#daze worker

[simmingly]

"We usually have pizza for dinner, and s'mores for dessert when my dad comes home." Her eyes were glued to the glowing embers, flashes of orange and red scattered across the bottom of the fire pit. She pushed them around with her now empty stick, stirring up the ashes so they flew free with the smoke. It filled the sky with a beautiful yet terrifying glitter. "My ma always leaves the kitchen box last to unpack whenever we move." She brushed her hair out of eyes with her free hand, meeting Daze's dark green ones. "Thanks for doing this with me...You make me feel like things might be okay here." 

Daze couldn't help but smile. She truly had no idea how she already was doing the same for him. She made him feel normal, in a way no one else had before. "Things will be okay, I promise." 

[simmingly]

"My cousin will worry if she shows up and I'm not here...Then my dad, he'll freak out."

The girl giggled, her braid bouncing around with her laughter. "That's what phones are for, we have one you know." She grabbed his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "It doesn't seem like your cousin is coming." She bit her lip, her eyes full of concern as she observed Daze's demeanor. "You've been out here for awhile..And those boys, I worry they'll come back." 

Daze rolled his eyes, there was clearly no way he could get out of this. The girl was being so insistent. She seemed nice though and had a good enough point about Rickey and Rolando. "Alright." He finally agreed. Another smile exploded across her face, and she started to slowly tow him to the other side of the street. 

[simmingly]

"Ya freaks!" Rickey's voice bellowed towards them over his shoulder, his henchman chuckling along with his words. Daze could hear the slap of the high five they exchanged.

 "Ignore them." She reassured him. "They seem like a couple of idiots."

He could have cared less at that point. His head was pounding, every breath he took made the ache in his side more noticeable. At least for now it was over, he tried to remind himself as he concentrated on the girl before him. He watched her through the crook of his elbow as she shook out her hand, the one she had struck Rickey with. He was still in disbelief about it. He had never seen a girl throw a punch like that. Then there was the fact that they didn't even know each other, but that didn't stop her from saving his day..His ribs and face really. She tightened the elastic around her braided dark hair before kneeling down next to him.

"You alright?" She asked. 

"I'm fine." He croaked. "Hm..Thanks for that." 

Her large brown doe eyes lit up, the corners next to her long lashes crinkling as she smiled down at him. "It's no problem. Think you can get up? Here." Her hand brushed against his as she gently grasped his sweaty palms. He blushed but soon forget his embarrassment as she helped him ease into a sitting position. He tried to mask his pain, but he couldn't help the low hissing noise that escaped through his gritted teeth. 

[simmingly]

"This!" She yelled as she threw up her fists. She made sure her thumbs hugged the backsides of her fingers, just like her daddy had taught her. She then bent her knees, holding her ground. She was ready for whatever. 

The boys watched with blank expressions for a minute before the one in the uniform burst into laughter. His friend soon followed his lead with a nasally chuckle. "I can take you both with my eyes closed." She cautioned. 

"I doubt it cupcake, I'm a yellow belt." The boy said as he flattened out his sash. He then waved his hand in her direction, trying to dismiss her. "Run along now, darling" He said, attempting to mimic her accent.

His friend nodded his approval, and suspended his fist over the sobbing boy. "Nice. Pound it, Rickey." 

Rickey knocked knuckles and began turning his attention back to their captor, but not before she lunged forward. Her fist met him squarely on the chin. "Ow!" He shrieked. 

His friend watched in horror as Rickey staggered backwards, clutching his face. His eyes were watery when his gaze met hers again. She arched her eyebrow, lifting her fists up and throwing out a few air punches. He grimaced, his lip twitching. "Sh...She's not worth it, Ro." The denim clad boy seemed to agree as they both turned on their heels, making a run for it.