lullaby // phan

pt.4

i ambled towards my car, sluggishly opening the door and sitting down with a loud thud. i leaned further into my seat, sighing uncomfortably as my stomach churned with distress. i hunched in my seat, twisting the keys reluctantly as the engine rumbled with a smoky outburst of energy spurting into the biting air. as i turned each corner, more sweat beaded from my temples and my chest burned like gasoline, from the desperate shaky breathes for air. i had eventually pulled up onto a dusty road, switching off my engine and holding my head in my sweaty hands. i attempted to catch my breathe, the time displayed on my radio counting upwards every time i took a disinclined glance. until i heard an echoed knock on my window, a young bearded man with a cigarette dangling between his lips with fingers tapping impatiently on my car bonnet. confused, i rolled down my window and leaned closer to the man, curiously.

"you alright kid?" he simply asked, fumbling onto his pocket lighter and lighting the tobacco, the black smoke setting in the air. i coughed slyly, the pungent ashes burying into my nose. "you've been there for a while you know."

"e-er.. it's hard to explain--" i trailed off, looking up at the sky, that had started to set. the clouds had began to close in, swirls of pink painting the skyline, it almost looked like happiness. i set my eyes back at the man, who stared, scanning for an answer. "my boyfriend wants me home but it's really late, and i'll get into trouble if i arrive back now."

"well i think it's a little too late to show up now, it's almost curfew." he spoke, puffing another sheet of smoke onto my face. i coughed vigorously, fanning it away desperately with my arms. he laughed, amused, then turning his interest to me and handing his hand out to mine. he gave me a sympathetic, friendly smile as smoke flew from his nostrils, "why not stay at my place for the night?"

"you could be a serial killer for all i know." i scoffed, turning in my seat and setting my hands on the wheel. he shook his head in disbelief, pressing his blunt onto the nearest tree trunk and shoving his hands in his pockets.

"my name is josh, and i swear i won't kill you." he started. "now, if you come to my place i'll get you some tea and biscuits. sound good?" he offered his hand to me again, and stupidly, i accepted and clambered out of my car. "my flat is only a five minute walk so it won't be long mate." he mentioned bluntly, zoning into the tall, grey buildings and the teenage girls with skin-tight shirts and shorts that let their bum cheeks dangle out. i peeked at his expression, his lips arching into a grin that had me re-site my decision of staying with this strange, perverted man tonight. we finally approached a dark block, the plaster decaying and the smell of rotten meat sitting in the air. i held my breathe, walking up the stairs, my legs shaking and my lungs aching to explode.

"this is it." he finally announced, pulling out a rack of keys from his jacket pocket and slotting it into the shiny golden lock. he twisted it open slowly, a few muffled cackles rolling off his tongue. my eyes widened and my lips trembled, until my arm was suddenly jolted back towards the staircase. my head was spinning, as i was carried out of the grimy building by two pale arms and the smell of fresh strawberries. after a few minutes i was finally set down onto a wooden park bench, my eyes being met with circular rimmed glasses and hazy blue eyes.

"i should probably explain." he started, "i'm josh's neighbor, it's best to avoid him as it's rumored he isn't very nice." my shoulders tensed, as i stood to get ready to leave.

"how do you know, have you talked to him before? i don't think you're very nice for just taking me here! let me do my own thing, nerd." i shouted, giving him a stern look and beginning to walk away.

"it's not my fault if he decides to chop off your toes then. have it your own way, emo weirdo." i widened my eyes in amusement, sitting back down and crossing my arms over my chest.

"says the person who literally looks like a chipmunk." he laughed, as i smirked gladly at my own roast. "and you laugh like one." i added

"ugh. just let me take you home." i nodded, still laughing slightly, directing him to my car.

"so uhh.. what's your name again?" i asked, raising an eyebrow.

"i'm tyler. how about you? you look like a matilda with that long, brown LUSCIOUS hair." he began to stroke my hair so i shoved him off me, almost throwing him into a brick wall.

"well actually, it's dan."

"well helloo daniel." he winked in attempt flirtation, his face shading dark red from laughter.

"you're literally crazy." i laughed, elbowing into his ribs.

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an: i feel like i haven't updated this in a bit ?? sorry lmao