The Bad Boy And His Princess

Chapter 9

Jer hadn't come to school since that day and it had been a week.

I was angry at him but I couldn't help but worry. He could have been in trouble. Since I and Jer had met, he hadn't missed one day of school. It could have been because of what happened last week but for some reason, I couldn't shake off the feeling that it was more than that. I sighed as I walked to the bleachers. I ate lunch on my own as Simran and her friends sat down below throwing me smug glances as they had been the whole week.

I was starting to think that maybe this whole drug business was why Jer wasn't around.

Maybe he got in trouble for selling drugs, or maybe he was selling them right now, or maybe flying ninja monkeys captured him on his way to school on Monday.

That last one really got me worried.

I got up as I made up my mind. I was going to find out where Jer was. But it wasn't like I could call him since I didn't have his number and I couldn't go to his house since I had no clue where he lived, so I was going to ask the only person I knew who had any information about Jer.

"Feeling lonely, Aurora?"Simran asked as I passed her group.

I rolled my eyes. "I'd rather be lonely than be hanging out with a bunch of people who secretly hate me but put up with me because I'm "pretty" and popular."I shot back.

Her mouth shut instantly and her smug expression was nowhere where to be seen. Some of the girls opened their mouths in shock while some tried to conceal their laughter. That one girl who helped Blondie take me to where Jer was smoking last week gave me a huge smile and little wave. I think her name was Mona or something. I smiled back at her and walked away. She seemed pretty nice, I didn't know why she was hanging with Simran.

"Hey, Ryan!"I said as I met him at his locker.

"Hey Rory!" he smiled and gave me a quick side hug.

I had fortunately and unfortunately been hanging out with Ryan and Millie more. Fortunately cos they were awesome to be around but unfortunately cos I was the third wheel. But I and Ryan were growing close.

"Sooooo..."I started. I didn't really know how to bring up Jer, I knew how much Ryan hated him.

Ryan turned to me expectantly.

"I need your help, "I said with a sheepish smile.

His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "With what?"

"Nothing really...I just need to ask a couple of questions."

"Shoot."

I took a deep breath. "It's about Jer."

Ryan instantly frowned. "Of course it is." he sighed.

"Hey! Don't be like that, I just really wanna make sure he's okay."

"Why? He's not worth your time. He's a stoner, a pothead.!"

"I know you don't like him Ryan and I understand why but I can't help...how I feel about him."

His eyes grew wide. "How you fee-"

"-as a friend! I mean as a friend!" I exclaimed, my cheeks turning red.

"I don't understand you Aurora, you know the truth about him and you still care so much about him? You want to make sure he's okay? He's willingly throwing his life away!"

"Ryan I don't want to talk about this, please just tell me if you'd know where he'd be. You seem to know so much about him anyway."

He sighed. "Not by choice Rory, not by choice. Apart from the fact that he almost crashed into my car and that my friends tell me stuff about him, my uncle is involved with some with his cousin."

"What do you mean? Are you talking about this Derrick guy?"

"I mean that my uncle is involved with drug dealing and gambling and I've overheard them talking about stuff. And yeah I mean Derrick."

“Your uncle? Man, that means this is some serious stuff if older people are involved.”

“No s**t Aurora, you thought I was joking?”

"Well enough about that, where do they usually hang out? Where would Jer be if he was with them?" I asked.

Ryan sighed and gave me a hesitant look.

"Please Ry."

He sighed again. "Fine," he said reluctantly. "They're probably going to be at Murphy's, in the basement."

"Murphy's?"

"It's a bar not too far from here. I believe Derrick works there. They use the basement for all their illegal shit."

"Oh," I said in thought. So this was real...Jer was really involved with this stuff.

"Give me the address," I said.

Ryan has me an incredulous look. "No way, it's dangerous!"

"Ryan stop being so difficult! Just give me the address!"

"Rory, can't you see I'm trying to look out for you here? This isn't a good idea."

"Fine then. "I turned ready to leave. It wasn't like I couldn't just search it on Google Maps.

"Okay, okay wait, "Ryan said gripping my arm.

"What? "I sighed.

"I'm coming with you."

I narrowed my eyes. "You sai-"

"Look I know that if I don't give you the address you'll find another way to get there, let me at least take you, so I know you're safe."

I smiled. "Okay."

He rolled his eyes as we headed for the school gates.

I clapped my hands while jumping up and down.

"I would consider what you're doing there weird but your friends with Millie so I'm not even surprised."

I laughed. "She's very lucky."

He furrowed his eyebrows as he got his keys out of his pocket. "How so?"

"She has such an amazingly caring boyfriend."

He gave me a small smile before rolling his eyes as he ducked into his car. He might hate Jer but I couldn't help notice how similar they were in some ways.

***

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"That one?"

"Yep."

"Are you su-"

"Goddammit Rory, that's the bar!"

"Okay, okay! No need to swear."I pouted. I was just finding hard to believe that this very nice looking bar had a basement underneath with illegal stuff going on.

