Chapter Two:

Old Days & Good Times

Jazmin and Talon decided to walk the rest of the way back to the Section-77 projects. Jazmin felt mortified at the whole situation. Nines was ready to burn her because of her outburst. Talon sighed, eating one of his poke puffs as he walked with her. As they passed by the Red House Projects, which had been famous for several shootings and hanging shoes from telephone lines, Talon spotted X-Large, who'd been chilling with his homeboys out in front. He had finished cleaning his new whip—a bright red sports car with huge rims. They were smoking black n' milds, cigarillos, drinking coronas and playing a casual game of craps, while listening to old school beats. Jazmin avoided eye contact with X-Large, who was well known dealer and gangbanger around Los Lados. But Talon was eyeballing the fuck out of the sports car.

"Damn that shit look fire," he said to Jazmin. She put a hand to her face as he said that. X-Large was of the Lycanroc line, who were known, like many wolf-like and foxlike pokemon, to have excellent hearing.

"Ay, Jazzy Jolt! Ay, ay, lemme holla at you real quick," X-Large called out. Jazmin gave Talon an annoyed look and he shrugged sheepishly. They reluctantly walked over to X-Large. He was tall man, with skin the color of cinnamon and curly off white hair that he styled into a mini fro. He had a matching beard that was shaped up to the gods, perfect, crisp edges with tapered sides. His wolf like ears poked through the curly top of his shapeup. He was tall, buff and had a white wolf tail sprouting from his backside. When he spoke, Jazmin could see his huge fangs. X-Large offered her a sip of beer. She refused, but Talon took a hit of the blunt that was being passed around.

"Where you comin' from young blood," X-Large asked.

"School," Jazmin said.

He sniffed the air, "School but you smellin like mad gas and ciroc?"

Jazmin bit her lip but X-Large laughed, shaking his head, "Relax, cuh. You good, I ain't gonna snitch to ya momma, that ain't my business. Speaking of ya moms, she single, yeah? Tell her X-Large wanna holla."

"Uh…sure…" she said, checking her phone.

"So what's good Talon," X-Large said, "Still selling puffs? Lemme get a blue frosted one."

"Yeah, sure man." He reached into his bag, giving X-Large one, who compensated him with a dollar. As he did, Talon eyed the ice on X-Large's wrist. Must have cost him a fortune for those diamonds, he thought.

"Los Lados High," X-Large said, taking a bite into the poke puff, "Damn, I remember when I used to go there. That shit was lit back in the day. You young cats don't know nothing 'bout the hustle I used to do back then."

"What hustle?" Talon asked.

"Slanging rare candies man," X-Large said, "Nowadays its dope, but rare candies back then, were actually fuckin' rare. It was forty for just one. I had that shit locked down. I used to get rare candies from my mans, Drill-Unit, rest in peace."

"Oh damn, what happen, why you stop selling candies?"

"Cuz that shit was getting played out. Levels stopped mattering as much. Niggas aren't fighting like they used to, ya know? Crazy shit. We all got that urge to fight but niggas wanna act like we don't. If we don't fight, we get stale. So yeah, that shit wasn't going nowhere. Drill-Unit got me into trappin' though."

"Oh…how…interesting," Jazmin said, with a forced smile.

"Yeah. You ever wanna be a real hustler my nigga, come look for me, Talon," X-Large said to the student, "This candy shit cute, but you old enough to start putting yo claws into the game."

"Yeah…uh…sure man."

"Anyways, y'all prolly got some homework to do. Lemme not hold y'all up."

"Thanks X," Jazmin said with a smile.

"Oh and if you see yo bro, Strika, tell that nigga he owe me 50."

"Yeah…"

"And one more thing." X-Large reached into his bag and pulled out some body spray. He sprayed them both down, "Can't be smellin' like gas and liquor when you get home. I know yo momma don't play, she'll whoop yo ass."

Jazmin and Talon both coughed but they nodded, appreciating it.

"Catch you later then," Jazmin called out, as she walked off, muttering to herself about being late. The street lights were starting to come on.

