In the Daylight (Open)

[challenger]

OOC: Just as a forward I'm doing this for some intense writing practice, so please bear with me and my long drawn out-ness. also, for each "Chapter" (thread) I will be writing with a different writing style to try and get some practice on multiple things. thank you, and lets have some fun

Arc The First: In The Daylight

Chapter 1: Enter San Diego

Seize the day or Die regretting the Time you lost, its so empty and cold without you here, too many people to ache over

My head throbbed as I opened my eyes slowly, I could feel something in my left hand, soft, squishy, but almost like paper. Foil, probably. as my eyes finally began to adjust to the light I could swear that I could feel my pupils dialating. behind the darkness of my glass I took a quick scan around, everything a muted imatation of what life intended it to be. my hands came up, I unfolded the foil in my hands to see a blue packaging before my eyes. my head still throbbed as I read the word "Aleve" on the small packaging. I dropped it, letting my arms flop to my sides. If I had taken those why does my head still hurt? I reached up, touching around to find I was still wearing the grey baseball cap and the bandana that I had been wearing only yesterday. my hair, which had grown out lately, tickled my neck, and reminded me that I was laying down. lethargically I sat up, eyes brows stretching, looking around bemused and curious. I looked down, jeans and a t-shirt... a small satisfaction from still having my clothes on was good, followed by the rambing shame of my existance. I shake my head, forcing the thoughts to flee. I place one hand on the cold linoleum floor, realizing I passed out in a bathroom. my first possible conclusion is that I was having sex with someone in the bathroom, and fell asleep afterward, which sounds reasonable. but then I remember the aleve, which would dictate that I had a head ache last night... or I was trying to trip out on DXM... one or the other. but if I was trying to trip out I would have gotten some mucinex... aleve would never do it quite right. then I realized I didn't really care why I was there, and no one else does either. I push my hand down into the ground and lift myself up, surprised to find my balance so easily. another quick look around and I have figured out that I am at the baseball field of the san diego padres and it all suddenly floods back to me.

***

I was in Newport with a few friends, no big deal, hanging out on balboa island, we had plenty of beer and nug. I was on the beach with some girl... hayli I think her name was... I only remember cause she spells it so weird. I was talking to her, and this really awesome sean guy who I had just sold a quad to, and for those of you who don't know, thats a lot. So I say "hey, let's get off the beach and go somewhere we can toke" there was probably a twinkle in my eye when I said that, just imagine it. so anyhow we find ourselves at seans grandmas house all getting high and drinking and just having an excellent time, but that sean kid was just SO loud, it was awful and incredible how loud he was. so of coruse the inevitable happens and we get rolled. I'm suddenly thougthful, I have to think of a way to get out of this before the cops figure out I'm a dealer. I sat quietly as the cops surrounded us, only two of them, and I probably could have outrun them, they looked fairly lazy, though one of them had that kind of body that you couldn't tell if they where really in shape or just a really big person... this made me second guess my original running plan, so I went on to my next plan. "Officer" I said, subtly, it pulled his attention. "Did I ask you to speak boy?" he said, his incredible wit was at its highest. I rolled my eyes, and as my brain churned sean started talking, very fast and all at once. "These guys didn't do anything, its all my stuff, and I convinced them to come here and-"

