"I don't know Paul, I'm tired. I really need to be getting home," I sighed rubbing my knuckles.

"Come on babe, I already got the pizza or should I say pizzas," his smile never faltered and even after the altercation on the ride.

"Paul I really want to just go home-"

"And where would home be," the bleach blonde asked from the front of the group.

I didn't answer, and with that he turned to face me. His ice blue eyes froze me to the spot. I didn't have an answer.

"Would it be under the desk in the video store you work in? Or how about with those Frog dweebs that run that Comic store? Maybe you live at the church you walk to every night?" he smirked knowingly. "You don't have a home do you? You just don't want to be seen with us right?"

"I don't care to be seen with you. I don't know you. I don't trust you. I've heard things that from this interaction so far, I'd believe to be true..."

"David."

"Cassandra,"

"I know,"

"Sorry angel, I couldn't help but tell my friends about how beautiful you are," Marko snickered from the other side of Paul. We'd stopped walking and ended up on one end of the boardwalk, mostly away from everyone else. That wasn't good, many people are safe. Safety in numbers and getting lost in crowds are good. My nerves are definitely just about shot after tonight. Deep breathing babe, deep breathing.

"No need to be so nervous doll," blondie smirked, he had beautifully white teeth. He had white blonde hair, ice blue eyes that froze you to the core, pale skin, light stubble, and a mullet. Party in the front, business in the back or something like that. He had a twisted metal dangly earring, some kind of black shirt that was obscured by a leather jacket and then a trench coat over top of that, a pair of black leather gloves. Yeah because I really am going to trust the guy who is dressed like he's ready to murder me and get away with it. His jeans were dark blue, almost black and he had a pair of black leather boots under those. He just stood there watching me. Watching me analyze him.

"I'm not nervous. I just don't like you. I don't. I don't know how to say it any other way. I would really appreciate if you would get your puppy to stop coming into the shop to get me too. It's nothing personal or anything- I just get this really bad vibe man. This is a dangerous place, Santa Carla, and you guys are trouble. You're the Lost Boys and this is a mess that I really don't feel like getting any more involved than what I already am," I paused looking to Marko, "I really appreciate you saving my ass earlier." I walked to him, putting a hand on his shoulder to give me the small boost I needed to peck him lightly on the cheek. "And you, Dwayne," I smiled as I untied his bandana from my belt loop and handed it to him, "Thank you for being there when I needed you."

"You'll never have to worry about him again," he breathed.

"Thank you, seriously," I kissed him lightly on the cheek too before turning to Paul. "Thank you for picking me up that night. I appreciate what you were trying to do... Just know that you don't ever have to do it again. I'll take better care of myself. And uh, thank you all for not letting Greg and his guys knock the shit out of me while I was laying Shelly out."

"Not a problem doll. We'll see you tomorrow night," David smiled as a brunette girl slid past me and to his motorcycle. She took his hand and settled herself behind him. A little boy flew past my other leg and ran towards Dwayne who picked the little boy up with a smile. "Hold on Laddie," he muttered as he settled the little boy behind him.

"I don't think you understand-" "See ya later babe," Paul laughed as he kissed my cheek and hopped on his own bike.

"I don't want to see you again. I'm not a Lost Boy. I'm not one of you. I don't fit in."

"Oh doll, you've never been more wrong," David paused before picking something from off the ground beside his bike, " I figured this was yours. Dwayne found it earlier. Thought you'd need it after tonight." He tossed me a green military styled backpack that was packed fuller than my bag when I originally dropped it. I raised an eyebrow but nodded my thanks.

"You're more one of us than you believe. You fit right in sweetheart and I intend to make sure you feel welcome. Be ready to go swimming tomorrow. It's going to be a hell of a night," with a cackle from David, a wink from Dwayne, a smirk from Marko, and a howl from Paul and with that they pulled off into the night.

The next morning, I'd actually gotten up early to shower. It was the earliest I'd been up in a long time but it was worth it. I hadn't slept well last night, turns out I had sand in a lot of unpleasant places. With that being said, I rushed to the public restroom that was on the beach, it had little shower like areas. No one would be at the beach at five in the morning anyway. I grabbed my bag and hurried during my shower as it was really sketchy to be showering out in the open. It's like an invitation to get fucked with so with that being said, I quickly showered, shaved, and put on some clothes that I could sleep in until later tonight. I slipped on a pair of old sweatpants that had a rip in the side, an oversized Led Zepplin shirt, a pair of socks, and my Doc Martens. I stuck a cigarette in my mouth and hurried back to the video store.

