Carter slammed her desk drawer shut and pouted. "Ok, it's official. I will never have money again."
"You could always get a job."
Carter screamed and turned around to see Todd standing in her doorway. "Uhm. Hello? Stalker much?"
"That's a cool outfit." He smiled at her white pants covered in black mesh fabric and white tanktop.
"Thanks."
"You're dad let me in. I hope you don't mind."
"Yes actually I do. Because you insulted me. I do have a job. It just doesn't pay money."
"At the coffee shop. I know. I've seen you play. That's why I'm here."
"Huh?" Carter looked at him, puzzled and frustrated with his charm.
"I saw you sing. My dad own's a performance place called "Dillie's"."
"I've heard of it. Gay name."
"That would be my last name."
"Sorry."
"No, I've learned to live with it."
"No, I meant..."
Todd smiled. "I know what you meant. So anyway. I talked to my dad. If you play, you can play whenever you want, and it pays 200 dollars a night, plus any tips you get from people."
Carter's jaw dropped open. "And you're asking me to do this, why?"
"Cause, I dunno. You appeal to me."
"And you frighten me."
"Perfect start for a relationship."
Carter shook her head and started for the door. "I already told you I have a boyfriend. Which is where I'm going at the minute. And even though you're standing there looking all hot with... pink hair today, and a really tight black t-shirt... that makes you look... uhm... what was I saying?"
"You have a boyfriend."
"Yeah. That's right. Boyfriend. His name is Zac."
"I know. And he lives next door. Long blonde hair. 14 years old."
"Ok, and you claim that you aren't a stalker?"
"No, Abby told me about him. She thinks he's hot."
"Yeah well, tell Abby to back off."
"I would but uhm... she's in the hospital right now."
Carter gave him a puzzled look. "What happened?"
"Severe alcohol poisoning, they want to keep her for a couple days. Then she has to go into rehab."
"Doesn't surprise me about her. Mel said she's been drinking since she was 8."
"9 actually. So I guess you better go see your boyfriend. Come to Dillie's will you?"
"I did promise you a walk didn't I? How bout now?"
"Sure." Todd smiled and for the first time, Carter noticed how white his teeth were, or maybe it was the hot pink hair that made them look white. Anyway, they were really nice.
When Carter got back from her walk, her cheeks were flushed and Zac stared at her for a long while. "Who was the guy?"
"Huh?"
"The guy."
"You saw?"
"No. I just know you. You only look like that when you meet a new guy."
"Oh, his little sister is a friend of Mel's. We just went for a walk so he could tell me details about a job I just got."
"Cool." Zac smiled and gave her a hug. "So, what's the job?"
"Singing. 200 dollars a night. It should be cool."
"Yeah. I bet it will be." Zac gave her a kiss on the cheek and watched her lay down on his bed. "Sleeping here tonight?"
"Yeah. My room is too cold."
"Oh. Well, cool." He climbed into bed with her.
Carter fell asleep shortly after and began to dream. Todd walked her to Zac's bedroom door and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then she went in to see Zac staring at her, tapping his foot. "Where've you been? I hope you're happy. Now that you're pregnant with Todd Dillie's baby. I really hope you're happy." And then woke up with a twitch.
"What's wrong?" Zac asked, rolling over to face her.
"Can I really tell you?"
"Of course."
"You know Todd?"
"That guy?"
"Yeah."
"Ok, what about him?"
"Uhm. He kissed me. But it wasn't anything really. He kissed me on the cheek when I got back here and I kind of pushed him away but..."
"But?"
"I kinda liked it." Carter fell silent and looked at the bed.
Zac brushed her hair out of her eyes and smiled. "I know you did. And I know why. He's older. And... I dunno, but don't worry about it."
Carter nodded. "I still feel shitty though. I had a dream where he got me pregnant and then dropped me off at your bedroom door."
"Maybe that's the kind of guy he is. Maybe it was telling you that you shouldn't be friends with him."
"I need the job though."
"Well, I'm behind you all the way. Even if you ditch me for him."
Carter laughed lightly and cuddled into Zac's arms. "I don't think that's gonna happen. As long as you keep your arms around me."
Zac wrapped his arms around her quickly. "K."
Carter laughed. "Ok now, go back to sleep."
"K."
"K?"
"K." Zac kissed Carter and closed his eyes. He fell asleep.