Chapter Fifteen:

Endless Summer

The task for the second day of community service was something even more dreadful than picking up trash: painting over graffiti covered walls. Horace Doom came out with a push cart of matching paints. The buildings were a local community center, a church and a shelter, red, gray and white respectively. Naz looked at the paints and groaned, kissing his teeth as Horace Doom gave the offenders a look of annoyance.

"Y'all gonna be painting over walls," he said, "First, Los Lados Community Center, it's half a mile up from here, the bus gonna take you there. You have three hours to finish. When you're done, then it's to the Holy Baptismal Grand Church of Arceus' Infinite Wisdom and Love. That'll also take three hours. And then it's to Los Lados Homeless Shelter and you'll finish that up. All in all, your work days should be a full nine hours. Any questions?" Naz raised his hand and Horace pointed at him, "What?"

"Why the hell is the church's name so fuckin' long? Do we gotta say the whole damn thing when referring to it? What even is that name bruh?"

Horace glared at him but then sighed, shaking his head, "All of you, go load up the paints into the back of the bus and get on." With that, he walked away, heading to a separate vehicle and hopping in. It drove off, heading to the job site before them. Nines sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes when Horace was out of earshot.

"I ain't finna do no fuckin' painting, the hell is this shit."

"It's better than picking up trash—ah, what am I sayin', no it ain't," Uniqua sighed, grabbing a bucket of paint. Jazmin was staring at the buckets, but grabbed one. It was a bit heavy and so she struggled with it, but resolved to take this to the bus on her own. Uniqua also seemed to be struggling with the paint bucket, but Nines seemed to have an easier time, whereas Andre picked up several effortlessly. Naz and Vinalia picked up exactly one bucket while Lemmy got the final one, leaving Kyrin with pushing the cart to the bus. They made their way to the vehicle, loading the paint in the back and the push cart last, then took their seats. Uniqua sat next to Nines, holding her hand, while Lemmy sat in the back alone. Vinalia sat with Naz and Andre, while Jazmin sat by Kyrin, who was staring blankly out the window. The driver closed the doors remotely and pulled out of the parking lot, heading their first location: Los Lados Community Center. The drive to the LLCC was rather smooth sailing with minimal traffic. Jazmin looked at Kyrin who was now leaning back in his seat, dozing off for a quick nap. But before he could completely shut his eyes, Jazmin spoke.

"Hey," she began, "How you feel—"

"Girl, I know you see me tryna sleep," Kyrin muttered. Jazmin looked taken aback and fiddled with her thumbs nervously, squelching a blush rising to her dark cheeks.

"Yo…sorry…damn," she said skittishly. Kyrin laughed and then yawned.

"Nah fam, I'm just playin'. Ain't gon lie tho I'm type tired," he rubbed his eyes as he spoke, "I ain't built for this early mornin' shit. I'm nocturnal."

Jazmin glanced at him and saw that he did looked bleary-eyed and low energy, "Well…better get yo ass into gear then. We gotta paint over walls, bruh."

"Hmph," he shook his head with a snort, "Ion think I'ma be doing that for fuckin' long."

"It is what it is," Jazmin responded, shrugging. Kyrin laughed again and closed his eyes, trying to get in a quick nap before their work. The bus took a left at 5th Avenue, where the roads were in shambles, littered with potholes and cracks. There'd been people sitting in their yards smoking or playing lively bachata with flags hanging out windowsills and doorframes, or on the back of low-riders parked carelessly in no-parking zones. Jazmin didn't come around here often and she was vaguely aware that 5th Avenue was a food desert. There had only been one supermarket and all they sold was bagged food: chips, twinkies, devil dogs, frozen dinners—the works. There were cops parked outside a deli, eating donuts and fried egg sandwiches, keeping a look out for early morning shenanigans. When the driver reached the LLCC, he slowed down and reversed into its parking lot. He cut off the engine and turned to the passengers.