I'd gotten back to my spot under the desk and got comfortable and I tried for a long while. Sleep was just not something I could have done at that point. I'd taken a shower (thank god for that) and was now fully awake. With a huff I got back in my bag and redressed into something I figured would be more appealing for today. I put on my leopard print bikini top, a black high waisted bikini bottom, a black asymetrical skirt, a Motley Crue top I'd turned into a cropped tank top, my black Doc Martens, my silver belly button ring, and silver nose chain. I figured I'd take heed of David's warning and prepare myself to swim. If they found me last night, there was no doubt in my mind that I would end up with the Lost Boys tonight. With that I slung my backpack over my shoulder, grabbed the skateboard I left on a shelf in the back room before exiting the shop.

I set my board down and started on my way towards the small market a little ways off the boardwalk. By the time it was nine o'clock I had gotten some stuff to start a first aid kit at Max's, some green tea mix, a beach towel, and more importantly coffee. French Vanilla coffee was pretty bitchin' and had this weird affect when I'd fall sleep but wake up hours later ready to jet. I'd kept my board by my feet and watched the waves from my spot on a bench but by ten o'clock people had started rolling onto the boardwalk and the beach. Exhausted ride operators tipped their baseball caps to me as the trudged to the amusement park entrance. By that time I was awful tired so I retreated back to the video store. Not too long after that Maria had come by and I let her run the store before I took my leave to the back room. I'd passed out not long after my coffee and woke up around four in the afternoon. I nodded as I picked up my board and bag and started towards the skate park not far off the boardwalk. I didn't go often but when I did it was for a couple hours, in some cases until it got dark and by then it meant my shift had started.

Time felt like it was passing by fairly quickly and the day was flying by. I was sure by nightfall that would be a different story. Tired of the burning heat and the collective stares. Not many expected a girl to be out skating today, not one in a skirt anyway. I picked up my board and bag and started back towards the boardwalk. It felt like the hottest day all summer and it had to be the day that I was actually awake for. What a bummer...

It was about nine o'clock by now and no sign of Paul or the Lost Boys. Not when I went swimming about sunset. Not when I hit the beach for a concert. Not even when I wondered around the food stands or well anywhere else. I'd just gone out for my lunch break too and didn't see any of them. So instead on this particularly busy night, I sat on the counter eating orange chicken over some noodles and rice. I was having a grand time minding my own business when in struts who but a particularly tall blonde. I hopped off the counter and stood in the center of our front counter, it was basically a giant 'O' and I was the center.

"Hey babe, you ready to go out," he leaned against the counter, his chin sitting in his right hand, " Already eating dinner without me?"

"I wasn't going to wait for you, I don't like you remember," a tiny smile made it's way to my face as I twirled a noodle around my chop stick.

"You don't," he asked looking a bit dejected," Oh! I remember now. That's right. I was high. You love me, I remember because you told me repeatedly, 'oh Paul, oh. Do it again, Paul,'" he imitated girly moans loudly, bursting into his familiar howling laughter as my jaw dropped.

"In your dreams pothead."

"Maybe it was in my dreams but regardless you sounded pretty pleased," he smirked crossing his arms before putting his hands on the counter leaning again. Paul was a pretty handsy, dramatic person I noticed. He talked with his hands is what I mean. "So when can you head out?"

"I close tonight unless Maria trades me,"

"It's not like I have anything better to do or have a date as hot as you apparently do," she winked at Paul, biting her lower lip lightly as she looked him over. He raised his eyebrows and turned back to me as he stuck a joint between his lips.

"You heard her, you have a hot date. Let's get moving Negative Nancy." "I'm not negative," "And I don't do drugs." I huffed a little but tossed my bag over my shoulder as I ducked the counter.

"Alright Sid Vicious, what are we doing tonight," my chest grew tight as he threw an arm over my shoulders pulling me close.

"Going for a ride," he smiled, rolling the joint between his first and middle finger as we approached his bike. "So where are your friends," from the looks of it, they weren't anywhere in sight.

"They're setting up for you to come over, we're going on some rides first though,"

Revised: 10/10/17