What's your Price? ((open))

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 Brett Price walked down to end of the street where a homeless man always sold crappy clothing. Brett made her way to a black hoodie and picked it up, "What's the price?" Brett asked. The homeless man held up ten fingers and Brett gave him the money. "Thanks." Brett pulled the jacket over her head and walked back up the street. It had been two weeks since she found an abandoned apartment building to stay in with Trigger, her kitten. Brett walked fast as the sun dropped in the sky, she didn't want any unwanted confrontations.     

 

[Needmorefood]

Mind if I join?))

The day had been a good one! Nonie had gotten a decent amount of cash from begging, and a particularly fortunate ten dollar bill had been lying on the sidewalk, half covered in dirt. All together, she had gotten enough to purchase a nice amount of food to store away. That or buy new shoes. The ones she currently wore had been worn down almost to the point of creating a hole where her heel was. However, she doubted that anyone in the store would sell her anything even if she came in with cash. One glance down at her attire and she knew she'd most likely be rejected at the doorstep. Sighing but content nonetheless, Nonie shifts her can and stuck it in her jacket's pocket, pulling her hood lower over her face.

She couldn't wait to get home. Both from excitement and fear. Night was always more dangerous, especially for the homeless. So she walked with a quick stride and turned the corner. Unfortunately, she crashed straight into someone with a yelp. Nonie stumbled backwards and landed on her rump with a thud. Yikes, that hurt! "S-sorry." Nonie mumbled, getting to her feet unsteadily

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((Of course ^^))
Brett sat on the ground and rubbed her face, she slowly looked up afraid that she had got the attention of some people she didn't want to. "It's fine," Brett sighed with relief. "Are you okay?" Brett asked getting to her feet and dusting off her new hoodie. Brett watched this girl, she looked homeless and alot worse off than Brett. Bret wondered what had happened to this person, "Hey um, where are you going?" Brett wondered aloud.

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Nonie blinked at the girl she had bumped into. She seemed normal. The question caught Nonie off guard though. Most avoided looking at the homeless, much less talking to them. "Oh. I'm just, um, heading home." She replied awkwardly, shrugging. Then Nonie mentally flinched. Why had she told this girl that? Oh well, it probably didn't matter anyways. This girl would likely forget Nonie in a few minutes. She was just one homeless among many others. "Uh, what are y-you doing?"

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Brett watched the girl carefully then sighed, "I am also heading home, to my baby kitten." Brett added. Brett looked at the girl's clothes, torn, and dirty. Brett balled her hand into a fist, 'this world sucks...' Brett whipped her green bag around her shoulder and pulled out a plastic bag, she opened it and pulled out a new pair of jeans and a dark blue tee shirt. "Here" Brett held them out. Brett refuses to beg and with her job she is probably better off than this girl. "It's not much, you can refuse this and I don't know your life but if you need these please take them."

Brett thought back to a time with her mom, they were rich once, very rich, and her mom took Brett shopping. A man sat in rags outside of the store asking people for money and then Brett's mom. Brett's mom laughed and walked away, but Brett didn't understand so she asked. "I am ashamed you don't understand why we don't give into beggars." Brett's mom knelled down next to Brett and looked her straight in the eyes, "People who think of themselves as lower will be treated lower. Never ever think of yourself as lower. Never beg. Never be below people, no matter you'r situation, you are always in control of your life so if you hit rock bottom, stand up and fight." Brett stared at her mom. "Just like daddy?" Brett asked as her mom stood up and dusted off her skirt. "Yes." Brett's mom smiled, and playfully punched Brett.

A few years later things got bad, her family lost everything. Brett's father was murdered and Brett's mom couldn't handle it and killed herself. Brett knew she couldn't ask like these things from people but she could help people like her stand back up even if it's just to take another punch.

