Sorry guys. I've gotten a job recently and I've been extra busy. But now I got a day off, I am updating. Sorry about that but momma got bills to pay. lol thank you for the fave adds and reviews. I should start doing the shout-outs again hmm? Yes I will. lol I appreciate the feedback and likes and comments. It keeps me going. Again, sorry for the wait. I made this extra long to make up for it.
Disclaimer: Don't own Boondocks.
Chapter Four: Knowing Your Place
-five years ahead-
"Get up Freshman!" Fifteen year old Jazmine cracked her emerald eye open. Cindy stood over her grinning. They grew as close as a knit glove over the years they've come to know each other. That made Jazmine happy; Cindy would come around without having Riley to be around. They were different types of girls, but they learned to get along. Jazmine looked at the clock and groaned. It was officially their first year into high school. She was terrified and thrilled at the same time. At least she would go in with Cindy, Riley and Huey. She felt sorry a little for Sofia though, through the years she kept herself from the group, Riley would make fun of her far more than Cindy ever did in Jazmine's honest opinion. Cindy wasn't exactly clean in the situation, she never helped Riley, but she never stopped him bullying her either. Huey wasn't too warm towards the gothic girl either. She was a creeper when Jazmine first met her but she didn't think beyond that. Jazmine would sometimes tell Cindy to tell Riley to ease up; Cindy would always respond saying she needs to learn how to defend herself. Jazmine wouldn't stop trying none the less.
"Ready for high school?" Cindy asked as she got her clothes out the closet she and Jazz would share if she would stay over.
"Kind of, hey Cindy, could you spare Sofie from the sharks? Just this once?" Cindy turned to her with a weird smile. It was a condescending smile; a smile she'd do when she was amused someone would ask her something they both knew she'd never do.
"She's a born loser, a rookie. She needs to toughen up and stand up for herself." Cindy snorted.
"Riley hits her kinda hard Cindy…"
"Love hits." She laughed, almost evilly. Jazmine frowned slightly, but decided to drop it, Cindy was as stubborn as she is and one would have to quit eventually. She went and got dressed. She decided to wear a pink crew neck shirt with simple jeans and her white Converses. She pulled her puffy hair in a pony tail and put on her silver hoops and diamond studs in her ears. Cindy walked out her bath room dressed in tight skinny jeans with a purple and black Jordan's with a shirt to match. Her hair was still in her signature Cammy braids with a black hat over them.
"Do you always have to dress like a boy?" Jazmine chuckled. Cindy tossed her black backpack over her shoulder.
"Yea nigga, lets roll." The girls raced down the stairs and walked in the kitchen. Both of Jazz's parents were gone again, leaving breakfast on the table.
"Not here, like always." She sighed. She then jumped when she heard banging on her door. Cindy laughing and walked to the door knowing just who it was and opened the door.
"Damn nigga you-"
"Whoever said you could say that word?" Sixteen year old Huey purposely bumped her as he walked in the door. Sofia and Riley didn't get along, but Cindy and Huey was like World War 3. They would bump heads quite often and Cindy didn't appreciate Huey when he would call her a 'wigga'. Riley wouldn't trip out on her, why does he? Cindy sucked her teeth. She wasn't scared of Huey.
"Watch who you bumpin' into Huey, with your uppity ass, it's too early for your shit." She snapped with quickness.
"Calm down Cin, Huey's just a hater!" the pre-teen followed Huey in, hugging Cindy as he welcomed his partner in crime. He looked around.
"She's not here Riley, you know that." Cindy laughed. Riley nodded.
"Got her ass at school though."
...
Huey found Jazmine in the kitchen and noticed her back was turned. He slowly stalked up to her as she was fixing a sandwich for lunch. He got close enough to smell the perfume she had on. He had to admit…she smelled nice. He grabbed her waist and spun her around.
"Ah! Huey!" She screamed. She hit him when he put her down. She blushed. Huey's gotten taller hasn't he?
"You've grown again?" she patted the top of his famous afro. "Not counting the afro."
"Ha, ha. And yes, yes I did." Jazmine found herself gazing up at him. His eyes were always so pretty to her. And his skin became a golden caramel complexion, so did Riley. He was dressed in all black everything. Even his backpack was black.
"I'm surprised you don't get along with Sofie, you two always dress in black." Jazmine pinched the collar of his button down shirt.
"I never said I dislike her." He shrugged. Jazmine sighed as she finished fixing her lunch. Huey sat down at the table and watched Jazmine. She matured a little bit from a few years ago; he's glad she never permed her hair and came to accept her African heritage.
