Same Game New Rules

C h a p t e r 3

The next day I take the gangless route to school where Court is supposed to drop me off.

Since last night she's been off and after seeing Hero I'm assuming she's witnessed the incident fristhand but is reluctant to come forward given her relations to him.

They weren't a couple, that titles goes to Terri Faucet the bargirl all the good guys want. Plus her family is secure money wise unlike all the others in the neighbourhood.

Very similar to my hometown in Australia but much colder and wet all the time. Some summers we were lucky to get one mill of rain.

"Chestershire, how are ya love?" Mickey D is a corner street seller, y'know, the guy you see if you want a hit of drugs, accessories or food.

All his possessions are hidden in those coats with pockets big enough to harbour migrants, "You have any e liquid to spare? Stash ran out last night." He nods, puffing on a cigarette making my eyes water from the smoke fogging the chilly air.

"How much do I owe you?" Taking a drag he holds up two hands dismissively, "No charge mate, you're my most loyal customer, that should last you a while." A stack of cartridges are casually slid in a discreet manner, I pocket the ink well containers in my leather bag.

"Have a big nigh'? You look like you hardly slept a wink." He is almost right, although I slept fine after Court and I reported a disturbance near the Chemist it didn't take long for police to arrive leading to relentless questioning.

It was five am by the time I collapsed on my beloved mattress. There was no use sleeping at that point. "Did you hear about the break in at the Bank near the Chemist on Pulitzer Avenue?" Mickey nods, pulling a grey holed beanie over pink ears.

"They say the bastards go' around fifteen hundred in to'al. Only one guy was assaulted though, me mate Don Ali." I remember the name, D always speaks highly of him.

Resupplying my vape pen as he talks I take a deep inhale of the nozzle, feeling instantly at ease while exhaling translucent white plumes. "That sucks, sorry to hear, makes me wish I got a good look at 'em."

Little did he know how good a look I got. "Alright, I got classes I have to attend, take care Mickey you're a legend." He loves when I use Aussie slang, says it reminds him of his brother who died in Vietnam.

I never learned why but I respect his privacy too much to pry to ease my idle curiosity.

We do our makeshift handshake which changes every time yet is somehow always in sync. "Don't work too hard." The words leave in smoke form quick to dissipate from the wind.

Coming up to the hustle and bustle of late arriving students a strange scene beholds me.

Hero leans against Terri's Dodge Viper, a model I know purely due to her inability to shut up around disinterested people. God forbid she let someone else get the spotlight for once.

He sniffs the air now rich in vape fumes, "Chester." Either he's talked to Court or has an impeccable memory considering we were introduced almost a year ago having never seen each other since.

Pushing off the bonnet he wipes a hand across his mouth, body language providing many signs of nerves or discomfort. His eye bags spoke volumes, the dark circles enhancing his intense azure iris.

"What were you doing last night?" I don't appreciate his accusatory tone.