Room 529, Wednesday Afternoon.

[likes_chicken]

This was it, Hurley thought. While he figured it would only be a short time for him to convince his mom to let him come back for the summer, that was still going to be time away from the place he called home for the last two years

Comments

[decoder_rings]

Hannibal wasn't much for goodbyes but he wasn't going to act weepy or upset. He'd internalize it all and box it up. That's just how he rolled.

"Time to go?" he guessed, leaning against the door's frame.

[likes_chicken]

"Temporary, dude," Hurley said. "First thing I'm doing when I get home, I'm convincing my mom I need to keep my two jobs here instead of going back to Mr. Cluck's."

[decoder_rings]

"Temporary's a lot better than permanent," he said, nodding. "Besides, I don't think any job could match up to the ones here. Where else are you gonna see tiny little mariachi bands on the way to work?"

Those had been entertaining if a little weird.

[likes_chicken]

"I'm totally hoping they'll serenade me on my way out," Hurley said. "I can't think of a better way for me to head to the airport, you know?"

[decoder_rings]

"I bet they take requests," Hannibal agreed, nodding. "Any big plans for your time at home?"

[likes_chicken]

"My buddy Johnny said there's a big party on Friday," Hurley said. "Other than that, don't have many. It's been over a year since I've seen my mom."

[decoder_rings]

"Yeah, that was how it was for me until my parents came for grad," Hannibal said, nodding. "I approve of seeing your mom again. My parents took like five hundred pictures of me and told embarrassing stories to my girlfriend."

[likes_chicken]

"Oh man," Hurley said. "If my mom figures out I'm dating, it's gonna... well, I hope Hoshi likes a lot of probing questions." He chuckled.

[decoder_rings]

"Oh hey wait!" Hannibal said, holding up a hand. "You're dating Hoshi? Wow, I've fallen down on my bro duties. When did that happen?"

[likes_chicken]

"Prom," Hurley said, smiling with a little proud feeling. "Kind of terrible timing, but things are going pretty cool so far."

[decoder_rings]

"Hey man, congratulations," Hannibal said sincerely. "You guys gonna do the long distance thing this summer?"

[likes_chicken]

"Well, for the summer I'll be back," Hurley said. "So it's after the summer we have to worry about."

[decoder_rings]

"Wanna know a secret?" Hannibal asked, glancing around. "I'm worrying about that too. Me and Angela, we don't know what we're doing either."

[likes_chicken]

Hurley reached out a hand, trying to place it on Hannibal's shoulder. "Dude, I don't want to sound like some grizzled vet or anything, but... save the worry for later. And just go with what you got, when you got it."

[decoder_rings]

"When'd you get all philosophical?" Hannibal asked, amused. "That's pretty deep."

[likes_chicken]

"Hey, it's basically just a fancy way of saying 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'," Hurley said with a grin. "But it was just something I thought, you know, back when Penelope left."