New friends

"Get out," he says in a calm but deadly tone. Is this guy never in a good mood? He's always angry about something.

"What?" I ask puzzled because what the hell is going on?

"I want you out of my car. You're stinking it up with your disgusting smell," he says between gritted teeth.

Seriously, what the hell have I done to him? I literally just went down to the kitchen this morning and somehow he's pissed about it? I'm so confused about my life right now.

"Really? That doesn't make any fucking sense!" I yell at him.

"Don't make me throw you out! Find your own way to school. I'm not your driver," he snarls.

Knowing I'm not going to win this fight, I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out of his car, making sure to slam the door really hard on the way out. He wastes no time. He drives off and leaves me there on the ground - what an asshole!

Of all the times to forget my phone, it had to be today. I start walking, but instead of heading in the direction of the school, I walk in the opposite direction that will take me to the abandoned warehouse near the train tracks. Without said phone, I can't get an Uber. I'll just go there and wait until it's time to meet the Slim Brothers to pick up my stuff from them. It beats going to school.

The drive is longer than I expected and by the time I get there, my feet are killing me. The door to the warehouse is ajar, so I go in. It's empty, but at least there's shade and I won't be in the sun anymore. I make my way to the back of the open space, take a seat by the windows and just sit there.

I pick up the paperback book I put in the bag the other day. I continue reading one of my favorite books . Let me tell you, this book has already made me cry several times. Not that I need much to make me cry these days because, you know, life sucks.

I'm in the middle of reading and sobbing when I hear a noise coming from out front, by the door. I look up and see a girl with bright blue hair. I've never seen her before, but then again, I'm new here. I don't know everyone in this town.

"Oh, um, hi. I didn't know anyone was here. Are you okay?" she asks as she walks into the open space. We look about the same age, so I don't feel threatened, but looks can be deceiving. I'm a little cautious at first. I have experience with that sort of thing.

"Hi. Um, yeah. I was reading a book. That's why I look like such a mess right now. I didn't know anyone was coming, but I can leave if you want," I say.

"Oh no, you're good. I wouldn't mind the company if I'm being honest. I haven't had a chance to meet anyone except my step-siblings since I moved here like three days ago," she tells me.

"That's great. I just moved in too," I tell him.

"How's it been going so far?" she asks curious.

"Do you want the truth or a lie?" I ask her as a laugh escapes me.

"The truth."

"It's fucking bullshit. The guys here are fucking despicable," I grumble.

"I take it you go to the academy here?" he asks me.

"Yes. And I can't wait to finish," I tell him.

"It sounds awful."

"Are you going to attend too?". I ask her. It would be nice to have another friend at the school.

"No, my mother decided it would be better to homeschool me, since I'm a delinquent," she says, rolling her eyes. "Like that's going to stop me."

"Well that sucks. I could use a friend there," I tell her.

"Just because I don't go to your school doesn't mean we can't be," she tells me, smiling.

"You're right and I'd like to. I have like one so far and she doesn't even go to school with me,"

"I'm Serena by the way," she tells me.

"I'm Lia ,"

She takes a seat a few feet away from me and we engage in a comfortable conversation for a while. She asks me about the book I'm reading and I tell her about it. She is intrigued and tells me she will read it too. It looks like today is going to be a good day.

"Do you smoke?" she asks me a few minutes later.

"Yes, I just started," I tell her and watch as she pulls a joint out of her purse and lights it. He takes a puff, reaches over and hands it to me. I take a puff too before handing it back to him. We soon share it.

Hoping he won't judge me, I take the pouch out of the bag. There are only two Percocet left and I offer her one. She takes it and gives me a big smile.

"Ah, a girl like me," she says and I let out a giggle. "Now this is what I call a party."

In no time, we're both high, laughing and exchanging anecdotes. A few minutes later, we both suddenly stop laughing when three pairs of boots plant themselves in front of us.

We look up and see the Slim brothers in all their sexy bad boy glory. Too bad they don't do anything for me. The only person who always has my pussy dripping is my stupid stepbrother.

"Well, well, well... what do we have here, sis?" asks Rent , looking directly at Serena . She rolls her eyes.

"We're not siblings. You're just my stepbrothers," she slurs the words, and my mouth forms an O.

"You didn't say that!" i reply after nudging her shoulders.

"You know them?" he asks as he falls over with a shove and a giggle escapes him. "Oops."

"You, miss, seem to be quite the troublemaker," says Rent , turning to look at me, though there is no venom in his words. They seem to be coated with amusement.

"Me?", I ask innocently, as I look at him with my best innocent expression. He chuckles.

"We've brought you your things. And it looks like someone found our stash, right guys?", he tells me and then directs his question to Zack and Chris .

"Yes. Looks like our sister needs a punishment," Zack says , looking directly at Serena . She rolls her eyes.

"I thought you hated me ?" she grumbles , and an amused expression crosses the faces of all of them .

"Oh, look, one more thing we both have in common. My stepbrother hates me too," I say, as the pain that thought always causes me resurfaces in my chest. I have to blink back tears. There's no way I'm going to cry in front of an audience.

Rent hands me the pills and weed they've brought for me and I give him the money for it.

"You can party anytime you want, best friend," I tell Serena .

"Ooo, I'm in," she says with a laugh.

"As much as I'd love to hear the two of you laughing nonstop, we have things to do. So it's time to go," Chris says .

Serena and I start laughing again. We have no idea what's so funny, but we can't seem to contain ourselves.

"Alright, let's go!" says Rent , picks up Serena and throws her over his shoulder, while Zack does the same to me.

They both walk to their SUV and get both of us in before they get in. Then they drive off.

"Hey, Leah , give me your number," Serena says and I give it to her.

"We talked about these hot guys being your step brothers when we sober up," I say before I realize I said it out loud. I put my hand to my mouth and Serena lets out a hysterical laugh.

A moment later, they walk through the doors of my new home, since they were open, and my mouth drops open.

"How did you...?"

"We know everything that goes on around here," Zack says , winking at me. "Your stepbrother isn't the only bossy one around here."

"Is it okay for you to go up to your room?" Rent asks.

"What am I, an amateur?". I laugh.