Low Rider (Chapter Eight)
This chapter is longer; I'm trying to make up for the last couple being so short.
I wake up from the smell of something greasy. I groan as my head pounds from the epic hangover. My dad walks into the living room and lets out a boisterous laugh. "Morning pumpkin," I peek up to see him having a plate filled with bacon, pancakes, and eggs as well as coffee. "Eat up," He smirks, knowing this is good throw-up food. However, it's he also has me brew up his hangover cure from his military days. "Came home late?" He opens up the conversation.
"No shit," I chuckle. I try to let my eyes adjust to the bright light. "How did I get home?" He takes a deep sigh.
"Damn, you really were plastered. Any reason?" I roll my eyes, shaking my head to let him know not to ask. "Fair enough." He takes a deep sigh. "So who's the guy?" The memories start to flood back into my head. I remember Dwayne having brought me home, but that was it.
"Dwyane is a good friend." I try to make sure he gets the picture that Dwayne is just a friend, even though he is giving a knowing look. "I'm serious, Dad,"
"Okay," He holds his hands up in defence. "He carried you in the house by the way," he gets up, leaving the room, knowing that his words would have my mind reeling. I get my phone out, ready to scroll, when I realize I overslept. I hurry up with scarfing down my food and hopping in the shower. I notice Dwayne did as he promised, and he brought my car back. I get in, not really wanting to go to work but knowing I can't just leave Zach hanging like that.
Due to it being the weekend, the boardwalk is kicking. As if on cue, the boys come in. Paul is shaking Dwayne's arm. "So tell us about how lucky you were getting to take our princess home," Dwayne rolls his eyes. I groan from my head hurting. I lean on the counter and glare at Paul. "I mean, come on, he gets to take you home, and we can't even ask about it?"
"Not when you are insinuating shit," David chuckles. "She isn't that kind of girl," He leans in teasingly. "Aren't ya," I blush and roll my eyes.
"I don't know, I was too plastered to remember." Dwayne's eyes widen.
"Nothing happened," He is quick to reassure, which I won't lie is cute. I let out a soft chuckle.
"I know I trust you, besides my dad would've shot ya dead," Dawyne gets noticeably flustered and walks away to look at some bongs, probably trying to avoid any more awkwardness. "Aw, don't be like that," I come from around the counter and grab his arm. "If it wasn't for you, I probably would've gotten my ass handed to me."
"What happened anyway?" Marko ask hoping on the counter. "You guys left in a hurry."
"Well," I draw out the word, giving it more emphasis. "Devin comes over, trying to talk me up. I shut him down, and he starts whining how I'm fucking breaking him," I use my fingers to quote him. "I go to walk away, and he grabs my arm so," I look down a bit ashamed, "I threw my drink in his face." The three blonds burst out laughing. Paul wraps an arm around me and gives me a light-hearted rub to my head, messing up my hair in the process.
"That's our girl," Marko jumps in front of me.
"Please tell me we can spook him for ya?" I smile, knowing they are so willing to be by my side.
"No," I sigh after seriously debating it. "It's okay," I smile. A customer comes in, and I have to go help him. The boys wait for a moment before leaving. I stop Dwayne by grabbing his sleeve. "Hey," He stops and turns. "I just wanted to say thanks for last night," He nods.
"Yeah, don't mention it," He gives off a half smile before leaving. I feel a little bad for teasing him about it cause in the end, he really did help me out. I end up having to go back to help customers as the shop starts to get busy.
The rest of the night went by fine. The next couple of days were the same: school, then work. Work is slowly becoming one of my favorite times cause the boys come in nightly to hang out. School has been going really well. So far, I'm keeping my grades up and only have a couple of projects that I'm working on. The bell chimes, and everyone starts to get their stuff together. Just as I'm about to leave, I'm stopped by Andrew. "Hey Maya, wait up," He rushes over to me.
"Hey, long time no see, how's your project been?" He tenses up at the mention of his project. "That bad?"
"Yeah," he nods, looking at his feet. "I've just been so preoccupied with my film, and it's taking up all my time. What about you? Any ideas?"
"Yeah, I'm going to write a script about a girl who is best friends with a monster in her closet, when in reality it's her, and the monster is her secret of being into girls. Like a coming out kinda story," He nods eyebrows raised.
"That's," He lets out a breathy chuckle. "Beautiful, actually. No chance it's a self-insert?"
"Sorta," I shrug. "I mean, I'm Bi and coming out to my family was hard, but only cause of my grandmother." I tilt my head. "Let's walk and talk," We start down the long hallways. "What's your film about?"
"It's kind of a self-insert as well. It's about a black sheep in a herd of white sheep. When the wolf comes, he is the only one left alive. He was able to blend into the shadows of the night."
"That sounds interesting,"
"Yeah, it's stop motion, and I got the filming done; it's just the editing. Which is what I actually came to ask you about. Do you mind helping out? I can pay you. "
"Sure, I'm not super busy right now, but why me?"
"Well, I've seen your work, it's fucking sick, and I think it can really boost my film, ya know?"
"Yeah, that's fine as long as I get credit," I joke, knowing he has to give me editor's credit as part of the project.
"Of course, are you busy after school? I still have two more classes."
"Yeah, I got work, but I'm off Saturday, and I work nights, so we could meet in the morning?" The bell rings, showing he is late for his next class. He rushes down the hall and says he will talk more tomorrow and get my number.
I don't know why, but I was excited. This would be my first real time getting paid for my work. So when I walked into the coffee shop early Saturday morning, I couldn't help the fluttering in my stomach seeing Andrew. We greet each other, and he shows me the animation. It looked very impressive. He is only a third of the way done with getting rid of the puppetting lines, so that is mainly what we are going to be working on. As we work, we decide to talk a bit. I learned he is only older than me by a few months. He is in his last year of film school and wants to go into claymation. His muse is Tim Burton.
