When It All Comes Down

Chapter One: Meet Me On High Street

"Son of a b*tch!" I make my way down the road, but yet again i manage to miss the bus. "F*ck..." I mutter to myself. Time for plan B. Quickly, i sprint back home, rummage for my mothers car keys, and run. Even if she notices I took the car she wouldn't care, she's too drunk to even drive it. With the click of the door, buckling of my seat belt and the revving of the engine, i'm off. I make my way down the road, all the windows rolled up. I can't risk being busted! I'm sixteen, and if i'm caught driving without a license again i'm seriously screwed. I drive by the gas station, being sure not to be seen by one of my moms coworkers. They all have it out for me I swear. I turn the radio up, trying to ignore the panic I'm feeling. Eventually, after a drive that felt like forever, I make it to school with 10 minutes to spare, "Nice." I whisper to myself.

I park across the street from my school, and exit the car. All of the sudden, I hear a loud bang, and my head shoots in that direction. "I can get you the money by Friday, I swear." Odd, I don't recognize this voice. Thought i knew all the stoners. I walk towards it. "That's what you said last week." Now this one i knew. It's Ridge. He's basically the local dealer in the area. Decent prices, decent stuff, or at least that's what I hear. "Hey man, how's it going?" I ask casually as I walk towards the two. The first thing I see is Ridge holding a knife by his side, and some guy who I assume is the one in debt leaning against the schools outer wall in the alley. He looks scared, and i don't blame him. "Oh... Vega, yeah i'm just in the middle of some business right now." "I can see that." I respond dryly. Seeing as i'm obviously annoyed, he walks up to me. "What do you need? I aint got nothin on me right now." "That's not what I want." I laugh. "Just curious as to who this is," I gesture towards the boy, slowly inching away from the scene. "Oh him, he's no one." Ridge says, making eye contact with him. Realizing he's caught, the boy comes back. "Okay, what's 'No Ones' name?" At this point, he's annoyed. "I don't know, and I don't really care. All I want is my money." "How much?" I ask. They both look at me, shocked. "How much?" I repeat myself, with a more authoritive tone. "U-um, 80." The boy speaks up. I look him up and down. He's wearing some beat up vans, jeans, and a flannel. His dark hair seems a mess, and he looks as if he hasn't slept in weeks. Eyes, a beautiful deep brown, obviously tired though. I begin to pull out my wallet, "Vega what the f*ck. You're seriously gonna pay for this guy? You don't even know him." "You're right, I don't but the guys seems tired. Here." I hand him the cash. "Leave him be, and you," I turn and face the boy, "don't buy sh*t you can't pay for." Ridge walks off, and I start to do the same, but i feel a quick tap on my shoulder. "I didn't need help back there..." he begins. "Yeah, you did. You're welcome." I scoff. "Whatever. By the way, the name's Carson." He starts off in the opposite direction. Carson? The Carson? Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into. 

I turn as suddenly the bell rings. 5 minutes starts now! Hastily I make my way past the groups of girls gossiping and through the front doors of my school. For a place that claims to have 'no money' they're doing pretty well aesthetically. They walls are adorned with photos of all the graduating classes, and murals of beautiful scenery. Large lockers fill up most of the space, but there's also a few benches in small corners for students to sit and relax. As I make my way past the office I slow down, as my class is right ahead. I enter the class right when the bell rings (as per usual), and so it begins. "Over here!" I see Skylar across the room, waving for me to come sit with her. I grab a chair and pull in beside her. "What took you so long?" She says, sarcastically. I'm almost late every day, what can I say. "Ha ha real funny, but seriously, sh*t just went down." She looks at me, more serious now. "What happened?" "I saw Ridge and this guy in the alley. He owed him money so I paid him off, no biggie." "Seriously? Who was the guy? Josh?" She gives me a hopeful look. Josh is the guy she's been flirting with since the semester started, and she's REALLY into him. "No, not Josh. Um... y'know Carson?" as the name left my lips, the smile that was once on her face left. "You didn't..." "I did... I didn't know it was him at first though. It's fine." Her face says "as if" but she lets it slide. "Yeah okay whatever I guess. Was he cute?" There's the Skylar I know. "I mean, I wasn't really paying much attention, but he wasn't ugly if that counts for anything." a smirk slowly started to creep onto my best friends face. "Please no, don't take it that way. I saw a kid in trouble and helped him out. That's it." "Whatever you say loser." She laughs. We both take notice to the glare Mr.Lawson is shooting our way. "If you don't mind, I'd like to start the class now ladies..." He said, impatiently. "Sorry!" Skylar responds, as I slowly sink into my chair.

"I'll see you later!" I yell out to my best friend, as she walks down the road. I start to make my way to my car when I feel a tap on my shoulder. "Vega right?" I shoot around and see the boy from earlier. "Oh it's you, what do you need? I don't have anything if that's what you're hoping for... " I continue heading towards the beat up Volkswagen, when again I feel another tap on my shoulder. " I just want to say... Thanks for earlier." I open my car door, sit behind the wheel, and close the door behind me. "Don't mention it." As I turn the car over, I notice him looking at the ground with an odd expression. This boy isn't easy to read. "What are you waiting for? Do you need a ride or something?" His head shoots up and I already have my answer. "Just get in." "Are you sure?" "Do you want me to change my mind?" As the words leave my mouth, he gets in the passengers seat. "Where to?" I ask. "183 High St... thanks." High street? What does he have to do there? You know what, I don't think I wanna know. I pull out of my parking spot, and with that my life begins to crumble.