Hey there guys. How's it going? I hope it's good….

I know I asked you all for ideas while back, and like I promised, I'm going to use them. It's start in a few chapters. Just keep reading, you'll see it soon.

Go Forth and Read~

Journal,

I'm never having money problems ever again! I can't believe how much money there's to be made by selling this stuff. We should've thought of this a long time ago!

~*~V~*~

"Specs, you gotta have some more of that stuff!"

"It's not ready yet! And it's not for us to use! We're supposed to be selling it!"

"DO I LOOK LIKE I CARE?"

"Well no…no you don't..."

While on any other evening after lockdown TJ would be laying in his own bed and reading something from the book JoJo had given him, tonight that was not the case. Tonight his mind was racing at 150 mph and wasn't showing any sign of slowing down, but he had no one else to blame for himself. It's been a month since he tried meth for the first time and since then he had did it three more times since then. One of those times was last night, and another was this time a few hours ago. TJ knew that Specs told him never to do it more than twice in 48 hours, but he didn't think about that earlier. Now he had Specs by the collar and was holding him off the floor, shaking him and demanding for more.

Meanwhile, Specs was trying to make sure that he wasn't a casually in his roommates rampage.

"Okay, okay just calm down," Specs said while trying to pry TJ's hands from his collar. "Dude relax before you hurt me!"

"I'll only hurt you if you DON'T GIVE ME MORE DRUGS!" TJ yelled while shaking him. "I know you're hiding out on me! WHERE IS IT?" Tossing Specs aside, TJ rushed to his cabinet and looked inside. All the chemicals and beakers that were required to make drugs were all carefully arranged to avoid spilling and causing an explosion from happening. TJ tried to look around for the beaker that held the methamphetamine but couldn't tell it apart from the others. Was it so hard to get some drugs around here? He only wanted a little more. TJ was about to just pick the closest one, but was pulled away.

"You can't do that!" Specs said as he pulled TJ away from the cabinet. "You don't know what you're doing!"

"I would if you TOLD ME WHICH ONE IT WAS!" Yelled TJ. "TELL ME RIGHT NOW OR I'LL BREAK YOUR LEGS!"

"Okay, just calm down…." Specs said, rubbing the back of his head. "Sit down and I'll give you some."

"It's about time," TJ said as he sat on the bed. "Hurry up I don't have all day…"

"Mmm-hmm….." Specs went through his cabinet to look for a beaker, but not for what his roommate wanted. He warned him that he would become addicted after using it two times so close together. But he wouldn't listen. Nope; no one ever listens to the smart kid. Specs was going to kick him out of the whole business but he had to admit that TJ knew how to sell stuff much better than he could. But before anything can be sold again, the salesman had to get the drug out of system, and Specs knew exactly what to do.

"Can you hurry up?" TJ snapped while trying to stop his hands from shaking.

"Yeah, yeah. Hold on…" Grabbing a clean needle, Specs grabbed a bottle and filled it with a different substance than what TJ was expecting. "Give me your arm." TJ held out his arm and waited for Specs to give him what he wanted. Soon enough he felt the needle stick into his arm and push the fluid into his vein. "There. Happy now?"

"Yep. Was that so hard to do?" TJ said as he laid back and closed his eyes. "It wasn't hard at all." Taking deep breaths he felt sleepiness starting to overtake and began to fall into a slumber.

"Damn addict," Specs mumbled as he crawled into his bed. "At least it wasn't LSD. That stuff makes people trip balls….."

~*~U~*~

"Sorry 'bout last night dude," TJ said as he and Specs set everything up at the usual table. "I just got a little crazy."

"You got a little addicted is more like it," Specs mumbled. "We're supposed to be selling the stuff, not using it."

"I know. It was just an accident," TJ told him as the usual customers started to come over. "What'd you give me anyways?"

