Reunited and It Feels so Good

"So you've been here almost three months and you just now decide to hit me up now?"

"Well, I wouldn’t put it that way. I've been swamped with schoolwork. You know how demanding Caltech can be—"

“I’ll call you back.” Click.

Angelica stood and dropped her phone onto the bed. She yawned and tossed her long, straight black hair over her shoulder, its ends reaching down to the small of her back.

“What a bitch.”

She had been forced awake before noon by her phone's incessant ringing. It took eight missed calls before she could shake off her sleep. Her alarm that Friday morning had been her cousin, Jessica.

"Haven't even heard from her in years, and that's all she has to say," she said, cracking her neck.

She rummaged through her side table drawer and retrieved her favorite vape pen. Taking a drag, she exhaled sharply, shaking her head as the smoke puffed out from her thick, pursed lips.

“What a bitch.”

Angelica picked up a pair of shorts from the floor, wriggling to pull them over her shapely hips and leaving the zipper down. She hurried into the kitchen of the small two bedroom house.

“Grandma, we got a situation.”

“I know, her mom called last night, and I said yes,” her grandma replied without looking up, continuing to sweep the floor.

“Jessica’s mom?”

“Yes, and I don’t wanna hear a single bad word from you about it. This is her first year away from home in college. She’s family, it’s what we do for each other.”

“I live here too. I don’t get a say?!”

“You get to help me clean,” her grandma said pointing at a full trash bag on the floor with her broom.

“Oh come on, you should be happy she’s back in town. You girls were best friends back in the day. You guys are the same age, you’re like sisters. Here look what I found.”

Her grandma reached up to the top of the fridge and pulled something down, plopping it onto the kitchen table. It was an old photo album. Angelica sat down and curiously began flipping through it, finding page after page of her and her cousin Jessica together, capturing everything from birthdays to beach outings.

Angelica stood up and grabbed the trash bag.

“Give me that,” her grandma scolded, snatching the album from her hand.

“She’ll be here from Wednesday to Sunday over the Thanksgiving break.”

“Whatever…” Angelica sighed in frustration.

“Hey, it’s Friday. Shouldn’t you be at school?”

“No, I told you. I’m 18 now, which means I can choose when I go to class as long as I finish my work. I finished early this week.”

“Good. So help me clean.”

Angelica tied the trash bag and marched out of the kitchen.

“Put a bra on before you take out the…” she heard her grandma yell as she stepped out of the house through the front door.

She walked around back, stopping at the alley gate. Angelica always looked both ways before opening it. At the far end, she saw someone riding away on a bike.

“What a bitch,” she muttered, slamming the trash bag into the dumpster.

Angelica returned to her room to lay in bed, staring at her phone for an hour. There was no way she was going to call her back. Eventually, she hit send on a text message letting her cousin Jessica know that she could stay for the Thanksgiving break. Her screen flashed with a wall of happy faces almost immediately. Angelica dropped her phone on the floor, grabbed a vape pen with CBD oil, took a hit, and went back to sleep.

====================================

“Thanks for the lunch Grandma Luciana. That was the best Mexican food I’ve ever had.”

“Call me Grandma Lucy. Your mom doesn’t cook for you back home?”

“She does, but mostly food that Dad prefers, Mexican food is too spicy for him.”

Angelica rolled her eyes as she sat at the table, listening to the small talk between her grandma and Jessica. She couldn’t believe they were blood related, it was like a random stranger had walked into her house.

Jessica appeared taller than the other women in Angelica’s family, standing at least 5’8” with long legs and a slim build that accentuated her height. Her wavy brunette hair and lighter skin, inherited from her father’s side, set her apart from her mother’s side of the family.

“Speaking of which, how are your parents doing out in Iowa? We were all so sad when you guys moved away.”

“Idaho, and they’re doing well, thanks for asking. Dad’s business is great, and Mom really misses California. She was thrilled when I got into Caltech.”

"We're all really happy for you," her grandma said, as Angelica rolled her eyes again.

"Can I show Jessica to the room now?" Angelica interrupted.

"Of course, you girls have a lot of catching up to do. The roll-out bed is in the hallway closet, and the bathroom is at the end of the hall. Jess hun, I'll be around if you need anything."

Jessica carried her luggage and purse as she followed her cousin down a narrow hallway. She glanced at the family photos and the cracked paint that lined the walls. It was an old house, and she didn’t recognize anyone from that side of the family.

