Author's Note: Okay. Before you all get mad, let me just say that many things have happened, which kept me from writing. But I got my groove back, the problems are starting to clear up, all's good now. Trust me. *Looks up* I can thank my nigga G for that :)
Anyway, summer officially started, which means I will be on Fanfiction 24/7. So don't be afraid to hit me up if you feel like socializing. Tell me how your semester in school/university/high school was, or how your life in general is going. As a matter of fact, about 9 months ago, I created a snapchat account, so if you wanna add me or something, just click over to my account and you'll find my penname (and no, for the freaks and weirdos out there, I don't tolerate dick pics, nor porn advertisement lool).
Let's just get to the chapter already before I lose the ability to shut up aha. Shout-outs are below, if you're wondering :)
Warning: Meh, just drama, a little bit of angst and all that jazz.
Disclaimer: Don't own ish. I'm a broke mofo.
Opposites Attract
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Chapter 7: Past...
She could hear voices from the other side of the door. It was a sign that English class hadn't started yet. If it did, the teacher would've been inside the classroom and there wouldn't have been any noises in the first place. She deemed it safe. She blinked dazedly and straightened herself up. She was still sore and tired from this morning, with Dewey.
Ugh, she inwardly grimaced to the memory. A clockwise turn of the door and she walked in to the students gossiping to themselves. She tried to distract her mind, but it was impossible. Everything of her surrounding reminded her of the events of last night. The classroom desks reminded her of Dewey's table from his bedroom, where he had thrown her. The classroom pet snake reminded her of Dewey's cold fingers, the way they had slimed their way under her skirt and stricken her core, with vulnerability, spreading through her body like poison.
And the classroom itself, reminded her she was going to stay imprisoned, as a slave with no hope of freedom.
She awoke from the darkness of her mind, thanks to a solid tap on the shoulder. Cindy McPhearson swiftly turned on the heel of her foot, only to be face to face with the last person she wanted to see. She threw her head backwards, while groaning in frustration.
"Huey, what do ya want?" she threw her head forward, giving the boy an aggravated glare. "Yo problem is f-" Huey Freeman grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the classroom and into the hallway.
All the while surveying the hallways for any nosy students and teachers, he kicked the door closed from behind. The coast was clear. "There. Now we can talk…in private." He narrowed his eyebrows. "How could you start talking like that in class, where there are people?"
Cindy mocked a hurt expression, "Oh, really? I'm sorry for being cranky, after I just fuckin escaped Dewey's turf!" Huey slightly jumped in alarm, and there came his infamous scowl.
"What?!" he whisper-yelled. Cindy didn't waver under his eyes, as a matter of fact; she matched his scowl.
"Yeah, you heard me, crystal clear. I had to sleep with Dewey in order for you and yo idiot brother to not end up on his black list and for Jazmine to not end up as his puppet," she elucidated, keeping her volume low. She was a heck of a double-tasker, because she managed to focus on the discussion while her eyes darted left and right, on the look-out for any nosey-ass teens…and for Dewey and his goons. "And now, he won't even let me go. He's probably around the area, lookin' for me."
Huey grabbed the bridge of his nose and paced back and forth, cursing under his breath. Shit. Last night, when he had confronted Dewey and rejected his offer of rejoining the gang, he had hesitated of letting Cindy handle her deal with the gang leader. And he was right. Now she was caught in the demon's cobweb of madness, and it was practically impossible for her to escape.
And Huey knew because…well, look at him. He had to do a bloody resignation, meaning kill 12 people, just to quit the gang.
He sighed, "God, even after all this time, you still manage to give me a headache."
Cindy sucked on her teeth. "Nigga, hush. Everythin' was fine before yo ass showed up in Woodcrest with yo dumbass brother." He rolled his eyes, thinking to himself how he ended up into this situation. He was going to have to defend her and Mariah Carey from Dewey, given Cindy sacrificed herself basically because of him and his brother's stay in this suburb.
"I'm going to have to protect you and Mariah Carey for the time being," he said.
"Ya betta," she shouldered past him and made her way to the door. Her hand reached for the doorknob, but a memory seemed to make it stop midway. "…Huey?"
Huey's head lifted up as he registered how Cindy had pronounced his name with a foreign tone. She turned around to face him and he quirked a dubious eyebrow.
"Do you…still think about…that time?"
"Cindy, what are you talking ab-"
"Huey, don't play dumb," she interrupted sharply. "You know what I'm talking about."
