Chapter 9

August.

I was at home, thinkin' about Esined. I need ta get that girl off of my mind, I'm clearly not on hers. I'm the farthest thing from her mind.

"Wazzam," Mel came into my room.

"Why you always come in without knockin'?"

"Because... I don't know. Don't question me,"

We both laughed.

"What do you want?"

"Dang. I can't ask my lil bro how school was?"

"My bad. I ain't mean it like dat. It was smooth,"

"You seem irritated,"

"I am,"

"Why?"

"It's Esined,"

"Ole girl you can't stop thinkin' about?"

"Yeah, her," I sighed. "She been trippin'. One minute we seem cool them da next, she don't like me. She don't know if she wanna be friends wit me or not. Peep this, she scared of Chantelle,"

"Fa what? Chantelle can't fight,"

"I guess since she don't know nothin' about Chantelle..." I started to get lost in my own words. "Honestly, I don't know,"

"Does Chantelle mess wit her?"

"She be tryin' ta get unda her skin,"

"You let her?"

"I be tryna check her,"

"Bullshit,"

"What?"

"You? Tryna check Chantelle? Yo loud mouth, violent girlfriend? Who dances aroun' everything you say? Hits you all the time? Man, if you checked her then I neva sold befo',"

"How come every time we talk 'bout her you bring up da fact dat she hit me?"

"How come every time we talk you complanin' about something she did instead of kickin' her bobble head ass ta the curb?"

"You know why,"

"Her mama dyin' ain't no excuse,"

"You real messed up bro,"

"She real messed up and you messed up fa stayin' wit da broad. She don't need you, lil bro,"

I sucked my teeth.

"You always doin' dat,"

"You always doin' dis. I can't have a conversation wit'out you tryna break us up,"

"You always lettin' her walk all ova you. And you right. We not gon' eva have a conversation wit'out tryna break y'all up. Why? Bec-"

"Man," I sighed in irritation and stood up. "I ain't tryna hear dis. I'm out,"

Mel pushed me back down on my bed. "Shut up and listen when I'm talkin' ta you,"

"Don't putcho hands on me, Mel," I said through gritted teeth as I stood up.

"You gon' hit me back?" He pushed me back down again wit more force.

"I'm not playin' witchu,"

"You think I'm playin' witchu?"

I stood up and he pushed me again. I pushed him back and swung. Mel ducked and snatched me up by my shirt. He cornered me, pressin' his forearm against my chest, not allowin' me ta move.

"Get off me!" I yelled.

He held me against the wall. "Now why you can't act like dis towards Chantelle, but you can try ta act like dis towards me?"

I was breathin' hard and my skin was gettin' hot. I knew I was red.

Mel let me go. "I'm not da one who's hurtin' you. Only you and her hurtin' you,"

"You don't know nothin',"

"I know everything you tell me,"

"You don't know how hard it'd ta break up wit her,"

"I know dat if you put yo foot down and cut her off completely, she'd finally get it through her head dat you've had enough," he let me go.

I fixed my shirt. "It's not dat easy,"

"It's as easy as you want it ta be,"

"It's not, Mel,"

"Just leave her. Stayin' ain't benefittin' you nun. All she do is use you and don't say she doesn't because I've seen ya text messages befo. Bae can I have some money? Bae can you pay fa my hair, nails, and clothes? Can I get a ring? I hate you August. You don't care about me. You da worst boyfriend eva," he mocked her voice. "How much money you spent and gave ta dat girl?"

I looked down, not wanting to face the truth.

"How much, Aug? How many times you done bought her school clothes and shoes? How much materialistic crap you done bought her? All them diamonds dat she don't even wear, but cried when you said no? I rememba you beggin' me ta take y'all back ta da mall... Yo ass got her da necklace, da matchin' bracelet and earrings..."

I was silent, lettin' him say everything he had ta say.

"And fa her ta treat you like dis? Like you did somethin' ta her? All you did was enable and love her despite how she treats you. You did everything her parents were supposed ta do fa her," he shook his head in shame. "You took her in and tried ta be a hero. Savin' a broad who ain't tryna be saved... Getcho self togetha, man. I barely know who you are anymore,"

I took in everything he said. "I hear you,"

He opened my eyes ta so much wit his words.

