23Terribly sorry for the delay, I recently moved into college and things have been overwhelming. I hope you enjoy this chapter, not much action but more introspection on Blondie's part!
...
...
...
There are nights where I get to go home and relax with Daniella, invite Maya and the rest of the girls over, and just watch movies while spooning Daniella's famous chicken noodle soup into my gullet. I personally love those nights, and I love watching Daniella and Maya bicker like an old married couple before Freckles or Ice (another girl I saved) swoops in and breaks them up through either a reasonable speech (Freckles did that all the time and somehow she got them to listen) or a prolonged ass kicking (I call her Ice for a reason, since she's a cold bitch that I can't help but respect).
But admittedly, those nights don't come often. Case and point: tonight. Tonight, after bloodying myself up with Roller blood thanks to my new melee weapon of choice, I had to park myself on the docks as I washed the blood out of my boots just so I could get in Gat's car without staining the seats.
"Holy fuck Blondie, how much blood can these things absorb?" Troy exclaimed as he dipped my leggings into the bay water for the fifth time that night.
Oh, did I not mention I was pantsless?
I managed to convince Gat that a bloody shirt wouldn't be a problem since I could just lean forward and not actually touch the seat, but I couldn't find a reasonable way to avoid trying to clean my pants in this fashion. Basic summarization: I didn't have a jacket to sit on, Gat wouldn't give me his, and I was shit outta luck.
Not that I really minded though. Maybe it's just the way my brain worked, but I never had a problem with people seeing my body. I mean, we all look the same more or less underneath, so what's there to be shy about?
…well, now that I think about it, I would kill a motherfucker that tried to undo my scarf to get a look at my neck, but hey, everyone's gotta have exceptions right?
Besides, it's not like I was wearing anything skimpy. Quite opposite, actually. I always wore black boy shorts underneath my leggings specifically so my underwear wouldn't show through the thin material, and they looked basically like compression shorts, so it's no big in my book.
After dunking my boots one more time and banging them on the side of the docks to rid them of excess water, I pulled them on and stood, stomping for good measure. I looked over to Troy, who was still desperately trying to squeeze the blood out of my leggings, and shook my head helplessly at him.
I walked over, typing a message in my phone before touching his shoulder with my fingertips. He didn't turn around (earlier he whipped his head in the other direction when I began pulling off my leggings while Gat didn't really give a fuck) but he acknowledged me. "What is it?"
{Even if you get the blood out I'll just be in waterlogged pants. I'll just go like this}
"Uh… in that?"
I nodded nonchalantly, swiping my leggings from his hands in his surprise. As I walked up the wood stairs to the parking lot where Gat was waiting I squeezed as much water out as I could, shaking them out so they wouldn't stain the Venom too much and Gat wouldn't get pissy at me. Troy came running after me, sucking heavily on his cigarette as he very noticeably kept his eyes upward. A gentleman would be like that I suppose. Then again, gangster and gentleman don't really mix well… wonder how Troy balances that shit.
"You're going back to the Church just in that, where all the guys that've been eyeing you like a hawk can just wait until one of us leaves you alone?"
I blinked, stopping at the top of the steps as I processed that bit of information. Eyeing me… the hell does that mean? Does he… oh.
Safe to say that when talking about anything romance-y or, er, lusty I guess, I'm either clueless or don't know anything about it… or both. Yeah, definitely both, hence why I didn't get why Gat and Aisha were fighting until she asked about him with that specific tone.
I typed in my phone again. {But Hammer and the rest didn't look at me like that}
"Well you earned their respect today. Lotta guys in this sorta business—" Troy scrunched his face up at the word business, but I get why he said it. There really wasn't another word for this sort of lifestyle beyond… well, lifestyle. "Don't really like it if a chick is higher up than them, and you, you're climbin' your way up fast."
In reality, I probably shouldn't have been surprised at that tidbit of information. I suppose this whole 'joining a gang for the hell of it and finding good friends' thing did have its rocky spots, after all, it couldn't be this simple.
But Troy's words, although not meant to be encouraging or discouraging, ignited a spark within. I needed to keep pushing, needed to show the rest of the Saints that I deserved the respect that my… position, which I suppose is the right hand of the lieutenants? Or… I guess I've become the attack dog for the Saints. Kinda like that Victor guy for the Carnales, only smaller and feminine… and I also don't know if I can survive a dozen drive by shootings… okay so maybe I'm not quite like Victor.
Eh, my days as a gangster are young. Who the hell knows… I just went on a tangent didn't I?