Huey calmly assessed the situation. He was in a jam. She was no doubt talking about what happened a few years ago, when he first joined the gang and when she first started her prostitution gig. He didn't want to get into details, but long story short, they had…done it…together. But again, that was way back. They were obligated to do so anyway. The Chicagoan gang had pressured him into doing it and Cindy had to sleep with a ruthless gang-member, as a way to declare her agreement with her previous pimp.
"Cin-" Huey was cut off by the sound of footsteps.
"Huey Freeman and Cindy McPhearson, please get back in the classroom. The bell is going to ring in a matter of seconds." Both of their English teacher gestured to the classroom door and the bell rang, proving the school authority's point. "Yeah, you heard the bell, now get inside. Go, go, go."
Having no say in the argument, they did what they were told to do, without wasting a minute. Once they entered the classroom, the two students brushed past each other, ignoring their classmates' curious looks, and went on their separate ways, heading to their desks without sparing a look– planning to never speak word of their discussion to anyone else.
The English teacher cleared his throat, averting the students' attention back in front of the classroom, where he was standing. He lowered his head and glared behind his lens as the majority of his students shivered with fear. Huey shook his head, unfazed by his dark aura. He saw worse. No. He was worse. "Okay students, I was planning on starting class with a pop quiz to get your minds in gear for the upcoming final exams, but thanks to Jazmine DuBois and Cindy McPhearson, we have change of plans."
In every student's eyes, it seemed like he was being his emotionless, stoic self, but the two aforementioned saw otherwise. The twitching corner of his lips gave it all away. Cindy cursed under her breath. She totally forgot about her and Jazmine's punishment for not completing their previous homework. She blamed her personal matters with Dewey and her Mom for that.
In a solemn motion, she executed a face-desk. Shit, I don't wanna sing in front of da classroom. What normal teacher comes up with dis kind of sick punishment?
"Psst, Cin!" The said blonde didn't hear the whisper from the far back of the classroom…well, not until she felt a ball of paper hit against the back of her head. She whipped her head around, facing the source of that paper ball.
"What do you want Jazz?" she whisper-snapped. Jazmine DuBois widened her eyes as Cindy sighed, feeling guilty. "Sorry for snappin'. Had a rough mornin'."
Jazmine forgave her best friend with a smile. "It's okay." She gave a heedless wave and looked ahead, making sure the teacher wouldn't spot them talking. "But do you know what he's going to make us sing?"
"I don't know," she shrugged then turned back to the teacher. She hoped it wasn't something girly or stupid; she had a reputation to uphold after all.
...
Cindy had spoken too soon - she was now standing in the balcony with Jazmine, reciting their English textbook. "The term word is a part of everyone's vocabulary. We all think we understand what words are. What's more, we are right to think this, at some level. In this book I will not suggest that our ordinary notion of the word needs to be replaced with something radically different. Rather, -" the girls continuously recited, Cindy annoyed by the humiliation and Jazmine oblivious of the boys whom were hooting obscenities.
From the balcony, they were standing in front of an all-boys detention center school. Not just a school, but a school filled with rebellious, notorious boys. Either the students had already been arrested for gang-related circumstances or for drug-related issues. It didn't bother the blond teenager. She didn't give a damn about them; their reputation didn't piss her off. She had no right to judge, I mean, look at her.
However, at this instant, she wanted to fly over there and burn the whole school to stop their hooligan screams and whistles. She could even see Riley from her spot, opening the window and booing her and Jazmine. Mental Note changed: Burn the whole school and whoop Riley's stupid ass...again.
"After reading this book, you will still go on using the term word in talking about language, both in criticism or English language study; but I hope that, in these more formal contexts, you will talk about words more confidently, knowing exactly which ingredients of the notion you have in mind at any one time, and able where necessary to use appropriate terminology in order to make your meaning absolute clear," she recited once more, her ears straining to hear Jazmine's voice but they were acknowledged by her own voice.
She looked from the corner of her eye, watching Jazmine meekly hiding her face behind her textbook. "It's great to have a friend up here," she whispered then recited the following lines from the book - which was a cue for Cindy to whisper.
"Girl, shuddup. Can't ya see we gettin' our ass humiliated?" Now it was Jazmine's turn to whisper back whilst her best-friend recited the next lines.
"I don't care, to be honest." Cindy kept herself from dropping the book, out of sheer surprise. Since when did Jazz not care of what everyone - mainly guys - thought of her? The girl practically lived for their positive attention, in hopes of finding her 'prince charming'. The girls alternated roles; Jazmine reciting and Cindy whispering. They had to keep going with the routine if they wanted to prevent themselves from getting caught. Their teacher was right behind them watching their backs along with the students and Huey.
"Wow, Jazz. I thought you'd care, since you still lookin' for yo prince-charmin'." Again with their role-rotation; Cindy reading out loud and Jazmine...dreamingly sighing.
