" Where's Johnny ? " Alex asked. Layla, Risha, Allen, Alex and me where standing in the living room waiting for him to show up.
It felt weird wearing a dress. Risha talked me into it. I almost always wore boyish clothes. My closet was mostly hand - me - downs from my brothers, we couldn't afford new stuff so I didn't really have a choice. The dress was a beautiful shade of blue and had a gingham pattern. The buttons were in the front and the sleeves ended a bit past my shoulders. The hem was slightly past my knees. I felt like a princess with my hair done and lipstick on.
Girls in my neighborhood usually wore blue jeans just like the guys and sometimes blouses that showed way too much skin. It was rare to see a girl in my gang wearing a skirt or a dress. The majority of us didn't wear them because they make us look gentle and innocent, and people go after you when you look gentle and innocent. Sometimes people mistake me for a boy on account of me wearing mostly boy clothes and having hair that's kind of short and acting like a boy and hanging out with boys.
" How's it goin' ? " Johnny said as he walked in the door.
" We were lookin' for you ! Where you been, kid ? " Allen said, patting him on the back.
" Sorry, my old man was busy yelling at me " he explained.
" We better go or we're gonna be late " Layla announced. We all hurried out the door into the chilly outside.
Johnny did cartwheels in the middle of the road, almost getting hit by a car. He's the wildest of all of us.
Goosebumps appeared on my arms and legs as we walked past the park and the painful memory of almost getting mugged crossed my mind.
" Hey, kid. I forgot to tell you happy birthday " Johnny said.
" Thanks, Johnny " I replied.
" Hey anyone got a lighter ? " Risha asked.
" Yeah, here ya go " Layla offered, reaching into her pocket and handing the lighter to her.
" Thanks "
" Hey, Alex. Why are you so quiet all the sudden ? " I questioned.
" Why are you so nosy all the sudden ? " he commented.
" Seriously, what's wrong ? You're never this quiet "
" Darla kinda sort of left me for Kevin " he admitted.
A shiver ran up my spine at the mention of his name. I tried to come up with something to say to cheer him up.
" She's a jerk, anyway. It's her loss. She lied to you one time, remember ? And she's mean " I said.
" Yeah, I guess you're right. She's a rich snob, too " he agreed.
The drive - in wasn't too far from our house, so we got there in about 20 minutes. We didn't have enough money for all of us, so Layla and Alex and Johnny had to sneak in. Layla would sneak in either way, she was a hood. Me and Allen bought Cokes for everyone and went to find seats.
" Hey Addie, come with me to the bathroom real quick before the movie starts " Risha said. I stood up and followed her to the concessions stand, confused.
" What are we here for ? " I asked, anxiety in my voice.
" You remember a few weeks ago when Jim tried to beat up Layla ? " she answered.
" Yeah " I replied, getting even more worried than I already was.
" Hate to tell you this, but he was talkin' with his friends while they were really drawing designs on her " she whispered.
" What the hell did they say ? " I asked a bit louder than I meant to.
" I couldn't quite hear but they said somethin' about payback "
" Payback ? Payback for what ?What do we do, Risha ? " I gasped, trying to keep myself together.
" How am I supposed to know ! " she said between clenched teeth.
" We better go before Allen freaks out " I sighed.
We were back just in time for the movie to start. It was Breakfast at Tiffany's, and I hadn't seen it at the time even though it was made almost 2 years ago. The film started to play right as we sat down, and everyone was silent except for the people behind us who wouldn't stop giggling.
I turned around to tell them to shut up, but when I saw who it was, I immediately changed my mind. My hands started to get sweaty and and I could feel my heart beating in my teeth.
" Hey, you know you still owe me twenty bucks " Jim whispered to Layla. She sighed and turned around, her cold, gray eyes stabbing him like daggers.
" Climb it, Tarzan " she snarled, raising her middle finger and grinning wildly.
" Layla, what's goin' on ? " Alex whispered.
" Nothing, just some jackass who thinks he owns the place " she replied, crossing her arms and turning back around.
" What'd he do ? " Allen asked.
" It's a long story " she answered. My brothers were the only people who didn't know what Kevin and Jim and that other guy did. I didn't want to tell Allen though, it would be too awkward. I don't think Alex would belive me.
I couldn't tell anyone else in the gang that didn't already know, either. I was friends with most of them, but not like I was with Risha and Layla and Johnny. Besides, if I told anyone someone would try to start an all - out rumble. I don't like seeing people get hurt unless they deserve it and I'd probably get beat up pretty quick.
Kevin started in on me, too. At first, I tried to ignore him but that boy just wasn't having it.
" You knock it off before I stab your eyes out " I warned him, not looking at him so that it would seem like I didn't care. But I did care, a lot. I was petrified in fear.
" Who's gonna make me, huh ? You gonna go call your mommy and daddy ? Would your dad approve of you bein' out this late, especially with all these dudes and a sleazy broad like Layla? " he teased, kicking the back of my chair.
" My parents are dead, and if you don't shut up you will be too ! And they're my brothers, idiot ! " I snapped, my blood boiling with anger.
" Addie, you alright ? " Allen asked.
" Absolutely, why ? " I replied.
" Thought I heard you say somethin' " he answered.
" Must've been somebody else. I haven't said nothin' " I lied.
" Well, I heard the people behind us talkin' about you. Are they ..... Uh - bugging you ?" he said.
Dammit, I thought. If my brother found out someone was trying to hit on me, he'd kill that guy. I didn't want to start anything. I didn't want Kevin to think I was scared.
" Nah, I'm fine. I don't even know those cats " I answered.
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After what seemed like decades, the movie ended. We all hauled ass out of the drive - in, the street right across from it was Silver Flames territory, the gang that Kevin and Jim were part of and our gang's rival.
A shiny red truck started to slow down next to us, and my hands were shaking and my heart pumped fast. Even I know that a car slowing down next to you in the middle of the night is bad news.
" Layla ! Alex ! Y'all need a ride ? " the person driving the car offered.
" Sure Peter " Alex said.
" Come on in " Peter replied. Johnny called shotgun which meant the rest of us had to sit in the back.
" Layla, who the hell is this guy ? " I asked.
" You don't know Peter ? He works at the gas station with Alex " she explained.
My brother had to get a part - time job to help put food on the table. We weren't exactly middle class, we were a lot more poor. At one point it got so bad Alex almost dropped out of school. I figured I would have to start looking for work since I was old enough now.
" Yeah, he's the guy who always tries to start food fights at lunch, remember ? " Alex said.
" Oh, yeah. I remember him. Hey, do you know if the gas station's hiring people ? " I replied.
" Calm down, Addie. You don't need to get a job " he laughed.
" Just thought I could help out, bring in some extra dough " I explained.
" Kid, quit worrying about money. That's my job " Allen commented.
