“Hold up.” He stops me by placing his hand on my shoulder and tugging me back a little too forcefully.

I dig my hand into my purse from the abrupt behavior change, and he quickly removes his hand. “Why?” I’m really not in the mood, since I didn’t bother putting pants on. Standing there in pajama shorts and a sweatshirt that’s only covering up a camisole wasn’t my smartest decision.

“Why don’t you come down for a while? You never know, maybe you’ll get lucky.” For some reason, I’m positive he’s suggesting getting lucky in more ways than one.

“It’s not my thing.” I politely decline, and he slithers forward, forcing me to back-up.

“I bet you’d love it.”

“I bet I wouldn’t.”

“Come on,” he continues, and I begin walking down the alley. “Sweetheart,” he says, quickly catching up.

I stop and turn around. “The name is Chrissy,” I sneer. “Not sweetheart or baby or whatever other fake term of endearment. Just Chrissy.” Shaking my head, I turn around again and I’m almost to the end of the alley when my whole body flies back and rams against the brick.

“You think you’re better than me?” His crooked teeth are the center of my tunnel vision as rains of saliva splash my face.

“Honestly, I do.” I’m not about to bring my guard down.

“You’re a bitch, you know that?” He reaches into his pocket and raises his hand filled with a wad of cash in front of me. “This is what I won tonight. And I’ll win it again tomorrow night. So, go on home with your pathetic father to your pathetic apartment and dream of ever having all this money in your possession because it will never happen.” Shoving it back in his pocket, he inches even closer to me.

My heart races and scenarios of how this could go down flash through my mind. I’m worrying he is about to cross that line. Every defense mechanism I could use on him starts screaming through my brain. Feeling his hot breath on my neck, my whole body freezes, as though I’m just another brick on the wall. His fingers graze across my legs, getting closer to the hem of my shorts. Swallowing deep, his tongue swipes along my neck. “You’re nothing but a piece of shit. You should consider opening those legs because what else do you really have going for you?” He pushes back from me, but then he’s torn from my vision in a snap.

Another body throws him against the wall and obscenities are screamed through the alley. All I see from the dim light above the bakery back door is an arm flying up and then slamming down. Scared to leave my spot, I remain pinned to the wall as though my feet are super glued to the ground. Once the one body is down, the larger one begins walking toward me. My heartbeat ramps up to an ungodly pace and my feet flee before he can reach me. I can barely breathe as I try to dig my car keys out of my purse while it sways left and right across my body. I manage to get them into my clutches when other items spill out onto the ground. Not wanting to chance being captured, I disregard them and continue to run like hell.

“Chrissy!” the guy screams, and I’d know that voice in my next life. My feet stop, and I turn around only to stare into the bluest of eyes. “Hey, it’s me.”

“Dex.” I sigh and fall into his arms. Sobs burst out of my mouth as tears fall from my eyes while he comforts me into his arms.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” He rubs my back up and down. We stand there for a few minutes until my sobs turn to whimpers. “Nico is an ass,” he comments, and my head snaps back.

“How do you know Nico?” I ask, swiping my tears.

His brows furrow, and he cocks his head. “Why wouldn’t I know him?”

“Why are you here, Dex?” I question, because he shouldn’t be. He should be at his mom’s studying for his SAT or something to secure the future he takes for granted.

“I just got here.” Answering my questions, becoming more confused.

“Is your dad here?”

“No,” he answers, and his eyes widen, realizing the purpose of my twenty-questions. “Chrissy,” he pleads, but the vomit that almost escaped a few moments ago, churns in my stomach again.

“Why would you ever want to be a part of this scene?” I ask, and he shoves his hands in his pockets.

“I’m not. I just come down every once in a while when I’m bored.” He rolls back on his heels. “Let’s go get something to eat.” He reaches out to grab my hand, but I snap it back.

“How could you be so stupid?” I ask him, and his head moves back in the audacity of my comment. “Yes, stupid, Dex. You have it all, and what? You’re going to throw it away for a few extra bucks when you’re bored?”

“I don’t have a problem, Chrissy. Not everyone is like your dad,” he argues, and I shake my head.

“You’re better than this, Dex. Better than this life. You have the opportunity to walk away and never come back,” I tell him, and now it’s him shaking his head.

“Chrissy, give it a rest. I don’t need a fucking second mom. It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, Dex. It will suck you in and you’ll never get free. Don’t tempt yourself. There’s no such thing as easy money.”

“Jesus, Chrissy. I don’t need to be lectured. Loosen up for once.”

“Loosen up?” Our voices rise on the dark deserted streets.

“Have fun. It’s not all seriousness.”

“Take your wallet and toss it in the trash can, because if you continue to go down this path, that’s where it will end up.” Turning around, I find my way to the LaCrosse and climb in without ever looking back at him.

Screw my dad, he’ll have to find his own way home. Fuck Dex for not being the guy I thought he was. Instead of driving home, I use the last few gallons of gas, driving around the streets of Akron.

Doubts if Nico’s right bounce around my head. Should I embrace the life, since I see no hope in escaping it anytime soon? Should I really get on Dex for tempting himself in something that could diminish his whole future? When it comes down to it, I should only care about myself, screw everyone else, including my dad.

IT’S BEEN SIX months, and I’ve heard nothing from Dex since that night on the street. We used to text or Facebook message at least once a month, but it’s been quiet. That night changed me, in a way for the better. I no longer harp on getting out of this life, but strive to make sure it becomes a reality. Unable to go to college in a few months, like I’m sure Dex is, I’ve signed up for a few courses at the community college. I got a job at a retail store in the mall. I may not have gotten to where others are and where I want to be, but one day I will.

Tonight I’m going to the county fair with friends from work. I’ve decided to have a relaxing summer before my classes start. After all, where did all that hard work at school get me? Right where I am. No scholarship, no grants … nothing.

“Hi, Chrissy,” Camden greets me when I slide into the bench of his truck. He’s a nice guy who probably does have a crush on me, but for some reason I just don’t feel that excited, can’t get enough of you feeling when it comes to him. Even with his dark messy hair and bright green eyes, my body doesn’t respond.

“Hey,” I greet him and turn around, smiling at Katie and Pete, my two other co-workers. Spending eight hours with someone folding and hanging clothes can bond you pretty fast. They’re all in similar positions as me. Not on the go away to college train. They’re all enrolled in community college, like me, and will live at home for the time being. Now, they don’t have a gambler for a father … Camden’s mom raised him by herself and works two jobs to keep a roof over them. Katie’s dad is disabled, and she never mentions her mom, but they have limited funds. And Pete, his mom got laid off last year and his dad struggles to remain employed. Since he’s the oldest of four, he helps them out with babysitting.