In fact, she smiled and looked up to the sky. Cindy observed, confused. The innocent lamb was holding a love-struck look, which could only mean one thing; her sudden change of habit had to do with Huey. It explained a lot, actually. For one, Jazz wasn't the type to disrespect a school authority's rules or orders, no matter how mean and unfair they were, and yet, here she was, not reciting when she was supposed to and being sneaky. "I'm done with my prince-charming search. I think I found him," she slipped out a silent giggle, her book unable to hide her blush and smile.
Again with the role-rotation; Jazmine reading and Cindy, well, she was supposed to be whispering but she stood still and silent, holding a blank face. Emotions ran amok, one trying to claim her heart. One finally found its way to claim her heart, and apparently, so did her face because she was now wearing it - concern. "What happened between you and Huey, yesterday night?"
Jazmine lowered her book and tilted her head, again, not used to her foreign, dead serious tone. "Nothing, Huey and I just cruised through the streets, in speed. It gave me a chance to talk with him and see for who he really is. He's not a bad guy, Cindy. He may be in a gang, but he's really nice. I want to get to know him; he's different from all the guys. I can feel it," she admitted, a determined look crossed on her face.
"Jazz," Cindy lowered the book and spun to the left, now face to face with the strawberry-blond haired. "Imma be straight with you, give up on him. He ain't worth it. He's too dangerous for you. If you associate with him, you'll end hurt or even worse, dead."
Jazmine snorted, "That's preposterous!" Cindy gasped in horror, taking an immediate step back.
"Preposterous? Oh great, he even got you now with fancy words!"
Jazmine bit the inside of her cheek. "But Cin! I know what I'm doing this time. I am positive that he's the one."
Cindy snorted. She couldn't believe this girl. She only knew him for a short span of time, and she was so sure of herself that he's the one. She needed to step out of her fairy-tale bubble and face the truth. Don't get her wrong, Huey is a good guy with a good head on his shoulders. But it was too risky, mixing into his life. Just think about, they'd only shown up in his garage, yesterday night, for an hour and now, the girls were practically Dewey's target.
"Jazz, stop with the prince-charming nonsense! You're only 16 years old. You shouldn't even be stressing over boys and love! You should be focusing on yourself; on your school grades, on your family, and everything else." Cindy's words may'd been a bit harsh, but it was the truth that her best friend needed to hear. She already had everything set up for her future, let alone a good family who were always be there to support her, despite their current dysfunctional relationship. Cindy was not going to let Jazmine ruin all that over Huey.
"Ahem."
Jazmine drew breath in sharply and her eyes watered. The fanciful world around her suddenly crashed. "H-how can you say that, Cindy?"
"Ahem."
Cindy flinched. She forgot how painful it was to see her best friend sad with a crestfallen expression. The thought of her being the cause of it didn't alleviate the guilt. Then again, this was all for her well-being. Cindy bit her lip, struggling to keep herself from giving into her Jazmine's sadness and taking every word she'd spat back. "Girl, don't even start with the crying. You know damn well it's the truth, so yo gotta accept it like a big girl. You have bigger issues to handle than him."
Bigger issues? What did she mean by that? Jazmine cogitated. Something didn't click right. She didn't have big issues that she knew of. Did Cindy know something she didn't? Her mouth was wide open, ready to ask questions, but her words were cut short.
"Are you both done with the soap opera?" Jazmine and Cindy whipped their heads to their forgotten English teacher who stood inside the classroom with his confused students. He did not look happy. "Because I believe you both were suppose to recite the pages I had specifically shown!"
Jazmine's eyes surfed through the classroom, landing on Huey who sat through the whole ordeal, hearing every single word the girls had exchanged. She subconsciously gawned on her bottom lip. She was embarrassed. You all had no idea how bad she wanted to hide in a hole and never come out. He now knew she bore feelings for him, but it was obvious he didn't reprocicated the said feelings for her. His aloof look said it all.
The English teacher's finger darted towards the door. "Both of you girls, out of my classroom...NOW!"
The girls didn't dare to disobey the teacher as they rushed out of the classroom, Jazmine unable to look back, whereas Cindy stopped for a second to look back at the school authority, only to receive a wicked smirk. She shivered as they shared a brief eye-contact.
She knew what that look meant.
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He watched the clouds slowly pass above him, boredom growing by the minute. He hated this new lifestyle. Always waking up, going to school then working in the moto shop and going to bed. The never ending cycle. He blew smoke out and brought the cigarette back to his lips. He wanted to bounce out of this dry-ass place. Foreal, he'd be out of here by now if it wasn't for McHater. He rolled his eyes to the memory of his brother scolding him, back in Chicago.
