Loving you is hard

@ BadStreetBoys
Travis laughed, shaking his head. "If you don't like my neck piece, don't look at it. My eyes are up here," he teased, pointing to his eyes. He couldn't help the teasing. He was a comfortable enough with Orlando to do so, but he feared that one day he would tease someone who couldn't take the joke. "Anyways, I was just walking a girl home that lived there. She was out on the bad side of the neighborhood. I figured the only right thing was to make sure she got home safe."

Travis looked at his boss, hoping he would understand, but then again Orlando had to have been there as well if he knew he was there. "Were you following me? Or are you looking into moving into one of those fancy houses?" He didn't think his boss would give him an answer, but he still couldn't help his curiosity about why his boss was in that part of town. They were both the type to not be seen there unless for a crime.

-

Alexa shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know how to describe it. He just carries himself in a way that makes it look like there is something else about him. Though maybe that's just me looking into things too much," she answered. She looked at her sister. "I mean, he did offer to 'take care' of my ex. Though I'm not entirely sure what that really entails, but I didn't take him up on it anyways." Alexa looked at Claire as she tried to figure if there was another way to explain Orlando to her.

"So tell me more about your tattooed boy," Alexa pushed, wanting to hear Claire talk more. She was happy for her sister especially after everything that has happened to her in the past. This was the first time in a long time that she seemed excited about a guy. Alexa was not about to take that away from her. Heck, Alexa felt like Claire deserved a true shot at happiness. "Is he deep down a softie?"

(That's fine.)

@ Achilles;
Orlando rolled his eyes at Travis' joke. He didn't care much that some of his guys messed with him. It meant they were comfortable with him. Which was exactly what's he wanted, they stayed with him that way. Orlando lookeddown at the kid and nodded slightly. "Good, I like that." He commented, looking around them. Orlando for some reason usually like to look like he had somewhere else to be, or was busy. It made him seem more important, his phone went off again and he pulled it out and glanced down. "Knife fight down at the east Mason bar, wanna go check it out?" He commented to Travis as he slide his phone back into his pocket a small smirk on his lips.

When Orlando was asked why he was there he just waved his hand in dismissal to the question. "Irrelevant. Let's go." He said and begun walking towards he bar. Orlando didn't like to talk about his interest in women unless it was solely to sleep with them. Feelings could be taken and manipulated, which he didn't want to give anyone the power to do so. But this girl interested him, so he didn't want to reveal that quite yet. As the pair neared the bar Orlando slid a switchblade he had on him out, getting ready to help a guy if needed.

-

Claire slid her phone on to the table besides her bed and looked over to her sister as she explained Orlando. She couldn't help but smile, enjoying her sister actually seeming interested in someone. She listened intently and nodded with a stupid teen girl grin on his face. "Well he sounds tough, and interesting. Personally I would totally let him take care of Ricky." She said scowling at his name. She hated Ricky for cheating on her sister. "Hopefully this is a good guy for you, Alexa. I would love to meet your mystery guy sometime though." She said and winked, leaning back into the pillow.

Claire blushed and giggles softly. "Okay okay." She murmured. "He looks like this guy that you'd see in a crowded bar and mean to avoid, but he's got the personality of a big teddy bear." She said and chuckled. "He's got an eagle tattoo on his neck, it's really beautiful, must of hurt." She said and ran a hand through her hair. "I hope he texts me. He definitely isn't someone dad would approve of though. Or Ben. They'd worry about him tarnishing the family name."

@ BadStreetBoys
Travis readied himself, expecting a fight to happen. He knew how to knock around a group of idiots, but he knew that if they had a knife, he couldn't go in unarmed. His hand was already going for the knife in his pocket, making sure that he can get it out in a moment's notice. He had his shoulders squared, and his eyes flashed around him, taking in the scenery. He had to know what was going on at all times during situations like this. He needed to know if there were places for more to hide and if necessary, where the escape route was if the police came barreling in.

"You ready?" he asked his boss. It was a stupid question, but he was waiting for the go ahead. Orlando was the one who gave out the orders. It was best to follow them especially in situations like this. "Crack some skulls?" Travis seemed eager for a fight, maybe it was just being pumped meeting a cute girl who gave him her number.

