Corrupted Flowers

It was opening day for the flower shop and Bailey could not be any more ecstatic. It was going to be an absolutely wonderful day, she could just feel it in her bones. After all, how could it not be? She was going to officially start her new job today and, even better, it was going to be in the cutest flower shop that she had ever seen before. Bailey had a good feeling about this job. Flowers themselves always seemed to be able to brighten her up. So surely seeing them every day would improve Bailey's overall happiness.

As she was turning down one of the alleys to get to the shop, she was suddenly grabbed onto. Bailey felt herself get slammed against the brick wall, her head snapping back against it hard. She let out a groan before opening up her eyes to see a large looming man over her, holding a knife out to her. Fear started to kick into Bailey's body but she wasn't sure what to do. Though before she could even move, the man under the mask started to speak. "Give me your money or I'll slash you up!" He growled.

Bailey became tense but she was quick to do as he said, trying to dig into her purse to find any resemblance of cash. Though her eyes started to swell up when all she could find was a five-dollar bill. It wasn't like her to carry cash anymore. Everything was digital now so she tended to have less money in her actual possession. Lifting the bill up, Bailey pushed herself further back against the walk. "T-This is all I have." She whimpered to the man.

The man pressed the knife against her neck hard, now beginning to draw some blood. "That better not be all you have girly." The man growled at her. "Beter find something in that purse that you wouldn't miss. It's either that or your life."

@ BearGirl
Smoke pillared out of the beautiful mouth of Justin Remas as he walked down the streets. This was the more upscale part of town, but none the less, The Red Skull still had their sticky little fingers in it. They weren't terrorizers like all of the stories you hear about gangs though, no, they were more, of the protector kind of gang. Pretty places like these pay them to keep the shops looking nice and the more worthless thugs from coming near them.

Placing his smoke between his lips, Justin fixed his leather jacket as a gust of wind blew by. It wasn't really cold, more so, it agitated the new tattoo that he had on his arm. He didn't want his ink to go bad, especially after he paid a couple of hundred dollars for that shit. The last thing he wanted was to spend more money on his ink. It took him weeks to get in contact with the artist, the man one of of the best in the state.

Turning the corner towards the new shop that popped up a couple of weeks ago, Justin was about to give the owner a welcome to the neighborhood speech. Although, what he saw as he neared an alley caught his interest. So, being the good samaritan that he was, Justin stopped walking and watched the scene for a moment. He finished his cigarette as he listened to the voice. An amused smirk playing along his lips as he dropped his smoke and stepped on the used cancer stick.

"Harassing women isn't very noble of you," Justin said as he made his way into the alley. "Back off man, I'm not here to play around." The man who was threatening the young girl seethed as he glanced in Justin's direction. Although, as soon as he saw him, the obvious sign of fear appeared on his face.

"What did you just say to me?" Justin asked as he reached out without fear and grabbed the man's upper arm and pulled him around. An without saying a single word, Justin punched the man across the face, hard enough that he went flying to the ground. Then, he moved a leg and stomped it down on the men back. "You know what, forget it, just apologize to the young lady," Justin commanded as he put pressure on the men back. A groan escaped from the man on the ground as Justin put pressure on his spine, a look of pain on his face as he struggled to speak. "I-I'm sor-sorry miss." The man stammered out, which caused Justin to smirk before he raised his foot and pulled the man up by the back of his shirt. "Good boy, now give her what you've stolen from her," Justin commanded. "I-I didn't take-" Justin stopped the man as he took one of his arms with his free hand and bent it awkwardly behind his back. Causing a hiss of pain to emit from the man's lips.

Releasing his hold, Justin watched as the man quickly reached into his pocket and tossed a small bill at the girl. "Now get lost," Justin said boredly as he watched the man book it out of the alley. He watched for a moment before he looked towards the scared Kid. "Ya okay Kid?" Justin asked, arching an eyebrow as he saw how shaken up she must be. Not to mention that small amount of blood on her neck. "Shit, are you hurt?"

@ FallenHope95

The moment the man let go of her, Bailey dropped onto the ground. She let out a large shaky breath as she watched the new man deal with the guy who had the knife to her throat. And, before Bailey was able to process the whole situation, the man was running away. Bailey turned her head, looking up at him with wide frightened eyes. Her whole body was shaking and her legs felt like jelly. She had been terrified enough that once she was free, Bailey couldn't find it in her to run. And now she couldn't even find the strength to get herself onto her feet.

