brenton's girl

thirteen

I walked downstairs after dressing in a new outfit that consisted souly of jean shorts and a large T-shirt. The music from the church on the corner was exhaustingly loud but soulful nonetheless. I enjoyed after school days where I was alone, where I could think, but today I would much rather be in a nasty house party so that I didn't have to hear my thoughts.

I wanted to know what wayside was thinking, I wanted to know if i was in trouble, I needed to know if Brenton was in trouble. I twisted the Cuban link between my fingers as I walked in the kitchen, the cool metal felt foreign around my neck, yet I accepted it.

I grabbed an apple from the bottom of the fridge and took a bite from it, almost choking when a knock sounded at the door. I wiped my mouth with a napkin and went to open the door. Another knock sounded when I was nearing.

I peered out the peephole and saw a guy standing outside. As far as I could see he was talk with dark black hair. "Can I help you?" I asked without opening the door.

"I need to talk to Leah." Wayside. I couldn't suspect anyone else except wayside. I took a deep breath and unlocked the door, then I opened it slowly. In full view, I noticed his perfectly groomed beard and his tan skin, i wondered what he was mixed with or if he was just fond of the sun. Then, I noticed all of his tattoos, from his hands to his neck. "Thought he would teach you better than that."

"What?" I asked but quickly back up when the man started making his way towards me.

"And better than that." His voice was deep honey, silky smooth and dripping danger, but i was completely captivated by it. Oh, he was dangerous.

"Who are you?" I asked as he shut the door.

"Brian. You must be little Leah." I nodded my head and smiled, unable to help myself. He was bait and i was the award winning fish. "How are you?"

"I'm good." I said. "Where's Brenton?"

"Brenton's fine. He's at the Cold Croc." I nodded my head and watched as he walked around me to sit on the couch.

"What're you doing here?"

"I told you, I just need to talk." Brian said. "Have a seat little Leah." I walked over to the couch and sat on the other end, away from him. "What all do you know about wayside?"

"Nothing that everyone else doesn't know."

"Brenton hasn't said anything?" I shook my head.

"He isn't fond of telling me anything." I said. Brian nodded his head and looked at a picture that was standing on the side table.

"You have a beautiful family."

"Thank you."

"Have you ever thought of joining another?"

"Joining?" I questioned. "I didn't join my family, sir." I almost wanted to laugh at the way that sounded.

"Right." Brian chuckled to himself and looked at me. Deep brown eyes met blue. "Have you ever thought about it, though?"

"Brenton would never allow that. I don't know anything about gangs or what they do. I'm not built for it. I mean, look at me."

"I am." He said. "You could be useful."

"How?"

"I came here to yell at you, to scare you, instead I'm asking you to join my family. You have something about you that's very, very distracting. That's useful. We don't have many girls like you in wayside." I smiled and looked down at my fingers.

"I couldn't."

"If you're ever interested, you have my vote." Brian stood up and fixed his T-shirt, before he could move I quickly grabbed his wrist.