Stellam Matutinam

A Happy Turnout

"Oh m-you really didn't have to do that Luca thank you." I blush as he gets back in the car with a packet of smokes and a bottle of Mountain Dew handed my way.

"I know but if I was gonna fill up I might as well get it from here. Besides, this is me saying thank you for coming along. The trip can really be f*****g boring so I can't imagine what it would be like for you. That and I kinda stopped you from going down the street." he explains whilst buckling himself in and starting the engine.

"Trust me Luca, it beats sitting at home. Not just that those items can wait." I almost murmur and fiddle around with the bottle's lid, my mouth watering for another sip though refrain from drinking it too fast for I don't want him making a million toilet stops.

"What about your friends?" he questions with a subtle frown on his brow, his eyes flickering from the windshield to the review mirror for a second before landing back on the road.

"They had work. Not sure if I told you that or not. But that's another reason why they couldn't stay. Even if they did, I'd still ditch them to hang with you. I still haven't had the chance to pay you back for those ca-"

"I told you, they were a gift." he intervenes with a small smile tugging the left side of his mouth.

"What, like the drink and ciggies?" I point out with a raised eyebrow and said items in hand to show him.

"Yeah." he smirks which in return earns him an eye roll and folded arms against my chest in defeat.

"A very expensive gift I m-"

"Money doesn't concern me, especially when I'm spending it on people who deserve it. I mean I understand I'm a random guy you've just met but I haven't met anyone like you since being here. Everyone's either too busy or not interested. Or the ones that are interested end up being not my type. So when I bumped into you and saw how sweet you were even after what I told you about me, you didn't change. Some girls who find out what I do only hang around for the drugs and end up screwing my mates behind my back, that's why I'm alone most times because letting new people into my life kind of scares me. With you, you reminded me of myself and how alone you looked that night regardless if you came from the pub with your new friends. I sort of knew that you'd be good company but had to confirm it more and I'm glad I did this evening." he finishes before rubbing his eye a little to play off his warming words are just casual ones to him, yet if he were in my shoes I bet he would've reacted different. I mean the guy admitted to actually being glad he met me and I think hinted that I might be his type.

He did just describe two things I'm not and that's I'll definitely never be too busy for him and will certainly never use him for drugs. I will only accept them if he offers them and if I ask to buy them, other than that if I see he's offering me too much I'll be forced to leave him money.

I mean I don't really but I want to show him that I'm not a using cunt like the others he has met in the past, I want to show him that the abuse I have taken has legit broken me and moulded me into a submissive little b***h.

Apart from that encounter with Erica, I don't even know what the f**k that was even all about, that rage was survival mode and I doubt I will ever see that side of me again.

"s**t Luca, way to go with putting me on the spot. In all seriousness though and sorry if this sounds weird in any way shape or form, but I'm glad we met the way we did. I'm also sorry for hinting you wanted s*x as payment for the caps. That's something I'm really hating myself for saying only because you haven't even given me a reason to think that. I'm really f*****g emb-"

"Lil I take it someone has asked for s****l favours as payment in the past?" he butts in yet his eyes never leave the road as he waits for my answer.

"Yeah he thought I was f****d up enough." I confess when memories of an old so called mate Paul tried making moves on me when I was f****d out of my mind on Ice.

That night really opened me up to the possibilities that I could have also been raped by a guy that night if I hadn't of left like I did, pretty much almost f*****g my relationship up with guys as well but am also glad he didn't push as far as trying to further undress me in his room.

"See what a f*****g dog, I'd never take advantage of women like that no matter how f****d up they were at the time." he snarls and clenches his fists on the steering wheel, for a moment my brain swearing my eyes witness the change of colour in Luca's, as if flashing a deep grey though I'm not sure if I'm hallucinating from lack of sleep.

"f**k man, I kinda wish I met you three years ago, then things wouldn't have turned out the way they did." I mumble softly when I think how much bullshit I could have avoided if I had of just f****d off here as soon as I was able to.

"Trust me I wish I do too but s**t happens for a reason. Well so they say. But anyway what else have you done today besides hang out with your friends? I'm sure this depressing subject is better left for another time." he chuckles lightly in hopes of changing the subject to a lighter one in my favour.

"Well I actually had my first day at my new job today." I explain chirpily whilst opening my new packet of smokes and offering him one a few times until he ends up taking the one I keep annoying him with.

"No fucken way, where at?" he perks up upon hearing me having a job, his full interest causing a blush to surface on my cheeks a little as I try and think of the Cafe's name.

