Flip Me Around (bxb)

Off on a Rough Start [4]

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." - Walter Winchell
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All Jayden could think about is why must all his hard work lead him to sleeping in a suffocating tent with a homeless guy in a homeless camp? If reporters got ahold of his current predicament, they would have a field day at his demise.

Sneaking Jayden in isn't a problem. The camp is dead quiet at night and Fletcher does not want to explain the newcomer while everyone's tired.  A fresh morning is what he'll do!

Fletcher's used to people sleeping next to him but with Jayden's uncomfortable tossing and turning, the night for both of them ends up to be restless. Not to mention, getting him into his tent is the worse part.

Both of them only get four hours of shuteye before the lively bustling sounds of the camp awaken them bright and early.

Oddly, Jayden's nose is completely immune to the strong smell by now. Being unable to breath and gagging for the past few hours seems to be the only solution to the unbearable odor of garbage and piss. He will never want to experience that again.

Now the musician is forcing the former CEO to eat something. A shiny red apple is being handed back and forth between the two with bits of bickering.

"God knows where that's been!"

"Come on, Jayden. I just bought this yesterday."

"So you wanna explain why  there's a new mouth to feed?" asks Zizi who approaches the two. She places her hands on her hips, glancing between the both of them. Her red curly hair is tied back like usual.

Zizi knows Fletcher tends to pick up other poor souls on the street and bring them to camp. This new one looks clean still.

Fletcher sighs, giving up on making Jayden eat the apple. He settles with eating it himself, making a loud bite into the fruit. He munches on his food while giving Zizi a puzzled look.

After swallowing Fletcher says, "I did buy more than enough yesterday, right Zizi? I'm sorry for troubling you guys again."

"It's okay, sweetie. You do so much for us that I don't want to restrict you on helping others."

Jayden interrupts, "There will not be anymore problems because I'm out of here." He then asks Zizi, "I hear you guys have a payphone nearby?"

Zizi raises an eyebrow, "Why yes- but why would you want to waste your money on that?"

"Because I shouldn't even be here," Jayden simply states before glowering at Fletcher. "Will you take me to the payphone already?" The former CEO still has a couple of coins on him that weren't in his wallet.

The musician sighs while Zizi gives them both a puzzled look. If the man has no where to go, why would he turn down Fletcher's offer to stay here. The camp doesn't usually let more homeless inside, in fear of overpopulation. But when it comes to Fletcher, he's the best way to gain access to living there.

Jayden follows Fletcher out of the camp, receiving suspicious glares from the camp's residence; the man doesn't fit in with these homeless people. He stays close to the musician, ignoring the stares. It won't be long until Barrick gets him out of here.