Checking the clock for the one-hundredth time I pay close attention to the hands slowly ticking by.
After getting home at almost four am, I grabbed the bottle of water and as soon as I hit my bed I crashed. Unfortunately, nightmares held me captive most of the night, and when I woke up drenched in sweat and tears soaking my face the first thing I did was call for lee.
But one look around I noticed he still wasn't back and the tears came harder. Lee always helps me through it when the nightmares hit, or more like when the memories hit.
With him not there, it took me half an hour of calming and telling myself it wasn't real anymore to get out of bed. Managing to clean all the sweat and tears away I make a mental note to go to the pool today.
After a horrible morning that has put me in a mood, I'm now sitting outside the den leaning back on the tree drinking a soda when I hear a text ping on my phone. Automatically thinking it will be lee I grab my phone and unlock it.
But instead of lee, it's a number I don't recognize.
Unknown: "Hey kid, I spoke to the guys and I'm wondering if you will still help me?"
It only takes a second for it to click that it's Jensen who's texting, saving his number quickly I text back.
Me: Yes, I'll still help.
Me: And I'm not a kid.
I send the second message right after the first but Jensen reply's instant.
Damsel: Thank you, will you be able to meet me today? and you are still a KID compared to me.
Me: Yeah, I can meet you today what time? And I'm not a kid your just old.
Damsel: It would need to late at night around midnight? Just outside the black-lone nightclub. And I can assure you I'm not old.
Me: Yeah that's fine, you cool if I bring lee? How am I supposed to get into a nightclub? As you pointed out I'm a Kid and I don't think they're just going to let me walk right in.
Damsel: Bring him if it helps kid, and you're not going inside he will be coming to the club not long after that time. When I meet you tonight I will go over what will happen it will be fine.
Me: I'm rolling my eyes right now after that, first me and lee already have a plan we have done this a thousand times before so just point him out when we get there and I'll get you his phone.
Damsel: Someone's crabby.
Me: I'm not crabby.
damsel: How are you and your friend did he make it home last night?
Me: Yep, everything fine.
Damsel: liar.
Me: I'm not lying.
Damsel: Your good at a lot of things kid, but lying ain't one of them.
Me: I need to go, See you tonight.
I lock my phone and toss it beside me putting an end to the conversation, leaning back I close my eyes and let my mind go blank, and just listing to nature.
I hear the birds chirping and the animals running up the trees, the wind blows calmly rustling the branches above me.
Through all the noise around me I listing carefully and pick up footsteps coming from behind. Opening my eyes I peek my head around the trees looking towards the noise, right back walking towards me, is lee.
With a huff, I turn back around and wait for him to arrive. After his stunt last night I'm in no mood to listing to him make excuses about why it had taken him until five pm to come back. I know he was off having sex, I'm not an idiot I get it he wants time to have fun but what about me?
I'm terrified of lee leaving me; It's my biggest fear I have so I always went out my way to be useful for lee.
If it wasn't for Jensen last night, there's a good chance I wouldn't have made it back until sunrise.
The crunching of the sticks gets closer alerting me that lee is almost here, I close my eyes not even wanting to look at him.
Eventually, the steps get closer until they round the tree and come to a stop in front of me.
All I can hear is his breathing and knowing lee as well as I do, I know he's waiting for me to talk first. He'll be waiting to see how upset I am, but I'm not breaking first this time.
He's in the wrong.
Not me.
I hear shuffling before a hand touches my knee, the first thing that assaults me is the smell of liquor and smoke making me scrunch up my nose.
"How mad are you?"
I rip open my eyes and glance into lee's wide greens ones, I narrow my gaze at them because his pupil is black and taking up most of his eye.
"What do you think," I sarcastically say then add, "You smell gross and What the hell is wrong with your eyes?"
He verbally winces at my tone adverting his gaze and rubbing the back of his neck.
"Adria, I'm sorry," letting out a breath he says,
"I had a few drinks and was caught up in the moment, I never meant to snap at you."
He's still not looking at me just staring out into the distance. I let out a heavy breath and look down at my lap;
"Well, You did, " I mutter quietly the painfully obvious in my voice.
"I know," he plops on his butt and bends his knees letting his arms rest over them." I was enjoying it, just being a teenager for a while instead of worrying all the time."
