Reign sat at a window seat inside the homely Starbucks shop, waiting for Nigi to bring their drinks. Her stone cold eyes traveled to the pouring rain that they had tread through only moments ago. There were couples walking hand in hand, and family walking with their children.

Nigi slid into the booth across from her and presented her with a grande size. She wrapped her hands around the cup, and stirred the dark liquid with the thin red straw. Her lips pursed as she closed her eyes, and picked up the cup. The dark liquid touched her lips, and then she set the cup back down.

She looked up at him, “So… What are you all about?” Her eyes were lazy, and looked at him under lowered lashes, “I mean, what’s your purpose…”

Nigi relaxed and tilted his head back as he took a sip of his coffee, “Well, most of us are from broken homes… My best friend’s old man is a wife beater, and drunkard… A couple of us got kicked out… So mostly it’s just a bunch of guys just barely into their twenties crashing at my pad.” He smiled.

Reign sipped her drink, “So, you want to stick me in a house full of men?” She raised her brows, “That’s definitely what I want.” She laughed.

Nigi leaned in and looked very serious, “And then some others got involved. Another group of rich kids got bored and figured out a new way to rebel. A couple of them are from a rough life, I understand that…” He sighed, “But then they started hurting people… And we’ve been at war ever since.” HE inhaled, “There are other things that you don’t need to know that play a key role in our gangs.”

Reign’s lip twitched, “Does everybody stay at your place?”

He looked at her, “When they need to, why?”

“Just curious.” She leaned back.

“What’s your story?” He asked, “Not many girls walk the way you do, talk the way you do… What’s happened to you?”

“So, then, it’s that obvious? Might as well wear a black arm band and tattoo it on my forehead.” She bit her lip.

“I’m just curious, Reign. You don’t have to tell me.” He looked away, “I see the same thing everyday, not many people know the difference. You only notice it, when you’re surrounded by it.”

She bit her lip, “It’s my dad. He’s such a bastard! He hits on my sister and I, he’s never sober, and he’s always beating the shit out of me…” She murmured, “I just couldn’t take it anymore, I had to get out!” She looked at him with tears in her eyes, “He was coming on to her, and he almost got her when I got there. I hit him. I hit him across the head.” She put her hands in her hair, “Now my little sister is at the Police Station waiting for our good-for-nothing mother who left pop because she couldn’t take the life anymore. Yeah, forget your three kids at home…” She rolled her eyes, “So now you know.”

He nodded, “Figured as much.” He shrugged, “So what, she’s still in high school? Are you still in high school?”

Reign shook her head, “She’s a junior. I’m out of high school,” She shrugged, “Living with mom is the best for her. I can’t take take it anymore. I just can’t! I need an outlet.” She inhaled and looked back at him, “Do you understand?”

Nigi nodded, “Like hell I know…” He shook his head, “What are you going to do about it?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know.”

He looked at her, “Yes you do, because you wouldn’t have come with me otherwise.” He stood up.

She looked up at him, and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, “You’re right,” She stood up, “When do I start?”

He raised his eyebrows, “It’s not a job, Reign, it a lifestyle.” He said with emphasis on the word lifestyle.

“Look, if you don’t want me, I can always find something else.” She said finishing off her coffee, and walking over to a trash can. She returned to the table and slung the bag over her shoulder. She then started for the door, and Nigi followed after her.

“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it.” He put a hand on the door, “You leaving with me?” He looked at her, “Or are you going back to that hell hole and try to fix everything?”

Her eyes started at his hand momentarily, “I… I’m going to go with you.” She looked back up with him.

He was looking at her already with a grin, “We’ll have to go to my house then.” He opened the door for her and led the way out.

---

It was starting to get dark and the rain had finally let up. They were both drenched by the time he turned the corner and stood in front of a house. He looked at her, and walked up the driveway, “Don’t be alarmed at the guys, they’re just going to be asses, and you’ll just have to tell them off.”

She shrugged following him to the front door, “What else is new?”

Nigi placed a key in the hole, and swung the door open, “Honey, I’m home.” He said stepping.

Reign looked around the room. The first room in the house was a living room with an L shaped sofa, a recliner, and a loveseat. There was a coffee table in the center of the room, and numerous beer bottles sat on the glass. A plasma screen hung over a fireplace in the corner of the room. There was a door way to the kitchen in the back, and a wall to her left. In the left corner of the room about 20 feet forward were stairs.

There were about four guys on the sofa, and both of the recliners were occupied. Someone was leaning over an ashtray in the love seat. When Nigi entered, most of them delayed a look up, “Hey man-“

One guy with green liberty spikes raised his brows, “They don’t make ‘em like that around these parts,” He sat up straighter, “Where are you from doll face?” He winked at her.

Another guy with a blonde skater cut ran his hand through his hair and stood up, “Hey, isn’t there a strict no ladies after hours, Nigi, allow me to escort you…” He grinned.

Nigi shut the door behind him, “Shut up,” He moved to the kitchen, and just left Reign.