2

I sat in a local pub. I didn't know when I'd leave this quaint little town but it was nice to have the stability of being in one place, even just for a little while. I wrote in my notebook - it was a brown leather-cover journal that I had owned for as long as I could remember. It was the one item I've kept from the first "home" I could remember.

I needed to get a handle on my finance-situation. I mainly lived off purloined credit cards or the scarce amount of cash I had saved up over the years doing minor jobs. I needed to be careful.

When I could manage, I'd eat from soup kitchens. Theft was not beyond me. Nothing major; clothes, sometimes books.

Conspicuously, my way of life was not entirely stable or safe- or noble, at all but sometimes, you do what you can to get by. Many would object to that statement but if it was what I needed to tell myself, so be it.

I downed my cocktail, motioning for the bartender to mix me another.

This was not a luxury I could afford.

I clicked my tongue, shoving away the thought as I downed more liquor. The burning sensation running down my throat was almost comforting.

"This is the first day I've seen you in town. Somehow you appear to be everywhere."

I turned my body. The familiar, gruff voice belonged to Dean.

Of course.

He stood with a tall man, very tall. He made Dean look much shorter than he actually was. They looked to be the same age.

With a simple cock of his head, Dean had wordlessly motioned for his friend to leave. Without a second thought, his friend left.

I exhaled something that was between a groan and a scoff, turning back around. I was not interested. I'd be out of this town soon enough, I didn't need to entertain the townsfolk while I was here.

I shut my notebook and sipped on my drink.

The buzz that was building in my head felt much needed. It was nice to let my shoulders relax for a moment.

Dean paid no regard to my disinterest. He walked over and helped himself to sit on the barstool a few away from mine. I stayed silent and looking straight ahead as he motioned over the bartender.

"Bourbon. Neat."

He must be confident. That's all I can gather from his drink of choice.

"No trouble tonight. Dean." The bartender shot him a pointed look, but grinned as he poured the drink and slid it towards Dean.

I narrowed my eyes at a random bottle of alcohol I happened to be staring at. So, everyone in this town seemed to know Dean. Small town life really was small town life.

Wouldn't it be a plot twist if Dean happened to own the whole town? The thought made me bite back a laugh.

My phone started vibrating profoundly. I pulled it out of my pocket to see who was causing me this disturbance. Not much of a surprise, I saw the one person I could expect texts from. I didn't have many people in my life.

Eddie:

You still alive?

A small grin grew on my face for the first time in a long while as I responded.

Yes. Unfortunately.

"So, the devil does smile." Dean smirked, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. His eyes were just as bemused as the last time I saw him.

I blinked, staring back at him blankly. "Can I help you?" My phone vibrated in my hand but I didn't look away from Dean. Someone really didn't know how to take a hint.

Dean shrugged with nonchalance. He had no intention of leaving me be. "You intrigue me. I'm curious. What can I say?"

I scoffed, looking down at my phone. "Lucky me."

Eddie:

Want to tell me where you're at? Please, I'm getting worried.

I shook my head, a smile tugging at my lips as I typed a response.

Nope sorry.

"You know, I never got your name." Dean spoke again. I didn't look at him.

"Lucky you." I stirred my straw in my drink.

"You're not very friendly."

Oh how the world was tempting me to punch him square in the face right now. I could do it. I would do it.

However, that would make my time in this town much shorter. I needed to stay, for now. I had nowhere to go.

I never did.

"When is the psychoanalysis going to end?" I leaned my head back and downed the rest of my drink. Was it too much to ask to have a drink in peace?

Dean couldn't have ignored my dismay any more. My absolute lack of interest didn't seem to bother him. He was persistent, I'll give him that.

Perhaps small town life really is just boring and he has nothing better to do.

He stood up, walking over to sit on the barstool next to mine. I held my breath, not daring to look at him.

"Another one?" The bartender asked me, raising an eyebrow in almost a concerning way. I nodded my head in response and then my phone buzzed again.

Eddie:

You are insufferable. You won't make it out a full week, alive.

You need our help.

I stared at my phone for a long time before deciding to power it off. The bartender slid me another drink.

"Should I be concerned you're drinking this much? Or glad because maybe it'll make you more chatty?" Dean watched me with amusement in his eyes. What could he possibly be finding entertaining about this?

"Do you ever take the hint to shut up and leave people alone?" I stared at him, baffled.

I wasn't going to stick around in this town very long so there was no point in making any acquaintances. I wasn't good at getting to know people or letting them into my life. Nor did I want to.

He shrugged, "No, I just enjoy irritating you." He said simply. "Will I be getting you name anytime soon?" When I didn't reply, Dean nudged me.

I turned and glared at him, "Back off, will you? Clearly I am not interested."

Dean chuckled, taking me by complete surprise. He wasn't phased that I snapped at him, he only seemed more amused. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. No need to freak out."

"Again, clearly I am not nearly interested." I gave him a dumbfounded look, not understanding why he couldn't comprehend what I was saying. I then turned, picked up my drink and gulped it down as fast as I could before standing and grabbing my things, throwing some bills to the bartender and then walking off.