I peek up through my lashes and look at him, "I met a girl and I spent the night with her for the first time in year's Adria I just, let myself enjoy the moment. Then when you called and wanted me to go home I just... lost it"
A huge part of me wants to cry for my best friend, Lee has been through just as much as I have. If not more.
Maybe I am being selfish wanting lee with me all the time, he needs an out just like everyone else and I think, maybe, I should step back for a while.
Let lee just enjoy himself without worrying about me.
Sitting up I move until I'm behind him, laying my head on his back I wrap my arms around him from behind.
"I'm sorry, lee" I whisper.
His hand comes up and catches mine, "I'm sorry too, Adria."
We sit like this for what seems like hours but in reality, must be ten minutes.
A ping rings out around us from my cell that's behind me, I jump when it goes off and reach over to grab it.
"Whos texting you?" asks lee but I Don't answer instead I open the message that's from Jensen.
Damsel: I forgot to say if you do this for me, I'll pay you.
Me: Deal. See you later.
"Remember that guy we saved last year?" I ask lee closing my phone and putting it away before facing him.
"Oh, yeah I remember him, why?" He says confused.
"Well, long story short, last night he gave me a lift back and he mentioned he's got a problem so...I told him we would help." I try to keep my voice light but lee goes from confused to pissed of when I finish talking.
"What the fuck do you mean he gave you a lift back?" He stands and looks down at me seething. "Adria, I have warned you over and over again to never let anyone know where we stay."
"I know but-"
"No!" He shouts and his voice echos loudly around the trees, "I leave you alone for one fucking night and you bring strange men back to our home?"
"If you would just listen-"
"What the fuck did you do with him here Adria? Why the fuck did you bring a guy back to our place? What did you do? Did you fu-"
"Don't you even dare finish that sentence, Lee Ryan Johnson!" I shout cutting him off jumping up and marching over until I'm in front of him, he's taller than me so I have to Crain my neck but I won't be intimidated.
"Shut up and listen you, idiot," I say keeping my voice firm." First of all, he dropped me off at maverick lane. I walked back here myself witch took me over an hour by the way, in the fucking dark." his eyes narrow but thankfully he keeps quite.
"Second; He looked out for me last night, without him I wouldn't have got back here until sunrise. He needs help and I said we would help him and we are going tonight to do just that." I make sure to hold his gaze for what I say next. "And fucking third if you ever talk to me like that again, I will stab you in your sleep."
I shove him out my way and move around to open the wooden door that leads to the den, I don't bother closing when I go down. Continue long forward I hear lee defending the steps but I completely ignore him.
Heading in I throw myself on top of my bed and let out a shaky breath.
Pulling the covers I close my eyes and try to sleep for a few hours before I meet Jensen.
❧
Damsel: Where are you?
Me: Not far, ten minutes away.
Damsel: You said that half an hour ago, How are you getting here walking?"
Me: That's exactly what I'm doing,
Damsel: Why didn't you say it's at least fifteen-mile from where you live. I would have come and got you.
Me: Well I'm sure to remember that next time you need me to save you, how many is this now two?
Damsel: Ha ha very funny, don't forget I didn't tell on you for stealing my wallet and my business dinners watch, plus I took you home so I think technically we are even.
Me: Still holding that grudge huh?
Damsel: Well you did pickpocket me and I've never been robbed before it was a... Interesting experience to find the thief was the same person who just so happened to save me six months before.
Me: What can I say, I like to keep things interesting.
Damsel: Now that I do believe, kid.
"Where are we supposed to meet him?"
Says lee who comes to a standstill making me bump into him.
Broken out of the spell of texting Jensen, I lock my phone before putting it in my pocket.
Looking around I spot the club in the distance.
Red letters twinkle in the night showcasing the name for miles, the building itself is completely black apart from the name.
Looking over I spot hundreds of people waiting in line to get in.
Perfect.
"Okay, let's get going so we can get this over with," mutters lee, "Where is he? I thought you said he would be here?"
"He will," I say an edge to my tone, "I was texting him before we got here, he's waiting for us."
Lee scoffs before turning around and looking down at me, his expression is not a good one and I know we are about to fight.
"I don't like him, Adria, we will do this one thing to help, but afterward. You not allowed to see him again," He's not even asking me, just right out telling me no.
My nostrils flare and I have to squeeze my fists together to stop myself From attacking my best friend.