"Aye... I gotta go somewhea," I said. "I'll be back,"

"Alright. Just know that I love you, bro. And my intentions are neva ta hurt'chu. I'm just tired of seein' you hurt,"

"I love you too, bro. Thank you," I put on my shoes and grabbed my keys.

Mel and I went downstairs. I grabbed my hoodie to put it on

"Aug," Mel said just as I was about ta leave.

"Yeah?" I looked back.

"Dontchu eva in yo life again try ta swing at me, ya heard me?"

I nodded and left the house. I went ta the garage and got in my Benz. I started up the car and pulled out the driveway. I drove my way ta Chantelle's house.

When I got there, I pulled up in front of her house. I parked my car and thought about what I was gon' say ta her. Everything was goin' through my mind. I was about ta drive off, but then I started thinkin' about what Mel said.

I took out my keys and got out of the car. I closed the door and pulled up my pants. I walked up ta the door and rung the doorbell.

Chantelle's mama answered the door wit a smile on her face. "Hi, August,"

"Hey, Ms. Harris. Is Chantelle home?"

"No. She went to a friends house. She should be home soon. Are you okay, sweetheart?"

"I'm okay," I gave her a small smile.

"Did you want to come in?"

I thought about it fa a moment. "Yeah,"

She let me in and closed the door behind me.

For a woman ta be dyin', she ain't look like it ta me. Her skin was glowin' and she was energetic. She seemed happy.

"Are you hungry? I just cooked,"

"No, I'm alright. Thank you,"

"Did you want to talk about anything?"

I nodded. "How are you doin'? You seem energetic and happy today,"

"I am," she smiled.

"That's good. I know chemotherapy must be hard fa you," I sighed. "You-"

"Wait. I'm sorry, August. What is this chemotherapy that you speak of?"

"Wait," now I was just as confused as her. "Chantelle told me dat you have cancer,"

"She did what?" She looked at me wit death in her eyes.

"You don't have cancer?"

"No. I don't,"

"Are you messin' wit me?"

"No. I'm not,"

"You not dyin'?"

"No. She seriously lied to you like that?"

"Yeah," I shook my head.

"Well, I can't wait until she gets home," she laughed angrily.

"I can't believe dis. I wanna know what she's been doin' wit all that money I gave her,"

"Wait. You gave her money? For what and how much?"

"She told me dat you couldn't afford your medicine and you couldn't get treatments no mo', so I gave her money fa it. I didn't want her ta lose you, so I decided ta help out,"

Ms. Harris' leg shook and she slapped the table.

I looked at her.

"Ooo! Imma kill that little girl!" She tapped the table. "I'm gonna get you back all of your money, okay? You did not deserve that, August. You're such a sweetheart. I'm so sorry that she did this to you,"

I didn't know what ta say.

"I did not raise her to be like this, Lord," she began ta cry, touchin' her cross necklace.

I stood up and hugged her.

Ms. Harris sobbed onto my hoodie. "I'm so sorry, August. Just give me an amount and I'll pay it all back, I promise. I'll need some time, but you'll get back every penny,"

"It's okay, Ms. Harris," I rubbed her back.

My phone vibrated and I took it out of my pocket. It was a text from Mel.

MellyB: Get home. Now.

I sighed. "I gotta go,"

She let me go and wiped her tears. "I'm so sorry,"

She just wouldn't stop apologizing.

"Ms. Harris," I touched her shoulder. "It's okay. Thank you fa tellin' me da truth,"

She walked me over ta the door and I left.

I got in my Benz and drove home.

When I got in the house, Mel yelled.

"Dats you, Aug?!"

I followed his voice and went ta his room. "What's wrong?"

"Listen to dis," he said. He pressed someone and the audio began ta play.

What I heard was da last thing I wanted ta hear.

-Hey y'all.

Hope y'all enjoyed that update.

Thoughts on it?

What was your favorite part?

How bad do y'all wanna fight Chantelle?

Thoughts on Aug?

Thoughts on Esined?

Thoughts on Mel?

Thoughts on Chantelle?

Do you think Ms. Harris really didn't know?

Comments & votes are appreciated.

Excuse typos please.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo.