Paint that shxt g0ld

“Why?” Initially, he had turned his attention towards the brunette in hopes that she would buy some narcotics from him. But the reply had made him curious, he never thought she would be in the need to steal from others or maybe it wasn’t something she could help. For all, he knew she could have been a kleptomaniac. She never had trouble paying him, which is why he considered her to be one of his best customers. So not having the cash to pay for such necessities couldn’t have been the reason. He couldn’t disagree, this wasn’t his scene far from it actually. One would think he would want to party and drink a large amount of alcohol to make him forget every terrible memory of his past that still haunted him till this day. Isn’t that the approach people went for? Or at least the majority. He had a different way of forgetting, and when it came to seeking a good time well that wasn’t something he did. He couldn’t exactly remember the last time he had fun or sought it. Watching tv was entertaining in a way but it wasn’t exactly a big thrill. “I know I said I only came here for business but what makes you believe this isn’t my scene? I mean there’s free alcohol, tolerable music playing, drunk hot girls. Seems like the perfect scene for a guy my age.” Except he had zero interest in the girls, yes some flirted but he had just brushed them off. Although some got a little handsy, which happens when drinking. This was his least favorite place to come, seeing as there were so many people so brushing up another was going to happen. But this was also where he made the most money so he needed to suck up his fear of being so close to others. Shame, he was hoping she would buy something from him tonight. “Ahh I see. If you change your mind, I’ll be around for an hour more.” Or less, tonight he had made enough even taking advantage of some drunk frat boys by overpricing his stash. Taking a peek over towards the stairs, he noticed some of those frat guys heading up the steps. It didn’t take a genius to know what they were about to do. Unless of course, they were all going to have a massive orgy with each other. 

His question was slightly humbling to her, pulling her to lean back against the wall behind them with an easy smile and a shrug, “I don’t really know. I could try to tell myself it’s some sort of Robin Hood thing, like steal from the rich and give to the poor or something, but honestly, it mainly just adds clutter to my life I don’t need..” Again, she shrugged absentmindedly about it, “It’s just something to do when I get bored at these parties I think.” She noted honestly. But she rounded on him then with a sly smile, “So I can trust you with this little secret right Jax?” Her smile softened then as she looked on at him, glad to be beside a real person for the time being. He was mysterious and quiet, sure, but he owned those attributes of himself. She found that admirable in a sea of bullshit where your last name got you a hell of a lot farther than your first. Although, she wasn’t really worried about him keeping the secret or not, Nat would talk her way out of a mess like that if she had to. Again he offered her an interesting question, “I guess when you put it like that..” She began with a smile, “But I don’t know, I just imagine your scene being a quieter group of good friends. Besides, even if this is your scene, just lie to me. I need an ally around these parts.” Natalie wasn’t sure if she was making much sense to Jax, her mind whirring along as she wondered how long she could stick by Jax before her ‘friends’ would start asking serious questions about her whereabouts. A smirk pulled up onto her lips as she eyed him and his businessman ways, knowing she was probably keeping him from sales at the moment. “I won’t but I’ll keep that in mind, send people your way if I come across any takers too.” She cocked her head thoughtfully with a nod. Natalie followed his eyes as he watched the frat brothers being as fratty as all hell. “Eh, I hate those idiots. Really and truly, I despise them.”

JT heard Natalie before he saw her turning his attention staring at the bottle in confusing. Yet he didn’t care enough to ask, but he still felt the need to respond. She was a customer of his and what better way than to keep a client happy than pretending to be interesting in whatever topic they had brought up. “Did you forget to shower or something? If so I don’t think anyone around here would care if you stink after having a few drinks in them.” And hopefully, they will have other influences in them, he really needed the money to pay for his room this week. Patting his back pocket the dealer nodded answering her question before finally responding with words. “That is the only reason why I am here. So far it’s been a good night.” Turning he was now facing her completely hoping she would add more to his earnings. “How about you? Are you having a good night? If not you know well I can change that for you.” Doing what he did had made him better at socializing with people. This was technically customer service type of job, with the difference that if he didn’t get his money he would beat the person to teach them a lesson. That is how the world worked right? You needed to use violence to get your way and to survive. 

His response was much funnier than she expected it to be, though it only just now hit her how odd it would be to have this in her hands. After chuckling for a moment, she placed the stuff in her bag, “No, actually..” She side eyed him for a moment with a little smirk on her face, “I steal stuff from these parties sometimes..” She wasn’t sure if he’d meant that she smelled, but if she did she’d rather not know. Natalie felt alright about letting him in on that secret though, it didn’t seem to her like he’d be the type to judge. Plus, he wouldn’t want to lose her as a customer. Lucky for him, his supply was strong and consistent. Lucky for her, she got to be honest and real for a few fleeting moments at least? Her eyes moved down to the bulge before going back to his, “Glad to hear it.” She nodded with an eyebrow raise where shortly after she was pulling her cup up to her lips. “Good. This is a stupid party and it doesn’t seem like your scene anyway.” Mine either, she wallowed. Nat knew she was being stupid, wasting time with all the resentment she carried around. She’d have to shed her angst over the next few moments; the break was a blessing. Nat turned toward the party, her hands finding the back pockets of her skinny jeans. A smirk snuck up on her face, “Oh I’m good right now. This isn’t the crowd I indulge in. They don’t even know I smoke.” She shrugged, shooting a smile his way. Her eyes lingered on his outfit for a moment as she found herself desperately envious of his comfy, low key style. 

“No.” A short quick response, one that made it clear that he wasn’t going to take any less. JT had placed down a prize and he had no intention of lowering it. “Take it or leave it.” The tone was impatient by now, there were others ready to buy and he wasn’t going to spend a full night negotiating. The sigh made it clear the other was going to give in, that was when he smirked with getting his way. “Pleasure doing business with you.” Taking the cash with one hand while the other handed the frat boy the drug he had desired he went his way. Now that the money was in his back pocket he went to walk around looking for more customers. He wasn’t a student here, and parties were rarely his style. If it was up to him he would be in his crappy little room watching basic cable with a bag of Doritos on hand and some cheap beer in another. But to have a roof over his head he needed cash and what faster way to get it than feeding the addictions of young adults who sought a good time and forget the stress of school. 

@nattyrussell

Natalie surfed the party, having ditched the crowd she’d shown up with. She was hoping to find some more interesting people, especially as the night began to drag on. But her trusty little filled up cup of the party punch was helping her along with that job as well. Though she was still restless so she decided to peruse the bathrooms for something interesting, picking up a body spray with an odd sound flavor that she couldn’t actually imagine to smell good. Though, that was all the better to use for pranks and such down the road right? Always thinking with such an adult mind. She could just hear her parents now, chastising her for not staying as sober as they come, creating a network of connections with those worthy people she surrounded herself with. They certainly had different definitions of worthy didn’t they? It was then that her eyes fluttered up towards the ever elusive JT who held an intriguing air of mystery in his eyes. She sidled up near him once the frat boy had dispersed begrudgingly, hoping not to startle him. Her eyes gazed down towards the bottle, “You think that peach and lavender really go well together with a basil smell? I can’t believe this stuff could be good.” She muttered out casually before her eyes finally came up to his, “Having a good night JT? Raking in the dough?”