X-Large laughed with his boys, "Heard them talkin' about my whip, hahaha caught 'em lil niggas."

Lakeda had finished cooking dinner by the time Jazmin was home. Strika was home earlier than usual today, sitting in the living room, flipping through the channels. He looked sullen, as if something bad had happened. Jazmin noticed this, but decided not to press it. Strika had a moody temperament and she didn't like pressing too hard. Lakeda tasted the fig berry stew she made with fish and guava. It had to reduce a bit more into a stew before it could be served.

"Hi mom," Jazmin said.

"Hey," Lakeda answered, "School was good?"

"Y-yeah," Jazmin lied, sighing, setting her bag down. She didn't want to talk about Naz, cutting class or stealing from a liquor store. She was tired.

"I gotta work tonight," Lakeda said, "Dinner is almost done. Do your homework, eat dinner and get to bed."

"Yeah mom," Jazmin said. She picked up her bag and headed to her room.

"And don't be blastin' no loud ass music while I'm gone. Mrs. Loom don't like that loud shit y'all be playing, iight?"

"Yeah mom," Jazmin called out from her room before closing her door. She took off her clothes and got into comfy house ones—a tank top and sleeping shorts. She washed her face, took out her braids and tied her hair into a headscarf. She curled up in bed and scrolled through her phone. She received a text from Portia.

Portia: We're invited, girl

Jazmin smiled at the text and replied:

What you gonna wear?

Portia: Prolly my new skirt or sumth

Jazmin got up and opened up her closet. She had a decent amount of clothes, but no fancy ones for a party that someone like Arty would throw. It was this weekend, which was a day from now. She wondered if Lakeda would let her go. It couldn't hurt to ask. And so she steeled her resolve and walked out her room, seeing Lakeda getting ready to leave as the dinner was now cooked.

"Y'all can help yourselves to the stew," she said, putting on her coat.

Jazmin took a deep, shuddering breath, "Can I go to Arty's party this weekend?"

Strika, who overheard that lowered the TV, "You got invited?" He asked, genuinely surprised.

"Yeah. Did you get invited?"

"Yeah I did," Strika said, sounding slightly aggravated.

"Oh?" Lakeda said, looking neutral about it all, "Well since Strika's going, I don't see why you can't, Jazmin. Just don't be coming home no 3 or 4 in the fuckin' morning. Remember, I got work."

"Really? I can go?"

"Yes. Just behave y'all selves while y'all there," Lakeda said, "Iight, I gotta bounce. Kisses."

"Bye mom," Jazmin said. She squealed to herself, excited. This was her first senior party. She sat down next to Strika who was eating some chips.

"I know you and Arty used to date…how you feel going to her party?"

"It's whatever," Strika said, yawning, "She too boujie for me, anyways. Mad high maintenance. I know she invited me to rub her new boyfriend in my face but it's whatever. That thot never single anyways."

"Damn, you sound salty as fuck," Jazmin said. Strika shrugged, flipping through the channels.

"Oh by the way, X-Large said you owe him 50."

Strika scoffed and got up, heading to his room, shutting the door as he did. Jazmin shrugged, turning off the television and headed back to her room. She looked into her small vanity mirror as she did. Niggas not fighting like they used to no more, she recalled X-Large saying. That's a good thing, isn't it? She remembered using her special move against Nines. It felt good to discharge her natural electricity. People these days rarely fought, but it still happened. And the results were explosive. She remembered her father, a Zebstrika-descended man, who fought like crazy in illegal underground battle gyms and rings for incredible amounts of prize money. Those were hold overs from their ancestors who were trained by humans to fight for their amusement. The urge to run wild and free was in every one of them. It's a good thing, Jazmin said. She wasn't old enough to remember her father's death at the hand of another opponent, but Strika was. And ever since then, he pulled away from the shenanigans their father had gotten into. It's a good thing we ain't fighting like we used to. She went to her phone and put in her headphones and dozed off, listening to lo-fi hip hop beats. Around 10 she woke herself up, helped herself to some of Lakeda's dinner, watched a bit of television and texted Portia about outfit ideas for Arty's party. She smiled to herself. Just one more day and we out here! She took a bite of the stew and her ears perked up in delight.

