𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄 - 𝐫𝐢𝐨

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞?

MALINA GRABBED a bag of chips, popcorn and a a bowl of candy that was always filled, setting it on the table in front of her before grabbing two throw blankets that laid neatly on the couch.

she threw one over to Julie, who was a kid she babysat nearly ever other day. before covering herself with the other.

Julie came from a wealthy family, which meant they were able to pay Malina more. her parents worked constantly, and didn't have the greatest relationship.

Malina knew what it was like having to listen to your parents constantly fighting at a young age, which is why she always agreed to watch Julie.

she was only seven, and Malina didn't want her to have to go through that. so she would try to prevent it as much as she possibly could.

Malina worked as a cashier in a corner store, similar to Annie. when she was off, she would spend her time with Julie, or sometimes her friends.

her and Julie had formed a great relationship.

Julie would call her from her mother's phone and talk to her anytime her parents were fighting and Malina wasn't free.

Malina listened to all of the second grade drama.

The bowl of candy that always sat in Malinas kitchen was full of Julie's favorite candy.

The two would listen to music, laugh and slide back and forth on Malinas floors.

They would take turns painting each others nails, if braiding each others hair.

Julie had her own blanket and pillow that Malina kept in her house, and didn't let anyone but Julie use.

Malina looked at her as her own daughter, or a little sister. most times she didn't even really think of it as babysitting her.

A laugh bubbled out of Julie as project x played, and Malina slowly turned to her, her eyes squinting as she listened to the constant cuss words and talk about sex. "i don't know if you should be watching this."

Julie took a bite of the snickers that was in her hand, "i won't tell my mom."

Malina gave her an unsure look, not knowing if it was right to continue letting her watch the movie, even though Julie had picked it.

"i've heard cuss words before, Lina." Julie spoke.

Malina scoffed out a chuckle, shrugging.

Malina placed the almost three hundred dollars she had made from babysitting Julie for a couple days on Beth's kitchen counter, sitting next to Ruby with a sigh. "how much do we owe neck tat, now?"

she looked up at her friends, seeing Annie and Beth both looked paranoid and stressed.

Ruby seemed to notice it too, glancing at Malina. "what's going on?"

"there's been a development." Beth sighed.

"what?" Malina furrowed her eyebrows, glancing between her friends as she was highly confused.

"what kind of development?" Ruby spoke, her hand shaking at she grew nervous.

Annie and Beth said nothing, just slowly walked outside with Ruby and Malina following behind them. as they walked to the treehouse that was in Beth's backyard, Malina began to become even more confused.

"okay, guys i don't think right now is—" Malina started, cutting herself off as she climbed up the treehouse and saw what laid on the floor.

"what am i looking at right now?" Ruby spoke.

"Boomer?" Malina slightly leaned forward, as Ruby began to yell.

Boomer laid on the ground, a cloth in his mouth and both his hands and legs tied.

"what the fuck." she mumbled, glancing at her friends.

the girls walked back down the treehouse and back inside the house as Annie began trying to explain herself. "he knows about the store!"

"he was going to the cops." Beth added.

"does he know about the gang, too?" Ruby asked.

"hell no, that's way above his pay grade. he's like, the definition of middle management." Annie sat at the counter.

"oh, and he also tried to rape me!"

Malinas head whipped in Annie direction, "what the fuck, Annie? are you okay?"

"what?" Rubys face scrunched.

"that is absolutely true." Beth pointed.

"he's a dick and a rapist!"

"it was self defense."

"self defense?"

"definitely."

"how is hog tying a man, climbing him twelve feet above the earth, and hiding him in a tree house self defense?"

Malina listened to the three argue, pulling on her bottom lip slightly as she tried to process everything she just saw and was told.

"okay, who do we know?" Beth spoke, throwing her hands up.

"to rob?" Annie looked at her.

"to ask for money, Annie." Ruby shook her head.

"somebody rich who would care if i was dead? i mean, i wish." Annie scoffed.

The other three gave Annie a certain look, making Annie slowly come to realization and shake her head. "no."

"what do you mean, no?"

"i mean, no."

"no, no, no!"

"Annie, this is life or death."

"i choose death."

"give me death!"

it took awhile of convincing, but Annie eventually gave up and agreed on doing it.

Beth turned to Malina, "you could ask Julie's parents."

Malina slowly shook her head, "they already pay me to babysit her, Beth."

Beth sighed, slowly nodding her head as she knew that was probably not going to happen.

"let's hope Greg helps."

SLUMPEDDP
feel free to give me any ideas if you have any!
didn't proof read, ignore or correct any mistakes!