I don't think this guy suits being in the drug world, he's too f*****g nice and people prey on that s**t man. I wouldn't know what I'd do if I found out something happened to him, I just hope he has a mean streak in him for he will need one when dealing with crackheads.

Then again if he didn't have a dark side to him then he wouldn't be here now. That or the people he is working for are making sure no one touches him since uncollected debts are just as important as shipments getting pushed.

So why not kill two birds with one stone and have the person that owes them push their product out for them? Less risk of them getting their best men targeted but also a little more work for them to keep Luca out of danger for his debt is still owed.

At the end of the day Luca could still end up in a body bag or forced to stay with whoever he's working for since he will know too much by then. f**k he probably knows too much already, and only at such a young age.

"Just some small café in town, Pine Café I think."

"Ah yeah I know that one. So you I assume work with a couple of them?"

"Yeah all of them, they actually got me the job."

"Oh that's alright then, I've always wondered what that place was like. Now I have a reason to actually go in."

For some reason that strikes me as odd considering I assumed he knew about the people inside. Like f**k me I'm pretty sure I still have to ask him if he's related to Nessa and all that.

"I know this is a weird question, but are you related to Janessa, Josh, Gorgonia and Vasilissa?" I squeak nervously since this could be a red flag for him that I might know his family here. Well possible family since he never mentioned he was related to anyone here.

"Last names?" he frowns in genuine interest which confirms he's classing me as a red flag and at any minute is gonna kick me out.

"I honestly don't know that yet." I confess in unison with trying to drag up any memory of seeing a last name anywhere but come out empty handed.

"Well even if you did know it, I'm not related to them. Why's that?" he grins and instantly I'm relaxing in my seat.

Man I have to stop being so paranoid about this guy. He's nice enough to thank me for my company so he'll be nice enough to tell me to also f**k off.

"Only because they speak the same language as you and thought, I dunno, maybe you're their cousin that's just moved from Italy." I trail off a little with shrugged shoulders and slight pout in my lips.

"Nope I'm definitely the only one of my bloodline over here, but it's good to know your friends are familiar with the Italian language. It would make it easier conversation wise." he chuckles along with my awkward one since I don't think I'd want that happening anytime soon.

Squirming at the scenario of Luca being face to face with Nessa and Josh, it's soon struck from my thoughts when Luca starts asking what else I've been up to since being in Willow's Peak, blurred thoughts of partying, the f****d up shadow person I saw at Nessa's family gathering plaguing my thoughts but choose to tell him about my possible new house instead.

"Oh s**t, nice." he comments with a half-smile and eyes on mine for a second to get a full view of his goddamn beautiful face that seems to pop up whenever I least expect it.

If God had Angels on earth this cunt's one of them, it's just also a bonus he's polite and caring enough to give a f**k about an ex-crackhead like myself.

Getting lost in his neck tattoo that's displayed for me on the side just as much as I do in his piercing eyes, I notice that the stubbly beard he has going along his jawline as well as around his chin and mouth hasn't lengthened or shortened since I last saw him, almost giving off the impression that's as long as it's going to get.

Though I don't mind it since it shows off more of his semi-pale skin with his stretchers taking a little of the attention away from his ink creeping up his neck and sprawling out on the backs of his hands and fingers.

Realising the slight scar on the bridge of his roman shaped nose, my mind is once again at work figuring out how that came about before realising he's waiting for me to continue on with the conversation.

"Only because my apartment got broken into today. Sorry I was thinking about something else for a second." I chuckle awkwardly considering he was the one I was thinking about who might have done it and still do, I just have to see how he further reacts. That and I was once again lost in his features, a guy I assumed wouldn't have even looked twice at.

"What the f**k, did you call the Cops?" he frowns with eyes fully on me, my body relaxing a little at the fact that he didn't pick up on my late reply.

"No because nothing was taken luckily. It looked like someone was trying to find something. But yeah my friends I work with were nice enough to hunt down a house for me to rent. I actually have to talk more about it with them tomorrow or later tonight. I'm hoping tomorrow because I just wanna to relax now and deal with it later." I sigh as I take the remaining puffs from my ciggie before squishing it out in the ashtray.

"Oh I hear you, but are you sure you're going to be okay?" he clarifies with one more worried glance in my direction.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't him. But I still can't be sure since no one says who they really are these days. I mean look at me, I'm a walking candidate.

"Yeah I should be. As I said they were only trying to find something which at first was my drugs but I ended up having all of those caps. So good luck finding those." I smirk as I rake a clawed hand through my hair, trying to play off the fact that my apartment was broken into as something casual when in reality I'm freaking the f**k out.

