1.4 Don't I Know You?

I've given up on making my bed. It's always messed up, and I don't really have a problem with that.

Yeah, that's the tattoo Lola Belle gave me. That was a funny night. My hair's grown out a little bit in these past few weeks. I just don't have the desire to cut it. I don't really care. I grab some cereal out of the fridge. I've been eating cereal forever. It's the only thing in the fridge.

I call my dealer before I head out. It's Saturday. "Hey, where are you? I wanna come support consumerism." There's silence on the other end, followed by a click, and a dial tone. What the fuck? Suddenly, I hear a knock at my door. I get it. It's William, that guy who greeted me when I first moved in, in a cop uniform. I guess he's a cop. Fuck. I've got bottles and shit strewn about my apartment.

I move out of his way as he glances around and finally sits in my desk chair. "Hello, sir," I stammer. "Shut it. I know you've got illegal narcotics in here. It's a shame, watching you in this downward spiral. I'm not here to arrest you, my shift just ended. I'm here to say get your shit together. Seriously. We don't need another bright kid like you locked up for drugs. Get your shit together." He gets up and leaves without another word. I laugh to myself. Like I'll listen to him, I do what I want.

Another week or so passes. My hair's grown extremely long now, but like I said, I just don't care enough to trim it. I don't care about a lot these days. I made pancake batter the other day and I'm still reaping the benefits which is nice, I guess. I had to find a new dealer after that whole cop debacle, so I end up on my way to meet her.

She works at this little coffeeshop down the road. I drive there and walk up to her and whisper: "You know what I'm here for." She nods and shows me a bag filled with assorted pills. I count out my cash, but I hear something behind me as soon as the deal's about to go down. "Bryce!"

It's that redhead! I gulp. I haven't seen her in months. I turn and sit down at the table she's sitting at. She's in athletic gear; I guess she just went on a run. Damn, she has a nice body, I notice. "What's up....ah....?" I look at her for some help. I guess she never told me her name. "Jackie Dyer," she smiles. "That's a cool name. Listen, Jackie, I feel pretty bad about running into your apartment. Is there any way I can make it up to you?" I reach for my wallet in my back pocket. The least I can do is give her some cash. "No no no no! I don't want any money. I don't care, really." She quickly assures me. "I think you're the only person in Bridgeport who doesn't care about money," I joke. She laughs and smiles again. She has a nice smile. Wait, what? Stop. You don't like girls. You fuck girls, but you hate girls. Remember? I ignore the voice and keep talking to her.

"There's gotta be something I can do. Come on," I say to her. She shrugs. "I really don't want anything!   I told you," she laughs again. "Free drugs?" I whisper. "No thanks. Sober." Respect. "Alright, well at least let me take you out. Let's have some fun." I suggest. Maybe if I fuck her this feeling will go away.

She gets up. So do I. "Where are we going? The salon? Because you, sir, need a haircut," she jokes. "Haha, funny. No, I'm going to the club, you still want in?" She shrugs again. "Sure, I'm down. Let me run home first and grab some clothes and shower." "That's fine, I'll wait for you outside the Simset."

I change into my suit and wait for her. She walks out in this little black dress, and shit. She's so damn pretty. And I can actually see her eyes, for once. I try to avert my eyes so it doesn't look like I'm staring as she walks toward me. "You clean up nice, Dyer," I turn on my signature charm. She smirks. "You kinda look like a caveman trying to disguise himself in society." I roll my eyes. "You are so damn snarky." She laughs. "I'd hope so. Too many girls are afraid to say what they're thinking." And guys. Shut the fuck up, Bryce.
----

Fuck. I drank too much tonight, is the only thing I can think as I stumble back into the lobby of the club. Jackie's there already. She looks up when she sees me and I straighten up. "Heeeeyyy," I declare. "Oh shit, we're getting you home right away. Here." She hands me a bottle of water. "Chug it. Down the whole thing, now." I do as she says.

"After you." It's all I can do to get into the elevator.