"It's a concoction I made to block the effects of narcotics," Said Specs. "It's supposed to help addicts stop being addicts. But it only works a few times on the same person so you can't act like last night anymore. Here come the first customers. You take care of them; I gotta go get the rest of the stuff." Sitting on the table with his feet on the bench, TJ grabbed a box he brought out of the room and looked inside. The box held lots of dime bags filled with the crystals that the other inmates craved more than food and water. It didn't even take much to sell it. They were just throwing money at them for it, and TJ was more than happy to take it. It wasn't his problem if they decided to use it; he didn't stick the needle in their arm. He just showed them how and gave them the needle.

"H-hey," TJ looked from the box to see a customer he had since day one. A disheveled, blood shot eyed, shaking 13 year-old clenching money in one hand and rubbing his nose with the other. "D-do you have any more of t-that stuff?"

"Of course I do," TJ told him. "I always have enough for my best customer. How much are you buying today?"

"H-however much I-I can get for this.." The boy said handing over all the money he held. TJ took a moment to count it before giving anything to him. One hundred dollars in five twenty's. A little less than usual, but TJ wasn't about to ask where he got that kind of money. At long as he was willing to give it to him that's all that mattered. Reaching into the box TJ pulled out five dime bags and handed them over to the shaking inmate standing in front of him. "Thanks!"

"No problem."

For the whole day TJ and Specs worked on selling and making money. By the noon they had already had made $2,500, and that was considered a slow day. Normally they could make at least $5,000 in one day, but half of that was just as good. By now, TJ knew that Saturday was a slow day; Monday's were the day that they could make up to $7,000 before noon. Then again Saturday was visiting day. Guards came in and lead the inmates to the visiting room. Knowing is parents weren't going to come, TJ was only expecting one person to come and see him.

"You know, I'm kind of curious as to why you keep visiting me," TJ said as he sat down at one of the tables. "It's nice and everything, but I'm just curious. Most principals wouldn't visit a student who got sent to juvie; especially students like me."

"I said I would visit you and I am. You're acting like you don't want me too," Said Principal Prickly. "I can go home right now and you can just call instead of talking face to face."

"No, don't do that," TJ said. "I was just making an observation. But I am curious though. Why do you keep visiting me? I'm not saying I'm not grateful, but why?"

"Isn't it good enough that I visit?" The principal asked. "What more do you want?"

"Nothing. Just an answer to why."

"You're not going to leave this alone, are you?"

"Nope. You know me long enough to know that I won't leave this alone until you give me an answer."

"Alright fine. Listen, because I'm only going to say this once," The principal said. "Remember when you asked me what my son was like and I told you he was a lot like you? With all the pranks he played?" TJ nodded. "Well, you sort of remind me of him. At least back when you were ten and were playing pranks. I know you probably didn't notice it, but I gave you easier punishments than the rest of the students simply because you were so much like Zackary. Somewhere between when you were in kindergarten and second grade I suppose I started treating you like you were my son. I always told myself I would stop doing that when were older and about to go off to middle school. Then they added that addition to the school to solve the overcrowding at the middle school and you never left and I kept putting it off. I guess you became like a son to me. That's why I keep visiting you. That, and I'd hate to see someone like you go to waste."

"Wow. Really?" TJ asked.

"Yep."

"….Wasn't expecting that," Said TJ. "Wish you were my dad though. Then my parents would be visiting me and answering my phone calls. Thanks for answering my question. Sorry I became a screw up."

"You're not a screw up, Detweiler," Said Prickly. "You just went a little crazy and it got out of hand. Just don't let being in here turn you into a junior criminal."

"I'll try," TJ mumbled. "But if push comes to shove and becoming a criminal is a matter of life and death, I'm not making any promises. So how's retirement treating you?"

"I'm thinking that I should've just to another job at another school instead of retiring," Said the principal. "Retirement isn't as great as they make it out to be."

"If you ever want to come out of retirement I overheard my teacher talking about a job available to run the school in here," He said. "Just a thought."

"I think I'll stick to retirement," Prickly told him. "At least for another year. I've been getting offers from other schools because I had you as a student. I But this visit isn't about me. What have you been up to lately?"