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Nonie's eyes shot open. Wait, was this really happening? With shaking hands, she extended them out to take the clothes. However, she stopped, retracting her hands slightly as if the objects were going to bite her. Brand new jeans! And a new shirt! They looked fresh out of the store! And yet... Nonie hesitated before pulling her hands back in to her chest. She bit her bottom lip and looked away. "N-no... I-I shouldn't..." She mumbled. "I mean I don't- I couldn't.... I definitely d-don't have enough to pay you back." She stumbled out. "A-and they look so new! You shouldn't give them to... To someone like me. I mean- they're yours!" She said as an excuse. She really had no idea why she was refusing.

They were BRAND NEW JEANS. And a good looking shirt! This opportunity would never come again!

But some part of Nonie felt bad. Unworthy even. Yeah, maybe her brain was over dramatizing it, but she just couldn't. Maybe it's because this girl was actually giving her this stuff. It was just so weird and... Different. Nonie didn't know how to react properly. Sure, she's faced indifference, hostility, and the occasional forced politeness. But this? Genuine kindness? Clothes that looked fresh off the hangers? Was this all actually a hallucination from dehydration?

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Brett watched the girl reached for them, her hands were shaking and then she pulled back. 'What has she been through?' Brett thought. Brett felt guilty, this girl must feel like crap, she knew she sure felt like that when a woman gave her a water bottle and once an old lady gave her money but Brett wasn't begging or asking for it- it- "It happens, you know? Kindness." Brett took her extra clothes out of the bag and placed the blue shirt in jeans in the plastic bag, "To keep them clean when your not wearing them." Brett handed the plastic bag to the girl.

"I'm Brett Price. I don't know what you have been through but whatever it was now you can stand back up, even if you get hit down again." Brett sounded like her mother when she repeated the words she told her when she was bullied, or even when she got into fight and when she was hanging out with the wrong people. Brett wanted to walk away and be done, she had done her best to help even just a little but Brett knew she could do more. "I work at that store on the corner it's near a playground, if you ever need um help or something." Brett smiled, then turned away. It was too dangerous late for them.

'I hope it helps.' Brett says herself.

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Nonie stared down at the bag now in her hands, and then back up at the girl as she spoke. This had to be a dream, right? But no, she could feel the crinkly texture of the plastic on her fingertips. This definitely wasn't a dream. When he brain finally registered this, Nonie clutched the bag to her chest tightly, as if it would try to run away from her. Her face, dusty and dirty, brightened up as she smiled. "T-thanks! Thanks so much!" She exclaimed. "I.. Ju-Just thanks!" She repeated, unsure of what else to say

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((How do we keep this going after they leave?? lol))
"It's no problem!" Brett waves. Brett looked at the girl, she really did help her and it made Brett feel strong again. Brett had a purpose to be stronger and continue on she needed to help others stand up too.

[Needmorefood]

They meet again later? I could do a time skip if you wanted, so they can meet up again.))

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(Sounds awesome!)

[Needmorefood]

Ok then!))

A few days later, and Nonie was walking down the street, plastic bag over her arm. She had managed to get some more food with her earnings for that day. She couldn't wait to get home and heat up some soup! But then, that reminded her of something. She needed to get some more matches. And didn't she need more bandaids? And probably scissors, along with some Advil for some of the others... Nonie sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. Yeah, there were a few things she still needed. Luckily, she was wearing those new clothes that girl had given her. With them, she had actually managed to go into a store without being stared at! She only wore them when she needed to go shopping though. She'd get them dirty if she wore them too much. Now then... Nonie glanced around and spied a convenience store. That would have some of the things she need, right? Nonie adjusted the grey jacket (it was the cleanest one she could find. She just felt naked without a jacket on) she wore over her 'fancy clothes,' and headed inside.

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Today Austin is at the register, Brett figured he was attracting more customers but by the end of the day would have a restraining order. Brett carried a brown box from the back room where the other female worker sat on her phone only looking up to glare at Brett, it was as if Brett had told all of her darkest secrets to Austin who told the world but Brett doesn't even know her name. Brett is on goods duty, she gets to restock shelves and put moved objects back in their spot. Brett loves her job for the money and it is simple but if she could work else where she would. Brett is in a gang but doesn't participate is most of the gang's activities or follow most of it's issues, she is such a low rank that she is invisible to the gang itself. Brett did once have a run in with a rival gang member who recognized her but she moved quick and vanished. Brett now keeps her head low, and restocks snow globes. "Austin!" Brett yelled at the sleeping boy, his feet up on the counter and blue hat covered his face, he didn't flinch and Brett sighed.

