Stellam Matutinam

Accompanying A Dealer

"Are you sure you don't mind me coming over, like I can walk h-"

"You're not walking home and as I said, I wouldn't have offered if I didn't want you over. Besides you said you don't have work until Wednesday and your apartment was broken into. If that were me in your position, I'd be staying out as much as possible." he repeats as we make it back into Willow's Peak, my eyes just catching the welcoming sign until turning my attention back to him.

"Alright but you tell me when to leave." I inform with a finger pointed in his direction to show I ain't f*****g around.

"Okay Lilly." he says nonchalantly with a hint of a smirk peeking its head.

"No I'm serious." I state with more seriousness in my tone now only he's still grinning smugly.

"I know." he goes on then takes a sip from his own drink of lemonade.

Slowing down outside a fully engulfed pitch black house thanks to him not leaving an outside light on before he left, I can just make out the smallish structure of the house and hope it isn't one of those modern homes where I'd break something inside easily.

Jumping out a sensor light flicks on to display his front yard as well as small undercover area extending over the front door area, a small wooden landing stretching out across the left side of his house with a small table and two chairs occupying the spare space where a large window displays what appears to be the lounge room.

At least it's sort of warm tonight, then again I'm probably still overheated from being in that f*****g car most of the night.

On the right side of the house is another grand window of the exact size showing his I assume bedroom with a large poster of some band I can't quite make out, the house itself made of horizontal planks of grey painted wood, reminding me of the place we stopped at to pick up the drugs only I doubt this place is a crack den.

The place however is a lot more homely than the crack den one we first picked up at with boxed hedges underneath both of the windows, with three cute little bushes sprouting beautiful white flowers growing in behind both of the hedges.

More boxed hedges but higher form at the back and sides of the house, covering the wooden planks completely and giving off the effect that the hedges are his actual fences. The gentle grey paved concrete path cuts through perfectly mowed front lawns, only to further connect with his driveway.

"Dude this place looks awesome, how do you keep it maintained?" I question as we step onto the wooden landing so he is able to unlock his front door made of a golden oak, the thing standing out against the rest of the house with a jet black tiled roof to really mix things up a bit.

"Thank you. I hire people to do my lawns for me while I take care of the inside. I don't really do much other than deal and sleep." he explains but for some reason I don't buy that is all he does for one second.

"Well the work you do helps I guess pay to have it done for you. So I don't blame you for not doing your own when you don't have the time yourself." I point out as I wait for him to unlock the door and let us in.

With a light turning on to brighten up a small walkway where I'm currently taking my shoes off at so I don't scuff up the polished cherry wood floorboards, I shuffle my socked feet along behind him when he starts giving me the grand tour of his home all while my eyes adjust to the harsh pastiness of his walls against the LED lights, the first room on his list to show me being his bedroom since it's one of the two rooms you can see from the front of the house.

Getting a better look at the brutal band poster and discovering that it reads Espermorragia, I make a mental note to give those guys a listen to since everything that Luca's put on tonight has been f*****g awesome.

His bed is a double which I wouldn't expect anything smaller, his doona cover a plain black one to go with his bedside drawer on the left side since the right side of the bed's pushed against the wall in the back corner.

A large chest of drawers of course the same colour as his bedside drawer is pushed to the opposite side of his bed where a large flatscreen sits mounted on top of it, a built in wardrobe next to the chest of drawers and a desk taking up the spare space on the other side of his room with an elite looking PC setup.

The floorboards thankfully end at the entrance of his room and is replaced with a semi-soft beige carpet yet the pasty white walls stay, my feet then forced back out onto the hardened floor to see what else his house has to offer.

"To the left is as you can see the lounge." he goes on as he points to the said room across the hall a few steps up, the area a little bigger than I expected with its three seater cotton couch pushed near the window opening up to view the front yard.

A fireplace is soon spotted to the far left of the lounge with a snowy oak coffee table stretched out in front of the comfy looking couch, a flatscreen along with a TV stand also found a few inches away from the entrance of the lounge room so that it's facing opposite the couch.

Foggy forest pictures at darkened hours of the night seem to be displayed here and there on his lounge room walls to really add to the place and make it less empty, my eyes almost losing themselves in the oddly beautiful art pieces before I'm distracted by Luca showing me the kitchen.

