Teenager Runway {Cole}

k

I run.. and run... as fast as I could... I was so angry, so upset... how could I let myself falling into their trap... I spent over 3 months hanging out with them. I knew they were disfuncional and crazy, especially Felicia, but I wouldn't never ever imagine they would play me as they did... Sam's last words playing in my mind over and over again, maybe he is telling me the truth, but I am far too hurt to consider...

He was right though, the dorms were locked and there was no way to get in. It was a very cold night, I managed to find a way into the gym, and I spent the rest of the night there, it was still cold, but at least I had shelter to sleep, no that I managed to get any...

Next morning when I finally made to my room, there was a package at my door. It had my clothes clean and nicely folded inside, with the fake ID we had made together a few days ago, I find myself looking for a note or anything, but there was nothing else...

I let myself fall into my bed, I was still angry, but now my anger subsided into self pitying, I was feeling sorry for myself, involuntarily my face was suddenly washed by tears. I don't know why, but the idea that Sam has played along hurts me more than if was just Felicia, I guess I would expect something like that from her, but not from him... Eventually, I fell asleep...

The next few weeks or so I avoided all places I knew I would see them. One Friday evening I saw my fake ID on my dorm's desk and decided to go out a bit.

I end up in a night club not very far from the campus, I didn't have much money, so I just stayed there hearing to the loud music... I started observing with interest the DJ, again I couldn't tell if it was a male or female... I stayed there for hours observing the way he/she spinned the records.

-"she is good, hum?" - said another androgynous figure near me.
-"yep... I suppose..."
-"DJ K... she just started here, we heard she is a professional musician, but she like spinning the turning table. I never see you here before, are you new around?"
-"you can say that."
-"you don't speak much, are you shy or just upset... maybe thirst?"
-"all the above..." I replied
-"come on let me get you a drink"
-"no thanks, I don't accept drinks from strangers, or from anyone as a matter of fact."
-"why... Mommy would tell you off?"
-"Don't bringing my mother into this!"
-"sorry I touched a nerve there."
-"get lost, leave alone."
-"no, I will not, you follow me into my office I want to see your ID." He said showing me his card, great, he was from security...

I try to keep cool, I just had to show my ID, and look as convincing as possible. Now I am sure it is a male, probably in his 30s, maybe more, long dark hair tied in a ponytail, skinny jeans and white T-shirt and cowboy boots.

-"Cole Brookstone, 19 years old..." - he said reading from my ID.

He did a couple of questions, Sam had coached me to answer all of them without much thinking, and sound as casual as possible.

-"ok Cole, sorry for troubling you. As you are new here, and look pretty young, I want to make sure you are old enough to be here. This club has a reputation to live for, so the rules are simple, no dealing and no fighting. If you slip, we will catch you, and you will probably spend some time in jail. Do you understand?"

-"yep... fine... am I dismissed?"
-"here" - he gives me a bottle of coke -"it is sealed, don't worry, have fun, I am Greg by the way and if you ever need any help I am here for you too."
-"ok! Thanks!" I said unsure, I didn't want to sound childish, but he was posing as a headmaster and didn't really expect that from a strange bloke from security.

I walked back to where I was before, but it was quite full, so walk around a bit and find a quiet corner very close to the DJ equipment, I was quite fascinated by that, the mixing, time and rhythm, everything was so cool.

DJ K had a baseball cap backwards, I noticed the ponytail in the back, I couldn't tell her hair color, it would change according to the light, she was wearing a night glasses, and had a lollipop in her mouth, she would move the lollipop stick from one side to another of her mouth looking very concentrated on her job at the same time she looks as if she is having so much fun.

She noticed me there staring, and I felt a bit awkward, so I stopped looking so much, and try to distract myself looking around. The club was full, everyone on the dancing floor looked happy and drunk, I see a few couples making out, nothing so explicit as I saw before in the previous place I had been, but enough to make me want to look away. I keep looking back at the DJ.

Suddenly she made eye contact and called me. Firstly I thought she was calling someone else, but I realised it was me. I felt a bit embarrassed, but I walked towards her. When I was near enough to be able to hear her voice, she said, basically screaming over the loud sound:

-"would you keep this going for me I need a pee."
-"what? I don't know how to do this..."
-"you have been watching me for almost 3 hours, surely you must have learned something. Please, I wouldn't be long I am desperate."

She didn't wait for an answer, she putted the headphones on my ears and run towards the toilets, and left me there by myself. I panicked for a second, but she was right, I had been watching her long enough to know what to do.

However, before I had a chance of doing a proper spin she was back. She pressed a few buttons grabbing the headphones back, and faced me, extending her hand:

-"thank you, I am K... and by the way, I washed my hands" she said before I reached her hand

-"it is good to know, I am Cole, nice to meet you."

She no longer have her lollipop in her mouth, and as I talked she turned her attention to the turning table, adding another mix on.

-"so, are trying to be a DJ yourself, is that why you were watching me." She carried on speaking to me while doing her job.

-"to be honest, it never crossed my mind until I watched you today, it looks fun I have to say."
-"you look quite natural, Cole, have you got music background?"
-"well, a bit, I learn piano as a kid, and I do play guitar, sometimes, but nothing on a pro level. What do you need to do to become a DJ?"
-"there are a few schools that offers some kind of training, but it is more like learning from someone else, my father was a DJ, many years ago, I grow up surrounded by equipment like this one... I can teach you, if you want me to, as long as you don't steal my gigs."
-"really?"
-"if you steal my gigs, I will REALLY kill you."

I couldn't contain my excitement. And that was how I became a DJ apprentice, DJ Cole.