I love yous, just wanted to remind you all 😩
I woke up around 9 at night and quinn was gone, so was my aunt. but I heard my parents arguing, they tried to keep it quiet but i could hear them. they never argue, it's weird hearing it. I heard the door slam and my mom came downstairs
eli: ...oh, hey virgin
she smirked
josiah: I was hoping you wouldn't see that
eli: well, at least I know you're not being a whore
kairi: but it means he has no game
my dad came downstairs
eli: you certainly know about having game, huh?
she crossed her arms and didn't look at him. he looked at her and then looked back at me
josiah: ..
kairi: so let's talk about it
josiah: im not talking to you about my nonexistent sex life
kairi: I meant about you getting high
I sighed
josiah: it was a one time thing, I swear. I just wanted to experience it so I did, and I didn't like it so i'm not gonna do it again I swear
kairi: ...fine
eli: what?! you're letting him off the hook?! hell no, you're too soft on him. if my mother found my shit she would've grounded my ass for life
kairi: k but we're not your mom, I can parent how I want to
eli: ..see this is what I mean
kairi: you-
my mom walked back upstairs and my dad sighed
josiah: ..are you guys okay..
he looked at me
kairi: uh.. yeah.. yeah, we're fine
josiah: ..
kairi: go get some sleep, you have school tomorrow
he ran his fingers through his hair and went to the kitchen. things were off, but I wanted to give them some time to figure it out before I stepped in. plus, my mom is scary when she's mad.
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quinn: im so sorry aunt and uncle, I wasn't thinking straight and I did a stupid thing. I promise I won't ever do anything like that again
I was trying not to laugh at the way my aunt kayla was pushing quinn's head down to bow in front of my parents
eli: im honestly just mad you didn't give me and your mom some
kayla: girl stop!
my aunt nudged my mom and they laughed
josiah: okaaay we gotta go to school now, let's go quinn
I grabbed her arm and we left
quinn: bye!
kairi: have a good day at school!
eli: don't do drugs!
kayla: tell andy he still owes me money!
we ran to school and laughed over how high we were yesterday. quinn kept replaying my video and we sang along with it. we got to class and everyone was laughing at me. I didn't mind my parents or quinn laughing at me, but when others do it, it's not so fun. I brushed it off and went to go sit next to lisette
josiah: good morning
lisette: ..
she had her hands in her lap and was looking down. she had a patch on her cheek and she had a cut on her lower lip. I could see purple marks on her neck as well.
josiah: are you okay?
she slowly nodded her head
josiah: are you sure?
yet again, no response. I tried to put my hand on her shoulder
josiah: ..if you need to talk to s-
lisette: don't!
as soon as my hand came in contact with her shoulder, she flinched and smacked it away
lisette: ...
she looked startled
josiah: s-sorry I-
she furrowed her eyebrows and went to go sit at the empty desk up front. quinn stared at me in confusion, so did the others. lunch came around and lisette was the first one out the door, quinn and I were the last ones out
andy: don't worry bud, you'll get punani some day
josiah: I hope you get fired
quinn: oh, you still owe my mom her money
andy: I was hoping she'd forgot about that..
we walked out
quinn: I think we should get ice cream after school
josiah: I can't today
quinn: what? why not?
josiah: I have an interview
she gave me a questioning look
quinn: for what?
josiah: um a job?
she stopped walking and stared at me for a second. then started laughing
josiah: what
quinn: haa... y-you're serious?
josiah: why would I joke about it
quinn: I mean.. why would you get a job
josiah: I wanna earn my own money
quinn: your parents give you money
josiah: I don't want their money
quinn: give it to me then!
josiah: you're stupid
we kept walking
quinn: where are you going to work
josiah: 7/11
quinn: pfft-
she covered her mouth
josiah: bitch at least im doing something, unlike your lazy ass
quinn: im aspiring to be a hero, I dont have time to focus on anything else
josiah: such a lame excuse
I lightly pushed her away from me
quinn: does that mean I get discounts?
josiah: you can afford the whole price, cant you?
I looked at her
quinn: you bitch
we were walking through the halls and I saw lisette coming out of the bathroom. her eyes, red and puffy. she walked past us without even looking in my direction, as if I wasn't even there.
josiah: can you get me lunch from the cafeteria? I really need to use the bathroom
quinn: sure
she walked away and I walked towards lisette. she went inside an empty classroom
josiah: lisette?
she got startled a bit and then her expression calmed down after realizing it was only me
lisette: what do you want
josiah: I just wanted to see if you were alright.. and to apologize to you
lisette: apologize?
I walked over to her and she stepped back, I kept my distance
josiah: I'm a very um.. handsy person, n-not in like a pervy way!
lisette: ..
I panicked
josiah: it's just- I tend to show my feelings through touch.. if that makes sense..?
lisette: mhm..
josiah: I realize that not everyone likes to be touched though so.. sorry for putting my hand on your shoulder earlier, I overstepped.. sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable in any way..
lisette: ..
she stared down at her feet
josiah: um.. that's all, sorry for following you
I turned around to leave the classroom and bumped into a wall. I let out a small "ow" rubbed my forehead, awkwardly laughed it off and ran out of the classroom
lisette: pfft..
after school ~
Bryan: i'm a virgin!
