Jaylen POV

"That's one way to end a party." Darren said as he walked into my room. Good thing I be dressed because he hardly ever knocks. When does, he doesn't wait for a response, impulsive ass. "Bryheem always doing dumb shit as usual. You can't invite the whole hood and not expect niggas to act a fool. That's hood 101." I said as he laughed. "You're right but where did you go? I nearly saw you last night." He asked with an eyebrow raised.

"That's because you were dancing with bae. You just forgot about me." I said as I clutched my heart, fake crying in the process. "Play too damn much." He said as he nudged my arm. "No but for real. I'm really happy for you guys. Don't be running away from your happiness." I said hugging him. "Get off me. You're so childish." He said a is smiled. "We did lay down some rules though. I don't want nothing to happen to him. I'd honestly wouldn't know what to do. " he said as the atmosphere switched to a more serious one.

"However, he was more happy about ne saying I wanted to be his boyfriend. He kept saying it all last night before he went to sleep." He said blushing. That's my friend. "Don't try to change the subject, where did you go?" He said with his eyebrow raised. "Well I went to get something to drink and ran into someone." I said as he motioned for me to continue. "We made small talk. He kinda didn't want to be here but was reluctantly came. Before I could ask his name, the fourth of July happened. The end." I said as I shrugged my shoulders.

"You play too much." He said as we laughed. "You swore I was gonna find love or something. Sorry to disappoint you" "I low key did but not that fast. Just someone to make occupy your time. At the very least, a distraction from our reality." He said as he looked down. "Hey. I understand. That time will come. " I said trying to reassure him as well as well as myself. "Hey Jay, what was your life like before you got here?" He asked me.

"Eh let's see. I guess you could say I was sociable. My parents were there every step of the way and could trust that I would at least be responsible. I had a pretty normal life if I must say so. How about you?" I asked him. "It was me and my mom against the world. She never told me about my pops for some reason but I never bothered to question it either. I would help out any way that I could. I hated asking her for stuff because I'd feel like a burden. Though she never hesitated to give me what I wanted, the thought still lingered. I was your average student. Didn't have to many friends but I had enough. Favorite subject was literacy. I loved how you were able to escape the normal world and enter a fantasy one through writing. It's amazing." He smiled.

"That's why I'm kinda jealous you're still able to go to school. You get keep advancing in the educational field while I'm stuck here. To think, this would be my last year too." He said letting out a low chuckle. "Hey Darren?" "Wassup?" "How about I get you enrolled in school. Roman can help me with that part and I'll home tutor you. I'll turn in all your work for you so Bryheem won't know. I'll just need it before the night is over." I said as his eyes lit up. "What about the projects? How will I get them. Or turning in papers?" He asked. "Well I'm sure Roman has a laptop or at the very least a cellphone. That way you can type it up there and he can proofread before emailing it for you." I suggested as he smiled.

"Thank you so much Jay. I really don't know what to say." He said as he started to tear up. "Hey, no friend of mine is gonna get left behind. Besides, you have to make your mother proud." I said as I hugged him. "You're a really good person. Thank you so much." He said as he bear hugged me. "Just do your best and cross that line with me. Also, you're cutting off my circulation. Pretty soon you'll kill me. " I said as he embarrassingly let go. "My bad. I'll talk to Roman about it tonight and get back to you tomorrow." He said as he got up and left the room.

I'm glad I could at least make someone happy. I spent the time thinking about what he said earlier. I guess we did need a distraction to escape our reality, only thing with distractions is that they are just that. In the end, reality still exists as well as the problems within it. Besides there really isn't anyone worth that. Including the stranger from last night. "I just want to get out of here." I said as I sighed before melting back into the bed.

The Next Day

"Good Monday morning." Malika said as she hugged me. "It's Monday tho. Why do you have so much energy?" I said to her with my eyebrow raised. "The sun is out. You know I'm my happiest when the sun is out." She said smiling. That is true. She's most emotional when it rains. "Either that or you got some dick." Dion said walking up as I bust out laughing. "I don't even have a boyfriend you dumb fuck." She said rolling her eyes as we continued to walk.

"Did y'all see that guy earlier?" She said. "What guy?" I asked with my eyebrow raised. "Some man was in the admissions office this morning. I'm guessing he was enrolling someone because he looked a bit old to be enrolling himself." She said as I mentally smiled. Roman be on it. Good thing he looks older then he is, made the task that much easier. "Matter of fact, there he goes right there." She said as she pointed to him. I swear her and pointing man. "Put ya damn hand down. Damn." I said swatting her and face palming myself.