As the man asked her if she was hurt, Bailey reached up to her neck. Her finger ran across the cut on her throat before she dropped her fingers down in front of her to see the blood that now coated them. While the cut had not been very deep, Bailey was still bleeding. She would not need stitches but she would need to wipe it clean and wrap some gauze around the area until the bleeding stopped. It was too much for a bandaid to handle.

Bailey dropped her hand into her lap, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "T-Thank you for saving me. I was o-on my way to the flower shop a-and he just- I don't have any money on me so h-he threatened me." With her clean hand, Bailey reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes before both of her hands pressed down against the ground. She was still shaking too much to get onto her feet. It almost made Bailey feel like a child talking to the man from the floor.

"Thank you so much. I-I don't have anything to give you but I wish I did. M-maybe you would want a free bouquet of flowers?" Bailey looked up at him, hoping that she could do something for the man that Bailey was rather sure had saved her life. She truly didn't have any money on her but maybe he would find value in some free flowers? He didn't really seem like the type but maybe he had a girlfriend or something. Reaching up again, Bailey wiped away the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.

@ BearGirl
Crouching down onto the front of his toes, Justin let out a small sigh as he looks in the look of the scratch on her neck after she wiped off a little bit of the blood. It didn't look that bad, he's had a lot worst and he's certainly given other guys a lot worst as well. It'll take a few days to heal, that's for sure, but at least it didn't look like it even came close to nicking her main artery or something, then that, would be a lot of work to try and stop and the survival rate for that wasn't very hight in the slightest.

Glancing back up towards the young girl's pretty eyes, Justin just stayed silent as he listened to her blabber on about flower shops and wanting to thank him and shit. His lips pursed into a thin line. This wasn't very good, if she was working at the place that the gang had yet to make payment options with, then surely this would make things harder. No one wanted to pay protection money for a gang that wouldn't be able to keep up with their promises.

Unless. Justin slowly licked his lips before he stood up onto his feet. Reaching down, Justin offered the girl a hand to help her up. "I don't need anything, I just hate dicks who pick on girls." Wrong, he didn't like dicks who tried to move onto his gangs' territory. That guy who Justin let escape wouldn't be alive tomorrow, or he'd at least be given a warning if he was a first time offender. The gang didn't deal well with trespassers.

"Now come on, get up. You got to get somewhere to clean that scratch." Justin said as he waited for the young girl to get off the dirty ground. "I'll walk you towards your work, alright?" Justin said to reassure her that she would be safe the rest of her way to work. "That guy not going to come back either, so you'll be fine taking this route to work as well. Trust me, I know a thing or two about guys like that and they're scary cats." He said that last bit to try and crack a smile from the girl, although at the moment he wasn't sure if he would have succeeded since she seems to be so spoken up.

Once the girl was up on her own two feet, Justin gave the girl a small once over to make sure that she wasn't hurt before motioning with his head for her to lead the way. His hands slipped into his jacket pockets as he followed after the girl, staying a step behind to make sure that people knew that they weren't an item or anything stupid like that. "You like flowers, huh?" Justin asked, making small talk as he looked around to make sure that no one was going to try and sneak upon them.

@ FallenHope95

Reaching up, Bailey put her hand into his, taking his offer to help her onto her feet. Once she was standing back up, she took a deep few breaths to try to calm herself down a little bit. Just enough so that her body wouldn't be shaking so hard. When she was satisfied, turned back to the man. It seemed that he didn't want her offer of flowers. Understandable since Bailey had been unsure if he even wanted them in the first place. Though, still, she wished that she had something to offer him, something that he would see value in. It just didn't sit right with her that he didn't get anything for saving her.

"Thank you, I would really appreciate that," Bailey said softly. Having him escort her to the flower shop would definitely ease her worries. Though she was worried about heading home, as well as whenever she needed to come back. She was not so convinced that that guy would not show up again. The only reason he wasn't able to continue was that the man in front of her was able to stop him. It wasn't like Bailey had anything to stop him... Though maybe she needed to get some pepper spray or something similar.

