased that Carlos had brought them here. That meant there was hope. The two of them said a quick greeting to the owner before taking a seat in one of the booths toward the back. Carlos sat in the middle of one side, and Alex slid over to the far end of the other.