Streetlife

71 - Diner

"I can't wait for Sunday. I'm like so dead." Callie says putting her little purse down on the table and sliding her heels off for the girl was rather exhausted and so was Julius and Tess as they sit down beside her in their usual booth before they would need to turn in their money. It had been a good night for all of them and even Tess had made more than usual, something she was grateful for.

"Who you telling, baby? I have a few new costumes I wanna work on and lord knows I'm still trying to get my little sister to GO HOME. But she just won't, lordy." Julius says sipping his water as Tess pours herself a mug of coffee and letting the caffeine hit her system.

Truth was things between Callie and Julius had been a little awkward ever since the girl had nearly wanted to fight him after making comment after comment about Stef. It had really gotten to her so much to the point that she didn't speak to him as much as she used to and her relaxed attitude toward him had changed considerably.

It was something Julius noticed of course and it bothered him a great deal that Stef seemed to be driving a wedge between him and his friends. He knew that Frank wouldn't allow it or allow half the shit she was doing to be as disrespectful as she'd been even if he knew she was wild and wouldn't listen to anyone. All he wanted was for her to go back to Boston and NEVER come back again but they all knew that was never happening.

"Why don't you just let her stay a bit, Julius? Eventually she will want to go home." Tess says as the man fans himself with the menu as he rubs the back of his neck.

"Welllll I highly doubt it miss. Plus it's exhausting lying about what I do and I'm just over it! I am! Plussssss I don't want my papa banging on my door looking for her and sending armed guards. I'm not ready for that, sweetheart. Y'all ain't either! No way!" He rolls his eyes dramatically.

"Aren't you being dramatic?" Callie looks at him and lights a smoke from the pack Stef had given her as Julius glares hard at her.

"NOOOO! I'm not miss! You have such a 'tude lately!"

"I don't have a 'tude, Julius I just asked if you're being dramatic." Callie puffs her smoke as the man narrows his eyes at her and she takes a sip of her coffee.

"Tell me honey, where is the old Callie? You know the one that was NICE and didn't give me so much 'tude or Lena so much 'tude!! She's collecting money, you know so you better straighten up, babygirl!"

"Straighten up? I don't answer to her!" Callie rolls her eyes again as their food arrives and she puts out her smoke as she cuts into her chicken fried steak ready to inhale the entire thing in one bite.

"Oh but you DO, chica! She's Warbucks second hand! Why do you think she collects money, and..."

"Do we have to keep dragging on this conversation about Lena? Geez! Can't I eat in peace?" Callie becomes defensive now as Julius eyes widen and he gets up with his pancake platter and snatches his mug of coffee.

"I see how it is! Try to be a friend and get snubbed for caring! I'll go eat by the window!" He shouts as he storms off and all Callie can do is roll her eyes as Tess lets out a sigh.

"I know you're frustrated with him for how he talks to Stef, Cals. But he cares about you honey. And you know he don't express himself in the best way."

"I'm just over him and Lena and how they treat her. I am Tess."

"I know, and I know she's your girl but listen, you and me will talk. Ok? I got you. You know that right?'" Tess smiles as she squeeze Callie's hand as the younger girl looks at her and softly smiles.

"Yeah I know. Thanks."

"Of course.  And you and me lets hang too ok? It's been a minute and last time it wasn't so fun. You know you trying to keep me from getting high. I owe you one Callie, you really saved me that night, and I'm real sorry I put you through that shit."

"You owe me by staying off drugs Tess. That's all ok?"

"Deal baby. But you and me still gonna go chill. Now, let me go bring this man back over here so that we can finish eating and head out." Tess winks as she slides out the booth and heads to go talk to their dramatic friend as Callie light another smoke. "Julius!" She calls after him as Olive dodges Tess slides in the booth and grins at Callie.

"Hey, sister girl! How ya been?" She snaps her gum as she smacks her hands on the table and Callie just stares at her.

"Why do you even care?" She sasses for she had no room for this girl whatsoever especially after having to hear Julius bitch and complain about how she was a bad friend, and how she needed to be more respectful. 

"Nahhh, I don't. I care if you got me my money, though." She snaps her gum again as she picks up Callie's purse. "This yours?"

Callie is quick to try and snatch it back but Olive is faster as she keeps it just out of reach as she unzips it. "I don't owe you a dime, Olive! Give it back!  NOW!"

"Ya? I think ya do for that shit you pulled back at my place! This will do!" She pulls out a wad of twenties as Callie jumps up to snatch it but Olive shoves it in her bra and slides past her. "Thanks, Brooklyn! You're a peach!" She clicks her stilettos as she quickly leaves the diner as Callie hollers out.

"She stole my money! Stop her! Freaking heifer stole my money!"

But no one pays attention or even cares as they continue eating or carrying on their conversations in the rather crowded and loud diner as she slides back in her booth suddenly not hungry and wiping her eyes for right now she felt so alone. She had managed to push away Julius and maybe even partly Tess regardless of the fact that the woman wanted to hang with her. 

Callie was usually a rather upbeat person, and very optimistic but she could feel her stomach getting sick for she would be in deep shit with Lena and didn't know what to do about it as she grabs her purse and smokes and heads on out to smoke in the cooler morning air before she had to go and meet her punishment. What would happen she had no damn idea but she wished more than anything she could talk to Stef right now.