It took one week to finish cleaning up the house.
Surprisingly, it wasn't so dirty upstairs. Maybe it was because gramps didn't really go there. He usually lied on the couch and slept with a bottle of whiskey in his hands. He wasn't an alcoholic or anything though. Or, at least I hoped so. I drank at times, but I wasn't addicted. In fact, I never got rip-roarin' drunk. Tony did, but I didn't. I don't like how drunk people act. Rubbing up on everything and shit. I really don't like drunk people, but I like beer. I don't find that strange at all, but Tony did. It didn't stop him for getting too drunk though. He can be a bit insensitive towards other people's feelings, even to me.
I was actually proud of our work. All the dishes were washed, the windows were clear again; the ground was trash-less. It even smelled good. Everything seemed perfect.
Except for the roof.
The roof still had a giant hole in it and Tony decided that instead of fixing it himself, he'll just hire someone. He found a guy roofing houses while wandering around and offered him extra cash to fix the room. The guy agreed. Tony was lazy at times. Since my grandpa was sleeping upstairs, it was my duty to stay home while he went out and got free time.
I stepped into the shower, and while the water ran down my body, I thought about things.
I bet Tony was gonna hit the bar or something and get drunk. Or meet new gangs that he could show off his muscles with. I hope he finds people that he likes. He had to sacrifice a lot coming here. His gang, his girlfriend, his reputation, his life. But mostly his girlfriend.
Her name was Liv Miller and she was the prettiest girl I've ever met. She was one of the 'richies', and her parents hated Tony. They were the kind of people that liked to act disdainful towards the lower class; the ones with little money. People like us. But their relationship still went on. She had long, blonde hair and her eyes were light blue that twinkled everytime she smiled. She was like a model. It's weird because Tony was never one to be in relationships. It was mostly one night stands, but Liv was different. She was strong and feminine and so smart. She was never judgmental of anything. She had it hard at home because she was always under pressure to get good grades, to look good all the time, to be on her best behavior. They were always shoving religion down her throat. I have to admit, I didn't like her at first because she was only using Tony to piss off her parents, but it turned into real love. She treated me like a little sister. She really was beautiful. I remember the hurt in her face when we told her we were leaving. I wouldn't tell anyone, but Tony cried that night. He never cried, but Liv really was someone special.
Once I was finished, I stepped out of the bathtub and wrapped a towel around my wet body. I dried myself and my hair and then ran into my room.
I liked my room just fine. There was a small bed in the corner and a closet. The walls were covered in posters of my favorite bands and movies I liked, and a few other of England. I've always wanted to go there. I also put a simple carpet in there too because the floor color was hideous. It was smaller than the room I had back in New York, but I didn't mind. I didn't do much in there other than to sleep.
I stepped into a pair of shorts and put on a white tank top and a red flannel. I grabbed a brush and combed through my wavy hair and tied it into a messy bun. I slipped into some black boots and headed down the stairs.
The door rang when I finished eating my breakfast.
I stuffed the rest of the bread into my mouth and ran to go answer the door. When I opened it, a muscular guy stood there, a supply box in his hands.
"I'm here to fix the roof."
His voice sounded rough and although he was smiling, his eyes looked hard and cold. He was handsome and looked very smart. I didn't mean to stare so much, but this guy was huge! His muscles were obviously visible through his tight, black shirt. He reminded me of superman.
"Come on in," I said and let the man in.
I showed him the hole and he went right to work. Boy, he sure was a hard worker. He didn't goof around or nothing. He just worked, and was doing pretty damn good. I just sat and watched. He was really big, like my brother.
'They'd be really great friends,' I thought as I sipped on Pepsi. 'They're both enormous.'
He was halfway done when I gave him a cup of coffee for break.
"Thank you," He said and gratefully took the cup.
I studied him for a while and said. "You sure look young to be fixing roofs. How old are you?"
"I'm twenty," He said. "And I've got to. I have two mouths to feed every day."
"Wife and kid?" I guessed.
"Brothers. They're my responsibilities since our parents are gone."
That's sad. It must be horrible to lose a parent. My mom and I don't get along but I wouldn't want her dead. I felt bad for him. He must have taken a whole load of responsibilities after they died. He didn't look twenty at all. He looked older, but too young to be fixing roofs. I'll usually see old men, in their forties, fixing and housing roves. He didn't exactly fit the description for a forty year old guy.
"So are you new here? I don't recognize you." He asked.
