Romeo is Homeless by Julie Frayn

enough he was going to hear her vomit, he didn’t have to watch.
    A girl sat cross-legged on the concrete with her back against the bin, shoulders slouched forward, head hanging to one side at an awkward angle. A needle stuck out of the girl’s left arm, a pink ribbon hung from the crook of her elbow. Her skin was chalk white. Bright purple bruises covered her forearm.
    August screamed and turned away, almost falling over a short pile of wooden crates. She doubled over them and threw up, spattering vomit all over a grey cat that rested there. He ran down the alley hissing and screeching.
    Reese was behind her, pulling back her hair. When she stopped heaving, he turned her around to face him, engulfing her in his long arms. “You okay? Why’d you scream?”
    She peered around his arm and looked down at the dead girl behind him.
    Greasy copper hair was pulled back into pigtails high up on each side of the girl’s head, a dirty pink ribbon hung wilted from one side. A half-eaten lollipop lay on the ground next to her limp hand and a skipping rope, curled neatly and tied in place with its own ends, lay atop a worn pink backpack covered in filthy, tattered bows.
    She pulled away from him and pointed. He turned and looked down.
    “Oh shit! It’s Tanya.” He kneeled beside the girl and touched her ashen face. He pulled one eyelid open with his thumb, then held the girl’s hand and bowed his head. “She’s dead. We better bolt.”
    “Shouldn’t we call the police?”
    “What good will they do her now? They’ll just harass us. C’mon.” He took August’s hand and pulled her away, then they sprinted down the alley.
    Blocks later, when they were well inside the park, they slowed down. She dropped to the grass, pulling him down with her, and gasped for breath, her heart racing. When it found a slower rhythm she sat up and looked over at him.
    He lay with one arm thrown over his face. He didn’t make a sound but what few tears he’d cried left track marks on his dirty cheeks.
    “Were you close to her?”
    He rubbed his face with both hands and propped himself up on his elbows.
    “She’s part of the family. One of a bunch of us that hang together. Shit. I’ve got to tell Amber.” He got to his feet and pulled August up.
    She followed him. He led her through the park, never letting go of her hand. He wasn’t alone after all. He had friends. Her stomach filled with butterflies and her hand trembled inside his. Was it finding Tanya dead in the alley, or meeting this group of his friends that had her so freaked out? Maybe both.
    Three teenagers sat under the shade of a massive tree. The faint smell of coffee and cinnamon floated on the air, getting stronger as they approached the group.
    “Hey, Reese-man!” The only boy in the group flashed a peace sign. “Who’s the chick?”
    Reese sat next to the boy and pulled her down right beside him, her hand still safe in his grasp.
    “This is August. That’s Guy, Amber. And that’s Ricki.” Reese pointed to each of them as he said their names.
    “Nice to meet you,” August mumbled. She sat cross-legged on the lawn and stared at the grass, pulling up individual blades.
    “Hey, September,” Guy said. “Welcome!”
    “Her name is August, dude.” Reese lit a cigarette and took a long drag. “Don’t call her September.”
    August lifted her eyes to peer at the group, her hands trembling. She was comfortable with Reese within minutes, put at ease by his casual nature and his kindness. But these three scared the shit out of her.
    Guy’s olive complexion was deepened by dark eyebrows and long black hair. Eyes almost as dark as his brows were framed with thick, luscious lashes. His hair was tied back with a dirty, pink ribbon – just like the one around Tanya’s arm.
    Amber was tall and skinny and blonde, her flawless skin deeply tanned. The palest green eyes seemed to jump out from soft brown lashes. She was remarkable looking.
    Ricki scowled at August with