A few weeks back, before they'd moved into Whitesville, Huey had tried to convince him that they needed a new beginning in life if they wanted a bright future, at least to live long enough to have one. But he just didn't get that they were never going die. They were real soldiers in the Chicagoan streets with the kill or be killed motto stuck in their system, which served them well in their gang-banging activities. Actually, they'd been gangsters for, what, 3 years, and they were doing hella fine. They weren't broke.
And yeah, they killed a lot of niggas to get far, but it was part of survival.
Riley Freeman didn't mind their old lifestyle. He'd do it again if he could. If only he could just get McHater off his back though...
"Riley?"
His bubble of thoughts popped as he heard someone from below. He groggily got up and carefully walked towards the metallic fence of the roof. He peered down and sucked on his teeth.
Not him again. He knew that gay-ass voice from anywhere. "Whacchu want Dewey?"
Dewey looked up to Riley, standing in front of the all-boys detention center like he was supposed to be there. "Is that da right way to talk to your old boss, Esco?"
"Don't call me Esco. Only my niggas can call me that," corrected the former gang-banger. Dewey. Words for Riley to describe him. A manipulative, gay-ass bastard who didn't deserve to be the leader of their gang. He only got the title by playing dirty and a real gangster never does a bitch-move, that includes sacrificing your best-friend's blood.
Dewey feigned a hurt look, "Save the jealousy for someone who cares. Accept the fact that you ain't the boss and that you'll never be one."
Riley bit back a string of dark curses. For 2 years, he had to quietly brood in the dark and watch the man shine just by being fake; money always filling his pocket, women were always on his case, begging for his dick to smash them (no...homo) and his entourage looked at him with respect or with envy. Riley wasn't amused by that. He wanted him gone. He should've been the boss of the gang, not Dewey. Everybody in the gang knew Riley was the best, but somehow the universe favored the fake-ass bastard instead.
"Now putting that aside," Dewey's victorious smirk fled for the south. "I came here to get my belonging back. I believe you or your brother have it."
Riley's forehead crinkled in confusion. "The fuck you talkin bout? We neva took anythin' from ya-"
"I'm talking about Cindy."
Riley's protective side was on gear. "Why da fuck you want her?"
Dewey hand-combed through his hair, his impatience getting to him. "I believe that ain't your business. This between me and her."
The fuck Dewey want with her? He shouldn't have any business with blondie, she was already in deep shit as she was with her life. He was known for making every girls lives go down the drain, at least the ones he came across. His grip was found on the metallic fence as he furiously shook them. Whoever had the idea to put a metallic fence around the school roof thought well. Riley would have jumped over the fence and crashed down on Dewey if it weren't there.
"Look busta, I don't give a fuck if you're here to piss me off, but if you think you can get Cindy involved into yo twisted plan, you damn wrong," he bellowed. He might be far away from the gang-banger, but he caught sight of his eyes behind his lens. He saw trouble. He didn't have time to further analyze him as the bell from Edgar J. Hoover High rang, which happened to be nearby...and where Cindy went. But the raggedy brotha didn't need to know that.
Speaking of him, he turned his back and started walking off. "Yeah, yeah. Your threat ain't shit. I obviously wasted time talking with you," he waved him off. "Now, where's Black Dragon, that brother of yours..."
Riley growled and his grip on the metallic fence tightened. He swore, sooner or later, that mothafucka's blood was gonna end up on his hands. Word.
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The bell rang. It might'd been her exaggerating, but Cindy had the impression the bell was right by her ears, gnawing her conscious, telling her it was that time of the day. The river of students pouring out of their classrooms could only confirm it. Frustrated, she blew a bang out of her view. She leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms against her chest. Her eyes closed on their own, as they hadn't supplied the poor girl with enough sleep.
"Cin, why does your cheek look a little swollen?" she heard Jazmine ask and approach her, her finger lightly rubbing the bruise for observation.
Cindy kept herself from flinching as her eyes remained closed. She wanted at least a second of peace, but it was too late. Her mind was already haunted by the memory of what had happened this morning...
Flashback - 2 and half hours ago...
"D-Dewey," she hesitated, "I can' stay. I got school."
He scoffed then laughed, obviously not taking seriously her words, but he abruptly stopped as he noticed her serious, grim demeanor. "Oh. You was serious? Ha. You ma hoe now. You can't be goin' to sum school. You's gonna get dolled up and meet new customers, and bring cash ta me."
