don't go low, get high

"I'm not dru-" she started to protest but swayed into him again completely invalidating her attempted argument. "Not and ogre, a rogue. A lightfoot halfling rogue to be precision, I mean precisely." They hummed, knowing the word was wrong but not sure how to fix it and when did they start talking about dungeons and dragons? Oh, right, they weren't. That made more sense, he didn't look like he had multiple sets of dice, let alone one. "Entitled? I don't even have anything to brag about, no one even cares about anything I like, except those guys and they only like my rogue and my discount at Atomic." Sage was rambling and almost completely missed what he was trying to tell her because she was too fixated on the single word. They pressed their lips together tight with a deep frown of thought, letting his words sink in. "I don't know if guys are my thing, they might be. You're kind of pretty in a mischie-" nope that word was not going to work it's way out of their mouth and be understood. "In a tricky way, not trickey bad but, well kind of but in a less hurty way." She squinted up at him and lightly touched the tip of his nose with her index finger. "Like Hellboy or Han Solo." Both of them were cute too, Leia was way hotter but that didn't mean the other thought wasn't just as true. Guys could be attractive too, just not as often. She giggled at her train of thought, but didn't share it out loud.

Relieving the drink from her hands, River sucked back what was left of it before tossing the empty cup on the ground by a passing partygoers feet. They shot him a dirty look and a disgruntled grunt but River simply ignored them to help guide Sage onto one of the empty sofas. "Are you saying you don't find me attractive?" He didn't necessarily take offense to the admission. Instead, it made him curious. "Who do you carry a torch for then? You can trust me, I won't tell." Chances are he doesn't care enough to gossip about her crushes, and the trajectory of his night will lead him to forget whatever confessions leave her intoxicated lips, anyway.

"It can't be that hard, sweetie." She leans forward and rests her cheek against her hand while keeping her eyes on him. In a place like the the landing strip, no one would think twice about buying drugs from a pretty girl. If anything at all, they would probably think it'll help them get laid.

"Don't be such a pussy." She smiles beneath his hand on her chin and gives her best sex eyes. "All I have to do is flirt with a bunch of horny men at the strip club, make them think they have a chance, offer them whatever you have and then bounce. Your job is easy, handsome. All you have to do is convince people you have what they need. I've been doing that since puberty." Manipulation was in her blood. She's been doing it for so long it became second nature. In fact, she had a couple of people already hooked on what she has. The guy she was dancing with earlier was now staring at River from across the room, preparing something with his friends.

"I'm sure you're very good at whoring yourself out, Jazabel." Was it the nicest thing to say to her in the moment? Fuck no. It's probably the last thing she wanted to hear and could make her retract her efforts to do him a solid but, River suspected she probably liked being talked down to. Most girls did. Nobody gave a shit about the nice guys.

"Whatever. If you wanna help, be my guest. Just don't expect a cut. Though, if you're lucky I might be willing to reward our hard work with you on your back and me between those legs again." To insinuate what he would be willing to pay her with, River rolled his tongue over his teeth seductively, paying no mind to her bitter admirers in the corner. He couldn't give two fucks about anyone but himself or the hot piece standing in front of him. "What do you say? Those terms work for you or nah?"

Seeing him pat himself down dampened her mood a tad. Chloe would never admit it but part of it was due to fear. She didn’t know the Westside that well and the only thing worse than being stuck out in the Westside was being stuck in the Westside without a phone. Especially during this time in the day. One thing Chloe didn’t want to do was call her father to come get her. The two weren’t on the best of terms and she was certain if she asked for his help a lecture would follow. Surely someone else could give her a ride if she ended up stranded, but who?  Maybe one of the other girls on the squad? This was one of the downsides to being a bitch all the time. Or at least portraying herself as one; Not a lot of friends to help you out or do you favors. 

The girl made a mental note to take her portable charger with her the next time. Hearing that he did have one after all caused her apprehension to mitigate But wait..He wouldn’t just give it to her. It couldn’t be that easy with someone like him. She leaned back and studied his facial features. “You do, do you? And what’s in it for you?” Chloe wasn’t sure what he’d want in return but she knew he had to want something. 

"After you." Soon as they got to his car, River opened the passenger side door and let her slide in before he joined her behind the wheel. Down by her feet, buried beneath empty beer cans and take out bags was a portable phone charger, which he lent her as he relaxed in his seat and fished out a cigarette from his jacket pocket.

"Have at it. The cable's a little wonky so it might take a few mins for the charge to catch." In the meantime, he lit his cigarette and rolled down his window an inch or two, to let the smoke air out.

"So, this thing with you and Jake... is it serious or are you both just collectively trying to take down your former rival?" There was a reason he was asking. Personally, River hated when Jake was in relationships or fixated on a girl. He was significantly less fun. Which is why, he had a proposition for Chloe. If she chose to take it. "I may have something that will ruin Brooke faster than going after her boyfriend." Technically, ex boyfriend but whatever. "That is, if you're interested in running a girl's life."

