Photo - That's a picture I took of the diner me and friends went to in December. It felt very 90s diner to me. Use that as a reference for a particular setting in this chapter.

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Tony

"That'll be a hundred and fifty." I wiped my lips, the aftertaste of semen still lingering in my mouth. The fucker forced me to swallow his load. I grabbed my jeans and searched for a gum to get rid of the taste.

I slid on my boxer briefs as I waited for him to hand over his payment, but I heard laughing in the background. It was not out of humor but just plain mockery. I was used to clients like him.

"A hundred and fifty?" His high-pitched and raspy voice sounded like aluminum getting ripped right by my ear. "Who do you think you are? The governor's hooker? You're not even that good, young man."

He handed me twenty-five dollars for both the fucking and the sucking. I scoffed at the thin wad and glared at my old fat client. "What the fuck is this? This isn't enough. Give me the amount you promised, old prick." I pulled his tie that he just finished tying. "Look, it's not my fucking fault that I couldn't feel you with that microdick of yours."

I wiped my sweat-glazed face and my eyes widened the moment my gaze fell on the unused rubber lying on the floor that I handed to him as soon as he started asking for my additional service. The one where it wasn't just my mouth that was involved. "You motherfucker, why didn't you use the condom?!"

I always hated clients like him. I would have to go get myself tested and had to stop my sideline for weeks. Just because I was a prostitute didn't mean I was careless. I wasn't just fucking around for fun, I needed money to live. It would be stupid if I die because of a fucking disease.

"Okay, kid. If there's someone in this car that is clean, that's me because I'm a fuckin' doctor. Now, get out." He said, his smirk not leaving his face. Before I knew it, the door of his car flew open and I found myself lying on the ground, dust sticking to every part of my sticky body.

Hurriedly, I got on my feet, picked up a huge rock, and aimed it towards his car, hitting the side mirror. I guess that was for the remaining hundred and twenty-five bucks. "Fuck you, you dickhead!" I yelled in frustration. Soon enough, reality dawned on me that I was left with nothing but my boxers on with the twenty-five dollars scattered on the ground along with my humility and pride.

The wind blew and it made me shiver just a little.

I was lucky enough that it wasn't freezing tonight, however, it wasn't even remotely warm. I hugged myself and I was left with no other option but to hitchhike. I walked beside the road and raised my hands, waving at each car that passes by me.

One, two, three, and it took ten cars but no one would pick me up. Realistically speaking, if I was in these drivers' position, I wouldn't pick a random naked guy up in a dark and deserted place either.

I sighed as another two cars passed by, and still nothing. I hoped for another one and if it still passed by, I would have to walk myself home. It would take me hours but I had no choice. I couldn't just spend the cash on a cab. The idea of going home with nothing but my poor broke ass would be upsetting.

"Fuuuck!" I groaned in annoyance as I ran my hand through my hair and noticed how dusty and sticky it was. How I managed to force myself to get aroused by that motherfucker's presence, I had no idea. Maybe it was that money he promised me that made my dick hard.

And he did keep it a promise by breaking it.

'I hope you'll get eaten by a fuckin' leprechaun!'

I could see headlights getting brighter as a car approached my way so I raised my hand, my thumb facing the sky, hoping for another chance.

It passed by me again. I sighed and laughed dryly to myself.

This was ridiculous.

I jumped when I heard the car honked. I turned around, and there it was, the devil red car.

'It stopped?!'

I tucked the money under my boxers and ran towards the car. I waited until the window rolled down. It was a boy. He looked just around my age. He could be a college guy.

"Oh my God, are you alrigh-" He paused and rolled his eyes. "Obviously you're not, I'm sorry."

"I was...mugged." I excused before biting my lip. "I was just waiting for a cab and...and this happened."

"Hop in." He twitched his head, signaling me to get in his car. As I got in, I shivered a little because of the air-conditioning. He leaned in to reach what I believed was his bag and pulled on a tank top, and swimming trunk. He then handed it to me and said, "I just got out of a beach party and good thing I didn't use those."

"Thank you," I nodded in gratitude and slid in the clothes he lent me.

"Uh, so where should I drop you?"

"Just Crystal Avenue."

He sighed, his eyes focused on the road. "That's two towns away." He sighed before looking shortly in my direction, the light from the other cars hitting his face. He was pretty cute. "I actually don't mind, I'm just really hungry."

"Oh, well you ca-"

"Is it alright if we go get pizza first?" He asked with an awkward smile. I honestly would have said no since that asshole of a client of mine didn't pay me enough but I already owe him a lot with the clothes and the hitchhiking. "Don't worry. My treat." He added.

Who would say no to free food?

"I'm really sorry you got mugged." He said.

"Nah, I'm sorry I had to waste your time. I really just didn't have a choice." I sighed and it was followed by a yawn. I could finally feel the exhaustion taking over my sore body.

"I don't mind. We'll just eat first then I'll drop you at Crystal Avenue, okay?" The guy with the pair of square-rimmed glasses smiled.

•••

"You should try the Hawaiian one. They're really good." He took a piece from the other half of the pizza and handed it to me.

I smiled and took the piece. I had about four huge slices already but the box was barely finished. He had more slices than me whatsoever and he didn't look like he was done. I stared at his torso and he was nowhere near out of shape. The guy was pretty lean actually.

"Thanks for these clothes by the way. I'll get them cleaned up and return them to you...maybe tomorrow." I said but I paused and realized I didn't know how though. "Well, maybe I can give you a call?"

"Sure thing. Do you have a cellphone number?" He asked. I shook my head and told him I didn't have one. Nokias were very expensive and it would take me about ten clients to buy a 5110. I would rather spend the money on food and bills.

"What about landline?" I asked as an alternative.

"Yes, of course. Hold on..." He replied as he got on his feet and went to the counter. It was then that I realized how tall he was. He was definitely taller than me and I was five foot ten. Upon returning with a pen and a tissue paper in hand, he scribbled his landline number.

Todd was his name. He wrote it next to his number.

"Tony." I said in a hush, not really sure if I had to tell him.

"What were you doing there anyway?" Todd asked, making me bite my lip. This was just a one-time thing so I didn't have to tell him about my job. In fact, I never wanted to tell anyone about it except for my clients, obviously.

"I just got off from work and I was waiting for a cab when these guys...um...decided that it was a good idea to steal my bag, along with my clothes." I explained but I couldn't look him straight in the eyes. He didn't notice whatsoever as he was busy ravaging his slice of pizza.

"Wow, you sure do love pizza, huh?"

"What's not to love really? Crust's good, bacon's good, and the pineapple? Also good." He grinned before taking another bite.

"Were you supposed to go home when you found me?'" I asked.

"Not really. I have to go back to the party to get my friends, who are probably wasted by now." Todd said. "I just went out for a breather."

"Oh, why'd you left? Not feeling it?"

"I'm really not a party guy I guess. It wasn't really bad, it's just that my head hurts with all the noise and there's just a lot going on in that party. I... I can't deal with that." He replied and smiled awkwardly after.

"Well not all people are the same." I patted his shoulder.

"So...where do you go to school?" Todd asked making me raise my brow as I smirked.

"I don't go to school anymore. I'm 20 years old." I replied. The truth is, I didn't finish high school either. I dropped out after my sophomore year.

His eyes slightly widened as he stared at my face. "Really? You could pass as my age. I'm seventeen."

Ironically, I thought he was a little older than his age. He looked twenty as I could tell his features were already defined. He was just as old as my sister. "I'll take that as a compliment, Todd."

"It is a compliment, Tony." He grinned and for some reason, it made me grin too.

He actually did hear my name. "Thank you." I said.