The kitchen itself is located at the end of the walkway we came through with another little hallway stretching from left to right horizontally in front of the kitchen's wide entrance to find that to your right is the bathroom and toilet, then to your left is his laundry and backdoor to the backyard.

Inside the kitchen is a basic modern type one with a decent sized oven and stovetop with a heap of bench space the same polished cherry wood as the floorboards, a kettle and microwave occupying some of the bench space with a double door fridge a nice shiny silver slid into the wall's cavity built for a fridge to go there on your right as you enter.

Another window sits above the kitchen sink to display his pitch black backyard, my attention grabbed yet again by Luca when he instructs me to follow him back to the lounge room, my feet doing a complete spin on the balls of my feet to do just that.

"Now that I've sold a fair few bags tonight, I'm gonna cap up the rest. Did you wanna help me?" he asks whilst motioning for me to sit down on the couch.

"Ah sure, you weigh it and I'll cap them. Only because I don't trust myself with the weighing up." I admit as I take a seat, the cushions indeed as comfortable as they appeared when I first laid eyes on them.

"Alrighty at least you're honest." he laughs then dumps his entire pocket contents onto the table including the bills he was unable to fit into his already fat arse wallet.

"I'll be back, just gotta grab the empty caps." he informs then disappears before I can even say anything.

Taking my time to glance around and eventually locking eyes on to the TV, I search around for the TV remote much like I did at Josh's then instantly halt my eye search when Luca returns with the said items including a baggie being thrown at me.

"They were left over from the last batch I sold you. It was actually pretty good stuff so I managed to keep a bit for myself. Lucky for you I had some left over." he goes on as I inspect the already capped up rocks of MD sitting patiently waiting for their big moment.

"Man I'm gonna have to shout you a day out or something. What are you into besides metal and PC gaming?" I question when I think back to the setup he has in his room.

"Umm I like a good rave here and there believe it or not. Just depends on the mood as well as weather and what drugs I'm taking that night. So if there's something like that I'll let you know since they can be pretty awesome at night time when everyone's painted up in glow in the dark paint.

"f**k yeah please, I haven't been to one yet so I'll be more than keen to go." I state and watch as he grabs out another set of rollie papers my eyes didn't register earlier off of the coffee table, before taking one out and cutting it in half with a set of scissors my eyes also ignored.

"What ya doing there bud?" I half-smirk with my cap still in hand.

"It'll hit you quicker this way. Here chuck us yours and I'll do the same." he says in unison with beckoning me to hand over mine.

Doing so he wraps both points up in separate squares of rollie paper like a dumpling almost before twisting them at the top to give off the impressions of little bombs, his a lot tighter and rounder than mine since my hands were all over the shop in the car.

"True, I didn't even think of doing it that way. I was just like, f**k it." I point out with a short chuckle pushed into my tone.

Laughing for a few seconds he's once again excusing himself for something only he doesn't take as long retrieving whatever it is this time since he's now returning with what appears to be two bongs.

"The empty one you can have since I'm not sure if you have one yet or if you needed a new one." he starts off whilst showing me a typical brand new glass bong empty of water, the other one he brought in with him appearing to be the one he uses at the moment since the water's a bit dirty though still clear enough to see through it.

"Dude you are a f*****g life saver, legit. I've been meaning to hunt down one of these but wasn't sure where to look." I admit then suddenly remember Josh's and how I was certain back then I could get one off him as well as weed.

Thank f**k I didn't go through with that. But at least he has the pot like he promised.

"Awesome, well here you go keep this with you. I'll give you a bag to take home so you're not carrying it through the lobby of your apartment complex." he chuckles when I take the object from him and place it to the far right of the coffee table.

"You really don't have to but I know all you're going to say is you know and that you want to." I state as if I'm repeating a mantra for the six hundredth time.

"Bingo." he grins with a click of his fingers in my direction which then turn to pointed ones, my eyes rolling though my smug smirk never falters.

Observing as he bends down to reach for something underneath the coffee table, the unmistakable sound of glass dragging against the floorboards ringing around the silent lounge room before noticing that it's his mix bowl he had stashed under there.