-

Alexa smiled. "I don't think they would approve of Orlando either. I just say we should just be with the people who treat us right and make us happy. That's what everyone deserves, not anything less," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "I guess that sounds a bit naive, but hey, it's the truth, is it not? And what do you mean you would let him take care of Ricky? Are you saying that I should knowingly let something bad happen to him?"

As much as Alexa didn't like or trust Ricky, she couldn't wish him harm. It was just her nature. They had to do something more than cheating for that. It hurt her to find out he was with another girl, but she didn't see the point in wasting the time on him for that. She just had to suck it up. Well, that was what Alexa kept telling herself. She wasn't sure if she really believed it. Sometimes, she wanted to go up to Ricky and kick him in between the legs for what he did. Especially now, he was apologizing, and she felt like he was only doing that to get her to come back, not for the closure and because it was the right thing to do.

@ Achilles;
Orlando looked around the corner at the fight, his eyes scanning the situation before he leaned back. "You go left flank, I'll go right, marcel is beneath the guy so don't lean on him so he would stab him." Orlando ordered quietly. He made sure he wasn't wearing anything loose and his grip on the knife was good. Before looking back, and giving the hand signal to go in. For a big guy, Orlando could move silently and with grace. He had been living this life since his father was the gang leader, so he knew everything about it and how to handle nearly anything. When he saw Travis in his position the pair moved in.

Orlando grabbed the guys collar who had their guy marcel and begun to pull him off marcel, his hand moving down and the knife clipping Orlando in the thigh. Orlando didn't even seem to notice as he chuckled the guy across the parking lot. Marcel wa a bleeding pretty badly so Orlando looked up at Travis. "Take care of the kid. Now." He barked his order and knelt down besides marcel, beggining to attend to his wounds, tying a piece of his shirt around one stab wound he had on his arm. After a few minutes he heard sirens coming. "Travis finish up, help me get marcel out now." He snarled and begun to lift the guy and trying to pull him towards Orlando's house which was nearby.

-

Claire giggled when her sister told her that their family wouldn't like either of the guys that they were interested in. "We totally need to try and get these guys, I'd love to see dads face when we bring home these brutes." She said and laughed as she laid down and pat besides her so Alexa would lay down. "Ricky is an ass. He cheated on you Alexa. He deserves it. I doubt Orlando would kill the guy, rough him up a bit. But maybe that's what he needs to straighten him out." She said and shrugged, giving her sister innocent eyes.

Claire's face went down as her thoughts moved to Thomas, the boy who had nearly killed her. He had cheated on her multiple times. She just say quietly as she thought about it. Her mind slowly going deeper and deeper into darkness. Her eyes glazed over as she started shaking, whimpering and quickly hugging her sister as she began to cry.

@ BadStreetBoys
Travis went to the other side of Marcel and started, trying to get out of there as fast as possible. They weren't gong to wait for the sirens. Travis felt an ache in some spots for the guys, but it was nothing compared to what Marcel was going through. He felt bad that he barely had much of a scratch. He had gotten his on his jaw and ribs, but the knife only barely nicked his skin.

Travis reached forward and opened the door to Orlando's house. He walked the kid to the couch and set him down. "I'm going to call Doc," Trav said. "I don't know how to fix those wounds." He was already pulling his phone out and dialing the number. He knew Doc was close by. He always hung around this area in case Orlando or someone in with them needed him. "Get here now," he barked into the phone. Travis announced that he was on the way.

-

Alexa thought about what Claire said about Orlando roughing him up. Maybe she was right. Ricky might need to be roughed up for him to realize what he did was bad, and maybe that will get him to legitimately apologize and leave her alone. Alexa was getting tired of having to hide from him just so she wouldn't have to hear his fake apology. She felt Claire hug her and start to cry.

Alexa rubbed her back, trying her best to comfort her. "Claire, talk to me. You know it's better to talk about it than to keep it bottled up. You know that I'm here for you," she assured her sister. She didn't want to force her sister to talk about something she didn't want to, but Alexa wished for her sister to start to feel better and to move on. She could see how much the past relationship affected Claire even though there had been some time that had passed, but did something like that ever really go away? Alexa hoped so.

@ Achilles;
Orlando pulled marcel in and laid him on the coffee table that Orlando had specifically for when he had to bring his guys home. He shot a glare at Travis when he said he was calling Doc. Orlanod didn't really enjoy the guy around. His brother was an ER surgeon, and he much preferred his brother. Doc was someone one of his other guys found and began calling when Orlando wasn't around, so when Orlando was around they just thought to call him. After he announced he was coming, and Orlando tightened the tornquit. He glanced over at Travis. "You know I prefer Dalton." He said casually, standing up as he stood between marcel and Travis, expression blank.

