Hey guys :D pic of Marge to the side played by Dolly Parton
not edited
Somehow today I had gotten the day off, much to my dismay. I definitely appreciated Marge's rarely given day-offs, and yet despite them, I found myself wanting to work even more to earn more money.
I had shabby little apartment with the living room the size of a cubicle that could only fit a couch and an old TV that sat on an old rusted stand. My bedroom wasn't much bigger. The kitchen was adjacent to the living room and I usually ate there on the counter or on my small brown couch. Could you honestly blame me for wanting to make money?
My job was all I had. I didn't have a fancy education, but that didn't mean I wasn't well educated nor did I disrespect learning. I was a bit of a book worm, and if I could, I'd save up some money to go to the library. As much as I enjoyed novels that filled my brain with scenarios of different worlds, most of my time was spent at the diner, working day and night.
I sat on my couch and laid back. What could I possibly do today? Rent was due soon and I was barely able to get by last month. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Soon, my sleep deprivation caught up with me and I was sent into a deep slumber.
"Mommy?" I asked, squeezing her pinky tighter as we ran through the street. Her sunlight blonde hair whisked past her as she dragged us through the tight alleys of Chicago. Last night's rain left behind it's usual scent, filling my lungs with damp rubber and cement.
"Mommy, where are we going?" I asked her. She glanced back at me, her blue eyes frantic and nervous. She quickly stopped us and leaned down in front of me. Her curls cascaded in a mess behind her while small spots of sweat formed at the hem of where her red beanie ended.
"It's going to be okay Venus," She whispered, but she sounded like she wasn't talking to me, rather herself. I frowned and noticed the way her shoulders shook, the way the bags under her eyes seemed to age her dramatically.
"Mommy-" I whined, exhaustion seemed to be nipping at my heels.
"Sh, c'mon honey, we're going to be okay." And with that she turned her back to me and started to walk. "Mommy, slow down!" I whined, begrudgingly trying to keep up with her. A car door slammed from the street over, men beginning to shout.
"Venus, run!" Confusion gripped me, and I was dragged once more, but this time felt more urgent.
I woke with a jolt. I didn't even realize I'd been holding my breath until my lungs started to burn. I looked over at my cracked phone, picked it up and stared at the time. An hour down the drain. I sighed and took a breath, pushing back the memories. I was being ridiculous. I had to find something productive to do with my time.
I frowned. Why not visit the library and see what there is? Sure I couldn't afford books, but no one said I couldn't sit down and read that at my leisure.
I got up, grabbed my keys from the white counter, and made my way outside. I took a whiff of the cold air and glanced down at my attire. Leggings and a running tank top. It would have to do. Shutting the door, I walked down the steps of my unfortunate looking apartment and began my journey to the book store.
I walked with my hands swaying at my sides, thinking about my dream and shockingly, Demetri invaded my thoughts. One second I was thinking about my mother dragging me down that old, suffocating alley, and then I'd picture Demetri leading me out. Everything about my mother screamed unpredictable, irresponsible and reckless. The same went for Demetri, but I couldn't help but feel indifferently - like he knew what he was doing.
I sighed and wondered where both of them were now.
I hadn't even realized how deep into my thoughts I'd gotten until a loud, ear piercing noise rang through my ears. I turned my neck, and didn't have time to react to the enormous Peterbilt truck heading for me. I froze, and waited for immediate pain.
I opened my eyes, noticing I was on the ground. My cheek burnt as though it had been struck with a red hot poker, and my palms were pressed against the charcoal road. My back ached, but shouldn't it have hurt more? Confused, I pressed myself up, attempting to get up.
"Easy there." Someone snapped at me. Feeling a familiarity with the voice, I turned my head around, despite the pounding my skull. Demetri was sitting on the side of the road with me, but he seemed just out of breath rather than hurt.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" He hissed, his tone like venom. I shrank back at him. "Me? What did I do?" I retorted, crossing my arms. I glanced around us and noticed a few passerby's watching us with wondrous eyes. Demetri stood up slowly, flattening his black pants, straightening his black tye, and lightly pulling on his suit hem. He was over all dressed fancy, as though he'd been in some important business meeting.
"You walked right in the middle of the damn road, don't you pay attention?" He rasped, gesturing towards the huge truck that strode off into the distance. I grit my teeth, feeling embarrassed.
"Well, I . . I was paying attention, I just, I had to stop to think, that's all," I said, standing up on my own. I stood up, feeling my legs buckle. His hand shot out under my arms, keeping me propped up.
"C'mon," He grunted. I frowned but didn't say anything. He pulled me off the street, and began to walk around the corner. I looked down, noticing his touch still on my arm. A small tingle raced down my arm and down to my curling toes. I ignored the feeling and continued to walk.
He pulled us to the side and near a building. He opened the scabby seaweed door, letting us in. A metallic scent filled my nostrils. I hesitated, catching my breath. "What is this place?" I asked, blinded by the dark. Demetri, much to my surprising dismay, let go of my arm, leaving me to stand on my own. His footsteps disappeared, making me feel alone and vulnerable. A light soon flickered on, adding visibility to the room. I gasped.
It was beautiful to say in the least. He held a jazzy feel, what with the tinted orange lights streaming down from the tall ceiling. In front of me was a large brown sofa with tears and rips engraved in it's cushions. To the left of that was a a huge cherry drumset. The cymbals glared golden, reflecting the light of it's giver. Each drum was in perfect place, as though it had never been touched. Across the room was an abundant amount of guitars. All from which ranged from Bass guitars to some crazy looking thing with red streaks.
Then there was a spiral staircase leading up to a secluded room with an over view of this one.
