*Hellos Interwebbers! Chapter Three's done (obviously). Yay! Well, I will say Chapter Four is now under construction and this story is moving faster than I thought it would. Thanks to you! And cause I had the first few chapters already started :). I apologize if this one feels a bit... rushed. I will do my best to keep you all lovely people entertained with my wonderful writing skills. Leave a review, it always helps. Get comfs, Joda.
It was around noon when the boys arrived in the city. The people who actually strolled on the city's sidewalk gave the newcomers an odd glance as they passed by. Apparently they haven't seen young punks quite like Jimmy and Dimitri before. The city reeked of everything bad. Car exhaust filled the lungs of the city folk. Factory waste polluted the ground and air, infecting the everyone who came within range of it. The pollution could be smelt from any and every street the boys were on. Dimitri's face puckered every now and then for the stench would get that awful. But what would the city do? They were so used to the smell that it didn't affect them as much as it did to Dimitri's fresh-air breathing lungs. Jimmy was indifferent with the city's condition though.
Every now and then, the boys would pass by a homeless person. Their stench was almost as bad as the rest of the city. They hadn't showered since they became hobos. Their hair was straggly and greasy. Jimmy was able to see their ribcage through their skin, showing that the people hadn't had a decent meal in a long time. Some employees stepped out of a nearby store across the road, obviously on break because one lit up a cigarette and was clearly muttering complaints about work. Jimmy took a deep breath in. Ahh, he thought to himself, Welcome to Paradise.
"So, where do we start?" Dimitri jumped ahead of Jimmy and began walking backwards. Jimmy's stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten at all yet. "Great place to start." Dimitri read Jimmy's mind as soon as he had thought of food.
The pair found a nice little diner at the corner of a street. It was a mostly red and white burger joint having a rather retro feeling to it. The boys took as seat in a booth near a window, away from the other few customers in the diner. The booth was oddly comfy for a fast food place. Jimmy felt like he could stay in the diner for hours, even if the interior design was too bright for his liking. Dimitri was the first to say something, "This place is nice. Wish they had a place like this back in the suburbs, huh Jimms?"
"Yeah." Jimmy nodded slowly, his eyes were still taking in the diner. A very tiny and lightly tanned waitress approached their booth. She wore a red uniform dress, a white apron, and a white visor. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a thick pony tail that swished when she walked. The girl was absolutely smoking! A rockin' body any normal guy would drool over and a clear, loving face with sparkling blue eyes. But Jimmy had Whatsername...
"Heya boys." She smiled behind her chewing gum, "How're we doin' today?"
Jimmy was first to catch his breath, "The usual. Pretending to be happy when we're really not. You?"
The waitress, whose name was Alicia, laughed at his reply, "Same." Her eyes seemed rather fond of Jimmy, "I haven't seen any cuties like you 'round here. Ya gotta be new or something."
"I guess you can call us visitors for now, Alicia." Jimmy showed his best smile to her and watched as she squirmed slightly at the way he said her name. She totally digged him. Just another city girl looking for some love. She was obviously looking in the wrong place.
Someone behind the front counter cleared his throat loudly. The boss. Dun, dun, dun. He probably thought highly of himself, thought he was a total badass. Ooohh, here I go to mock the customers and belittle my employees into quitting. He probably didn't give two shits if any of his employees quit. He'd find a replacement.
Alicia sighed, "What would you guys like to eat?"
"Burgers." Dimitri blurted out, finally able to use his words.
Alicia scribbled on her notepad, "'Kay. Anything to drink?"
"Just some Cokes. And can you add some fries. We're not in that much of a hurry." Jimmy nodded to the waitress with a half smile. Alicia returned his smile with her own white smile, then turned and walked away.
After a nice, long wait, Alicia finally brought back the boys' food. She mumbled something about quitting as she walked away from the booth again. It was a good thing that she was going to quit. This place seemed miserable when the boss was around. Hopefully Alicia would be able to find a new job.
Dimitri finished his burger by the time Jimmy got halfway through mine. The kid was a pig. He could take anything that resembled food. Jimmy could, too, but Dimitri was just a monster. After they finished out food, left a decent tip for Alicia, and left before the boss could give them another glare.
"So where to know?" Dimitri jumped up behind me, his energy levels way too high for Jimmy's taste.
"Always so energetic." Jimmy mumbled, the turned to his partner-in-crime, "Let's go graffiti something up then. You got the paint?"
The younger boy's face lowered as if in shame, "No."
Instead of scoffing like he would usually do to such a forgetful follower, Jimmy ruffled up Dimitri's light hair, "Maybe next time."
Dimitri smiled at the boy's gesture. He knew what it meant when Saint Jimmy ruffled up your hair instead of scorning you. Saint Jimmy never learned how to show affection, or as he said tolerance, to someone. Ruffling up the hair was Jimmy's way of showing that he tolerated you. He never had any friends growing up, and he certainly didn't have any he considered friends now. Jimmy walked a lonely road. One that he refused to leave. Everybody knew his name, but no one knew his story. He wouldn't tell anyone one. Not even Dimitri, the closest person he ever had to a friend.
"Well, they have a new guitar shop just a few blocks down." The blonde haired boy suggested. Jimmy seemed to have contemplated the idea for a minute. He had found a comfortable spot leaning against the side of a halfway burnt building that had been abandoned almost a year ago and didn't plan on moving anytime soon. He sighed, scratching the back of his neck while pulling out a cigarette with the other hand. He lit it up, taking a long drag and puffing out smoke before answering.
"Are you implying that I need a new guitar?" He raised a questioning eyebrow at Dimitri.
"No, not at all!" The boy replied quickly, "I was just wondering if you'd wanna come check it out with me is all. It's cool if you don't want to. I can always come back later-"
Jimmy's eyes fell on Dimitri, making the words in his throat freeze instantly. But just as soon as his piercing blue eyes caught the other boy's attention, they were gone. The older boy took another drag on his cigarette.
"Dims, just shut up." He said with a wave of his hand. Jimmy threw his cigarette to the ground and stomped on it. "Let's go."
*And that's a wrap of Chapter Three :). Thumbs up, yes? No? Tell me about it in the reviews box down below. I welcome all opinions with an open smile. Chapter Four is underway now. I will warn you, after chaps four, progress is going to really slow down for a bit. *Braces for flying cupcake-shaped pillows being thrown* Just relax, have a cookie, and enjoy a good song. I will try my best to stay focused on this story. I really enjoy writing it. Okay, as always, eat something healthy, try something new, make someone smile. Hearts, Joda.
