Huey sat on the cool grass on the high hill. A place where he often found his solitude and tranquility, he was most relieved. Sure enough he was no longer upset with Jazmine and the other way around, that was the good thing. However, a displaced feeling (unsure of what it was) told him different. An essence that surrounded him, an unseen presence. His body scrawled out upon the tender grass, it tickling the back of his neck.
The sun shined above him, he didn't care.
What's up. A familiar voice asked him, his eyes closed. You seem...out of it, what's wrong?
I don't know.
You never know the truth, do you? The truth surrounds you, you've changed Huey.
I haven't changed one bit. I've just...relaxed. That's all.
You're lying to yourself. A female voice entered the conversation, You're turning into them, just like them.
No I haven't. I have a life now. My beliefs haven't died...I still believe. At this time however, I'm content with the life I have. Jazmine, I'm content with her with me...she brings me peace.
That's a lie. The familiar voice told him again, Don't lie to yourself. Lying to oneself is the way to denial, denial is the escape we convince ourselves that is real.
I'm not in denial, I am aware of myself. His eyes were closed, sun beating against his eyelids. Wind blew gently against him. Are you sure?
Are you sure about the happenings that surround you at the moment. At the time? No, you don't. You only see what your eyes allow you to see...not your mind.
Where is that girl's voice? There was a girl's voice, what happened to her. He waited for an answer. The familiar voice, he could not see. He was unable to see if the voice was looking down at him in disgust or pity.
She left. She's gone for the time being, and you're the person who can find her. Right now, I doubt your abilities. You insult me.
Really how?
You'll understand later on. See ya later.
Then the voice disappeared from ear sight as fast as it appeared. Huey's eyes flickered open and his vision was quite blurry at first. The figure before him...puzzled him. He sat up, wanting to get a better look at it. Long dark black hair covered her view, shielding her face. Her uniquely light skin tone somehow sparkled in the sunlight.
She had never looked so serene.
"Stop staring," Gwen snapped at him, "its annoying".
"What are you doing here," Huey asked confused, "you hardly ever come here".
Gwen didn't face him. Her view still focused on the blue sky above her. "I beg to differ, I haven't come here as often as I would like".
"Then what is your reason for coming today"?
"Riley and I went to the mall today, he was being a whining child the whole time".
"So you came for relaxation"?
"Meditation would be a better word for it, but yes". She sat up right. Her knees touched her chin, her hands covering them both. Huey sat beside her, but at some distance. He learned that she indeed did like her space.
Getting close to her somehow triggered a rage that she would release on any innocent person, given the chance.
"What is your reason for coming here," Gwen inquired, "you absence has been much longer than mine".
I've been with my girlfriend Jazmine, you know her. Words that he was considering using to reply to her question. However, being rude to her would push her (and probably him as well) down the hill. He searched his brain for a logical answer, but it was dry and so was his mouth.
It didn't take a scientist to know the answer, she wasn't fool. Her rage was not high, but annoyance was raising slightly. It was always her. Always. She noticed this tension between the two for many years now. A different tension. More emotional and physical, than their regular trust and respect one. Her gaze did not stray, she didn't expect an answer.
"I have to do some work, goodbye". Gwen stood up. Her gaze was still towards the blue sky, her eyes distant and glassy. Huey looked up along with her, wondering what she was so interested in. Without acknowledging himself, Caesar arrived silently and watched the two. A relationship that words could not describe or evaluate.
"Freedom". The word she left before walking away, leaving Huey to ponder. She passed Caesar, her attention taken to a far away universe. His eyes watch her figure go down the hill until it was no longer able to be seen with the human eyes. He sat by his best friend.
"You know, you two crazy as hell".
"Why do you say that"?
"Both of you guys are dense as hell, you know that-your relationship is as stoic as a statue".
"We're not in a relationship, we don't have a relationship".
"I mean friendship, don't be so literal". But I gotta say you two would make a fine couple. She being the fine catch...love the panties.
"She has always gazed up at the sky like that, and I never understood why".
"Freedom...does the sky give freedom"?
"I do not know".
Suddenly falling silent, the boys looked ahead of them instead above. Wind greeted them once again, albeit harder than the first. Leaves from the old willow tree fluttered from its home, soaring away with the wind. A sickening feeling began to go inside of Huey. A feeling that should have been searched on, but wasn't.
Sick.
"Dammit Riley, tell me where he is"!!
"Hell to the naw"!!
After shopping Cindy and Jazmine went to the Freeman Household, to show off there new dresses. To their chagrin, both boys were not home at the time. The only one who was there was...Riley.
"I don't have to tell you shit," Riley snapped back.
He was sprawled on the couch in the living room. The television turned on high, his attempts to drown out the noise exiting the girls' voices. Jazmine frowned deeply, dropping her bags hard to the floor and going up to the television...turning it off. Instead of his usual rants, Riley just sighed.
"Now you're going to tell me where my boo is"!!
"Frankly my dear I don't give a damn".
"I know you know where he is, Riley"!!
"Even if I did, I wouldn't tell your mulatto skinny ass".
