lost.

parking permits

billy//

The next day, I wake up at Sam's Tow Truck Service.

I jolt awake and the first thing I hear is the sound of 80's rock and clanking metal.

This isn't my school's parking lot.

I hop out of my van and stalk up to the first person I see.

"What the fuck is going on? Why the hell was my van towed?"

The guy turns to me, looks me up and down, and sneers. "What was your van doing parked in a school's parking lot? No overnight vehicles."

I grind my teeth. I get up in his space and jab a finger into his chest.

"Listen, mijo, I don't mess around. You will release my van and we'll all be good." I let my pocket knife slide out of my sleeve a little, just so he knows its there.

"Alright lady, jesus."

I let go and he starts removing the wheel clamp. Once it's off, I rummage through my snack stash and toss an energy bar at the man.

"Payment."

I get in and get the fuck out of there.

-------

I go to the only place I know.

School.

I roam the halls and wait and hide as the school day progresses. I'm supposed to be suspended, so I don't go to any of my classes.

I wait until the last bell, and I go to find Elaine. I find her walking out the doors of the school, some red head's arm around her shoulders. She looks fine with it, but he red head is obviously hitting on her. I grit my teeth and start towards them.

"Hey! Elaine!"

She turns so fast that she nearly smacks red head in the process.

"Billy?"

I jog over and glare at red head. He looks frightened to see me.

"What the fuck do you want?"

"Go to hell, ginger." I sneer as I push past him. Elaine grabs hold of my arms and I lean down and kiss her. I pull back and she looks a little hazed.

"I need a favor. My van got towed, and I'm not allowed to park in the school's parking lot. Can- Can I park it at our house?" I ask, hesitating.

She nods vigorously, and then glances at red head.

"Uh," She says, noticing red head's betrayed expression, "it's a long story. Walk home without me, Evan."

Evan shakes his head and walks away. Elaine looks a little worried and turns back to me. "Let's go."

-------

I pull up to her house, and she goes inside. I wait outside for her, and her mom comes out and down the driveway to see me.

I climb out to greet them.

"Uh, Mrs. Trott. It's nice to meet you." I hold out my hand, hoping that I look decently presentable.

She shakes my arm weakly and then retracts it to fold them across her chest. "I never heard about you."

"Yeah, figures. Um, I just need a place to park my van, I don't have a home but I live in my van so I won't be any trouble to you."

"Where are your parents?" She asks.

I swallow. "My mom- I don't know where my mom is. And my dad is dead."