Chapter 34

Morning, August

"I heard what Esined said ta you last night," My mama told me as I sat at the table for breakfast.

"Whatchu talkin' about?"

"When she put you out of her room. I like dat girl, Aug. Keep her around,"

I smiled. "I'm tryin', Ma,"

"She's so respectful. I hope it's not an act,"

"It's not,"

"I was so shocked when she asked for the rules befo' I could say them. The girl can cook too. Is she smart?"

"Yeah,"

"Dats a plus,"

"Definitely,"

"How long have y'all known each otha?"

"Not long honestly, but you know when you meet someone and you feel like you known them fa a long time? Dats how I feel wit her,"

She nodded. "That's cute. Is she your girlfriend?"

I laughed a little. "We know where we stand, I'll say dat,"

"Mhm," she looked at me. "August,"

"What?"

"I'm not playin' wit you. If you try ta sneak into her room-"

"Mama, nah. I ain't like dat and Esined ain't dat type of girl. Even if I tried ta sneak into her room, she'd put me out like she did last night. She respects you and the house,"

"I hea' you. Why were you in her room anyway?"

"She was tryna ignore me and I chased her ta her room. I was gonna chill wit her fa a lil bit, but she put me out,"

"Have y'all kissed yet?"

"Ma," I sighed.

"I'm sorry. I'm just excited. My baybeh got feelings fa a girl dats not a hoodrat,"

"Mama," I laughed. "You need ta find you some chill,"

"I know, but can you answer my question?"

I shook my head. "We ain't kiss yet,"

"Why not?"

"I just told you dat we just met,"

She frowned. "I know. I just like the girl already. I'on got no bad vibes,"

"You just met her... Yesterday,"

"She's so cute though, Aug. She's respectable. Mamas like girls like her,"

"You sus or somethin'?"

"Boy, don't get popped at dis table," she gave me a glare then looked up, smilin'. "Good morning, Esined,"

"Good morning, Ms. Sheila," Esined smiled.

"You hungry? I made breakfast,"

"Yes,"

My mama made her a plate and sat it beside me.

"Thank you," Esined got onto the stool beside me and prayed quietly. "Amen," she said.

"Mornin', baybeh," I kissed her cheek.

She smiled. "Morning, August,"

My mama looked back wit a big grin on her face.

"How you sleep?" I asked.

"When I got to sleep, it was the best sleep I've ever had. The bed was so comfortable and warm,"

"I'm glad you slept good," I smiled.

"Where are my manners? I'm sorry. How'd you sleep?"

"I slept good too,"

"That's great," she smiled before taking a bite of her French toast. "This tastes really good, Ms. Sheila,"

"I'm glad you like it,"

"Thanks for the breakfast," she said once she finished eating.

"No problem,"

"You finished?" she asked me.

"Yeah,"

She took my plate from me and went ova to the sink.

My mama looked shocked. "Oh, I got it, Esined. You don't have ta wash those,"

"You sure? It's the least I could do since you made breakfast," Esined said.

"I got it. You can get ready fa school,"

"Okay," she smiled befo' walkin' off.

Mama looked at me. "Keep her around,"

"Mama," I laughed.

"I'm serious,"

"Okay," I stood up. "She know she got her own bathroom?"

"I forgot ta tell her. Let her know when you get a chance,"

"Okay. I'm 'bout ta get ready. Thanks fa breakfast," I went ta my room.

I heard Viola and Esined talkin'.

"No. You cannot do my hair," Esined said.

"Oh, come on. Just this one time,"

"No,"

"Please?"

"You've never heard no means no?" Esined laughed. "No one is allowed to do my hair,"

"Why not?"

"Because I don't like anyone in my hair except my mama,"

"Listen,"

"I'll listen to what you have to say, but you're still not laying a finger in my hair,"

"You don't ever flat iron it?"

