junkyardteen.

❛     nah,  ‘cause you been keepin’ it  low key.    think i don’t know how the game  works,  homeboy ?    you ‘n that pedo ‘stache probably been up ‘n down the  block.     ❜

enjoys the banter,  the  back and forth  consisting mostly of  gibing remarks  at his expense.    being free to mock and ridicule.    he knows how to take a joke on a good day and doesn’t even  threaten  her on the bad.

she eyes the cigarette.    pauses,  watching the smoke unfurl and climb to the skies and disappear.     ❛     maybe.    ain’t seein’ what’s in it for me if i tell you though.     ❜     went through the  whole pack  of cigarettes he’d given her just two days prior.    she’s  hurting.    can’t you tell ?

‘     oh,   snap !   only  block  i been up ‘n down’s the one i got all my options  linin’ up  on.     ’

it’s an easy routine,   something they fell into the same day they met.    (   it’s a good thing.    means she isn’t  too far gone  yet.   )    he came prepared    —    knew she’d try to work him,   because she always does if given the chance,   and he pulls out an unopened pack of victories that he holds  just  out of reach.

‘     since you  know how the game works,   how ‘bout you start talkin’.    ain’t got all day.     ’