What’s the worst thing about been in the city?

Living in it.

The sun is going down, receiving heat in my face and the cold weather creeping on my back. Sound of rumbling cars and response siren at the distance could be hear. The unintelligible speech of people talking along with laughter setting the environment around us. Everyone is out of school and work, walking about.

Being in the middle of the public felt overwhelming. The people around me where a faceless anomaly. The longer I stroll, the more trap I felt. Taking harsh breath while putting my hand on my heart. I fail to notice a lingering hand extending from the crowd. The hand slowly creeps on me.

Quinn took a step back furthermore I prepare to take flight just to be cut off by the grapple. “Come on” a girl said and suddenly stopping to look my way with a worry expression “Are you ok, you look a little peaked”

“Dina!” I said surprise “Yeah I’m fine, you just sneak up on me”

“Oh, are you sure you’re not scared Quinny” Dina teased.

“I’m not!” coming out a little to defensive “I’m just tired, and I told you not to call me that”

“Then hurry up!” She forcefully drags me along even though she much shorter than me. While on the move I hug my jacket around my lanky body, trying to keep warm while my messy short jet-black hair wave with the breeze.

“Quinny” she teased.

I just ignore her. Unlike the rest of the populace, there a contrast between them and her. The way her long hair stay fix, her feminine cloth, the light green eye and yes even her expressive face. I could see and marvel every little detail. She confided, funny, sweet, honest, well I could go on. But like everyone she has her flaw. She never out right told me but ever since I know her, she struggles with her weight. That’s a topic I always avoid. She could take a small comment and though I would be hinting something about her size. I don’t know why its bother her so much. I think she looks… cute.

My thought started to go in a very different direction. All while ogling her back. My face reddens as soon as I realize what I was doing. While I was staring at the girl in front of me, I notice her baggy jacket. Strange, she normally a very fashionable girl.

“Soo, were you getting cold feet” Dina said.

“Uugh!” I groan

“Relax you don’t have to be scare when I’m around”

“Yes, I feel so safe with a four foot midget” I playfully said.

“Hey this short girl is going to show you a couple trick” She said flapping her jacket.

“What’s with the jacket anyways, I never seen you wearing that”

“How else to you think where getting alcohol” she mutter. I remain silent. “What! You said you want it to try ‘it’ so here we are” She shoots back.

“Ok, ok” I was all in a couple hours ago but now I was getting worry. I never voice my concern, so we continue with our mission. We reach a small pop and mom shop call Quick Win Mart. The purple neon light bounce from us as we make our way in, upon entering I see what I presume is the owner of the shop. A faceless figure of an older man tending the cash register. He was busy attending customer, all been on the older side as we when in undetected. Dina move quickly to the back of the store passing junk food, cigarette and everyday supply.

The store is clean and organized but this place look like its past it’s prime. While scanning for security camera, my view landed on the magazine section in front of the store. Making my way there, I grab what look like a new issue of the Spider Man comic. I want this, but I don’t have money. The small pocket change I carry around is for food at school. I look at my friend acting nonchalantly by the drinks section doing some up and down movements.

pretending I didn’t see anything. I turn my gaze to the comic “I’m already here” staring at the object in my hand “And one comic disappearing won’t hurt anyone, right?” slipping the brand-new comic, stealthy in my jacket.

“Stop!” a distorted face of a young woman screams. Snapping my head in the directing of the yell. Watching her point a finger to my friend Dina. The yell gathers the attention of not just us but the owner.

“What’s happening” the presume owner said.

“There more kids stealing alcohol!” The younger woman screams.

“What! Don’t just stand there, grab them!” The owner yells.

Dina look at me and wasting no time taking off to the exit or move left and right really fast, almost like a waddle while screaming “Sorry, sorry, sorry!”

She slam the door open and ran off, taking me a second to progress what just happened. When the younger lady saw Dina exit the store, she switches target going after me instead. That action kicks my gear up. I ran to the door, but it was too late. The woman blocks my path. I still ran toward the door but grab a pack of junk food on my way. When I was close enough, I pop the bag open. Letting the chip hit her on face. When she covers her eye, I slip in between her and the exit. Barely escaping her clutches.

the woman ceases in front of the store and started to scream “You brats come back!”