When doc got there Orlanod barked s few orders at the guy before moving to his kitchen, he needed a drink. Orlando poured himself a glass of whisky, sitting at the table in his kitchen as he sipped the whiskey he was reading the news paper.

-

Claire just held Alexa as she cried and shook. Just trying to calm herself as she thought back to the relationship. After a few moments she did, laying back into one of her pillows she pulled another over her face, she hated how blotchy her face got when she cried, even hiding it from her sister. Underneath the pillow she said. "I'm sorry, I love you Alexa." Her voice muffled. "Why am I so fucked up? It's such bullshit." He's threw the pillow off the bed and wiped her eyes as she looked at her sister. "I can't go through that again.

@ BadStreetBoys
"That might be so, but I know Doc is always in the area. I don't care for him much either, but he will at least stabilize Marcel. Then we will call Dalton," Trav said. He knew why Doc wasn't the best, but he smart enough to get someone stabilized. The main reason why Travis made use of Doc was because he knew something was up. He tried to keep him close to see what he was doing.

Travis sat on the nearby chair, watching Doc work when he had gotten there. He had been trying to get a hold of that bag that he carried everywhere and want to see inside of it. Travis had never really expressed his suspicions to anyone because he knew a lot of people trusted him.

-

"I know. I can't watch something like that happen to you again," Alexa said. "Claire, you know I'll try my best to protect you, and so will Ben." She rubbed her sister's shoulder, trying to be comforting. "I know this is going to sound stupid, but if you're not ready, don't force yourself to do anything. Just take your time. If it's really worthwhile, it can wait for you." She gave her sister an encouraging smile. She stretched out on her sister's bed, figuring it would be best not to leave her sister alone for the night.

@ Achilles;
Orlando read up his newspaper and finished up his glass of whisky. When he finally decided to go check on marcel. He saw Travis rummaging through Doc's bags, giving him a nod to keep going as he moved to question doc. Giving Travis more time to find anything. Orlando loved having dirt on people, it gave him more power. He question doc about how marcel was, what his injuries were, what they should do. When Travis signaled that he was done Orlando bitterly thanked doc before sending him on his way. And finally clawing Dalton, telling marcel he would be fine now. Before moving to Travis, after texting Alexa a simple hey.

"What did you find?" He asked, arms crossed over his chest again. "He suspicious? Is he s fucking viper." Orlando snarled, if that guy was part of the other gang Orlando would have no problem shooting him point blank.

-

Claire looked up at her sister and shrugged. "Ever since Ben has been way too over protective. He has barely let me around Todd, and we've been friends since kindergarten." She said and rolled her eyes. Claire sighed and curled up against her sister. "I love you Alexa, you're a good sister." She paused and kissed her sisters cheek. "Thank you."

@ BadStreetBoys
"I found these. I don't know if it ties him with the vipers, but they are certainly incriminating," Travis said, tossing notes and papers. "But you see, I have my reasons for using Doc." Trav looked at his boss, waiting for him to look through. Travis knew it had to be tied with something, especially since there was more activity going on. Travis leaned back and looked at Marcel. He hoped that the boy would be able to pull out of this. Then he remembered that he had a girl's number. He punched her number into his phone and sent her a text message, simply saying hey. He wasn't sure how he would come off, but he wanted to make sure that the girl wasn't forgotten.

-

Alexa smiled. "Did you expect anything less?" she teased. "I love you too, Claire. And there's no need for thanks. It's what sisters are for." Alexa felt her phone buzz in her pocket. she quickly checked it and smiled when she saw that it was Orlando. She replied back, happy that he was wanting to talk to her.

@ Achilles;
Orlando held his hand out and took what Travis found. "Watch the kid. I'm gonna go look this through and see what we should do." He said disappearing into his kitchen again. Orlando read through it all and was furious. He was taking pay from Ricky in exchange for information about Orlando's guys where abouts and telling them the best time to go after his guys., and which were injured. Orlando didn't like being fucked with. "That's fucking it." He snarled and went over to Travis again. "We're using him one last time, you're gonna stab me, he's gonna report back to fuck bag Ricky. And I know he isn't stupid, so he'll come after me thinking I'm injured. And that's when we ambush him." He said and cracked his knuckles.