"No. I just put it into a ponytail and keep my day going,"

"I bet you got hella inches,"

"Watch your mouth,"

"That's not even curse word,"

"I'm tired of you and August swearing all of the time. Y'all need to clean y'all mouths with soap,"

Viola started laughin'. "I swear you're so adorable and innocent. Just say a curse word,"

"No," Esined said. "That's bad and you're a bad influence,"

"No I'm not,"

I started laughin' and she came into the hallway with a towel under her arm.

She looked at me strangely.

I tried ta stop laughin'. "Dats yo bathroom," I pointed.

"Thank you," she went inside and closed the door.

Viola came out the room and I shook my head.

"Don't try ta turn my baybeh into some bad girl," I told her while laughin'.

"I ain't do nothing," she smiled.

"You tried ta get her to curse. Don't do that,"

"You're a bad influence," she mocked Esined's voice perfectly.

We started laughin' harder.

"I heard that!" Esined said through the door.

We covered our mouths.

I tucked in my lips, chuckling. "I'ma get ready fa school,"

"Me too," Viola said before goin' her own way.

I went ta get ready and when I went downstairs, Esined was already down there, waitin'.

"Ready?" I asked her.

She nodded and looked at me. "I meant to say yes. Sorry," she stood.

"It's cool," I grabbed my bag. "Bye mama," I kissed my Mama's cheek and she smiled.

"Bye baybeh. Have a nice day y'all. Be good," she said, givin' Esined a hug.

Esined smiled. "Have a nice day at work, Ms. Sheila,"

Esined and I left, gettin' into my car.

I was drivin' and I began ta think about how how Esined always apologized when she nodded her head. I usually let it go, but it made me curious.

"Why you always apologize when you nod your head?" I asked randomly.

"Nodding your head is disrespectful," she said.

"How?"

"I don't know. My dad said it was. He'd get mad when I'd do it, so I try not to nod so much,"

I gripped the steerin' wheel in frustration. "He hit you fa dat?"

She got quiet.

"Excuse my language, but dat shit stupid. You can nod all you want, alright? You ain't gotta watch whatchu do around us. You can be yo self, ya heard me?"

"Yeah. Sorry," she mumbled.

"You ain't gotta apologize," I glanced at her and she stared out of the window. I sighed and focused back on the road.

The rest of the ride was quiet. I pulled up ta school and got out. I went to her side and opened her door. I put out my hand and helped her out.

She thanked me and we held hands as we walked up ta the doors. We went through security and then to our lockers.

I was at my locker and I noticed Chantelle walking by her. I hurried up and got my stuff togetha so I could get ta her.

I closed my locka and started walkin' ova. I noticed words were exchanged and Chantelle bumped her shoulda.

I was gon' have enough of her shit.

Chantelle was laughin' wit her friends until she saw me.

"Did you just do what I think you did?" I asked her.

"What?" she played dumb.

Or was she playin'? I didn't know if she was real life dumb or not.

"Don't mess wit Esined because you bitter. I'on want you no mo'. I moved on. Get dat through yo head,"

"You'll be back, boo,"

"No the hell I won't. I've found waaay betta than you now,"

"Better than who? Not me because baby girl ain't got nothing on me,"

"Wait," I started laughin' until the point where I was in tears. "It's too early fa you to be tellin' dis many jokes. Ha, betta than who? She is betta than you. Move out my way, mane," I laughed harda as I walked away.

All I could do was laugh at her silly ass.

I walked ova to Esined and she looked at me strange.

"Why are you laughing so much? I heard you down the hall," she said.

"Chantelle said she was betta than you and I found it ta be quite funny,"

"Why?"

"'Cause dats a lie,"

"Hmm," she mumbled.

"Why you do dat?"

"What?"

"Dat hmm,"

"I mean, she's a really pretty girl. I'll admit that. Her attitude isn't up to par though. We all have our flaws... She just has many of them," she said. "Maybe she'd be on my level if her attitude was better," she mumbled, thinkin' I ain't hea' her.

"Lemme find out you conceited on the low,"

She covered her mouth.