"I DIDN'T ASK YOU TO TALK EITHER, SIT DOWN!" the Cop cut him off, and sean, upon realizing he was standing, sat down. "Sean... minnie?" the officer read from his drivers license, which he had taken from the wallet by the jacuzzi that sean had left. I was completely silent as I watched, it was noble, and it was all I needed, I wasn't going to interrupt if some moron wanted to take the blame for everything. The cops looked at each other for a long moment, "You said everything here was yours?" he asked sean, and sean nodded. the cops looked at us. "How old are you?" he asked. I stood, "I'm 21... also I have a license" I said, and the cops looked at me with curiosity. "A medicinal marijuana license... I have one, all the pot is mine, seans being stupid and noble..." the cops cut me off with a glare, but then thought about it. "I'm the only one you saw smoking as well, and I wasn't intending to share." the cops stared at me, they knew at this point it would simply be "he said, no he said" if it ever came up in court, and there was very little they could do, and besides their obviously cop like manner they very obviously just wanted to get this place cleaned up so they could get back to more important things. I went to pull out my I.D and the license but the cop shouted something incoherant, and pointed his flashlight at me quite angrily. realizing the mistake I had just made (don't stick your hands in your pockets with cops around, they'll think you have a weapon) I immediately withdrew. I grit my teeth, this situation was stupid, I wasn't even the slightest bit worried, I knew the worst thing that could happen was that they would give me a ticket. but they couldn't, I had a license. the cop walked over to me. "Please walk backwards toward me with your hand behind your back" the cop asked of me. I raised my hands, showing him they where empty before complying, and very skillfully, I hadn't actually even taken my first hit yet, I was incredibly sober, I walked backward up the few steps surounding the spa to him.I probably could have done it anyway... regardless he spread my legs open and patted me down, luckily the only things I was carrying in my pocket was exactly what I wanted him to see. he pulled out my fake ID and my license, he examined them and placed them back into my pockets. "Walk" he said, pointing away from the spa toward the gate. I began walking, he observed me for a moment before saying "we got nothing on him" to his partner. of course you don't... "You're free to go" the officer finished. "Thank you officer" I said calmly, sean was still gonna get himself a drunk in public ticket, but at least I was nice enough to save him from the other three tickets he was about to jump into. so I left, and sean would owe me later. so that night, proving that us adolescents know nothing, he invites me to a party in san diego. of course I want to go, a smile played across my lips as I got into his car.

***

Good, I remember why I'm here... but where is sean? and how did I end up at Padre's stadium? that certainly was not good. also, someone somewhere has all my clothes, and my guitar. I suddenly was aware of my breathing because of the horrible stench of the bathroom, and the puke on the bathroom floor. the best nights are those not remembered. I looked in the mirror of the bathroom, smiling I adjusted my hat and walked toward the door. effortlessly I pulled open the door, only to be blinded by sunlight, which seemed confusing and foreign for a moment before I told myself "you're not even fucked up, get over it" a soft mutter under my own breath. suddenly I could see, though the glasses did little to block the bright sunlight beating down upon my face. of course... I didn't have to be not fucked up, and a grin naturally came to my face as I felt over myself. in my back pocket was the container for my eighth of nug I still had, White Widow, great for making you think. I pulled out my little piece and popped open the container, savoring both the sound of the pop and the smell of the sticky little plant that within moments of practiced movement was in the pipe. Greens, so the wake and bake had begun. the lighter clicked three times before there was a flame, a long pull, the lighter went out, click... click... it flared back on, another pull, and a deep breath. as I held the smoke in my lungs, enjoying the almost flavorless brand that I had I looked around. trees, a giant parking lot... but where too? and then I saw what looked like...

I pulled up my arm to look at my wrist... no watch. next I dug into my pocket pulling out my cell phone. four texts, three missed calls. I shook my head, I would check those later, the time was 8:43... which meant it was still early morning. incredible how time can trick someone. I finally exhaled, though there was no smoke, I had learned ghosting a long time ago, and I began merrily down the steps toward what looked like a school. time to make some new clients.