She crossed the table with swift movement, grabbing his shirt collar. Her eyes glaring at him crazily. "Whoa, look at the Stiletto Bitch, she all hyped now". Cindy watched the event from a distance, growing quite bored at the same time. She sat in a nearby chair, her arm holding her up her bored head. This thing was getting old for some reason.
"Shut up Riley," Jazmine hissed, "tell me where Huey is now"!!!
He kept his cool. His casual features not leaving him one bit. In contrast to his younger self, he would have been up in Jazmine's face in a nanosecond. Having such a depressive, cool female friend did have its benefits.
"I don't know where Huey at Jaz, and I don't care".
"You're lying".
"You're being a stupid lil white girl again, no offense Cindy".
"None taken".
"What did you just call me," Jazmine hissed dangerously, Riley's face closer to hers. Still not showing any emotion whatsoever, Riley repeated his previous statement, in slow motion. "You're being a stupid lil white girl again". Jazmine fumed.
"I may not be able to kick your wannabe gangsta ass like Gwendolyn, but I can do other things".
"Be realistic, nobody can do what Gwen do-she's original".
She couldn't counter that...it was true. Yet, the comment wasn't what Jazmine was interested in at the time.
"If you look at it, you're relationship is just like Huey's and Gwen's".
Stop for a second.
The two teens stared at the blond girl. Anger did not consume their eyes, disgust did not either, but Jazmine did remove her hands quickly from Riley's collar. Riley stared at her in shock, Cindy not understanding what was going on-but had a clue. Jazmine lifted her head high, as if scolding the both of them...like a nanny would do.
"When Huey comes back, tell him to call me, please," her voice barely above a whisper.
Riley grabbed the remote that had fallen to the floor. He shifted uncomfortable on the couch, his breathing going ragged. Turning back on the television, he took a deep breath and regained his composure.
Damn mulatto bitch.
Jazmine slammed the door to her bedroom. She dropped her shopping bags in a upset manner, she didn't know what to do with herself. She felt sick, and when she took a look at her mirror...she looked sick.
Cindy had no right to say that...me and Riley acitng like Huey and the cold hard bitch!! I am a sweet person, but he has that thing in him that gets the best of good people. I can't believe him, being so cool like her. Not caring, so cruel. At least Huey was able to show some compassion, love even though it is few when he says it...
No!!! That Riley will not mess me! I've gotten stronger, it may not be Gwen's strong, but I'm a black belt at Tae Kwon Doe!! That should say something for me, I am not to be messed with any longer!
Besides, I have only one day left of freedom. After that day, I'll be forced under the judical system to spend a whole month of community service with that bastard. Why me? I'm a good girl I'm a very good girl. I never wish bad on anyone, most of the time. And I don't get Santa Claus mixed with Jesus any longer, so why!?
Just my luck. Just my luck.
His deliciously strong lips. His hard dark eyes, pierced into me. A sensation went up my spine, did I ever feel that way before? No, I'm sure I haven't I sure. My God, what is wrong with me today?
"I'm still impressed," Caesar commented, "that Jaz would do something so unlike her".
It was about seven o'clock in the evening now. Caesar and Huey, after leaving the hill, went to the store to buy some lunch. Healthy lunch, not the type of lunch that you buy at Danny's Fried Chicken or Church's. Despite their mouth watering techniques to get you to their store.
"Yeah." "And the aftermath of it, Riley wasn't really that mad".
"Why should he be, it has happened to him many times before"?
"True, but its like he was almost..."
"Look, you need to stop worrying so much, you're getting paranoid". Caesar comforted his friend. "If we needed paranoid niggas down here, I would have called Condi for yo ass". He grinned slyly. That was Michael Caesar for ya, so causal any person could feel at ease in his presence. "What you and Cindy gone do"?
"Prom, she's been obsessed with it lately, but hey-we are seniors".
"Jazmine brings it up more often than necessary, it really is irritating".
"Dull," Caesar shook his head, "expect this from the girls, prom is the most special night in their lives, second to their wedding night".
Huey thought about it. Many girls indeed care for their prom night . He narrowed his eyes in their regular way, his gaze going slowly to his friend. "Alright Uncle Tom," Caesar clicked his tongue, "give me one girl who does not care for prom".
"Gwendolyn Kaji". They went silent. Last year, their Junior year, the Homecoming dance was nearly canceled. The cheer leading squad was very hyped that year, Jazmine included, and wanted as many girls to assist with the decorations as needed. Sadly, this somehow included Gwendolyn to decorate.
"Gurl," Cindy exclaimed to the squad (ladies basketball), "you kno damn well that Gwen don't do shit like that"!!
"Cindy," Jazmine countered, "she needs to learn how to have fun"!!
Fun. Gwen's idea of fun was releasing pornographic material of half of the cheer leading squad at the last cheer off the previous summer. Chaos was ensured and Gwen was immediately sent to the office one day later.
"It was horrific," the captain teary eyed spoke, "she showed us no mercy"!!! "WHY"!!!
A screen was placed right in front of the gym where all the boys and girls were dancing, a slide show had composed of the latest cheer off of the previous summer...oh so they thought. It was Gwen's duty to update those photos, update them. Unknown to the squad, Gwen had hired a person to dig some dirt up for her, and she got what she asked for.