I was expecting an absolute dump! Not this Irish, posh looking pub. We got out of his car and walked towards the bar. When we got in, it looked like any other bar just a lot nicer.

"Dude, how are we meant to get to the basement?" I asked feeling a little uncomfortable just standing there.

Ryan rubbed the back of his neck and turned to me slowly. "I'm not exactly sure."

I rolled my eyes and looked around. We didn't even know where the basement was and even if we did, it's not like we could just waltz in.

At that moment I heard someone shout out Ryan's name.

We turned to see the bartender waving him over.

He was really cute, with shaggy blonde hair and warm green eyes.

"Derrick, "Ryan said in an annoyed voice as we stopped in front of him.

My eyes widened.

This was Derrick?

I had pictured him with loads of tattoos, a dark aura and creepy with a crazy look in his eyes not...like this.

Knowing Jer was biracial, I was guessing he was from the caucasian side of Jer's family, their sharp features were the only thing that made them look any bit related.

"Hey Bro, what's up? I never thought I'd see you here! You're not even allowed to drink yet." His gaze turned to me. "And you brought a hot chick!"

My cheeks warmed instantly."Wha...me?"

"Aw, she's cute," he said giving me a wink.

"Okay that's enough, you flirt, we're looking for someone."

Derrick's kind expression changed and I could tell he knew that we were talking to about someone probably sitting underneath our feet right now.

"Who?" he asked crossing his arms.

"Jeremiah," Ryan said bitterly.

"Jeremy? Why?" Derrick asked.

"Beats me. Ask Aurora over here."

My eyes widened as the attention was turned to me.

I gulped."I just need to see him."I said quietly.

Derrick gave me a skeptical look."Well, that's a first, someone looking for Jeremy. He doesn't even have any friends....and the fact that you even know about this place..."

"I and Jer are...well, were friends."

"Were?"

"Yes. I stopped being friends with him once I was sure he was selling drugs for you."

Derrick's eyes widened. "Will keep your voice down!" he said moving closer. "And what do you mean selling drugs for me? He was the one who got me into this s**t. It's more like I'm selling drugs for him! And let him and those idiots use the basement! And now I regret ever agreeing to help." he sighed his eyes moving to the wall behind us probably deep in thought.

I used that time to mull over what he had just said. Jer was the one who got him into drugs. It was even worse than I thought.

After a few seconds, Derrick's eyes snapped to me."Look, I can't let you down there."

"What? Why not?"

"It's dangerous, no place for a sweet girl like you, besides if I let anyone down there without asking boss I'd get my ass kicked."

"Let's go, Rory, "Ryan said finally speaking up.

I shook my head. "I came here to see Jer and I'm not leaving until I can," I said crossing my arms.

"Rory stop being so childish. Let's go."

"No."

"Rory."

"Nope."

"Aurora."

"Not leaving." I sang.

"Guys, you're starting to make a scene, come with me to the kitchen and we’ll talk about this."

I sighed and started following him. It was better than nothing. Just as we were about to enter I saw a door to the right of me. A man in a leather jacket and boots walked out, he kinda looked how I imagined Derrick would. When he caught me staring he gave me a creepy smile before walking out of the bar.

I bit my lip, I had no doubt in my mind that that was the door to the basement. I turned to see Ryan and Derrick already walking through the kitchen doors. I made a quick dash for the basement door that was slowly swinging closed. I slipped in just as it shut.

I blew out a sigh of relief and turned around. I could hear a lot of noise down there and loud rap music. I bit my lip and slowly descended the stairs.

I knew they were around the corner as I could hear their voices coming from that angle. I gulped as my foot met the last step.

It was dark and kinda had a musty air to it. When I finally rounded the corner I wasn't noticed straight away.

I looked around for Jer and wasn't happy when I found him. The place was a mess of beer bottles, wine glasses, and red solo cups, a few round tables scattered around the place where men sat drinking smoking and gambling. I was pretty sure it was illegal to smoke in here and it took everything in me not to snatched all their cigarettes and put them out. Random girls were everywhere, they wore skimpy clothes and some wore topless-ugh. They hung off of men's arms or sat on their laps. The music was even louder and I was surprised it couldn't be heard from upstairs.

Jer was at the far end of the room, his legs stretched out in front of him, some blonde girl on his lap and a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips as he talked to another guy.

"Hello, dear." Someone said from beside me. I jumped in fright and backed up, my shins hitting the stairs. This guy looked to be in his thirties. He wore a black short-sleeved t-shirt showing sleeves of tattoos on both arms and covered his massive biceps.

"How did you get down here?" he asked me but I had feeling it was a rhetorical question as he looked at the door above."That stupid kid can't do anything I ask him to."

I gulped before deciding to speak up, I didn't want Derrick to get beat up because of me.

"H-he tried to stop me but I ran when he was distracted with a customer," I said in a small voice.

The man raised his eyebrows."So you purposely tried to come down here?" he asked and I nodded.

"Do I know you? What's your name?" he asked.

"Aurora."

