****

****

____

_____

It was refreshing to leave the house for a majority of the day, that being work or school. I even stayed with K&R during lunch a few times this week catching up, it's been odd trying to find my place among people who've been with one another since preschool.One point or another did struggle to think of a gift for both my stepfather and Daryl, there were two ways to go with either, a callback. Which was completely and utterly low with Michael, so that was completely out of the question. That was the ride to work, I was a bit late considering Jarod wanted to talk. Giving me the entire schedule, he was picking her up in an hour. Getting the house set up nice before treating her. He didn't even want me mentioning it to her, she asked what I was doing Friday night in hopes of hearing about it. But I just said I was working before the conversation got too deep for me not to handle.The chilling breeze continuing to find it's way through my jacket did I begin to think of how I needed a new one. Especially since the months of winter aren't even halfway over, and by the time I come to my senses will I not need it. That was the final thing I could think of before rendering myself into the dinner, perhaps Jarod thought I'd be going out with a friend instead of actually working considering the number of times he's asked me. 
Walking up the few steps to be greeted with both a warm breeze and a smile from the boss lady, did she pull me aside. "Sorry hun, I shoulda called you ten minutes ago. Family emergency, my sister's in the hospital. Gonna close down for tonight." I should have figured when there was barely anyone within the restaurant, I barely had my jacket up before I asked her a million questions in my mind. 

Until I took over, taking the keys from her hand telling her to go because I wanted to lock up. The pure sight of relief flew onto her face in an instant, before she rushed on out. There wasn't much to look after, the cooks barely did anything and we left within the ten minutes of me walking in the door.Although it was a waste of a moment to tell Daryl a different time, I decided to return back home since Maddie wouldn't be coming until 7. It was barely six thirty.Hoping back onto my bike did I begin to predict what sort of outfit I'd wear, it was a house party. I know that much, but if I wanted to manage to hide things within my jacket. The look-alike army jacket with pockets inside seemed to be the ordeal choice at the moment. So I began to speed up, planning to text Daryl the second I'm off my bike. 

But all that changed once I turned into my driveway.

With the blockage of cars taking over the beginning entry of grass did I manage to dodge the given amount of people before making it to the barn. This time in complete distress of locking it.The blaring of the music following the intensity of yelling and screaming was in result of one thing. Jarod wasn't having an anniversary with Maddie, he was throwing a party. 

Not only did he not tell me, I also wasn't invited.
 Storming up towards the front steps did a football player in full glory just stop me right in my tracks...If steam could form out of my ears, they would be bursting to the brim. "Name?" He said, ready to look at the clipboard list before him. And I scoffed as loudly as ever, my hands over my shoulders in dispute of what was actually happening before me. "There's a fucking list?" I yelled, making sure he could hear me over the abundance of music. "Yes, 'there's a fucking list' what's your name babe? Can't let you in if you're not on it." Again did I laugh, not only by the nickname. But the sheer fact that he doesn't know who I am, so instead did I yank out my keys to the door. Predicting that he had it locked in the first place before his shift of this.
"I live here." His eyes widened, and if on cue he moved out of the way. Opening the door, and to my surprise. 
Was I in full shock at the number of bodies compact here. So instead of trying to track down my brother, I weaved my way through the lingering amount of classmates until I made it to the stairs. But my hopes were not accounted for because they were relatively crowded as well.
Just the sign that says 'do not pass' was left to be challenged.
And I was not about to catch someone fucking in my bed at a moment like this.
So instead I texted Daryl, 'we have a problem,' before running to my room. The clear air of toxicant was different, especially given the fact I'm the one who smokes. 
Slamming my door shut did I see his text:

<Can't leave work?>

He would think that, so instead I sat myself down on my bed. Looking to the crowds of people in my driveway or just around the property. 

I feel violated, this was a personal area that I've barely been set with as a home for me. And I don't think Jarod fully understands that just yet, but he will...Once I set this straight. So instead I responded to Daryl text.

>I'll tell u when u get here.<

That was it, other than the given on his way reply. When I was off sitting and waiting, standing at my window where I've placed a sort of built-in couch. The cushions sticking out only a bit to provide the littlest bit of detail, otherwise, this room was very bland.

Only real personalization was the Christmas lights and posters, didn't really know what else to put so there they were. Telling him to meet me in my room might have been telling him too much, but as I was patiently waiting for him to come, the knock on the door frightened me beyond belief."Hell if I didn't know any better, I'd say ya threw a party and didn't tell me." I chuckled as went forward into my room, throwing down from his shoulder the bag of sales he wished to sell tonight. I was still in on the forefront, didn't care if it was my own house. 


In fact, it seems better this way. Safer.

"He lied. Doubt he saw me yet either." Daryl snickered to himself, looking out my window to see the massive amount of people. The music seemed to die out until the next song came bursting out, making my water vibrate within the cup. Shaking my head at the thought of a conversation with my brother at a moment like this was actually hilarious to plan out. 

Especially when I know how he handles arguments, this far into the relationship of brother and sister does he not fair well with factual evidence. Or quick thinking in that sense either.Turning back on over towards Daryl did I see him think of a game plan, sort of refreshing to see him so deep in thought. Thinking strategery to get the most money for tonight. 