He had seen on Google Maps that this bar had a few tables in the far back. If he zoomed in close enough, pass the picture of the couple, under the man’s armpit he could see one. Fenix showed up expecting to find something, but he found absolutely nothing. It was another billiard’s club. Fenix’s eyes were darker than usual. He hadn’t slept in awhile. He was too wired from the Molly he took the other night. Fenix’s fingers tapped at the finished wood waiting for a bartender to reel their ugly head. He hadn’t notice River until he came out with his god awful line. Fenix’s side eyed him, giving him a hard look. He wanted River to feel as dumb as the words that just tumbled out of his mouth. “Who are you trying to get high schoolers? The fuck?” He mirthlessly cackled. After a pregnant pause, “Whatcha got today?” Fenix held a fist out for River to bump back. Fenix didn’t have much, he never did, but he would continue to ask. 

While the barstool gave way to its new owner, River unwrapped his inventory and let Fenix have a look. “I’ve got some X, a few opi’s, and wild, magic fairy dust.” The latter was a term used for absinthe. It was gnarly shit, it made people trip, and lately, it was his most popular sell. “If you need a discount, I’ll play you for it.” Billiards had other things besides just pool tables. If you knew where to look, there was a beer pong set up in the back. River wasn’t half bad at the game when he was sober. Which, he wasn’t right now.

The only thing River and Chloe would ever have in common was how much they’re both sick and tired of hearing that chick’s name.

Patting himself down, River attempted to feel for anything that might help her out. Not because he cared about pleasing her and inflating her ‘queen of the jungle’ attitude but, because his line of business was built solely on customer service. If doing someone a solid one time meant they’d pass the word along, then it was well worth it to do whatever they’re asking so he can make his own money and pave his own way.

“Sadly princess, I do not. But I probably do in my car.” That old clunker taking up space in the parking lot outside, belonged to River’s mom. She was a struggling heroin addict who cared more about chasing the next high than she did any paycheck. Which meant before River’s dad stepped in to take him off her hands, the two of them lived in squalor.

Things were shinier now that he had his own bedroom, a hot stepmom not much older than him, and the Dean of East Mount looking over his shoulder and telling him what to do. But, not necessarily better. He constantly volleyed between two vicious extremes — a life where he remembers being poor and hungry and his newfound one where he’s rich. Or rather, his family is. River rarely claims his father’s wealth because he doesn’t want the money to control him.

“If you want, I’ll let you borrow it.” Of course, doing so would mean there’s a catch at the end. He’ll wait to see if she agrees first before he tacks on the proper payment, though.

She got another one but was debating that decision, off to the side next to none other than River Tolson. East mount's resident mischief maker. "Shit! I didn't even see you there," she giggled and looked back into her cup. "Feel goods? You know what would feel good," she slurred holding a finger up at him while she spoke. "If I could talk to people, like that smexy talk. What do they call that? Uh, rizz. Do you have something that will give me rizz or make me like, attractive to other humans?" She motioned over herself and swayed in place. "Plot twist, it can't change who I am." Sage had no clue what she was saying but she was going on anyways without a care in the world.

“Molly might help. Unfortunately, I don’t sell date rape drugs.” His goal wasn’t to harm people, but to offer them the tools they might need to have a good time while getting paid to do it. “Plus, and it’s only because you’re too drunk to remember me telling you this in the morning, you aren’t an ogre. A lotta guys would fuck you if you weren’t so enttitled. Myself included.” She might not be the meanest girl there is, the one who brags about her clothes and shoes and purses but Sage is just as bad as the rest of them. She’s a know it all when it comes to horror and comics and all things film related. It was impossible to have a conversation with her without walking away wanting to blow your brains out by the end of it. “Maybe try zipping those lips unless you’re tryna use them to pleasure somebody.”

After working up a light sweat in front of the jukebox, Isa parted from her dance partner to get refreshments and that's when she noticed the familiar leather jacket and unique collection of tattoos. For a moment she thought he was someone else. There was another guy she hooked up with a few weeks ago who had cool tattoos and a scar above his eye.

"And your stepdad doesn't think you have any talent? You make a fine salesman, Rebel." Making sure not to flash him, Isa adjusts her mini skirt before she takes a seat on the stool next to him. "Wouldn't you have better luck peddling your mystery bags at Habituè or the Strip? If you take me I'll help you make your quota."

“Don’t cover up on my account.” River suggested after he adjusted the toothpick between his lips, which he’d been fiddling with before she joined him. As a guy known for having A.D.H.D., he was constantly in need of something to mess with. It was impossible to sit still for too long. That’s partly why he wanted this motorbike so bad. Not only would he have paid for it himself, free to roam and look sick while doing it, it also meant it would be his and his dad couldn’t take it away from him.

“What do you know about peddling pills to druggies?” How could someone of her caliber be any help to him? People would take one look at her and automatically assume she’s a cop. A body like that definitely makes you wanna sin. And sure, okay, it could probably make any man or woman, stupid too but River didn’t know how he felt about enlisting a partner. He preferred to work alone. Yet he also knew, that doing so might mean he loses out on the one thing he wants most right now. Next to receiving head from her.

“You’re too hot to peddle drugs. People will think you’re a narc.” Stretching out his hand, River gives her chin a flirty, playful squeeze. “That’s bad for my business, babe.”