"We here," he said flatly, pulling the lever. The doors slid open and they all got out, grabbing the push cart and the buckets of paint, heading to their job site. Horace was already present, popping out his folding chair and sitting a good several yards from the walls that needed to be cleaned over. When he saw the internees arrive he stood up, the cigarette in his mouth seemingly lighting itself.

"Alright," he called out, "Y'all gonna paint this wall over. Should take y'all about three, maybe four, hours tops. Don't leave anything uncovered, ya heard me?"

"Yeah," they mumbled in unison, looking dejected, annoyed and otherwise unwilling as they picked up the rolling brushes provided for them and started getting to work. Horace nodded in approval and plopped back in his chair, opening another magazine to read. Jazmin decided to start at the west end of the community center, dipping the brush into red paint. She smoothed over the graffiti that read: REEZA WUZ HERE, until it wasn't visible anymore, which wasn't as mindlessly easy as she thought. Sometimes the graffiti would peek through and thus, require a second coating and the brushes were not that light either. She sighed, knowing this was going to be a long, irritating day. She opted to move faster, but like picking up the trash, if she did, she missed spots and would have to go back over them. She sucked her teeth, shaking her head. It ain't ever easy, she thought, feeling discouraged and deflated. She stole a glimpse of Kyrin who was painting about nine feet from her. He was yawning, looking lethargic as he rolled the brush back and forth, trying to erase the tags of gang members who ran through here. Jazmin looked to her left, seeing Andre having an easier time: he used his tail hands to hold two brushes at once, while he held one in right hand, so he covered more ground in a shorter amount of time. Lucky, Jazmin thought. She wiped her forehead with the back of her wrist before dipping for a third coat of red paint. She covered about six square feet in about fifteen minutes, not looking as she bumped into Naz, who wasn't trying to cover shit. Instead, he was on his phone.

"Bruh…you gon' go to juvie if you don't do your shit," Jazmin told him. Naz gave her contemptuous look.

"…Maaaaaaaaan…this is bullshit," he grumbled, pocketing his phone, "We really painting this ratchet ass community center? Niggas don't do a goddamn thing here but play basketball and smoke up in the bathroom."

"Nigga stop…fuckin' crying," Jazmin muttered, bending to pop off the lid of a new bucket of paint. Naz took a peek of her backside.

"Ay, you gettin' kinda thick tho," Naz said, grinning. Jazmin looked up at him, her eyes narrowed and her eyebrows arched. Naz shrugged, "What? I ain't supposed to notice when you start gettin' thick? I ain't blind, bih."

"Shut yo ass up," she mumbled, starting to paint again as her ears went flat against her head for a brief moment.

"Besides look…" Naz pointed to Horace, who was fast asleep again in his chair, the magazine over his face with his hands folded over his stomach. Jazmin frowned, wiping sweat off her forehead again.

"Ain't nobody give a fuck. Not even the nigga who supposed to be watchin' us give a fuck."

"Y'all ain't shit for real," Jazmin said. Naz laughed a little, pulling out a pre-rolled blunt and a lighter. He lit it, taking a moment before taking a puff and passing. Jazmin sighed, setting down the brush and accepted the blunt, taking a hit. She noted that Naz was wearing a black PWA wife-beater, a gold chain with the top of his orange jumpsuit tied around his waist. And of course, his sported suede loafers with gold studs on the side. She kept her jumpsuit on properly, but she unzipped a little bit, showing that she was wearing a multi-colored camisole top. She passed the blunt back and Naz took a hit, coughing a little as the smoke went down the wrong way.

"Well I ain't doing this fuck shit," Naz said, walking off and heading inside the center. Jazmin raised an eyebrow and then shook her head, kissing her teeth. She continued painting, coughing a little but pushed through. She noticed that she didn't see Nines or Uniqua anywhere right now. Kyrin walked over to her, uninterested in finishing painting.

"Ay," he said, "I'm making some drink—you want any?"

