“Hi,” I said, standing in the doorway. “Buddy’s not here,” I told this stranger. He appeared shocked to see me.
“Hi, you must be the girl Buddy met at the show last night. Do you mind if I come in and wait?” he asked. I didn't say anything as I continued to block the doorway.
“He told me he would be here soon,” he said, sensing my apprehension. I looked him over. He wasn't as wild looking as Buddy, he seemed kind of average really. Jeans with no rips, a plain tee shirt, black hair, converse. I assumed he must be okay if Buddy told him he’d be here soon. I opened the door wider for him to pass. He ran down the stairs, placing a bag on the coffee table he turned on the stereo. Sweet Child O' Mine came on. I felt a little uncomfortable with this strange guy in Buddy’s apartment. I sighed as I sat on the floor across from him. He lit up a smoke and handed it to me. This one seemed different. I felt excited instead of mellow as I inhaled it a few times before handing it back to him.
“Buddy told me he met someone, but I had no idea you’d be so cute,” he said, surprising me with the compliment.
“My name is Dave. I’ve known Buddy for years, I can tell you he doesn’t fall easy so I was surprised when he told me this morning that he was serious, but I mean didn’t he just meet you last night?” he asked, taking another drag before handing it back to me. I laughed, accepting it.
“It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours,” I giggled. ”I highly doubt he is serious Dave,” I sighed, wishing he was here. He smiled as he began to tell me about the neighborhood. He has grown up here, but it's not safe. He doesn’t recommend I go out alone, night or day. Gang violence, drug dealers and the homeless have taken over. There are prostitutes on every corner, he informed me.
Dave was in the middle of telling me a story about him and Buddy getting so stoned after a concert that they couldn’t find their car in the empty parking lot. I was laughing so hard at his animated rendition of the story that neither of us heard Buddy enter.
He glanced from me to Dave then to the ashtray in front of him. He seemed angry. “Dave, I need to talk to you outside, now,” he said in a deep voice. I actually felt a little frightened by his tone. Dave looked at me and pouted before walking out with Buddy. I could hear Buddy’s muffled voice through the small window.
“I told you to wait outside for me. What did you give her? What was in your smoke asshole?” he demanded. I felt so bad for Dave, I didn’t mean to get him in trouble. I couldn't hear what his reply was. I only heard Buddy swearing some more. I tried to calm my nerves as I sat back on the couch, covering my head with the blanket. The room began to spin a little as I heard them come back in.
“Scarlett, I brought you some breakfast. You should eat,” he ordered as he removed the blanket from my head. A sudden excitement overcame me when I saw him. My head immediately stopped spinning and my mind felt completely out of my body. I sat up quickly and wrapped my arms around Buddy’s neck unable to stop myself from kissing it, as my lips touched his skin I felt his arms around me tighten.
“Scarlett, please eat, then we’ll play,” he whispered, kissing my forehead as he removed me from his lap. I obliged and ate the breakfast sandwich quickly, drinking down the juice after.
“Thank you, I was starving,” I told him, still feeling excited.
Buddy glanced at Dave, grinning now. “I don’t know whether to punch you or thank you,” he told him as I slithered back on top of him. I heard Dave laugh and then cough. He lit another one. I turned to look at him but Buddy grabbed my arms. “No more for you, my little one,” he said. I wanted to kiss him so much, but I remembered we had company. This shouldn’t be our first kiss. I controlled my breathing as I rested against his shoulder.
“Let’s go to the art show,” Buddy suggested, scooping me up in his arms as he stood. I laughed as he swung me around. Dave was up and racing for the door. I slipped on my docs when Buddy set me down.
We hopped onto the bus and sat at the back. Buddy’s hair was still spiked. I stared at him as he talked to another mohawked guy. They appeared to be friends, but I couldn't focus on his words. All I could do was watch Buddy’s lips move. I couldn’t believe how much I wanted to touch him. I forced myself to look away from him. As I did I felt his hand reach for mine. He was holding it tight but I couldn't look at him, I didn't trust myself. I looked out the window as this strange city unrolled before me. I felt Buddy lean over to me. “We’re here, this is our stop. Are you okay?” he whispered in my ear. I shuddered as I felt his breath on my skin. I smiled at him and nodded, feeling unable to speak. This seemed all too much
