Exposed (#wattys2016)

chapter two

The house was empty and quiet once everyone left, with nothing to do but sit and listen to the ticking clock. I grabbed my hoodie and headed outside, slipping it over my shirt again.

I rubbed my eyes, yawning as the brightness of the morning sun filled my head. I kept walking down the sidewalk, looking around at the half houses which have definitely seen better days. This wasn't home. Where were the palm trees? The ocean? The sun? The sea breeze? Florida was home.

My stomach rumbled lowly as I walked along the beaten up sidewalk. Sprouts of grass grew between the cement. I stopped in my tracks and tucked my hands inside of my pockets, pulling out nothing but fabric.

We needed grocery money. I sat down on the curb, eyeing a milk truck that was stopping to unload across the street. Perfect timing.

The driver was a small, plump man with a mustache. He plopped out of the truck, waddling to the back end. He struggled to open the truck, and took his time unpacking the first box of milk gallons.

"This will take ages," I muttered to myself as the man unloaded. There were only a few other pedestrians walking the streets and sidewalks; half of them looked homeless.

I watched him set down his utility knife on the bottom of the truck's floor. It shined in the morning sun. Now, he walked inside of the store with a clipboard in his hand.

I got up from my spot on the curb and checked both ways, but not because of cars. I couldn't afford to get caught.

I approached his truck and grabbed the knife, slipping it into my hoodie quickly. I grabbed a gallon of milk that was packed inside another half-unloaded box, quickly crossing the street again with both items in my possession.

You always have to look casual. I laughed at my achievement, beginning to walk back home to put the gallon inside of the fridge.

"Hey, milk boy," a female voice spoke a few paces behind me, even though I just got back across the street.

"Whaddya want?" I responded bluntly, turning around to see Liv leaning against a public garbage can across from where I was sitting previously. Classy. She chewed her gum with her mouth open, grinning while her eyes scanned my body. I knew what she wanted.

"I saw you do that. The milk. I watched you the whole time. Impressive," Liv twirled some hair between her fingers, standing up straighter so she didn't rely on the trashcan. She walked closer to me, reaching around to smack my ass.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I asked, cringing and backing away at the contact of her hand.

"I know you need money, Hale. Have sex with me and you'll get 50 bucks. Let's just make this plain and simple."

Liv bent forward so I saw her breasts. She was trying so hard, but that doesn't do anything to me. With each provocative gesture, she got closer and closer again. Her hands were running over my body in the middle of a sidewalk.

"Seriously, Liv. Go away," I hissed and shoved her away with my free hand, "shouldn't you be in school?"

Liv's expression dropped, shooting me daggers.

"Really, Hale? Fuck you. Better watch your back now, milk boy. School isn't for people like me anyway."

I rolled my eyes at Liv's voice. The most she would do is send her big scary brother to try and beat me up because she didn't get a dick inside of her. I'm taller and stronger than that punk anyway.

Her family is nothing but a bunch of helpless, jail bound souls. I'm not even sure her older brother, Caspian, can count to 10.

"I'll see you around, Liv," I turned my back on her and kept walking home. I heard her huff loudly behind me like a child denied a cookie.

I finally arrived home and slid the milk into the fridge, gripping the knife in my pocket. I removed it from the pouch in my hoodie, examining it carefully.

The mail on the kitchen counter caught my attention and suddenly reminded me that we needed money. There were no eggs in the fridge, and the bread was nothing but crumbs in a plastic bag. I leaned against the counter to think, nervously biting my lip. Ah, fuck it.

I got up and flung the back door open, leaving from the kitchen.

I walked down the uneven gravel until I reached the front of the house and the sidewalk, making a left to walk towards the grocery store. I wasn't sucking anyone's dick for money this time.

I reached the parking lot of the grocery store. My eyes scanned the rows of cars, knife in pocket. I decided to take a walk through all of the cars. I was looking for two things: cash and valuables.

When I lived in Florida, I never had to do this. My grandparents raised me and showed me that working hard lead to money and success. Upon moving here, that turned to inspirational trash. If you need something, you do whatever you can to get it.

I examined each car as I passed, peering inside of dozens of windows. The turnout was wet wipes and tissues, with the occasional book or notepad tossed on the passenger seat.

"One more row," I mumbled to myself.

I scanned the last row of cars, making sure to stay in touch with my surroundings. No cops... bingo.

I finally came across a car with money spread all over the floor of the passenger side. I lifted my knife out of my pocket, examining the blade and tip. I looked around once again.

"Put that down, or I'll rat you out," a low, angry voice said from behind me.

Damn, I really need to make sure I check my surroundings better.

I remained still, ready to think of some dumb excuse and apology.

"So, Hale. I heard you pushed my little sister around this morning. Listen, kid, keep your hands off of her from now on. Think of this as a little warning. Put that knife away, and we'll be good," the voice crept closer.

I put the knife away reluctantly and turned around. I felt my heartbeat ringing in my ears.

Caspian was inches from my face, staring into my eyes with his arms crossed tightly. He was sweaty and smelled like cigarettes. His expression reinforced just how angry he sounded.

"It's not my fault when your sister is flashing her god damn boobs at me, asking for sex," I spoke while my eyes slowly crept up to meet his, my heart pounding a little faster (although I'd never admit that to anyone) from his expression.

He raised his fist now, bringing it closer to my chest. "Woah, woah, calm down buddy. Are you not understanding what I'm saying? Keep your filthy hands off of her," Caspian pushed me back onto the car with the fist he made. He was breathing heavier, his eyes piercing mine, "take the damn money and leave my sister alone."

His hands opened up from the fist they were just in, twenty bucks falling onto the ground by my shoes. He flipped me off before running back to his buddy's truck, hopping in the front seat. The engine roared and the truck drove away.

He really did follow me here, how else would he have known?

I bent down to pick up the cash, smoothing out the wrinkles in the bill with my hands.

Thanks, asshole.

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