-

Claire felt her phone a moment after Alexa did. She raised an eyebrow at her. "Was that your mystery boy? Cause this was my bad boy." She said with a small laugh, running a hand through her hair again. She sent back Hey Travis how's it going. Claire turned her TV on, looking to her sister to see what she wanted to watch.

@ BadStreetBoys
Travis looked at Orlando as his phone buzzed. He nodded. He figured it would be the best way to get Doc, but he didn't know when Doc would notice that he had been through the bag. That bag had a few medical things in it, but that was to be expected. "When are you wanting to start this?" he asked. He knew that they had to do something soon. He couldn't allow this to happen for much longer. He pulled his phone out, and saw the message from Claire. He replied back, It's going, I guess. What about you?.

-

Alexa nodded. "Yeah, it was," she answered. Hey, Orlando. Anything good happening? She typed and hit send. Alexa watched Claire, flip through channels. "You know I'll watch whatever you want to watch," she reminded her. "I'm not that picky about what I watch." She leaned back on the headboard, deciding that she should try to relax.

@ Achilles;
Oroando rubbed his chin as he thought. "Tomorrow. Soon. Because we know Doc will be wth Ricky and whoever he has when they come after me because if I wasn't actually hurt he would be held responsible. Tomorrow night should be fine because by Wednesday is when Ricky would attack. But I have a plan for that ambush." Orlando explained, knowing damn well that he needed to end it before it got bad. He moved over to marcel and pat him
On the back. "You can sleep on the couch. But I'm going upstairs. I'll tell you more when I get more." He said and headed up to his bedroom. He smiled at Alexa's texts. Shit is always happening when I'm around. But that's whatever. How are you doing? Before he laid down in his bed.

-

Claire smiled at her phone. She thought Travis was was cute and was glad he texted her. I'm just watching television with my sister. We should hang out again sometime. I enjoyed walking home with you she sent, then changed the TV to food network, a cooking competition Was on, which Claire liked.

@ BadStreetBoys
Travis nodded, deciding to take Orlando up on the offer to crash on his couch. He stretched out on the couch and checked his phone. He smiled. Travis liked the thought that she wanted to see him again. Well, I enjoyed walking you home, and yeah, we should. He hit send and looked up at the ceiling. He could only imagine what she looked like watching television and being a little relaxed. He would enjoy getting to see her like that.

-

Just watching television with my sister. Alexa replied back. Her mouth watered at one of the dishes on the show. She loved watching shows like this with her sister, but some of the dishes always made her want to eat them. She wasn't that bad of a cook, but she wasn't creative like some of the chefs that were on this show.

@ Achilles;
Orlando went up to his room, ready for bed. He stripped to his boxers and laid in his bed. I'm getting ready for bed. If you wanna do something tomorrow, or see each other again. It would have to be in the morning. Orlando sent, knowing his plan was to go into action later in the day. He plugged his phone in, turning off the lights, and finally passing out.

-

Claire smiled when he agreed that they should do something to see each other again. Text me whenever, and we can plan something. I'll,graduate soon and always be free She sent back before paying attention to the screen. Her sister and her always made bets on who would win each show. "Who's winning for you?" She asked and grinned at Alexa.

@ BadStreetBoys
Travis looked at his phone, and reminded himself to figure out when he will be able to see her again. Just let me know when, and we'll work something out. He hit send and yawned. Curling up on the couch, it didn't take long for him to fall asleep. He hadn't even bothered with taking his shoes off. He barely even dreamed.

-

Alexa smiled at the text. Let me know the when and where, and I'm there. Sleep well. She messaged back even though she was sure that he was probably in the bed now and asleep. He can see the message in the morning. She wouldn't be a offended if he took a while to reply back. It was when they completely ignored her messages all together that annoyed her.

@ Achilles;
(I'm so sorry but I thought I replied)

Orlando woke up early, and grinned slightly when Alexa agreed to meet him again. Wanna come to my place today? Or go out for coffee? He sent. Getting up from his bed as he walked into the bathroom to shower.

