Gold And Coal (Ryden AU)

2.13 ◇ Uptown Girl

After I had gotten over my initial shock of escaping from a police cell, I realized I had no idea where I was, it was ice cold, dark and I was wearing just a thin shirt.

And I was probably being searched for by the police at this very moment.

Not letting myself panic, I boldly set of  in a random direction, leaving it up to the good luck I was experiencing these days to get me somewhere safe.

It didn't disappoint, for I recognized the name of the street I emerged in a little while later. It was close to Spencer's place, so I headed there, already shivering violently and barely feeling my fingers and toes.

I attempted to open the door, but it was locked. So I knocked. Once. Twice.  No answer. I knocked louder, hoping Spencer's sleep wasn't all that deep.

After maybe five minutes of banging on the door, I finally heard movement inside and stopped. Sure enough, the door swung open and the light of a candle showed Spencer's annoyed face. 

It wasn't until he recognized me that his expression turned into surprise, then confusion. He quickly beckoned me inside and ushered me into his room, where he made me sit down on his bed and thew several blankets at me. 

"Is this a goddamn joke?" Spencer whisper - shouted and I narrowed my eyes in question.

"Brendon said you were arrested, but you're obviously not in prison, so what in the name of god is going on? He can't be that good of an actor. I mean he came in here bawling his eyes out and... that's not the point, explain yourself, Ross."

Amused, the corner of my mouth twitched upwards. "And w-what?" I asked with chattering teeth.

"Explain yourself, now," Spencer repeated and I didn't dare defy.

"Well, I w-was arrested, but the guy in the cell opposite me was some criminal mastermind and we esc-escaped-"

"You escaped from prison," Spencer interrupted.

"Well...no... technically it wasn't prison, but yes."

Spencer stared at me, speechless and closing his eyes to shake his head every few seconds.

"You escaped prison," he said again. "You escaped prison."

"I didn't escape prison," I tried again, but he shushed me.

"Damnit, Ryan, do you realize what you have done? What consequences this is going to have?" He said exasperatly, and dragged his hand down his face.

"Nothing worse than two years in actual prison," I shrugged and Spencer whispered something inaudible in response.

"Rest, it's almost morning anyway," he finally sighed and quickly left the room so I couldn't argue even if I wanted to.

I gladly fell back and wrapped myself in warm blankets, and the last thought before I fell asleep was how dirty I was getting Spencer's bed with my mud covered clothes.

●●●

"What the fuck were you thinking?"

I woke up to that angry voice and groaned, pulling the covers over my head to hide from the problems of the world I had awoken to.

They were yanked down immediately though and I squinted through one eye to see who was confronting me.

Jon stood at the foot of my bed, glaring down at me, but he didn't seem half as mad as he sounded, for his eyes were glittering with joy and relief.

"Nice to see you again too," I muttered sleepily, rubbing my eyes.

Before Jon could say anything more, there was a crash from somewhere in the house and a series of footsteps pounded on the wooden floor, which belonged to Brendon who appeared at the door seconds after. His hair stood up in all directions and his shirt messily hung on to his skinny frame, indicating he had just woken up.

He just stood there, gaping at me with wide eyes and didn't say a word.

"Did you honestly break out of prison?" He whispered.

"Technically it wasn't prison," Spencer giggled and winked at me.

"Look who's learning," I snorted and grinned.

"Are you seriously joking around about this?!" Jon exclaimed and Brendon nodded to back his words up.

"Why, would you rather I spend the next two years in living hell for doing nothing wrong?"

They shook their head in unison, but exchanged uneasy glances.

Sighing, I got up, "Look, I'm sorry, I know this is putting you in jeopardy, if you want I'll find somewhere else to stay, I promise I won't drag you down with me."

Spencer grabbed my arm as I attempted to pass him and looked at me dead seriously. "We're friends, right? We're supposed to trust each other, stick together. Not just for the fun times but especially when one of us is in trouble. We'll figure this out, don't worry."

"I guess it was reckless, but I'm glad you did it," Jon said and patted me on the shoulder.

I turned my gaze to Brendon, biting my lip and putting on my best puppy eyes.

"My life was getting a bit boring anyway," he finally smiled and I returned it.

Maybe I did have another chance, even if getting it had involved me becoming a criminal and breaking out of a cell with some unknown guy.

"So what's the plan?" Jon grinned and looked at us expectantly, and I had the feeling he was secretly enjoying this far too much.

"Can we cut his hair?" Brendon suggested, and I raised my eyebrows.

"Now why on earth would you want to do that?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Change your appearance a bit, you know," Spencer joined in.

They were all having too much fun, in my opinion. This was my life that was on the line after all.

"If you insist. But there's no way I'm letting you handle scissors anywhere near my hair," I laughed, shaking my head at Spencer.

"If you'll allow me, I promise I'll make you look handsome, sir," Brendon volunteered mockingly.

"I'll handle the shaving," Jon offered while Spencer ran off, saying something about getting me new clothes.

Smiling in defeat, I was beginning to wonder if escaping had been the best idea. Who knew what I would look like after they were done with me.

~

Uptown girl
You know I can't afford to buy her pearls
But maybe someday when my ship comes in
She'll understand what kind of guy I've been
And then I'll win

~