“Don’t worry we will” I joke. While running too caught up with Dina.

“Oh my god, I thought you were a goner” while we stop to catch our breath, I told her how I escape. Hearing her laugh with every little detail I put out there “See, I told you it be fine, and you were scared” she said swiping a slight sweat off her brown with a cocky smile. I smile taunting at my friend “What?”

“Sorry, sorry, sorry” I re-enact her scene from earlier. Receive a punch in the arm as a consequence.

“Shut up!”

“Whatever” taking out the magazine from my coat “Did you get it?”

“Hell yeah” Dina open her jacket and I saw a big bottle shove down her pants, making it look like bulge.

“Dina please cover yourself up” I tease.

“Shut up dork!” Dina said while hiding the bottle again “Let’s look for some place to drink”

“Sure” I said with a hint of nervousness in my head.

____________________

Arriving downtown not far from home. Surrounded by bright lights and colorful store, we pick and open-door shop to sit and drink. The hard wind crash with the building, making it tolerable to be outside but the worst part of all. Wherever you look, there was a crowd and no matter how much light shine over them. They were all the same dark anomaly to me “There to many people tonight”

“Quinny, stop being so aloof” Dina said holding a bottle in front of me “Here, have some water”

“That not water is it”

‘Shh’ she shook it a little “just take it”

“Why do I have to go first?”

“Because you’re being moody”

“I’m always moody”

“That a lie, now take it”

“You’re just scare” Quinn said still taking the bottle.

“True, but you still have to go first” Paying no mind to her faulty fallacy. Taking hold of the drink and smelling it. I wrinkle my nose from the strong smell. “Come on Quinn, I believe in you” Dina encourage.

‘Sigh’ well down the hatch it goes. Lifting the bottle to my lips, trying to chug my fist beer just to utterly fail. As soon as I feel the strong drink down my throat I cough and spill some on myself. Overall, not my
most graceful moment.

“Woo!” Dina cheer and clap anyways.

“Taste terrible”

“I can’t be that bad” she said taking a small gulp but it was enough for her to cough “Yeah, it taste terrible”

“I don’t know how my mom like this”. The next couple hours or so when by making joke, talking about school and life. While taking a couple shots, pretending we look cool drinking what people presume is a bottle of Dasani.

“Quinny, my folks are having a party this saturday” Dina said.

“And?”

“Aaand, I want you to go with me”. I hum and took a shoot. “Come on, it be fun”

“Is it a big party?”

“what? I don’t know, who cares” She ask confuse while I ignore her answer. “Is that a yes. I’ll take your silent as a yes”

“Mmh” I just hum dismissively.

“Quinn, don’t ignore me. You know I don’t like that” she said annoy.

“Mmhm”

“You know Quinny” Dina irk appearance turn into a small smirk “I know your introverted, but you can’t push people away forever. Who knows, you might miss them one day”

“Sure” I said sarcastically.

“Yeah, you’re going to miss someone like me one day” Dina wisecrack.

“Ha!” throwing a mocking laugh.

“You’ll see”

“Can we pleased Change the conversation now”

“Sure”

“Good” I firmly said.

“Can I ask then?” she ask in a mystical form.

“I don’t know if I’m going to the party”

“Not that, what’s wrong with you today, you been out of it”

“what do you mean”

“Really, I know you since we were kids” Dina said impassive.

“Nothing, I’m just tired” Quinn said while scratching the back of her head.

“Fine, I’m not going to force you to talk, but next time try to be a bit more convincing“

“I’m sorry” I blurted out.

“You don’t need to apologize. If you don’t want to go to my party, that fine”

“No, sorry for ignoring you earlier” she was taken aback by my reply.

“Quinn, apologizing. Maybe I don’t know you as well as I thought I did. I keep forgetting how much of a softy you really are” Dina mock.

