Saving Mira-Jean (Hiatus)

Chapter 13

It should be illegal to do Math at 11p.m.

But then again, as Mira-Jean reminded me, all of this my idea as I worked through the Statistics assignment while she read ahead for Psychology. Pizza boxes rest in the back seat wile hot chocolate, Mira added whiskey from her flask to hers, stayed warm in mugs I had brought from home. I wanted to say something about her casual drinking; but I decided against it because it was helping her relax, or at least stop shaking her leg, a tell-tale sign of her anxiety.

"I'm done," I grinned as I finished the last question. "Now, tell me, what is your new job?"

Mira's eyes flickered up to me before returning to her book. "I run a club."

I stared at her in shock as I waited for her to say that she was joking but as she carried on reading, I figured our pretty quickly that she wasn't. "Mira, you're barely eighteen."

"You forget who's my boss," she stated matter-of-factly.

I rubbed the back of my head, "What are your duties exactly?"

"Everything but performing on stage, though you will probably see me up there if I'm in the right mood," a small smile touched her lips. "Needless to say; I'm acing my Entrepreneurship class."

"Where is this club?" I reclined the seat and looked over at her.

"In the town over," she replied. "Vivid. It's pretty cool, you should come visit some time; just give your name at the door and you're in."

I chuckled, "I am surprised you're welcoming me to a club."

"It's better than the fight ring," she threw back at me with a serious look.

"Speaking of the fights, you're not fighting?" She nodded. "But Rex is." Another nod.

"Working in the club has its downsides," Mira finally closed the textbook. "The long hours, dealing rowdy customers, dealing with....other dealings; it's a lot. I won't be able to meet up on weekends anymore."

"I hope the benefits outweigh the risks," I rubbed my jaw to unclench it. "I mean other than the truck and not fighting."

"Getting my own firearm," Mira tossed out, "the pay is a lot better too. Not to mention getting to dress up every weekend."

I shook my head, "I'm sorry, I didn't hear anything after you said you have your own gun."

Mira laughed, "I was going to get one anyways, Rex had planned on it; but Reyes decided I needed one."

I stared at her, unsettled by the calmness with which she talked about this. "Mira, I," I sighed, "I just want to make sure that you're safe."

"I am for now," she said calmly, "I can handle myself Ry." She settled into the passenger seat and reclined it. "This is a nice break I'll admit. I can't tell you the last time I got to relax."

I reached over and rubbed her head gently, making her close her eyes. "You can always call me Mira-Jean."

She smiled weakly as she sighed. "Not always," she opened one eye to shoot me a knowing look. "How is that going? How is Rose?"

"She's fine," I responded, "we're fine. And I want to ask you something."

"Fire away."

"How do you know her brother?"

Mira laughed, "Same way I know most of the young male generation of this town; they all got sucked in by Reyes. A lot of them work and idolize Rex and well, we're a packaged deal."

"Trust me; I know," I snorted. "It just baffles me how many of them fell through the cracks."

"You're one of the lucky ones, you know that right?" Mira gave me her full attention now. "You were lucky enough that your parents could afford to give you better shot at life. For those of us here, they sell us this story of making it big, making something of yourself until you grow up and you realise how expensive those dreams are and I'm not talking just financially; mentally, physically. Especially when you have deadweight keeping you here."

"That's what makes Reyes so powerful, it's not his guns, or the drugs and money. He gives you a taste of freedom and success, then allows you to drink from the cup for a price. He doesn't sell the dream, he shows us how to live it, it's just that his means are unconventional."

"Not to mention illegal. For someone who was forced into his grasp and has been hurt by his hand, you're really defending him." I looked at Mira-Jean from the corner of my eye.

Mira sighed and rest her forearm on her forehead and shook her head. She looked so defeated and tired, what I would I do to get Mira some proper rest. Mira closed her eyes again, "You say you're different than them, if you really are; what I told you will help you understand." I made an indistinct noise. "I think you need to see it to believe it; just come to Vivid for a night."

"I might actually take you up on that offer," I grinned. My watch beeped as the numbers turned to midnight.

"We should head home," Mira sighed. "Can you drive alone or do you want me to stay awake with you?"

I chuckled as I started the engine, "Sleep Mira, I'll be fine." She smiled and I heard a long, soft sigh as she drifted off. The drive back was a moment of peace that I didn't know I needed. As I pulled into the shadows of the park, I looked at the crumbled down piece of wall between Bridgewater and the Alleys then at Mira. I ran my hand on the top of her head, smoothening her hair, a trick that always woke Mira-Jean up.

She groaned sleepily and opened her bloodshot eyes, "Five more minutes," she mumbled into the sleeve of her jacket.

"Only if I won't get in trouble," my fingers tapped on the wheel as I looked around for anyone who looks like they could work for Reyes.

"You're with me," Mira said as she sounded more awake. I heard her back crack as she stretched. "I think they're more afraid of me than him at times."

"At times? You're one scary she-hound when you're ready." Mira laughed and put the seat back up and looked outside into the darkness and smiled. "Someone is there aren't they?"

"Relax, I suspect Rex came home early and sent an escort," Mira grinned.

"Does he know that we've been meeting up?" I bit the inside of my cheek, I didn't care if Reyes or Chase found out because I could deal with those consequences but Rex was a different story.

"Mhm," Mira zipped up her jacket, "since the day you showed up at the fight."

"Well," I looked at her, "what does he think?"

"He didn't explicitly say anything when I asked," she shrugged.

"But you know if he approves or not, it's Rex," I pressed, "you two are practically one mind and soul."

Mira-Jean's smile was full of teasing and knowing. "I'll see you tomorrow Ry." She pulled her hood up.

" 'Night Mira," I smiled.

Her hand rest on the handle, "And if you need a break during school, you know where to find me."

I smiled and watched as she exited the car. A hulking silhouette stepped out of the shadows as Mira walked towards the wall . They walked together, and I assumed they were talking as Mira playfully punched the guy in his shoulder. I could see his breath in the night air as he laughed causing Mira to lunge for his ear and drag him all the way into the Alleys.