Don't Ever Leave Me

Eight

I guess I wasn't looking where I was going because I didn't even leave the driveway before I bumped directly into someone.

"Watch it!" said the person who I ran into.

"Sorry," I muttered.

I looked up at the guy. He was tall and skinny with dark black greasy hair. I thought he looked familiar and I guess the guy thought the same because I saw recognition in his eyes as they met mine.

"Do I know you?" I asked.

"You fucking bitch!" He shouted.

"Hey, dude, calm down. What'd I ever do to you?" I was confused. I was sure I'd done something terrible to him since I'd done lots of awful things to people.

Steven rushed over (I guess he'd been waiting for me to leave and hadn't gone inside yet). "Izzy, dude, what's the matter with Heidi?" Steven asked. He must've been more confused than me.

"What's the matter? This fucking bitch stole $100 from me!" Izzy shouted.

"You really did that?" Steven asked me in disbelief.

"Of course she did! I would remember!" He yelled.

"Now that you mention that I think you are a little correct. I could see myself doing that," I admitted. "Well I probably should be going before I incite any more anger."

I started walking away but didn't get far since somebody had grabbed the back of my shirt.

"Not so fast," Izzy said sternly. "Pay me back and we can forget about it." He yanked me even closer. "And I won't tell Steven how you stole it," he whispered.

I squirmed out of his grasp. "See I would love to pay you back but I have no money. Zero dollars zero cents," I smiled.

And then I ran. As fast as I could.

Who ever said you can't run away from your problems was sorely mistaken. You can if you're fast enough.

Running away seemed to be a reoccurring theme in my life.

I only ran for ten minutes probably less before I found a nice seedy bar to hide in.

Most young women stayed away from these bars fearing creepy men and spiked drinks. I on the other hand had no fear of such things.

I could be found in a shady bar most days because that's where I tricked creepy drunk dudes. Probably where I tricked Izzy. I also made friends at such places.

I couldn't tell you how many times a big ass biker dude with a long beard had saved my ass.

Fear is something people learn. I guess no one ever taught me to fear.

It was a bonus that dirty bars never checked IDs. I didn't have a license and I was certain I wasn't 21. I was never sure of the date, I didn't know how long it was since my last birthday. I told Stevie I was 18 but I was probably wrong. I was never good at math.

I took a seat at the bar and realized that the dog had followed me all the way here and I hadn't noticed.

I ordered a beer and started a conversation with the old homeless dude next to me. Turns out he was my old pal, Robert. By old pal I mean I met him last week, probably in this same bar.

I talked to Robert for awhile. We talked about aliens from other planets and the quickest way to drink beer.

I left after only three beers feeling more drained than ever. I realized I still didn't have my KISS t shirt and was disappointed it hadn't reappeared on my body. I didn't like how big the Sex Pistols shirt I was wearing. I also didn't even listen to the Pistols.

I couldn't remembered the last time I felt this way. I think maybe it was when I heard David Lee Roth was leaving Van Halen. That was a terrible day.

I thought about going home but I was pretty sure that my landlord was waiting for me and I didn't feel like dealing with that.

I thought about going back to Stevie but I didn't think he'd want to see me especially if Izzy told him how I got that $100.

I walked around popping into random stores and bars not really with any destination or purpose. I wasn't sure what I was looking for but I just wanted a little brightness in my day.

I needed an adventure.

Now I knew a lot of people. There was people who I used to be friends with and there was people I'd screwed over. There were bartenders and bouncers. I knew people, but I knew who I was looking for. Actually I had no idea who I was looking for.

But I still ended up where I wanted to be. At Stevie's house. I was hesitant to knock on the door so I didn't. I just walked right in. Terrible manners I know. If I had a mother she'd be appalled.

I walked into the living room and made direct eye contact with the guitarist, Slash.

"Want to go get blasted?" I asked.

"Fuck yes! You paying?" He grinned.

"Oh hell no. We are going on an adventure. That means we ain't paying."

"You got yourself a deal, babe," Slash replied.

I laughed.

And that's the way it went for a week. I'd go over and me and Slash would go get wasted and do stupid shit. It was fun and soon me and Slash were best friends.

Until Stevie found out.

A/N: DUFF'S BIRTHDAY! YAY! ALL OF MY BABIES ARE GROWING OLD. I STILL LOVE THEM. ANYWAY HERES THIS. ANOTHER WILL BE COMING SOON VERY SOON. HOPE YOU ENJOY. THANKS FOR READING