"And what can I do for you?" he asked crossing his arms with an amused expression.

"I-i-"

"What the hell do you think you're doing here?"

I almost leaped two feet in the air and turned to Jer who looked beyond furious.

"Princess answer my question. How did you get here?"

I kept silent and bit my lip.

"Princess?"The man asked. "I thought your name was Aurora....unless..." he smirked.

"Is this your girl, Jeremiah?" The man asked in amusement his eyes switched from me to Jer in amazement."You finally found yourself a lady?"

Jer glared at him and grabbed my wrist, pulling me to him and away from the curious eyes of everyone who had turned to see what was going on.

"I've gotta go," he mumbled and was about to pull me up the stairs before the man stopped him.

"Now Jeremiah, aren't you going to introduce Princess to us? Wait! Weren't you just sucking faces with Stacey over there?"The man asked before he laughed loudly.

"My names Shawna.....not that anyone cares." I heard in the distance.

Jer glared at him so hard and I removed his grip from my arm forcefully in anger and disgust.....and maybe a bit of jealousy.

"Oops!" The man said when he noticed my gesture, he covered his mouth with his hand in a girlish manner which didn't really look right on someone like him."I wasn't meant to say that, was I?" he asked before letting out another bark of laughter and some of the other men laughed too.

I rolled my eyes.

"Go to hell Jacob." Jer snapped.

"Jer I don't think that's any way to talk to your boss? Or what do you think Aurora?"

All eyes were on me. My cheeks flushed and I looked down.

"Isn't she cute? A little too innocent for you Jer, don't you think?"

"I'm leaving, "Jer said through gritted teeth before grabbing my wrist again and walking up the stairs.

"See you later Jeremy. Hope to see you again Aurora!" The man called after us.

Once Jer closed the door he turned to me with an angry expression.

"What in the world were you thinking?" he asked furiously.

I stared him down with my own furious glare. "Don't you dare talk to me like that Jeremiah. You lied to me! You told me you only got high once, that you were helping your cousin Derrick and now I find out that he's actually helping you? You're part of some drug dealing business?"

His expression changed to one of guilt.

"And I finally thought I had a friend, someone I could trust, I really care about you Jer, do you know that? I'm so hurt and angry at you but I was still worried about you. I still did everything I could to find you! To make sure you were okay! I-" I stopped and shook my head. "It doesn't even matter, you obviously don't care."

"Aurora you know I do," he said walking closer with a pained expression.

"Do I? I mean all you've done since we met is lie! Every time I think things are going great something else just comes up and spoils it all. Because of your lies."

"Princess, let me explain-"

"Explain? Are you really going to explain or just tell me some crap to keep me happy?"I asked.

His mouth snapped shut and I shook my head. "Unbelievable."

I was about to turn away. "Aurora you don't understand. I have no choice, I have to do this?"

"Why?"

"Because..."

I crossed my arms. "Go on, I wonder what story you'll tell me this time."

He glared at me."Because Aurora, I need the money."

"Then why don't you just get a real job?"

"Because I need big money, fast. I wouldn’t even earn a quarter of what I need working at a convenience store."

"Why do you need that kind of money?"

"I can't tell you." He said looking down. I sighed exasperatedly.

Ryan and Derrick came out of the kitchen just then.

Ryan glared at me. "I can't believe you went on your own."

Derrick glared at me too."I can't believe you went at all!"

I looked around me seeing three men who weren't so happy with me at the moment.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry."I said putting my hands up in surrender. I admit it was kind of stupid, I mean, anything could have happened when I went down there especially if Jer hadn't been there.

"I'm gonna get my ass kicked." Derrick sighed in defeat. Ryan patted his back in sympathy, even though I knew he didn't like him much.

"Sorry, "I mumbled again. "I wasn't really thinking, I just did it."

Derrick smiled at me. "Hey, it's fine, it could be worse, I couldn't stay angry at such a cutie anyway," he said winking at me again. I blushed and Jer grunted.

"Let's go, Princess," he said. I was just about to protest but Ryan beat me to it.

"No, she's going with me." Jer gave him a look as if he had just noticed he was even there.

"I'm sorry, you are?" he asked sizing him up.

I rolled my eyes."Ryan. Millie's boyfriend."

He seemed to relax with that information.

"Well whatever, she's coming with me."

Ryan's glare hadn't wavered. "I said she was leaving with me. I'm not letting her go with someone who is probably drunk and high at the moment."

I knew this probably wasn't the time but I couldn't help but smile. It was nice to have someone like Ryan, he looked out for me, he was like the big brother I'd never had.

"Who gets drunk and high at the same time? And for your information, I haven't drunk or smoked all day."Jer gritted out.

Ryan scoffed. "And you expect me to believe that?"

Derrick sighed and turned to me. "Hey, we've got some leftover cake from this afternoon. Want some?"

I watched Ryan and Jer argue for a minute before shaking my head. I smiled and nodded. How could I deny cake anyway?

I think I'm gonna like this Derrick guy.