April Showers3

continuing....

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The next day, Greg, Chino, Leila, and Casey were waiting for me after I got off work, as usual. Let's go, girl, Casey called as I emerged from the deli. She pulled her straight blonde hair up into a ponytail as she spoke. That girl was always doing five things at once.

Chino grinned and sidled up to me, snaking an arm around my shoulders. She thought you wouldn't be comin' today, he confided. we got so lonesome after you left with your tall-ass friend last night.

I shook him off. Can it, Chino, I laughed. How long did it take y'all to mark my absence?

Right away, babe, he replied. I was in the middle of talking to you.

Who's that stud you wandered off with, anyway? Casey asked, rummaging through her purse. She emerged with concealer and blush, and began applying them simultaneously. I noticed that she looked paler and more tired than usual. I didn't get a good look at him, he had his back to us mostly and the light stank.

He's -- well, actually, he's coming up the block right now. I fussed with my shirt briefly, straightening some of the creases, and feeling absurdly pleased.

Roger walked up. Hey, April, he said,, sounding more confident than he had last night. I was gonna surprise you after your work -- but I guess they beat me to it.

That's all right, I said, grinning foolishly. I'm still surprised.

Moving closer, he gave me a peck on the lips. I had a good time last night, he murmured. No regrets?

How could I possible have any regrets? I queried teasingly. Except maybe to regret that you walked me to my apartment -- and then went straight home.

Didn't your mama ever tell you never to go to bed on a first date? he asked mischievously.

Yeah, always, I replied. I can't believe I took her advice for once.

Well, don't worry. I don't do one night flings, that's all, he said seriously. But if you don't mind my tagging along tonight...? He straightened, indicating my other friends with his eyes.

Abruptly, I noticed Leila and Casey staring at me, and blushed. I said, flustered. Um, guys, this is Roger. Roger, these are --

Greg looked up for the first time, and presented a small, almost leering smile. Hey, Loverboy, he said to Roger. Haven't seen you in almost a week.

Roger's confidence seemed to evaporate. Hey there, Greg.

You know each other? I asked nervously. Something was odd here.

Are you kidding? Roger forced a grin, and slung an arm across my shoulders reassuringly. Greg here is The Man. He said it as though it were some kind of title.

Don't you fret over my little nickname for Roger, Greg assured me thinly. A handsome prick like that ought to have the ladies all over him, but he's got some kind of confidence problem, so I call him Loverboy to encourage him, he explained, eyes darting between us. Guess I don't need to bother with that anymore. It didn't make me feel much better, but Greg had turned back to Roger. You still owe me a twenty from last week, my friend.

Sure, sure, Roger said brusquely, stepping away from me. He pulled out some bills from the back pocket of his pants. And enough to cover this week, too.

Greg daintily took the money from his hand, and removed a small packet from the inside pocket of his vest. Roger snatched it and stuffed it out of sight. Glancing around, I noticed that the others were taking this all in stride, acting like it was nothing unusual. It wasn't, I realized, as Roger returned to my side, all smiles again.

They all did this, too.

And I had already started.
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yup, still going. i'm very impressed with myself -- one chapter per night is better than i usually manage. but it ain't over yet, so keep reading. oh, and thanks for the reviews -- they're really encouraging.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: i do NOT approve of drugs or drug use of any kind. i'm not trying to excuse the use of heroin in this story -- it's inexcusable. i am merely trying to portray the characters' attitudes towards drugs, not my own. just needed to mention that.