The third chapter, finally. R&R
"Aye baby, c'mere, I'm Justin, what's yo pretty name? "
He gave me a look over and licked his lips, "Nigga I dunno who th' fuck you think you is but get th' FUCK OUT MY FACE! "I yelled, pulling my arm away. He just laughed and held onto my arm tighter. I could feel it going numb and turning purple.
He approached me a few minutes ago, complementing me on how pretty I was. Naturally, I took it and thanked him, but he just kept hanging around like a fucking fly and now, he thought he could score.
"Baby, let's go somewhere, "He said in this voice that made me want to chew his head off, "Nigga how bout no? "I spat.
By now, people were staring. Some had stopped and looked like they wanted to intervene but were too scared to. I would be scared too. This nigga looked like he could probably lift me up and use me as a weapon against everyone in this mall.
I felt another hand on my arm and whirled around, relieved to see it was Riley. He looked more than pissed off and gave Justin a death glare, "Nigga hop off already, she don't want yo dumbass, "Riley said, pushing the nigga off of me. Justin arched his eyebrow and chuckled, "Oh, so yo little middle school ass is gonna fight me? "His eyes flickered with anticipation.
Riley held his ground, "She's my homegirl; no one else's, "
Justin rolled his eyes, "Plenty of fish in the sea, "He said, "Well this fish is my homey, "Riley gave the guy another look, warning him. Justin didn't get the message. Instead, Justin took a deep breath and reeled back, letting his fist fly straight for Riley. I screamed and pulled at Riley's arm, but Riley was quicker. He dodged and sent a blow into Justin's side, pushing him back into a stand full of shot glasses. The glasses fell to the floor, shattering. Justin stood back up and brushed the glass off of his body like it was nothing.
"That's yo best shot? "He snickered, coming in for a second hit.
"SECURITY! "A man's voice yelled. I turned my head and saw a tall white guy, fat and wide, running towards us decked out in a mall cop uniform. Riley grabbed my arm and took off, making me dropping the things I had in my hand. I grabbed my phone from my bra and held it in my hand tightly. Riley dragged me out of the store and into the crowd, weaving through. It took us a moment to realize that he wasn't following us.
Relieved, we headed outside, "Well, this sucks, "I muttered rubbing at my scuffed shoes. We got a few looks from some people entering the mall; but this was normal.
Most people knew about Riley and me, since we were the main two getting into the most trouble in all of Woodcrest. That nigga either was new and didn't know us or was just an idiot who needed to walk the streets a little more.
Riley and I weren't a thing, but most people treated us as if we were a thing; two kids in their own world. In a way, I guess that's how it was. It was always me and Riley, Riley and me; never apart. We did everything together, ever since we were kids. Even though there was that year difference, we were like brother and sister.
"Aye Reezy, when yo birthday coming' up? "I asked, trying to lighten the mood. Riley had been staring at the ground like he was ready to fight that, too. Riley shrugged, "Next month, "
"Yo ass finally be fifteen? "I teased.
Riley smirked.
We headed into the parking lot and hailed a taxi.
"Timid Deer Lane, "I said, and the driver nodded gruffly and started to drive. Riley sat next to me, extremely close. I tried to talk to him, but he seemed so distracted by something. I guess that nigga really got to him.
We pulled onto the street and hopped off. I paid him, and Riley and I walked the rest of the way.
"So, what'cha gon' do fo' yo birthday Reezy? "I asked.
Riley seemed to perk up a bit, "Well hell, probably gon' go out wit' Ed an' Rummy again. You down? "
I was about to say yes, but then I thought about something, "Aye, why don't we do somethin', "I suggested, "Jus' us two. "
"Really? "He gave me a look, his eyebrow arched in that cute way. I blushed, but turned away and fanned my face with my hand, not wanting him to see me blush like that.
"Yeah, anythin' you wanna do, "I said. We stopped in front of Jazzy's house. "What'cha say? "I asked.
Riley smiled, "Yeah, I like it, "He said. We fist bumped, as usual, and he began to walk away. I stood there, with my phone in hand on the hot sidewalk and watched him walk away. He turned around for a second and looked at me, giving me a lazy half smile and a wave. Then, he turned back around and continued to walk away.
I swear I almost melted right there.
Mrs. Dubois greeted me inside.