“Softy” sounding defensive again. “I’m having a beer” I murmur looking around making sure no one hear me. She laugh more of my antic than anything.

“That true, but question is, should I forgive you?”

“uh oh”

“Don’t worry, I will”

“What’s the catch” there always a catch.

“What do you mean Quinny”

“Really?” I knowingly ask.

“Oh well, now the you mention it”. There it is, I mentally preparing myself for the unexpected. Suddenly feeling the warm touch of our hands meeting. “Promise me that you’ll never leave me behind, ok” seen her bright caring eyes carefully analysis what I’ll do or say. The promise came out of nowhere but right then and there I want it to tell her how I feel. But I can’t do it, that how people hurt each other. They will use your weakness against you. I open my mouth to talk but nothing came out. Looking down to see our hands in a firm grasp, my eye caught the time on her wristwatch

“It late!” I jump on my feet, starling Dina in the process.

“Quinn! What the hell” Dina cry out “What happened?”

“It’s late. I need to get home and look after my sister”

“isn’t the babysitter looking after your sister”

“you mean the woman you call scary last time you were over my house…”

“Oh, Then yeah let’s go. Let me get rid of the bottle of waateer” putting emphasis on the water.

“ookaay”

She got up and when on her way to the nearest trashcan. I sit right back down and noticing a light hitting me in the eye. On further investigation I found a small crystal gem right where Dina was sitting “Oh Dina you’re so forgetful”. Picking what felt like a small rock. The light diminishes but even still, for a small second, I felt ‘attach’. Thinking of playing a prank on my friend “This should scare her, when she gets home, you’ll freak out thinking you lost this jewel and then boom I pull this out of my pocket the next day on school”. I’ll work on the revealing part later. Seen her come back empty handed. I put the jewel on my pocket.

____________________

As soon as I got home, I’m was grateful mom wasn't here early. Dina watching over me while she accompanies home. I wasn’t drunk, but I was feeling a little bit tipsy. Feeling the comic book inside my jacket making sure it was still there. I open the door and try to close it at silently as possible. Leaning just a bit too much, I lost my balance and smack the door, it slams close making a ruckus. Cursing myself for making my presence felt. When I was about to spring to my room, I spot a head coming out of the kitchen.

“Quinn your back, I was getting worry” A little girl said as she rans my way with open arm. I open myself up to receive the affection. When she threw herself on me with her small delicate arms, I couldn’t help but I smile. There a lot in this world that make me feel like I’m falling apart but I always have her, my own blood, my rock, my sister. So small and precious and my responsibility that I totally forgot about. Damn it. “Sorry Abi” I said brushing her messy hair out of her face ”Where’s the babysitter”

Just in cue our neighbor Mrs. Sarielle come out of the Kitchen. She a very serious woman and hold herself with a delicate but strong presence. She tall with long black hair and had bored looking eyes. Sarielle is a stay at home wife. Even though she been married for a long time she never had kids of her own. I don’t think she likes kids, or she just doesn’t like me, but I can’t blame her. Not when she was my babysitter when I was growing up and apparently, I was a difficult child. My earliest memory of her is me accidentally scratching her new car with my little league equipment after she offer to take me to my game or me spilling victory soda right after the game or accidentally putting my dirty shoe on her carpet or when she took me to the hospital and I puke on the way there…

I should really apologize for that. Reminiscing and how pale she would get whenever she took me somewhere on her car. Even so she was very involved when I was little, so I feel safe leaving Abi with her. Even if she can be a hard ass. “Your late” the babysitter said.

I was taken out of my trance when she spoke, but I quickly responded “Good to see you too Sarielle”

“Is Mrs. Sarielle to you”

“Sorry I’m late Mrs. Sarielle. I’m going to do better next time”. She took a sniff and raise her eyebrows at my direction. Asking to talk in private. “Abi go to your room” I ask.

“Can I watch tv, pretty pleased?”

I look at Mrs. Sarielle and she shook her head. I look down to say no, but she used her big puppy dog eyes on me. My greatest weakness “Fine but where going to sleep soon, ok” giving her a big smile.

