The look on Rian Dawson's face when he stepped into Landon Keller's apartment was priceless.
"Landon," He whispered, quietly. "Bob Marley was reincarnated into a white guy sitting on your couch."
"Don't be silly, Rian," Landon laughed. "That's Iris."
Rian Dawson stared dumbly at the boy who was no older than he was. His eyes were bloodshot and puffy, and a blunt was hanging between his lips.
Rian Dawson had no idea how he ended up here.
"How about we go grab breakfast when you're off," Rian smiled as he brought his bottle of Bud Lite to his lips. "It's almost three, and we're in New York. There has to be some place open."
Landon smiled, "You don't have to do this, Rian."
"What? Catch up with an old friend?"
"You know what I mean," Landon tucked a piece of her dark hair behind her ear.
"Alex can't dictate who I'm friends with."
Landon closed her eyes. She knew this wouldn't end well, but Rian was as stubborn as they come, "Okay, but I need to run home in change, or else I'll look like hired help."
"Iris, eh?" Rian scratched the back of his head, uncomfortably.
The guy nodded almost obliviously.
"That's one of my favorite Goo Goo Dolls songs."
"My name's meaning is more significant than a washed up 90's band's song," Iris said calmly. "Faith, wisdom, and hope are the most important aspects of anyone's life. I bet you shop at commercially active superstores that ensure the oppressiveness of thousands of people worldwide"
Rian looked to Landon for help, but she just giggled.
"Did you know that Wal-Mart kills millions of people a year."
Rian turned to Landon, her face beet red from laughing, "Let's go, Rian."
Rian followed Landon into her room, "That kid either smokes too many bowls, or was born a few decades too late."
"I think it's both."
"When did you join this scene?" Rian said with a hint of a smirk.
"Please, you only had to endure five minutes with Iris," Landon grabbed a pair of jeans out of her top drawer. "Try living with one who hates everything you wear, eat, and all the morals you live by."
"I don't know how you do it, Laney."
"Harmony was the first person I met here. You just have to get used to her, along with the constant second hand high."
"Which I have, by the way."
Landon laughed, "Just let me change, and we'll go."
Landon Keller and Rian Dawson sat in silence on the subway, the only noise echoing in their ears was the homeless man who was playing the saxophone.
Landon wasn't sure if Rian knew what he was getting himself into. He knew what Alex was capable of, and he knew that Alex had no tolerance for backstabbers.
But maybe this was only backstabbing in Landon's eyes. Maybe she underestimated Rian. Maybe the quiet boy in the background had this hidden side. This hidden said that didn’t give a fuck what Alex Gaskarth thought.
"This is our stop," Landon said quietly.
She and Rian exited the subway car, and walked up the trash lined stairway. They took a left, then a right, then another right, and ended in front of The Brooklyn Diner.
"They have the best hash browns in all of Time Square," Landon squealed.
The two found a booth near the door, and each slid into one of the benches.
"What can I get you two to drink?" An older woman smiled.
"I'll have a Coke."
"Sprite for me," Rian said.
"So, Rian Dawson," Landon placed her menu down. "Are you and Kara still that obnoxiously adorable couple?"
He began to blush.
"Aw, Rian," Landon laughed.
The two talked for a good hour, and the question of Landon's current occupation was just itching its way to the surface.
"Laney, why- why are doing what you're doing?"
"Why am I eating my hash browns with a whole bottle of ketchup?"
"No, everyone and their mother knows about your obsession with ketchup. Why are you working at a sleazy bar?"
"It pays the bills."
"What bills? Your rent? At that apartment that isn't even up to code?"
"It keeps me away from Maryland."
"Or Alex?"
Landon stayed quiet.
"Which one are you really running from?"
"Both," She whispered as the door to the diner opened.
Rian looked up. Landon didn't bother.
She was glad she didn't.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me," His voice was so familiar. Too familiar, actually.
"Alex," Rian started.
"Does your girlfriend know you're hiring help?"
"This was a bad idea," Landon whispered.
"Yeah, Landon, you usually are a bad idea."
"Alex, that's enough," Rian said angrily.
"Don't tell me you're falling for this slut's tricks, Rian."
"You need to leave, Alex. Now," Rian hissed.
"Gladly," Alex pushed his way out the door, and Jack (who for once in his life didn't say a word) followed behind.
Landon buried her face in her hands, and quietly sobbed.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't listen to him."
"He's your best friend, Ri, you're supposed to be on his side."
"And who's on your side, Landon?" Rian asked.
"Me."
"Landon, after graduation everyone was so concerned about Alex, and how Alex was coping, but come on, Landon. Who was concerned about you?"
"Me."
"To be honest, Alex had it easy. He had to deal with the thought of it. Landon, you had to live through it. You had to make the decision, and you had to live with it. I'm sorry if, for once in my life, I don't agree with what Alex is doing, or how he's dealing with this situation."
Rian Dawson was officially Landon Keller's lucky star.
"You didn't have to walk me home, Rian," Landon laughed, gently.
"Do you want to know a secret?" He whispered.
She nodded.
"I don’t know where my hotel is."
Landon erupted in laughter, "Are you serious?"
"Unfortunately."
Landon grabbed his hand, and dragged him into her apartment, "You're lucky you're Rian Dawson. I only let New York elite stay here."
"New York's elitist drug dealers?"
"Watch it, or you can have a nice sleep on the couch with Iris."
They walked into Landon's room, and she turned the light on. The truth of the matter was she hadn't shared a bed with a guy since that night with Alex in late April of 2006. Rian caught on to the tension, "I can sleep on the floor."
"And catch a disease? Then I'd have to explain to Alex that his drummer is dead? Besides, it's not like we've never shared a bed before..." Landon trailed off.
"Yeah," Rian scratched the back of his neck.
The two climbed into her bed, and just laid silently. The green glow from her alarm clock read 4:37 AM. It was a mix between that, the gun shots, and Rian soft breathing that kept her awake.
But, for some reason, she liked it.
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