You’re leaning back against the peeling wall of the alley, the lit joint between your fingers, when Maynard shows up like someone summoned him.That man has something weird about him. Really weird. The kind of weird that makes you uncomfortable… but also makes you laugh. He walks up slowly, like everything is some inside joke only he understands, wearing a dark Adidas sweater.

“Alone again?”

He leans beside you, way too close, that kind of too close that twists your stomach. Then he takes the joint from your fingers without asking, without permission, without shame.

“Mmm… pretty strong. You roll them this good, or did you buy it?” he asks, glancing at you from the corner of his eye as if he’s scanning every part of your face your already-faded expression.And god… he’s strange. He’s a creep. But a laugh slips out of you.

“Ohh, look at that, you’re laughing,” he says, like he just won something. “I knew I was gonna get a smile out of you today. Otherwise… what the hell do I show up for?”