nicotine [unhealthy desires 2]

27

He was driving like maniac on a stirring wheel, good thing the streets were empty,  when we were at a safe distance away from the house, made sure we weren't followed, he finally stopped next to bushes god knows where.

"Is there anywhere safe we can stay? Like actually safe because I'm kind of freaked out right now" he was breathless even though the whole time we didn't speak, we just breathed audibly. "And that doesn't include motels or friends, I'm talking family right now."

"M-my grandma?" I said, also my voice kind of shaken up. I was sweating and my hair was a mess and the car's damn air conditioner was broken.

"Okay." He agreed, "Give me the directions." he said as he started the car again.

We got to my grandmother's house in fifty minutes. She was so far away. But in a way the distance relieved us both, and our breathing started to calm. We also opened the radio, some weird screamo music was playing but I didn't mind, I could use a distraction.

When we stepped out of the car this time, we heard soft music, Elvis Presley. Coming out of my grandmother's house. She always listened to Elvis because my grandfather liked him so much and he kind of reminds her of him when she's lonely, and she likes that.

I knocked two times, Matty standing behind me, I was kind of scared of what she'll think. Her granddaughter, pink hair now, and a boy with a careless outfit that seems to be unwashed and on him for a couple of days, a boy who stinked to the bone with the odor of all the drinks he's ever had. She opened the door, dressed in her night gown, her silver grey hair falling over her shoulders, her blue eyes shining in the dark light.

"Leila?" she asked, I was a little surprised that she remembered me, since she hasn't seen me in ages. "Who is this man, Leila?"

"Judy, could we stay for a few days?" I asked her, breathless.

"Of course my dear, come inside I'll make you a cup of tea!" She said as she huddled both of us inside.

"Hello, ma'am. I'm Matty, Leila's.." I knew he didn't know what to say, he wasn't exactly my boyfriend, I knew he feared saying the wrong word, I could see it all over his face. "Friend." he finally found his words, looking at me as he spoke them. My grandma nodded.

"Of course! I'm Jude, but you can call me Judy! Nice to meet you, though!" she introduced herself, "Are you hungry? Would you like a little something to eat?" she asked genuinely.

"Starving." Matty answered,

"Alright, I will be fixing you up some pancakes. Take a seat!" she said gesturing to the couch.

"She's uh very nice" Matty said a little nervous when my grandmother disappeared in the kitchen.

"Yeah" I agreed, the fact that she let us without doubt or questioning was enough to say that she is very kind. I reached onto his cheek, caressed it. "We'll just stay here for a day or too and see what happens..." I tried comforting him. He was the one with the psychotic father, he needed a lot of comforting. He smiled hastily and nodded, appreciating the gesture.

Judy got back after a few minutes to let us know that she has finished the pancakes, so we went to the kitchen to eat at the table.

I haven't sat to eat a table and actually ate slowly like normal people and I guessed Matty was just the same. So it was nice, to have things slow again. It's like we were in slowtown, which was very relieving.

"Okay so, I'll arrange the guest room for you two, and then I'll head to bed, so good night, oh and don't you dare do anything - she air quoted - naughty under my roof. Clear?" we both nodded, "Alright." She said leaving the room, and we both burst in laughter.