The new day was blindly bright and Jazmin, in a good mood, got ready quickly instead of dragging her feet as usual. She wore bedazzled blue jeans, cute flats, an off the shoulder crop top, hoops, red lipstick, blush and a bit of shimmer eyeshadow. She redid her hair into two long braids and decorated with gold string and pieces. She looked extra cute today and that made her smile. She stepped out her room, seeing that her mom had already got in in the early hours of morning and was fast asleep on the couch. Strika emerged from his room, dressed in a black button down, black jeans and black Js. He was a handsome man, and looked exceptionally nice today, knowing Arty's party was after school. He grabbed the keys and checked for everything, wallet, phone and the fifty he owed. After doing his daily once over, he opened the door, letting Jazmin out first and locking the door behind him. They were up on time for the bus and they got on. They sat together quietly, listening to their own music on their phones. Within twenty minutes, the bus reached Los Lados High and they got off, splitting up and heading to talk to their own friends. Jazmin turned a quite a few heads with her cute outfit and she was feeling herself for once. There she saw Keisha sitting by the school stairs. She was looking sad again, her eyes red and puffy. She was talking to someone that she'd never seen before: a boy who was clearly of a Decidueye-lineage. He was fair skinned with green hair, parted to the side and hollow looking gold eyes. Like most flying types, he hid his wings. Jazmin found that she'd been staring too long for Keisha and the boy looked up at her. She averted her gaze and continued walking away, heading into the school. She did the usual ritual of going through the metal detector and the x-ray before heading to the hallways. When she was done, she spotted Portia by her locker, talking to Zanny one of X-Large's young dealers, who went Los Lados High. He was light brown with shaggy white and red hair, large foxlike ears poking through his hair. He was tall and well-built with sharp pupils for eyes. He hid his sharp claws by wearing gloves. He was of Zangoose descent, had impeccable drip and was popular with rap scene in Los Lados High. Zanny gave Portia a few pills and Portia, in exchange gave him a kiss on the cheek and a whisper in his ear which was followed by a grin.

"Hi Portia," Jazmin said, "Sup Zanny."

"Yo," he said, "Catch y'all ladies later. Yo, Big Smoke!" He called out, going after a senior who was of a Weezing-lineage. Jazmin observed them both. Big Smoke as he was nicknamed was tall and bulky. Portia grinned, leaning against the locker, looking at Big Smoke.

"For a fat nigga he can dress," she said.

Jazmin gave Big Smoke a once over. He was handsome in spite of being bulky, with smooth brown skin and a mini fro that was grape purple. He never took off his shirt tho. Rumors had it he had a white skull and crossbones shaped birthmark on his stomach.

"What's that you got."

"Pills," Portia said, "Uppers."

"Ah," Jazmin frowned, "I just stick with loud. That's all you. By the way, you look fuckin good, girl!"

Portia smiled, "Yea? You slayin' too! You looking cute. Gotta look good for Arty's party."

"I love how that rhymes. Arty's party, Arty's party…" she laughed a bit, closing her locker, getting out her textbook. "Yo, by the way, you saw Keisha today?"

"Nah, why?"

"I saw her outside on campus," Jazmin said, "She was talking to some nigga I never seen go here."

"Maybe he's her boyfriend from another school."

"She was crying," Jazmin said, walking with Portia to first period before the bell rang, "She mad quiet and shit. She don't talk to nobody. What can she be cryin' about?"

Portia shrugged as thy entered the classroom. On Fridays, first period was science, taught by Ms. Flora. She was one of two Ms. Floras in the school, the other one being her sister. They were of the Florges-line. Thalia Flora taught science while Fiona Flora taught art. Ms. T Flora was in the classroom already, with two male seniors trying to chat her up. She was gorgeous dark skinned woman who was tall and curvy, with ass for days. She had a huge green afro that was decorated with little red, pink, white and blue flowers that naturally grew from her hair. All people from the Florges-line were women.