Ulysses: i never watch porn!
Derek: never did drugs!
they walked passed, mocking me
josiah: ha ha ha, very funny
i rolled my eyes and quinn and I kept eating
quinn: i'm so glad I didn't say anything stupid when we were high
a group of girls from our class walked by and slid a can of re-fried beans over to quinn. I laughed at her and she rolled her eyes
quinn: i'm leaving
josiah: oo I gotta go as well
quinn: here
she got on her tippy toes and gave me a kiss on my cheek
josiah: ...
quinn: for good luck
she smiled and left to her dorm. I stood there in shock, in the past 15 almost 16 years of us being best friends, I have never gotten anything like that from quinn. I touched my cheek and chuckled a bit.
~
Mrs. Lee: alright kid, just cause you're the son of two top heros doesn't mean I'll treat you like you're some royalty, got that?!
josiah: y-yes!
I bowed
Mrs. Lee: here's your first customer, show me what you got
I heard the bell jingle and in she came, the one and only quinn. she had a hoodie on, a hat and a mask. I tried to keep a straight face. she walked around and got some snacks then plopped them down on the counter
josiah: do you have a phone number with us
quinn: nope
josiah: that'll be 422 yen
she handed me the money, I gave her the change and handed her the bag
josiah: have a good day
quinn: you have a better one
a smile was creeping up on my face. I cleared my throat and turned back around to the little lady
josiah: how'd I do!
I smiled at her and held my hands behind my back
Mrs. Lee: you did alright, watch the store, I need to go run some errands
josiah: i won't let you down!
Mrs. Lee: better not, or you're fired
she left and I stood my ground at the cash register. customers came in and out, it was around 8 now and Mrs. Lee was sleeping on the chair beside me. two girls came in and eyed me, then giggled to each other. I heard the door open again and there she was, lisette. she looked at me and took a double take. I kind of laughed and waved at her, she looked away and went to go grab some canned food. the girls came to pay and lisette was behind them
girl 1: you're Kairi and Arely's son, right?
josiah: mhm
I said as I scanned their stuff
girl 2: you're much more handsome in person, you know that?
josiah: thank you
I smiled at them
girl 1: why are you working here? aren't you rich?
I made eye contact with lisette, then looked back at the two girls.
josiah: ah.. I just wanted to make my own money
girl 1: a hard working man, I like that
she came closer, I backed up while forcing a chuckle. she took my hat and put it on
girl 1: how do I look?
she smiled at me
josiah: can I have that back?
girl 2: oh come on, she looks good doesn't she?
josiah: I need to attend the next customer in line, please just give it back and pay-
girl 1: I think i'll keep it, like a little present from you to me!
girl 2: you should take a picture with him!
girl 1: oh yeah-
lisette reached up to the girl and took my hat off of her, then placed it back on my head
lisette: pay for your shit and leave
they looked at her and then down at her clothes
girl 2: who are you?
girl 1: you can tell me what to do once you get a sense of style, or at least a better face
they scoffed at lisette and turned back around to me
josiah: i'm gonna have to ask you two to leave.
girl 2: haha! ...you're joking right?
I slide their things behind the counter
josiah: please leave or i'll remove you myself
I smiled at them. they furrowed their brows and left
lisette: who knew you could be passive aggressive
I chuckled and scanned her things
josiah: thank you
lisette: I didn't do it for you, I just have places to be
josiah: right..
I slipped in a discount, hoping she wouldn't notice and lash out on me
lisette: ..thanks, I actually didn't have enough for the regular
thanks?! oh wow, big step
josiah: y-yeah! no problem..
she handed me the crumpled money. she checked the time on her phone and left with the food in a rush. Mrs. Lee's alarm went off and she woke up with one last loud snore
Mrs. Lee: good you're still here, go home, i'll close up
I took the vest off and hung it up
Mrs. Lee: good job today, take these
she handed me canned peaches
josiah: mh!
I hummed in response, bowing. I left the store feeling pretty accomplished, my first actual job.. wow. I saw lisette running and turned the corner. last time I followed her she ended up yelling at me.. but we ended up hugging. she looked scared back at the store, not to mention all the bruises and scratches on her face and neck. so there I went, followed right behind her. she got to this little beaten down house and went in. I sneaked towards the door window and peeped in. there was a woman, i'm guessing her mom, passed out on the couch and there were multiple needles and beer bottles on the coffee table
matthew: you're late, again
lisette: t-there was a long line at the store..
she looked scared while talking to him, her head hung low. he moved her hair out of the way and caressed her face. she looked uncomfortable, then his hands moved down to her chest. she took his hand away and he grabbed her by her hair, my heart dropped.
lisette: please dont-
matthew: shut the fuck up! take your clothes off and go lay on the kitchen counter, like the slut you are!
I reacted without thinking and knocked on the door. I heard their arguing stop and the door opened up
matthew: can I help you.
I want cookies