I didn't really have anything to say to Troy, too caught up in my thoughts to really think of a reply. I dragged my now clean scythe along with me as Troy cupped my elbow and lead me to Gat's car, flicking cigarette ash to the side.
"Yo Johnny, I can't get the blood outta her clothes, got anything that she can wear?" Troy asked as we came into earshot, and I rolled my eyes as I glared half-heartedly at him.
One way to send a message to the lower Saints is to kick their asses while in my undies. I was perfectly content in doing that.
"Does it look like I carry spares in my trunk?" Gat rebuked.
"Chill man, I just thought maybe with Aisha you'd have—"
Gat shook his head. "Eesh has longer legs than Tiny Tink—"
:FUCK OFF:
"—and I'm assuming that wasn't a nice thing you just signed, but imma let it slide this time," Gat said swiftly before resuming his original thought. "She'd be tripping over herself."
"Well Blondie is adamant in not putting her leggings back on thanks to the bay water and we can't exactly roll up to the Church with this one just in her unmentionables."
I felt a growl rumble in my throat. Jesus, if it's such a big deal that I'm in my unmentionables as you call it why the fuck do you keep mentioning them?
…yeah I think I have anger issues. At the same time though, I don't really project said anger unless some guys toting different flags were around, so maybe that's a good thing in a way?
Gat sighed, wrenching the car door open and shrugging his jacket off. "A'ight, I got an idea. Pixie, get in and cover yourself up; we goin' on a little trip."
I instinctively caught the purple jacket, frowning softly before stepping into the car and settling the jacket over my lap. The thing was big enough that it looked like I was wearing a damn skirt since it pooled around me and covered part of my legs. Soon enough Gat and Troy were on either side of me, and I had to settle for being a human sandwich while Gat drove us to this mysterious destination he thought up.
Nothing like cruising the streets with the full moon out while just in your undies and a torn up tank top… that's a saying, right?
…
…
…
"Aw, c'mon girl, you'll look cute!"
I eyed the outfit Aisha was holding out to me with a wary look, feeling really out of place in the huge walk in closet. Gat's great idea was to drive over to Aisha's place and shove me in the front door, bellowing a hello to Aisha. The woman ended up storming down the stairs and ready to yell at him before stopping short at seeing me, clad in bloody clothes, soggy boots, and bare legs.
She ended up smacking Gat once she found out he was partially the reason why my pants were off, and to see him get bitch slapped? Totally worth the drive.
Only now, I was starting to feel a little bit like a dress up doll. I had some peace when I hopped in the shower and washed the blood out of my hair, but now Aisha is pestering me over what type of outfit I should wear. Worse off, she was currently showing me a skirt.
:Listen, while I admit I'm a bit girly at times, I refuse to wear a skirt:
"Hun, none'a my pants will fit you, but skirts will. You don't have a choice."
:I'll just roll up the pant legs, what's the big deal?:
"Seriously?" Aisha rolled her eyes. "Girl, there's gang bangin', and there's looking good while gang bangin'. And yeah, you looked good in that old outfit, but it's the spring. You can't run around in those leggings all the time."
I made a pained expression. :You're not going to let this go are you?:
She smirked. I stomped my foot childishly before grabbing the outfit, moving to the privacy curtain to change. Yeah, she had a huge closet.
"I knew you'd see it my way." Smug little—
Her warm chuckle quelled any anger I felt. Aisha was such a nice person, and she genuinely cared about me. I mean, I know others like Daniella cared, but Aisha barely knew me, and it's almost like she was… mothering me in a way. It was weird, but it was a good kind of weird.
So I sucked it up and pulled on the ruffle-y skirt, grumbling as I did so. It didn't look bad per say… Aisha knew style. I'm just not a skirt person. Or- or a ruffle person, and this skirt was both of those things.
I put on the rest of the outfit, wobbling a little as I had to stand on one heel to pull the other shoe on, and then turned to look at the mirror just to the left.
I cocked my head as I took in the smooth black fabric of the top I shrugged on, noting that it was a little baggy but it looked natural in a way that made me believe that's how it's designed. It was sleeveless, and the thick straps were tied on each shoulder with cute little purple bows. I frowned a bit at the skirt that brushed against my knees, Saints purple ruffles outlined by a lilac seam, and rolled an ankle to get a good look at the black ankle boots with a golden zipper and lilac soles. No matter what Aisha said to me, I refused to take off my bloodied scarf, so it stayed.
I didn't want to admit it… but I liked the look. It was kinda like a time warp, because I hadn't really worn anything this fancy in years, and I haven't worn a skirt for longer, so I guess the memories were just souring my view on it.