Jazmin shook her head and Kyrin shrugged but then sniffed, "I smell gas, bih. Where the weed at?"

"Naz," Jazmin said, still painting.

"Ah, pretty boy nigga," Kyrin said, tapping his foot, "Ay, you like him or somethin'? I see you look at him all like y'all used to fuck around."

"I dated that fuck nigga," Jazmin admitted, sighing, not proud of it, "And we only smashed once. It was my first time and my only time."

"Oh wow," Kyrin said, not too surprised, "Ya ain't so good of a girl—but eh…bitches be fuckin around worse than that these motherfuckin' days."

"It's not like he any good," Jazmin said softly, stifling a laugh. Kyrin pulled out a loosie cigarette and lit it. He took a long, satisfying drag.

"You wanna experience good?" He said to her. Jazmin's ears quirked and she turned to look at him, staring. He grinned at her, showing off his white teeth.

"Um—uh," she looked nervous and her cheeks turned bright red, "Uh…"

"Ay listen, I put in work," Kyrin said, taking another drag, popping his crotch and then laughed, "Yo…yo…face is fuckin' funny right now. Stop lookin' shocked, bruh. I been fuckin' since I was eleven. Can't knock my game, bih. Ain't nobody ever had complaints about me."

Jazmin laughed apprehensively, playing with her braid as she blushed again, "Uh…c-can I think about it?"

Kyrin gave her a sly smile, "Yeah, you can think 'bout it. I mean…if I was you…I know what I'd say."

"Nigga please…" she said, giggling, "You think you got game like that?"

"Ion think, I know," he said, "Look atchu, you blushin'—awww, I see that, don't even cap like you ain't considerin' it."

"Y-yeah," Jazmin wrung her fingers, looking shy, "Ion do much with boys, to be honest. It was only ever Naz…and like I said, only one time…"

"Ay, don't you worry," he said, leaning against the wall, "I gotchu—"

"The paint is wet."

Kyrin quickly got off the wall and turned around to see behind him and sucked his teeth, "FUCK!" He grumbled. He stormed off to go to the bathroom to wipe off the splatter of paint on the back of his jumpsuit. Jazmin laughed out loud and painted over the spot he had ruined. You think you can turn me out? Let's see 'bout that, city nigga.

Naz walked into the community center, looking around as he smoked up. He sighed when he saw the posters. They were flyers of local events that were going on in the neighborhood—a feeble attempt at urban youth outreach. He walked through the gym which was mostly a basketball court with miniature bleachers. He took another hit and cleared his throat as he pushed through the double doors that led to mostly clean, empty hallways. He yawned a bit, feeling the high washing over him and a bit of hunger starting to creep on him. Naz walked into the east wing, still observing his surroundings. This place corny as fuck, damn nigga, the fuck is all this? Motivational posters and shit, niggas really still be needin' those fake ass quotes and shit? He thought as he got to the end of the east wing. He peeked into the cafeteria and saw Lemmy sitting one of the tables. She was drinking henny straight from the bottle and sloppily texting on a cracked flip phone. Naz shook his head and didn't bother her, rather passing by and taking note of the garage somewhere in the back. It was metal and stained with graffiti, but also lightly cracked open. Naz quirked an eyebrow and went over to it, pushing it up. When he did he heard a yelp and a gasp. He looked, seeing Nines pulling blankets over herself and Uniqua, whose clothes and jumpsuit were tossed around the end of their makeshift bed they made out of the sponge filling out an abandoned mattress. Naz stared for a moment and then began laughing. Nines snarled, throwing her shoe at him.

"Get the fuck up outta here, nigga!"

"Ay yo!" Naz yelled, "Ya out here lickin—"

Nines snarled at him, her eyes glowing pink as she psychically forced the garage door shut. Naz jumped back, still laughing, calling out from behind the garage door, "Y'all niggas supposed to be paintin' not eatin' each other's cooch! AHAHAHAHAHA! GOTTEM."