"He's my friend lee,"
That-might have come out bitter than I wanted, but Lee can't just tell me not to be friends with Jensen anymore.
It's not like I tell him to stay away from all the girls he hangs around with, and Jensens not like that he's just a Friend. There something about him. I can't put my finger on it, if I'm being honest I feel a connection with Jensen the same way I did with lee. I know it's been me and lee for so Long but, would it be that horrible to be friends with someone else?
It's not fair. I don't go to school, I don't talk to anybody, I have no family-apart from lee, so what's the big fucking problem if I talk to one other person?
I'm so consumed by my thoughts I don't notice Lee has started talking until he grabs my bicep.
"Don't you get it? I don't trust him, Adria-"
"I Don't care if you Don't trust him, he helped me get home last night after You abandoned me you asshole, " I shout, not caring in case anybody hears us. His eyes harden and he squeezes my arm tighter causing me to bite back a moan of pain, instead of letting him know I push my chest to his both of us glaring. Lee opens his mouth to say something but he's cut off when there a bang beside us. Turning our heads quickly to the source of the noise, and standing about ten feet away is Jensen and his friend Sam. Both men are standing staring at me and lee, My eyes roam the both of them quickly and I notice Jensen's gaze is zoned in on lee who's hand is still holding my arm tight.
"Everything okay?" says Sam who's leaning against the tree smoking a cigarette casually.
With a pull I rip my arm out lees holds, he lets go not fighting me but his eyes are still hard conforming this isn't over.
Great, can't fucking wait.
Reluctantly we both turn away from one another to face the newcomers.
"Everythings fine, " I say with a fake smile my voice tight, " Everything okay with you?"
I cringe at a fake attempt to be polite.
Shit. A thought just came to me.
How long were they there? Did they hear me and lee fighting? If they did they Don't say and both men walk toward us simultaneously, I keep my sight off Jensen refusing to glance at his eyes. Embarrassment floods my cheeks but thankfully it's dark and I'm hoping no one will catch sight of it.
"What time is this guy coming out then?"
Lee says bitterness evident, crossing his arms when sam and Jensen come to stand in front of us, I keep my eyes down staring at the ground.
I feel Jensen looking at me but I don't glance up just leave lee to talk to them, the last thing I want is an argument between the two of them and I think if lee wasn't being such an asshole he and Jensen would get on.
"Hey JB,"
Slowly lifting my eyes to sam, his lips tilt slightly and he nods his head to me. Nodding mine back I smile small but I feel lee glaring at me and say so I instantly turn and look away.
"So Do you have a plan?" asks Sam.
Jensen still hasn't said anything but I can feel his eyes on me.
Lee scoffs at them and I refrain from apologizing to Sam and Jensen. "Don't worry about us we will get you the fucking phone, but I am curious to know why you're texting a fifteen-year-old girl?
My face drains and I whip my head to lee.
"Lee!" I hiss shocked at him. He turns and his angry eyes land on mine. "What? I'm asking a question Adira?" dismissing me he turns back his eyes focused on Jensen.
"Are you serious right now, you fucking asshole?" I shout at lee.
I'm so humiliated and disgusted I Don't even wait to see what Jensen and Sam say. Spinning on my heel I turn around from everybody and match in the direction of the nightclub.
I can't believe just lee did that.
I'm going to kill him.
I'm officially burying him outside the den when I get home.
With angry stomps on the ground, I clear the trees and hit the sidewalk across from the nightclub. I faintly hear steps behind me but I ignore them and firmly make my way across the road.
What a fucking dick. How could lee do that to me?
Jensen's not going to want to be my friend anymore. And that makes angry tears burn in my eyes. Just as I hit the edge of the building the nightclub doors open, loud thumping music echoes in the street as a man makes his way out his arms thrown around two blonde women's shoulders.
I Don't know how but I know immediately it's the guy Jensen was talking about, blonde hair frames his face, and something about his throws me off.
A car screeches coming around from the back of the club and pulls up at the sidewalk directly in front of the man and two women.
Showtime.
With a silent prayer(something I do before every mark) I take off running towards them.
"Helpppp!" I scream causing everybody to turn in my direction, I run faster preparing for impact.
The blonde man's eyes widen for a brief moment before I crash right into him.
"Arghhhh," screams one of the women, as me and the blonde guy falls to the floor.