The thought of memories had me frowning, thinking of my time over the seas, either bored out of my mind or being instructed what to do. Then it was trying to learn sign, trying to stop myself from speaking automatically because it hurt, and then learning some more languages because fuck it. I cast down my eyes at the thought.
The moment you lose your voice is the moment you realize how it feels when met with language barriers. It feels worse than normal probably, because if two people speak different languages they can work with each other to figure out what they're trying to say. But to know a language and suddenly be torn from ever speaking it again, left to struggle to communicate with the people you used to laugh with before? That's heartbreaking. And it's terrifying.
I furrowed my brows when I realized I was wallowing in the past. I haven't done that… haven't done that in a while. Haven't thought about any of it really, just mulled over the necessities so I could stay one step ahead. Follow you like a shadow.
I shuddered.
"You ready yet, girl?" Aisha called impatiently. "C'mon, I wanna see you!"
Aisha brought me to the present, and I stepped out into view so she could take a look at me. She began fussing over me, grinning as she made tiny adjustments to how the clothes fit on me. I kinda zoned out while she did, thinking some more. Maybe here, I could make some better memories. Here, I didn't have people telling me how to stand or what to say. People here… they treat me like I'm human. They treat me in their own way, a uniqueness to all my new friendships. Troy was the overprotective friend, calling in often to check where I was and to help out in getting the gangs off my back. Dex was more of a supporter, floating around and letting me get things done my way. He would outline a plan and I would roll with it, putting my own spice into it. Lin was a teacher, showing me the ropes, pointing out what signs to look for in certain situations, how to avoid messy situations. Gat… I don't know if it's right to call him a friend just yet, but I'd call him a vitriolic one, with us always trying to one up each other in the ever old conversational battle.
Then… Julius.
I don't really know what to call him either. He's our leader, but to me he stands for more. Maybe it's just my growing want for his praise, but to me he stands for something bigger than just being a leader. He's like a mentor, only he doesn't teach the things Lin does, he teaches patience. He teaches tacticality. He's like a Father guarding over his Saints, a guardian to his own and unrelenting to those against him.
Not that's fucking poetic.
"Perfect." Aisha grinned, guiding me out of the walk in and towards the front where Troy and Gat were waiting. "I know you don't like the skirt, but you look good in it. Just try not to get blood on it, okay?"
I nodded distractedly, still musing. It's weird to think it… I've been here about a month and a half now, and I have no desire to leave. The other cities I've been to were cookie cutter, where the people are venomous and the bustling streets felt like the dead walking, but here there was a teeming of life that drew me in like a moth to a flame.
What worried me was the off chance I'd be tracked down again to this town I've grown so attached to so quickly. I always am eventually… and I always run.
"Well well well… looks like Eesh got herself a new doll to dress up," Gat's voice purred as he stood, smirking lazily as he peered down at me. I had the sneaking suspicion he was looking me up and down behind his glasses.
"Watch yourself, boy," Aisha snapped sternly, though her face was still soft when she looked at him. "Nuthin' wrong in helping a fellow sister look good."
"You do realize she's probably gonna be killin' shit in about twenty minutes."
"And that's why I'm making it your job to make sure this little miss doesn't get shot at or get blood sprayed on her nice new outfit," Aisha shot back with a smug look. I watched the scene like it was a tennis match.
"I ain't fuckin' babysittin'—"
Aisha completely ignored him. "I'm gonna be checking her over for bloodstains once you bring her back here after whatever you two gotta do."
"C'mon Eesh—"
"Hey, we need t'get back to the Church before Dex flips his lid, so let's just go. Aisha, Blondie ain't gonna get hurt, I promise," Troy tried to appease them both, cigarette still hanging from his lips. I smiled as they bickered still.
Yeah… maybe I'll fight for this place. Maybe I won't leave this time.
The prospect scared me a little… but I suppose breaking pattern does that. But I won't run this time. I just pray that I don't end up regretting it. After all, people who use the saying always forget what happens after a moth is attracted to the light.
It gets burned.
...
...
...
Terribly sorry again! Hopefully I can find a balance between classes and writing so the update gap won't be this long!
Hpfanboy31800: Thank you very much, I've always secretly loved the idea of the Boss with this wicked weapon and scythe was the first thing to pop into my mind! Haha I always make sure I respond to my reviewers, it always makes my day to see someone is enjoying my work!
Guest: Oh yay! Glad you enjoyed Blondie's murder spree XD
Happy writing to all! Lonessa out~