"Ay yo my man shut the fuck up and mind yo fucking business!" Uniqua called.

"It hard to mind anythin' when—"

"Nigga shut up! Damn!"

Naz laughed a raucous laugh once more and walked off, taking another hit of his blunt, pulling out his smartphone, texting Andre, telling him what he'd just seen. Still snickering about those two, he didn't notice Lemmy walking out of the cafeteria. He bumped into her, his phone flying out his hand and skidding across the smooth floor.

"Ay can you watch where you fuckin' goin—"

Lemmy immediately interrupted him, "The fuck you say to me?"

Naz went to retrieve his phone, pocketing it, "Bitch! You heard me! I said watch where you fuckin goin—"

"Ay my nigga, take yo light green ass on somewhere before I knock yo ass into another zip code. Ol 'mask of Zorro' pretty boy lookin' head ass, nigga."

Naz felt his eye twitch as he walked up to her, "Yo, listen you ol' drunk raggedy—"

Lemmy didn't wait, backhanding the ever loving shit out of Naz. He stumbled back, holding his cheek, tasting a twinge of blood in his mouth. Then she hit him again, squarely in the adam's apple. He choked a bit and fell back, dropping his blunt and gasping for air. When he finally got it, he rubbed his throat, glaring up at the Lopunny.

"Look atchu, poppin' all that spicy shit a second ago! Nigga don't ever step to me if you want yo face to stay pretty!"

"B-bruh!" He said between gasping coughs, his voice now hoarse, "The fu—what kinda Lopunny bitch is YOU?"

She reached into her jumpsuit showing him a necklace with an orb attached to it. It had an unfamiliar symbol inscribed in its center. She then pointed to her wrist, rolling up her sleeve—which also had a gemstone embedded into the midpoint. She folded her arms when Naz stared at her.

"You ain't never seen a mega stone, nigga?"

"A mega stone—bruh…" Naz rubbed his throat again, massaging it, a bruise starting to form where she hit him, "Them joints are illegal—you can't get them anywhere in Scion City."

"Well I got one," she said, "And unless you want me to rip yo face out yo ass, you gon stay out my way."

"Mega evolution bruh?" Naz said in disbelief, "Can we even do that shit anymore—we ain't animals—"

"The fuck we can," Lemmy said, warning him, "This shit right here my guy, is Lopunnite—which you can't find here. And if you ever step to me again, I'ma activate this shit, get swole'd up and beat yo ass six feet in the motherfuckin' dirt, you hear me nigga?"

Naz nodded, his eyes wide as she walked away, angrily kicking over a can of paint on her way out. He sucked his teeth and groaned when he saw his blunt was on the floor and ruined. As he went to text Andre about what happened, he saw Jazmin enter the community center, curious to know what would be in here. Naz straightened himself out and sauntered over to her. When she saw him she rolled his eyes.

"Ay yo nigga keep yo gas smellin' ass over there," Jazmin said, "I didn't come in here for you."

Naz shot her a nasty look, "Bitch, please. Ion wanna see yo stanky ass anyways. I'm tryna see what they got up in here. Maybe some shit I can sell."

"Really? Really…really bruh, really?"

Naz shrugged, "They got some busted ass computers with some copper wirin' up in this bitch. Strip that off and sell that shit sell it for 8 bucks a foot, girl."

"Nigga—the fu—you ain't some fuckin' poor ass crackhead, you live in a two family house, the fuck outta here."

"So?" Naz said, heading to the computer labs, "I sell dimebags for side hustle, you think ion pawn shit too? You buggin' if you think I give a fuck about this community service shit." Jazmin followed him as he cracked the door open and went to one of the older computers, that had a sizable display screen and monitor. Jazmin closed the door behind, shaking her head.

"Really tho?"

"I mean…you can go out there and keep paintin', but I'm tryna chill," Naz said, sitting down on one of the spinning chairs. He spun a few times before putting his feet up and leaning back. There was a bit of silence between them and Jazmin sighed.