"Go to class Rider," Ms. Flora said, exasperated with their flirtations, "Go now."

"Aw c'mon Ms. F, just gimme a chance."

"Out, out, I have students coming in…stop coming in here and bothering me. Both of you, get out of here."

The two male students grumbled and went to the art class, hoping for better luck with her younger sister, Fiona Flora.

"Hi Ms. F," Portia said, going to the usual seat in the back. Jazmin waved, sitting in the back as the other students began pouring in at the sound of the bell. A lot of the male students paid attention in her class, because she was both fun and lovely. But she often times had to tell off those students for being creeps. Talon was the last one in, clearly high off his ass, but he had a wad of money in his pocket from spending all of zero period selling his poke puffs, beans and blocks. He sat in the back with Portia and Jazmin, immediately putting his head down to sleep.

"Damn, knocked out."

Ms. Flora began writing down notes about biology and evolution. She mentioned that rapid evolution didn't occur anymore ever since the main evolution took over, changing lesser pokemon of the past into what they were now. About halfway in, Jazmin lost focus and began texting and scrolling through her phone.

"Ay, you think we should bring anything," Jazmin whispered to Portia.

"Yeah…that's why I bought pills," she said, laughing. Jazmin sighed and shrugged, "I guess I could bring food."

"What you gon' get?"

"Prolly some chips and shit, simple stuff, a few sodas too."

"Iight," Portia answered, going back to taking notes. Jazmin was excited about the party, counting the minutes down til 3 o clock, to which was when the final bell would ring at 7th period. She smiled to herself, looking out the window to break from Ms. Flora's lecture. She saw Keisha outside again. She was refusing to go in the school. The boy she saw with her earlier was trying to pull her inside the school, as if pleading with her. She pulled from his grasp and ran off, cutting school altogether. Jazmin lifted an eyebrow, concerned. What the hell happening out there? But before she could come up with any theories of what could be going on, the bell rang. Everyone was getting up and putting their books and folders away, ready to head out into the hallway and goof off before second period. Talon slowly woke up, yawning, rubbing his eyes and following Portia and Jazmin out into the hallway.

"Yo, somethin' going on with Keisha for real," Jazmin began, "I saw her ass outside fighting with that boy again."

"I didn't even know she had a boyfriend."

"Yeah," Talon said, yawning, "Thought she was like, a mousy, nerdy type."

Jazmin shrugged, heading to her locker, "It is what it is, I guess."

"Bruh," Talon muttered, "This party better be some lit shit. I'm calling in from work to go to this shit."

"It's going to be fire," Portia said, closing her locker, "Just don't act like a bunch of fuckin cornballs and we'll be fine."

Jazmin nodded and smiled at herself as she applied more lip balm.

Arty lived in a nice house somewhere between the projects and the suburbs of Scion City. She lived outside of Los Lados and instead, in a neighborhood called Stillwood. She was in her gorgeous rose gold room, putting in the final touches to her outfit. She was dressed in a body contouring blue gown and accentuated her slender, hourglass form and high glass heels. Arty had brown skin, deep like chocolate. She had waist length ice blue hair straightened and tied back into a high, long ponytail, with her edges slicked down and swirled. Her long, ribbon like tail was reminder to everyone she descended from the legendary Articuno-line. She finished her makeup—matching foundation, glistening blue eyeshadow and matching nude lip, with a dewy, glitter finish. She walked out her room, looking like a princess as she did. Tessa was in the living room of the house, drinking tequila as if it was water. Tessa was of the legendary Moltres-line. She was mid-tone brown skinned woman, sun kissed as if she held a glow inside her. Her thick, kinky-curly hair was styled into a large orange and gold afro. She had dark red eyes that contrasted well in comparison to Arty's icy blue ones. She wore red jeans and a gold, sequined spaghetti top. She was shorter than Arty with wider hips. 2-Zap, was sitting in the kitchen, taking a bong rip. He wore a sports jacket, black polo, jeans and matching Js. He was light skinned with yellow hair that was shaped up in clean cut low fade with zigzag design on the side. He was also of a legendary linage, the line of Zapdos. Arty walked into the kitchen.

