Thank you so very much for all the reviews! I'm glad it's sparked some curiosity!

Prom is officially the epitome of hell. Gah I really am dreading tonight. Drama rocks in stories but in really life it's a pain in the ass. It hasn't really gotten dramatic yet but I bet it will and it's honestly the most stressful thing ever. Ugh whatever sorry about my prom ranting I'm just glad I've only got a month left of high school. Crap that's kind of scary though. Too many dilemmas.

Blah well... anyway nothing to really say about the story I just hope you like it and as always please enjoy!

Back To The Streets

Chapter Two- Bittersweet Girl

I spent way too long in the shower but I was really, really dirty. I stood in there until the water running off of me wasn't brown and muddy anymore even when the water was freezing. Then I stepped out of the tub, dried myself off and threw on the clean clothes Billy had left me on the sink. The shirt was more like a dress on my thin frame and the jeans were an old pair of Joe's. I could tell that by how long the legs were but they fit pretty well at least. I picked up my dirty clothes and took them over to the sink where I washed them up best I could and left them on the side of the tub to dry. I then crept out to the fridge and rummaged around sadly only finding old take out and a lot of beer. I grabbed a can and turned to look through the cupboards only to come face to face with Bodie.

"Well look at you! You actually look like a human."

I glared at him and put a hand on my hip. "Speak for your self."

He smirked and rubbed a hand over his head. "Want a sandwich?"

I nodded then he turned and patted the counter top. I hopped up and sat watching him get out the bread, peanut butter and grape jelly.

"How's things?" he asked casually glancing at me with a small smile.

I shrugged. "Things."

"Still under the overpass?"

I nodded.

"With Mac?"

I nodded again as I fiddled with the charm bracelet on my wrist.

"Nova still around too?"

I didn't respond just sat and played with the bracelet. Bodie set the sandwich on a napkin and handed it to me.

"Thanks," I muttered and then devoured it in seconds.

Bodie laughed and grabbed two more slices of bread. "Want another?"

I smiled and nodded quickly. I popped open the beer can and took a drink. "You got any pills?"

It was Bodie's turn to glare. "Billy wouldn't like that."

"So I don't give a shit what Billy thinks."

Bodie shook his head and handed me another sandwich. "Talk to Heco if your desperate."

I had a feeling he'd say that. "Gotta bag or somethin'?" I asked between bites.

"For what?"

"My clothes."

"Uh yeah sure."

I finished my second sandwich and chased it down with the rest of the can. Bodie dug through his pockets and pulled out a stack of quarters and placed them in my hand.

"At least wash them properly and dry em," and then he pressed a couple of bills into my hand. "For Heco."

I smiled at him and nodded. "Thanks Bodie."

"Yeah but Rose watch out for yourself. I'd rather you weren't next."

Bodie got me a trash bag and I took the bag and my clothes down the hall to the washer and dryer. I sat on the dryer as my clothes swirled around the washing machine and stared at the bracelet. Minnie was gone. My beautiful baby Minnie was gone. She never even believed in violence. She was sort of a hippie like that and ironicly that's what took her. The charm on the bracelet was a tiny Minnie Mouse.

When I found Minnie she wouldn't tell me her name all she did was mess around with that Minnie Mouse charm. So I called her Minnie and told her she could come live with me. She refused to speak or even look away from the charm for that matter but I caught her following me all the way back to my "home." At that time probably around a year ago I was living in an old abandoned house near the train tracks. Mac ran up to me and jumped straight into my arms.

"Rosie!" he squealed excitedly.

Mac was a baby too. Now days he was closer to ten but he was only seven when I first found him. Nova was smoking in the corner upstairs on the second floor. Nova was much older than any of us, in his twenties but he knew a lot. He'd seen a lot. He took care of us. I went and sat beside him after setting Mac down.

"Hey who's that?" Mac hollered as he pointed towards the stairs.

I got back to my feet and peeked around the corner. Minnie was slowly backing down the stairs. I smiled brightly at her.

"Welcome home baby," I greeted as Mac's head popped around the corner and he ran up to her, grabbed her hand and led her over to Nova.

I sighed and looked up from the bracelet only to jump in surprise at Billy who was leaning in the laundry room doorway staring at me. He smirked and continued to stare.

"You know you could warn me or something'," I snapped.

He glanced down at his boots and then back up at me. "You lookin' for pills?"

I opened my mouth to say some smart ass thing until I realized I had nothing to really say and closed it again and stared back at him.

"What ya need 'em for?"

I shrugged and looked towards the ceiling. "Numb the pain."

He walked over and stood in front of me placing a palm on each side of me. "Your not gettin' any."

"Come on Billy just a few," I begged wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

He leaned forward his lips barely inches away from mine. "Hum... Nope your not."

"Why?" I exhaled keeping my gaze away from his.

"You know why," he hissed wrapping a hand under my jaw and stroking it then trailing his fingers down my neck.

"What about a little smack?... please ... just a little," I pleaded finally looking up into his eyes.

His hand wrapped around my throat and he squeezed making it hard for me to breath.

"Billy!" I gasped in frustration. Not this damn game again. This was getting old.

"You even look at Heco and I'll snap your neck got it?" he threatened slamming my back up against the wall.

I nodded as I tried to pry his hand off but he was too strong.

"Good girl," he smirked and let me go. I landed back on the dryer with a thump and gasped for air and I rubbed my neck. I'd certainly have bruises in the morning.

Billy was halfway out the door when I spoke up even though I shouldn't have. "Just a tiny bit."

He growled, really he growled like an animal but I wasn't really surprised.

"Please," I spoke again. You'd think I'd realized I was pushing my luck but really what did I have to lose.

"Stay here," he groaned and disappeared out of the doorway.

I smiled contently and went back to playing with the charm bracelet.