Out Tonight

Nineteen

It was early that next morning when Daya sat out on the balcony, a blanket draped over her shoulders and her coffee cup in her hands. She wrapped them around the ceramic in an effort to warm them, letting out a soft sigh. Bosco was still asleep, and she didn't want to wake her. Especially because she knew Bosco wouldn't want her going out on the street again to play her new guitar.

The balcony door opened. Daya looked back over her shoulder to see a tired Maddy coming to join her. "You're up earlier than I thought you'd be." She pointed out. "You had a pretty late class last night."

"Just couldn't sleep." Maddy sat beside her and rubbed her tired eyes. "...Jasmine's asking for a baby again." She admitted quietly.

Daya frowned, understanding now why her friend couldn't sleep. "What did you tell her?"

Maddy just sighed and shook her head. "Just the usual. We need to wait until we're more financially stable and in a better environment. That's not really a lie."

Daya tapped her nails against the mug in her hand. "You're going to have to explain it to her at some point." She said quietly, glancing at the balcony door to make sure Jasmine wasn't around to hear.

Maddy leaned back in her chair and stared up at the sky. "How can I? She's been crocheting baby clothes and collecting little things for one for forever now. It would break her if she knew we can't just have one normally."

Daya nodded a little, sipping her coffee in an effort to warm herself. "I'll have to tell Bosco not to correct her if she brings anything up..."

Maddy pulled her knees up to her chest, a guilty look in her eyes. "I promised her a much better life." She said quietly. "I feel like I'm letting her down."

Daya shook her head. "You're not letting her down, Mads." She told her friend. "You're either in class or working or studying. She knows you're doing your best."

Maddy hoped she was right. "I guess so..." She sighed. "I just hope it'll be enough to get her out of here one day."

Daya looked down at her hands. She'd love to take Bosco away from here too. "Somewhere safe."

"Exactly." Maddy agreed. "Somewhere she can have what she's always wanted."

It was quiet between them before the balcony door opened again. With a yawn, Bosco stepped out and rubbed her eyes. "It's early." She mumbled, sitting beside Daya and leaning against her arm.

Daya smiled a little. "I know. You should go lay down again. You have work tonight."

"So do you." Bosco pointed out, clinging onto her arm. "...Are you leaving?"

Daya froze. She hadn't planned on how she was going to tell her she was going to be leaving for a bit that morning. "I was planning on it..."

Bosco whined, moving closer against her. "No, not after the last time..."

Daya sighed and wrapped her arm around her. "It's only for a few hours, baby. I'll be more careful this time and nothing bad will happen."

Bosco shook her head. "You haven't even recovered completely yet." She said, pointing out Daya's still bruised eye. "You can't go."

Daya had a feeling she was going to lose this battle whether she wanted to or not. "Baby I-"

Bosco climbed into her lap and pressed her head against her neck, her hands gripping at Daya's shirt. "Please don't go." She said, her voice breaking. "I need you to stay here with me please..."

Daya leaned her head against Bosco's, her plea making her feel guilty. "You know how to make this difficult..."

"It's for your own good." Bosco insisted, determined to not let the taller girl go. "Please?"