Bailey looked to him for another moment before giving him a small nod. With that, she started to make her way to the flower spot, the man following behind her. It seemed a bit odd that he preferred to stay a step behind her, but nonetheless, it made her feel much safer knowing that he was watching her back. She reached up and wiped the remaining tears on her face. Knowing that he was bringing her to the flower shop had caused Bailey to calm back down. "Yes, very much so," Bailey responded, glancing back at the man. "I love flowers and I find them lovely and interesting. Though I think most people feel the same way." She said, a hint of a smile coming along her face.

As Bailey turned her head back to look in front of her, she continued on. "What is your name? I am Bailey." She wanted to know the man who ended up saving her. "Are you around here a lot?" She asked, a tinge of hope in her voice. Bailey knew he wouldn't look after her, or anything like that, but she would feel better knowing he was nearby, even if it was a bit silly to think so.

@ BearGirl
Hearing this girl get into the topic of flowers caused Justin's gaze to shift towards her. An just at the right time as well because that was when he got a glance at her smile. It was the first one he'd seen since he'd saved her in the alley and he was kinda surprised. It was, quite nice. It caused his heart to feel weird as well, and a yearning to grow in his mind to see that look in her eyes more. Weird.

Then, at the question that he was not ready for, Justin just arched an eyebrow. It wasn't very safe for her to know his name. It'll cause her more trouble then it's worth. A guy like him shouldn't be around good girls like her, like Bailey. She was pretty and seemed to have a very bright future in front of her. Meanwhile, he on the other hand never knew when the bullet that'd end his life would come for him. A life of constant fear wasn't something that Bailey should be dragging herself into.

"Justin." Damn, his mouth moved on its own, and just after he had made it a point to not tell her his name as well. "You could say that I am," Justin said casually as he offered her one of his side smiles before he looked away from her. Damn, for some reason she was making him speak without thinking his words through. Maybe it was because of that joint he smoked before he stepped out of his apartment today. It could have been laced with something, but, he would have known if it was laced as he got it from their supplier as they unloaded it the other day. So, why the fuck was he being so talkative to this woman who he randomly just met.

"Are you new around here? First job?" Justin asked as he mentally backhanded himself in his mind as he looked across the street, trying to seem casual as he followed her still. Keeping that same safe distance from her. This is dangerous ground that Justin was treading on, and if he didn't get a hold of himself soon then, well, things won't turn out so pretty in the end.

@ FallenHope95

"Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, Justin," Arielle spoke softly. She was also pleased to hear that he was around a bit, it seemed. Perhaps he didn't live in the neighbor but visited often enough. Still, it was an odd feeling but Arielle was happy to hear that he would be around. It did make her feel safer as if there was a possibility that he could protect her again if she needed it. Though she certainly hoped that she would not need it again.

"I am new to this area, yes. I actually moved here so I could start my master's degree at the university close by. The flower shop is not my first job but I am excited to start working there. It is a great opportunity and I do love flowers." Arielle glanced back at Justin for a moment before she continued onto the shop. Only a minute or so had passed before they arrived. The front of the shop was beautiful, baskets full of flowers were out the door and it was covered in gorgeous patio lights. Not to mention there was a lovely little bakery next door.

Arielle opened up the door to the shop before looking back to Justin. "Thank you so much for walking me to work, I really do appreciate it." She said. Arielle was quiet for a moment before continuing on. Part of her hoped that he would come inside with her, maybe take her offer of a free bouquet. "Would you like to come inside with me? Maybe you could help me wrap up my neck or take my offer or a free bouquet?" Arielle asked. Her eyes were large as she looked up at him. She wanted to learn more about the man who saved her.

@ BearGirl
A look of surprise washed over Justin's face as he heard that she was here to get her masters degree. This little kid was in college? Well, she didn't look like a kid, Justin could tell by her figure and the way that she walked that she wasn't. Still, though, she looked so young. He would have thought that she would just be starting college, not going to a masters degree.

As Bailey turned her head towards him, Justin was quick to bring back his stoic look. He didn't want her realizing that she had thrown him a wicked curveball. Instead, he just offered her a small shrug of his shoulders as he looked ahead of them once more. Following her as they made it towards the overly girly flower shop. The place screamed sweet and cute to Justin, it was a place that he would normally never step foot in or near, yet. For work, he had to. The gang already made a connection with the owner of the place. They knew the rules of the city before they opened, the gang made sure of it.

