Addiction (Jim x Tilly - The Basketball Diaries fic)

Chapter 22. High again

Jim

We made out way through the bustling streets of New York before arriving on a corner near the park. This was where Mickey and I had scored our previous bag of heroin. I wasn't going to buy any brown today though. I wanted to keep Tilly away from that as much as possible. After all these years, I still wanted to protect her.

Looking around, a few homeless people slummed in this area. I watched as a ragged man limped past us, muttering to himself. Taking Tilly's hand, I pulled her behind me slightly.

"This parts kinda dangerous" I whispered to her. She nodded her head, acknowledging my words. I felt her hands tremble in mine and I gave a quick squeeze of reassurance. I could tell she'd never seen this part of the streets before, no matter how tatty and run down the part of New York we lived in was. I glanced back and was met with wide eyes as she peered around, carefully surveying the scene.

"Oh hey, just over here" I jolted my jaw out and she moved to my side as we neared a bench where Mickey was sat slumped over. I gave him a light shake to awaken him. He was in worse shape than me. I knew I wasn't looking particularly good, but he just looked downright awful. Like a druggie. I hoped Tilly wouldn't take any of this the wrong way. I knew she sensed I was back on drugs again, but I wasn't nearly as addicted as Mickey.

"Yooo what's good mannn" his head swayed from side to side, eyes drooping as he glanced up at me.

"See you got ya girl back" he continued, slurring and laughing slightly. For the first time, I felt embarrassed of him in Tilly's company. I nodded, not wanting to say too much. Like I said, I didn't want her to get the wrong impression.

Grabbing my shoulder to steady himself, he hauled his body off of the bench.

"So uh you seen Paedro lately?"

"Uhm no... dunno what's happened to him"

"Maybe he's been arrested or some shit" he scratched his head.

"Yeah maybe..." I trailed off, glancing in Tilly's direction. The poor girl looked like a deer caught in the headlights. There was a small hint of sadness in her eyes too. This wasn't what Mickey was like the last time she saw him. I knew what she felt like. It was like she had lost a friend.

"Look, Mickey man, I was hoping you could hook us up with some weed"

He cackled a mean laugh. Since when had he become like this? Apparently I'd been too oblivious to notice. All the while, I was aware of a very uncomfortable Tilly standing next to me. She'd gotten too used to the clean life, so this was clearly weird for her.

"Weed?! Weed?! That's baby shit!" he guffawed. I stood there, my face turning red. God I was so embarrassed. Not embarrassed that I wanted something that light, but embarrassed of him.

My voice turned cold, eyes turning to ice.

"Yeah man. Weed." I replied, bluntly. In hesitation, Mickey raised his hands as if I'd threatened him with a gun and then reached into his pocket, retrieving a medium sized packet of bud. He enclosed it in his fist before glancing around and slipping into my side pocket.

"Pay me later" he smacked me on the shoulder and I gave him a strained smile. I watched him slump back down onto the bench. Turning around, I led Tilly out of there as quickly as possible. What an asshole.

Once we had made our way back to the apartment complex, Tilly opened the door hoping I'd follow. Instead I grabbed her hand, pulling her away and led her to the ladders on the side of the wall.

"My lady" I motioned to the bars.

She understood what I meant immediately and I grabbed onto her waist, giving her the first boost onto the ladder. We climbed until we reached my apartment, swinging our legs over the balcony and heaving the window open. I threw myself down onto the bed, eager to begin rolling the joint. Tilly joined me and I looked up at her, a small smirk forming.