The red Mustang rolls to a stop as Morgan hits the brakes in front of a massive apartment complex, each building a mansion of its own as it towers over the narrow drive. "This is it."

"Wow, you weren't kidding." Stunned, Riley leans over to peer through Morgan's window, eyeing the apartments as Morgan turns the car to pull it up to the front gate next to a small monitor. Morgan rolls down his window and reaches out to enter in an eight digit code on the touchscreen and the gate immediately begins to pull outward. Riley turns back to face him. "These apartments must cost a fortune."

Morgan eases down on the gas pedal as they enter through the open gate, driving through the thin strip of road that intertwines throughout the complex. "I know, right? His parents make a shitload of money. One's a lawyer, the other is a retired doctor."

"Wow. Must be nice." Riley says, still in awe as he gazes at the several buildings surrounding the vehicle. "I had no idea. I'm surprised he goes to a public school."

"Yeah, explains why he is such a douche sometimes, doesn't it?" Morgan taps the brake pedal as he goes over a small speed bump. "His parents didn't want him to, but he threatened to drop out of school if they didn't enroll him at Riverside."

"How do you know all of this?"

"He told me."

Riley cocks an eyebrow. "I didn't know y'all were that close."

Sighing, Morgan eyes a parking spot in the distance. "Yeah, we were pretty cool until—well, you know."

"Yeah." Riley awkwardly looks out the window. "So which one is his?"

"Well technically, all of it. His parents own the complex." Morgan pulls into the visitor's parking lot, pulling up alongside the metal fence. "Of course, they got the nicest apartment available. Right behind the front office."

The two get out of the car and Riley follows Morgan over to the first building on their right. They cut through a narrow passage between two of the luxurious apartments and make their way to the middle of the complex toward the front office.

"So, how are things with you and Casey?" Morgan asks, curiosity getting the better of him.

Riley looks at him awkwardly, not really wanting to bring up the subject of him dating his best friend's ex. Especially to his best friend. "Good. Great actually."

"That's good." Morgan peers over at him, his tone nothing but genuine. "I'm happy you two are together. Really. When me and her were dating, I treated her like shit. She deserves a good man in her life. Who better than my best bud?"

Surprised, Riley smiles as Morgan playfully hits him in the arm. The two laugh.

They reach the rather large apartment, or house really, separated from the rest of the complex. It sits directly behind the office, connected to the rear of the building.

Stopping at the door, Morgan reaches over to grab the metal door knocker and taps it against the door.

Almost instantly, they can hear somebody on the other side of the door as they unlock several locks before pulling it open. A woman with long, naturally straight black hair stands at the door, smiling politely. "Hey, Morgan! How are you doing today?"

"I'm great, Mrs. Juarez, thanks for asking. Is Cesar home?"

"He is. Come on in." She says, widening the door as she invites them inside.

Riley smiles, reaching his hand out to greet her. "Hi, I'm Riley."

"Mrs. Juarez." Her smile widens as she shakes his hand. "He's in his room right now."

"Okay, thanks." Morgan says as he heads for the hallway, already knowing where to go. Riley follows.

She lingers by the door, watching them walk away. "Would you boys like something to drink?"

Both of them answer simultaneously. "No thank you."

Morgan stops outside of Cesar's door and knocks on it heavily. They hear somebody move inside, but no response. The two look at each other. Riley knocks on the door, but still no answer. After waiting a few seconds he knocks again, feeling the worry kick in. "Cesar?"

Morgan reaches for the handle and, without hesitation, pushes it open.

"What are you doing?!" Cesar snaps, jumping up from the bed as he pulls his headphones off, the open book he was reading falling to the floor. Yes, he reads.

His room is massive, almost twice the size of Morgan's living room, but is incredibly filthy. Dirty clothes and empty fast food boxes litter the floor around their feet. Next to the door, on their left, is his computer desk. Papers scatter across it, along with dirty shot glasses and a half empty bottle of whiskey.

Sighing, Morgan narrows his eyes. "Relax. Not like we walked in on your jerking off or anything."

"Thank god." Riley mutters under his breath. He looks around the dirty room in disbelief. How could he let such a nice place go to waste?

Cesar reaches down to retrieve his book from the floor and flips it shut, setting it on the nightstand next to another bottle of liquor. This one is empty. "Ever heard of knocking?"

"We did." Morgan's voice quickly grows more annoyed with each word. "You didn't answer."

"Whatever. What do you guys want?"

Riley steps forward. "To talk."

"What are we, girls?" Cesar sneers.

"Oh come on, man. We used to be cool." Morgan makes himself at home, plopping down onto the computer chair. "We just want to hang out. Is that a crime?"

Seeing Morgan already provoking Cesar, and it's working, Riley quickly jumps in. "Look, Cesar. We're all going through a lot. Don't you think it'd be easier if we went through this together? Besides, with whoever did this to Julia still out there, this really isn't the time to be turning against each other."

Cesar nods, actually hearing him out. Or is at least pretending to. "Look man, I see where you're coming from. I do. But right now, I just really need to be alone."

"Okay." Riley says, stepping back as he retreats to the hallway. "Well hey, if you need anything, you got our numbers. Give us a call."

He nods again. "I'll keep that in mind." He says, watching Riley as he leaves, then turns back to Morgan.

"Riley wanted to come by and check up on you. He's a good guy." Morgan smirks as he pulls himself up from the chair and slowly approaches Cesar. He stops less than a foot away from him. "But I wanted to see you and tell you that if you ever threaten my sister again, you're a dead man. Understand?"

Cesar glares at him, his face growing red with frustration. His knuckles turn pale as he clinches his fist, trying hard to resist the urge to pounce on Morgan.

"Good talk." Morgan pats him on the shoulder before following Riley's exit. He stops at the doorway and peeks back at Cesar with a shit-eating grin. "Tell your mom I said she looks great by the way."

He closes the door, leaving Cesar in the room by himself.

Beyond pissed, Cesar quickly spins around, slamming his fist into the wall. It breaks through the drywall, sending dust and flecks of paint in the air around him.

"Cesar?" Concerned, his mother taps her fingers lightly on his bedroom door. "Is everything alright?"

"It's fine!" He hollers, pulling his fist from the wall. "Go away!"

Panting heavily, he walks over to the window next to his bed and presses his hand, covered white in dry plaster, against the glass. He watches as Morgan and Riley walk away from the apartment.

♫ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇʟᴏᴡ / ᴛʜᴇ ʙʀᴀᴠᴇʀʏ ♫