Girl Who Cried Wolf

D I R T Y

By the time Tillie was finished calling her parents, Tyla was halfway done rebuilding the baby.

Tillie came back and sat down next to her and gasped, "wow."

"What?"

"The baby, that's amazing," Tillie pointed and Tyla looked at it like she wasn't just building it.

"Oh, yeah, it really isn't that difficult. I'm almost done," Tyla smiled and continued working.

"Why aren't you in any engineering classes?" Tillie asked, Tyla sighed at Tillie's continuing questions but at least it was a better subject.

"Boring," Tyla shrugged.

"Is any class interesting to you?" Tillie asked exasperated.

"Yeah. The AP classes, but I don't have time to take them," Tyla said and as she spoke she glanced up at the clock, 4:00. The rent was due in exactly two hours and Tyla was 500 short. Rent is a pain in the ass and this was the cheapest apartment she could find.

"Why not?" Tillie asked and Tyla gave her a look with a raise eyebrow.

"What do you think?"

"Oh. You really enjoy that then don't you?" Tillie asked and Tyla almost broke the baby again which would have been a shame because it was almost done. But Tyla put it down and turned fully to face Tillie.

"I do not enjoy it. I hate it. I hate doing it, don't listen to what Kash and whoever the fuck else have to say about that." Tyla spoke firmly and turned back to the baby.

"Then why would you do it?"

"Do you ever stop asking questions? This is my personal life, I don't need your nose all up in it." Tyla spoke loudly and rushed the last couple of steps to fix the baby then sat it on the coffee table. "There. And I was going to explain this to you but I'm not even going to bother," Tyla stood up and grabbed her box and coat. "I have to go. I'll be back by 6:00."

----

One and a half hours later Tyla stumbled back into her apartment. She forgot Tillie was there and groaned loudly when she saw her sitting on the couch doing her homework.

"What were you doing? Partying?" Tillie asked, noticing Tyla's messy hair and messed up clothes. Tyla pulled her jacket up and took her hair out of the bun to seem a little better then took the money out of the box and ran to grab the rest of the money from the cookie jar. Collectively counting 3,000 exactly.

Tyla sighed in relief and collapsed into the couch besides Tillie and Tillie scooted away.

"Ew, you've been out.... selling it haven't you?" Tillie asked, moving as far away from Tyla as possible without actually leaving the couch.

"And if I have?" Tyla asked and Tillie opened her mouth to respond but several harsh knocks on the door interrupted her. "Fuck, he's early."

"Who's early?" Tillie asked and Tyla ignored her. Picking up the money and unlocking the door. Tillie standing a couple steps behind her. Looking over her shoulder at the door.

"You're early," Tyla states as she opens the door to reveal a big man. He leaned on the door frame and dragged on a rolled up piece of paper that smelled like weed.

"Am I?" He asked suddenly. "Tragic. Where's my money?"

"It's right here." Tyla slapped the wad of cash into Jordan's open hand. Jordan stared at her for a moment then counted it.

"Who's that behind you?" Jordan asked, looking up for a moment to smoke his weed.

Tyla looked behind her like she didn't know Tillie was right behind her.

"No one you have to worry about," Tyla said, smiling quickly at Tillie before turning back to Jordan.

"I wasn't worrying," Jordan said. It was pretty open ended but Tyla's known Jordan for long enough to know what he was thinking.

"You do shit and I'll call the cops. I will," Tyla threatened and Jordan snorted.

"No you won't. You wouldn't risk the cops finding out that your sixteen and living alone with two kids. That's illegal you know. And there's also the fact you're a prostitute-"

"I'll murder you myself then."

"Right, and add another hit to your list."

"I don't have a list," Tyla's voice went soft and Jordan laughed.

"Of course not, Alex was an 'accident' or was it 'self-defense'?"

"I swear to God, Jordan-"

"Alright. I'll leave your friend alone if-"

"Fine."

Tyla slammed the door shut on Jordan's face.

She really hoped she broke his nose.