&&.

“i should go there next christmas. if i can find cute stuff for cheap, maybe i won’t go broke after christmas anymore.”

“that’s smart shopping, my favorite kind of shopping.”

“hey it might not be, a lot can happen in such a short time.” ellie pointed out, though her playful smile faded as her mind drifted to their mother. “well i won’t force you there twice in one day, so i’ll just hold you to that instead.”

 “this is CHINATOWN we’re talking about. . .” drew snorted but then frowned when she noticed the shift in mood. “or was that a euphemism about mom. . .” she asked bluntly. drew was never the type to keep her feelings about their mother bottled up, she’d cried, had a mental breakdown, was angry, pretty much went through all five stages of grief publicly and unapologetically  at that. “i mean, i don’t mind, but okay. . .you know where to find me when you feel like going.”

“hm, I believe it. maybe i’ll check it out someday… once i figure out where it is.”

“just go to the subway stations, there’s always a train going there.”

“nah, it sounds pretty lame. what d’they have?”

“they have a SHIT TON of cool shops, authentic asian culture, and good ass food for cheap.”

“y’may have mentioned it once or twice, yeah.” he laughed. “what’s so great ‘bout it anyway? you can get chinese food anywhere.”

“good, can’t have you forgetting.” she winked. “um. . .it’s AUTHENTIC. . .that’s what’s so good about it.”

“what’s so great ‘bout it?”

“ you’ve never been? ”

“then go back, what’re you here buggin’ me for?”

“ you’re a dickwad you know that? ”

“There’s a little restaurant that serves the best dimsum in new york there, there’s so many gems in chinatown.”

“ oh i’ve gotta try it, i refuse to eat chinese food from anywhere else in the city. ”

“gosh, i love buying cute things i know i don’t need. i feel like it’d be super easy for me to manage spending way too much money down there. i’ll have to go sometime soon so i can waste all my money.”

“ the stuff is always super cheap too, which is a plus. . . more money to waste! ”

“i don’t think i’ve ever really been through there. what’s so amazing about it?”

“ um, the food, the culture, the shopping !!! ”

“little pissed you went without me, but i’ll get over it. maybe. probably.”

“ oh shut up, you act like it’s not still standing. we can go anytime you want. ”

“Every time I go I find something new. It’s probably one of the coolest places to visit.”

“oh yeah? ya like the food? i like the food. the shopping is my second favorite part about it, but i also just really like photographing the culture of it all. it’s beautiful.”

“gosh, i feel like i can’t even remember the last time i went to chinatown. i think i just like staying in my own little area too much.”

“i’m telling you, it’s a gold mind for cute little things you didn’t know you needed until you saw em’. . . you should really change that, you’re missing out on good steals.”

“it’s okay. way too overcrowded.”

“this whole city is overcrowded.”

    “me?? no. i’m fine.” the teenager slurred, one hand clinging to his beer bottle whilst the other was pressed up against his bloody face. “i’m just fucking dandy!! but if you say ANYTHING about my father like the last asshole did, it won’t be pretty for you.”

drew looked around, a little bit caught off guard by the male. he was in pretty bad shape to be fair. “okay, well, you’re obviously NOT fine.” she muttered, looking over his bloody face one more time. “c’mon, let me help you before you get arrested for public intoxication.”