"Wow," I breathed. "It's my brother's old studio," Demetri said, walking in with a kit in his hands. I studied the red cross, and muttering an "oh". I stared at him as he sat down on the couch. He pat the spot next to him. I examined it, wondering if he often brought girls he saved from both thugs and huge trucks to this underrated place.
"I don't bite," He said with an amused smile. My heart skipped but I told myself it was from the adrenaline of nearly being flattened to a pancake. I walked over, sitting beside him and sinking into the grubby, yet comfortable couch.
"You've got a scratch on your forehead," He said, paying attention to the contents inside the first aid kit. I reached up, feeling something warm and soft. I froze, realizing it was blood.
He reached for a small rag, and a dark brown bottle, pouring some onto the white cotton.
"How did you-" But he pressed the rag on my forehead, making me wince as a sting began to take place. He kept it there, then began to dab. "Just disinfectant," He smiled lightly. I looked away from him, but kept an eye on him in my peripheral vision.
He gingerly patted the rag on my cut, and it soon didn't hurt. "Really though, what were you doing?" He asked, removing the bloodied rag. I frowned. Yeah, like I'd really tell him he was on my mind moments before I almost had my name written on a headstone.
"I just had things on my mind, that's all," I replied. He raised his eyebrows in disbelief but said nothing either way and looked for more things in the kit.
My stomach churned as I thought of what else to ask him.
"How did you . . I mean, you just . . . came out of nowhere," I replied. Yeah and apparently so did that truck.
Demetri tightened his jaw, causing it to slightly bulge out. I studied his tense frame. "I'd been at a meeting for work and was on my way home," He said, keeping his eyes averted. I stared at him.
"You're lying."
"What?" He seemed stunned as he stared at me with wide eyes. I smirked, feeling as though I had the upper hand.
"You have a car so you don't walk home, and you say you just came from a meeting but there aren't any huge companies nor buildings around this part of town, so I'm calling you out."
Why did he lie about what he was doing?
He smiled at me and seemed to be examining me as though I was a menu and he was figuring out what to order. My gaze shifted to the drum set, like it was arguably the greatest thing I'd lain my eyes on since sliced bread. "People underestimate you, don't they?" He asked with a light hearted roll of the eyes.
"People seem to," I replied, my voice coated in nostalgia as I remembered my mother and our crazy midnight "adventures".
"Here," He muttered. I snapped out of my thoughts, feeling anxious as Demetri's face was much closer than before, inches even. He lightly cupped my chin with his thumb and forefinger, and stared at my head. I held my breath, and listened to the sound of my racing heart. His other hand lightly brushed my head injury, and I realized he was sticking some bandages on me. His eyes seemed darker than before, and he was very focused on his task at hand. I looked down, noticing the openness of his shirt.
I couldn't help but peek down to reveal a set of nicely chiseled abs. I sucked in a breath of shock. "Are you alright?" he asked. It took me a second to find my voice. "Just hurts a little," I squeaked in a high pitch voice.
"Oh, my bad," He murmured, backing away. I felt disappointment nip at my skin at our loss of close contact. Was that normal?
"There, all patched up," He said the the click of his tongue. I lifted my hand to where I'd been hurt, and felt the roughness of a band-aid or two. "Thanks, you really didn't have to do that," I said with a sigh.
Demetri gave me a flat look.
"You hungry?" He asked. I nearly jumped in shock. I remembered it's been a while and I didn't eat this morning, so I glanced down at my stomach. "A little," I replied, looking down at my feet..
"C'mon," he said, standing up. He towered over me, the power of domination and authority came off him in waves. He outstretched his hand to me. I grabbed it, hauling myself off the couch. He clasped his hand around mine, and led us around the couches and fancy instruments, and into a small kitchen.
"Wow, this place just has it all, doesn't it?" I thought aloud. Demetri shrugged and led me to the counter. He let go of me, and made his way to a silver fridge across from a marble counter island.
"So," I started, hoping to find a conversation. "You still not going to tell me about the guys in that alley a few nights ago?" I asked, plopping myself onto the counter and sitting.
Demetri bent down into the fridge and didn't answer me.
"I'll take that as a no," I said with the roll of my eyes.
"They're just bad people Venus," He said with nonchalance as he pulled out a few containers. He turned and opened some cabinets.
"Well yeah, but . . ." I trailed off. Was Demetri much better? How would I know?
"Are they gangmembers?" I spurted out, then felt stupid for asking. My cheeks grew warm as I waited for him to answer. A small smirk broke through on his face. "Sort of."
"Sort of?" My heart raced at the thought of gang members trying to kill me. I imagined all the way that night could have gone wrong, and what would have happened to me if Demetri hadn't shown up. I shivered.
"They're not the brightest stars in the sky. Dangerous yes, but reckless and sloppy," He said, sending me a shrug.
"How do you know this?" Was I possibly in the arms of a gang member? My fear spiked.
"Yep."
"What-"
"Venus, I'm joking," He said with a huff. I gulped, and tried to calm my racing heart. "Not funny," I said flatly while glaring.
"Are you trying to look angry?" He asked as he poured stuff into a bowl and stared at me with amusement.
"Maybe I am angry," I said, crossing my arms. His eyes traveled down to my chest, and I realized the tank top I wore wasn't quite meant to be knocked out of the street. I pulled it up with little care for the fact he was watching, and sent him a pointed scowl.
He averted his eyes to what he was doing.
"Honestly though," his tone changed, catching my attention. "Do you just have a knack for getting yourself into dangerous situations?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." I grit my teeth. He stared at me like I was an idiot.
"Okay well do you have a knack for always being there when they happen?"
The question made him chuckle. "Touche."
Okay guys hope this'll do.
I know how the story will go so don't worry if the chapters are short, we'll get to goods soon ;D
Hope this was okay?
thoughts of Venus? Thoughts of Demetri?
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