***

I lit a cigarrette, walking through the entrance to the school. As I arrived on the school ground I realized how incredibly fertile it was. and I don't mean for the plants. my memory gets hazy about this part, but I remember some kids fighting, but it was no normal fight, these kids where really ripping each other apart. of course, in my "hightened" state of mind I only looked at that as a good sign, that this was a school full of bad kids, and bad kids love drugs. a small smile and I walked forward and suddenly one of the kids fighting backpeddled into me. I looked at him, he was about 4 inches taller than me, and looked like a mean motherfucker. "hey, whatsup?" I asked calmly, I was high, and was not looking for a fight, as I never do look for fights, but he seemed determined to throw me into this thing. His first punch was high, ultimately a readable, boring punch, however it was fast, and not being much of a fighter on top of being high had absolutely no advantages, except that pain didn't REALLY hurt too bad. The punch landed, I simply rolled with it as it cleaned me across my cheek, falling over. I'd let him think he knocked me out in one hit, that was simple enough. but as I lay I felt a weight get on top of me. the boy was straddling me now, and his left fist was raised for another punch. I opened my eyes in time to see this... apperantly the kids of this school aren't just... bad, they where almost demonic in their hellraising. I smiled. The punch landed, I kept grinning like an idiot, I had never seen anything like this, it was beautiful. but now I was done playing. he reared his fist back again but in a flash I had grabbed the cigarrette out of my mouth and was now shoving it into his eye. he clutched his now scarred retina, he would never see out of that eye again without extensive surgery. but then, if you're gonna play with the big boys, you have to be ready for this kind of thing. I relit my cigarrette, taking a puff and turned toward the other boy the first had been fighting. "You win, congratulations" I said with a humorless laugh, piercing and jaded... I knew how it sounded well. So fighting was a big thing here... what else was there to do? I looked around, something would probably hit me if I walked inside, so I headed for the first building I saw, opening the door and walking in.

[Charlie Cross]

Charlie woke up to the sounds of her alarm buzzing. It was enough to send a splitting migraine through her head and make her groan softly. As her hand came over her eyes, rubbing her temples to try and relieve some of the pain she felt, the other shot out to slam against the button on top of the clock. It took a few tries, but eventually the room again fell silent.

Last night had been interesting. First dinner with her new agent, then a party at one of the new clubs in the city. Of course she had drank too much and done one too many lines, but that was just the way her life went these day, or more like the last few years. The only thing lacking this time that she had all the times before, was the feel of the strange man in the bed next to her when she woke up.

No, this time she was alone and though she felt a little disappointed in that fact, she at the same time felt relieved. It was never fun waking up next to a man and not knowing his name or where the hell you picked him up at exactly.

Slowly she crawled out of bed, noting the time and realizing she would be late for school if she didn't get up and get a move on. As she reached into the nightstand and pulled out her little black box, she flipped open the lid only to see that there was none of her "get up and go" powder left. Throwing her head back as she slammed the lid shut once more she groaned. It would be another 4 hours before she was able to get a hold on any of the good stuff and honestly there was no point in wasting time on the low level shit now that she knew there was better out there.

Throwing the box back into the drawer she slammed it shut and pushed herself off the bed. Moving over to the closet she pulled out a pair of black capri's and a matching halter top with a silver studded rose over the left breast. Throwing them on the bed she went to her drawer, pulling out a pair of pink lace underwear and a matching bra.

It took about 45 minutes to shower and get dressed, fixing her hair and then clipping her belly chain about her exposed, firm tummy. With those silken locks falling about her beautiful face, she ran her tongue over her polished lips, giving herself the once over in the mirror and sliding her shades into place.

As she exited the apartment she grabbed up her bag, making sure her cell and her homework were in place before closing the door and locking it.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Upon arriving at the school, things had gone from bad to worse. First she had been on edge anyway, what with not having her morning fix, then some group of guys had hit on her. Well not so much hit on her as pinning her up against the wall and trying to cop a feel.

Luckily one of the teachers had come by and the boys had tucked tail and run away. Now here she was, in one of the side buildings that rested on school grounds, trying to get a break from the roar of the students before going to her next class.

Of course, just as she started to leave, she heard the door open, but not in time to stop her from running into whoever it was that had just entered, blinded partially by the light that had filtered through the door. Stumbling back she tripped over something which had been laying on the floor and fell flat onto her ass, a soft whimper escaping her as her hair fell down into her face.

A sharp pain now shooting up her spine and through her tail bone, her palms pressed against the cold floor as a few of the others who had been meandering about stopped to look at her. Not that she cared. She was too focused on the throbbing in her rear end. Mumbling softly as she huffed out a bit of air, blowing some of her hair from her face.

"Sorry, didn't see ya there."

It was the best she could offer up, as she groaned and shifted to try and get a clear enough area to push herself up to stand, now turning her back on the person she had run into and resting on her hands and knees, trying to gather up her stuff that had fallen from her bag across the floor.

