Chapter Text
It was a very cloudy, rainy day, just like any rainy day in New York, it was pretty bad for Leroy though. He'd been living on the streets for a couple now, lying under a bridge with a dirty mattress and blanket, Leroy curled up in the mattress, turning his head a bit to watch the rain trickle down onto the concrete. Leroy starts to get cold, he tries to curl further into his blanket and mattress to warm up but it doesn't work, he groans and sits up, he should go to the bar he usually does, it's pretty warm there, even though it smells foul..
Leroy gets up, puts on his hood and turns to leave and starts walking to the bar. The bar he usually hung out at was the bar Riley Vercelles was the manager of, they worked behind the bar and mixed drinks occasionally for Leroy and his friends. One could say Leroy and his friends were decently close to Riley, they aren't friends or, they never said they were. Usually Leroy walks with his friends, but this time he was heading alone, it felt a bit odd but he went with it, it's either he stays in the freezing cold, under the bridge, or he goes into the warm bar, alone.
Leroy pushed open the doors to the bar to hear some loud music and chattering between loads of adults, drunk confessions spewed in the air, loads of drunk middle aged men cheering for whatever sports game was on. Leroy took off his hood and walked over and sat at the service area where he was met with a familiar face
--Hey, Leroy. -Riley greeted him, --Sup, Ry. -Leroy greeted Riley back, --Where are your friends you usually walk in here with? -Riley asked Leroy. --Oh, I just went alone I was.. on a walk and it started to rain, so I just walked in here to get warm, they aren't here with me. - Leroy said, Riley gave a suspicious look before nodding, --Yea, rain can be a real pain in the ass. - Riley replied to Leroy, Leroy was glad Riley didn't push him further on if he was lying, he can't let ANYONE know, he can't let anyone see him sleeping under a bridge with no home, not even his friends know
Then a figure plopped down next to Leroy and started to talk to Riley, not realizing that Riley was talking to someone, Leroy turned his head to look at the figure. She was around his age, had short curly ginger frizzy hair with a small side braid, a black short sleeved tee with green sleeves, a grey star on the middle of the shirt, tan cargo shorts with converse on, she had freckles that really stood out. --Hey, Riles.. -The person greeted Riley, Riley smirked upon seeing her, they seemed to recognize her, --Hey, Leah. -Riley greeted back to the girl who's name was "Leah."
--God...PEOPLE these days.. -Leah said, looking and sounding upset. Riley sighed. --What happened this time? -Riley asked, putting their drink-shaker aside, wondering what it could be Leah is so upset about. --So, I was at a rave, and this guy kept bumping into me! I told him to back off or he's getting a left hook! And he said "I didn't even do anything." Like, YES YOU DID!- Leah hissed, upset. Rambling about some guy who kept annoying her at a rave, decently aggravated and pissed off, rightfully so. --So I left and came here, give me a beer. -Leah requested, no. DEMANDED. --Right on it. - Riley said, acting like they've had this conversation more times than they have wanted before going to give Leah her beer. Leah lifted her head up to look at the beer being placed infront of her. --Thanks.. - Leah thanked Riley before picking up the Beer and taking a big swig out of it, accidentally slamming the beer down once she's done taking the large sip, some beer accidentally falling onto the service area table. Leroy is a bit surprised how THIS is his first impression of one of Riley's friends.
--Careful with the desk, i just cleaned it. - Riley said, grabbing a rag and wiping down the beer spill. --My bad, Riles. - Leah apologized to Riley, being more careful with her beer now. Then Leah looked to the side and then noticed Leroy looking at her, her brow furrowed very lightly --What are you looking at. -Leah asked Leroy, --Chill Leah, that's Leroy he's one of my friends. -Riley said, trying to introduce Leroy to Leah, he waved in a small way. Leah looked a bit calmer, --Oh! Why didn't you speak up sooner, Leroy? -Leah asked, looking at Leroy more happier and calmer. --Well you were blowing off about some guy, didn't know how to cut in with you rambling constantly. -Leroy said in his usual teasing talking tone, Leah chuckled. --Fuck off! -She said jokingly, nudging him in the shoulder with her elbow. --You're cool! Why didn't you point him out sooner Riley? -Leah asked, --Yeah, Riley, why didn't you, don't you care about me? -Leroy butted into the conversation, using that teasing tone, obviously joking, Riley groaned. --Oh shut up.. - Riley said, Leah and Leroy chuckled.
--Leah is Doug not coming today? -Riley turned to Leah to ask, Leah sighed. --Noope. He's just very fashionably late. -Leahsaid, irritated. --Ugh, he's always late.. -Riley said, equally as aggrivated. Leroy looked at the two of them, confused. --Who's Doug? -Leroy questioned. --Oh, he's one of our buddies, he tried to become a comedian but failed and eventually gave up on it. -Leah answered, --Why, did he like, not have enough money for it or something? -Leroy asked Leah, curious. --Oh, nah.. His jokes were.. not the best, they weren't problematic or anything, he just doesn't have good jokes, you'll see when you meet him. -Leah replied, wincing awkwardly, probably remembering one of his bad jokes. Leroy nods in understanding. --Is he one of those people to carry around a joke book or something? -Leroy asks, Leah lightly chuckles. --Oh worse, he remembers them. -Leah said, having a sip of her beer. --Oh god, who even remembers those jokes in joke books? People who find the jokes in joke books funny older than being in the 3rd grade? -Leroy asks, --Apparently he does.. -Leah said, laughing slightly.. after a few moments, a guy sits next to Leah. --Hey Leah. -He says, waving. Charlie beams --My man!! -She greets him with a hand shake, --Oh, Doug! Meet Leroy! -She said leaning back a bit to show Leroy to Doug. --You're Doug? -Leroy asks, --Yup, that's me. -Doug said, extending a hand to shake, Leroy meets his hand, shaking it. --Nice to meet you. - Doug greeted him. --Nice to meet you aswell. -Leroy greeted Doug back
--Could ya have been ANY later, Doug? -Leah asked, --Oh but I had an emergency, my dog sat on sandpaper, it was ruff! -Doug said laughing, Leroy side-eyed Leah. Oh god she was right, his jokes SUCK. --Oh god, i'm gonna punch you for that joke, THAT will be ruff. -Leah "barks" back. (haha get the joke?) Leroy snickered at Leah's reply. After a bit of conversing and many terrible jokes later, Riley's phone pings, they pick up their phone and smile, leaning against the bar as they text, Leah notices. --Oooh, finally got a man? -Leah teases, --Nah, but a.. woman. -Riley says, Leah's face LIGHTS UP, she stands up slightly from her seat --Who!? How'd you meet?! TELL ME EVERYTHING!! -Leah exclaims bouncing up and down. --Her name is Zoey, we met at the bar a few weeks back and started to talk, she loves to draw.. She always brings her sketch pad to draw. -Riley said, smiling softly. Leah coos. --Aww that's so CUTE!! -Leah says a bit loudly before getting an idea, she slams her beer down and stands up. --WE SHOULD MEET HER!!
It falls silent for a moment. Riley snickers, --Yea, i wouldn't mind that.. -they say, rubbing the back of their neck, Leah is ECSTATIC to meet her, --YAYY!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!! -Leah exclaims. --Yup, me too.. Just don't get drunk beforehand.. -Riley says, Leah sloowwlly puts down her beer, sitting down again. --Yea, maybe that's a good idea. -Leroy speaks up.