"In here," Angelica called from inside her room.

Jessica stood at the doorway, scanning the room. There was barely enough space for a desk and dresser on one side, with a bed positioned next to a window on the other side. Angelica was stretched out on her bed, absorbed in her phone.

“It’s smaller than my dorm,” Jessica let slip out. “I mean, it’s nice. We’ll be like roomies.”

“You can put your stuff there,” Angelica pointed, “The desk is yours to use, but stay out of everything else. Got it?”

“Yeah, thanks,” Jessica said, laying her belongings on the desk.

“The rollaway bed is in the closet you passed in the hallway.”

Angelica continued scrolling through her phone as Jessica unpacked. She looked over at her cousin from the corner of her eye, amazed by all the stuff she had brought. She bit her tongue and decided not to comment. It was only the start of what was sure to be a long week.

Jessica sat at the desk, finishing laying out her things as an awkward silence settled over the small room. After ten quiet minutes, she broke the silence.

“So, how far is your gym from the house?”

Angelica gave her a side-eye before responding, “I don’t go to the gym.”

“Oh, that’s fine. I think I can do calisthenics here instead... you can join me if you want.”

Angelica sat up on the edge of the bed, leaned forward, and looked her cousin in the eye.

“Drop the act. It’s going to be a long week if you don’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“You want everyone to think you’re a straight A math nerd.”

“But I do have straight A’s.”

“Then what’s with all this shit you post online?" Angelica held her phone up with her cousin’s Instagram account open. There were dozens of posts of a scantily clad Jessica in sensual poses and dances.

“That’s my influencer account, what about it? It’s like a side job. I got $200 to advertise that bikini,” Jessica said proudly. “The more likes I get, the better. It’s not like I’m trying to hide it.”

“Well, just don’t post anything about me or this house.” Angelica showed her phone with a recent post Jessica had made about staying in East LA.

“I wasn’t planning to. It’s just content, don’t take it personally. Do you always stalk my page?”

Angelica didn’t answer and reclined on the bed.

“I’d stalk you if you ever posted anything. You don’t even have a selfie on your page.”

Jessica stared at her cousin sprawled out on the bed. Even in baggy sweatpants and an old black flannel shirt, she could tell Angelica was curvy in all the right places. Angelica effortlessly exuded a classic sexy Latina look, accompanied with a double dose of attitude.

“If I had your tits, I’d probably be making more money as an influencer,” Jessica said cautiously, hoping she hadn’t crossed a line.

“I remember you as the goody-goody. Is that what you learned when you moved out to the farm in Idaho?” Angelica finally chimed in.

“I don’t live on a farm, I live in a farm town. Besides, I’m in college now, it’s about time I get to have a little fun. Seriously though, you’re very pretty; you could easily be an influencer. My roommate taught me how. I could teach you if you wanted.”

“Not interested.”

“Well, maybe you can help me. It would be cool if you could show me around this part of town. Maybe like a park with lots of graffiti or something like that, you know? I need a really cool spot to take some photos. We can take my car.”

“Pfft,” Angelica suppressed a laugh, “Whatever.”

The awkward silence returned, and a phone staring contest broke out between the two cousins, lasting almost two hours before their grandma entered the room offering drinks.

“You girls don’t plan on spending the rest of the day inside do you? Angelica, why don’t you take Jessica out.”

“Out where?”Angelica protested.

“You know, when I was your age, I was out all the time. Plus, I’m not making anything to eat tonight. I want to get a head start on Thanksgiving dinner, so come on, let's go girls. Outta my house! Here’s some cash, go get something to eat and have some fun.”

Reluctantly, Angelica took two twenties from her grandma.

“I need to change!” Jessica grabbed her bag. “Thanks, Grandma Lucy. I’ll be ready to go in ten minutes,” she said as she walked out of the room carrying a bag.

“You're welcome, hun. You girls go on. I’m gonna run to the store and grab a few things. I'll see you later tonight.”

Angelica waited to hear the bathroom door close before throwing her pillow across the bed and taking a hit of her vape pen.

Twenty minutes later, Jessica emerged from the bathroom in a new outfit: a cropped pink tank top that exposed her midriff, a tight blue miniskirt that hugged her hips with a stretchy fabric, and her hair pulled up into a ponytail with bangs.

She poked her head into the room and didn’t see anyone. Angelica was outside, waiting on the porch, puffing on her vape and holding a backpack over one shoulder.