"Actually, you wanna fill up your new bong? Give her a go?" he suggests as he packs himself a cone and catches glimpses of me fiddling around with the empty caps which once had MD in them.

"I might hey, beats waiting for your slow arse." I taunt and automatically earn myself the bird, an evil snigger sounding behind me as I take the bong into the kitchen since that's where he pointed for me to do it.

Halfway through filling up the bong I get the all too familiar rush of my point kicking in a lot quicker than I expected, my hands having to hold on to the counter top for a few seconds so I'm able to ride the wave out.

"You alright?" Luca pipes up from his position in the lounge room, my shaky legs suddenly strengthening and eyes able to finally see straight.

"Yep, just composing myself." I call back with that cute loud laugh he does when I hit a genuine funny bone of his, filling the house and my cheeks with a crimson heat.

"Hit ya has it?" he snickers as I waltz in with the shiny new bong in hand, swiftly modelling it around like one does on a TV show.

"I take that as a yes." he answers for himself when I plonk my arse back on the couch with a beaming grin and eyes probably as big as the moon right now.

"Well if I'm more weird than usual that's because yes, it has hit me. But look! She's shmick." I clarify the already confirmed, Luca shaking his head before sliding the mix bowl in my direction and making sure to not knock the MD as well as scales off of the coffee table.

"Yes she is." he sniggers after staring blankly at his packed bong sitting right in front of him on the coffee table, as if kicking himself into gear he finally pulls it and sits the smoking thing back down and leaning back with a heavy sounding thud against the couch.

During another intense wave of euphoria I don't miss how shocked he is the longer he takes my bubbly form in, as if I've grown a second head the more he keeps glancing at his phone. Weird, might be a text he's trying not to freak out over in front of me.

Ripping another cone from my new bong, I soon retreat back to my small corner on the three seater couch as he f***s around with some music on his phone until settling on a song he feels suits the mood.

"Did you want me to move over?" he questions after a moment's assessment on my position, my head shaking as I swivel around to drape my legs over his.

"Nah it's cool." I bream before reaching for my flavoured water I managed to save the entire car trip.

With the both of us ignoring the fact that this is the most physical contact we've had all night, we still don't squirm in awkwardness like I assumed would happen, instead it feels nothing but natural with this guy the more we converse on what our plans are for tomorrow.

"Well to be honest sleep and talking to my mates tomorrow about the new house are the only things I have going on tomorrow. You?" I ask whilst handing him the mix and bong as I wait for his answer.

"Just a repeat of tonight only without the cool s**t at the end of it." he grins as he plays with the tightened bands of my tracksuit pants.

The touches soon reach beneath the ban so his finger can gently feel around the smoothness of my ankle, my heart skipping a few beats the higher he goes until throwing his head back against the headrest cushions and letting out a deep sigh, a small smile evident on his lips though I don't miss the quick rise and fall of his chest.

"What?"

"I really want to take this further, but I don't think I could do that right now. Especially since we're both high as f**k and I don't want you or I to regret anything you know?"

"I totally understand, I was only doing what made you comfortable."

"Oh I am, I just didn't want to give you the wrong impression."

"Don't stress, I get it."

Fighting back the subtle blush I have surging to my cheeks, I think that maybe it's best I don't get involved with Luca in that way just yet since I only just slept with Josh and made out with Nessa. I mean yeah they've f****d me over but I can't throw myself around like that! What would Viper think?

"I just-I really do care about you. This is why I am doing what I'm doing. That and I'm a little surprised you want to see me still, even after what I told you about my family." he goes on when the song changes and it's that moment's pause as the next one starts up.

"And I care about you, that is why I still want to see you. I don't care what your past is about, as long as you're safe and your parents make it out okay." I admit yet don't miss the guilt that's filling my entire being since I lied about my past and he told the truth on his.

I just wish I could be open to him as I was with Nessa.

"Look my debt and parents will be fine, I just worry about you being caught in the m-"

"I have places to go if I do. Don't worry I'm not stupid with these things." I remind him which instantly has him at ease.

"I forget you have a bit of a past yourself." he murmurs more to himself as he reaches over to pack himself another cone.

"Trust me, there's more to me than you know." I grin when he passes the bowl to me in exchange for the lighter.

