Chapter 2

The streets were filled with the roar of engines as cars passed on their way to work. Mothers were walking their children to the market for groceries. I stood there in a back ally way leaning casually against the wall. The wind blew my ponytail over my shoulder, man I needed a haircut. It was colder then usual, maybe forty-six degrees? I held myself tightly, wrapping my arms around myself protectively. Knowing I didn't have to worry about Riley anymore was nice. I leaned my head back against the tall brick building replaying last night in my head. It ran over and over like one of those old shows on late night television. That guy... he looked so damn familiar. I started to think about Riley, God knows why. He had long straight black hair and tattoos all over his arms. He wore the same beanie and smelt of cigarette smoke. He was unnaturally tall with a boney face. He was attractive on the outside, maybe that's why I fell for him so fast.

I walked down the sidewalk slowly, pulling my head over my head to hide my face. I slid my hands into my jackey pockets and stared at the ground as I walked. I began walking faster in an attempt to ignore all the stares. I couldn't stand attention. I hated it, always had. I fiddled with my hands in my pocket, smiling when I heard the crinkle of a piece of paper. I pulled it out and smiled, seeing a 10 dollar bill. I was so hungry. I hadn't eaten in days. I ran quickly to the nearest place selling food.

I walked inside McDonalds . It was the only place close and cheap. I walked to the counter trying not to make my hunger apparent. I ordered three dollar burgers, an order of fries, and a small drink. Then I went and sat at a booth in the back. I didn't want anyone to see me. I ate and it tasted like heaven in my mouth, it was so amazing. A woman nearby threw away a perfectly good burger. I just shook my head in disappointment. Don't these people know there are people that would kill for that burger?

I finished my food, still hungry but with only a dollar. I stuck it in my pocket so I wouldn't lose it, I couldn't afford to lose it. I was walking out the door when I was thrown to the floor. I groaned in pain.

"What the fuck..." I said, rubbing my back.

"Oh shit, I'm sorry lady. Are you okay?" A mans voice came from behind me.

"I'm fine... watch it next time bro..." I said irritatedly. He offered his hand to me and I just smacked it away. I got up slowly and brushed off my jeans.

"Look, I really am sorry lady..."

"Stop calling me that. I'm not forty you know." I glared at him. His voice sounded familiar. I looked at him for a second before I realized he was the guy from last night. He grinned.

"Well if it isn't Citizenship lady!" His friends standing behind him all laughed.

"Don't call me that either." I muttered under my breath, staring at the floor. He was cute, really cute. I didn't want him to see how completely awful I looked. I felt their eyes on me, I resisted the urge to look up and punch one of them.

"Iight man, we're gonna go get our food." On of the guys said. He was tall, maybe a little taller then the rest. He had semi long brown hair. He was wearing a beanie and a shirt that had a pig with wings. What the fuck? Guess I just saw a flying pig...

"Alright man." He said, smiling. He turned and put his focus on me. "I'm starting to think this is fate. We keep running into each other." He said teasingly.

"It's Balrimore, what do you expect?" I glanced up at him. He chucked.

"I'm Jack by the way." He reached his hand towards me. I looked up at him, opening my mouth to reply but something stopped me. I started chocking up. Jack, it was Jack. It couldn't be... but it was.

He stood there awkwardly with his hand held towards me. He brought it back down and looked around slowly.

"Jack.." I said softly. He raised an eyebrow as if silently asking if I was crazy. I felt like I was about to cry, I couldn't. I had to get out of there. I pushed past him, walking through the door as fast as I could.

I ran down the street as fast as I could. My throat ached from holding back the tears, that low life son of a bitch. After all these years the memory still held so much pain. Just the thought of him made me anfry. I clenched my firsts tight as I walked a little faster. That night, so long ago, ran through my mind. I wanted it gone but I couldn't rid myself of it. Not alone anyway.

I sat against the same brick wall I stood against earlier.

"Got anymore needles?" My friend asked desperately.

"Yeah." I sighed as I handed her a clean one.

"Thanks Range." Range was my nickname the people on the streets gave me. I never did understand why. Everyone had a nickname. I guess it's what you got from living on the streets since I was eighteen. My friends name is Munro but everyone calls her Moe. She hated her name because he was a guy's name. I don't blame her.

I shoved the tip of a clean needle in my arm, injecting the heroin I so dumbly thought I needed. I've been trying to quit but once you've been doing it long enough it's not easy. You would think living on the streets was hard, but once people know you and respect you, you're safe. You probably think it makes you tougher but it doesn't. Not for most girls out here. Not for me anyway.

"So what happened to Reg?" Moe asked, blowing smoke into the air. She held her cigarette in one hand, looking at me casually. Reg was Riley. But the rules on the street are once you get arrested you're no longer part of the family. If you try to come back you'll get a warning to leave. Keep coming back, you might go to sleep and never wake up.

"He's in jail." I said as I injected more heroin into my veins.

"You're playing.." She looked at me as if I had slapped her across the face.

"Nope. He got his ass kicked last night. Someone called the cops for a disturbance and they caught his ass." I lied easily, grinning. Another rule, you turn in a family member and you get a beating from the rest.

"I guess someone should tell the boss huh?" She took another drag from her cigarette. I just shrugged.

"I guess."