THE BAD BOY

"I-" The second she opened her mouth all of a sudden they were off again, at what felt like full speed to her. Eyes open this time she watched as they zipped through the town. Hm...Okay, maybe this wasn't so bad. It actually began to feel fun after a while once she'd gotten past being scared. The girl let out a short and quiet. "Weeeee!" before they came to a stop. "Okay, that actually wasn't bad!" The adrenaline rush she felt had her grinning from ear to ear while she got off and reached for her helmet. Groaning once Tyler mentioned helmet hair she clicked the chin strap pulled it off of her head. "Ugh, I completely forgot about that." She began to brush her hair out while she walked in with him. "Okay, be honest, how does it look? On a scale from great to I look like I've been caught in the middle of a twister? Honesty only please."

"You look great." He laughed, helping smooth it out with his fingers. Tyler enjoyed the fact that she wasn't like every other East Mount girl. She actually enjoyed the westside diner and racing through traffic on the back of his motorcycle. Maybe there was a rebel living somewhere behind her perfectly moisturized skin and expensive makeup. Then again that could just be Tyler being presumptuous. Maybe she wasn't as wealthy and snobbish as he originally thought she would be. Just because someone was from the eastside didn't automatically mean they were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

It felt good to hear that Tyler would try to be nice to River. A relief from the exhaustion of hiding all of this from her parents, at the same time trying to keep her relationships in order. "Thank you." She smiled, "I really do think you two would get along." Lucy didn't know how much truth there was in the sentiment. Their similarities could be their downfall for all she knew. But she'd put herself in the middle if it came to a fist fight.

Tyler has thought about telling Brooke he was still alive. Several times in fact. For the first couple of months after he was released from the hospital, he wrote her on social media hundreds of times but would always backspace. She was with Jake. And she hated him. She thought he was a monster and maybe he was. He did kick Jake's ass and kidnap her father. "I wrote her a letter. It was Mina's idea. I sent it out like two weeks ago and never got anything back." Has Brooke not said anything at all to Lucy about it? Were they even still close? "Are you...still talking to Brooke? Maybe you could bring me up. Not that you know I'm alive, but maybe you can just say something and see how she reacts?" Tyler hated the idea of putting Lucy in the middle of it but he didn't have any other mutual friends with Brooke. He wasn't talking to anyone else from Lakewood.

Tyler snapped back fast. It felt as if he was The Flash in that moment. His eyes followed but it took a second for his brain to process it all. Everything was moving too fast in his head, but the world wasn't cooperating. The patrons had stopped what they were doing to check on them. The bartender was gave them the side-eye ready to step in. "I'm a nut?" He looked at his shirt expecting acorns on them. "You're talking crazy." He waved him off turning back towards the bar. Fenix's shoulders tensed up at the mention of the recovery center. Those words were like an icy chill that would wake him from his stupor. "I don't want or need help." He said curtly. "I'm fucking fine. So sit your ass down you're making a scene." He looked at Tyler and nodded towards the seat. "You're a fucking nut." He mumbled.

"You're not fine." Tyler knew an addict when he saw one. He was raised by a few of them when passing through foster care. If Fenix didn't get help he would end up dead or in jail. Whatever comes first. "Look, I get where you're coming from. It's easier being high or drunk but I'm not the one making a scene here. You're out of your mind and touching my neck." Tyler took a seat before they're kicked out of the bar. "The center is chill. They have games, a pool, a basketball court. It's a little pricey but I know people and can get you in if you wanna go with me. It's either that or you continue looking like an acid trip gone wrong."

Lucy stared down at her hands and started to pick at her fingernails. Tyler, much like Cassandra, wasn't supportive of her relationship with River. In some ways, she understood why they felt this way. River hadn't always been good to her, but they didn't see him the way Lucy did. The way he cared for her when it was just the two of them. She didn't know how River would feel about Tyler staying with her, but she didn't care. If it came time to choosing between the two of them, she would pick Tyler. Besides, she didn't have to tell River... "River will understand, I'm sure. He's not such a bad guy, you know. If you spent less time judging him you might find you have a lot in common."

Tyler hoped she missed the way his eyes rolled at the mention of River and him having things in common. There was some truth to that, not that he would ever admit to it or elaborate. The two shared a past and hated each other. But there was one night where the two boys put aside their differences and got along, but they don't talk about it. "I support you 100 percent. I would never fault you for who you date or hangout with. God knows I'm not the best judge of character." Tyler dated Lakewood's notorious mean girl for a year before he came to his senses. She was way worse than River. The girl was a borderline psychopath and according to the grapevine, she was still causing hell at East Mount. "If you ever want me to hang out with him and try to form a friendship for your sake, I will." Tyler could do that much for her and more.