Stopping on the sidewalk, Justin looked up at the cute sign for the shop before looking back down at Baily as she offered him the chance to come inside. His lips pursed for a moment before he slowly took a few steps inside. "I'll help you bandage your neck, if I take anything from ya, I'm pretty sure it'll make your boss mad," Justin explained as he reached out and placed a hand on the door to make it wider so that he could walk in behind her.

Looking around, the place was decorated just as nicely as the outside. The shop owner did an outstanding job. Justin remembered when the guy was first here, planning where he wanted everything to go and be. The walls were so bare then and the floorplan was as open as a field. He outdid himself, Justin was impressed. "Where's the first aid kit?" Justin asked as he shifted his eyes towards Bailey for a moment. Ignoring the look of slight worry that appeared on a managers face as he was spotted near Bailey.

@ FallenHope95

"Oh, I do not think he would mind at all. He would understand, after all, you did just save me." Bailey told him as she glanced back at him again. As they went through the shop, she glanced around, seeing all of the flowers in place and everything set up. The smell of the shop hit her and she couldn't stop the small smile coming over her face. Everything had come together for opening day and Bailey was glad that she made it there.

"Just wait right here, I will go grab it." With that, Bailey headed into the back of the shop into the employee's only area. It only took her a minute to find and pull out the emergency kit. Though, once she had, Bailey came back out with the red box in hand. She headed over to Justin and set the kit down on the counter and opened it up. It was brand new and filled with everyone one would need in case of an emergency or a simple injury.

Bailey headed to the other side of the counter where he was and jumped up so she was sitting on top of it. It lifted her up higher so Justin wouldn't have to bend down to look or work on her neck. "Thank you for helping me. I don't think there is a mirror in the bathroom yet so I am not quite sure how I would be able to do it myself. Especially since I can't see how bad it is." She smiled softly at Justin before lifting her head up.

"How about you tell me a little about yourself," Bailey asked him softly. She folded her hands into her lap, interlocking her fingers together. In truth, she was a little worried that whatever Justin would have to do would hurt but it would be better to be covered than to leave it open.

@ BearGirl
It amused Justin a little bit as he listened to Bailey. She was such a naive young girl, so peppy and innocent as well. "You make it sound like I jumped in front of a bullet for you," Justin mumbled quietly as he stopped walking by the counter. He glanced towards the manager through the corner of his eye as Bailey went to the back to get the first aid kit. His eyes narrowed as the manager stared for a moment more then he likes. Then, just as the manager looked away ashamed, Bailey came back.

"Wait, so you're telling me that you didn't even check if there was a mirror in the bathroom?" Justin asked, teasing Bailey as he turned so that he was facing the counter now. His eyes following the young girl and watching her pretty body as she lifted herself onto the counter of the flower shop.

Stepping forward, Justing ignored Bailey for a moment as he looked through the kit. Debating on just placing a bandage over the cut and calling it a day or wrapping it with the gauze that was inside of it. "When did I step into a job interview?" Justin asked as he glanced up at Bailey for a moment before he got out the cotton ball and some peroxide that was inside of the kit. "This is gonna sting a bit." He told her without giving much room for her to reply as he started to lightly dab at the wound. To be honest, this was like a paper cut to Justin, he's been through and had seen a lot worst cuts.

Then, as he pulled away from the cotton ball that was a little pink from blood, he kept his gaze from her eyes as he started to get the gauze un-wrapped. "I'm just your everyday guy, I work, go home and play video games. What else is there to talk about?" Justin asked Bailey as he started to wrap the gauze around her neck. "Tell me if it's to tight." He told her as he slowly tightened the gauze so that it wouldn't move about and irritate the scratch. It'll be so easy to pull this thing and choke the girl, send the manager a message to stop staring at him, but he wouldn't do that. This girl was too pretty to become a corpse in the flower shop.

"How does that feel?" Justin asked as he clipped the end of the gauze so that it's stick together. He had adjusted it to the right tightness after listening to Bailey tell him if it'd hurt him or not. His hands moving to rest at his sides as he looked at his handy work. It's been a while since he'd bandaged someone other than himself up, so he was quite impressed with his handy work,

@ FallenHope95

"You got in between me and a knife against my throat," Bailey said as she looked at him a bit pointedly. "And he had pretty much made it clear that he was going to hurt me since I didn't have any more cash on me." As she started to think about what had occurred earlier, a deep frown moved over Bailey's face. She didn't really want to think about it at all and she could feel her stomach twisting horribly. If that man just pushed a bit harder, that knife would have hit something serious.

