18.

                                    

                                          










︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵



The three kings students were playing video games and eating snacks. I was lied on Marcus's bed while Willie sat behind Marcus on the floor. 
The pillow I had snuggled my head into smelled just like Marcus's cologne, a vanilla and mahogany wood smell. It also had a hint of nicotine from his smoking. I somehow felt safe when I smelled that smell. It was familiar, comfortable even. I know nothing good ever lasts, so I never got attached to anything. But the boys smell was something I wanted to have forever. A comfort blanket. A safety net. The one person I trusted my life with.
"All I'm saying is, you're not making your own choices. You're just doing what you're taught to do." I scoffed at Marcus, you do what you want to do. Everything you do is your choice, taught it or not. 
"Hit 'em with a right hook!" Willie screamed at the tv. "Wow, calm down buddy, you might blow the roof off." Willie looked over to me on the bed and scrunched his nose. "Ha ha, very funny, you're very funny." 
"I know!" I opened my mouth to create a shocked impression. "I don't really trust the sovereignty of any government. I mean, patriotism? What marketing asshole comes up with the idea that you get to feel noble by — by looking out for you own self-interests?" Marcus tilted his head to the side within his speech. "Yeah, I get you Marcus, it's bullshit really. No one should feel good for doing absolutely fucking nothing. I mean, their's people out there that are fighting fucking wars then here you have Reagan doing nothing and getting all the praise." I grabbed a piece of paper of the desk and began to create a paper airplane.
"Uppercut! Uppercut! And would you two stop keeping it real at me and focus on the game?" I threw the plane I made at Willies head and hit him right in the ear.
"Ow!" I laughed. "Bullseye!" I made a fist and pulled my arm in a congratulations movement.
"Yes! Suck my ass, Canadian Crusher!" Willie lifted Marcus's arm. "There it is. Knockout, baby!" He had won the match. "Woooo, that's my boy!" I made a cupping motion with my hands. "This our champion. That's what I'm talking about." Marcus placed some food into his mouth while Willie chuckled, clearly happy about the win. "Let me get some." Willie reached his hand out. "Oo, me too, I want some!" I got up and sat on the bed with my hand outstretched.
Suddenly, the door opened and in walked Shabnam naked with only a towel covering his lower half. Willie shot up. "You best give me my money, Arguello, or I'll make it hurt." Marcus lifted his hands and looked at the boy in the doorway. "Uh, uh, I don't have a dime." Marcus looked back at Willie. 
"I ain't asking for a dime, but I want my $2. You got till tomorrow." I scurried around my pocket for loose change and found a five dollar bill. I quickly rolled it into a ball and threw it at Willie. "Here, keep the change. Now, fuck off." Willie scrunched the note and shook his head before walking past the stunned Shabnam and through the door. 
Shabnam shut the door. "Borrowing money from FWO? Smooth move, ex-lax. Their interest rates are exorbitant and their collection methods are rather stabby." I rolled my eyes. I couldn't believe how quickly Willie had pushed Marcus aside. For what? A stupid reputation. The fat dude had now walked over to his bed. "Where is that?" 
"Hey, try Bactine. If you get cut by something dirty, it can get infected." Marcus turned to face the boy whom had turned back around from the sly comment. "Smart move shitface." I mocked. "Oh, hey Scarlet!" 
"Hey, Shab..." I awkwardly replied. "Oh, uh, not that the dildo was — was dirty..." I scrunched my face, what the fuck was that boy on about.
"Or — or — or your — your mom — uh, I don't know..." Marcus rubbed his neck to show he was embarrassed. I couldn't help but smile. He was such an idiot. "You want to bow out on this one?"