"That's good and all but what if they come back?" he goes on which is something I have already thought through and have planned out with Nessa much to my distaste for going back to her any way shape or form.

"Well we will just have to wait and see won't we? I'll be with you most of the night so if you want, you're more than welcome to come up with me and see if my apartment has been broken into again. That and I can call one of the girls to come over and make sure I'm okay." I assure him with images of Nessa creeping up to remind me of what went down between us at work today as well as Josh last night, my stomach only flips at the idea of having either of them over. I would rather wake Nia and Lissa up just knowing I'm not giving in to Nessa and Josh's f****d up game.

"I'd probably go with my company since it'll be late by the time we get back and if your friends have work, then maybe its best let them sleep. Not just that if you're confronted by whoever has broken into your apartment then there's more of a chance I'd be able to fight him or them off than just you and your girlfriend. Only because then I can see what I can do on my end since you clearly don't want the Cops involved, but if people do go missing you don't ask questions." he cautions with his fists yet again tightening around the steering wheel and eyes avoiding mine like the plague.

"I know it's weird but trust me, I'd find out more with your help than I would with the Police. Besides I know what help I'm asking for so I'm not stupid enough to ask questions I don't want to know the answers to." I reassure him which seems to unfreeze his tense form behind the wheel to one of shock.

"Okay fair point." he nods subtly though don't miss his surprise on how unnerved I am about his warning on me to not ask questions when people starts disappearing. If it's Ray and Dian then I hope it's their face's I see on the news.

"Thank you Luca. I really appreciate it, like I wouldn't be where I am right now if it hadn't of been for this town and the people I've met to get me here. It just blows me away that nice people do exist outside of hospitals." I mumble when I think back to Becca and how she was with me as well as Viper, my eyes locating the spot of the bracelet underneath the cardigan I'm wishing I could ditch right now.

"They do, it's just hard to find them." he states only his tone sounds as far away as mine.

Changing the subject to how far we are to our first pickup point, I'm back to thinking what Lissa said and how Josh and Nessa are sort of using me to get back at one another, I try and push those memories out and replace them with thoughts on how my new home is going to be.

I don't have much s**t to move but it's still the initial getting it all ready to move. Nia and Lissa of course will be the ones I call first to help me since I'll still be on blunt terms with Nessa and Josh, I just worry that Nessa's gonna call the whole house thing off since it is one of her Mum's places she's offering me.

Sooner or later I will have to go home and discuss it with them regardless if I silently don't want Josh and Nessa there. I can't avoid all of them, not when they've all done so much for me but at what cost to Nessa and Josh? Were they genuine about their intentions or were they all just to get me in their beds?

The last thing I want however is them worrying about where I am since they only think I hang out with them, and I certainly don't want Josh or Nessa finding out I've met another guy outside the circle for it will certainly form cracks in the group.

I just wish Josh and Nessa could see what I'm no finally starting to see.

*

"Okay give me a sec and I'll be right back. Now I'm warning you only because I don't want you freaking out, but if I lock the doors whilst you're inside it's because of your own protection. I've had people try and jump me legit outside of my dealer's place so, yeah." Luca explains as we pull up across the road from a surprisingly normal house since I expected some big fancy arse building with ten rooms and four toilets. Crazy, I know.

"Oh, f**k okay, um I'll just amuse myself with my phone." I smile whilst showing him my phone to further assure him I will be okay.

"Alright awesome, now if you need anything remember you have my number. So don't hesitat-"

"Awh look at you, getting all worri-"

Rolling his eyes and closing his door on me mid-sentence, I don't miss his grin and gentle blush on the car's side mirror as he makes his way across the road.

Taking in the navy blue roof and trim around the windows as well as the two large glass front doors, I take in more of the horizontal wooden planks the house is built out of and stained a nice light red oak, a step leading you up onto a small deck branching out only at the front of the house where a red oak railing supports the sides.

Not being able to see much else other than trimmed lawns and not much of a garden display, I finally look away when Luca's welcomed into the house with the door closing quite quickly so my eyes aren't able to see who it is that Luca's seeing.

With my heart racing a little with memories of sitting in cars from past deals, I somehow feel more protected with Luca even if he isn't here. I mean he did lock the doors as he said he would but the way he was warning me left a warm feeling inside me for no one has cared about me like that until now.

Knowing he wouldn't put me in harm's way, I know for a fact if he did he'd try everything in his power to make sure I got out alive.