"Oh...Yeah, that's true." She replied lamely. Cassandra had been so concerned about this whole bike ordeal that she'd forgotten to think logically. She stared at the seat for a few seconds until she had enough courage to internally push herself to lean over and sit down. Her head nodded hearing Tyler give her what she'd thought was a pep talk at first. She looked at him a raised brow and a head tilt seeing him smirk at her. She took in a breath and wrapped her arms around Tyler, her brown iris' glued to the floor beneath her. Cassie's eyes shut immediately when she felt them start to take off. It was kind of like being on a roller coaster. No, closing her eyes didn't change her circumstances but it gave her the least bit of comfort, and she was going to take what she could get. After a few moments of feeling the wind rush through her hair her eyes opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. "Oh my gosh." She responded in an exhale. "Wait are we stopped?" Cassie cleared her throat once she heard how high pitched her voice was. "Pfft, No- no not at all." She was still alive, wasn't she? "I'm having a total blast."

"I knew you'd like it." He's never given someone a ride who hated it. As the light turned green, Tyler made sure she was still wrapped around his waist before he took off again, speeding through the slower cars, and around the corner where Davey's lights up the roadside in neon lights. Tyler cut the engine and looked back at Cassandra before dismounting the motorcycle. "Come on, show me that helmet hair." He bantered with lighthearted laughter.

As Tyler downed his drink, Lucy raised her eyebrows, but followed suit. She wondered how long he'd been here, the slowness of his movements enough to tell her it had been quite a few drinks ago. Lucy raised a hand to the bartender and ordered herself a double. She wanted to be where he was right now. Numb. "Don't be stupid. You deserve everything." Lucy loved him, more than she loved almost anyone. He had never judged or had any expectations of her. More like family than the family she had.

The invitation to stay with her after her parents leave shouldn't have come as a surprise to him, she was his best friend after all, but Tyler wasn't used to people caring for him. No one looked out for him unless they were getting something out of it. Lucy was the only person who didn't expect anything in return. He knew there were no strings attached, no devil in the details. Their friendship was cut clean and simple. He was convinced there was no one else in the universe like her. And how lucky he was to have found a friend who only wants the best for him.

Lucy had been wandering around Riverwood for hours. Her parents had showed up unannounced again. Her dad with a duffel, her mom with a rolling suitcase. She was glad she'd popped a Xanax before they arrived, supressing the racing of her heart as she lied about needing to study for a quiz tomorrow. Instead of heading the the East Mount library, she'd found herself at the Billiard's Club. Lucy knew she'd find someone there to talk to, and seeing Tyler lit her face up like a Christmas tree. She ordered two drinks and placed one in front of him.

"Thanks." Tyler accepted the drink with a genuine smile. Lucy was his favorite person. He would do anything for her and the best part is, he knows she would do the same for him. Out of his twenty one years on this shitty planet he could only say that about her. Everyone else has either lied to him, betrayed him, or abandoned him. Lucy on the other hand was a rare gem. Seeing her again was like visiting family. A feeling he never would have understood if he didn't know her. She was the only 'family' he has. "I don't deserve you." He raised his glass to her and then downed it in one thirsty swig. The alcohol smothered his cheeks with warmth and the glazed look in his eyes would tell her he's already had enough.

"No offense, but neither you or I are old enough to be irredeemable. Unless you murdered a bunch of puppies for fun, I think you still have a chance," she pointed out. "Sorry, I don't make the rules I just make them known." Sage shrugged as if this was already a known fact. She chewed her bottom lip in thought for a moment, trying to find the words of what she wanted to say without irritating him. There was no doubt that Tyler was intimidating, she wasn't particularly intimidated (even though she should be). That was only because that chip in her brain was missing at birth, likely replaced with the annoying need to info dump on everyone. Also he reminded her of her cousin so it was hard to be scared whether there was reason to be or not. She didn't want to piss him off, however. "I don't know how to say this but," she looked up at him. "I'm going to put faith in whoever I want regardless of what you say and I believe evidence and what I can see. So far, my analytics and data have been correct so maybe," she paused and raised her shoulders. "Don't waste your breath trying to stop it?"