“Ok” Abi sprinting off to the living room. Casting a glance at Mrs. Sarielle, she wasn’t very impressed with my decision. I follow the babysitter to the kitchen and we sits in a small table we have in the room “it’s late for such a young girl to watch television and you allow it?”

“Sure, I did the same thing when I was little”

“I’m not surprise”. I Roll my eyes but brush off the comment. “It is” she checks her watch “twenty-one pm and you promise me, you be here at nineteen pm on the dot. So, where were you missy”

“I was in the mall. Sorry, time just pass by”

“Mmh especially when one has been drinking. No matter, I been having more free time now that my husband work overtime but that no excuse to disregard obligation.” she said with glee almost proud of the fact she scolding me.

“Ok” I said dismissively.

“You know there one less family member in the house but that does not mean there less responsibility, it mean you share it And I will be talking to your mother about this little incident. I mean really such a young girl like yourself shouldn’t be drinking”. I was silent through her rant and only roll my eyes and this did not sit well with her. “Is there something wrong Miss Quinn”

“No, I just understand why your husband would rather work overtime” If looks could kill, I would be dead. Mrs. Sarielle stood up, pushing the chair back and quickly walk around the table to close the distance. The speed on which she moves scared me and I also stood up, but she easily towers over me. Her hard eyes never broke contact with me and hated to admit how intimidating she could be. The closer she got the more step I took back until I bump with the kitchen cabinet.

“I’m telling you right now little lady” pointing a finger to my face “Just because your mother doesn’t care to fix that little attitude of your, won’t mean I’ll let you keep it. I don’t hold any malice toward you. But if you don’t fix yourself, I will”. I remain quite to the authoritarian. “Take the advice when is giving to you the easy way” Letting the silence extend between us extent. Sarielle calm down and spoke more softly “Quinn you know I try very hard to be patient with you, but you have to admit, is not easy”

“I could say the same thing”

She breath in and out “I’ll leave you be, and I’ll presume this will be the last time we will have this talk. Oh, and pleased, in the future do take better care of yourself” she said pointing at her eye. Perplex by the change of conversation and gesture “You look like you haven’t sleep in weeks”

“And?”

Sarielle pinch the bridge of her nose. “If you don’t care that fine, but at the at the very least you could hide it with some make-up like a proper young lady should”

“I don’t know how to use make up”

“All it take is for you to ask for a little help”. Help I don’t need. “Fine, I should be going anyways”

She walks delicate towards the front door. thinking of one way of getting back at her. “Ma’am let me get that for you” opening the door for her. She looks pleased with my sudden change of attitude.

“That more like it” I keep a big innocent smile on my face. “Hmp, I don’t know what you are planning but remember this Quinn. You don’t scare me”

“Ok” I spoke with a cheaper attitude.

As she walks outside, I slam the entryway as loudly as I could. Hearing a yelp from the other side and I pull the curtains next to the door to see her unamused expression. “Sorry about that” I said unapologetic.

She just walk away without uttering a single word. My shoulder drops when I realize I was alone, but my day is not over yet. I open my jacket to find the comic knowing I can read it to Abi tonight. As soon as I step forward, I stumble a bit but manage to get a hold of myself. I caught my own reflexion on the mirror. My tired eyes, slump body and the harsh breathing accompany from the smell of liquor. I didn’t like the person I was seen but decided to ignore it for the time being. All I want to do at this very moment is to go asleep, but I know I won’t be able. I was a little lightheaded but nothing I can’t handle. That sour face doesn’t know what she’s talking about, I’m perfectly fine. My only question now is, why is the floor is getting clos-

Quinn pass out. Hearing a loud ‘thud’ when her body smack the floor.

Author's Note

(Re-write and updated)

This story is on FanFiction(.)net under the same name, username is zamms.

A/N: I feel really bad for whoever had to read and approve this story on it first draft. It was litter with grammatical error, I’m sure there still some spring here and there but this story was a mess. I think my biggest barrier is my language but I’m slowly improving on this aspect.