"Caught ya staring!" He blinked when he noticed her facing him smiling. He muttered something and looked away from her. Why was he staring anyway? Rolling his eyes he got up.
"Come on, time for us to go." He nudged her arm and she giggled. The team left for school.
...
Sofia huffed as she stood off to the side. She watched the students flood the school and she found herself with no one. Fourteen year old sighed as she made her way into her hell away from hell. She wanted to go back to Russia. She wanted her father to be alive. She wanted him there with her. She looked for her name on the wall for her schedule for classes. She felt a hard shove and she nearly fell over on someone.
"You had been dodging me all week. Look, we nearly have all the same classes." Laughed the vilest voice she's come to hate. Riley Escobar Freeman. She seriously hated him. She and Riley were the youngest out the bunch, with him being a mere five months older than her. Sophie narrowed her jade eyes at him and walked away, but Riley followed.
"Not speaking? You know I got my ways of persuasion." He smiled.
"Riley, leave her alone." Huey said from behind them. Riley snorted.
"He can't save you in class." Riley hissed before getting pulled from her. Sofia sighed. He was right. Huey was so nice…she would've like him if it wasn't for the fact he's taken. He doesn't know it yet…but he is. It's funny to her, being she's two years younger but still sees it…maybe it's the woman budding inside her. She knows who Huey have eyes for. Sophia walked into the class and sat at the back of the class. She sighed inwardly when Riley sat in front of her. What was this kid's deal? She never insulted him; she never said anything against him, so what the hell? She kept her eyes glued to her notebook as she waited for the teacher to come in. He turned to her.
"Why do you wear black all the time? Is it really true what Cindy said about you? You sacrificed your father to the Devil?"
Her eyes widened behind her glasses before narrowing in venomous slits. And fuck Cindy…that bitch wouldn't know what it means to be family if it smacked her across her poser white face.
"How dare you, where the hell is your parents?" She seethed. Riley's face grew blank and she felt victorious that she finally struck a nerve in this rodent. He smiled at her and turned away.
"They're nowhere." Was all he said to her. She felt an uneasy churn in her stomach. She was going to regret that later, wasn't she?
...
Jazmine fidgeted in her seat. Science class was so boring! She turned to Huey writing down some notes off the board. She couldn't help but smile. He's never changed; in fact, he became even more studious as he aged. She still hasn't managed to make him smile more often, but she's working on it. When it's seen, his smile is handsome, well…when it's not that creepy empty smile. Jazmine never could pin that look down, but Huey would have his moments where he's just…scary. On Sofia's birthday, which is oddly on Halloween, the gang was there for a little get together. Sofia insisted we didn't have to, Riley and Cindy took up that offer and went off to rob the younger kids of their candy. Huey didn't believe in Halloween, saying it was evil or whatever, so she guess he stuck around so that incident could happen.
'So Sofia, are you trick or treating?' Jazmine asked.
'No…my aunt made me a cake…I guess I'll just eat that and…call it a day.'
'You're so boring Sofia. I came to see if you'd do something spectacular.' Huey said. The girls faced him.
'What ya mean Huey?' Jazmine raised her eyebrows. Huey leaned over the couch with that menacing smile.
'Sofia, be real you're a witch aren't you?'
'Huey! You're starting to sound like your brother and Cindy! Stop it!' Jazmine yelled.
'Huey if you must insult me, please leave. At least they left me alone.' Sofia frowned.
'No insults…in fact…I could use you. There's people in Chicago I wouldn't mind you working your voodoo on…and Cindy. C'mon, make em writhe like worms on hooks.' Huey was dead serious.
'Huey I'm not a witch.'
'You disappoint me.' Huey walked out the house.
Jazmine shook of the memory. Huey's dark personality was off-setting but…she couldn't stay away from him. He still hasn't told her all what happened back in Chicago, but Jazmine suspected that it was very bad. She wondered were their parents even alive…they never would come to Maryland to visit, there were no letters and they never talked about them so it was safe to say Huey's parents had to have been dead. What happened? How? Jazmine promised at a young age she'd be patient with him. She rolled her eyes; she bets she'll be a withered old woman before that man tells her anything.
"…mine…"
She wondered would she and Huey be friends forever. So far they've grown up together and she was certain that they'd even go to the same college together. Though…ew, what if some of these girls try to approach him? Jazmine felt queasy. What if he gets a girlfriend who does not approve of him having female friends? She'd die! She didn't want that to happen. Girls were eying Huey each and every time he'd walk down the hallway or to class. Not that she could blame them. Look at him.
"Jaz…"
She felt a blush creep up her cheeks when she thought about just how cute Huey have gotten. Those damn eyes he had, oh, it could melt metal. She's never seen such red-brown eyes before. They would always be so intense when he'd look at you. They always emitted fire that could never be tamed.