With the force I hit him we both are tangled as he lands on me, half his body covering mine. In the blink of an eye, I slip my hand into his left pocket quickly taken out his phone gripping it hard in my hand. With my other hand, I manage to unlock his watch.
He tries to roll himself off me grunting in pain and I slip the phone and watch into my jacket pocket before I push him off. The boncer bends down to lift the man off me, giving me the opportunity I needed. Getting up fast on my feet I turn around and take off running from the commotion I just caused in thirty seconds.
"Het kid wait, " cries the boncer chasing after me but I ignore him and make my feet move faster, running past the line of people no one tries to stop me.
With a smile on my lips, I push myself harder the adrenaline pumping through my veins, the high from stealing and the chase making me forget momentarily about lee.
I Don't know how long I run for, but eventually, I cant hear steps so I start to slow down, when I look around me I come to a complete stop.
Spinning in a circle all I see are trees that cover the two sides of the road that leads up towards the club I just come from.
There are no street lights so I'm coated in darkness, and usually, that doesn't bother me considering I've spent most of my life on the streets and in a dark forest but this? This is kinda creeping me out because I don't know where I am. Turning to look back I can't see the lights of the club and I honestly down know how far I've run, I could walk back but there's a chance he's noticed his phone gone and is looking for me.
I Don't want to risk going into these woods trying to find my way back when I don't spend time in this part of town and I might get lost very easily.
A twig creeks in the distance causing the hair of my neck to stand straight, I freeze and side glance with my eyes peeking to see if I can spot anything.
Swallowing I carefully pull out my phone to call lee, we might be arguing but I don't want to die to a wolf or bear.
Unlocking my cell phone it immediately comes up no service.
Well, then.
Putting it away, I rub my hand over my face cursing myself for not paying attention to where I was going.
I'm standing at the edge of the forest Thinking about what to do when I hear a rumble in the distance, turning around in the direction I came from, I spot a light coming around the road. Somebody on a motorbike is speeding in my direction.
I freeze momentarily before I take off and dart into the woods.
Fuck the bears and wolves.
Hiding behind a tree I wait for them to pass and hope whoever it is never seen me running. But nothing ever works out for me because when they get to the place I was standing they stop.
Shit.shit.shit.
Camping my mouth shut with my hand I hold perfectly still and wait.
I hear branches and twigs crunch not far confirming they have moved into the forest, deciding I don't want to die today, I get ready to sprint if they come closer. It's so quiet the only noise the thumping of my heart.
I hear a creek right behind me making me jump a little so I push myself off the tree ready to run when they speak.
"Adria, it's me,"
Almost tripping I catch another tree and turn around recognizing the voice.
"Jensen," relief washes through me and my shoulders sag.
"Come on kid," he says holding out his hand to me. I move forward heading to him being careful not to trip this time. Reaching Jensen he puts his hand on my back and urges me out the woods and towards his bike.
Grabbing his helmet before he can I put it on and fasten the straps, I lift my eyes and notice Jensen's are on me and I can see him fighting a smile.
"What?" I ask him.
He shakes his head and gets onto the bike pushing forward leaving room for me.
"Nothing, come on we're going back to my place."
Even though he can't see me I lift an eyebrow, "oh really? Because I Don't remember you asking and where's lee, why did he come to find me?"
Blue eyes flick to mine and I swallow hard with how intense his gaze is.
"He's with Sam, I came to find you I promise kid he's okay, trust me,"
God help me but I do. This is only the fourth time I've met him but I already think I do trust him. I take the steps forward until I'm climbing behind him onto the bike. Wrapping my arms around Jensen I pull myself closer and hold him tightly. He starts the bike up and raves the engine loudly, frowning I move my head until I'm almost looking over his shoulder I ask him.
"What are you doing?"
He turns his head slightly his gaze connecting with mine mischief gleaming from them, I frown not liking the look he's giving me.
"Remember what I said I would do the next time you got on my bike?"
It takes a second before I remember.
"Jensen, don't you dare-"
Still holding my eyes Jensen takes off speeding down the road. I close my eyes and cry out not looking at him, I feel Jensen laughing but pay no head to it. My heart is thumping so hard it's going to break out my chest, the wind hits my face and after the shock of speeding away weres off, I open my eyes. Trees blast past me in a haze and a huge smile lights up my face, leaning my cheek against his back I hold him and watch the world last by.