W.A.R.M.T.H: The Prologue

New Friends, Same Bad Decisions

                                                                                     AJ

             That girl is definitely feisty, hot too. She'll be entertaining. I can't wait to get a better look at that lovely body of hers.... I stare after the girls as they get farther and farther away.

"We should hang out with them." Ren looks up from his phone, which he is currently using to hack into a NASA website, and gives a familiar look that says, 'You're insane' Man, oh man, do I love that look.

"Why?"

"Cause' genius, it'll be fun." His facial expression indicates his skepticism, but he stays silent. I snort,

"Come on, start jogging."

I give him a slap on the arm and start towards the two babes dead ahead. With reluctance and an elongated sigh, Ren starts jogging up behind me.

"Don't sound so disappointed, I know you were into the one with the fake cat ears."

He lets out another sigh. "Her name is Amora, and I am not 'into her', as you say, I simply thought she was nice."

"Well, be into her. She's the only one who can get me access to that friend of hers. Plus, she's not my type."

Ren stops and looks at me with a raised eyebrow "Type? AJ, your type is any attractive girl that will put out."

"Exactly, Amora's not my type. There's no way she'll put out, and I'm not really in it for the long haul."

"Yes, I am aware about your inability to commit to anything other than crime and your siblings." Ren says somewhat bitterly. I take a second to look back at him but decide to say nothing. It's easier that way.

Without another word, Ren resumes his jog-sprint towards Amora and whatever my cellmate's name is.

"She did say that she attempted to hospitalize someone with toxins, yes?"

"Yes"

"So we are following a potential murderer?" Ren says it as less of a question and more of a way to tell me if I die it's not his fault.

"Yep,"

We get within range of the girls "Hey ladies!" I shout.

"This is one of your dumber ideas, AJ, and that is hard to do. Also, although irrelevant, my mother has expressed that I am not allowed to bail you out next time you get arrested."

I give my best eye roll "Yeah, sure. Your mom said that last time and the time before that."

Ren sighs, again "She is serious this time." Under my breath, I mutter

"She said that last time too."

I look towards the girls, Amora gives us a cautious wave and her friend crosses her arms over her chest.

"Did you get her name by any chance?"

Ren follows my gaze to where it is resting on Amora's sexy little friend.

"No."

"Perfect." I say to him as I march up to the girls.

"Where are you going?" Ren asks quizzically

"Inside."

"Why?"

"So I can get to know these lovely ladies we just met a bit better, of course" as I say it I rest my arm around the viper's waist. "Are you alright dude? You're a little slow today."

"I am fine," he says simply, "Just trying to remember why I waste my time with you."

"Easy, because I make you less boring, genius." As we walk into the Gas n' Grub I feel the rush of cool air conditioning. A stark contrast to the heat outside. Why does it always gotta be so damn hot in Arizona?

"Take your hand off of me before I take it off for you." she leans in to whisper in my ear, "Permanently." I smile at her and she glares.

"Alright, Alright, I get it. But ya know darlin' I never did get your name."

An award winning eye roll is her response. "And?"

"And as you two fine women were walking away, I found I'd like to know it. Your number would be nice too."

She gives a disgusted look to hide the faint blush that just curled onto her cheeks

"Maybe in your dreams" She smiles at me sweetly and turns to Amora.

"Can you get rid of them? Please?"

Amora, who had run straight for the candy aisle and began bouncing up and down, looks at me with a child-like awe in her eyes and responds with a light-as-air tone.

"Her name is Raven, but I'm pretty sure if I give you her number I'll wake up six feet underground tomorrow morning."

She looks back at a betrayed Raven and shrugs "Oops."

My smile grows wider. I don't quite understand it, but there's something very familiar about Amora. I stare at her for a few seconds too long before directing my attention back to Raven.

"Raven." Her name rolls off my tongue, and I ponder it,

"Hot name for a hot girl, I like it, you sure you don't want to give me your number...Raven?"

I've never seen someone put so much sarcasm into a smile

"Absolutely" she says, as she starts dragging Amora towards the checkout.

"Well Raven, I'll give you mine. Here, I already wrote it down, oh and let me pay for that."

I hand Raven a napkin from Perkins with 7 digits scrawled on it and take out the 20 I stole from Ren's wallet to hand to the pretty cashier. The girl smiles at me while blushing,

"It's on the house."

She hands it back to me and bites her lip. "I'll give you my number." The clerk croons, sending Raven towards the doors. But not without scattering the rudely torn-up napkin on the floor. Christ, that girl. I have got to get my hands on her. I smile at the pretty blonde cashier whose nametag says, Cristi.

"I'd like that very much, Cristi. Did I mention you have a beautiful name?"

She giggles and squeaks out 'Thank you' and walks over to grab a marker. She takes my hand and writes out her number.

"Now," I say. "I really have to get going, but I'll definitely call. I owe you for the free stuff, don't I?"

She smiles again and gives me a flirtatious wave of goodbye