The One Who Was Taught To Survive

Jimmy lead me out the back of the laundry mat, locking it up after us. He lead me up the wooden stairs in the alley which lead to what looked like a small house on the roof. I slowly followed him, trying to allow myself to trust him. When we made it to the top he unlocked the apartment and turned on the light.

“We can’t make a lot of noise up here when it’s day time because that’s when the boss shows up, but usually at night we’re isolated besides the other businesses. So at night we can listen to music or whatever,” Jimmy explained as he ushered me into the small apartment. “This is the living room,” he said before moving onto the small kitchenette, “Kitchen.” He walked back into the living room and into the hallway, “Bathroom’s on the right and bedroom’s on the left. Don’t have any furniture due to I’m not supposed to be living here, but it’s worth it.”

I nodded, “We should get minimal furniture, like bean bag chairs and what not.”

He chuckled, “Just seeing the place and already wanting to decorate. Such a woman.” He joked with me.

I laughed, “Living with literally nothing is barbarian. Are you a cave man?”

He grinned then said mysteriously, “Possibly.”

I smiled and shook my head, I think I’m going to get along with him just fine. “Alright, sold. I’ll stay here as long as you’re still cool with it.”

He nodded, “Yeah, no worries. Just promise me when you’re on your woman issues you give me a heads up. That way if you’re bitchy, I know why and won’t get as annoyed.”

I blushed slightly not used to guys being so forward, “Deal. Let me know when you’re going to bring someone home so I can evacuate the premises.”

“Deal,” he stuck his hand out and I shook it. “Let’s go get food, I have friends I’m going to meet up with at Johnny’s. Wanna come?” I bit my lip nervously looking at my duffel bag, he followed my gaze. “It’ll be safe here. I promise. We can even hide it better if you’d like.”

I nodded, “Alright.” I followed him into the bedroom to the closet which was filled with clothes. He took a pile of clothes in his arm and I put the bag down before he covered it up.

“There, safe and sound, let’s go. I’ll buy you a drink,” he smiled at me then wrapped an arm around me playfully. “Be my girl and we’ll fly away into the oblivion of absinthe.”

I laughed and shook my head, “You’re crazy, you know that?”

He winked, “Only in a good way babe.”

“Jimmy?” I asked becoming serious again. He raised an eyebrow looking at me, “Please don’t say anything about my situation to anyone. Don’t let them know I’m living with you just yet. I don’t know anyone, I don’t know who I can trust, besides you. I just get this feeling that I can trust you and I don’t get that feeling with everyone.” I rambled.

He smiled at me sympathetically, “No problem kid, let’s go.” He walked out of the room with me following, “And you’re right, you can trust me. You’re safe.”

I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as we locked up and headed out for Johnny’s.

When we walked in the dim lit bar, I saw the same guys from the previous nights, the guy with green eyes was with them and I shook my head, “Does he ever go home?” I asked Jimmy as we made our way through the bar.

“Hmm?” He asked not having heard me and I shook my head.

“Nothing,” I blushed not realizing that I’d said it out loud.

“Hey Jimmy and River, right?” Bobby said from behind the bar.

“Yeah,” I smiled slightly at her.

“See you found the fun group of obnoxious boys,” she chuckled nodding at Jimmy and his group of friends that were greeting him.

I nodded, “Yeah. Met Jimmy at the laundry mat, so we’re just kind of chilling. Nice to have someone to hang with.”

“Well, it’s good to see you’re safe and sound, go have fun. Let me know if you need anything,” She winked at me.

“Aunt Bobby!” one of the boys hollered at her.

She groaned, “What now Bri?”

He smiled sheepishly, “Oh nothing, just wanted to say Hi.”

She raised an eyebrow and I saw one of the other boys sneaking through the back of the bar to grab a bottle. “Zacky put it back, NOW.” The boys groaned and I snickered, “Brian, try that again and I’ll call your father. You want a drink, you ask.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the dumbfounded look on the guy’s face and he looked at me and huffed, “Fuck off Barbie.”

“What’d you say?” I glared at him.

“Brian, that’s enough. You don’t talk to women like that,” Bobby chastised him.

“Yeah man, besides, she’s cool. She’s with me,” Jimmy said coming over and putting an arm around me.

I knew I had a fiery look in my eyes but I didn’t care, that dick had started it first. “Brian, apologize now or no more booze and smokes.”

He huffed again, “I can buy my own cigarettes.”

“With what money?” Bobby said raising her eyebrow.

I could see the other three guys behind him snicker and he turned around, “Shut up fuckers.” Bobby shook her head and sighed. He looked back at me, “I’m sorry miss. Please accept my apology and come hang out with us?”

Bobby smiled at him and nodded, pleased with his apology. I however, just stood stiff next to Jimmy, I didn’t know if I wanted to accept it. Jimmy gently nudged me with his elbow and I sighed letting the fire go. “I accept your apology and that sounds fun.” I saw Jimmy nod at me and he led us over to the group.

