Redemption

2 - Money

Chapter 2 - Money

I find my way to the backyard. No one is out here besides me and an intoxicated couple. They leave once I sit down in a lawn chair. The December air is chilly, making me wrap my jean jacket around me tighter.

"Harry," some girl giggles behind the other side of the deck. It can't be the same couple, they went inside. I roll my eyes, crossing my legs.

I hear a low moan and the smacking of lips. "Do you mind?" I call out. The sound stops, the sound of crunching snow fills the air. I watch my breath puff out in front of me to help my boredom.

They both come around from behind the deck. Of course it's the blonde chick and the mysterious man. I can't help but laugh inside my head at seeing everyone I don't want to see.

"I know you," she says, dabbing her lower lip with her perfectly manicured finger.

"You live in my complex," she continues. I look at them, seeing how messed up their clothing looks from all the groping. Her white skirt is knotted up, making me point to it. "Your skirt."

She blushes, pulling it down. "Thanks."

I nod, rubbing my hands together. I wonder how she's not cold with a short skirt like that. The man hasn't said anything, Harry, was it? It's the same guy from inside, who stared at me with such intensity. I still felt embarrassed by our first exchanged outside the diner.

He's looking at his phone while she pulls at his arm. "Let's go back to mine," she purrs in his ear. He turns away from her, bringing the phone to his ear.

"Rebecca?"

Her jaw drops as he walks away from her. I can assume that Rebecca is not his mom or sister. She glares at me, like that's where she should direct her anger, before stomping into the house. He goes over to the fence, talking quietly. I don't bother eavesdropping, he seems like a prick.

I pull out my own phone, seeing three texts from Mom.

Can you send some cash home with Issac today?

Wow. Classic Amber.

I can't believe you right now. You're doing this to your own mother?

I bite my lip so hard it hurts. I'm the only one providing for Isaac. She drinks all day, downing bottle after bottle, probably not even glancing at the labels. I want to scream and shout at her for thinking that I owe her money. I leave her on read, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

The crunching of snow disturbs my silence. I jump, seeing that guy sit in the lawn chair three feet from me. I can feel anger radiating off of him. It's rolling off me too. I let us sit in silence, let us sulk in our anger, taking in his black jeans and boots topped off with a black jacket. He looks warm but the outfit isn't suited for a winter here.

"Rough night?" I ask, trying to break the silence. He looks at me like I'm an alien, scoffing before getting up to go back inside. I ignore him, muttering to myself that it definitely was for him, leaving through the back gate. I send a text to Jasmine, telling her I left early but she should enjoy her night with Ben. I didn't forget a winking emoji.

I stop at a different bar on the way home, deciding I'll call an Uber. The bar is a little more sophisticated but way more hot than the party. I sit down, ordering an Americano. The waiter says it's on the house, giving me a wink. I drink it quickly, ordering another. I don't have classes on Tuesday so I think I can get hammered by myself. The only problem is that I have work tomorrow.

The buzz from earlier that night gradually returns. I make my way to the dance floor, losing myself to the beat. My hips sway, arms above my head. I shrug my jean jacket off, knowing my jeans are tight. The lights glimmer over my glistening skin, and I know people are staring. I'm not moving for the rhythm, the rhythm is moving for me.