She took in a deep breath before deciding to move on. Not thinking about it seemed like the better option. "No... but I think it would be better if someone else did it anyway." She told him, her frown now disappearing. "I wouldn't be able to see what I was doing when I would have to lift my head up." Besides, she wanted Justin to do it. Not that she was going to say that outright. But she wanted an opportunity to learn more about him before she probably never saw him again. "Not an interview, I promise. I am just curious, that's all. But you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

As Justin pressed the gauze against her neck, Bailey closed her eyes tightly. The stinging sensation was stronger than she had to deal with before. At least it wasn't unbearable by any means. As he pulled his hand away, Bailey opened her eyes and again and let out a small sigh. She glanced down at him for a moment as he spoke again. Though Bailey slowly shifted her eyes away and just listened. A light laugh left her from his words. "There are plenty of things to talk about. I think you just don't like talking about yourself though. I am sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel like I was prying."

Bailey held onto her own hands tightly as he started to slowly wrap the gauze around her neck. It was definitely firm but not choking her. She would prefer nothing on her neck as she didn't care much for chokers but Bailey was just going to have to deal over the next few days. "It feels secure," Bailey told him, her head dropping to meet his eyes once his hands dropped. A light smile moved over her face again. "Thank you so much for your help."

@ BearGirl
It felt nice whenever Bailey said thank you. It sounded so sincere coming from her lips. Like she meant it. The feeling was weird to Justin, he wasn't really used to someone focusing so much on him when he wasn't getting his ass whooped in a fight or was focused around the gang's business.

Wanting to clear things up between them. The mushy feelings starting to make Justin feel a tad bit sick, out of his element. He acted without really thinking and reached out with his right hand and flicked Bailey in the forehead. "You say thank you to much." He told her as he pulled his hand back and started to put all of the medical supplies that weren't used back in their box. Leaving the used stuff out so that it could be thrown away later.

"There," Justin said and shoved the closed medical supplies back into her hands. "You're all bandaged up and ready to take on the world again Kid." Justin said as he offered her a hand to help her off of the counter. "I've spent enough time here, so I need to jet." He told her once she accepted his help off of the counter. "Don't go picking fights with strangers in the alley. Alright?" He sounded like he was saying goodbye for the last time, which, it probably was to be honest. Justin had no knowledge on if he'd ever actually see Bailey again anyways, this was just a chance accounter.

Slowly, Justin took a few steps away from Bailey once she was safe on the ground and pulled his hand away. "Later kid." Justin said as he turned his back towards Bailey and started to make his way towards the door. He wasn't one for mushy shit, so whatever expression Bailey would try and pull on him, it wouldn't work.

@ FallenHope95

In surprise to Justin flicking her in the head, Bailey blinked hard and jumped in a bit in her spot. Though as she glanced back at Justin, she tilted in her head a bit of confusion. She didn't understand why Justin had flicked her. It seemed odd but at the same time, Bailey found it a bit funny. It was just so random, something that she would laugh at if it were in a movie. "Why did you do that?" Bailey asked, some amusement in her voice. "And I do?" No one had ever told her that before. Though perhaps she was thanking Justin too much.

Bailey glanced down at the medical box that was suddenly shoved in her hands. She looked to the used supplies that were on the counter for a moment. Though, when she lifted her head up again, Justin was already moving on and offering her a hand down. "You make it sound like I am going to go fight crime or something," Bailey teased him lightly. She set the medical box to her other side, away from Justin, before placing her soft hand into his. With his help, the young woman slid off of the counter and onto her feet.

As he mentioned leaving, Bailey gave him a small nod. She didn't really want him to go but Bailey understood that he needed to. She couldn't keep him all to herself for the rest of the day. As much as she was curious about the man who saved her life, Bailey knew that he had his own life to live. That was all there was too it. "Well, thank you for your help again," Bailey told him. "And I promise I won't! No more fights for me." She told him with a light laugh. It was nice to be able to make some fun of a situation that had terrified her.

Bailey watched Justin start to walk away, out of the flower shop. Though she grew a little antsy, feeling something in her chest telling her to say one last thing before he went. She tapped her fingers against the back of her hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you!" Bailey called out after him. With that, Bailey watched him leave before trying to turn her attention back to the greenhouse. She supposed it was time to work.

