The One Who Was Taught To Survive

The next morning, we all awoke completely hungover. I ended up stealing Jimmy’s shades as he got up to go down to the laundry mat for work. I sat against the wall with my hood up on my hoodie, Jimmy’s glasses on my face. The guys were all nauseous except for Matt who just quietly laid next to me, his aviators on, and his head in my lap.

I hadn’t heard Brian come out of the bedroom, I assumed that he was either too nauseous to move, or he had passed back out. “Dude, I’m never drinking again,” Zacky said as he quietly made his way out of the bathroom, careful not to make a sound. He had to flush the toilet and he hoped that no one would have heard it over the running of the machines.

“I need food,” Johnny mumbled as he sat up against the kitchen counter, holding a trashcan in his lap.

“Guys shut up,” Matt whined from my lap and I gently stroked his hair.

“Zacky’s right Matty,” I mumbled.

“What’d I say?” Zacky asked looking up at me.

“You said food,” I said accusingly.

Zacky shook his head, “No he didn’t, it was me.” Johnny said and I could hear the misery in his tone.

“Oh, well Johnny was right then Matty,” I corrected myself trying to hide my own hangover symptoms.

Matt opened his eyes and looked up at me then nodded slightly, “I suppose you’re right. Let’s go get something to eat.”

Zacky went back to the bathroom and threw up again, trying to be as quiet as possible. “Zack, really man?” Brian asked as he walked out looking extremely pale.

“You hungry?” I asked him as Johnny slowly moved to the living room and rested back against the wall.

Brian nodded, “Yeah, I could go for some food. Baker you coming?” He said softly to Zacky who was coming out of the bedroom.

“I’ll come, but only for the coffee. If I show up to my parent’s house trashed still and smelling like weed, Dad will belt me for a week straight,” Zack groaned as he pulled up his hood and slipped on his sun glasses.

“That settles it, let’s go,” Johnny said standing.

I nodded as Matt stood in front of me offering me a hand which I gratefully took. He pulled me up in one swift movement and I stumbled against his frame, “You alright?” He murmured into my hair and I nodded taking in his scent. God he’s intoxicating I thought to myself.

“Don’t you two look adorable,” Brian said sarcastically and I blushed.

“Fuck off Haner,” Matt said jokingly. “She fell into me, I was making sure she was alright.” He stepped away from me slightly creating a little bit of space. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t disappointed. Out of everyone that I’d met on my journey so far, Matt and Jimmy were the two that I felt the most comfortable around.

We stopped downstairs at the laundry mat where Jimmy looked like everyone else felt. “Jim, we’re going for food, you want anything?” Matt asked our friend.

He immediately shook his head looking green, “I’m good. But maybe bring me back another pack of smokes?”

We nodded and I hugged him, “Thank-you.”

He raised an eyebrow and looked at me, “For what babe?”

“Not letting me stay on the streets, for taking me under your wing, for not judging me,” I blushed and looked away only to be pulled into Jimmy again with a crushing bear hug.

“You’re safe with us Riv. No one’s ever going to hurt you again. We’ll make sure of it,” he reassured me. I nodded and slightly pulled away, “Now go with the guys, get some food, maybe bring me back a sandwich or something with the smokes…do you need money?”

I shook my head, “Nah, I got some left over from last night.”

He smiled and bowed, “You better catch up before Brian and short shit leave your ass here.”

I laughed and nodded, “Alright, we’ll be back soon.”

* * * * * *
“Brian you’re so full of shit,” Zacky snorted as we sat at IHOP, we’d already eaten but the guys enjoyed the bullshitting that was going on. Apparently some girl named Dilynn, that Brian liked had just walked in.

“Guys, she’s literally the entire package,” he licked his lips as he stared lustfully after the brunette with blue streaks took a seat across from a girl that had dyed black hair. Dilynn was tan with pouty lips, perfect eyebrows, perfect hair and the prettiest Ocean blue eyes.

“It’s pretty farfetched that she’d do anything with you Bri, you’re not exactly her type,” Zacky snickered.

“Dude isn’t that Kayley?” Matt asked sitting next to me, the guys had all decided I was safest between Matt and Zacky in our corner booth, Johnny and Brian taking the ends.

Johnny groaned inwardly as he looked over at the girl with Dilynn, “Fucking bitch can’t go anywhere else?”

“Who’s Kayley? Your ex?” I asked Johnny as the boys all erupted in laughter drawing attention to our table. Johnny, however, was not amused, “What the fuck you staring at?” I asked Johnny.

