I'm sitting on the steps of the front entryway, although there is seating on the porch there's just something about sitting on the stairs staring off into the distance and being alone in my thoughts.
I wrap my arms around my knees and enjoy the warm California night. The grand fountain fourtyish feet away from me, is lit up with a warm orange light and making the most calming background noise. I think this is my favorite place of the entire house, go figure, it's outside of it.
I'm admiring the beauty when I hear a lighter flick and the smell of marijuana filling my nostrils. I'm startled at the realization of no longer being alone and turn around to see that guy Funny leaning against a large pillar smoking a joint. He really has a way of leaning against things and looking like he's about to pose for a photo shoot without even trying.
"You again?" I ask.
He chuckles in a cocky way, "Me."
I shake my head and turn it back towards the fountain.
"Are you like stalking me or something?" I ask.
I hear him blowing out smoke, "Nope."
I go back to my thoughts and just try to ignore the fact that he's behind me and maybe he'll leave. After a minute of awkward silence, he walks over to me and sits down. His legs are slightly open and he's hunched over with his elbows on his thighs. He holds the joint out to me but I shake my head no.
"Suit yourself," he says.
I've smoked plenty of times in the past and I'm not against it but ever since seeing my dad abuse drugs, I'm just not as interested. I know marijuana doesn't even come close to what my dad did and it's probably even safer than alcohol but I would feel like a hypocrite after nagging my dad for so long.
Funny breaks me of my thoughts "You don't work here do you?" He asks.
I keep looking forward and shake my head and say "No, I don't."
" Hmm. That would explain a lot then." He says and I nod. "So then what are you doing here? Emily? Right?"
I nod again "I'm just in between places right now. I'm staying with my best friend until I get into my new apartment in the city." I sigh and put my head in my hands "I so don't belong here. I just have no other choice right now. I have next to no savings and can't afford to get a motel for a month." I have no idea what possessed me to just word-vomit my issues to him.
He's looking at me intently "I see. So who is the BFF?" he asks.
Shit! I wasn't thinking he would ask that, what if I get her in trouble?
"I don't really know if I should say, I don't want to get her in trouble." I say.
He lights up his joint again, takes a puff, and says "I won't tell anyone."
Yeah, like I can trust him? I'm put in a weird position and with so many people in the house surely he won't even recognize her name, I mean she didn't recognize his.
I cautiously say "Stephanie."
He raises his eyebrow, lets out the smoke he was holding, and replies "Taylor?"
Fuck.
I freeze. How did he know? I'm so screwed and now I'm dragging my best friend with me. "Please don't tell anyone, I don't want to get her in trouble. I put her in a hard position and she said if I just stayed in the suite most of the time and out of people's way and if that guy X doesn't find out then it'll be fine." I say frantically.
He shakes his head and smiles just a touch. His smile is the definition of perfection, creating a dimple on one side of his face.
"And how are you planning to keep this from X?" he asks.
"Well…I heard he's out of the country for three weeks and even when he comes back he's not really around." I say.
He leans his elbows back on the step above us, "I actually heard he came back early." He says casually and I whip my head his way so fast my hair gently smacks me in the face and he chuckles.
He lifts his hands in surrender and says "Don't worry, I won't tell him a thing." and he winks.
"Is it true what everyone says?" I ask.
He sits back up crossing his arms over his chest, "I don't know..what does everyone say?" He asks.
I shrug my shoulders "I don't know, that he's a real asshole, totally unapproachable and dangerous, yet all the girls think he's a god at the same time."
He lets out a deep breath and says "Yep, pretty much sums it up."
I feel nervous about the confirmation. "So do you work for him too?" I ask curiously.
He half smiles again "Yeah, something like that."
I let a deep breath out just as he did a moment ago, I feel uneasy with this new information. I came out here to relax and clear my head but instead, it's been the polar opposite.
He senses my fear and laughs "Don't worry Emily, you would be the least of X's worries."
I politely smile at him and stay quiet.
He stands up and says "I've got some work to do."
I stare back at the fountain and nod "Okay, goodnight, Funny."
He laughs and takes a couple of steps up the stairs and then I hear him stop, "Where are we meeting tomorrow?"
I turn around and give him a puzzled look. "Ya know…wouldn't want to break the streak."
I chuckle and shake my head. "Same place?" he nods and walks away.