I'm guessing Roman himself heard the sound because he turned around. He motioned for me to come to him. "You know him?" Dion asked. "Yeah. That's my cousin. Probably coming to enroll his brother." I said laughing as I walked to him. "Hey. How'd it go?" "Smoother then I expected. It was a hassle getting his transcripts plus I literally had no personal information so that was even worse." "Well how did you get him in?" "Easy. I lied and said are mother died and our personal items were burned in a recent fire. I just started working to rebuild our lives." He said as he shrugged his shoulders. Damn, he's good.

"Some waterworks helped sealed the deal so excuse my eyes for looking little puffy." "That's fine. Did they give you his roster?" "Yup right here." He said as he pulled it out and showed it to me. Looks like we have mostly all off the same classes. Should be cake. "I'll be turning in his work for him. I apologize for not telling you sooner. I didn't want to wait any longer." He said scratching the back of his neck. Looks like I'm not the only one who wanted him to finish what he started. "Imma go head and grab some supplies for em. See you later Jay." "Thanks again Roman." I said waiving to him as he did the same before waiting.

Well Darren, looks like were crossing the finish line together. "You're cousin is fine! Why haven't you told us about him before?" Malika asked. "Well you know I haven't seen my family in years so I honestly had no idea he'd even pop up here." I said as I shrugged. I could tell that she wanted urge me to get in touch with them but at very moment, it's not safe. "Well did you at least put in a good word for me?" She said as she batted her eyelashes. "Man move. He has a girlfriend already. Better luck next time." "Whoever she is, she sure is lucky." She said as we started to walk. He sure is.

"On another note, there's a new movie coming out Friday, you down?" Dion asked me with an eyebrow raised. "I'm game." I said smiling. If they only knew the risks that I was taking for them. On another note, how the hell am I gonna even meet up with them. There's no way in hell Bryheem will just up and let me leave. "Ight bet so we'll meet up here and go." He said as I got confused for a moment. Then I remembered that I no longer had a phone and that this would be the easiest spot for me to actually get to on my own. We spent the rest of the day joking around and trying to think of things to wear. I didn't have anything too flashy but I did have some things for the occasion.

After all, I was Bryheem's most prized possession, so it was only fitting I looked the part. A part of me is pissed that can't have the normal life I once had but there's nothing I can do. "Hey I'm gonna get some from checkers, yall want something?" Dion asked us. "Ooooooo fries and a chicken sandwich. Or 2 $2 boxes. Bbq sauce please." I said as he just stared at me. "What?" I said as he felt my forehead. "Just making sure you feeling okay because you actually asked for food. Normally, you'd ask for just a water." "I know right?! Its so shocking." Malika joined in. It be your own friends. "Both of y'all shut up. Hurry up before lunch is over." I motioned for him to go.

"Sheesh, who knew you could be so bossy. I'm going boss." He said as he saluted me. "He's such a weirdo." "Tell me about it. Wanna go sit outside on the bench? It's a beautiful day out." Malika asked me as I nodded my head. On the way there, she seemed to be stuck on something and I knew just what it was. Once we sat down, she started twiddling with her hands. "Let it out already. Your gonna explode if you don't. " I said as I sighed. "Jay, it's been two years, don't you think now is a good time to get in contact with your family? Especially since prom and graduation is coming up. Those are two things that no parent wants to miss." She said as she let out a breath of relief.

"You wouldn't understand. Do I think about them? All the fucking time, but every time I go to call one of them, the memories come flooding back. I can't go back there not now." I said looking off into the distance. "What memories? What happened jay? You never tell us anything." She said sounding annoyed and she had every right to be. I'm just trying to protect everyone the best way I knew how. If that meant keeping them in the dark, then so be it. "I don't want to talk about it." I said as she rolled her eyes before mumbling "you never do." "Hey I promise you this, after we graduate, I'll tell you and Dion everything. I mean EVERYTHING. Sounds like a deal?" I asked with pleading eyes.

"I mean everything Jaylen. I guess I can settle with that for now." She said as she wiped her eyes. She gets so worked up over this and me. Which is why I couldn't tell her now, she wouldn't stop worrying and I don't want her in harm's way. Neither one of them. "Come here." I said as I hugged her. "I promise I will. I just don't want you stressing over me. I'm not going anywhere. I promise you'll be the first to know otherwise." I said as she let out a silent sob. "Its just that when we talk about our family, a part of me feels like I'm hurting and throwing shade to you because you won't/ can't see yours." She said as I sighed. "Hey I don't take no offense to that at all. Hell I'm happy to hear you guys talking about your family. I makes me smile to hear all the jokes. If I feel some type of way, I have no problems with telling you so. Now stop crying." I said rubbing her back.