"Nothing much," TJ told him. "Just trying to not get hurt and to stop my things from getting stolen, sir. Is everyone still talking about me….you know, killing that kid?"

"Not anymore."

"Good. I thought they would never shut-up about it," TJ said. "I feel bad enough for doing it…" A bell overhead signaling the end of visiting hours rang. Kids started to get out of their seats and head back into the dorms. "Thanks for visiting me again, sir."

Joining the other inmates, TJ got in line and waited for the guards to take them back to their dorms. Checking his pocket, he made sure that he still had three dime bags with him. His highest paying customer would be coming by soon and he wanted to make sure everything was going to go by smoothly. Once the line began to move he and the other inmates were taken down the hallway. Halfway to the dorms, TJ was tapped on the shoulder. Turning around, and saw that a guard tapped him on the shoulder and was signaling for him to come over. Following the guard, TJ was lead into a room that he was familiar with.

"How much?" The guard asked him.

"That depends," TJ said, folding his arms. "How much you got?" TJ watched as he guard reached into his pocket and pulled out money from his wallet. After the guard handed the money over TJ counted. "$500? Okay, here." Reaching into his pocket, TJ gave him two of the three bags.

"This is it?" The guard asked with anger in his voice. "I gave you $500! I paid for more than this!"

"Take it or leave it!" TJ told him. "You're not my only customer!"

"You better give me more for this or I'll put you back in the white rooms!"

"Then where are you gonna get your fix?" TJ threatened. "If I'm in the white rooms you can get anything so I know you're not gonna take me there. So what's your next threat?"

"…whatever," The guard said as he opened the door. "Go back to the dorms you little bastard…..cheating me out of my own fucking money…"

"Nag, nag, nag," TJ said as he walked away. "I didn't have to give you shit. Whoever said the customer is always right was on some serious drugs that day."

~*~V~*~

Customer service wasn't TJ's number one policy. It was number two, but it still wasn't number one. It would be if he was selling something like candy or the answer key for a test or quiz, but he wasn't selling those things; he was selling drugs and he was quite good at it too, but that was partially due to the customer's habit of coming back. Meth was one hell of a drug. No, his number one policy was the accumulation of profits. Profits; that's what's most important. Earning money and keeping it where no one else but he and Specs could get to it. That may have sounded mean, but he always assured himself that it was for the best. Selling drugs was putting him on top of the food chain in there, and that was all that mattered.

Looking around in the dorms, TJ saw that everyone was minding their own business, and no one was rushing up to him to ask him for anything.

'No one's probably gonna ask for more today,' He thought. 'Might as well count how much I made—"

"FRECKLES!" TJ jumped out of his thoughts as his attention was drawn to his and Specs room where another inmate was running out of with a breaker in his hand. "GET THAT SNATCHER! AND KICK HIS ASS!" Realizing that the inmate was stealing, TJ ran up to him before he could get far way. Not giving the thief a chance to stop running he landed a punch on jaw, sending him towards the floor and several of his teeth flying out his mouth. The beaker shattered on the floor and the other inmates ran up to it to grab whatever of the drug they could, but TJ didn't stop them; they weren't his target, and he could make that money back in no time. Bringing his leg back, TJ gave the boy a swift kick to his stomach. Crying out in pain, the boy couldn't do anything as TJ grabbed a fist full of his hair and pulled him off the floor.

"You've got ten seconds to explain why you were in MY room, stealing MY stuff," TJ said. "GO!"

"I was going to pay you guys back, I swear!" The boy said in a hurry. "I just need to get my fix and as soon as I got it I would've given you back the money for it and it would've been like I didn't take it at all! I just needed my fix, man! I'm sorry!"

"Sorry isn't gonna make up for the money I lost, now is it?"

"I know it isn't, man! But I just need my fix! Please don't hurt me, man! I'm sorr-," He was cut off by a punch to his face, sending him to the floor again. Stepping over him, TJ headed to his room, but stopped to turn back to the inmate still on the floor.