“Gimme the keys, I’m driving,” Angelica said as soon as her cousin stepped out of the house.

Without saying a word, Jessica handed her the keys. They drove a couple of blocks before Jessica spoke up.

“I’m really not hungry yet.”

“Who said anything about food?”

“So then where are we going?”

“Check the backpack,” Angelica said with a tilt of her head.

Jessica reached behind the driver’s seat and pulled a small backpack onto her lap. She unzipped it and peered inside to find a collection of spray paint cans in various colors.

“I knew you’d come through!” Jessica said, leaning over to hug her cousin.

“Chill,” Angelica pulled her shoulder away, “the caps and masks are in the outside pocket.”

“Masks?”

She opened the outside pocket on the backpack and pulled out a black bandana.

“Find the cap that has a number 5 on it,” Angelica ordered.

Jessica was busy taking photos with her phone. First, she captured shots of the industrial neighborhood they had just driven into through the car window. Then, she took pictures of the inside of the backpack on her lap. Finally, she tied the bandana over her mouth and nose like a face mask and began snapping multiple selfies from various angles.

“Hey, are you listening?!”

Angelica went over multiple instructions, but Jessica was engrossed in creating content. She glanced over at her cousin, shook her head, and didn't bother repeating any of the instructions.

“This is the place,” Angelica said as she made a left turn into a parking lot.

The area was an old neighborhood filled with warehouses and manufacturing buildings, many of them constructed from brick. The parking lot was situated next to the road, in front of a large warehouse with metal siding and several industrial garage doors.

Angelica turned off the car and sat looking around. She counted seven minutes before she saw another car making its way down the road.

Angelica liked what she saw. “You’re in luck, I think we’re good. The sun should be setting soon.”

“Are we waiting for the golden hour?”

“No dummy, we’re waiting for the last workers to go home and some help from the sun setting. Here’s the plan, see that two-story building behind the one we are parked at?” She signaled in the rear view mirror. “It has coverage from the road. That’s our spot. Let's go.”

Jessica didn’t have time to say a word before her cousin had rushed out of the car. She followed, shuffling several paces behind Angelica through the parking lot. She lost sight of Angelica as she turned the corner of the building they had parked in front of.

“Use the dumpster if you have to. Toss me the backpack first,” Jessica heard as she turned the corner to see a chain-link fence separating her from her cousin. There was a large dumpster next to the fence she could use to climb over.

Following her cousin's instructions, Jessica tossed the backpack before making her way onto the smelly dumpster. She stood on top with both hands on the fence.

“Maybe I’ll just wait he—”

“Come on bitch, jump over!”

She glanced down at Angelica, who was holding up her phone and taking a video. Without thinking, Jessica hopped both legs over the fence at once, landing on her feet and crashing onto her back. Angelica walked over and helped her up.

“I got it all on video. We can edit out the falling down part. For the content, right?” Angelica smiled for the first time.

“This way.”

They hurried down the side of the warehouse before turning another corner and reaching a row of brick buildings. These buildings were lined up adjacent to the warehouse, creating multiple alleyways.

“We should be good here,” Angelica said, stopping at the first alley.

“Are you sure?” Jessica said tentatively.

“Why are you whispering? These brick buildings look abandoned. See, that door has been covered shut with wood,” she said, pointing down the alley.

“Chill you’re with me, you’re safe. Here, give me your phone, I'll take some more photos.”

Jessica exchanged her phone for the backpack. She pulled the bandana over her face and began striking poses while her cousin took photos.

“Grab a spray can and squat down like this,” Angelica directed, snapping away as she sat down on her ankles. Jessica adjusted her skirt and followed suit.

“Bitch I can see your panties,” she laughed,”Turn around, let me take it from the back. That fat ass of yours is your best feature and the only Latina thing about you.”

Angelica looked down at the photo she just took. Jessica’s curvaceous ass was on display as she looked back over her shoulder playfully.

“Do you want me to take some photos of you?” Jessica said under her bandana mask.

“Nah, let’s get to work.” Angelica shook a spray can up and down.

“Property damage and trespassing.” The cousins heard a voice coming from behind them. They turned around to see a skinny figure dressed in a gray and blue uniform that looked a size too big. They had to tilt their heads up to look him in the eye. He was a tall, lanky old man with a cap that covered a bald head.