"C'mon, everyone's outside, including the DJ."

"Ay lemme get one more hit, bih, chill cuh," 2-Zap muttered, shining his iced out rings, one for each finger.

"Nigga! I ain't waiting for yo high ass, let's go!" She grabbed by him the arm and dragged him out into the living room. Tessa followed them as they went into the backyard—a huge yard with a pool. There had to be sixty or seventy people that attended. The DJ was playing trap music and people were hyped up already. Arty grinned at the sight and clapped as the DJ introduced her.

"Give it up for the fine ass Arty! C'mon girl, get out here!"

She giggled and trotted over to the DJ, as he allowed her to a pick song she wanted to play. Everyone else had been dancing, smoking, chill, drinking or eating. As Arty talked to the DJ did, 2-Zap went to sit with his boys, showing off his new bong, allowing one of them take a rip. Tessa went to talk to Laquan, the popular senior who played basketball and was of an Arcanine-lineage. As she did, Jazmin walked in with Talon and Portia. They looked starry eyed at how beautiful Arty's home was. It was huge, ultramodern and with a pool was twice the size of their apartment.

"Ayyyy Talon!" Andre called out. He was sitting with Naz, Nines, Vinalia and Sa'Nessa.

"My man!" They gave each other a bro hug, "Yo you looking fresh, Andre."

"Yeah, my drip is immaculate," he bragged.

Jazmin was unsure of going over there. Nines was there, looking like a whole meal with her pink dress, square hoops and pink furred heels. Her hair was polished and done up in a way Jazmin could never pull off. Damn near everyone thought Nines was a baddie. Jazmin sighed and Portia noticed the change in mood.

"Girl…they got rare candies up in this shit!" She said, trying to distract her, "Yooooo, c'mon!"

She popped a few of the pills she bought from Zanny and pulled Jazmin along to get a few of the rare candies.

"Hey…Jaz, don't let that fuck nigga Naz get to you, okay?" Portia reassured.

"I ain't, don't worry," Jazmin said.

"Good," Portia responded, smiling at her, and popping a rare candy and feeling her body reinvigorate. Jazmin popped a rare candy as well, and felt a surge in her power. They both giggled and went off to mingle with the other partygoers. Jazmin saw Strika talking to his friend—Uniqua. They were close, but Uniqua was an enigma. Her skin was pitch black, her straightened hair was also black with gold swirls through it. She had the ears and the tail of the Umbreon, and it poked through her hair. Her huge red eyes were unnervingly beautiful. She wore a gold skirt and a white top with white heels. She slim with a large chest, but not much hips or anything else.

"Why'd you even come to this lame shit," Uniqua asked Strika, taking a hit of some sour diesel.

"Ion know," Strika admitted, shrugging his shoulders, "Wanna see what it's like, I guess. Some gay shit, deadass."

"Yeah this shit boring bruh," Uniqua muttered, "Err'body some sort of pothead or a bitchmade nigga."

Strika sighed and went to get himself more liquor. He saw Arty dancing with a high ass 2-Zap. What kinda name is 2-Zap, this nigga think he street but he grew up in Stillwood, fake ass nigga, he thought. He started to feel angry.

"Ay," Uniqua nudged Strika, "Stop staring at that thot. You gon regret it."

Strika grumbled, shaking his head, "I just can't deal with this shi—"

"Striiiiiiiika!"

He winced when he heard his name from Arty. She went over to him, 2-Zap in hand, who was drinking Budweiser. He sighed and forced a smile.

"Hi Arty, hi Zander," he said, intentionally calling him by his government name.

"It's 2-Zap bruh," he said, crushing the beer can and tossing it, "Ay, you tryna spit game at Uniqua? Stop that shit, she gay bro."