“Babe, that’s his twin sister,” Matt grinned ear to ear showing his dimples.

“Oh,” I blushed but smiled innocently at Johnny. “Sorry shorty.”

He rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up you assholes. She’s annoying as fuck, usually always up my ass.”

Kayley had long swooped black hair, her eyes were hazel but more brown than any other color. She was extremely pale next to her friend but had a really cute smile. “She’s very pretty,” I complimented Johnny on having a cute sister.

He snorted, “Yeah, if you think emo chicks are hot.”

“Cut her some slack Johnny, you’re the punk, she’s gotta stand out too. One thing you two have in common,” Zack said trying to get him to ease up.

“Besides, be nice…she’s bringing Dilynn over,” Brian smirked, his eyes literally fucking the shit out of Dilynn.

“Johnny do you seriously have to be everywhere I am?” Kayley asked crossing her arms over her chest. “Hello guys,” she acknowledged the rest of them, “who’s your friend?” she asked as her eyes landed on me and lingering on the sunglasses on top of my head. Was that jealousy I sensed?

“This is River, she just moved here from New York,” Matt said introducing me as he wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders. “River, this is Kayley Seward and Dilynn…”

“Dilynn Harper,” Dilynn supplied her last name as she stood with her hands in her back pockets. “Why Huntington Beach?” She asked shortly, Kayley still surveying the situation.

“Why not?” I asked back not sure where she was going with her line of questioning.

“Fair enough, although hanging around with these perverts won’t help you get established,” she smirked playfully.

Kayley rolled her eyes, “Well neither will hanging with us Dil.”

“That’s true, she hangs with you she may be known as the second biggest slut in school,” Johnny replied, speaking for the first time since they approached our table.

“Johnny don’t be a douche to my friends,” Kayley growled at her brother.

He rolled his eyes, “I was just playing. Dilynn knows I wouldn’t actually consider her a slut. Especially because we’ve slept together.”

Kayley stared at Johnny in awe then shook her head, “If you get tired of them being assholes, you can come hang with us.”

I nodded shyly, “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Dilynn nodded, “Seriously, come hang with us, we actually have manners.” She shot a glare at Johnny. Kayley and Dilynn turned to leave and Dilynn winked at Brian before they made their way back to their table; ignoring our existence once again.

“When the fuck did you hook up with her!” Brian demanded to know after we’d left the restaurant.

Johnny chuckled shaking his head, “Jealous Brian?”

“Actually, it’s a fair question Midget,” Zacky teased Johnny.

“Dude that’s Dilynn Harper…literally known for getting on her back and spreading her legs,” Johnny laughed at his friend’s reactions.

I shook my head at this information, “Guys, you shouldn’t judge people for shit that other’s say. You never know what that person’s been through.”

“Babe, she literally is known for fucking everyone in sight. Including teachers, it’s a fair statement that she has probably the sleaziest reputation at Huntington High,” Matt said eyeing me out of the corner of his eye.

I rolled my eyes and stomped away from the guys and walked into a gas station, “I need two packs of Marlboro Red 100s please.”

“ID?” the guy at the counter asked and I slid my ID over to him. Granted it was fake, but hey it would work. “Alright,$8.67 please.”

I nodded and forked over the money and was given the packs. I stashed one in my pocket for Jimmy and packed the other against my hand a few times before unwrapping it. “Why’d you walk off like that River?” Zack asked curiously.

I shrugged, “You don’t know what she’s been through, it could be way worse and you guys are making her the butt end of your joke?” I opened the pack, pulled out a cigarette and lit up as we walked down the street, the group already a block ahead clearly still discussing how Johnny got with Dilynn.

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Zack apologized as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

I rolled me eyes and handed him my cigarette, “Take a drag. I know you want one.”

He laughed and took a drag then handed it back, I saw him close his eyes in bliss as he inhaled, the tobacco stinging his lungs. He blew out the smoke a few seconds later and stepped in front of me. I raised an eyebrow at him as he pulled my face close and placed a kiss on my lips. Shocked I slowly kissed him back then pulled away, “The fuck was that for?”

He shrugged grinning, “Maybe payment for the drag.” I laughed and shook my head as he ran over to the others.

Notes

Sorry it's been a few days guys, I'm just not sure on how everyone's liking it. Please let me know if you're enjoying this story, maybe some ideas on what you'd like to see happen? I need some sort of feedback because it is different than what I usually write.

Also look for the sequel to Burn it Down and Forever is Right Now here probably tomorrow. Love you awesome nerds,
Shadow