Friend {Poofless}

III

"So where's your family?" Rob asks me.
"Back in Texas." I answer plainly even though there was much more than that. "What about you?"
"Back in Canada." He says laughing near the end. "Drink?" He asks holding up two cokes. I nod and he tosses it to me. I almost drop but catch it barely and open it.
"Thanks. So do you live in Los Angeles?" He couldn't be living in Los Angeles. Why would he have a hotel room?

"No. But I live around the area. Ever heard of Los Santos?" I shake my head taking a swig of the fizzy drink. "Well it's a small town not really far away from here. Maybe an hour or so, but it's a nice place. You'd like it."
"I bet I would." I smile. Los Santos? That sounds almost familiar, but I just can't put my finger on it.

"Maybe you can visit before you leave." Rob suggests. Now that I think about it, I never planned a "leave." I could probably make a life in Los Angeles. Change my name get something to change my appearance because I don't want can girls on my tail 24/7.

"I never thought about and after. Maybe I could live in Los Santos. I kind of..." dang it Preston. You got yourself into this, get yourself out. Say something instead of sitting there like an idiot. "I- I sorta... ran away..." I stutter barely being able to form words. Smooth...

"Oh uh. You wouldn't like Los Santos that much. Not enough to spend your life there really. I mean I- I barely get by! I live with my two best friends. Without them I would never survive!" Sweat was pouring down his face and his cheeks were a deep rose color. Yup. Definitely hiding something. I ignore it and push it aside agreeing to just visit. What's so wrong with Los Santos? I guess I'll have to look it up when I can.

*le timeskip*
We entered a rather small city, but it still was fairly large. Shopping centers lined the streets and a large water fountain in the main plaza. Dallas was much bigger and Los Angeles was much bigger too, but it was fairly large. Graffiti lined the stone outsides of the building. Some were very beautiful with gorgeous blending colors, but some were just scribbles.

"Wait- why don't you want me to live here? If looks so peaceful." Pedestrians walk across streets chatting with each other with an occasional cop car. Actually, we saw one around every five minutes and every time we passed one Rob seemed to suck his head down. My stomach twists every time he ducks but I push it past. Maybe he just hasn't been to work in awhile or something, it can't be that bad right?

"Listen Preston, I've lived in this place for over a decade and I've seen some pretty bad things. You wouldn't want to get messed up in it. I'm in too deep to leave."

"What bad things?" I ask regretting it. A habit of mine was to push things over.
"Just.... bad things... drugs, alcohol,... gangs." I nod realizing my mistake and stop talking continuing the car ride in silence.

"Is this where you live?" I ask as he pulls up to a hotel. He couldn't live here right? I mean sure, he could, but it seems kind of unreal if he did.
"No. But I can't take you to my house without asking my friends first. They don't... uh... work well with strangers. I'll talk to them but I'm friends with the manager here. He can get you a room for now. Just ask for Jay Latsky and when you meet him immediately say "when the chicken howls at the sun" and he'll ring you up. Trust me."

"Why can you come in?" I ask curious. "Were you two friends?" I realize I'm pushing it again and close my mouth but he just smiled at me.
"No. Were still friends, but... it's complicated. I'll meet you later tonight, okay?" I nod and get out of the car and hear him drive away.

The inside of the hotel was nice, probably four star. I walk up to the desk and ask for Jay Latsky like Rob told me. "That's me. What can I help you with sir?" He asks looking up and I notice his name tag saying "Jay".
"Uhh... When the chicken howls to the sun." I state hoping no one was around to hear me say such a weird sentence.

"Rob sent you?" I nod and he smiles walking to the back and soon out meeting me in front of the desk. "I'll show you to your room."

A/N
Okay for people who read Victim you might be thinking "but didn't his brother die?" Nope. Not really. And why and how will be revealed later...

GUYS IM WORKING ON A NEW SERIES AND IM PUMPED FOR IT
I'm not like 100% positive I'm going to post it though because I need to think of the summary for two more but knowing me I probably will :D
Not going to spoil much but it involves 5 things a lot of people have