"Oh I see, mysterious are we?" he smirks just when he's about to put the bong to his lips.

"Something like that." I chuckle and feel my smile falter a little for its mysteries I don't want him finding out.

With my legs still draped across his and his fingers have been replaced by a whole hand now underneath the pant leg resting over the bottom of my shin, my mind wondering if he's going to drive me home later or if I'll be walking since I doubt staying here the night is an option.

I mean it's not like I was planning on it, but after what he said it confirmed I wouldn't be. I just can't be f****d walking so I hope he can drive me.

"What's up, what're you thinking about?" Luca questions with a poke on my knee using his free hand, my eyes snapping out of their weird concentration on the bong waiting to be used.

"Sorry, you know when you hit a certain part of the night where you begin to zone out a lot?" I question with a quick drag of my hands down my face to wake me up in a way, once again forgetting about the mascara and closing my eyes in defeat.

"Ohh I hit that ages ago, but I'm good at breaking myself out of that when I feel it coming on. Did you want another point or some-"

"Nooo I've had enough of your stash for one night. I keep it up and you'll have none left." I joke as he helps me wipe away the smudged blackness smeared hallway down my cheeks.

"For some reason I highly doubt that, but you can give it a go." he laughs once his touches stop and I'm forced to break eye contact, something in his tone almost challenging but then again that's him f*****g with me.

"Funny, but for real let me know when you want me to head off. Only because it's reaching two in the morning and I don't-I dunno." I blush when I throw my hands half-heartedly in the air to emphasise how confused on what to do next, I really am.

"Well you're more than welcome to stay the night. I didn't say what I said just to give you the impression that I wasn't interested at all. I would like more than anything for you to stay the night, it's just I didn't know how you would take the fact that I don't want to sleep with you just yet." he confesses with his rubbing the back of his neck and eyes assessing my next change of body language.

"I'm actually relieved. I don't think I could be f****d walking home." I admit which instantly has him laughing and continuing his light tickle on my leg.

"I wouldn't have done that to you anyway, I would've driven you home." he informs as a serious look forms across his face, my heart fluttering a little at his words for the fucker really meant it too.

"Thanks Luca." I half-smile before a stomach twisting thought hits me. What if he's worried about committing in any way shape or form? Even worse, what if he's already with someone and is working out whether I'm worth his time or not, I don't think I could stick around for that either.

Wanting to ignore those thoughts since he was actually genuine in not wanting to make me do anything while being high, though I still remember the way he said he didn't want to regret anything either. Could be my paranoia but he seemed torn about something, wearing the exact same look I wore when I was battling between Josh and Nessa.

"Uh-oh you've signed out again, you wanna head to bed now? You did have work today, well yesterday actually." he grins and feel his body tense underneath my legs as he readies himself to get up.

"Maybe, I forgot about that part." I lie when I know for a fact it's been returning to haunt me all night, reminding me of my kiss with Nessa and pushing me more to spend my time with Luca.

"Come on, let's go." he chuckles and pats my legs for me to move so he can get up.

Following behind him and realising I'll be sleeping in his bed, I can't say I'm nervous for what if he gives in and we end up having s*x? Like I can't just brush aside years of abuse from Erica every time I get with a guy, it's not fair for I did genuinely enjoy Nessa's company before I found out what I did.

Having that constant battle with myself up until I'm under the covers with my clothes still on apart from my cardigan I'm now throwing on the floor, my body one again getting into a comfortable position with Luca's surprisingly firm body behind supporting me.

Wondering how a lanky-ish guy can feel like he's hit the gym every day of his life, my eyelids slowly start to pack on weight the more I melt into his boiling hot touch, his arms encasing around me in a protective barrier of some kind and sending me further into sleep's arms.

With the whole thing feeling like we've done this for years, he does surprise me when he kisses the back of my head before burying his face in my hair.

Closing my eyes with a smile and thinking back to how content I thought I was being in Josh's arms, I feel that now it was just something I needed for the night since I don't think I could go back to him. Not when I have this with Luca.

Falling to sleep with the protective warmth encased around me. The threat of the hostile one thankfully nowhere to be felt and come to think of it haven't sensed all night. Though I do wonder how long I'll be safe from anything until it's rearing its ugly head again.