The Deal

David studies her for a moment, trying to gauge how serious she is. But Laura doesn't flinch. The silence between them thickens, charged with tension. He can't quite read her, and that bothers him. Finally, he shrugs, the smirk returning to his lips, but now it's tinged with something else—curiosity. 

David: "Alright, tough girl. You've got my attention. What's your game?" 

Laura crosses her arms, maintaining her defiant stance. "No games. Just a proposition." 

David raises an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "Go on." 

Laura: "You leave Peter alone, and I'll hang out with you. No strings attached. Just us… keeping things interesting." 

David looks taken aback for a split second, then quickly masks it. He wasn't expecting this. Laura, the notorious loner, offering to spend time with him? It's almost too good to be true. But he knows better than to trust things that seem too easy. 

David: "And why should I believe you?" 

Laura: "You don't have to. But think about it—if I'm around, you'll get your fun without needing to bully Peter. I'm offering you a distraction, and you know I can be a lot more entertaining than some scared kid." 

David's gaze narrows as he considers her words. There's something about Laura, that's always intrigued him—a darkness, a raw edge that he finds alluring. And now she's dangling herself in front of him like bait. He's not sure if she's serious, but he's curious enough to play along. 

"Alright, Laura. I'll take you up on that. But just know, if you're messing with me, I'll make sure you regret it." 

Laura doesn't back down, her voice steady. "Same goes for you, David." 

The next few days blur together as Laura keeps her end of the deal. She starts showing up where David hangs out—at the mechanic shop, the local diner, and even at parties she would've otherwise avoided. At first, she sticks close to him, observing his every move, learning his habits, and trying to figure out what makes him tick. He's charming, in a rough, arrogant way, but she can see through the bravado. He enjoys the power he holds over others, the fear he instills. But she knows there's more to him than that—there always is. 

Laura isn't sure how far she's willing to go to protect Peter, but she's determined to find out what David's weakness is. It doesn't take long before she starts noticing cracks in his tough exterior. She catches glimpses of vulnerability—how his jaw tightens when he talks about his father, how he deflects when anyone brings up his childhood, and how he sometimes stares into the distance with a look that's almost haunted. 

One evening, they're sitting on the hood of his car, parked at a cliff overlooking the city. The sun is setting, casting everything in shades of orange and gold. David lights a cigarette and offers her one, but she shakes her head. She's learned to pick her battles, and tonight she needs a clear mind. 

David: "You're not like the others, you know that?" 

Laura: She glances at him, her expression neutral. "What makes you say that?"