Strawberry Smoke

Dude don't even

5 months in and Nathan had finally convinced Joseph to go to the party. With the promise of drinks and cute girls, Joseph had finally given in and they now made their way through flat tires, disposed beer bottles, and unused train tracks.

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The abandoned train station was surprisingly lit up in the now dark sky.

Nate lead him to a nearby building that twinkled with dangling lights. A few lamps stood to the corners and it was clear that it used to be a work area. It was at least 5 stories high, broken windows and nearly crumbling. In side, a few scaffold shelves stood to the side with a long desk like table in the center.

People sat cross legged around a campfire that blazed to the right while people on the left had bottles in their hand and cigarettes in the other.

Nate placed a bottle in Joseph's hand before walking off to hug another friend. Joseph leaned against a table, sipping his drink and gazing around the room. Everyone was wearing either leather or jean jackets and black jeans. A few girls wore black or red dress and two or three wore a short skirt. Everyone was laughing and talking with friends. Just a normal day at the abandoned train station with weed and beer. He continued looking around till his eyes fell on her.

She sat on one if the workbenches inside the building. Her emerald velveteen skirt moving a bit up her knees. She wore a long sleeved black shirt and a jean vest dusted with spikes. A black fedora sat on the back of her light violet hair and her dark lips parted as she laughed. Joseph couldn't help and stare at her as she placed the cigarette between her lips yet again.

"Dude don't even." Nathan said, leaning against a table and pressing the beer bottle to his lips.

"She got a name?" Joseph asked, ignoring his friend.

"Man I'm not even gonna tell you. Maybe that'll make you stay away." He replied.

"A name Nate." Joseph insisted and Nathan sighed, setting down his bottle and crossing his arms before standing directly beside Joseph.

"Hillary Angel James. Now I'm only telling you this so you'll back down. She different man. Mean, attitude, bad girl, hard to get. Many men have tried and all failed." Nate explained and looked sideways at Joseph.

"I'm gonna bring her a drink." He said decisively and Nate gaped at him.

"Did you not hear a word I just said?" Nate asked as Joseph began to walk towards the cooler.

"Yeah I did. That's exactly why I'm doing it." He called over his shoulder.

"Uh one please." Joseph said, to the boy who was manning the cooler. The boy had large gages and a black and white tanktop on.

"Saw you looking at Hills. Words from your bartender, don't be surprised is she smiles like she's into you. She's not. Also," he paused pulling out a bottle of champagne. "Give her this. She special ordered it from last week."

"What's your name?" Joseph asked and the boy held out his name.

"Michael. And she's my best friend so be careful." He replied.

"Joseph and I will." Joseph said and shook Michaels hand. He nodded before turning away as Joseph walked toward Hillary and her friends.

"Never have I ever... Done the deed." One of the girls said and Hillary sighed before throwing her head back and taking a long drag from the joint that was being passed around. She passed it to the next person and it continued around.

"What's with the sigh Hills?" Asked a turquoise haired girl next to her.

"Basically it sucked." She replied and the girl laughed.

"Bet I could do it better." Joseph suddenly spoke up and Hillary looked to him and smiled. The girl next to her chuckled and looked away, shaking her head.

"Do ya now?" Hillary asked and Joseph shrugged holding the bottle of champagne out to her. Hillary smirked and took the bottle from him after hopping off the table.

"Oi Mikey!" Hillary shouted, looking over to the "bartender."

He looked up and she smiled, holding the bottle in the air and said loudly, "Cedar here is lucky to have you." He gave her a thumbs up and the girl in the table chuckled and gave a thumbs up back.

"Thank you..." Hillary drew on, looking back to Joseph.

"Joseph, and you're welcome." Joseph smiled and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Hills I'm gonna head home so if you want a ride you best come now." Cedar, the turquoise haired girl, said.

"Nah gramps and I got in a fight again." She replied and Cedar came beside her.

"Alright dear be safe lock your train door then." Cedar smiled and gave her a hug.

"Will do lovely. And you're coming to the park tomorrow right?" Hillary asked and Cedar began walking away.

"Well of course, it's not everyday you get into a haunted carnival." Cedar replied.

"Uh yeah it is." Hillary said and Cedar laughed over her shoulder as Michael snaked an arm around her waist and walked out with her.

"Haunted carnival?" Joseph asked and Hillary looked back to him.

"It's just a name for this abandoned carnival on the hill. Some guy bring it through town like 20 years ago and then disappeared. Nobody really ever did anything with it. We hang out there every wednesday." Hillary replied. Joseph nodded and she slightly tilted her head.

"What?" He asked and she smiled.

"Your dad's the baker isn't he?" Hillary asked.

"How did you know?"

"I buy a lot of muffins. So that makes you Joseph Basin."

"That's my name don't wear it out."

"Well Jo-Jo, I'm taking this," She started and waved the bottle a bit. "And returning to my home. See you tomorrow." Hillary winked before walking out the broken doorway and to the dark night, and Joseph couldn't take his eyes off her.