[challenger]

when I had meant something would hit me, I didn't think that I had meant literally. the second the door was opened a little girl ran right into me, I took one step back while she spilled all over the floor. the only thing she knocked off me was my hat, revealing the grey bandana I had tied around my head. I bent down, grabbing my hat and adjusting it back on to my head, noting her fine ass right in front of me. she was kind of cute, but it was hard to tell, her hair had obscured her face and now she was facing away from me, trying to pick up her books, but she seemed like she would probably be cute. I'm a face kind of guy, I won't make a final decision till I see it. I laughed, it was the same humorless laugh, almost like a place filler for me to think of something to say. "Don't worry about it, I've taken much worse" I said, satisfied with my own statement I began observing as she picked up her books. I wondered if I had just stumbled into my next big client... she was well in shape, toned, but there was still that something that screamed druggie to me, a sixth sense of a dealer I suppose.

I knelt down and started helping her pick up books. "Sorry about that, if you want I can repay the inconvinience" I said picking up a few of her books, they where far from heavy and at this point it was definately time to play Mr. Nice Dealer. I looked around really quick a few people would slow down to watch the two of us picking up books, but as I glared at them they would quickly walk away without a second thought on the matter. I felt the anger in my eyes, it worked so beautifully with the self-loathing in my heart for all the things that I inflict upon the world, especially myself. but today was not a day for learning life lessons, in fact, no day is a day for that, no regrets. all action. ready. set. go.

"I don't know if you're a big partyer but one of my buddies is having a huge party tonight, I was gonna hit him up around 3, and I could definately repay you there" I said, thinly veiled intentions where always the best kind, the way these things wrapped up so nicely. it was always nice to be the super knowledgable guy who knew where the party was at. of course if she wasn't a partier, which was doubtful, I had back up plans, all it would take is for her to stay and talk for a moment, but even if she didn't I'm persistant as hell, it would be a fun game.
---
I recalled earlier... how had I gotten to padre stadium again? of course, it was exactly that, the persistance. a girl at the party was thinking of dropping acid and I said I would do anything to see that happen, so she made me leave the party, take her to a baseball game, which was wierd cause I had never met a girl who liked baseball, and then we dropped some acid during the game. which means I did do her in the bathroom! case closed... although why did I have that aleve in my hands? oh well, I digress.
---
I looked back to the girl now, slightly envisioning her on her hands in knees in front of me instead of picking up books, or perhaps on top of me, but it was really a momentary flash, I don't get too caught up in thoughts of sex, they just happen to happen. "So what do ya say?" I asked, a little grin coming to my face, my glasses shining in the dim light of the hallway. there was always an interesting feeling after asking someone to do something with you, because there was always that thought of rejection, and no matter how good you get at shrugging off rejection sometimes it can still get to you. I didn't think it would get to me now... no if she refused there was still too many options to let that get to me, now that I was in front of her picking up books I could finally see her face, and she was indeed cute, kind of like a model with such a fine jaw, and those eyes that sparkled a perfect hazel color. I was either about to be quite lucky or quite out of luck, but either way, I live for the thrill of the chase so right now was the best moment of my life.

[Charlie Cross]

So the brick wall she had run into was not some chick who spent too much time in the gym and popped steroids like candy, instead it was a guy and from the deep tone of his voice and what she had felt during her brief run in with him, he had the potential to be something much more...........interesting..........than the little nerds with pocket protectors and glasses that seemed to have formed the Charlie Cross Fan Club. That alone peaked her interest, but right now her mind did not have time to entertain things such as boys or anything of that nature. She was still slightly hung over, she was in need of her morning fix and she was gonna be late for class.

Honestly, what more could go wrong today? But then he was down on the floor with her, his hand reaching out and sliding a couple of her things in her direction so that she could put them back in her bag. Once everything had pretty much been placed into a neat little pile she sat down on the floor, her hand coming up and pushing her hair back out of her face as she flashed him that beautiful smile she she had been paid so much money for in the past.

"Party huh? And just how do you plan to repay me? I will admit my "tastes" are a bit expensive."