@ BearGirl
As Justin left that little flower shop, the only thing he could muster to do was to raise his hand in a small farewell. If he turned to look back towards Bailey, he knew he'd be stuck talking to the young girl for another long moment. It wasn't because she was talkative, okay a little, but it would be because he felt a connection to her. She was a good girl though, and sadly, he was a bad boy. So, he settled for his hand wave and left the little flower shop.

It had been a couple of days since he had last seen Bailey. Justin was just doing his weekly thing in that area though, so of course, he wouldn't go to that side for pleasure. It was where all the middle class and upper class shopped after all. Whereas Justin preferred the place of his roots to hang out. The Projects, the dive bars that open and close constantly. It was gritty, but it was home to him.

Although, if the projects were homey to him, then why the hell was he sitting in a damn coffee shop in the mid part of town. Just a few blocks from that damn flower shot? Oh yeah, because it was freaking raining cats and dogs out because of some tropical storm surge passing through. So, payments were going to be a little late and Justin was pretty sure he was going to get chewed out when he went back to the hideout later today.

Raising his hot drink to his lips, Justing sipped slowly to not burn his mouth. His dark eyes looked out the window at the rain as it came down in waves. The place was packed, so he was pretty damn lucky he got a seat in the corner by himself. Hearing the bell of the door ever so slightly over the sound of the rain caused Justin to glance over as he lowered his drink, and as he did so. He froze. There, standing like a wet rat, was the pretty young girl that's been running through his mind for the past few days,

@ FallenHope95

A sigh of relief left Bailey's lips as she made her way into the coffee shop. She had gotten caught out in the tropical storm while on her way home from class. At first, Bailey thought she would be able to make it home when the storm started but as things grew worse and worse, she realized she needed to head inside fast, and went into the first shop that she could find that wasn't already completely packed. The coffee shop she found herself into was still rather busy but at least there seemed to be some room for her to at least stand in a corner.

For a moment, the young woman looked down at herself, seeing the damage that the passing storm had done. She was completely soaked from head to toe. Her cute yellow dress was clinging to her as well. Though worse than that, Bailey was shaking like a leaf. She was freezing! Bailey was quick to make her way into the woman's bathroom. Once there, she tried her best to wring out her dress, her hair and pat her skin dry. It worked enough where she wasn't dripping anymore but she was still wet and cold.

After a few minutes, Bailey made her way out of the bathroom. She headed over to the counter and ordered herself a hot coffee. After getting her cup, the young woman turned around and started to look around the shop, trying to find a place to sit. All of the tables were table but there were a few rouge chairs here and there. But, after a few moments, her eyes caught the sight of an open spot beside the man that has been stuck in her thoughts.

A large smile came over Bailey's face before she made her way over to Justin. Once she was in front of him, though, Bailey placed her hand on the back of the chair she wanted to sit down in but didn't move to do so. "Do you mind if I sit with you?"

@ BearGirl
Not wanting to be caught staring, Justin quickly turned his gaze towards the window once more. The wind had picked up, making the rain move sideways and putting an amazing show for those who were fortunate enough to not be caught in the sudden downpour that was upon them at the moment.

Hopefully, this storm would pass by in an hour or so. Because if it rained this hard for a few hours then they'd all be swimming home or having to stand on the roofs. Begging for the national guard to come around and save them. Playing victims so that those with cameras could film their saviors and reap the reward of having such dashing heroes or something insane like that.

The faint squeaking of wet shoes caught Justin's attention before the voice did. Of course, she'd come towards him. She was like a moth drawn towards a flame, always wanting something that was to damn dangerous for her. Something that she should be wary of.

A small lopsided smirk lifted on Justin's lips as he turned his gaze from the rain towards the beauty that was standing across from him. "It's a free country, Kid," Justin said casually as he leaned back in his chair casually and motioned for her to take the seat that she placed her hand on. All the while, his eyes trailed over her body quickly. Noticing how drenched she appeared to be.

"Were you on your way back from classes when the storm hit?" Justin asked as he noticed that she appeared to have a backpack with her. "Surprised your classes weren't canceled with the threat of this storm being all over the news and all." Justin mused, raising his hot drink and taking a few sips of it to warm himself up.

