Jayden reaches in her breast and thumbs out the cash, handing it to him.
“Great. Follow me,” the man says without emotion.
Jayden and I follow the man inside and up a set of dusty stairs. They’re made out of old wood, splinters and nails sticking out of them everywhere. There’s only one light showing the way, swinging from a long electrical wire, above the stairs.
“My name is Henry. I expect rent at the end of every month or you’re out,” he explains, opening a door to the left. “I’ll get you keys in the morning.”
Jayden and I head inside the apartment as Henry leaves and retreats back to wherever he crawled out of. The room is dark, so I feel along the gritty wall looking for a light switch. I hear a click and the space fills with a dull light.
“Found it,” Jayden laughs, standing next to a light switch that has wires hanging from it.
The apartment is one big open space. There are two small beds on each side of the room, and a kitchen along the back wall that contains a pea green fridge and matching stove. There’s also a busted island with two bar stools, which look to be rusted and lop-sided, sitting in front of it.
Walking along the untreated wood floor, I make my way to the only door in the apartment, hoping it contains a bathroom.
“Please tell me that’s the bathroom,” Jayden mutters, echoing my thoughts while walking behind me.
Opening the door, I find an old, rusted green tub with a matching toilet and sink. A little window with bars sits right above the tub.
“Yeah, it’s a bathroom,” I grumble, looking up at the water-stained ceiling.
“It’s not too bad. At least we have somewhere to sleep,” Jayden states.
I shrug, and head back into main area, looking around the dump.
“We could do worse in Vegas, I’m sure,” I point out.
“I mean, look at these bars along the windows. They’re a blessing ‘cause now we don’t have to buy curtains,” Jayden jokes, making me laugh as she looks at the three windows lining one of the walls.
“And we don’t have to worry about keeping up with the paint, either. Very nice!” I join in, pointing at the cement walls, the windows the only void in the sea of gray.
Jayden falls onto a bed laughing, her face red. Although, I’m not sure if it’s from lack of breath or the sun that graced us with its presence while searching for a place to stay this evening.
Heading over to the opposite bed, I collapse on my back against the mattress, dust lifting from the blankets as I land. I look up at the ceiling which holds rusted metal beams.
“But you know what the best part is?” I question Jayden.
“We’re free,” Jayden whispers, and I smile. Nobody telling us what to fucking do. Not having to worry about what will happen if you don’t obey the foster parent. Not having that gut-wrenching feeling of possibly being taken to a new place with new rules and strangers tomorrow. Not having to worry about anyone but myself. Well, I have Jayden, but I actually want to look after her. It’s something I want to do rather than feeling obligated to. We’re free to do what we want.
“Yup, we’re free,” I repeat blissfully.
THREE
CHARLIE
“What are you doing up?” Jayden grumbles, pulling the thread-bare sheet up over her face. We only had to beat the crap out of the sheets twenty times to get the dust out of them last night.
“I’m looking for a job today, as you should be,” I scold, pulling on my worn KISS shirt. Hopefully after finding a job, I’ll finally be able to buy some decent clothes. I’ve saved every penny I received over the last couple years, preparing for this epic runaway. If I knew who stole my money, I’d kick their ass.
“I should probably not throw my name and social security down on job applications if I don’t want to get caught as a runaway,” she informs.
“Shit, I didn’t think about that. I could be wanted, too. But I have to find something that’ll pay the bills. I’ll stick to small, family-owned businesses or something,” I mutter, worrying my bottom lip with my teeth.
Jayden stretches, causing her perky breasts to pop out from under the sheet, revealing dark little nipples.
“What the hell, Jayden? Are you naked?” I laugh, pulling on some jeans. Her breasts are much bigger than mine. If I had tits like that, I’d probably throw them around every chance I got, too.
She nods and smiles.
“I always wondered what it would be like to sleep naked and not have to worry about purvey old men or horny teenage boys sleeping in the next room,” she explains, fluffing her head of curls and pulling the sheet over her chest.
“So, what’s the verdict?” I laugh, pulling on my ripped black and white shoes. I think they’re a knockoff of Chucks, but they’re comfy as hell and were free, so who cares what brand they are.
“Fucking epic. I may never sleep in clothes again,” she answers seriously, her voice groggy with sleep.
I shake my head and laugh. Jayden is a mess, but I would be so fucking lonely if she weren’t here with me. I can tell she hasn’t had much direction growing up. After taking on the role of a mother over the years at Aneta’s, I’m sure I can handle one rambunctious girl, though.
“When do you turn eighteen?”
“In six months.” She yawns.
“Well, I’ll get a job and hold us until then,” I offer. It’s the least I can do, considering we’re living off her saved money right now, or what’s left anyway.
“Just try and clean up around here, and stay out of trouble,” I state.
Jayden nods and closes her eyes, falling back asleep. I inhale deeply, relieved she isn’t going to resist trying to help out.
***
The sun is already blistering the sidewalk with unbearable heat as I make my way down the side alley, and it’s only nine in the morning. The smell of coffee and eggs from the café is strong as the small breeze wafts down the street.
The small café comes into view after I turn the block, the little outside tables already holding a bunch of college kids. A spinning football tossed in the air above the crowd catches my attention as I continue to walk by. My eyes follow the ball, and the hot, blond guy from yesterday catches it. He laughs as if the guy sitting next to him just told him something funny, causing his head to look away from the sky where he was tossing his ball, his piercing eyes landing on me. Shit, don’t make a fool of yourself. I flick my hair over my shoulder and pretend not to notice him as I quicken my pace.
“Hey!” I slightly look over my shoulder, finding the football player jumping over the small fence that holds all the tables within the patio.
“Hey, yourself,” I reply, turning back around and crossing my arms.
“You’re new,” he observes, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
“I am,” I laugh.
“You off to class or something?” He tilts his head to the side, looking me up and down, a smirk lifting at the corner of his mouth.
“No, looking for a job.” I stick my tongue out in distaste, making him chuckle.
“Well, I’ll see you around…,” he pauses, waiting for me to say my name.
“Charlie,” I add.
“Well, I’ll see you around, Charlie.”
“And what should I call you?” I question, laughing and sounding like a bimbo. I grit my teeth, trying to get a hold of myself.
“Chasen.” He jerks his chin out proudly.
“See you around, Chasen.” I give a little wave before trotting down the sidewalk in looks of a ‘for hire’ sign.
Hours later, I call defeat and head back to the apartment pissed-off. Who knew getting a job in Vegas would be so hard?
Not only are my options limited, but my record doesn’t help, either. I was tried as an adult with my last fight. Some chick who was at the foster home temporarily was in my room, stealing my clothes. When I confronted her about it, she punched me, splitting my eyebrow. I, of course, defended myself, but because she was Aneta’s brown mouse, they called the cops, telling them I started it and threatened the girl’s life. They arrested me right there. The court tried me as an adult and I got probation with community service. It was all bullshit.