As always, Sage was right. But according to her, love was the defining factor between humanity and being a monster. Tyler didn't have love so maybe that made him a monster? Brooke didn't love him. In the end, she told him it was only the drugs. A chemical reaction. She was manipulated into believing she felt something but really, she was just high. Maybe he should have told Brooke that he was falling in love. She was too caught up on all the bad shit he done though, which included filming a secret sex tape of them to use as blackmail. He felt her slipping away and thought he should have some leverage. He realizes how wrong he was and how most of what he did was because of the drugs he was taking at the time.

Cassandra sighed and gave him a look. I don't keep my promises. That was comforting. "Thanks for the words of encouragement." She weighed her options for a few seconds. Going home with a broken phone and no fries did sound pretty shitty. And when was the last time she took a risk? Did something fun and stepped outside her comfort zone? Cassandra had lost track. The riskiest thing she'd done this month was Uber Eats food from a restaurant she'd never bed to before. And knowing this was something her mother probably wouldn't approve of was just an added bonus. Especially if she was spotted by someone who knew her family. Since the affair she'd been trying to prove to herself she was as little like her mother as possible. She'd never follow in her footsteps. She'd never repeat her mistakes. She couldn't. Fuck it. "I guess so...Okay. Let's just get on before I change my mind. And please no racing." She shook her hands in attempt to get the nerves out. "How do I get on this thing?"

Tyler rolled his eyes as he watched her internal struggle unfold. He enjoyed corrupting people who were afraid to take risks. It was fun watching someone come alive for the first time and realize they might not be as fragile as they thought. "I won't race. It would be kind of stupid racing against myself.'' He laughed and scooted up some for her to get on. "It's just one leg after the other. Like getting on a bike, mounting a horse, or a straddling man's waist in bed." On that last part, he turned around and flashed her a smirk. Tyler was in a complicated situation with a girl he attended therapy with, but they weren't official or anything like that. Therefore he was still open to flirting with pretty girls when he sees one. Once she was situated, Tyler revved the engine again. "Just make sure you hold onto me." He eased off the brake and gave the throttle a gentle turn before riding out of the parking lot and into the street. He would have a little fun weaving in and out of traffic but for the most part he would respect the speeding limit and street signs. At the last light before reaching their destination, Tyler rolled to a stop and turned his head. "Scared yet?"

Fenix had been waiting for the ping pong table in the far back to open up. He had been itching the play, the MDMA helped. He was jittery, his leg bouncing. It was one of the nights that Fenix was dressed up. He had on his casual black jeans with a blue flannel with a band T-shirt underneath. The shirt had a few holes along the bottom seam and around the collar of the shirt. Fenix was working on his second beer eyes glued to the table that was over Tyler's shoulder. His eyes flickered to him. Fenix's eyes were completely dilated. "Drinking for fun, my guy." Fenix couldn't contain his smile. It was rarely seen when he was sober. He raised his beer showcasing his intent. "Are you here to lose money or forget the fact you suck at billiards?" He questioned. Fenix hype fixated on Tyler's neck tattoo. Tiny goosebumps made the the tattoo have a texture he needed to touch. Fenix had a firm grasp on Tyler's neck. Softly rubbing his thumb along the neck tattoo. In an attempt to feel the different textures that were more pronounced to him.

"I don't suck at billiards." Tyler retorted with an eye roll. This guy was like a bug. He couldn't get rid of him. Having lived in many places, Tyler has met a lot of people over the years but Fenix was definitely one of the creepiest and most off-putting. It was like staring into the cold eyes of a serial killer and wondering when they're going to do it. When they're going to snap and who they're going to bring down with them. "What the fuck is your problem?" Tyler smacked his hand from his neck and almost fell out of his chair while trying to get away from him. "Fenix, man, I don't know how much clearer I can make this. You're a nut and I'm not a squirrel. You being around me is not great. You piss me off. You're like insane or something. I don't know if I should feel bad for you or be afraid of you." It would probably be smart to be both. "I'm going to do you this one solid and offer you your first step. There's a recovery center on Elm street I can show you. They can help you with whatever the fuck you have going on."

"Oh.." Cassie gave him a goofy smile and shrugged her shoulders. That right there was just Cassandra being Cassandra. "Alright, fine. Davey's is worth it though." Don't tell me you're afraid of a little horse power. Oh she was terrified. "Pfft I- no. I've been one one of these things before." Unfortunately for her, playing one of those motorcycle racing games at an arcade when she was 17 didn't hold much weight. "Kinda..." She took the motorcycle helmet in her hands and looked down at it, turning it one way, then the other before she was eventually able to find out which was the wrong and which was the back. "Okay.." She mumbled to herself. Cassandra hesitated before placing the helmet over her head and putting it on. It was a tad heavier than she thought it would be. "Do you swear?" She asked. "Because remember, I can't buy you Davey's if I don't get there in one piece.