"But," Cindy began to stammer, but Dewey was fast enough to grab his Cobalt handgun from his drawer, and whipped it across her face, making her ungracefully fall on her back. She groggily lifted her eyelids up and spotted bright spots in the air as the world seemed to turn in circles. Shit. Her head was playing tricks on her. Damn, the nigga can hit. She couldn't think through as Dewey crawled on top of her and pinned her against the floor, with a force that no woman could outrival.
She struggled, oh yeah; she did, to get out of there. She kicked, let out shrill screams and crawled away across the floor and her nails pierced through the hardwood floor for support, but Dewey clutched on her leg and pulled her back to him, her nails scratching along the hardwood. "You wanna do it da hard way, huh?" he forced her to the floor, making sure she'd be unable to struggle herself free. He forced her panties down. "I'll show you the hard way," he snarled, unbuckling his pants.
End of Flashback...
It was still a miracle how she'd manage to escape from him, well for the moment at least. She knew in her gut he'd come back some time today to punish her and force her back to her night job. But Dewey was an idiot if he thought she'd quit school for that lifestyle. She promised herself, no, her father, she'd take care of her mother for him. And by fulfilling that promise, she'd have to pursue in education, which was a long road to get her and her Mom out of poverty. But it was worth a shot.
She'd do anything to get out of this crisis.
"Cin!"
Cindy's eyes opened wide, met by Jazmine's worried frown. "Huh?"
"Cindy, how did you get that bruise?" she repeated the question, which by how her tone sounded frustrated, must'd been for like the umpteenth time.
Cindy looked up, desperate to focus more on the gum that was stuck on the ceiling than on her friend. It was getting harder to lie to her. "...I accidentally fell on my cheek when I tried to wake up."
Jazmine giggled, "Your alarm clock scared you again, didn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess," the tired blond yawned, still avoiding her friend's look. Her body was filled with guilt, it was painful and nauseous. It wouldn't surprise her if she puked by now. "...Jazz, you know what I said back there in the classroom?"
Cindy used all her inner strength to face properly Jazmine. She could tell it took her friend all of her strength to not get upset by the mention of their argument. "Yeah..."
"I only said all those things because I care about you. I just don't want you to get hurt."
Jazmine bit on her lip, probably letting her mind register her words. "I know that Cin. I care about you too. But just because I'm growing feelings for him, doesn't mean I'm in danger. What gives you the idea that he's not right for me?"
Cindy could tell her now he took her virginity as proof of commitment to the gang, or that his involvement in her life had brought her this deep into prostitution, or even that one of his gang-member was now using her as a sex slave, all because he found out Black Dragon and his brother resided in this town.
But then that'd get Jazmine more involved into this mess. She was already in Dewey's target list just for being friends with Huey.
So, Cindy avoided spilling the dirt. "Because he's a gangster. Plain and simple."
"Ex-gangster," corrected Jazmine.
Cindy shook her head. "It doesn't work that way. No matter what he says or do, he's still a gangster to the end. It's not sum title he can get rid of, well, unless he kills himself, but let's face it, McHater is too much of a bad-ass to do that."
Jazmine agreed fully to that. "What do you mean by him still being a gangbanger? He moved here in this town, surely to start fresh."
"And look how it worked out for him. Just last night, one of his members threatened to kill him if he didn't return to his crew," Cindy heard the classmates from the other side of the wall picking up their books and belongings along with chairs screeching against the floor. She needed to finish this up, fast. "Because of his reputation, people will still be running after him or fear him, no matter where he goes. He got the system and his crew still on his ass, despite his retreat."
"Cindy, don't you realize I'm not one of those people. l don't care about his reputation. I talk with him a few times. I know he's a good guy."
Cindy sighed. This girl was stubborn as hell. "That's the thing, Jazz. You've only talked to him a few times. You know nothing about him. You only met him a few days ago."
Jazmine lifted her finger, ready to jump in and protest. Words failed to come out though. It was true. She didn't know much about him. She didn't know where he lived, nor what his hobbies were and whatnot. As a matter of fact, she didn't even know what his favorite food was.
She glared back at Cindy. "Why don't you tell me more about him since you know him more than me. After all, you guys apparently know each other."
Cindy flinched. Damn, she getting suspicious. "Jaz-"
"Cindy. I don't have all day. Tell me right now what is going on; from you knowing Huey to yesterday's fight, with Huey and...that glasses-guy."
She could end the torment for good and spill all the beans to her friend, but then again, that'd only succeed to bring her deeper into the problem. Jazmine wouldn't be able to take in all the bad news at once. Just think about it; her best friend partaking in prostitution and giving up her V-card to the supposed 'prince-charming'. Her mother probably breaths away from dying. Her father backstabbing the fam in the back.
