Addiction (Jim x Tilly - The Basketball Diaries fic)

Chapter 26. Heroin 💉

Jim

The next evening, Tilly and I were laying under the stars again on the apartment roof. It was sort of quiet up here. The hustle and bustle of the city carried away by the wind into the night. We blew puffs of smoke out into the open air. It was colder up here than down on the streets.

"I can hear your teeth Tils. Lemme give you my sweater" I sat up to begin taking it off.

"I'm fine" she shivered. I rolled my eyes, balling the sweater up and shoving it in her face.

"Put it onnnnn"

"Nooo!" she laughed as I tickled her. She had goosebumps. I traced my fingers up and down her bumpy but still smooth skin on her arms as she gave in, eventually pulling the sweater over her head and onto her body. It was way too big for her. She stretched out her arms.

"What are you? A scarecrow?" she teased.

"Don't be daft, just roll the sleeves up idiot". I reached out to her and rolled them up to her hands, just so that there was enough material to cover them and keep her warm.

We continued to lay there in silence. The silences between us were never awkward or boring. The air was always filled by the enormity of affection we shared for one another. I think we both understood this. I never wanted to loose her again, that I was sure of.

"So uh like... you wanna get high?" she twisted her head, meeting my eyes.

"Is that even a question?" I jumped up in a shot, extending my arm to help her up. I pulled her towards the ladder, taking ahold of both her arms and steadying her, making sure she could get down carefully. The climb from my apartment to the roof wasn't a short one. It sure as hell wasn't for anyone who had a fear of heights. My Mom would kill me if she knew I came up here. Ms Anderson would also murder me if she found out I was letting Tilly come with me. After a long descent, we made it down to the ground. I didn't have any spare coke in my room, so we'd have to buy some. It was late at night and the streets were notoriously dangerous at this time. I knew I had to keep Tilly safe, even if it meant risking my life. She wasn't as used to the drug streets as me. She didn't know how to handle the sort of people that wander around there like me.

I gripped her hand tightly, lacing our fingers together, and we began our walk to the same park as last time. All around us, the city was lit up with beaming lights; billboards flashing at us, promoting the latest drinks; drunk couples staggering past; sex workers and strippers roaming the sidewalks and there was still a constant flow of traffic mixed in with the loud chatter and screams of those out. Even this late at night, the city was still thriving and alive as if it was the daytime. Strolling through the gates to the park, I glanced down, noticing a few people sleeping on benches and in bags. Fuck they looked rough. I felt a pang of sadness in my heart.

"Jiiimmm, Matildaaaa" a familiar voice called. I turned around to see Paedro lumbering up behind me. He had a slight limp, face all bruised up, eyes droopy and head hanging low. I felt Tilly flinch beside me at being called 'Matilda'.

"Sorry" I whispered, feeling guilty for something I shouldn't have to apologise for. I guess I was now feeling embarrassed to even know people like Mickey and Paedro. She gave me a small squeeze of my hand. It was her way of saying 'it's okay' but without words.

"Hey Paedro" he slapped me on the back, hard. I winced.

"What's good Jimmy! Long time no seee" he ambled around. This guy was clearly on a shit ton of drugs. I didn't even want to know what.

"Yeah long time no see" I echoed, hesitantly.

"Where'd you go? Mickey thought you'd been 'arrested or some shit', as he put it"