"So the black sheep is you?" I ask as I tediously remove all the lines from the puppets' faces.
"Yeah, I grew up in a pretty big family. My parents never really cared for art or my interests. Hell, when they found out I wanted to go to school for film and stop motion, they were a bit disappointed."
"So why stop motion anyway. I mean, I love Tim Burton, but I don't know if I'd have the patience for it."
"Yeah, it takes a long time, but the end product is so worth it. I've been making short films in stop motion for years now. It hasn't been till college that I really honed my craft, ya know."
"I get that, I've been thinking about updating a fancomic I made."
"What's it about?" I hesitate for a bit before letting the baggage go.
"My own personal Silent Hill." His eyes widen a bit. "I don't want to get into it, but I might make a fan game. Not sure yet."
"Is that what you are in this for? Game making?" I nod, "That's cool, not many chicks go into that filed I think," I roll my eyes.
"So what are you saying, girls can't game?" He is quick to shake his head. "Chill, I'm just fucking with you. I'm hoping to become a game developer. Yeah, I made a visual novel game when I was younger. It didn't get super popular, but it was fun to make. It's what got me into making games."
"The wish of fear." I spend the next hour explaining and showing him the game. He goes more into his project and why he made it. All his siblings have gone into the medical field or the military. He feels like he just can't hold up to them in his parents' eyes. We have been in the coffee shop working for hours before we decide to make a stop. We managed to get a lot done.
"You like ramen? There is a nice little shop down by the boardwalk. I'll pay,"
"Are you sure?" I question as I throw my bag over my shoulder.
"Absolutely, it would be an honor, we can take my car." We head over to the shop and take our seats. I am stunned when our waiter is none other than Devin. He looks at me like a deer caught in the headlights.
"Maya?" He smiles, and he looks over at Andrew, which wipes his smile off his face. "I didn't realize you were dating again?" I blush and shake my head, which Andrew is quick to point out; we are just working on a school project together. We order our ramen, and I'm starting to regret coming to this shop.
"You know him?" Andrew asks, seeing my discomfort.
"My ex," I grumble. "Please just ignore him. He is mad cause I broke up with him."
"Bad subject?" I nod. "Sorry if I knew we would've gone somewhere else."
"Yeah, I know." When Devin comes back, he asks if there is anything else, and we say no, and he walks away, eyes lingering on me.
"You're right," He holds up a napkin with a note. On it says, 'Watch out, she's a cheating whore,' My jaw drops. I couldn't believe the gall of him.
"Oh my god," I take the note. "I'm sorry this is so fucking annoying." I was no longer hungry. I didn't feel like rehashing the drama. "He must think I'm dating one of my guy friends. I'm not like that, I swear." Andrew calls over another waiter and asks for to-go stuff and the check, as well as the manager. I try to tell him it's okay, but he stands his ground. That it isn't okay. He believes I'm not like that, and while he may not know the whole story, he does know you don't call a customer a cheating whore. There is a bit of commotion with the manager saying he is sorry for the note, but he can't prove that it wasn't written by Devin, but gives a discount. We leave, and Andrew drives me back to my car. I had enough time to go home and eat before getting ready for work.
As much as I love my job, I fucking hate working Saturdays. As I am busy restocking the shelves, I hear the door ring and my eyes get covered. I burst into laughter, turning to see Paul. Marko is sitting on the counter as David leans against the same counter. "Hey, gorgeous, what do you have planned after work?" Just ask, I am about to respond when Zach comes in, sweating and looking at his phone. We all just look at him, confused.
"I have to close up," He is searching his pockets for his keys. "Do you mind locking up? Sophie is having the baby." We all perk up at the news. I nod with an of course as he tosses me the key. We yell out our congratulations before I have to kick the boys out to write the note and clean up the shop. Once done, I meet the boys outside. I figured it wouldn't be a big deal to hang out late. Marko and Paul lead the way to a liquor store, deciding tonight is a drinking night. As we walk around the store. I'm not drinking after the other night, I knew I should probably lay off a bit. I end up walking next to Dwayne, the two of us being behind the others. I know now is probably my time to say sorry.
I know I already did, but I still can't stop this feeling that I should say sorry again, that there might be slight tensions. I can't tell if that is actually the case or if my brain is just being mean to me. "Hey, I'm sorry about the other night," His brows knitted together in confusion.
"Didn't you already do that?" He smirks, turning to me.
"I know, I just don't want any ill will." He ruffles my hair as if scrubbing the idea out of my brain.
"Chill, low rider, we're good," he laughs. "I was wondering, though," He starts putting his hands in his pockets. "Why did you date him? He seems like a real douchbag," I groan and roll my head back, which only amuses him.
"We meet at my old job. I mean, he was sweet in the beginning, but then he just got so controlling and paranoid." We all walk into a GameStop. "I guess he was just projecting," I shrug when I glance to the side, and my eyes widen. "Holy fuck!" I turn and grab a game off the shelf. In my hands is Evil Dead Requiem. I do a happy dance, jumping on my heels. Dwayne looks over my shoulder as Marko, Paul, and David come over. Paul grabs the games from my hands, which only lands him a useless stomp on his steel-toed boot.
"What's this?" I look at him as if he just asked what color the sky is.
"The new Evil Dead game, duh, I thought all the hard copies were sold out." He hands it back, and I try not to squeal. I hurry to the counter and splurge on it. As we are leaving, I can't help but practically skip to my car. I wave bye to the boys, who are a bit surprised about my quick exit. However, they understand, seeing how excited I am to be playing this game. Which I do the second I get home, ignoring the birds as the sun eventually comes up.