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Nonie heard yelling but just figured it was the workers and went to start searching the shelves after grabbing a shopping basket. No one glanced at her. That was one of the nice things about these stores; they didn't ask any questions if you came in looking like a living pile of dirt. As long as you had cash, you could buy. Speaking of buying, Nonie spotted the bandaids and began placing some packs into her basket, along with a few other medical items. She found the Advil too, and added that to the basket. Deodorant would probably be a good idea too. She had enough, right? Nonie headed towards that section before she noticed a familiar figure stocking shelves. She froze in place, blinking. "Y-you?" She squeaked, blinking in disbelief

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Brett looks up towards the voice and stops fixing the snow globes, "Me?" It takes Brett a moment to recognize the girl. Brett stares at her then remembers blue shirt and jeans she had given away. "Blue Jeans!" Brett smiles, the girl had never told Brett her name but it didn't offend Brett, much. Brett stands up wiping off her apron and hands, since there isn't many customers most of the items get dusty. Staring at the girl then her basket Brett smiles, "You got a job, right?" Brett felt hopeful, how else could this girl afford necessities.

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Nonie blinked and then smiled sheepishly. "Uhh... N-not exactly. The last time I got a job, it um... Ended badly." She mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Oh, I never got your name by the way!" She said quickly to change the subject. "My name's Nonie." Wait, why was she telling her this? Was it because the girl had actually been nice? Or just because Nonie didn't want to talk about her first job 'experience?' Jeez, she was breaking some of her own rules! Now how would this girl forget her?

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"Oh, maybe you could work here? My manger is pretty awkward and not much happens here but I'm sure you would do well here." Brett picked up the now empty box, "My name is Brett Price, nice to meet yah Nonie!" Brett felt bad she almost forgot what the girl looked like even if she had red hair, it was dark when they met and it's the only excuses she could think of to give to herself.

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Nonie blinked and thought on it. It sounded like a good deal but... "Nice to meet you Brett! But uh... I think I might pass on the whole job thing." She admitted, shifting the bag on her arm. "I-I mean I'm happy you offered b-but I just... I'm not really good with the whole job thing... Last job I worked at was a disaster." She could remember it now and grimaced slightly. Yeah no. She didn't want another mix in with the cops.

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"Okay but if you ever need one just come back, okay?" Brett really did worry for Nonie and she understands how she felt. 'Toughen up Price!' Brett what her gang would say, that is if she ever really became apart of them. "Well I can give you my discount if you want, workers get discounts its like 5 percent off, not much but hey saves you money. oh, i'll be right back!" Brett picked up the box and headed into the back room to exchange it for another one.

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Nonie blinked. Even more kindness? Wow, this was really weird. Nonie chuckled slightly despite herself and shook her head. When Brett returned, Nonie smiled. "Th-thanks! I don't.... You've been really nice and I-I'm just kinda not used to it. I-I really appreciate all this stuff you're doing. I don't really deserve it though, and I don't want to get you in trouble. Bu-but ummm..." Nonie shuffled slightly, blushing slightly in embarrassment. This girl seemed so nice to a complete stranger. There wasn't anything Connie could give her in exchange really except... "If- if you ever need help, just ask. I-I know is not much at all, but I just really wanted to do something in return because you've been really nice and I'm not used to it and all." She said in a rush, rambling a bit. "An-and if you're ever in trouble you can uh- if you run into the alleys or under the bridges and meet some of my 'friends,' j-just say I sent you and they'll help you." She finished quickly, her voice getting quieter at the end.

She sounded so ridiculous! This girl probably thought she was crazy now! Blushing a little in embarrassment, Nonie fiddled with her jacket, pulling it up a little to conceal her face as she averted her head slightly. Why oh why did she say that? Stupid, stupid, stupid!