Shit...Cindy was sitting in crossroads. Should she keep all this bottled up or not?
Coincidentally, the door right beside the girls opened and their fellow classmates walked out of their English class. One by one, they shot them worried looks. That could only mean one thing; their English teacher was going to give the poor girls an earful...well in Jazmine's case. Not too sure for Cindy, which explained why she was struggling to keep herself calm.
And there came out the devil, his head hung low with his bangs covering half of his face. "Jazmine DuBois you may now leave. But you," he pointed towards Cindy, mindless of his impoliteness. "Ms. McPhearson, have to stay in class. We must discuss about your grades, once again."
Jazmine was confused. "But I thought you were convoking the both of us for not reading the book as you said."
"Damn right I should," he carried a disdainful look. "But I unfortunately don't have the time for that discussion. So you may leave, Ms. DuBois."
"B-but..."
"Ms. DuBois, I am very serious. I will need you to leave as I have to discuss important matters with your fellow classmate."
As soon as he said that, her eyes followed his hand as he gestured to Cindy, who didn't say a word throughout the discussion. Her face was emotionless, which Jazmine found unnatural. Cindy would normally object to their teacher's words, but then again, this had been happening for a while, almost every single time when the teacher would call her to stay later in the classroom.
Maybe she's used to always seeing the teacher after class, Jazmine cogitated whilst she hesitantly turned her back on them and commenced walking down the hallway towards the school exit. It's strange though, because she keeps having that look in her eye...like she's scared.
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Jazmine bit on her sandwich, even though she was having a hard time stomaching the content. Her thoughts linked back to this morning's series of events, but there was one thing that got her feeling some type of way: Cindy and her constant meeting with the English teacher.
Why does the teacher always have to see her everyday? she asked herself, watching the grass sway from afar. It was currently lunch time and she was sitting in a picnic table that wasn't far from the school parking lot. Normally, she would have waited by the steps for Cindy, but a part of her knew she was never going to come out of that English class for a while.
This happened everyday, either Cindy would have to miss lunch or stay after school to talk with the teacher. She hadn't done anything bad lately. No matter how much the teacher complained about her lack of academic skills, her grades were all As.
May Jazmine add that her best-friend hadn't caused any harm to the male student body? It had been exactly 3-4 days, and that was a new record.
So, Cin had no reason to be in that classroom.
I swear, the next time the teacher asks her to stay, I will stay too and spy on their discussion, Jazmine thought, devising a plan in her head while she took her last bite of her sandwich. Cindy's look of fear from their last chit-chat worried her to this moment. There's something about that teacher...
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The need of a cigarette was kicking in, and stronger than ever. His fingers were slowly etching towards the pocket of his pants for the death sticks, yet he found the strength to stop himself. His back found itself against the back concrete wall of Edgar J. Hoover and in a slow motion, his eyes looked up into the sky.
An inhale of the tobacco could destroy the stress that kept piling up, but he knew it would do no good. He snorted to himself. That was what he said a few years ago, and now look how deep he was in his tobacco addiction. The smart revolutionist, the child that he was, had been consumed in the dark flames of reality.
There remained only a shape that looked like him.
His sins from the past caught up to him, suffocating him. He thought he could let go of the past and move forward with his brother. He was foolish to think it was easy, when it was not. As Huey Freeman pushed himself off the wall and faced the source of the approaching footsteps, he knew it was going to be complicated to stop his past from dictating his present, and possibly his future.
"Well, Black Dragon-"
"Black Dragon doesn't exist anymore," Huey spat. "I resigned from your gang, remember?"
Dewey took careful steps towards the former gang-banger. "You may have done the deed that was required, but you still part of us. You made a pact. Pacts aren't meant to be broken."
Huey glared harder. "It's ironic that you say that. You promise that you'd forget about me and Riley once I did what I had to do. Yet, you break that particular promise."
"Huey, I thought you were the realistic one among our crew," Dewey replied, "You initiated into our crew and been part of us for almost 5 years. After all those years, you think you can manage to pay rent with a low-wage job?"
Deep within himself, he agreed with the man. Both him and Riley barely made ends meet, with their salaries both combined together. But he was not going to say that aloud. "That doesn't concern you."
Dewey swiftly pulled out a death stick, along with a lighter. "Oh please, you'll reach a breaking point and crack under the pressure, which will lead you back to your old life; this rightful lifestyle." He took his first hit and let the smoke majestically slip out of his mouth, in a waterfall pattern. "I'm just waiting for that time to come."
Huey's hands begged for his permission to pummel his old boss to oblivion, to no avail. They stood still by his sides, in attempt to calm down. He didn't agree to meet up behind school grounds for a fight, but for other reasons. "Can we get back to our main priority?"
Dewey nodded his head, "Right. You want to discuss some issues about Cindy and...that beautiful mixed friend of yours. What's her name again?"
"She's not my friend and you don't need to know her name."
Dewey's eyebrow lifted ever so slowly, but he chose no to comment on how straightforwardly his former member spoke of the girl. Interesting, he thought. "Anyway, about Cindy, I didn't have to do anything to get her. No kidnapping, no threatening. Nothing. She came to me."
"I know she sacrificed herself to keep you off our backs, but couldn't you have denied her request and dealt this between you and me, like a man? Her life is already going in the wrong direction."
"I don't care," Dewey answered, his tone assuring the world that he was not going to change his mind. "She came to me, asking if she could be my prostitute and I accepted her offer. I don't get you Huey, you hustle your ass off 24/7 to get rid of your reputation and to support your brother, and yet here you are, not willing to take advantage of this golden opportunity. Damn, you confusing the fuck out of me."
Huey folded his arms against his chest, "I'm not willing to sacrifice one's life just to better mines."
Dewey chuckled, whilst in the process of coughing from inhaling too much tobacco. "But you've already shed innocent multiple times. What's stopping you from doing it again?"
He lowered his gaze on the hard ground, for a second. That small lapse of time gave him flashbacks of those gruesome times when he'd shoot individuals, one by one, and get involved in many drug-related schemes just for the stacks of paper that was considered more valuable than a person's life. He didn't do it because he wanted to, on the contrary...he was against the society's underground business. He only stooped that low for his brother.
At the time, he thought his involvement in such criminality could financially support his little brother as they were orphaned with no home. Obviously, he was wrong. As Huey swam deeper in the sea of criminality, he unconsciously dragged his brother along, only to expose him to such darkness and brutality. He shouldn't be in that kind of environment at such a young age.
The eldest Freeman lifted his head up, determination sharpening his glare. My brother, he mentally answered Dewey's question.
As his laughs were finally replaced by silence, Dewey straightened up, throwing his cig on the ground and stepping on the bud with the heel of his foot. "It's obvious this conversation is going nowhere. You too stubborn to dip back in your crew, therefore I'll be keeping my precious blond object..." His demonic smile showed up. "And I might add a certain mulatto doll to my collection."
"I thought you might say that," Huey's lips twitched into a smile that was similar as Dewey's, but with a higher level of demonic darkness. "Which is why I'm warning you that if you lay a finger on those girls, then I'd have no choice but to kill you."
This side of Huey peeked Dewey's interest into a whole new level. "Oh? What happened to the Saint who didn't want to kill anymore?"
"You're life isn't exactly worth anything, no matter how much you try to make it worthwhile." If he could, Huey would have laughed by how deep his comment had stung Dewey's ego.
His scowl did no justice. "Oh, yeah?"
Huey's amusement dimmed as he watched his former boss pull out a glock from the back of his jeans and point it towards him. "Are you really going to threaten me now?" he asked, in a bored tone. He wasn't intimated by his action, even if he had just walked up to him and pressed the cold mouth of his M9 handgun against his cheek.
"You think this is funny? You may not be in the crew no more, but you still gotta respect me! I demand respect. Got that?" Dewey pressed his gun harder. "Now I dare you to repeat what you said."
Huey's hands were tucked in his pockets and he eyed the man with no sign of fear, whatsoever. He may be the boss, but he was fake and everyone knew that. It was simple really, the four-eyed abused his power to build up an intimidating image, which failed, but he was too blind to realize that. "Okay. I said that you're life isn't exactly worth anything, no matter how much you try to make it worthwhile."
Dewey's normally chill demeanor slowly changed and his face contorted in and all. His nostrils flared, his eyes flashed and closed into slits, his mouth may be shut but its need to let out a storm of obscenities increased by the second. His finger was itching to pull the trigger, so bad. "You do realize that there's a gun against your cheek. Your sharp tongue can get you killed! I can kill you if I want to, ya know?!"
"You want to kill me, but you won't."
Dewey growled. "What makes you say that?"
"I'm the one who propels your business. You need me, or else you wouldn't be all the way here in Maryland."
Huey didn't even get a chance to blink, no thanks to his former boss who gun-whipped him across the face, then turned his back on him. The gun in his hand glistened in the fading sun. "Don't play with me boy..." At that said, he walked out of the alley, not daring to look back.
Huey spat blood as his eyes shot daggers at Dewey's retreating back.
Glaring a hole on the ground, the ex-gangbanger spat blood once more and scrunched his cheek, easing away the slight pain. His fingers snaked their way in his pocket and grabbed a hold of his beloved cigarette pack. If it weren't for his cheek, Huey would have sighed.
Like his grandfather used to warn him, the past was never dead. It wasn't even a...past.
Author's Note II: So, this is just a glimpse of what's gonna go down on the next few chappies. By now, you're probably going to be curious as to what will happen to Huey and Jazmine's friendship from there, and if Cindy will continue to keep secrets from her best friend, and if Riley will make his promise in reality. Welp, all I can say is that shit will hit the fan at some point lol.
Shout-outs
Jadehotasfire: Yah, you'll see her bad side soon enough. As a matter of fact, this chapter is the start of her character development. If you have caught that, then you have a keen eye. Thanks for giving this story a chance :).
Queen Beauty 89: Here's an update...my bad for the tardiness :/ lool..
Poojasandhu1234: Thanks :) I try my very best to please you guys :D! I hope you enjoyed this chappie too!
SammiSweetheart, Seth Star, OGWxlf, Guest, Guest II, Mickey, Nalia: Okay, I would like to greatly apologize to you guys for my unforgivable tardiness, but you have nooo idea how much shit has gone done this year :( Hell, I decided to not even bother to celebrate my 19th birthday (which was last Wednesday) due to the fact the year was shitty as hell lool. But because I survived, I decided to finish up this chappie :D! I'm honestly surprised that you're still hooked to this story, and I would like to thank you guys for that :D! I hpe you enjoyed this chapter.
SayaKisaragi Blood: No problemo my friend :D! After all, you deserved the shout-out since you took the time to wrtie a supporting comment.
Proud2beMexican: Thanks, I'm glad that you enjoy the theme that I'm trying to establish into this plot. I believe that there's the complete opposite of each other, and that maybe, with time, they could eventually try to influence their perspective on life, in general :). I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Kindle-Flower: I totally understand where you're coming from, and I'm sorry if you're not feeling Jazmine. I had the intention of making her too innocent, just to add a bit of comedy. And as for Tom and Sarah, at this moment, it may seem like they're actively involved in her life, as in they're always there for her, but as you get further to the plot, you'll see otherwise. Anyways, I'm glad that you enjoy Cindy and Riley's little friendship :)
K-Fresh: Are you sure about that :)? What if Jazmine doesn't survive from all the madness? That's the million dollar question ;).
Cutechibilolita: Ahahaha, I'm glad that you find the fic amusing lool. I'm attempting to corporate some humor, considering the fact that we're just in the beginning of the plot lol. Just be prepared for the angst that will be sure to appear :) Thanks for enjoying the chapter; I hope you also enjoyed this one.
The Reviewer: I'm glad that you've really thought through the plot :D! Cindy has sacrificed alot for everyone's happiness, but we can only ask ourself when she's going to reach her breaking point. She's already sacrificed her time, her innocence, and her childhood/teenhood (if that word exists). Will she be willing to sacrifice her sense of self, or worse, her soul? Only time can tell. And honestly, as for Jazmine, she's stuck in this bubble that gives her this image of innocence and the fact that she seems to have the 'perfect' family, the perfect house, and whatnot, doesn't help the situation. But that'll soon change, trust me lol.
SpicyWifey: Yeah, I know right :( The amount of sacrifices she's done will affect her in the long run. Let's just hope that Cindy's heart will remain gold after she survives (or maybe not...who knows ;)?) the madness. And ahah, oh trust me, Jazmine and Dewey will soon have their first interaction, and it'll be one that you won't forget ;)
Tabbykatroses: aha, she'll start acting like a little cute rebel soon, and it'll be funny as hell :')
Palestinian Eyes: Hey, what's up :D? As a matter of fact, I never had the chance to read the rest of your work because of the crapiness that has occured in my life, and I haven't been active on fanfiction for a while. But that's about to change and I'll read your story as soon as I'm done with this update!
Sailorjj07: Thanks :D! Portrating Huey is hella hard work, you have no idea! Like I can't make him say anything, considering the fact that he has to maintain his cool, collected facade/personality/whatever you guys call it lool.
Blazing Romance: I'm glad that you enjoyed the huey and jazmine moment :D! I want to add some growth to their friendship; after all, we're already in the 7th chapter. It's about damn time that there's progress ;)
Natasha Annalise: Glad that you enojed the story :) I'm very sorry for the wait that you had to endure for this chapter, but if you're still following this fic, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter.
Yup. I better get started on my other updates *sweatdrops*
Again, sorry for my tardiness :(
And thank you for the major support you guys have been giving this little ol' fic :D