It revealed the sex and drugs that were hidden behind to pearly whites. Friends, families, and whoever was considered human saw the revolting truth of the cheer leading squad. The pain brought shame among the wealthy families of certain members, and brought upon joy and bliss to the lower ranks who despised them.
Chaos ensued.
A day later, the families wished to sew the Kajis, but no avail. It had seemed that Gwen had already gotten to the principal first, somehow changing his views on the whole predicament. Through out the whole ordeal, Gwen seemed pretty calm about it. Her parents who arrived home before the incident, also appeared not to be the least concerned about their daughter's cruel behavior.
"Revenge runs in her veins," An replied, "if our Gwen did something to your children, they are at fault not her".
"Gwendolyn has always been a well-behaved child, she only acts to violence and cunning tactics when she is provoked," Hyo added.
Mary Ann, Brittaney, Josie, Lilith, Yvette, Melanie, Josefina, and that gay cheer leader Alfonso had all left the school. Their where abouts are still unknown to this day.
"The pain she caused that day was terrible, I couldn't even do that, let alone think of such a sadistic plan". Huey told Caesar. "When she executed the plan, I had never seen her so..." He was at lost for words, many would do the same. They continued to walk in silence.
"Ravishing".
"What," Huey turned to Caesar.
"I gotta admit it, she's a fine looking girl". "Her hair was hanging loose, a slim red dress, it revealed all her curves". He licked his lips, "She has that sophisticated, exotic look to her...she was ravishing on that night".
"I guess".
"Don't guess, you know-all the boys know". "She even smugged a bottle of fine red wine, and drunk it while the slide show played". "She didn't give a damn of who she hurt or that it was evident that she had done the deed".
"How did they find out, anyways"?
"You don't know, wait you were with Jazmine at the time".
Silent glare.
"That glare only tells me that I'm right".
"Get to the point boy".
Caesar smirked. "Don't get into grandma mode on me, she didn't hide the fact that she did it". "She sat at a table, drunk her wine and laughed".
"Laughed"?
"Yes, laugh-laughed at them, her smirk in triumph, the only laughter in the whole damn gym".
"Gwen doesn't work like that".
"That is true, she usually doesn't like for her work to be seen...but she didn't care, she laughed at winked at them, it was brilliant".
Huey was lost at words. He unlocked the door and stepped in, cool air hitting his face. Caesar waved his friend off, going to his own home. He shut the door silently behind him, going up to his own room. Riley was on the computer, downloading more music onto his Ipod Nano.
"Did Jazmine call"?
"Nope".
"Did she come over"?
"Nope".
Shrugging it off, Huey fell onto his bed. "Being the older brother, I should ask what you been up to, but I'm not that kind".
"Like hell would I tell yo skinny ass lovin tail anyways".
"Assuming you're talking about Jazmine, I've learned how to ignore your insults".
Instead of going to his own home, Caesar arrived at Cindy's. She opened the door cheerfully, only wearing a light blue tank top and dark blue pants to match. Her hair was in a low pony tail, her hand pulling him into her large home.
"Mom and Dad went to the Country Club tonight," she went to the fridge, "won't be home till late".
"Thanks babe," he wrapped his arms around her waist, she giggled.
"You were with Huey I suppose, me and Jaz went shopping".
"For prom, did you buy anything"?
"No, just browsed, but guess who we saw"!!
She lied on her couch, he between her legs. Her peachy fingers went through his dreads. His moans were faint, but she smirked nonetheless. The lights were dimmed, the curtains closed.
"Ed and Rummy," his voice getting raspy.
"No, guess again," her voice sounding like a pur. Caesar flipped her onto her back, his neck drove into her neck. Cindy legs crossed and uncrossed, she bit her lip fiercely.
"Ed Wunclear," impatience beginning to control him.
"No," her voice loosing its dominance over the moans that overwhelmed her.
Caesar stopped his kissing, and looked down at her. Crystal blue eyes, peach colored skin, he smirked. "Are you ever going to tell me"? Cindy smirked, grabbing his collar, pulling him to her. A kiss forceful, passionate, he liked being dominated. Her hands grabbing onto his neck, his hands wrapping around her.
"I'll tell ya later," their bodies becoming one on the couch.
Riley went outside for a breather. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, something his brother would never do. Took out his lighter, his drug. Smoke flew from his mouth in circles, he sat on the concrete stairs that led to the house. Granddad hadn't made it home yet, something that bothered him at times. A man being his age should do what he do, but he does it anyways.
He thoughts were actually being considered. Something in him boiled deep inside of him, something he didn't understand and it made him angry. It made him really angry and frustrated. It sickened him.
Without thinking, he repressed the feeling and went back inside.
Memories repressed. An event that had haunted him for the past five years, it came back on seldom occasions. Whenever he was alone, no one to pull him out. A memory he would just love to forget. It made him see a side of a person, a side that he never thought that person held within them.
It just made him fear that person more.
i'm working on chapter 6 at this moment. i give thanks to all that reviewed, it makes me feel so happy! if you like, give out suggestions, i don't mind.
lata!