don't leave me this way

o n e

Lisa Johnson had been living in New York her entire life. She liked the sounds and the smells and the sights. But mostly she liked the people, the beautiful people who came from all over the place to live in her city.
Once she had become old enough, the young adult had moved out of her parents house and rented a small apartment in the west side, where everyday since she moved she would watch as more places were replaced with new comers and old buildings were nothing but dust when the morning sun hit them.
Though she should've been sad, she couldn't help but smile every morning when she got out of bed and sat by the window, gleaming down at the beautiful people dancing in the streets as cars drove by and music filled the air.
The only thorn in her side was her best friend, Riff. He had somehow found his way into her place one night thinking it was another girls but when he was met with the brunette instead of the blonde he was expecting, he thoroughly apologised before she sat him down and spoke to him, realising this may be her only chance to talk to the famed leader of the jets.
They had been inseparable ever since. Riff would come to her apartment almost daily and they would spend their time together, mostly consisting of him eating her food, sleeping in her bed and dancing with her whilst she would scold him for his behaviour and then spend the rest of the night stroking the hairs on his head whilst he fell asleep on her lap.
She was always mad at him for something, but underneath all the madness was really just worry. He was constantly getting threatened by police or being beat up by the rival gang and it pained her. She didn't know what she would do if he wasn't always there. She didn't want to find out.

•••

It was a bright Monday morning when Riff strolled into his friends kitchen, the lights were still off and the curtains were pulled shut meaning the brunette was not awake yet. He scoffed, rolled his eyes and let a playful smile fall on his face before he went to her bedroom. He knocked on the door and walked in seeing her still tucked tightly under the covers.
"Lis, wake up sweetheart" he taunts and she groans, pulling the duvet further over her head.
"Come on" the thick new york accent rings out again.
She huffs and sighs before throwing the duvet away revealing her messy mop of hair that was for sure tangled in the worst ways. The boy stood and shook his head at her, still adorning the smile. She took one look at him and reached her hand out, indicating for him to help her up, which he happily did, grabbing her dressing gown and helping her put it on before they made their way to the kitchen where she would dish them up from grub for the morning.
"So have you thought anymore about the dance?" Riff asks the girl and she shakes her head.
"But you love dancing" he tries to bargain.
"No, I love dancing in here where it's private, not with a bunch of people who will bump into each other and fight"
"Is this because you don't have a date? I can totally hook you up with one of the jets"
"I don't want to go with a jet, besides who needs a date when i can go with my friends" she says pointing a spatula at him as she moved around the kitchen looking for bacon to cook.
"Well cause I'm going with Grazie obviously" he mumbles knowing how his friend felt about the girl.
"Seriously Riff, it's hopeless with her"
"Hey, at least she loves me" he snaps defensively.
"No, she likes you, she loves Tony and if she could get her hands on him again, she would drop you in a heartbeat"
She hated telling the boy the truth but she wasn't going to just sit around and watch him get hurt, not after what he'd been through with losing Tony for the year.
"You're wrong but whatever, I'll save you a dance" he murmurs as she continues to grill up his breakfast.
The pair continued most of their morning in a tense but still somewhat comfortable silence before the boy stood up and started making his way to the door.
"And where are you going?" The girl asks.
"Going to find the jets, maybe mess about, see if the cops will come after me again" he teases.
"Riff I swear if I have to bail you out one more time, I won't do it ever again, I'm at my ends with you" she scolds him and he rolls his eyes before he walks back over to her.
He takes her hand into his and spins her around before pressing a kiss to her cheek.
"Promise I'll try my best to keep the boys out of trouble" he whispers in her ear.
"You better, you'll come see me later right?"
"Of course, but whilst I'm gone I think you should go out and get yourself a dress for the dance tonight" he smirks and she shakes her head.
"Honey, I'm already struggling enough for rent this month, I don't have the money for it"
"Well that's where you're wrong" he smiles as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out some cash.
"Riff, what is that?" She asks as he pushes it into her hand.
"You're always looking after me, you make sure I'm fed and have a place to sleep, you bail me out and clean me up when I get beaten down, just thought you deserved to treat yourself" he tells her and she smiles up at him.
"Thank you, you're the best"
She kisses his cheek and gives him a hug before he leaves the apartment, telling her he'll see her later.

•••

Lisa had gotten changed by this point into a white shirt that was most likely Riffs, tied to make it shorter at the bottom and wore a pair of black jeans. She had her curly hair pulled into a high ponytail with strands hanging down on her forehead and had on some black pumps. Her bag hung loosely on her shoulder with the money from her friend shoved inside as she walked down the steps of her building.
As she walked around the streets on her way to Docs she could see members of the jets messing around with the public and she rolled her eyes before she made it to the shop where she walked in seeing Valentina and Tony.
"Hola Valentina, good morning Tony" she says as she makes her way over to the pair.
The boy smiles at her before he makes his way back down to the stock room.
"Ah beautiful Lisa, how are you? What can I help you with today?" She asks as the girl sits down at the counter.
"I got some money this morning to help buy me a dress for the dance tonight and I thought you of all people would know where I could find the best dresses"
"Oh yes, well I won't send you to any of those cheap stores, you deserve better. My friend Anita makes dresses in her own apartment, I can send you there and she will help you out" she smiles as she writes down the address making the girl smile and thank her graciously.
"Gracias Valentina, I'll come see you soon" she says as she walks out the store and starts heading down to the address, a slight skip in her step.