Claire smiled at his text and curled up with her sister. She laid her head on her shoulder and fell asleep cuddling her sister. She really needed this tonight, she didn't wanna be left alone. When she woke up she rolled over and grabbed her phone. Sending Travis a message. Im free today if you are

@ BadStreetBoys

Alexa woke up and checked her phone. She smiled at themessage from Orlando. I'm up for either, but I want coffee either way. she replied back. She got up and stretched her body, popping her bones in the process. Her smile stayed on her face as she went to her room to get out of her pajamas.

Travis woke up and left Orlando's house. Do you want to go a a breakfast place that I know of? He hit send and rushed over to his house, getting in the shower. He hurried and got back out.

@ Achilles;
Orlando showered for about ten minutes. When he got our he put on a pair of jean shorts, a white tee shirt with a black skull on it, and his signature leather jacket. He looked at himself in the mirror, his hair when not styled looked like a mess. He liked to gel it and style it to make it look like the bad boy unkempt hair, but one thing Orlando did was take very good care of himself. He cared a lot about how he presented himself, even being a gang leader. But he was photographed by reporters a lot, and the police made statements about him enough, so he was on the news a fair amount. So he wanted to look good in the eyes of the whole. Recently the police commissioner and one of the states senators had started a campaign to end both he and Ricky's gangs and influence on the city. Orlanod went to his table and picked up his phone. I make some Great coffee, why don't you come over? I can come pick you up if you need it. If not my address is 619 Hyland Ave. Orlando decided to call another one of his guys to come get marcel. One who was more able to watch him and take care of his medical problems. Having a drop out med student in his gangs also had it perks. Once Marcel was out Orlando picked up his house, and started cooking breakfast. He was making eggs, bacon, pancakes and some other things. Orlando could eat quite a bit, but he made extra in case Alexa wanted some. He also picked up his house as he waited for her.

-

Claire smiled again when he invited her out to breakfast. She watched her sister go to her own room before deciding to shower and get ready. She showered and curled her hair, before putting on a white and light blue sundress. She went into her sisters room and raised an eyebrow. "How's this? He invited me to breakfast but it's supposed to be hot today?" She asked as she saw Alexa getting ready? "Did mystery man invite you somewhere too?" She teased as she smiled at her sister. "You know Ben would kill us both if he found out about these boys, or the, who knows." She commented as she went back through the door that connected her and her sisters room. Claire did her makeup before texting Travis back. That sounds great, what time do you wanna go?

@ BadStreetBoys
Alexa smiled and pulled on her shoes. She was wearing tight black jeans with a shirt with hearts all over it. The shirts collar was loose and hung off one of her shoulders. Her shoes were just flats. Pulling a brush through her hair, she tried to think about what she should do with it. She rarely got to let her hair be natural because of her frizz. She sighed not wanting to get the straightener out. Besides, her hair was pretty tame that day. She told her sister that she was leaving and sent Orlando text message, letting him know that she was on her way. Running out to her car, her nerves hit her. What if he was just wanting to play with her emotions? What if he ended up not liking her? She shook her head, trying to get it out of her minded. She started the car and drove to his house.

----

Whenever you want. Let me know. If you want, I can come over and pick you up. Travis hit send as he started to get dressed. He fixed his hair. He had a think about not wanting to look like a complete slob. He always wanted to be presentable especially to her. There was something that made him want to impress her. He looked to see if she replied to his message.

@ Achilles;
Orlando wasn't a guy who settled down or had relationships, everyone who knew him knew that. He was a gang guy, he had one night stands. He was too damage toys and busy for a relationship. As well as women did like to sleep with him, he thought it was because of how hot he was, along with the fact that there was a bit of danger in sleeping with him that drove girls wild. He grinned when he saw Alexa telling him she was on her way over. Orlando turned on the news, which was covering the knife fight from the day before. He finished up his breakfast and put it onto two plates, then started a pot of coffee. When the coffee was nearly ready he heard Alexa at the door. Orlando went over and opened the door, giving her a small grin. "Hey there cutie, come on in." He said as he went into the kitchen. "What do you take in your coffee?" He asked as he poured himself a cup of black coffee.

-

Well I'm almost ready so you can come pick me who whenever. Claire sent to Travis as she sat down in front of a huge mirror to do her make up. It was early enough that her and Alexa's parents would be gone, but their brother would still be asleep. So he couldn't bug them about what was going on. She finished getting ready before she grabbed her purse and headed downstairs. When she heard a car out front Claire walked outside, smiling when she saw it was Travis. She went over and got into his car.
"Hey there." She said quietly