She'd always known there was something wrong with her. Not in the dramatic, tragic way-just a quiet, persistent hum under the skin. It didn't bother her much. It simply was.
In that springtime, this wound had been unimaginable, this madness, but it...
-He has your father's genes—you should've seen this coming!-Sofiya lectured Anastasiya as she laid sick on her bed.-These degenerates aren't your league. I'd expect any daughter of mine to be far too intelligent to get caught up with Skid Row scums—and yet, here you are!-she slammed the glass of turmeric milk on the bedside table, almost causing it to spill.
The bang of closing door followed and Anastasiya winced, her head pounding. Her skin burned. She took a sip of remedy and there was a metal taste in her mouth.
She played with the Kershaw, spread out her hand on top of the slide, and jabbed the point past her fingers. Johnny johnny whoops! Johnny johnny johnny johnny. She liked it just as well when it stabbed her. She held her hand up and there was satisfaction at seeing blood, the way there was when people stared at her and looked away when she shot azure daggers back at them. They were thinking she was beautiful, but they were wrong. They didn't see everything ugly swarming beneath her clothes.
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The week has passed, a week of Duff's vain calls, and that event hung over her like swarming bees.
She was reading downstairs when someone rang the doorbell.
She looked through the peephole. Without a second thought, she opened the door, noting her mother wasn't at home.
-Hi, Nastya.-Duff ran a hand over the nape of his neck sluggishly.-Wanna go for a ride? I would like to talk to you.
She slid into Lancia, buckling her seatbelt as he started the engine.
-El Cholo.-he stated casually.
-El Cholo for lunch?
-Yeah.-he draped an arm over the back of her seat, glancing over his shoulder as he reversed out of the yard.-I'm craving some steak fajitas.
-Okay, yeah, we can go there.
His gaze flicked to her.
-For real?
-Yeah.
-You gonna let me?-he smirked, testing her.
She gave him a look, unimpressed.
-I can always change my mind.
-We gotta stop by Hell House first, though.
-Why?
-I got some errands to run.
She didn't press. Just leaned back against the seat, watching the city blur past the window. They cruised down the wide thoroughfare, flanked by palm trees swaying gently in the breeze.
-By the way, don't mind Axl.-he said out of nowhere and turned his Lancia left onto La Cienega Blvd.-He's just got a temper, real moody sometimes.
-Well, doesn't everyone have their moments?-she lit her Sobranie and lowered the window. She stuck her head out it, her hair fluttering in the wind pleasantly brushing against her face. She looked at the driver behind them. Some hippie with sunnies in the tie-dye shirt sent her a peace sign and she blew him a kiss before settling back into her seat.
