Legs watched as all the students filing out of the school after the alarm blared through-out the halls and classrooms. She scanned the crowd looking at the confused and excited faces. She didn't see the mysterious girl that stared into her eyes moments ago. She smiled slightly, half hoping to meet her outside. She had seen many strange faces and small towns in her journey through the states, but nothing had caught her eye like this girl's eyes. Something intriguing and sweet lay underneath those eyes.
She walked quickly and deftly through the onrush of teens and confused teachers to the doors leading outside. She walked through the doors and glanced around. She found herself catching her breath as she spotted Maddy and Rita around the corner whispering and talking quietly by the bleachers. They didn't see her coming until she finally stood right behind Maddy and said "Hey". The two girls spun around in surprise; startled but relieved when it was just her.
Rita stared at her, amazed. "That….was…Phenomenal! You were such a bad ass in there! Holy cow! I am so on fire right now!" Laughing with glee and excitement, Rita was hopping around and dancing. Maddy smiled a small smile at Rita, and then moved her gaze to Legs, staring abashedly at her. Legs met her stare unflinchingly. Maddy said "How did you do all of that? How did you face him down like that?" A grim look on her face, Legs said "I stood up for Rita, as should you and every girl who has to go through that kind of sick abuse." Maddy looked down, feeling ashamed, and slightly sad that she disappointed Legs and not knowing why she felt that way.
Rita, breaking the silence, thrust her fists into the sky. Shouting" "FUCKING AWESOME! I am a Warrior!" Laughing quietly, Legs reached into her pocket and brought a cigarette to her lips. Flicking her lighter open she lit the cigarette, breathing in deeply, and blowing the smoke into the air. Rita brought her hand to her mouth, stifling her giggles as she watched Legs smoking. Rita said "Can I have one?" Legs held the pack out to her and Rita put the cigarette in her mouth, as Legs lit it for her. Rita, smoking like she had smoked a few before, stood next to Legs, and Maddy just smiling. Life was good.
Maddy stared at Legs, trying hard not to look uncool or rude but, not sure how to take her eyes off of Legs and her lips puffing on the cigarette. Legs glanced at Maddy, catching her eyes. Staring at her for a long moment, Legs held the cigarette out for her. Maddy slowly shook her head nervously, smiling not wanting to offend her. Legs leaned in slowly towards Maddy, staring at her, boldly as if looking right through her. Legs continued to move slowly in and still holding Maddy's gaze and finally reached to the side of her and put the cigarette out on the bleacher. Maddy's breath caught nervously and swallowing slowing, breathed a sigh when Legs moved away. Legs chuckled to herself, bend down and put her cigarettes in her combat boot. Noticing the crowd moving back into the school and Mr. Buttinger looking around furiously for them, Legs looked at Maddy again and Maddy glanced around until she found Buttinger starting towards them. Maddy hurriedly said, "Let's get out of here" Rita, Maddy turned around and started walking away from the school towards the road. Rita skipping alongside Maddy and Legs said, "We should hang out today, like find a secret hide out or place to be for the rest of the day. My mom is going to flip shit when she finds out I skipped school. I definitely can't go home. Maddy nodded listening, and said "My parents don't care, but they will ask questions. Maddy looked briefly at Legs, and not knowing why, but felt the urge to keep Legs with them another day, said "Well, I know of this abandoned house towards the edge of town, just inside the old Woods near the old Mill." No one uses it anymore and everyone stays away from it, except for the occasional vagrant." Turning and looking at Legs, hoping Legs would agree, Legs glanced briefly at her, smiling and nodded her head in agreement.
Maddy breathed a small sigh of relief. She bumped into Legs, shoving her playfully and laughing with Rita as they walked towards the edge of town.