Honey Stone

Into the Pit

'How was school today?' Viola asked later that day when she came to Buzz's house. 'Anything interesting happen?'

'Not really, few people tried to give me shit, I found out Buzz was principle and that he's gay. Didn't see that coming.' Honey said with a rye smile.

'Oh yeah, he's got great taste in men but he's not interested in settling down, likes to keep things casual.' Viola laughed. 'Was the stuff I got you ok?'

'Oh yeah,' replied Honey looking down at herself. 'Some of it is a bit daring though. Not sure I'd have the nerve, certainly not for school anyway.'

'Course not silly.' Viola said, rolling her eyes 'Some is for coming out with us.'

'Out?' Honey's stomach flipped. What did Viola mean and where could she possibly go that meant her wearing such revealing outfits?

'Yeah, like in a couple of weeks. The men will be having a meeting so the women usually meet up and have a few beers while we wait for them, then its just like a big party.' Viola said airily as she started rummaging through Honey's meagre clothing selection.

'Count me out.' said Honey with an embarrassed shrug. I don't think I'm welcome, do you?'

'Are you telling me that you're going to let Nash stop you from having a good time and making some new friends.' Viola asserted as she turned to glare at Honey with determination. 'Oh no girl, you are coming with me, you don't have to sit with him, you don't have to look at him and you don't have to think about him. Come, have a good time and be one of us. Tommy will expect you to be there. I don't know what you said to him but he's really got your back and trust me, you don't want to fuck that up.'

Honey couldn't get out of it. Viola was deaf to her protests and helped her pick an outfit that Honey felt was completely inappropriate but like everything, Viola refused to be contradicted. With a promise of returning another night and again to help her get ready for the meeting, Viola left.

Honey was alone in the house once more. Alone with her thoughts. She wandered aimlessly and tried to find something to do but she couldn't settle. Nash was in all her thoughts she wanted to see him but she didn't at the same time. She'd turned her phone off the day before and now she was afraid to turn it back on. How many missed calls would there be? How many messages? or worse, what if there were none at all. What if he didn't care. She deserved it all this misery, why oh why couldn't she just be a good girl and stop causing trouble.

Buzz returned late and tried to engage Honey in conversation but she was in no mood. She refused to speak more than a few words. He kept an eye on her in school but she had kept her head down and didn't engage with anyone. Two weeks past but still she remained cut off and alone. Buzz was worried but didn't dare mention it to Nash who had been badgering him for information, Tommy and Preach knew though.

'Maybe we should just send her home.' Preach said one afternoon as the three men sat in Tommy's lounge. He was in no mood to entertain temperamental little girls. Club life was no place for those who didn't want to toe the line. They're club may be fairly liberal and accepting but that didn't mean there was no rules and repercussions.

'Over my dead body.' Tommy spat 'That little girl goes no-where. She's had enough to deal with without us rejecting her too. She stays with us and that's the end of it.'

'I just wish I could help her.' Buzz said despairingly. 'She's so sad and cut off. Viola has tried to reach out to her but she just shies away. Its like she can't bare to be around kindness.'

'No-one has ever been kind to her.' said Tommy sadly 'That's why she can't go back and thats why we are gonna help her.'

'How's Nash?' Preach asked suddenly.