Little Miss Perfect

Chapter Four - Run from your problems.

I gasped in air when i finally stopped running, looking around I was in a neighborhood I didn't know. Wooden boards covered most of the windows and the doors had screen doors with bars covering them. Looking around I noticed a couple groups of people, one of which had burly older men who had tattoos all over the place, tilting my head I eyed the youngest, he seemed about twentyish. Stepping closer I hesitated, they could kill me. Shrugging I continued walking in their direction and quickly tugged off the septum piercing, shoving it into my back pocket.

"H-hello." I squeaked and watched the men turn around their eyes hard lips thinned. "I- er.. I'm lost." I tried again. One of the men stepped forward, his leather jacket straining over his shoulders. He lifted his eyebrow as he raked his eyes over my body.

"Where you from, sweetcheeks?" He grumbled, his voice raspy as if he smoked cigarettes his whole life, glancing at the others I realised maybe they all did.

"I- I ran from Evergreen High.." I lowered my head to hide the wobble of my lip as it hit me again, Mason had moved on while still with me. Lifting my head defiantly, I murmured what could have been my death sentence. "Doin' anything fun?" I asked more boldly. My confidence skyrocketed as I watched their mouths drop open. Turning my head toward the youngest one I sent a wink. Amusement shone through his grey eyes.

"We do, darlin' , why? Wanna join?" The burly man responded. Nodding I began playing with my backpack strap. "Whatcha name?" The youngest perked up with attention.

"Taiya." I grinned, my head tilting. "And yours?" I cooed sweetly.

"I'm Jack, that right there," he pointed at one of the three, he had vibrant green eyes and dirty blonde hair, "is Jason, Next to him is Kevin," he pointed at the red head, "and that is Nathaniel." He nodded toward the youngest. Nodding my Hi, I turned back to Jack.

"What do you do out here?" My gaze flickered towards Nathaniel again, only to see him in deep conversation with Jason and Kevin.

"Not much, get away from nagging wives and to have some guy time." My eyes widened after the wife part, weren't these people supposed to be thugs? My eyes flickered toward Nathaniel again, his eyes were focused on me again, a grin curling his lips.

"So..all of you are married," I asked hesitantly. Jack tilted his head back as he laughed. Inhaling sharply I ducked my head as heat seeped into my cheeks. "It's a question." I hissed, my eyes narrowing.

"Darlin," Jack started, only to stop and wipe his eyes, his lips quivering as if he was holding back more laughter, "all of us are married." My shoulders drooped, "except Nathaniel." I immediately brightned, "he doesn't stay with just one woman." My hope had finally washed down the drain. Sighing I tilted my head up towards Jack again.

"Mind if one of you give me a ride back to school? It's the first day and I'm tardy to.." I checked my watch, my eyes widening. "Fourth period!" My mouth opened and closed.

"Nathaniel!," Jack called, hearing his name Nathaniel sauntered over. "Aren't you supposed to be in school, boy?" Nathaniel rolled his eyes, his velvetly voice suprising me.

"My birthday is in a week, pops. I'm going to drop out." He looked Jack in the eyes, challenging him.

"Your mother will have my hide, boy. You will go to school or I'll leave you at home with your mother when we come to visit your uncles." Jack jabbed his thumb in the direction of Jason and Kevin. "Now, take Taiya to school and you better stay there too!" He growled. Mock saluting Jack, Nathaniel lead me towards a motorcycle.

"Is it safe?" I eyed the thing before Nathaniel placed a helmet over my head and placed me on the bike before jumping on himself.

"Hold on, cupcake." He laughed before zooming off.