"I got a few extra th- what I miss?" Dion said as his expression changed as he placed the food down. "Nothing. Don't worry about it." Malika said breaking from the embrace. "So why are your eyes watery? Y'all really about to lie right now?" He said as his tine switched. He's like the protective older brother I never had. "She was inquiring about my family and why I never talk about em. She felt bad when you guys talk about yours because I can't see mine." I said sighing. "Not gonna lie, shit definitely feels weird. Why do-" I put my hand up. "I told her and now you, when we graduate, I'll tell you everything." I said finished. "I'm holding you to that. Matter of fact lemme put that in the calendar now." He said as he pulled out his phone.

  "We really need to get you a phone." He said as he put his away. "You got new phone money?" I said as Malika laughed. "Only for me." "Ight then. Shut it up. Now what was you saying before?" I said laughing. "I got a few extra things because I know yall fat asses love to eat. Well Malika,  you just now joining the club." "I feel so welcomed" I said said as I snatched my food. "Dang I'm sorry." He said as we laughed.  We spent the rest of our lunch period talking about random things that happened in school. 

  "So we'll be seeing you Friday right?" Dion said as I nodded my head. "Watch I be the first one here as usual." I said shaking my head. Malika would always still be getting dressed and Dion would always be running late. I used to piss them off by intentionally going somewhere for 10 minutes, thus making em wait for me. "Woooooooow. He start hanging back out with us and now he don't know how to act. It be your own friend." Malika said as I laughed. "Imma be on time. I promise." She said as I rolled my eyes. "Same here. We'll be right here before you. Watch." Dion said as he dapped me up.

  I noticed that none of Bryheem's lapdogs were here. "Looks like we're walking,  Mary Mary style." I mumbled to myself as I started walking. About 15 minutes into the walk, my legs started to get tired. Hoping I had some bus fare, I started rummaging through my pockets. I found $2, which was just enough. Just my luck, the bus was coming too. After asking the bus driver nicely if she could excuse the fact that I didn't have the quarter, I took a seat. My feet is barking. Once I finally made it to hell, I heard some loud music playing. Here they go with the bullshit.

  It got dead quiet when I opened the door. "Looks like somebody found their way back." Bryheem said as everyone laughed. I didn't catch the joke. I rolled my eyes as I went upstairs. "You can't speak? You see we got company. " he said.  You mean the same weak ass niggas that steal from you? K. "Wassup." I said with a straight face. "Now where's my greeting?" He said as I stared at him like he was crazy.  "It's all good.  He got a lil attitude." He said as I walked off. More like the nigga was showing off and doing the most but ight. I threw my bookbag on the floor before taking a nap.

  "Hey Jay." I was awaken by Darren knocking on my door. "Wassup?" I said rubbing my eyes before looking at him. "I was coming to tell you the good news." "Yeah cuz you straight forgot to this morning. " "I know.  I know.  Roman was so hype that be insisted that I start immediately." "Hmmmm I guess." I said flagging him.  "I'm sorry. At least now we're-" "Where that nigga at?!" Someone yelled coming up the steps. I could hear nothing but stomps. "This nigga stole my money!" Bryheem's lapdog yelled pointing to Darren. "Fuck is you talking about?" He said as his eyebrow was raised. We both looked at each other confused.  "Allow me to explain." The devil himself said walking upstairs. "You see, Shamir was short on my money this week. When I questioned him about what could've possibly happened to it, he said that you took it." He finished. 

  Now I know his ass not believing him.  "I didn't steal shit, I don't even like your ugly ass." Darren replied. "Shut the fuck up." He said as he punched him. Wrong move. "Don't put your fucking hands on me." He said as he hit him back.  From there, a full on fight broke out between the two. Darren was really whopping his ass. That was until Bryheem's other boys jumped in. Nah fuck that.  I jumped up from my bed and jumped in. Coming in here and starting shit as well as jumping my friend, we not doing that. "That's enough." Bryheem said as his other boys broke us up.

  "Shamir, I don't like liars." He said as Shamir looked like he seen a ghost.  "Y'all know what to do." He said as they drug him away. "I get that and some." He said as he turned his attention back to us. "Y'all know I don't like fighting in my crib. Punishment is necessary." he said as they grabbed us as well. "We didnt even do nothing!" "He started with us." "Rules are rules." He simply said as we were drug downstairs. "This is bullshit!" Darren yelled as the door slammed close. I stayed silent the whole time. "I'm sorry Jay. I really didn't mean to get you caught up in this." "Its all good. I'll be damned if somebody jumps my friend." I said to him.

  "To think we were having a good day." He said as we both sighed.

Whew,  finally.

Thoughts?

Darren?

Bryheem?

Jaylen?

Introducing:

Malika:

Dion:

Darren:

Roman: