Drugs can dull almost anything. However, the wish to live the best life possible is there for as long as we are alive. Even when that only means a new dose and place to put head down safely for the night.
This instinct guides Faye when she looks at Fez. Admittedly, at first, she was not happy to know she was about to lay low in his place for a while. Everyone knows how some dealers treat their female customers. Not that it had not happened to her before. Not that she would mind that much if it meant free stuff. Still, their first meeting was rough and she does not trust him. Even by Faye's standards, that drug deal was terrible. They were inches from getting in real trouble, and this guy just kept talking as he was on some sort of meds. Too unlike others in this business, where everyone was loud and flashy, mouthy enough to be extremely easy to read despite her continuously fogged brain. This one was quiet and composed, almost too slow, but managed to untangle that mess of a meeting without his boxers on. And then, somehow, he got what he wanted.
Now, after the motel mess, she needs to stay in the brothers' house. The young one – Ashtray, right – does not make any effort to hide the extent of his annoyment. Faye does not mind. At a certain point of addiction, you no longer expect people to be glad to see you. Just the same, you do not expect decent treatment, especially from someone who lives off your addiction. The ginger dealer - Fezco or Fez it was - quickly makes a strong impression on her in this department.
At first, she doubts her judgment, thinking that this niceness and overall decency is his way to get to her. However, before drugs took most of her brain capacity, she was not stupid. Faye knows well enough that people rarely fake kindness for something they can get without such effort. And what couldn't he get from her? In mere days she is already considering her options. Faye has nothing against Custer, but living in this dated but comfortable home is something different altogether. It feels so good she wants to stay.
Her world is a place of simple transactions. Here, on the inside of life, you are to pay for things you want. Not necessarily with money - she, for one, does not have any. But there are other things a young dealer may want, and she is willing to sell. The only thing stopping her from straight-up offering him some is a feeling that she may be rejected. She does not want to risk her place on the couch. So, she takes time to study him. The jury comes back with a "no." Fez's eyes steadily glide through her whatever she does or says. She is ok with not being wanted. Her curiosity still remains though. He must want something, just maybe not from her. Sometimes she wonders if she will be able to tell or is he just too discreet.
An answer to this burning question comes quickly enough. One unremarkable evening they hang in the shop together. By this, she means that Fez just chills next to the counter, exchanging a few words with Ashtray popping out from the back room from time to time. He pays her no mind, and she does not mind that at all. It's sort of a familiar, already comfortable routine, and it's more than suitable for her.
However, this particular day is not entirely ordinary. First, she hears a bicycle frantically approaching the shop. Then it is dropped by the wall. And then - after a longer delay than usual - a young girl rushes in. Not that this is unheard of. High school students visit often. They usually shop for what Ashtray has to offer - there are nicer places around for ordinary things. This is just a front, after all. However, it takes one glance for Faye to know that a soft-eyed brunette is not here to get high. At least not on drugs. She directs at Fez the brightest smile Faye has seen all year. Immediately it all falls into place - cute outfit (like he would understand), bright lipstick, her hair done. "We must be onto something here".
The brunette has this good girl's vibe Faye does not see around often. She looks clean, bright, and earnest. She's nowhere near what Faye considers pretty. Not that it matters. Faye watches, slightly impressed, her stoic dealer's face lit up, mirroring the brunette's shining eyes. There's nothing discreet about it. This is what he wants. His face displays an emotion so intense for him, it's almost impossible to misinterpret. If you are not a teen that is.
'Lexi Howard!' - Fezco announces, and somehow girl's face grows even happier, but just for a bit. They exchange greetings and her eyes drift to Faye.
'Hi, I'm Faye' - Faye waves hello. Brunette's clearly a valued friend, let's be nice.
'I'm Lexi' - her face dims - 'Are, are you guys….' Her voice trails off.
Faye can immediately tell Lexi imagined this meeting many times, and she has pictured it differently. Very differently. All the emotion, all the energy, all the doubt brewing for days pours into misreading Faye's presence. "Girl, you got no chill," she thinks. "Haven't you seen his face? When a druggie like me can clearly read it in the fridge's door reflection? Don't you want a minute to reconsider?"
Well, life is hard when you are a teenager and smitten. Faye listens to how Fez - in an unusually animated voice - tells Lexi that Faye's just 'staying with him' and 'is cool.' Literally all the wrong things. Though, he sounds tender, as if he wishes he was whispering this into Lexi's ear. So, this one has even less chill then. Faye knows well enough Fez's words mean she's just a random homie on his couch. It hurts a little, but this feeling is entirely overridden by the sight in front of her eyes. Brunette's face drops at his words. It's so bad; it's almost comical. Any man with at least some experience with women would have already screamed that he is not interested in Faye. "Is he blind or something? Or it's the scar thing?" she wonders. "Not like it's rocket science."
Instead of damage control, Fezco proceeds to ask what brings Lexi around. When he speaks to her, his voice is mellow, nothing like his usual monotonous drawl. "God, he's just very young," Faye finally realizes. Young and inexperienced. Running this shop, his business, and looking after Ashtray probably did not give him time to practice any of this. The usual females around him do not come to his shop blushing this hard.
Faye briefly wonders if she should say something now – like clarify she is not with the ginger. He did tell Lexi that much by saying she's 'cool,' but it is pretty clear that the girl does not get what he implies. That may earn her some points with Fez for the future. Or she can wait and have a little entertainment and tell him later that he was an utter moron. It feels empowering - to know something Fez does not realize yet. She ponders if she should tell him at all. Maybe it is not in her best interest to help these two idiots work out something that obvious. Although, she thinks, with connection this palpable, nature usually finds a way.
She can make this decision later, but for now, she's just gonna enjoy the show. It's have been months, if not years, something besides the drugs caught her attention this much.
Lexi unfreezes, turning her saddened face from Fezco to the fridges. She's here just for a drink.
"Of course, you are".
Faye cannot see Fez's face from her seat now, but she does not need to. The way his shoulders slump a little more is enough for anyone to figure this shit out. His gaze still follows Lexi's face as if he is a sunflower looking for warmth. He offers to help her, sounding shy and slightly confused, his previous confidence completely gone. Again, this is too funny. It is the third week Faye spends in the shop and legit the first time any of the brothers offered customers support in finding whatever.
'No, I am ok' – Lexi stares down the bottles like they are to blame for this whole disaster. She looks defeated.
'This is the malt liquor' - Faye can tell he is taken aback by Lexi's reaction and is trying to find a way to make her smile again. Not as easy as selling drugs, huh?
'Yeah, I know' – comes a distraught reply. Internally Faye chuckles. Come on, girl, she thinks, you don't know how good you're gonna have it. If he shares his sandwich with a random junkie, imagine what he would do for someone he really cares about. Imagine being with someone who's that into you. You have already won in life.
On impulse dulled for years by drugs, Faye does open her mouth to tell Lexi something encouraging. She is not entirely devoid of compassion after all. And this shit is just too endearing to see. But the words remain in her throat as the brunette's face changes once again. Her delicate features no longer display sadness or insecurity but something else Faye herself is deeply familiar with - fear.
Faye turns her head in time to see the man approaching the lights of the shop like he's stepping on the theater stage. Something is menacing about his tall figure and confident stride. Lexi's face goes paler, despite the red lights of the fridge. Faye can sense the tension in the air. It feels so weird to care. 'Damn' - she thinks - 'This all's too intense. I need a hit.