“Now can we have booze?” Brian asked Bobby eagerly and she nodded shaking her head.

“Five jack and cokes and what for you chick?” She asked looking at me.

I smiled, “Jack and coke sounds delicious.” The boys looked at me silently, mouths agape.

She raised her eyebrow, “You sure?”

I nodded, “Yeah, Jack’s delicious.”

“Jimmy where the fuck did you find her?” The guy standing between Brian and green eyes asked. He smiled wide and showed his dimples.

He shrugged, “She came in to do laundry, we got to talking. I invited her to come meet you fuckers so she can have friends. She’s new, so be nice.” He said sternly.

They nodded and the shortest guy came up to me, good god he looked like he was younger than me, “Hey. I’m Johnny.”

I smiled, “River…how old are you? 12?” I asked curiously and all the guys burst up laughing.

Johnny huffed, “I’m 16.”

I blushed, “Sorry. Just look so young.”

“And that hair cut is just adorable on him!” Jimmy laughed at his friend who cracked a smile but flipped him off.

Green eyes came up to me, “I’m Zachary, but my friends call me Zack or Zacky. We met earlier.”

“I remember,” I nodded slightly, “You know Marlboro tastes better than Camel. Definitely worth the extra few bucks.”

Zacky’s eyes flickered in amusement, “You smoke?”

I shrugged, “A little.”

“Jimmy, I’m stealing this one,” Zacky joked throwing an arm around my shoulders to antagonize his friend.

“No fucking way dude, I saw her first,” Jimmy screeched playing right into Zack’s joke. I couldn’t help but chuckle as Bobby approached with the tray of drinks.

“Thank-you Aunt Bobby,” Brian beamed at his aunt as he took one of the glasses.

“Thank-you” we all said as we each took a glass.

“You guys getting acquainted?” Bobby asked smiling at our group.

We all nodded as we took a drink. All the guys were watching me, to see if I’d make a face and even though it burned all the way down to my belly I held strong not wincing or anything. “Yeah, she just got caught in a lover’s quarrel between Jimmy and Zack,” Dimples joked.

Bobby laughed, “Lucky place to be girl.” She winked her beautiful brown eyes at me playfully as she flipped pulled her long brown hair back into a messy bun. “Have fun kids, remember, you gotta be out of here by midnight tonight, cops are doing their rounds for minors since it’s Saturday.” She said retreating back to the bar.

We all nodded and I looked between Dimples and Brian. Brian spoke up first, “I’m Brian, but considering I’ve been yelled at already tonight, you know that.”

I laughed and nodded, “Sorry about that. Couldn’t help but laugh.”

He nodded, “Understandable but you couldn’t do any better I bet.”

I felt a fire spark in my eyes and smirked, “We’ll see.”

“I’m Matt,” dimples said as he flashed them at me again.

I smiled, “I’m River, I like your dimples.”

He grinned wider, “They’re my signature move for getting all the ladies to fall in love with me.”

Brian laughed, “Yeah maybe the blow up girls.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing as the others yelled, “oooh burn!”

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up bitches.” Matt rolled his eyes and drank more of his Jack and coke.

We bantered around for the rest of the time we had and when the clock struck midnight, Bobby came over to shut us down. “Alright guys, time to go. Come on.” She told us. Brian stood there arguing with her and I excused myself to the bathroom. To take a short cut I went through the back area of the bar. No one was watching me so I grabbed a big unopened bottle of Jack and stuck it under my hoodie and made my way to the bathroom.

I readjusted the bottle to where it was barely noticeable in my oversized hoodie and stuffed my hands in the pocket to hold it subtly. I walked back out and saw Jimmy by the door. “See you later Bobby,” I called and walked towards the door.

“Later chicky, be safe.” She hollered after me as she tended to the other customers. I’d left a 50 on the spot that I took the bottle from. I didn’t want to outright steal from her, so while I knew she’d be pissed, atleast I paid for the merchandise.

I smirked at the boys when I got outside, “What the fuck are you so cheeky about?” Brian asked grinning so I’d know he was just fucking around.

I pulled out the bottle of Jack Daniels and all the boys stared at me, wide eyed. “Oh nothing, just got moves that are apparently better than yours.” I smirked at Brian.

“You can’t just steal shit,” he said clearly thinking I’d ripped his aunt off.

“I didn’t steal anything. I left a 50 where I took it from. It’s paid for.” I shrugged.

“Jimmy, I’m stealing this girl,” Zacky laughed at me wrapping an arm around my shoulders again.

“No!” Jimmy yelled drawing attention to us.

“Jimmy, shut the fuck up man. We’re minors, we have a bottle of Jack,” Matt snapped at his friend.

“Where we gonna go?” Johnny asked curiously.

“Uhhh…” Brian said thinking.

“Back to mine?” Jimmy asked offering an idea.

“Yeah!” The guys all cheered and I laughed at how excited they were over a damn bottle of alcohol.

“You guys better call rents and tell them you’re crashing with me,” Jimmy told them and they all dug out their phones.

Notes