"Don't play innocent now," I started laughin'. "I knew my baybeh had some type of confidence,"

"I'm ya lil baybeh, huh?" she mocked my voice.

She really had my accent down.

"And ya know dat," I kissed her cheek. "C'mon,"

She smiled and we went ta our first hour, Mr. Johnson's class fa English.

She took her regular seat beside me and I noticed a boy approach her. He looked new.

"Esined?" he asked through a thick accent.

She looked up at him. "That's me,"

"I'm Oliver. I sit behind you. New here, my apologies for the awkwardness,"

"It's okay. Hope you enjoy your first day," she gave him a smile.

He smiled before takin' his seat behind her.

Esined turned, continuin' their conversation dat was supposed ta be brief. "Where are you from?"

"I'm from England," he said. "How about you?"

"Texas," she said. "Have you been living in America for a long time?"

"Only for about a few weeks to a month. Came to further my modeling career. Do you model?"

"No," she said. "I'd love to,"

"You should. You have this look to you. Very nice,"

"Thank you,"

I knew I wasn't gonna like dis. Them smilin' all up in each otha's face. It wasn't sittin' right wit me.

They talked the whole hour and I barely got things done wit Esined on this essay. I took it upon myself to talk ta Mr. Johnson about our video idea. He said we could do it and I would have gave Esined the message if she wasn't too busy smilin' in dat boys face.

When the bell rang, I left class, not botherin' ta wait fa Esined. Seemed like she had someone else ta walk wit anyway.

Esined

As it approached the end of the day, I noticed that August was kind of distant from me. When I asked where he was after class, he kind of just blew me off. He wasn't being completely rude about it, but I knew something was bothering him.

When the last bell rang, I left class and went to Mr. Togel's class. I didn't have enough time to tell him at lunch about me leaving home, so I decided to tell him now.

"Hello," he smiled when I walked in.

"Hi, Mr. T," I smiled.

"What's going on?"

"I finally left,"

"That's great news. I'm proud of you,"

"Thank you,"

"How'd it feel to leave?"

"Great, honestly. I regret not leaving sooner, but at least I'm out of there,"

"I'm happy you left before anything serious happened. It takes a lot of courage to do what you did. Leaving your abuser is never easy,"

"Yeah," I said. "I got in contact with my mom too. I guess I won't be going to Detroit anymore,"

"Don't get me wrong, I'd love for you to be reunited with your mom, but you're a great addition to my class," he said.

"Awe, thank you,"

He nodded. "I just want you to know that my offer remains open. If there's anything you need, you have my number and address. I wish the best for you,"

"Same to you, Mr. T. Thank you for everything,"

"No problem. See you tomorrow, kiddo,"

I smiled and left his classroom. I went outside and I saw August sitting on the staircase.

"Hey," I said to him.

He looked up before standing. He didn't even say a word to me.

"Hey girl," Viola said after she approached us.

I sighed. "Hey V,"

"Esined!" I heard a strong male voice.

My dad got out of his car and started to walk over.

I looked up at Viola and August.

"You good, girl. Don't get scared," Viola said.

"Esined," my dad said. "Where were you last night? Why didn't you come home? I was worried sick," he played his sweet father role.

I stepped back away from him.

"Esined. We're going home, okay?"

I shook my head, looking down and avoiding his eyes.

"What's the matter with you?"

"I think you're the problem, Mr. Evans," Viola said.

He looked at her. "Let's go," he told me, grabbing my arm.

"I think you should getcho hands off'a her," August said.

"This is my child, I do what I please. I think that you young kids should go about your day. She's my concern,"

"Is she really, Mr. Evans?"

"Come on, Esined," my dad said.

I cleared my throat. "No,"

"Who are you talking to?"

"I-I'm not leaving with you,"

"Have you lost your mind?" he looked at me. "I swear if we weren't in front of your little friends," he said lowly.

Students continued passing us by.

"You'd do what? Hit her, right?" August asked, standing beside me.

"Mind your business, boy," my dad spat.

