Finding Jordyn

Chapter Eight: Cost of Doing Business

Jordyn's pov.

We were at school hanging out when Ofe came over to us, a fresh and nasty looking shiner on his face. I stood up abruptly, "what happened?" Ofe grimaced, "I would say that you should see the other guy but there's not a scratch on him." I touched the side of his face gingerly, "Ofe.." He cleared his throat, "cost of doing business." " Another side job go wrong?" I asked him and he nodded, "someone paid me big on a long shot and they won so I gotta pay up but uh.. I've been letting people pay me in IOU's so I'm a little low on cash." "Ofe.." I trailed off but he searched the hallways instead, "anyone seen Bird?" He asked and I pointed to across the square where she was flirting with Ramon. "I need my bank," he said as soon as she came back over. "Your his bank?" I asked in disbelief. "It's not a charity. She makes money." Ofe defended but Bird chuckled, "I do not make money." "It's more emotional payment than financial." Ofe clarified. "So you get not beat up and she gets a pet Ofe?" I asked and he sent me a look, "Yes unless you'd like to take up the charge of caring for me, it'll only cost you the low rate of a few hundred bucks." I threw my hands up in mock surrender, "would if I could but I'm broke."

"Hey what happened to you?" Taylor asked while coming up but Ofe smiled, "Nothing that prevents me from seeing how alluring you look today." Taylor shifted uncomfortably, "Thanks.. I'm flattered.. And uncomfortable. Um Carter, can I borrow your keys?" Carter smirked and linked arms with Taylor as they walked towards the parking lot. I skipped the sister-bonding session though and walked over to where Ofe had settled on the bench outside. "Wanna skip class and smoke a bowl under the bleachers? I might even let you sneak a kiss." I offered half sarcastically but he was a little preoccupied with his near death experience. "Oscar," I said quieter and he looked up at me with a half smile, "how long have you kept that one in your pocket?" "Don't you start underestimating me now, Oscar Fuentes Patterson." I said with a smile and he blushed, "you sure know how to make a girl feel special." I laughed, "come on, pity parties are no fun alone." I pulled his hand until he was running off with me to the football field that no one ever used.

We sat under the bleachers talking and passing the joint back and forth steadily. "You think Taylor is cute?" I asked and he coughed in surprise, "I'm not trying to date Taylor." "well who are you trying to date then?" I asked and he shook his head, "I'm not high enough to have that conversation with you." I chuckled, "I had to try." "Besides I think the much more interesting question is who are you trying to date?" He redirected the question and I stared at him, "No one." Ofe poked my nose, "why don't I believe you?" I smacked his hand away, "you're a naturally born conspiracy theorist." "I have two gay dads, I was not naturally born." He said. I smiled, "not fair that you have a perfectly normal and ordinary origin story." "I love that test tube baby doesn't freak you out," he said. "Well compared to being abducted.." I trailed off.

 Ofe laid down with his head in my lap staring up at me, "How did you figure out my name?" he asked and I played with his hair. "Being the daughter of a career criminal has its perks," I said and he smiled, "you broke into the office didn't you?" I laughed, "I was already there and the poor dear couldn't figure out how to turn the printer on. I just offered to help.. Right as she took a coffee break. By the way, you are a closeted nerd. 4.2 GPA isn't too bad for a stoner kid." "I'm not a stoner kid, I just sell drugs," he argued. "Oh right, that's sooo different." I said and he chuckled, "drug dealer sounds better than stoner." "Not to me." I said and he touched the side of my face, "what would you like me to be then?" "Is it too cheesy to say mine?" I said and he looked up at me, his face turning more serious as the seconds ticked by. "You're intoxicated and besides I'm not good enough for you," he said sitting up and I stared at him, "I'm fine and your GPA says different." "I know myself and you're too good for me." He said confidently. "I don't think that's true." I argued. He looked at me with a pained expression, "that's why I like you so much."