kenny was a good kid, he really was; he just had had a tough life. his dad was an alcoholic and his mom was always yelling, leaving him, his older brother and younger sister on their own, eventually.

he was just 18 and working a full time job to maybe be able to afford going to college. for his good fortune (or misfortune), he worked in a liquor store as a helper. he didn't want to be like his dad, but sometimes curiosity would win and he would end up passing out drunk in some alley, or smoking weed with strangers.

that's when you showed up.

you had recently moved to colorado to study, you had family there so you had a place to stay. you were going back to your uncle's after class when you saw a pair of old converse sneaking out of an alley. it was 2pm, who could be drunk this early in the afternoon?

hey there... you alright?

you spoke softly, shaking his shoulder gently. he looked around your age.