"….min…."
And his smooth caramel complexion, oh goodness! His mid-skin tone had girls squealing. And you know he still has his big afro. It stood tall and proud and Jazmine could remember when she ran her hand through it once; it was so soft, so curly. Jazmine couldn't stand it and loved it at the same time. It gave shocks to her hands, and it was a wonderful feeling. It was an appropriate feeling; she was listening to MGMT's Electric Feel at the time she was playing in his hair.
"Jazmine!" She blinked hard and focused on the voice who called her. She turned red. Was she looking at Huey that entire time?
"Y-yes?" she asked sheepishly. He arched that famous eyebrow.
"Damn girl, you must really like what you see. You weren't even listening to me."
Her blush darkened. "Hush….I'm sorry. I was thinking and I was awkwardly facing you when I was." She stuck her tongue out at him. He rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, give me some paper, I ran out." He looked back down at his binder.
"Nope." She giggled. "Ask Cindy."
"Jazmine don't get snatched, quit playing." She giggled again.
"No." she repeated. Huey sunk back in his desk.
"Ok." He looked ahead. When Mr. Tanker began discussing a chapter on meiosis, Huey poked Jazmine's side with an eraser, making her laugh loudly. He turned from the board.
"Something amusing, Jazmine?"
"No, I'm sorry Mr. Tanker."
He kept poking her until she broke down and gave him some paper.
"Here! Take it!" she seethed as she flung sheets of paper at him.
"I knew you'd see it my way. You always do." He winked at her. Her heart skipped a beat. That was so sexy! Wait, did she just think sexy?!
...
It was after school, finally and Sofia was getting things out her locker. It was quite hellish…and she has decided she hated Americans.
"Aye bitch, c'mon, I'll be outside." Cindy called down the hall. She wasn't walking home with her, what the hell was Cindy's problem? She slung her backpack over her shoulder and went the opposite direction of where Cindy went. When she turned the corner and was about to exit, she was slapped down by a hand reaching out from the side. She was then pinned on the ground by Riley.
"It's high time you knew your place around here." He said.
"I told you to come with me, how'd we know you wouldn't listen? Oh, and I heard you said some slick shit to Riley earlier." Cindy's voiced cooed in the hallway, heard and not seen.
"Get off of me!" Sofia cried. Cindy appeared and glared down at her cousin.
"Freaking out? Do something about it." Cindy folded her arms. "Make Riley get off you."
Sofia struggled and struggled but she just couldn't. Cindy scoffed.
"Riley…I guess she needs some motivation." Cindy drawled. Sofia didn't like the sound of that and bucked her hips upward to knee Riley in this crotch.
"Woah! Did this bitch almost try to hit me?" Cindy kicked her on the side of her ribs.
"Get him off you. Stop me from kicking you. You wanted to be bold and not listen to me, so come on. Defend yourself." She kicked her again.
"Owww! Ahh stop!" Sofia felt tears coming on.
"Bullies don't give no fuck about tears bitch, get up." Cindy kicked her again. "This is a very important life lesson for you."
Sofia shook her head as Riley's grip around her wrists tightened. Her misty eyes made her two aggressors a blur. Helplessness kicked in and she went berserk. She successfully kneed Riley and rolled on top of him and bit him on his face. Cindy clapped.
"There ya go!" she laughed. The two pre-teens got up and stared each other down before attacking each other again. Sofia pushed Riley off her before spinning around and scratching Cindy across the face, leaving four perfect red gashes on her cheek. She pushed passed them and ran out the door.
"Shit! This bitch scratched the hell out me!" Cindy yelled in agony as she cupped her leaking cheek. Good thing there were no spectators in their scuffle…she would've impressed people with that little show of fight she had in her. Riley nodded.
"That was fun though." He chuckled. "Watching her freak out like that." He inspected Cindy's marred cheek.
"So uh…what will you do about those battle scars?" Riley asked.
"An eye for an eye, she forgot she lives with me, so if I'm gonna walk around school tomorrow with some scars, she will too." Riley nodded. The pair began their trek home. Huey and Jazmine both enrolled in the Debate Team and always stayed late after school, so it was just the two of them. Cindy was thinking on it before she began talking.
"Reezy, you know about Gambino right?"
"Who doesn't?" Riley shouted. Gambino was a senior, but he was a well-known drug dealer with ties to Ed Wuncler the 3rd. He was the youngest and richest dealer right now, and he was on his way to making a name established name for himself.
"Of course, well I think he's our ticket to running this bathwater town with malice and force." Cindy said.
