Note: The style is different because it's been about 3 years since I've worked on it. So just bear with me.
Chapter 3
Why does it get dark so damn early in the fall? I never understood all the science behind it – all I know is that it gets annoying. The dark don't bug me or anything… I just know that at the end of my date I'll have to walk the broad home and chances are she's the last person I'm going to want to be with.
I took Chelsea to Central Park, cheep date with no expectations. I don't have enough money to feed myself let alone some girl I just met. If she wants something better she can find someone else because she ain't getting no handouts from me. The park is a weird place at night. I mean, there's poor kids like me and Chelsea just walking, some dirty bums, and some rich men obviously out with their mistresses knowing they probably won't see no one else they know.
We passed a couple 'round our age, the girl was obviously liquored up. That ass of a date was most likely going to drag her into a bush some where and have his way while she was all stupid then leave her. Boys are such jerks…I mean I've had a time or two in the bushes with a girl but I'd never trick her into it. It really made me want to go home even more...people are just so damn stupid.
"Over there"
It was the first thing either of us had said in awhile. A juggler was attracting a small crowd ahead of us so we just added to the other idiots watching. Chelsea was short. Real short. She came up to my chest which prolly made me look a lot older when she was actually older than me. Not by much though. I never liked the idea of datin' an older woman just seems like you should stick with your own kind or something. She had an old yellow dress on, probably got it six years ago because chances are she hasn't grown a damn inch since she was ten. She wasn't real good to look at, not bad either, just plain. I don't even know why I asked her out because I really didn't want to be there right now.
The juggler was overrated – I don't know why so many people wanted to watch the guy. He was just tossing some balls around in the air. I could it and probably better too but I wasn't going to show off or nothin'. Chelsea was smiling and seemed happy watching the fellah – at least it meant I didn't need to entertain her.
"Hey Skittery!" I heard a painfully familiar voice behind me. "Skittery!" I shuddered at its overly enthusiastic tone. I swear, I can't go anywhere in this huge city without running into one of them! I shoved my hands into my pocket and cursed under my breadth, bracing myself for the conversation that was going to happen if I liked it or not. Chelsea noticed that I tensed up – actually she probably saw the big scowl on my face.
" Heya Skittery!" the voice rang painfully in my ear and a hand came down on my shoulder. The voice was so happy, so annoying just like one of those damn Christmas carolers no one ever wants to come to the door. The only way to get rid of them is to pay them or they'll just keep singin' and singin'
I glanced briefly over my shoulder. "Mush.." I said as bitterly as possible. I wish I could pay him to leave.
"I didn't knows you had a date tonight" I glared and balled my hands into fists deep in my pockets. Why did they all assume I couldn't get a damn date? It wasn't all that hard to find some desperate girl in New York City – maybe if we were in Kansas but not here. Jerk…
"Yeah. So what?" I saw Chelsea glance back and forth between me and Mush. She probably liked him more- they always did. That stupid puppy dog face of his, and how sweet he always came across. No one had a chance around a guy like that. I may not be charmin' or real polite but at least I ain't dating every girl I see or a couple at one time for that matter. He just had all the girls wrapped around his finger.
Mush tightened his grip on my shoulder. God how I just wanted to smack him! "Its jus' great to see you out Skitts. You don't do much anymore – well not with the rest of us anyways. Its just good that you're socializing is all!" He looks at Chelsea and gave her his most innocent smile. He couldn't even wait till I wasn't around to make a move.
"Yeah well, maybe I just like to be alone..." Yeah I sure as hell don't want to spend too much time with you! I knew he wasn't going to leave even if I flat out tell him to; he wasn't always the sharpest, so I decided to humor him a bit. "What are you doin' here. No date, huh?"
He was still smiling at Chelsea and I felt the blood boilin' in my veins. I took an arm out of my pocket and placed it on her back, maybe that would give him the hint. She looked up at me surprised – I hadn't touched her all night but it seemed like I had to now, show Mush there were some boundaries. He probably would sweep her away if I didn't try to stop him.
Mush met my eyes, that dim-witted smile permanently attached to his face. "No date. Meetin' Blink soon. Were going to see vaudeville – one of Race's tips paid off today!" Vaudeville my ass. They were probably going to find some cheep whores for the night. "Want to join us?" I clinched my teeth. I didn't have money for that – no one did unless they won a gamble! I knew it wasn't out of spite, the guy was just to dumb to put two and two together, but I still wanted to hit him even more.
"I would love too see a show!" Chelsea was beaming but realized what she said and fell quiet. She probably forgot she was my date after being eyed by Mush, hell he looked at her more than I did. I really hated the guy at this point.
"Ah, I'm sorry for not introducing myself" Mush took hir arm off me and extended it towards her. Now she was going to think I was a real ass not introducing her to my so called friends. Truth was she was better off not knowin' this one! I pulled Chelsea closer and glowered down at Mush. Chelsea and Mush finished their introduction – or I thought they did. Mush grabbed her hand and kissed it.
That was it. I hated him, I HATED HIM. The guy couldn't leave anyone's girl alone (even though she wasn't my girl but she was my date for the night which was close enough). He always had to out play everyone, always be on top and for that I wanted to bash his head!
"Shove Off!" My blood got to my head and I pushed Mush hard sending him to the ground. I smirked widely as he was in the dirt shocked that I had actually done it. I usually was all talk no action, that's probably why all these jerks bothered me so much – never thought I'd actually touch them. It was the best feeling I had in days – finally putting that guy in his place and I was the winner.
Of course just as my luck always has it the whole thing came back to slap me in the face – literally. I didn't even see Chelsea's hand but I sure felt the sting in my right cheek. Bitch. I grabbed my face and looked at her, biting my tongue hard so I wouldn't get myself in deeper shit. It hurt bad, I had been hit by girls before but this was the worst. Why did the littlest girl I know have the hardest hit? I felt the blood on my hand and looked at her hand – a damn ring. Of course to make life better the wench had to be wearing a ring!
"Skittery! What is wrong with you?" She threw her arms wildly in the air. I hated her too – why the hell did I ask her out? I'm such an idiot at times, nothing good comes from women. "You asked me out, didn't talk to me at all, and now you're trying to claim me? I don't get it!"
"You're a real piece of work Skittery!" Mush was brushing himself off glaring at me. I wanted to hit him again.
It didn't matter anymore; Chelsea hated me now so I let it out. "Go to hell, Mush." He snorted and walked in the opposite direction he came. Good ridden, at least he left. My stomach was twisting and felt like a pit. Tonight was horrible all because I decided to get out for once. I should have done my usual routine of nothing.
Chelsea had her arms crossed and was looking at me. It almost made me sad seeing her that way. I mean I didn't mean to get her so upset – I just wanted Mush to leave her alone. To bad she didn't know how he really was, she would have kicked dirt in his face. Oh course no one understands when I'm being the good guy…it always comes across wrong. But I wasn't going to give her an explanation, she didn't deserve anything.
I let the blood run down my cheek – maybe she'd feel bad. "I'll take you home…" She didn't even look at me, just started walking next to me in silence. I hated the silence, she hated me, I hated her, neither one of us wanted to be together. Just like I thought, I was walking her home in the dark and it really was the last place on earth I wanted to be.