"Ya wanna test it?" He said, holding up a joint already in hand. Letting my head hang back for a moment did I ponder it before walking the given distance across my room towards him now, taking it in hand and thinking about it. "Tonight whatever we get for profit, split it sixty-forty." He spoke, having his one arm fold against his chest while the other scratch towards his five o'clock shadow. To be honest I was not looking for money, much less him giving it to me. So I shook my head. "This is enough. I'm not-" I stopped talking when his head leaned on back, before shaking side to side.
"Blake I mean it, don't ya want-" I just held it up into my hand as he chuckled, waving both arms around in a clear surrender. There was no way I wouldn't pass up this opportunity, instead, did I grab my jacket. Opening the window to the back porch where it was flatter than the rest of the house's roof. "You are not smoking in here, my mother would kill me." He nodded, close in pursuit as I leaned one foot up and over to get a steady girl. Where he soon followed. 


The cool air was a startled awakening of what is going to happen, my brother's going to find out I'm here. Unless he has already, if he wants to make an argument. I can threaten to call mom, he was the one who lied. 
I was just happily going to work until this happened."Ya brother gonna be aight with me sellin'?" As we shared the lighter, smoking our perfectly rolled joints. I allowed my inhale to exaggerate for longer than me because I wished to think of a response in case that was to happen. 

"He didn't mention anything about a party...Threaten to tell if he gives me any shit." As my friend laid his back on down to the ash fall of this shingled roof, did I just lean one hand back. Propping myself up and switching every other time to get the disintegrating joint to be removed from my lips. 

"Ya still with me?" He mumbled, turning my gaze did I look at him. Still in the position I last saw him in, his crooked elbow acting as a resting pillow for his head. And I just giggled in response as he thought I was surely out of it.
"Think I can get any more answers outta ya?" I shook my head in triumph, perhaps he wouldn't ask if he knew he couldn't get them. Instead, he rose on up, sitting straight in comparison to me. And he leaned on in real close before whispering the words, "Ya wanna bet?" Pursuing my lips at his devilish invitation did I just rise my smirk. 

"You can ask, don't depend on an answer." I giggled, his face just a few inches away from my own. And return did he smirk as well, judging by the small glint in his eyes once more. Did his brain begin to stir of how he should handle this opportunity. I wasn't high enough to not know what he was doing, beyond buzzed.

"So..." He started, making my eyebrows twitch in the process at his long-awaited pause.

"...Blake...Got any family in Connecticut?" My smile led out, along with finger that pointed directly to him as I motioned it up and down. He worded it close enough to allow me to think of it as something else.

"Did I leave my family behind? Perhaps..." In truth I feel like I did, some of the girls in the all-girls home transferred with me to the foster home, others we went to school with.I still have my knife in my bedroom drawer.

"So secretive when ya don't gotta be." He grumbled, as if he was getting antsy for a true response. I get that he wants to know, but I don't know a thing about him either. So instead of turning away did I lean on back in, readying my own sort of deal.

"Wanna make a deal then?" He flicked his now lit cigarette as appose to smoking more of his stock and turned to me now, eyes in full readiness at my thought process. "What kinda deal?" Quick to respond before allowing the cigarette back to his lips.

"I'll answer your question if you answer mine." He shrugged, flicking the ash down to the gutters before nodding. Letting out a deep husky remark of

"Deal."I nodded, assuming he wants to know the same question as his use. But in my mind was I already thinking of multiple wonders about my friend beside me. Before I could even begin to open my mouth, did he flick his cigarette away and start getting on up. "Better get inside soon, figure out a game plan...I still want that answer." 

Him helping me to my feet, as he gave a stern reminder of what I owed him. Nodding did he lead the way on back, careful due to the lack of light. And in this moment did I just continue my response.

"Do friends count as family?" I asked, he turned back to the window in reach. Trying to understand what I was trying to say in that sort of idea, until he shook his head. "Then no...I don't have family in Connecticut." That's when he turned on fully back, leading me closer to the window but I allowed him in first. Easier that way anyway. "How do-"

"We doing more than one question?"


"Yeah, cause you're bein' fucking broad." He was in my room, and as I hosted myself up and over did I manage to get right on without any difficulties. "You lived on your own? Or family friends or somethin' like that?" I shook my head again, turning to shut the window and not allow any more cold air in here than need be."Wanna explain that?"

"Foster care." His mouth parted a bit away from one another, closing and opening again and again as if he was trying to say but couldn't manage to find his voice. So I smiled and shook my head, trying to tell him it was alright in my own silent way. "Fuck Blake, I've been buggin' you about this...I'm sorry. Fuck." He swore as silently as ever, turning away and I just sat down in my desk chair looking up to him as he ran his hand through his hair.

Beating himself up at the thought, he was curious and I get that. I think I told Shawn about this, more or less so.This was just different. Just a little more detail"Shit ya don't have to answer anythin' more if ya don't want to Blake, I understand if-"

"Do you have a girlfriend?" Him stopping in his tracks of pacing as he turned to me had me in a mess of confusion, but then I felt the vibration of my throat. Knowing full well that I spoke just now.It was just the added mixture of me trying to figure out what I said in order to figure out why he had such an evil looking grin turning upwards on his face...Until it hit me, over and over again did it ring in my ear.


Do you have a girlfriend?


_____

Date Posted: 01-14-18  // Time: 8:43
Word-Count: 2454
______