"I don't keep my promises." Tyler smirked before reaching for the strap under her chin to fasten it a little more. If she does do something stupid like let go of him or lean too far to one side, he didn't want to be blamed for her slamming her head on concrete. "You just have to ask yourself, is the risk worth the reward? If you don't get on, you'll go home safe and sound, but with a broken phone and no fries. But if you do get on, you'll have a fixed phone, fries, a milkshake, and a story to tell your friends." Tyler revved the engine and knocked the kickstand back with the heel of his boot. "If it makes you feel any better, I was crowned King of the Road when I lived in Lakewood. Street race champion."

Fenix's intelligence didn't start in a classroom. He knew the streets and people. While he failed every class (lack of trying or not understanding the course work) he made up for it in other ways. The two classes Fenix was good at was Math and Chemistry. He was also good at Sex-Ed but that wasn't a class anyone needed to excel at. Still he took offense to the comment. "Go fuck yourself." He spat out. Fenix wanted to punch the guy, but he had what he needed. "I'm not telling you how I got the names." Thankfully, Fenix wasn't the idiot who ran his mouth. He kept his cards close to his chest. It was the only way he gained loyalty and trust.

How was he supposed to trust Fenix when he wouldn't even tell him where he got the names? There could be a third party attached and Tyler didn't like loose ends. "So you have some secret partner that you want me to do business with? Without knowing shit? You must really think I'm an idiot? I'm not some junkie." Just because he was a criminal who came from foster care didn't mean he was some lowlife waiting on the corner for a handout. Tyler had brains and ambition. He didn't need Fenix's deal even if it would make him a ton of money. He could have the police involved and money was no good if you can't spend it.

"Glamorous, I know. You don't have to say it," his tone was already dripping with sarcasm. "It's okay to be jealous." There was nothing for him to brag about, besides the obvious that yes he got to see beautiful people take their clothes off. Dom was desensitized to the thrill of all that a long time ago. Unless he was an active participant and was just another beautiful body. "You want a job? They only have 2 guys working for them, you'd probably make bank honestly." It started as a joke but the last part was likely true but he doubted Tyler would do it. If he did, Dom would not let him hear the end of it. Whether it was good money or not. If he was subjected to watching anyone he knew before he could grow a mustache take off their clothes, he was going to give them a load of shit whenever possible to even it out.

"As a stripper?" There was no way Tyler would ever be caught dead performing a Magic Mike act. He was just as awkward as Dom if not more so. He'd rather blend in with the dark corners and watch others than be the center of attention. "I don't dance. Well. I didn't dance. But Mina has me trying new things. It helps with the physical therapy. On stage however? Fuck no." He laughed, pulling a longer drag from his cigarette.

Fenix watched Tyler skim over the list. All the names were strangers to Fenix. Which was the best way to go about it. Let it all be random. It would be harder to track Fenix or Tyler down if the cops got wise. Unless Tyler was shit at his job and it was easily traced back to Fenix. Fenix looked up from the list with frustration. "What the fuck you mean? I'm trusting you with this. I should be asking you this, the fuck?" He countered in disbelief. "Yeah you can trust me. I'm the fucking mastermind behind it." He said yanking the list out of Tyler's hand. "So can you do it?" He paused, "Without being caught." Fenix wasn't looking to go down again. This wasn't a possession charge if they got caught. Fenix would do hard time, and sober. Which sucked because days dragged on long enough as is.

This bozo couldn't pull something like this off on his own. The cops would know that. If they go down Tyler would be taking most of the heat for it. Fenix was just the arms dealer per se. It was Tyler who was firing the gun. "You're not the mastermind. You seem dumb as fuck. Where did you get this and who else knows about it?" They were both hot heads therefore Tyler couldn't really judge him based on his limited vocabulary of curse words and ego but that doesn't stop him from pointing it out. "Yeah I can do it." He couldn't understand or relate to other people but computers were easy. Numbers don't lie and patterns and sequences were dependable. "I'm only considering this because I'm in the middle of making a horror game that simulates what happened in Lakewood. With the murders and shit. I haven't told anyone yet, but maybe you can help me too? I need someone to test it on. It's virtual reality, so it can be intense."