Don't Ever Leave Me

Five

After I left Billy Joe and Bobby Sue, I had to decide if I was going to go to my place or if I wanted to find Steven.

I ended up choosing to go back to where I lived and take a nap before it became completely dark. I usually didn't sleep all night long; if I slept at all it would only be for five hours tops.

I guessed that the guys would be having a party of sorts once it was later in the night. I would swing by ask Steven why he ditched me and hopefully meet the rest of the band. For some reason, I couldn't get the mysterious Izzy guy off my mind. I felt like I might've known him or some shit. Maybe I used to know an Izzy.

My thoughts continued to wander as I reached the Gus's garage.

I glanced at the windows of the house to see if Gustavo was home. Thankfully, I saw no lights on. He could still be home I reminded myself.

"Hey!" I heard somewhat shout as I was about to open the side door to the garage.

I whirled around only to see none other than Steven himself. He was with that tall blonde guy who was drinking vodka. Fluff? No. Diff? No. Duff? Duff. That sounded right.

"Hey dudes," I replied nonchalantly.

"Sorry about earlier. I had to take a piss and then I got lost. By the time I got back you were gone," Steven said. He looked so cute I knew it would be impossible for me to hold a grudge.

"Whatever dude. Do you guys wanna come inside? There's really not much here," I offered.

I mentally kicked myself for inviting them into my subpar living conditions. It was kind of embarrassing. I figured they wouldn't mind. They were chill dudes. They probably lived in places just as bad.

"Sure, Squirt," Duff(?) said and then he walked over and ruffled my hair. "You're so short."

"Shut the fuck up, you skyscraper." I didn't like it when people commented on my height. I didn't mind the Squirt nickname though.

I really needed to work on my insults.

"Let's just calm down. Duff and Heidi both of you," Steven laughed. I mentally praised myself. I knew his name was Duff.

"Okay, okay," Duff raised his hands in surrender.

"Don't make fun of my little hideout here, okay? I barely spend time here," I said as I opened the door.

"I've lived in worse," was the first thing Duff said.

"I love the personal touches you put in here," Steven said sarcastically.

"I wasn't joking I only come here to take naps and occasionally if I have to hide from someone," I walked over to my mattress.

There was a lopsided end table, a twin size mattress and that was it for the whole place. There was a toilet and sink sectioned off in the corner by a shower curtain. Very luxurious. I hadn't bothered to decorate since first of all I didn't have money and second I move a lot and don't take much with me.

"Why were you guys even walking past here?" I asked. The neighborhood wasn't really the nicest place of course and there wasn't many places to go right here.

"Going to a friend's," Steven answered.

"A friend who has booze," Duff added, thoughtfully. "No offense but I'm leaving right now. I could use some vodka and a good time."

"Whatever. I'll catch up to you in a little," Steven said.

"Bye Heidi, bye Steven!" Duff left quickly.

"You guys are pretty serious about your booze," I commented.

"I guess. There's probably also girls there and nothing motives a man more than sex."

I snorted. Boy that was true.

I moved over to the mattress, laid on my back and looked at the ceiling. Steven followed my example, but laid down the opposite way so his feet were by my head.

"I don't think you should live here," Steven said quietly.

"And why is that?"

"It's just not safe. I know there's not a lock on the door and the neighborhood is one of the worst ones and I bet that the guy letting you stay here is a criminal or something."

"It's really not that worst place I've been. It has a roof and a toilet."

"You could stay with us. People stay all the time. One of us could sleep on the couch or the floor or-"

"Stevie," interrupted. "I've been alone in places like this since I was 13. I swear I'm fine," I insisted.

There was a silence for a moment.

He broke the silence, "I like when you call me Stevie."

"I like calling you Stevie."

"Can I make a nickname for you?" He asked.

"Whatever you want," I took a deep breath.

"Wanna come over?" Steven asked me.

"I was gonna take a nap. And weren't you going to a friend's house with Duff?"

"Oh yeah. Well everyone always ends up back at our place. Just come over whenever," Steven smiled. "Okay, bye."

"Wait," I said.

Steven paused at the door.

"If you really don't think it's safe here you could stay."

"Only if you want," I added quickly.

Steven smiled. I let our a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

"I'll stay," He made a face.

"What?" I asked.

"It's just there's no where to sit."

"Just come lay next to me."

Steven laid back down, but this time the right way. I rolled to the side to face him. Our faces were pretty close because the mattress was small.

I yawned. "I'll be up soon enough I promise."

"I could use a nap too," Stevie gave me a small smile.

I rolled over so my back was facing Stevie, closed my eyes, and smiled to myself.