She had caught the subtle wording he used when he spoke of the party, not to mention, she had this strange feeling that perhaps he could at least help her find what it was she was looking for. If not, then at least there was a likelihood of their being alcohol at this party and god knew she could go for a damn drink right about now. Who cared that it was still early in the morning. When you woke up without that one fix to keep you going in the morning you would look for anything to take the edge off, including getting yourself drunk at some ungodly hour.

But that was beside the point. As she finished stuffing the rest of her belonging into her bag, once more sliding it up over her shoulder she would push against the cold floor in order to rise and stand, her hand reaching back to brush off her butt which was still a bit sore from hitting the floor with such force.

"So around 3 huh? Well, sounds like it could be fun. Besides you do owe me for this little mishap."

She shrugged her bag onto her shoulder, the corner of her lips turning upward in a teasing little grin as she leaned back against the wall now, those intoxicating eyes looking over him now as she waited for some type of response from him.

She had to admit, he did indeed stand out from most of the guys that she had run into since starting this school, and he was rather good looking at that. She tilted her head, letting her vision trail over every line of his body, every detail of the clothing he wore. Not ashamed by the fact that she was so clearly checking him out. It did not mean she had any intentions other than a party and perhaps finally getting her hands on something to ebb her overwhelming hunger, but there was no harm in a girl looking. Now was there?

Eventually her arms would cross softly over her stomach as she looked back up to his face and again let that smile form on her lips. Satisfied with what she had seen, now it was all a matter of what he had to say to determine just how this meeting would go.

[challenger]

I looked at her, a glint in my eye as she finally turned around. perfect, a cute face too. I love cute clients, even though I rarely get a chance to sleep with them, I just enjoy interacting with attractive women. I always say, enjoy the simple things in life. as I slid her last book over to her she seemed to have taken a seat. with little thought I fell backwards, clearly enjoying the high I was still riding as I felt my entire mind fall backwards as though down a rollercoaster, the intensity of the fall made me breath a little heavier... it was my favorite trip, until I finally stopped falling, as though I had hit water, I was now rolling, my vision stayed for the most part on the girls eyes. she spoke to me, litterally, with her cute little voice, and she said her tastes where expensive, though she was definately interested in the party. A dealers sixth sense is never wrong and it certainly seemed like I had hit the nail right on the head. I smiled at her, my smile not nearly the beautiful painting that was hers, my smile was more charming, if not a bit homely, but in a likable way... probably. hell, I was pretty fucking high, who knew what my smile was like right now... probably adorable. regardless I just nodded for a moment, my biggest problem when I was high was to keep the conversation going. I decided to tilt my glasses down so she could see my bloodshot eyes, which of course made my mahogany iris seem so alive. I didn't do that on purpose I swear, I just wanted to give her a hint that I was slightly fucked up. "Your..." I struggled for the word for a moment "Taste" I said suddenly remembering, the softest of sexual connotations brought upon the word, I'm sure my eyes looked lustful, but I rarely cared what people thought about me, so I did nothing to stop it. I began to stand up, balance was not an issue no matter how fucked up I was so it was relatively easy as I opened my mouth to continue my earlier thought. instead there was a little sigh that came out, I was wondering how busty this hallway was. was there campus police here? wait! I had already decided the kids here where delinquents, even if anyone DID listen in they probably wouldn't tell, and even if they DID no one knows who I am, so no one would catch me. Upon this realization I reached into my coat, pulling out another cigarette and lighting it.

