Honest

twenty-two

I skip down the street, singing.

"Makin' my way downtown, walking fast, I'm a seagull go f**k yourself- dunnna dunnna do-"

"And this is what you do, when I ask you to stay home," He rasp appearing from an alley, like the true creep he is.

He lounges, leaning against the brick wall of a building, the dark alley casting hash shadows on his face.

He's so handsome. I hate him.

"I can't hear you. I don't talk to creeps in alleyways," I say, skipping along. He grabs my arm, pulling me into the alley, pressing me against the wall.

I look up at him, blinking.

He looks down at me, observing my face.

"Can I ask what the f**k you're doing," He rasps lowly.

"You can," I reply. "But the answer will be the same."

He smiles. "And what's that?"

I slip down the wall, escaping his hold.

"I'm a seagull, go f**k yourself," I flap my arms wildly, running away in a zig zag. "DUNNNA DUNNA DO DO DO DO!"

He huffs. Walking after me.

"Why are you so drunk? It's only two pm?" he calls.

"Because I'm a-"

"Seagull go f**k myself, I know," He finished in irritation.

I pause, looking at him. "Dunna Dunna do-"

"Oh god."

"DO DO DO!"

He stalks behind me, pulling me into a other alley. He really likes alleys.

Maybe he was a homeless man in a former life.

"Hey, Desiree, baby, darling, sweetheart, let's go home."

I pout. "No. I don't like you."

He looks at me sadly, wiping my cheek with his thumb.

"You don't?" He asks softly.

I shake my head resolutely.

He smiles. "Even a little bit?"

I pause. Maybe a little bit. Just a little.

He rests his forearm on the wall behind my head, leaning in.

"Is that why you're drunk, little one? Did I make you mad?"

I nod, looking away. Because he's a jerk, and tequila isn't. Actually, Tequila's a jerk too.

"I know," He soothes with a soft smile. "You're so adorable."

"I'm not adorable!" I huff.

"Not?" He asks with a chuckle.

"No! I am fiercesome woman!"

He snorts, leaning in closer. "Okay. I believe you. Can we go home now?"

"No!"

He sighs. "But you have to."

"I don't. I'm a seagull. Go f**k yourself Vitale, I'm flying away."

I start flapping my arms but he stops them with a sigh.

"I've never seen you so drunk. Did something happen?"

My lip wobbled. "No."

He gave me a look.

"Shut up you stupid meatball," I say, sucking a breath. "Move."

"Did someone hurt you?" He whispered.

"I said no!"

"Ah, then you hurt someone else first?" He murmured.

I push him, making him stumble back. "I said shut up! With your stupid games, and your stupid smiles, and your stupid abs! I'm going home! To my home!"

He swallows, putting his hands in his pockets.

"Okay," He whispers. "But hey!" I pause.

"What?" I sniffle.

"If you need me, I'm here. For anything at all."

I look away. "I don't need you help. I don't need anyone's help."

He nods, taking off his jacket. "Well right now, your covered in blood, walking in the streets. You can't do that, or the police will pick you up. So get in my car. I'll take you to your place."

I look down. "I have to bury my friend," I murmured. "I can't leave him like this-"

He takes my hand, placing the jacket on my shoulders and zipping it up.

"I'll do it for you. Okay? I'll take good care of him."

He smiles sweetly.

"You will?"

"Uh-huh, I will. I'll even plant some flowers on his grave okay? But you have to go home first. Alright?"

I swallow, nodding. "Okay."

I squeeze his hand as he leads me to the Buick.

I love Nancy.

He helps me in the back, strapping me in my seatbelt.

I lay my head on his shoulder as he tells the driver my address.

"I didn't mean to hurt my friend. I really didn't-"

He kisses my head. "I know. It's okay."

"I'm going to hell. Probably."

He smiles. "I'll be there with you. Is that okay?"

I look up at him. "Yeah. I guess so."

• • •

I know, it came out of nowhere. All will be explained.