"The next time you decide to still something of mine, you won't just end up with a few punches and bruises," TJ said to him. "I'm running a business here; I can't have fucking snatchers like you trying to get a free fix. Consider yourself lucky I didn't fuck you up." Walking back to his room, TJ saw the mess the intruder left. Glass from broken beakers was scattered on the floor, as well as the chemicals they held. He was about to go inside until Specs came out and blocked the door.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you," Specs said. "The fumes in there are really bad and the room needs to air out."

"How long is that going to last?" TJ asked, irritated.

"About an hour," Specs told him. "Then I'll be safe. I can't even clean the mess up right now. I have to wait."

~*~TJ's POV~*~

Why do snatchers gotta mess with us? All we're trying to do is make some money, but then they have to come along and steal the stuff we spend time making. I hate that.

All I'm trying to do is run a business, but ican't do that if people are stealing the product. I can't just let them get away with it either; you have to beat them up for them to learn their lesson. They usually do. Usually. One kids kept trying to steal our stuff. He didn't even get out the door before getting caught the last time. He left black and blue, walking with a limp that wasn't supposed to be there. He finally learned after that try, but it shouldn't take them that long. It really shouldn't. How many times do they need to get beat up to learn a lesson?

The money just doesn't go to me and Specs. We set aside money for JoJo and Bandit too; that's what blood brothers do for each other. And when me and Specs get moved over, we'll be able to sell more faster. But it's not just us. We have to buy what it takes to make meth in the first place, and if people keep stealing, we have to drive up prices, and the buyers don't like that. That should be enough to make them stop stealing. But it doesn't and I have to beat them up for it.

Goddamn it.

I hate beating people up when they aren't attacking me. They're so much weaker than I am now. Not only that, but I promised Principal Prickly that I wouldn't do anything bad while I'm in here and I'm beating kids up. I didn't tell him that though. I'm like a son for the guy, and how would he take it if his 'son' was beating inmates up for stealing their drugs. Definitely not going to tell him I sell drugs. It's completely out the question about telling him that I did meth. That would just give him a heart attack, and I can't do that to the guy who visits me on a regular basis and answers my phone calls. I'll tell him one day, when I'm not doing it anymore. That way it won't be so bad. h

How else am I supposed to survive in here? Before I was getting beat up, now I do the beating. I'm finally moving up the food chain. Do I feel bad about it? A little bit, but I have to look out for myself and my brothers.

Sitting down at a nearby table, I was joined by Specs who stayed behind to close the door; the room had a window, so the fumes would go out through there. What am I supposed to do for a full hour? I would read, but my book is in the room. Man, if I wasn't in juvie I could do anything I wanted.

How much time I spend thinking about life outside I can't even measure. But the more time I spend thinking about it, it becomes surreal. Life outside juvie seems strange now. This is home now. All my friends are here. JoJo, Bandit, Specs, they're my friends. No, they're more than friends; they're my family. Two things I don't have much of now. I really do want to know why my mom and dad haven't visited, or answered my phone calls. I bet they moved, or changed their phone number. I bet all $57,465 I've made that they did one of those just to avoid talking to me. It's okay though, Principal Prickly hasn't given up on me, and he's more of a parent to me than they are. The only thing keeping me from calling him dad is the fact that I'm so used to calling him my principal.

I wonder what my friends are up to sometimes. Not a lot, but sometimes. Mostly out of curiosity. I don't dwell on it though. It's not worth thinking about. They already told me in a letter that they want nothing to do with me, and that's enough. I don't need to think about them if they're not thinking about me.

Donna Nnov: …..drugs are bad, m'kay? XD I dunno. It's juvie so the figured there would be drugs somewhere. If you think the drugs were bad, wait until the next chapters ;) Things start to get bad again, starting next chapter. But it'll be good, I promise.

Shoutmaster12: Hmm, I gang war huh? That's a good idea. I'll hold on to that. Thanks. :)

Reviews Are Great Motivators!