"Oh, you're thinking of being recruited by him?" Riley asked.
"Us Reezy, I've been thinking he should be recruiting us. We got to get his attention though."
"How?"
"Pimp this school. You know that chocolate fund-raiser they do every year? Well I want you to participate in it. I'm a freshmen…I'm too old to participate now. So you'll need to infiltrate for me."
"What's the plan?"
"I'll give you all the intel at the house, first, let me whoop your ass at some basketball." Cindy laughed at Riley as he sucked his teeth.
"I've been getting better bitch, don't do me."
"I'll do you and then some." She smirked. Riley was taken back at the sudden flirtation, but he went with it, it's not the first time this happened.
"Oh really? Show me somethin' then." He challenged. Cindy switched as she walked.
"Nigga you ain't ready." She laughed. Riley jumped in front of her and pulled her close.
"I'm not?" he got closer to her face, making Cindy squirm a bit.
"Get out my face." She laughed, but hoping he'd get a little closer. Riley leaned in, as if he was about to kiss her, only to turn on his heel and leave her hot and bothered.
"Damn you Reezy! Wait up!" she ran to catch up with her laughing friend. She couldn't hide her blush as he turned to her.
"Looks like you ain't ready." He smirked. Shoving him Cindy turned her nose up.
"Shut up."
...
Jazmine and Huey were done with debate team and Jazmine was so tired. She and Huey argued for hours about America's justice system. It could be humorous how the other students just refused to debate against Huey, knowing they'd be outsmarted so early in the debate, but not Jazmine.
"I still say it's your naïve way of thinking that's making think it works."
"Ohhh Huey please. I'm tired."
"Being wrong can be quite tiresome." Jazmine glared at him.
"Would you believe me if I said I was kidding?" he chuckled.
"…You weren't kidding." She sighed. They crossed the street, unaware of the eyes following them.
"That bitch thinks she cute 'cause she mixed." Said one of the girls who were watching the pair intensely.
"Aw don't be hating Francis." Chuckled Daphne. Francis Du'bois rolled her eyes. Bad enough they shared the last name, but to be jealous of that Mariah Carey wanna-be bitch? Never. She was a pure-blood, and she doesn't feel any inferiority to any half-breeds and would never start. She wouldn't live to see the day.
"Huey needs to switch it up. I think I can give that Jazmine a run for her money." The dark skinned beauty popped her bubble gum. She was a sophomore, but that didn't mean she couldn't get who she wanted. She's been eyeing Huey ever since she saw him in the Debate team. She felt her panties dampen at the image of Huey in his 20's. Oh yes, she knew at first glance that nigga will be a killer. She looked over at her sister.
"You really don't think I can do it Daphne?"
"Nope. He don't show any other girl any attention but Jazmine, I think you're in for a lost cause." Laughed her younger sister.
"They ain't going together yet retard, how can I lose when I'm not even dealing with a player. Stand back, and watch your sister work."
"Naw, I think I'll be standing back and watching you fail." Francis mugged her.
"You lightskinned folks always thinking bitches lose."
"Franci, I'm your sister! That hurts!" Daphne faked only to laugh.
"Girl, you know I'm rooting for you. This wouldn't be high school without drama like this. Shit is gonna be crazy!" she rubbed her hands together. This is will be the start of a very interesting social experiment. High school will make you or break you. It's the point in life where it gets set in stone who you're going to be for the rest of your life.
...
The next morning Sofia stared at herself in the mirror. The black eye Cindy gave her was shiny as ever. Nothing a little make up couldn't fix, too bad she looked like a raccoon though. She hid in her room until her aunt left for work. It wasn't soon before infamous McFearsome stormed in.
"I told my mom I'd check to see if you're alright…well are you dear cousin?" Cindy sauntered in; mocking the way Sofia would talk. Sofia didn't falter.
"You know Cynthia, if it your tone wasn't so arduous, I'd actually think you meant it."
"Sofie. What did I tell you about saying my full name like that? Do I need to sick Riley out on you?" she laughed when she saw the subtle flinch she did. She moved in closer.
"You like him, don't you?"
"Who?" Sofia asked.
"Riley."
"God. Jesus Christ. No I don't. That's your wicked boyfriend. Both of you are crazy future criminals who practice on me and people like me."
"…Maybe. But you're wrong, he's not my boyfriend."
"Yet."
"No. Never. We're just friends. Our bond is something you'd never understand. Ew, why am I even talking about this to you? Come on freak, we'll be late."
"No. I'm walking by myself."
"Riley just might lag…" Cindy teased.
