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"I know, dad." CJ repeated for the fifth time, running a manicured-hand through her blonde hair. She rested the phone between her ear and shoulder as she locked the apartment door behind her.
"I just want you to be safe." He sighed.
"Well, I appreciate it," The girl chuckled softly. "But dad-"
"Just behave yourself." Her dad warned.
"I will, dad. No more cigarettes. Got it. Love you."
CJ pressed the red button on her screen and replaced her phone with a cigarette as she walked outside.
She shoved the hand not holding the cigarette into the pocket of her coat in attempts to stay warm. It wasn't really working.
The door to the apartment building creaked as one of the other tenants came down the concrete staircase. She had seen him do this a few times a night and she knew exactly what it was he was doing. He nodded to her, but she ignored it, looking straight ahead as she puffed at her cigarette.
Only a few seconds later another man sauntered along the sidewalk and up to the first. They tried to play it cool, but CJ noticed them exchanging drugs/ money into each other's hands. They mumbled goodbyes before the girl's neighbor returned inside.
The other man noticed the blonde girl standing off to the side and made his way over. The girl made sure to avoid any eye contact.
"Could I bum one?" He smiled, referring to the cigarette. She examined him from the corner of her eye; he was tall, black clothes with his hood up, tattoos on his hands. She decided to be nice, taking a cigarette out and handing it to him.
"I don't have a-"
She handed him her white lighter before he could finish. The taller blond accepted it, smiling brightly. He hesitated handing it back, toying with it.
"I almost don't want to give this back to you yet... just so I would have a reason to see-"
"Wow. So not interested." She interrupted his attempt at flirting.
"Huh? Not interested? Why not?" He laughed in disbelief.
"Not my type?" She shrugged
"Not your–? Baby, I'm everybody's type." He scoffed, but smiled.
"Skinny white boys with a drug problem and God complex is everybody's type?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
Gus subconsciously wiped at his nose at the words "drug problem". CJ sighed, flicking her cigarette.
"I'm sorry, but no." She stepped the cigarette out and picked it up to toss in the trash before turning to go back upstairs.
"Wait-"
CJ looked back, annoyed.
"What's your name?" He asked, head tilted slightly as he took another drag.
Why am I smiling at him? Shethought. She shook her head, retuning upstairs.
Still outside, Gus chuckled under his breath. He placed the cigarette back between his lips so he could take his phone out of his pocket. He started down the sidewalk again.
"Tracy," He started.
"Yo why are you calling me right now?" His friend laughed. "I gave you what I had."
Honestly, Gus forgot the whole reason he ended up here tonight. He placed his hand on the pocket of his jeans, feeling the bag still where he put it.
"Nah, nah. It's not that." He blew the smoke away from the phone. "Do you know that girl who lives in your building?"
"You're calling me about a girl?" Tracy laughed loudly.
"The little blonde one that was outside." Gus continued, growing impatient.
"Not really," He admitted. "I know she look mean as fuck." Gus laughed this time.
"Alright, whatever. Thanks again, man." He hung up and texted Layla, letting her know that he'd be over soon.
