Durarara Kida x OC

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

At this point, I've been working for Izaya for almost a full week, and in that time making over thirty deliveries and earning more than two hundred dollars. He still is as creepy and strange as ever but the jobs he gives me are pretty simple and have paid well. Soon every day after school at 6:30 I would go into town and do four of five jobs a night. Then when it would get dark I'd show him the signatures and he'd pay me. Only now what used to be my everyday life has started getting in the way, if I was up really late the night before I would end up snoozing in class and my grades were quickly declining. Worse, it drew attention from practically everyone at school. Now the rumor around is that I sell drugs or I'm part of the Yellow Scarves, Blue Squares, or another gang around. The only one who didn't believe the rumors was Kida. Unfortunately, since he knows me well he can tell when something's up. It wouldn't be a big deal telling him about my new "job", but the last thing I wanted was him to worry or find out about my dad's situation. So I decided to stay quiet about the whole thing.The final bell released everyone from school and the hallways were swarming with anxious teens ready to leave and roam the streets. I gathered my books and walked out of the building as quick as I could to avoid the whispers that were aimed at me. Once I had made it outside I thought I was in the clear and would be able to leave earlier to fit in a couple more jobs, but I left out several factors. One of them was named Kida.

"Hey, Emi!"
I stopped at my name but I didn't turn to the sound of Kida's voice,
"You wanna hang out? We haven't gotten to spend much time together for like a week!" I took a moment to smear on a fake smile before turning my head over my shoulder and replying,
"Sorry, I can't. My... Dad wants me home soon."
"How soon is soon?" he asked taking a few steps closer.
"Well he doesn't like it when I'm home late, and he never said any specific time, so I just don't want to make him mad..."
Kida shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed.
"What's gotten into lately Em? You've gotten too cool for us or something?"
I chuckled lightly,
"Of course not I've just been real busy, but I promise that I'll make it up to you guys la-" Kida stepped up to me, cutting off my words and causing a blush that I didn't want him to see began to rise on my face. Only when he's this close to me can I remember how tall he really was. Kida looked down at my most likely red features, pouting, before resting his chin on top of my head and whining
"Why can't you just make it up to us now!"
I shook my head then pushed him away teasingly. "Ugh, you're such a big baby! I just can't tonight, okay? I wish I could but..."
I trailed off and he looked at me with sad eyes that were hinted with concern, but it wouldn't stay there long, I told myself, once he goes out and flirts with some other girls he'll forget about me and not have to worry about a thing. At this thought, I began to walk away again and nearly succeeded, but before I could escape I heard him yell.
"Wait!" and his hand reached out to stop me. I kept my head down as a numbing pain rose from where Kida was gripping my more recent cuts. They weren't that recent, I had gotten stressed out about my dad not being able to find a job, and well, my coping strategies aren't the best. He must have noticed me tensing up because he stared at me for a second until his gaze drifted to where he held me. He moved his hand and held my elbow instead before delicately lifting up the sleeve of my uniform. Which told me that I needed to hide these things better. His eyes soon met with the dark scratches above the old scars while I stood there unable to say a word and do nothing but try to think up an excuse as quick as I could.
"Em..." He spoke quietly now,
"What happened?"
"Oh, that! That's just a little 'souvenir' from a feral cat."
His eyebrows furrowed,
"Where?"
"You know, near my apartment."
"Emi you're not telling me something."
I tore my arm away and lowered the sleeve.
"I'm telling you everything you need to know Kida, trust me."
I tried to assure him, but he only followed me slowly with watchful eyes. We were soon walking past the school gates in total silence until his voice rang out with pride and anger,
"If there's anyone messing with you Emi, you should tell me. You of all people should know that I could easily kick their sorry ass!"
I shook my head.
"I know very well that you're capable of that, but there are no asses to kick this time Kida."
And with that, I saw him finally give up and look down at the ground. Taking that as a sign to leave I walked a few feet until he spoke up one last time,
"Em? You know I'd do anything to protect you, right? You know there wouldn't be anything I wouldn't do to keep you from getting hurt by someone, right? I don't want things to be like the way they were in grade school."
He always made lying hurt the most. Because I knew that he couldn't protect me from everything like he used to when we were smaller. I turned one last time to make sure he could see the warm certainty in my eyes.
"Kida... I trust you more than anyone else, it's been that way for a long time and it's not changing anytime soon. 'Cause we'll always have each other's backs, right?"
He glanced up and, seeing my genuine grin, grinned back and nodded. Then I finally left only looking back to see him walk over to Anri and Mikado and shift into his normal, and carefree self that I loved. He was my friend, my best friend, and it might not be everything I could hope for but just being a part of his life was enough for me. For now...