"Leave me alone!" She rushed out the room and out the house. A bully away from school was hard to deal with, but the anniversary of her father's death was coming up and she felt on the verge of cracking. She kept running until she ran into another body. It was a girl, an Asian girl to be exact.
"I'm…I am sorry, I wasn't looking." The girl whirled around and put both hands on her hips.
"You're right! You fool! I could've…wait…whats a 14 year old doing wearing such heavy make up?" the Asian girl gripped her chin and turned it back and forth. Feeling weird, Sofia turned away.
"I'm a goth."
"Yeah. Right. And I'm Sailor Mars." She walked around her.
"What's your name Goth Girl?"
"Sofia Antoinette Romanov."
"Ming Xi-Lee Duo. I just moved her from China. Beijing to be exact and since you ran into me," she raised her eyebrow and folded her arms. "I command you show me around!"
God this girl was bossy.
"Uhm…no. I have enough problems on my plate." She walked away from the girl.
"Hey wait!" Ming jumped in front of her face.
"Stop being so rude! And don't run away from the bus stop the bus is almost here!" she demanded.
"Why are you so…loud and pushy?"
"I'm an Aries. That's why. Now, come!" Ming grabbed her new and unwilling acquaintance back to the bus stop. Sofia was fidgeting. She might run into Riley and Cindy, that's why she was willing to walk.
"Now, tell me about Maryland."
"It sucks, I was born in Russia…I moved here when I was 7."
"I figured due to your heavy accent. You must do things to keep it in tact. I heard foreign accents fade over time when living in America."
"I listen to Russian music daily and watch Russian operas on YouTube, and some shows I use to watch. I don't want to ever lose my heritage…I plan to move back there."
"Don't. You'd leave me behind. And I think two-non Americans can bond of their hatred of being up-rooted, don't you think?" Sofia didn't understand.
"Is this your way of creating…?"
"Friendship? Don't kid yourself. We're allies. Fighting for the common good."
"…So…we're friends?" Sofia repeated.
"In a Cold War type way."
"…I can stand it." Shrugged Sofia. If anyone can squeeze in such a reference, why not stick around?
...
Huey yawned at his locker. He hated getting up in the mornings, he really did. Then Jazmine and Riley would be so loud and so damn animated. He believed they were on crack. Those niggas would be way too live in the morning. He smelt a distinct smell of cocoa butter and was slightly awakened by it.
"Morning Huey." Smiled Francis Du'Bois. Huey couldn't help but eye her a little. She was curvy in all the right places and was rocking the black dress she was wearing like a glove. Her wedges made her taller and her red butterfly belt hugged her tiny waist so right. She did lose a few points for wearing weave though, but she had weeks where she'd wear her real hair out so…she wasn't all bad.
"Francis…hey." He closed his locker and looked at her. He only knew her on the debate team and would talk to her every once and a while.
"Look, are you doing anything Saturday?"
"No, why you ask?"
"You know my little sister Daphne right?"
"Yeah, how's Scooby doing?" she laughed and shoved his arm.
"You know how sensitive she is about those types of jokes. Anyway, her birthday is on Saturday, I was wondering if you could come out to the party. Bring your friends if you want."
"I'm not really big on parties though…" Huey trailed but he didn't want to disappoint her.
"What time does it start?"
"7:30!" her face was as bright as a light bulb at this point, and Huey noticed.
"Alright, I'll attend. He did a little smile.
Francis almost melted. Oh this nigga was to die for! She thought he was so fine! She had to play it cool; she was a sophomore after all. She didn't need to act like what she felt like on the outside: a little girl who just found a bag of diamonds and Barbies. Basically she was fucking ecstatic.
"Okay, I'll see you then!" she casually walked passed him and in the bathroom. She proceeded to scream and jump up and down.
"Damn girl." Daphne popped out the stall. "He must've said yes."
"YES! OH MY! PRAISE BABY JESUS DAPHNE HE SAID YES!" her sister stepped back.
"I'm gonna have to ask you to calm down."
"I have to go to the mall! I have to get a new outfit." She calculated. Daphne smiled.
"You really like him, don't you?"
"I do." She sighed longingly. Francis never felt this way about a boy before and it was a thrilling feeling. She wanted to capture it and cherish it.
...
A young boy walked up to his new school and sighed. He already missed New York, his friends…his…family.
"Welp…you're here now Micheal Caesar…might as well make the best of it."
-Caesar's making his way in this piece
-Ming's in this bitch
-My other OC makes her appearance next chapter
-Shit gonna get more real
-Why the hell Riley and Cindy such a chaotic couple? LOL
-My Sofia finally got herself a friend
-Will there be a triangle between Francis/Huey/Jazmine?
All these questions and more in the next chapter. Peace and hair grease.