Uniqua looked at him and sucked her teeth, shaking her head and muttering under her breath, "Fucking useless bitch made ass nigga, ol' crusty ass."

"I know she gay and I'm not tryna spit no game," he said, trying to keep calm. But every time he saw 2-Zap and Arty, they looked so self-satisfied and smug that it made him angry.

"So how you liking the party?" Arty asked the both of them, "Anything y'all need, or y'all good."

"We good, thanks," Uniqua said abruptly.

2-Zap lit a blunt and took a long pull, coughing a bit, "Iight then. Yo, Arty, let's go already."

"Okay. Well, y'all look cute together," she chirped condescendingly, "Have a nice time here."

Strika's eye twitched but Uniqua remained impassive, sipping her juice and refusing to get riled up over their pettiness. Strika shook his head, his breathing becoming labored as he did. Where did all the time go? Where did the love go? He threw his cup down and sped walked over to the couple. Uniqua didn't stop him. Instead she sighed and turned away. Well, this won't end well.

"Yo!"

2-Zap turned around and Strika shoved him. He stumbled a bit, but quickly regained his footing, looking confused.

"Nigga, the fuck was that?"

"Don't call me no nigga you sadiddy ass fucking fake ass bitch nigga," Strika shouted.

"Huh?"

"Don't huh me—you heard what I said, don't fucking play with me you skunk breath ass nigga, smelling like mad gas and dorito dust, fuckass fake hood nigga. The fuck you think this is? Both of y'all, noujie as all hell tryna look down on me and other niggas. You threw this party to show off you stuck up thot. And you, 2-Zap, nigga you grew up in Stillwood and you tryna act hard? You bitch made like your daddy, nigga."

"At least my dad alive nigga," 2-Zap taunted, "And he alive cuz he made of stronger stuff than yo soft ass pops."

"Ooooooooh," someone howled in the background. Strika swung first, punching 2-Zap square in the jaw and then another punch in the gut. Arty shouted, trying to pull Strika off her boyfriend but Strika knocked her back. 2-Zap tried grappling him to the ground but Strika stood firm, trying to resist. Arty began shouting as people began crowding around to watch them fight. Jazmin gasped, yelling out.

"Strika!"

Her voice distracted him and that split second was all 2-Zap needed to body slam Strika onto the ground on his back. He yelled out in pain and groaned.

"Who's bitch made now you fucking lame motherfucker. Don't ever step yo soft ass to me."

"Fuck you, nigga!"

2-Zap kicked him in the ribs as he laid there and he winced, going on his side.

"Pussy," he shouted, "Pussy ass, get up and fight if you so hard, nigga."

Before he could kick him again, Uniqua stepped in between 2-Zap and Strika.

"Move she-faggot," 2-Zap barked at her.

"Move me then, nigga," she said, folding her arms and standing tall. 2-Zap growled at her and tried slapping her, but she barely reacted when his palm connected her cheek. Uniqua spat at him and put her hands together, whispering: I wish Strika to be healed. When she did, a light escaped her hand and she tossed it into air, as if it was shooting star.

"The fuck you doing healing him! He started it! The pussy pushed me first."

Oh, I wish a nigga would. Uniqua rubbed her cheek, "Oh is that so?"

2-Zap yelled again but Arty shouted for him to stop trying to instigate further. However, he didn't listen. He was tired of Strika and Uniqua.

"Listen scunt—"

The falling star landed on Strika, reinvigorating him. He slowly got to his feet. 2-Zap spat at the both of them, walking away.

"Walk away, bitch!" Strika yelled.

Arty began shrieking, "Fucking hell, no—"

2-Zap stopped walking and turned around, infuriated. He gathered up his energy and every electrical appliance began to short-circuit: the lights, the turn tables, the generator for the pool, all began to flicker and overload. His eyes glowed damn near white as he did this and he let out a bolt of lightning so supercharged that it fried the air around him, making a loud thundering crack.