I smiled and nodded as I placed my Pepsi onto the counter. "Yup. I just moved here from New York with my brother."
I wondered if everyone knew each other in this neighborhood. It was like that back at home too. Everyone knew each other's names, their background, and all that itty bitty detail. It was like a family I've never really had other than Tony. It felt great to know that you were being surrounded with people that loved you. I think that was what my problem is; I craved people. I liked crowds. I never liked being alone.
"It must be a big change for you."
"You have no idea." I laughed.
It was about noon, and he was finished with the roof and I grabbed the cash from the shelf and took him to the door. I handed him the money with a smile.
"Thanks for the help," I looked at him, and tried to remember if he introduced himself or not. "Um…"
"Darrel Curtis. But you can call me Darry." He reached out his large hands and I shook it appreciatively.
"Thanks for the help, Darry. I'm Trish."
I watched him leave and wondered about things. He must really have it tough. I wondered what Tony would do if he had to take on full responsibility of me. If he had to take on a job to feed me every day. If he had to be the 'dad'. I really doubt he could do it. The sight of Tony being a dad made me want to laugh. But Darry had no choice. It was his life style. What was it like to have your parents dead? How did that feel like? It must be horrible.
Poor Darry.
I was getting bored of hanging out at the house all the time. It was time that I'd go out and hunt some action. I didn't like to sit around and do nothing, especially at the house. There was no action here.
That night, Tony told me that he was gonna take me to Buck's party. I didn't know who the hell this 'Buck' was, but from what Tony told me, he threw some pretty wild parties. I agreed to go along since I had nothing better to do.
I liked parties. They were fun and gave me something to do. I never went home after a big one, 'cause I'll fall asleep at their house and end up getting home around the mornings. Then mom would start her boring lectures and start yelling at us for being irresponsible bums. Ain't our fault.
Once we stepped foot into the house, I then understood on what Tony meant about the 'wild parties'. There were guys spilling beer on each other, girls dressed too little, crazy dancing, and everything that you'll normally see in a party, except 'wilder'. It even made the ones in New York look like shit.
"Tony!" A drunken slur reached my ears and I turned to see a blonde goof stumbling toward us, a can of beer in his hand. I didn't know whether he was drunk, or just plain stupid. Maybe it was both. "Who's the cutie?"
Tony didn't seem to be disgusted by him though since he gave the goof a slap on the back. "Hey, Buck! This is Trish, my sister."
So this was Buck. I wasn't too surprised. From past experiences, guys who throw wild parties aren't all that sharp.
"Hiya, Trish. So, whaddya say on kissing a face like this?" Buck made a pouty face and I grimaced.
"Never in hell would I kiss a face like yours."
"Feisty," He grunted. "You break my heart."
I gave Tony a look but he wasn't paying attention to us. He was already chugging down beer and disappearing into the huge crowd.
"Tone!" I called out but he was already gone.
I sighed and decided to walk around while he gulped down cans of beer.
I felt a bit out of place there. I didn't know anyone there, but I could feel the stares as I walked by. This wasn't like me at all. I was usually the first one to be dancing, but this wasn't New York anymore. I'm used to guys staring at me, pushing all of my self-esteem aside. I've received many compliments on my appearances, and I've gotten used to it. But the girls didn't like me so much. I think of myself as an average lookin' girl, but other guys don't seem to think so.
Trouble follows me around like a lost puppy, y'know. It had me on a leash.
Even in New York, I was always getting in trouble with the fuzz. And most of it weren't my fault! I may have helped a couple of times but it was mostly my friends. I just followed their steps. Somehow, I was always the one getting caught. I'm not so good at lying, so the cops always knew whether I was lying or not. I've been arrested a couple of times for no reason. They just don't like me so much 'cause I was a pain in the ass, I admit.
Before I knew it, I bumped into somebody which caused his beer to pour down our shirts. Oh great. This was definitely my idea of going out and having a great time.
"Ah, shit." I heard him hiss irritably.
I looked up at the guy and was about to snap, but stopped when I saw his face.
I knew him.
I recognized his blonde hair that almost seemed white; those hard, cold blue eyes, filled with hate for the world; that rough voice that sent chills down my spine; that dangerous tone he used all the time.
I knew him. I knew him all too well.
He seemed to have recognized me too because his irritated expression turned into surprise.
And then a deadly smirk.
"Whatcha doing here, doll?"
The voice belonged to the one and only.
Dallas Winston.
"…Fuck."