"Why you gotta always act like this Naz?" She finally asked, "Whole fuckboy ass…"

Naz shrugged, "Girl…you know you like it."

"I sure in the hell don't like shit," Jazmin argued, "I didn't like it when you fucked around with Nines and ion like you tryna push up on me when I said—I said…" she sighed, "Y'all too much."

Naz pondered what she said for a moment and got up, popping the back off the monitor. He saw that none of them had their copper wiring still attached and he groaned.

"Someone cleaned this shit out before I got here—damn," Naz said.

"Cuz yo ideas never be original," Jazmin said disdainfully, "Besides this shit is for the kids who don't got computers at home. Kids like me, my guy."

Naz gave her a look, "Maaaaaaaan…if you don't get the fuck outta my face with that bullshi—man, look, FUCK them kids."

As he said this, they heard the door open. It was Kyrin walking through into the computer lab, not seeing them as he made his way to the cubicle in the back without bothering to check his surroundings. Jazmin sprinted over to the inmate, startling him.

"BIH!" Kyrin snapped, "You scared the shit out of me…damn!"

Jazmin noticed he had pliers in his hand. He started cutting the wires of the newer models of computers in the cubicles and stripping the rubber off them, revealing the copper underneath. Jazmin sighed contemptuously. Naz soon joined them, sucking his teeth.

"Bruh! There's wires back here!"

Kyrin pocketed them, yawning, "Yeah nigga. Got to the computers in front like twenty minutes ago too; that how it be when you quick on yo feet."

Naz gave him a mind-numbed look, "…Nigga!" Jazmin giggled a bit but then groaned when Kyrin returned to stripping the wires from the computers in the workspace. Naz spotted Jazmin's quick giggle and grew furious.

"Ay nigga, what you think this is?" Naz said, getting into Kyrin's face when he got up from stooping for the wires, "I spotted this shit first."

"Nigga you didn't spot shit," Kyrin said, shoving him, "Slow ass nigga—oh…you ain't talkin' about the wires, are you?"

Naz broke out in a melodic tune, "I hit it, I hit it, I hit it, I hit it, I hit it, I hit it first."

Jazmin glared at Naz, feeling her heart race and her temperature rise.

"Y-yeah, I heard," Kyrin said, laughing, "Heard you were trash too!"

Naz gave Jazmin a look that read "why you lying," and then turned to Kyrin who was yawning again.

"Nigga, trash? Yo whole set is trash!" Naz yelled.

Jazmin tried holding Naz back, "Yo! Naaaaaz, stop—!"

Kyrin didn't wait and swung on Naz, catching him square in the face and sent him stumbling backwards into the computer's lab desks. He groaned, shifting his jaw, checking for any broken teeth.

"Ay lil' soft ass motherfucker," Kyrin shouted, "You ain't built like me, blood. I'll body you, nigga. Don't ever step to me, I'll steal on you, on Arceus."

Jazmin looked startled, wanting to intervene but she wasn't sure how. Naz got up, his green face turning purple from the punch.

"Don't play me like I'm some softy," Kyrin warned, "Ol' retarded ass nigga."

Jazmin turned around, looking at Naz dust his shoulder off, trying to flex.

"What's crackin' then, cuh?" He shouted, "Bust a move, nigga—lemme see what you packin'."

"Pause, and fuck you," Kyrin barked.

"Ayo both of y'all—chill, chill," Jazmin said quickly and quietly, "Stop, stop please bruh—"

Naz cracked his neck, side to side and Kyrin did a "come on," gesture, taunting him. Naz irritated, rushed him. Kyrin side stepped and slapped the dogshit out of him, sending him reeling into the wall and knocking his head. He slipped and fell on his ass and yelped out in pain. Jazmin cringed.