It did not touch them. Instead, the lightning bounced off a reflective force-field and went into the air, fizzling out. It was Uniqua again, using Protect. Everyone watched, stunned and yelling, shouting, egging them on. Arty grabbed 2-Zap and pulled him away before anyone else could further instigate. Jazmin sighed in relief. But she knew Strika was trying to egg him on. No electrical move could touch him—not with his ability motor drive. Electricity supercharged his speed, not hurt him. Portia touched Jazmin on her shoulder and sighed, but before they could speak about the incident, Jazmin spotted Keisha.

"Portia, loo-loo-look," she said, quickly trying to get her to turn around. Keisha was dressed down, not anything meant for a party. She was wearing an old ratty oversized hoodie, baggy jean shorts and beat up kicks. She was with that boy again and they were both sneaking out the back. Jazmin and Portia decided to follow. They had gone through the gate—Keisha jumping over it in a single bound and the boy phasing through it, revealing his ghost type lineage. Neither Jazmin nor Portia could do either, so instead they went around, keeping themselves a good distance from the two. They were now out in the front, by the drive way that faced the cul-de-sac. Jazmin crouched behind the gate that was obscured by ornamental topiary trees. She turned her ear, listening to their conversation.

"You fucked me over," Keisha cried out.

"Yo…listen… keep your voice down," he said, "Look…you can't get rid of it?"

"I ain't getting rid of it—and the fact you want me to get rid of it…is fucking wild," Keisha snapped back, "You the adult here. I'm only 16!"

Adult? Jazmin looked confused. The guy couldn't be older than 17. Yeah he was tall, but most of the Decidueye linage grew tall.

"I hate this lame shit bruh…" Keisha barked, "Also…we're alone…I hate talking to you like this. Show yo real self."

"No."

"Do it!" Keisha said, sobbing softly. He sighed and snapped his finger. Something happened. The boy's form disappeared, dissolving away into black smoke, revealing someone else. Jazmin narrowed her eyes. The street lights weren't that bright. But when he spoke, she immediately recognized his voice.

"Holy shit is that—"

"Mr. Roak," Portia finished for her. She had better night vision that Jazmin and could see him clearly, even in the low dim of the street lights. Jazmin continued listening.

"I ain't getting rid of it," Keisha said.

"…Are you out of your fucking mind!? I'll lose my fucking job and there goes your future. Hell, I'll go to jail. You're a minor! I can't be caught with you like this."

"Well the fuck you want me to do?"

"I don't know!" He snapped, clearly frustrated, "I said I'd pay for the abortion. Why the fuck are you tripping this hard!"

"I told Ms. Mega I was pregnant…but I didn't say by who. I should probably transfer."

"If you have the baby, you can't say shit."

"My baby needs to have a dad—"

"Then you better put that lil nigglet up for adoption because I already got a family, Keisha."

Keisha glared at him and shook her head again, "I—"

"Keisha, no. Stop it. I ain't dealing with this shit. Either I pay for the abortion or you put it up for adoption, you ain't keeping it because I'm not going to be taking care of it."

"I—"

"Wait," Mr. Roak sniffed the air and his hair startled to bristle, "Who's out here. I smell others."

Oh shit! Jazmin pulled back from the shrubs with Portia, turning around to get the hell out of here. However, Portia tripped, making an audible thunk as she hit the ground.

"Ow!" She cried out.

"Portia!" Jazmin whisper screamed. Mr. Roak immediately glamoured himself back into that of the 17 year old boy with the Decidueye lineage and jogged over to where he heard the noise. Keisha stood still, petrified. Before Portia and Jazmin could get away, Mr. Roak had seen them and cornered them.

"Who are you? What are y'all doing out here eavesdropping?"

"N-nothing," Jazmin lied, "We were taking a walk. We ain't heard shit."

"Then be on yo way and stop spying on us." And with that, Mr. Roak jogged back to Keisha, who started running off. He ran after her. Jazmin and Portia watched this, wondering if they should follow.

"It's none of our business," Portia said, turning back, "I'm going to take a dip in the pool, Jaz. This ain't our shit to be messing with."

Jazmin frowned and sighed, following Portia back to the party.