Thanks To You

-Thanks To You-
An All Time Low fan-fiction

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Chapter One
NYC

Listening to busses and taxi cabs roar past me has somewhat of a comforting factor. It makes me feel less alone here. Well anywhere, I guess.
My family bought me plane tickets to New York City, why? To "reach my dreams!" What they don't know is that most 18-year-old girls that end up in NYC to achieve their dreams end up drugged, raped, or beaten and thrown in an alley somewhere. I'd prefer not to have that happen, thank you very much.
The city really ISN'T what it's made up to be. Sure the commercials show you all the pretty street lights, broadway, celebrities, etc.. But what they DON'T show you is what you need to look out for.
(Wait, how are we supposed to look out for something if we've never seen it?)
Exactly.
It's fucking dangerous here.

..Different topic.
My 'dream' is to travel the world. I don't know why my mom and dad thought I would accomplish that here. Sure, New York state has some pretty cool landmarks, but that's not what I want to travel the world for. I just never want to be in one place for long.
I walk into Peet's Coffee and wait in a gnarly line.

(If you couldn't already tell by my slang, I'm hailing from California.)

These New Yorkers are serious about their bean water. They expect it to be done in 2.5 seconds. They never slow down.
I'm finally able to order my coffee, but am interrupted by an intense screech coming from outside. Everyone in the coffee shop actually slows down for a moment to look outside at what happened. I guess some poor guy got hit by a taxi cab. After everyone sees what went down, they return to their rushed lifestyles. Being the 'compassionate' person I am, I run outside and help the guy pick himself back up.
"Dude, are you hurt?" I ask, inspecting him.
"Yeah-" He starts, then turns back to the taxi. "YOU FUCKING IDIOT, WHAT KIND OF DRIVING WAS THAT?"
"YOU WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, GUY"
"EVER HEARD OF A THING CALLED THE 'BRAKE'?"
The taxi driver keeps yelling at the poor guy as I drag him into the coffee shop.
"I think you hit your head just now because you DO NOT risk pissing taxi drivers off unless you're insane." I say to him.
"Yeah well he should've been paying attention to the fucking road." He says as he dusts off his leather jacket.
"Maria!" The barista says and sets my coffee on the counter.
"That's a nice name.." He smiles devilishly, like he knows something I don't.
"Thanks.. Yours?"
"Alex."
"Yours is alright."
He chuckles for a moment before wincing in pain.
"Do you need a hospital?"
"Why would I want a hospital"
"I meant GO TO one. Now is not the time for sarcasm, man."
"Eh.. Yeah. I probably should." He grabs his wallet and to his avail, no money.
"If I had money.."
"I'll cover it. Come on."
We walk outside and hop in a taxi that was parked.
"Oh not you again." The familiar driver looks at Alex through the mirror.
"Go find another cab."
"Look fucktard- he needs to get to a hospital. If you don't take him right now I will spill this latte on your lap. Don't make me waste my expensive coffee."
He starts the car.
"Thanks Marie, I really appreciate it. Is there anything I could do for you in return?"
"Nah man. What's your last name?"
"Gaskarth."