No Saints

Chapter 2

"Cams"

"Hmm?", I nonchalantly replied as I touched Colson's hair as he layed on my lap.

"This ain't that bad, ayt?", he looked at me, waiting for a reply.

The apartment was rather cramped, it was dark, and the water supply has its own schedule.

"Well, I got you.", I smiled back.

_Flashback_

My mind was blank, hazy and I was basically stoned. All I could think of at that time was the thrusting pain evading me inside. Pushing and pulling, as if my insides were going to collapse.

I was only fifteen that time.

I woke up past 3am, naked in a motel alone with a hundred dollars in my hands.

You know what's confusing?

If I should still cry or just be disgusted.

Minutes later, just staring blankly in the wall as I felt myself gradually diminishing, a loud knock momentarily interupted my moment.

"Camille!"

There he was, clad in all black, with a red bandana wrapped on his neck.

Colson wrapped his arms around me, shaking. I realized there's more parts of me that were sore not just my body.

"I swear I'm gonna kill em! I fucking swear Imma-",

Before he could finish, I stopped him midsentence," I did it."

If youre gonna ask me why, it's just basically  a cold hard survival card. At that time, I already felt like I was already been destined for that. And it's not like a day's work in Mcdonalds could give me enough or change the ill gotten fate which was my life.

I didn't have a sob story or anything, it just was my choice. I felt pathetic.

Finally I broke off,  violent lumps escaping my throat. Before I could collapse on the ground, Colson caught me between his arms.

"It was my choice. I'm sorry. ", I muttered unable to look him straight in the eye.

But Colson didn't push me away nor said a word. He just hugged me as I bawl my eyes out.

"One of these days Imma get you outta this place", he mumured.

I hugged him back,"you can curse the hell outta me! Call me a slut, a fuckin' hoe, I deserve that shit."

He hugged me tighter, "I'm just happy you're safe".

End of flashback

School wasn't that bad.

Some people feel alienated in a sea of strangers but for me it felt like i'm in camo.

Knowing that these people dont know shit about me was comforting.

Colson picked me up after school on a bike.

"Second hand", he smiled smugly.

I gave him a peck on the cheeks, earning us a few stares.

"What, your first time to see someone kissing?", Colson said to a random guy as he raised his arms as if making a point.

I looked at the guy while still giggling only to find out it was actually my teacher in Literature.

"Oh, fuck, that's my teacher", I whispered to Colson.

"What seems to be the problem here?", Mr. Dreyfus said as he looked at Colson from head to toe then finally settling to his arms covered with Tattoos.

Colson stiffened a bit, " Nothin' I know of", he replied with his usual chicano swag he picked up while growing up in the hood.

I was sure that no one was gonna back down from both of them so I decided to take the step.

"Uh, we'll just go"

I pulled Colson and signalled him to just drive which he nonchalantly obliged.

"Asshole", i heard him whisper as soon as we left him.

I slapped him playfully, "be nice!"

"Oh I will be later", he snickered while giving me a knowing look.