"Well hello, Cindy, "She said, beaming at me. I took off my shoes and she placed them in the living room, "Hey Mrs. Dubois, "I said, "Where's Jazzy? "
"She's in her room, "Mrs. Dubois sounded sad, "Poor thing, she's come down with some stomach bug. She's been throwing up a lot, "
"Oh, "I said.
I headed upstairs to Jazzy's room, looking at the pictures on the wall. There were pictures of Jazzy from first grade to high school; every first-day-of-school picture was hung here. She was always smiling. Jazzy and I only recently hung out, since maybe middle school, especially now that were both took dance together in high school. That was when the black in her came out. Jazmine was too embarrassed to dance in front of Huey, so stuck to him at parties. One day, she's gonna have to dance.
I knocked on her door, "Jaz? "
"Cindy, come in, "Her voice was small and she sounded like she'd been crying. I opened the door.
The room was dark. The curtains were drawn and let in very little light. Clothes were everywhere; Jazmine hadn't bothered to clean, which was odd. Her bed was occupied by a large lump covered by a blanket: Jazmine.
"Jazzy? Wha's wrong? "I asked, approaching her in bed. The lump shuddered. Then, her head popped out from underneath the blanket, her afro larger than anything I'd ever seen. "Damn Jazzy, wha's wrong? "Now I was concerned. Jaz hated her hair with a passion. To leave it in it's natural form was worrying.
"Cin, am I an idiot? "She asked.
"No way Jazzy, "I said, sitting down. I got a better look at her face. It was all puffed up and red, especially her eyes. The emerald color of her eyes were darkened by the tears, "I screwed up, "She sobbed, throwing her arms around me. I held her, "Jaz, I'm sure you didn't do nothin' wrong, "I assured her. She just sobbed louder, "My parent's will kill me! "
"C'mon, tell a sista wha' happened, "I said.
Jazmine looked up at me with the biggest, saddest eyes ever, "I'm pregnant, "
Holy. Shit.
"Wait... what? "I couldn't believe it.
"I found out last night, "Jazmine's lips quivered, "Huey's the father, "
"Well naw Jazzy, "I said sarcastically, trying not to show how worried I was. Her father is gonna kill her when he finds out! I imagined an all out war: the Freeman's vs. the Dubois. The thought actually scared me; I would be thrown in the middle with Jazzy and this baby.
"Does Huey know? "I asked.
She shook her head, "No... I haven't had the heart to tell him, "Jazmine rubbed her eyes with her hands as more tears came out. I hugged her, "Jazzy, I'm always here girl. I ain't goin' no where. You can room wit' me if Huey can't take care of ya! "I said, "I'll help wit' the baby, "
Jazmine sat up and smiled, "Thanks Cin, but..., "She stared at the ground.
"What? "I asked.
"I've been looking into abortion, "She whispered, hugging a pillow to her body. I felt my head grow light at that word; abortion. "Jazzy, you can't be serious, are you? "I asked. She didn't reply, "Jaz this baby is a livin' thing! How can ya kill it without second thought? "
Jazmine sighed, "I don't know what else to do, Cindy! My parents will throw me out! I'll have to live with Huey..., "She grew quiet, "And I don't really want to. "
"Why not? "
"Huey's just so mean! "Jazmine said, "He's always making fun of me and telling me how wrong I am in everything! Even at school, he mocks me when I pass by and he's with his friends. Then I come over and it's just us two and he's telling me that he loves me and how he'll always want me. Well why can't he want me in the open?! "She threw her hands up in the air, then let them flop onto the bed, "If I have this baby, everyone will know it's his. It'll ruin everything. He'll never forgive me. "
"Damn it Jaz, it takes two to make a baby, "I said, "He's just as guilty as ya, "
"What am I gonna do, Cindy? "She asked me.
"Well, we have to tell Huey, "I said after a moment, "He needs to know, he's th' daddy, "
"Yeah, I guess, "Jazmine sighed. She stood up and threw on a pair of sweats and a jacket over her tank top. She slipped on her Jesus sandals, threw her afro into a huge bun, and we were out of her room. Mrs. Dubois eyed us coming down, "Finally going outside, Jazmine? How are you feeling? "
"Fine mom, "Jazmine said, not facing her, "I'll be back, "
Her mom just nodded. We headed out the door and down the street, towards the Freeman house.
I had no idea what to expect.
So, how do you think Huey will react?
I dunno...
Xoxoxo, queen