"Well" I said, a little smirk came to my lips, I blew a couple O's out of my mouth in smoke, not to be impressive, but more out of habit. "I've got everything from the finest weed you've ever had to heroine and crack, not to mention all the booze that will be there... I've also got a 9 inch dick and I've been told I know how to use it if you're into that sort of thing" I laughed for a half a second, this time it sounded like there might actually be something funny behind it "any combination of your choosing, I can definately pay you back" I said, this high was really excellent, I wasn't watching my words at all, and I became concious of that, but I didn't care. everything I had just said was true, and who knows how she wanted to be paid back? my guess was just as good as anybodies... maybe better. the air seemed musty here, I suddenly really wanted to go outside, and of course munchies where just begining to settle in. thank god for coke, or I'd be a fat motherfucker. I looked at her, sitting there on the ground, she reminded me of so many things, how this had all become a calculation, how many girls I'd see tonight and if I'd actually remember this one when the party was really getting going... or if she'd remember me... I had some very good looking friends, who where pretty damn awesome to say the least. of course I also keep my clients and my friends very seperate, and I don't trust either of them. interesting how relationships in this world work... and how they slow us down. or don't, or whatever. fuck I'm high. what if every person ever was high at the exact same time... would there be world peace? probably not... too many different kinds of stoners. anyhow, reality was calling me at this point as... what was her name? shit, did I even get her name? Did I give her mine? no... I definately didn't give her mine... which is cool cause now if I do then she might give me hers... and then I won't feel stupid cause I missed it. I brightened up as she began talking again. I owed her for this mishap. damn straight. "Hey, you got choices" I said, I had debated adding 'babe' to the end of that but I decided to go with classy dealer instead of desperate dealer. probably a good decision. as she stood up I stuck my hand out. "I go by M" I said, ready for anything. this little girl was just one of thousands I had met who seemed exciting and cute and I would probably forget her and her name just like all the others, but for now, it was good to have a name, as long as she was buying from me. "and as a special first time bonus I'll smoke you out if you're up for it" I said, an act of kindness was not beyond my mortal coil, even if I had no values, virtues, or reedeming qualities to speak of. in the end it was all for fun, and whats more fun than a bunch of people getting high together? THATS RIGHT! A BUNCH OF PEOPLE DOING ACID TOGETHER! I laughed at my own inside joke before reaching into my pocket... just in case... a pause in my thought, and as I felt foil under my fingertips my mind just screamed yes.

I pulled out a piece of tin foil... or what looked like one, and inside where several tabs of acid. "I also got these" I said with a little laugh "but unfortunately high demand makes it so I can't just give these away" I said, almost as if I was actually sad for her... not so. I was ready to down two of them immediately. "I will give you a nice price though, ten bucks a tab if you're into it" I said, just waiting for her answer so I could dive into it myself. I seemed to have completely lost track of the fact that I was in a school hallways, let alone that I was far from alone, didn't seem to matter too much right this second.

[Charlie Cross]

She could tell by the way he was acting that he was high, she had seen it all over the past few years and as she gathered the last book he slid her way she would grin, rising to stand as she let him stammer with his words, trying to get them out through the haze of his mind.

Feeling that damn burning hunger in her start to grow with the potential of being fed so close to her grasp. Ahhh the life of an addict.

Then as he flashed her his eyes, she would grin and take a step closer, not really giving a fuck about who was around as she let him explain his abilities to provide anything she needed she could not contain that hunger in her eyes.

Sure, she wanted a fix, she was dying for one, but then that was what happened every single time she ran out and didnt have a substantial dealer to go to or to call at all hours who could come through.

Then he drew something out of his pocket, clearly not caring about those around either, which was good because she was in no mood for the cat and mouse game. She was more of a "straight to the point" type girl.

Acid huh?

The implications of doing such ran through her mind. This was something a normal girl would have shied away from, or perhaps tried to be coy about, but Charlie had lived a life that dictated you had to shove your fucking foot in the door and make your point fast if you wanted to get ahead.

So she let him finish, and then she stepped up closer, the scent of her shampoo surrounding them both due to the way she stood so close to him now. Her head tilting lightly as she gave him that suggestive and yet wanting look, be it for the drugs or whatever his fucked up ( due to the drugs he had consumed ) mind could come up with.

"Oh I got the cash handsome, that is not a problem. But I much prefer a more "private" setting for such activities. If you know what I mean?"

She would run her tongue over her lips, a bit of her hair falling across her face as she waited now for him to do what he would. Money was never an issue with her anymore, not while she still had jobs coming in, and as long as she kept up the habit, and kept up the body, then she was gonna stay that way.

But right now all she could think of was being fucked up....Fuck school......she needed some kind of fix.....