"Boy? I gotcho boy. Put yo hands on her again and I'll show yo ass a boy," August dropped his backpack on the stairs.

My dad began to laugh. "This is why she's acting like this. Because of people like you," he looked at him.

"I guess people like me help her stand up ta her abusive parent,"

"Abusive?" he asked.

"I know an abusive person when I see one. You playin' yo role. You ain't foolin' nobody dis way,"

"I think you need to mind your business. Esined isn't getting abused. What she gets is consequences for her actions,"

"Consequences don't leave handprints like that," Viola said. "I don't know where you're from, but you're too old to not know the difference between a punishment and flat out abuse,"

"You're just gonna let them talk to your dad like this?" he asked me.

I turned my head away and he squeezed my arm. I winced in pain and August grabbed me from him.

"What the hell is your problem?" Viola asked.

"Esined, this is your last chance to come home with me," my dad said.

"She ain't goin' no where witchu, so go on and take yo ass home," August said.

My dads eyes remained on me. "Who are you leaving with?"

"I'm not leaving with you," I said.

"I hope you both know that this is kidnapping and I will speak to authorities about this," he took a step back from us.

"We ain't worried," August said, putting his arm around me. "We'll just have ta speak to authorities about these hand prints on her," he challenged.

"I'm an older, white male and you're a young, black boy. You tell me who you think they'll believe," he chuckled. "See you around, Esined," he smiled before walking away.

We went to August's car and got in.

"I'm really sorry that I got you both in this mess," I said.

"It's nothing, boo. Your problems are our problems. We got your back," Viola said.

August gripped the steering wheel and his jaw was clenched. He stayed silent during the ride.

"Thanks y'all. I don't think I would have gotten out of that if y'all weren't there," I said quietly.

"No problem," Viola said.

When we got to the house, August went straight to his room.

"Hey," Mel said to us. "Aug good?"

"He's a little upset. Just give him so time," Viola said.

"What happened?"

"My dad showed up to the school," I said.

"Oh," he mumbled. "You good?"

"Yeah," I sighed.

"C'mon," Viola said.

"Where are we going?"

"We have to do something,"

I followed her to my room.

"If there's anything I learned throughout my stages of getting my parents locked up, it's having evidence of my abuse," she said, closing the door and locking it. "Are there any bruises you have on your body that he did?"

"Yeah,"

"I know it's uncomfortable, but I need to take pictures of them,"

"Okay," I began to show her my bruises and she took multiple pictures.

She took a picture of the newest one on my arm.

It was so embarrassing to lift up my shirt and show her all of my bruises.

"What happened?" she pointed to one.

I hated the story for that one. "He was drunk. He broke a bottle and cut me," I mumbled.

"Where was your mom?"

"She wasn't home that night,"

"She knew and didn't leave him?"

"She didn't know and she still doesn't know about it,"

"Why didn't you tell her?"

"She was the happiest I saw her in years... I just wanted her to have a good night. He said if I said anything, he'd bury me next to my sister,"

"Esined... Baby girl, you-" She shook her head before tearing up. "I'm sorry,"

I shouldn't have told her. I didn't think it would make her cry like this.

A tear fell down her face and she put her face in her hands. She wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry that happened to you,"

I didn't know what to say.

"You didn't deserve that. You're such a good person," she sniffed.

I handed her some tissue and she blew her nose.

"I'm sorry," She left my room, unable to control her emotions.

I sighed and sat down on my bed. I felt horrible. I didn't like putting them in my mess. I felt like I'd done nothing, but bring sadness into their home. I felt like a burden and I didn't want to feel like this.

-hi. short update, sorry.

I feel so horrible. literally in pain crying, trying to update. I feel mad trashy rn, so if this update sucked, I'm sorry.

I hope everyone had a nice day though.

what do y'all think will happen in the next chapter? will August talk to Esined?

should August feel some type of way about the new boy?

do you think the new boy was flirting?

that's all for now.

excuse typos please.

comments and votes are appreciated.

much love, Shia. xoxo