"Yo! Can y'all fucking stop! STOP—"

Naz's fuchsia eyes began to glow like pink flame as he got up. He outstretched his left arm, the pink-red rose shifting around his wrist in concentric motions. Bright, pale green light began to gather up in his hands. Within seconds he conjured a pulsating ball of energy, emitting neon green light. The room smelled like roses when he did and he tossed it, hitting Kyrin squarely in the stomach. The energy ball exploded on contact and sent Kyrin flying. He skidded back and fell on the tables, knocking the computers off as he did. Kyrin groaned, getting to his feet, feeling the pain starting to creep up on him. Jazmin grabbed Naz, pulling him back.

"Stop fuckin' fighting, y'all niggas are being fuckin' stupid!"

Naz pulled away from her grip, ignoring her pleas. He called out to Kyrin, "Yeah, nigga, now what?"

Kyrin shook his head, snorting, his ears erect and his eyes bright and angry. Jazmin was becoming more frantic.

"WILL Y'ALL STOP—"

Kyrin ignored her as well and darted towards Naz, moving blindingly fast. Naz tried to parry but to no avail. He tackled the junior onto the floor, pinning him to the floor. Naz blew green sparkling smoke in his face and Kyrin lurched back, getting off him immediately and coughing. He felt his eyes starting to get heavy and he felt light-headed. Kyrin stumbled a bit, forcing himself to stay awake, but it was getting harder and harder as the seconds passed. Eventually, he collapsed to the floor, asleep.

"Nigga…that was a cheap shot," Jazmin muttered, kneeling down and checking on Kyrin. She turned him over on his back.

"Deadass bruh? He swung on me first," Naz shouted.

"You out here provoking him! Nigga what the hell—"

"Yo you really into this nigga? This nigga trash! Ain't he doing a bid for knockin' off some department store or some shit? At least that what I be hearin' on the block—"

"WHAT BLOCK? Bruh!" Jazmin pushed Naz, "You mad fuckin' annoying! Help me with him."

"For what? He sleeping!"

"He can't stay here dumbass!" Jazmin barked, getting him by the feet while Naz sighed, begrudgingly lifting him up by the shoulders. They carried him to the lounge, where there had been couches with soft cushions by the corners of the armrest. When they set him in the couch, Jazmin sat on the floor, pulling her legs to her chest while Naz leaned against the wall. There was a long, uncomfortable silence between them. Jazmin stared out into space, collecting her thoughts. Naz, on the other hand, sat by the table in the center of the lounge and got out a baggie of gorilla glue and rolling paper. He began making another blunt as they waited, making it the perfect size. When he finished, he took out his lighter, throwing up in air and catching it with one hand, lighting the blunt and taking a hit. He blew out smoke rings into the air, putting his feet up on the table and leaned back in the chair, balancing it on two legs instead of four. He let out a loud sigh as he did, looking over his shoulder at Jazmin who'd been texting.

Jaz: Portia?

Portia: hey

Jaz: r u ok?

Portia: meh. Ima b iight

Jaz: any plans for summer?

Portia: visitin' my grandma

Maybe stay there for a while

She live In East Lados

Jaz: oh. Ok

Portia: ye

Ttyl. Gotta dip

Jaz: see ya

Jazmin sighed deeply. She's shook after all that. Why the hell would she wanna stay in Los Lados? Ion blame her for wantin' to dip outta here…nothin' but bad memories here. Jazmin refused to give up however. She resolved to make Portia feel something other than fear.

Jaz: i'm free tomorrow

Lets head into Scion City.

Portia: um

Wat we gon do there?

Jaz: u gon see.

Just meet me at the X-22 train station

Tomorrow, iight?

Portia: thumbs up

Jazmin began smiling at her phone. Naz noticed this.

"Good news?" He inquired. Jazmin nodded.

"Seeing Portia tomorrow…it's gon be fun."

Naz smirked a bit, his face still swollen and purple from the beating he got, "Lit." He took another hit of the blunt, blowing out a trio of smoke rings.