More my mind wanders around to different topics my brain has to offer, Luca eventually returns reeking of Ice smoke mixed in with the unmistakable smell of bongs, a large grin spreading across my face when it dawns on me that he's just stepped out of a very maintained crack den.

"That was quick." I comment when I realise he was gone for about five minutes, his eyebrows shooting up quickly as a deep sigh rings around the car.

"You have no idea how fast I wanted to be. They kept offering me pipes and s**t but I had you in the car so I didn't want to keep you." he explains in unison with his car starting up and seatbelt clicking in seconds later.

"I get ya. Now what's next? Where is our destined location this time?" I ask as I cast my eyes to the now darkening sky, the sunset almost over and making room so night time can take over.

"Well now I have to stop off at a couple of more houses and drop a few things off. But first I wanted to give you this." he starts off then starts riffling around in his for something before pulling out a large bag of MD.

"I still have to cap it and s**t but you're more than welcome to break off a bit, just be careful to not rip the bag." he goes on as I assess the brown crystalized rocks in all different shapes and sizes chilling at the bottom of the large zip-lock bag, my brain wondering why it isn't wrapped up a little better before mentally shrugging it off.

"Thanks heaps, you sure you're okay with-"

"I wouldn't have offered. Besides if I'm making deals and s**t then the least I can do is give you something to make the time seem faster in my absence." he smiles when my hands are still halted at the top of the sealed bag.

"Alright but did you want any while I'm having some for myself?" I offer as he yet again fishes for something else in his leather jacket pocket.

"Yeah f**k it, do us up a bomb and one for yourself of course." he says while passing me a packet of rollie papers.

Tearing the flimsy paper in half the best I can, my next task is finding bits small enough to put into the small bits of rollie paper though I'm not having much luck since they're all quite chunky pieces, my fingers feeling around until managing to break off parts but still stuck with getting those smaller parts even smaller.

"You can use the end of my lighter and the back of my or your phone to try and break it up a little more that way, just try not to dint your phone. My phone I couldn't give a f**k about." he shrugs whilst throwing his eyes at the said device for a split second.

"Oo good one." I mumble in unison with getting my phone and the MD pieces ready.

"I usually have a scalpel or a razor when doing the finer s**t but a lighter works just as good when in situations like these." he informs when I pass him over his rollie paper wrapped guessed point, mine sitting in my hand for a few seconds as I put the MD in the glove compartment along with the rollie papers.

Passing him my drink so he can wash his down, I take mine a few seconds after and make sure I don't let it swim in my mouth for too long as my throat prepares itself, a slight shiver running through me at the texture of the wet paper sliding down my throat before hitting a part I can no longer feel.

"It certainly does help." I manage to get out after my sip and he decides to light himself up another cigarette, this time throwing me one of his much to my protest.

"Now the next stop is in about ten minutes so I can pull over and get you a phone charger? I realised we have different phones so you will need a Samsung charger." he points out a little further up the road when I read that my phone has abut fifteen percent left.

"To be honest I can wait until I get home to-"

"Trust me you will want to play on your phone when it kicks in and I'm making deals. I can't promise that most of them will be quick for some like to talk more than I like." he intervenes with a dry look to indicate he knows what he's talking about.

"Okay fine, but can I at least pay you-"

"Remember I don't care about money. I'm shouting you for this trip because it was a little short noticed. I mean I practically dragged you out in your tracksuit pants." he adds with a smirk which instantly has me blushing for I should have thought my actions through properly. Then again who knew I'd be sitting in the car with him?

Thank God it's my new pair though that actually look like a set you can go down the street in instead of those ones you see people wear with the flared out pant legs. I just cannot bring myself to wear those.

"Yeah I know you said that, but I grew up where money was a big thing." I admit when countless memories of Ray and Dian flaunting their money that was intended for me, come back in attempts to ruin my night.

"Well not with me, you'll find you won't have to stress about stupid s**t around me. The only time you have to worry about is when I just up and leave. That's when you know something's up but I wouldn't leave without telling you anyway, so if that happens it means I've been kidnapped. Sorry for telling you that but I thought if you know this much about me might as well tell you the dangers of having me as a friend. Not saying you have to worry but I'm." he then trails off as he gets that distant look in his eyes once again, his glowing pools locked onto the road as if it's playing a movie before him.

"Keeping me posted." I finish when he seems to have a hard time thinking of what else to say next.

"Yeah, exactly." he says quietly with a half-smile pulling at his moistened lips, a little swollen from him chewing at his bottom lip here and there whenever things got serious.