@ FallenHope95

Bailey smiled warmly at Justin as she pulled the chair out a bit more. She slid her backpack off and hung it onto the chair before sitting down and moving closer to the table. While Bailey did set her cup down onto the table, her fingers wrapped around it tightly. It was the little amount of warmth she was able to get in the coffee shop. The storm had made it cool inside, despite the number of bodies inside. So she couldn't help but shiver slightly, the water making the chilly air stick to her skin.

"Yes, I was actually. I thought that I could make it home before the storm hit at all. And then I thought that I could make it to my apartment before it really got nasty once I was caught in it but that wasn't the case." Bailey told him honestly. In truth, she was only a few blocks away from home now but Bailey knew she wouldn't be able to get to her apartment without getting caught up into the worst of it. "At this point, with the way the storm was, I was afraid that I would get lifted off my feet by the wind alone."

Bailey lifted her drink up to her lips and took a long, slow sip. She wanted to savor her hot drink for as long as she could. It would keep her warm, and hopefully, prevent her from getting sick. Once she set the drink down onto the table, Bailey continued. "Most of my classes were canceled by I had one professor who decided otherwise. He isn't really the type to cancel class unless the university makes him. And it's not a class that I can exactly skip."

With that, Bailey gave him a small shrug. Her fingers tapped along her cup slowly as she looked up at him. "How did you get caught in the weather? Decided not to stay home today despite the incoming storm?" She teased him lightly.

@ BearGirl
As Bailey spoke, the lopsided grin that was on Justin's lips slowly dropped. He didn't miss that lone shiver or the way she leaned towards the warmth of her drink. The girl was freaking soaked to the bone. She looked like a drowned rat for crying out loud. If Justin wasn't aware of the storm outside, he'd think that she decided to go for a swim in a lake in the middle of winter.

"Your Professor sounds like a dick." Justin straight up said as he kept his gaze on Bailey. Watching her carefully, breaking down her every action and analyzing it. Acting like she was one of his enemies, but making no move to reach for the gun that was sitting in the waistband of his pants.

A small snort escaped from Justin at Bailey's casual question. The innocent in this woman really amused Justin. Just another reminder that he really should be staying away from her, because he was as twisted as they came. As dark and tainted as the color black. "I was out running errands." He told her, his voice even so that she didn't pick up on his undertone. He was collecting the payments from the gang's businesses for their protection. When the storm neared, Justin thought it'd be nice to have a small break and not let the cash he was carrying to get wet.

After a few moments, Justin let out a small sigh and stood up. "Take your jacket off." He told her, motioning for her to do as he said. Then, he slipped his jacket off, being careful to keep his shirt over his gun and Dropped it on top of Bailey as he sat back down. "You look like a drenched rat with all of that shivering." He told her, voicing his thoughts of her appearance finally.

Then, Justin grabbed his drink and leaned back in his seat as he took a few sips once more. His gaze focused on the window once more as a gust of wind shook the glass and allowed a draft to sink into the store. "This is one wicked storm." He murmured, more to himself than to Bailey.

@ FallenHope95

"Oh, I don't think he is. Just set in his ways. I think he is probably the type of person who has a difficult time if anything changes." Bailey told him as she gave him a little shrug. "I mean apparently the university didn't feel the need to cancel all of the classes themselves. Though, most students do live on campus so it's a bit easier for them to deal with situations like this. They can just run to class and then run back to the dorms without much issue."

"Errands? In this weather?" Bailey said with a warm laugh. Despite the question, there was no hint in her voice that suggested that she did not believe him. "Well, I am sure that they were important then."

Bailey took another sip of her drink. As she set it down on the table, Justin was telling her to take off the jacket. The young woman let out a small confused hum in response but started to do as he said as Justin motioned her to do so. As she sat back down, Justin was dropping his jacket over her. Before she is able to respond, Justin called her a drenched rat. Her nose wrinkled a bit as she slid her arms into the sleeves of his jacket. It was oversized on her but Bailey wrapped it around her shivering body, clearly enjoying the warmth. "Thank you very much for the jacket but that is not very nice, calling me a drenched rat," Bailey told him, her eyebrow now raising questioningly. Did he think she always looked like a rat? That was concerning.

She shifted her eyes back to the rest of the cafe, looking around as she saw a few more people enter. It really was getting crowded in there. And she couldn't help but wonder how long the storm was going to last for. Her attention moved back to Justin as he spoke again. "It looks terrible and I would not recommend going out in it."