Everyone Can Be Bought

(25) I'm not drunk

"I can't believe you went with bright blue hair!" Nickel exclaims the moment she gets in my car.

"What? It's just a wig. Now nobody will recognize me and try to kill us." I chirp cheerfully.

"The whole point of a disguise is not to stand out! With blue hair it's like you painted LOOK AT ME on your face."

"Exactly! Monster expects me to blend in so I'll stand out." I'm so clever.

"You're crazy girl." Nickel huffs.

"Your friends with me so who's the crazy one now?" I make a sudden turn.

"Still you! Slow down you drive like a maniac!"

"I do not drive like a squirrel you baby!"

"Should I know what you're talking about?" Nickel asks and fumbles to put her seat belt on.

"No not really." I respond. Nickel knows I'm part of a gang and everything but she's not involved with any of it. She has a good family life and I don't want to ruin it with my unplanned schemes. See I can be thoughtful sometimes.

"How are things?" She asks casually.

"Well someone tried to kill me yesterday but I'm alive."

"Yeah because I couldn't tell." She rolls her eyes.

"I have a strangulation mark on my neck but Tasha made sure to cover it up nicely."

"Take better care of yourself would you?"

"Nope."

"Didn't think so."

....................................................

"What happened to you! You look worse than the last time I saw you."

"Thanks for the compliment Tasha."

"I can't believe I'm doing this again. You're the worst person to work on."

"I can't help it if I have a problem sitting still."

"What color?"

"Blue."

"You're an idiot."

"I know. Can you cover this too?" I point to my neck.

"Yeah it shouldn't be too difficult. Valentine please tell her to be more careful!"

"She can't help it trouble follows her everywhere she goes." Val shakes her head.

"It's a gift and a curse." I smile proudly.

"No it's clearly only a curse." Valentine sighs she knows I'm quoting Monk. Her favorite series ever.

"Rin even though I hate you I don't like seeing someone get hurt like this." Tasha dabs my neck with some cold tan liquid.

"It comes with the territory."

............................................................

I pull into the driveway and we both step out of the car.

"Time to get CRAZY!" Nickel shouts and takes my hand in hers. She drags me into the house where there's already drunk people out of their minds.

"How are they drunk already?" I point to a couple in the corner ready to pass out.

"Lightweights?" Nickel suggests. The party literally just started fifteen minutes ago.