He took out his phone and snapped a picture, “A little extra evidence. Excuse me while I go call this in.”

“Pfft, call what in? We haven’t tagged shit!” Angelica protested as Jessica froze quietly.

“Intent,” he pointed to the bag, “and you’re still trespassing.”

“Whatever. Keep walking peckerwood!”

"Oh, I will, and you’re free to go too, but before you do, you should know I put a boot on your car." The security guard had been watching them since they turned into the parking lot.

"Let's add illegal parking to the list of charges," he took his phone out and showed them a picture of Jessica’s Toyota with a yellow car boot on it, "Now, I do have to get going." The guard turned and walked back to the warehouse door.

"This ain’t even your building! What the fuck do you care?!" Angelica screamed as the guard walked away.

“What are we going to do?” Jessica cried.

“Walk home,” Angelica shrugged.

“No, please. I need my car. I can’t leave it here.” Jessica hurried down the alley after the guard. She saw him walking into a door at the far end of the warehouse.

“We have to leave!” Angelica yelled, but Jessica didn’t stop. “What if the cops show—fucking bitch!” she said to herself.

Jessica ran down the length of the alley to the door she had seen the guard enter and politely knocked. She patiently waited, but there was no answer, and panic began to set in.

“Sir, I think there’s been a big misunderstanding. I’m an influencer, not a criminal,” she called out, hoping she would be heard.

Angelica followed, making her way down the alley, thinking about her next move. When she reached the door, she found Jessica engaged in a one-sided conversation with a security camera mounted about ten feet above.

"So, you see, I'm like an actress, really," Jessica was saying animatedly.

Angelica sighed inwardly and shook her head as she looked up at the camera. She knew it was the type of security camera that only transmitted a live video feed and no sound. She assessed the situation quickly and acted while her cousin was distracted talking to a door.

Angelica positioned herself behind Jessica and retreated a step. She cinched the bottom ends of her flannel shirt above her navel and began unbuttoning. She looked up into the camera and freed her tits out of her bra, offering them up behind her cousin’s back.

Within a minute, they heard a metal clank as the door cracked open slightly.

"Talk," came the voice from behind the large metal door.

"There’s been a big mis-" Angelica covered Jessica's mouth from behind with her palm.

"What my cousin was saying is that we can come to an agreement where we both get what we want."

"You’re not going to cause any trouble if I let you in?"

"Don’t tell me you’re scared of two girls."

The heavy door swung open into a dimly lit machine shop. "Down there to the right,” the guard held the door with his foot and pointed,”my work station."

He let the girls walk ahead of him a couple of steps. Angelica hurried forward and moved in front of her cousin.

“Stop here. The desk across the red tool cabinet,” he pointed.

Angelica observed as the guard entered the workstation. She noticed a set of computer monitors displaying various camera angles, including one showing the parking lot with Jessica's booted car. She surveyed the area: the big metal desk against the wall, crates on the left, and a large machine on the right.

“I only got one chair.” He slid a dusty office chair out from the desk and placed it between him and the girls as he leaned back on the desk. Neither of the girls sat. Jessica gripped the back of the chair, rocking it nervously.

“So what do you have to say?”

Angelica glanced at Jessica, gesturing for her to sit down. Jessica hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. Angelica swiftly grabbed the back of the chair from Jessica and slammed it behind her knees, causing her to flop into the seat.

“We’re leaving with the car,” Angelica declared, positioning the chair squarely in front of the guard.

“I have no doubt about that,” he replied, meeting Angelica’s eyes. “You can pick it up from the impound next week. It’s Thanksgiving tomorrow, and it’s going to be a long weekend.”

“Why are you here working? This place is empty, everyone went home. Don’t you have someone waiting for you? Why don’t we all get out of here and go home?” Angelica attempted to reason with him.

“That’s none of your business, I’m here to do my duty. Matter of fact, I was just about to make a phone call.”

"Alright," Angelica said, setting down the backpack, placing it on the floor, and then kneeling behind the chair. She leaned close to her cousin's ear and whispered, "Stand up for a second." Jessica complied, pushing off the chair handles with both arms and rising to her feet.

Angelica seized the chair and sat down. She yanked the hem of her cousin’s skirt up as she pulled her down onto her lap. Jessica quickly collapsed onto her cousin’s lap with her skirt scrunched up around her waist. She desperately wriggled around, trying to cover herself with her hands while keeping her knees together.