Chapter 11

Esined

I was talking to Viola and Ricardo interrupted me.

"Girl," he said.

"What?" I asked.

"I know you see August checking you out,"

"August would never look at me like that," I said, adjusting my backpack.

"I don't know. He's been looking down here for a minute," he smirked.

I looked back and August looked away. Chantelle came up to him with a smile on her face.

"I can't stand that puta," Ricardo said.

"I can't stand August," Viola said.

"Why not?" I asked.

Ricardo and Viola got quiet.

She sighed before speaking. "It's a long story. I'll tell you one day,"

There was an awkward silence and I saw Keenon approaching us.

"Esined," he said.

"Yes?" I looked up at him.

"Can I walk you to class?"

"Ooo," Ricardo smirked.

"I'm actually walking Esined to class, sorry," Viola said, standing beside me.

"What's your problem?" Keenon asked her.

"I don't have a problem," she smiled.

"Why you trippin'?"

"Because I know you,"

"Chill out,"

"It's okay, Viola," I assured her.

She ignored me, staring at Keenon and he put his attention back on me.

"Can I walk you to class?"

"Sure," I said, looking back at Viola.

She shook her head and walked off with Ricardo.

Keenon carried my backpack for me and we walked down the hall together. People were staring at us and it bothered me while Keenon paid it no mind.

I looked up at him to see that he was already looking down at me. I looked back down and he spoke.

"You know you fine, right?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks for asking,"

"No. You fine," he laughed.

"What?"

"Like you good lookin'. Real sexy,"

"Oh, um. Thank you," I mumbled, shyly.

I wasn't expecting him to say it so blunt like that, but then again, that's Keenon. In my few days of knowing Keenon, I knew that he was a blunt person, but I still remained taken back when he said what was on his mind.

"No problem,"

When he walked me to class, he looked as if he expected something from me or wanted me to say something. It was awkward, so I spoke up.

"Thanks for walking me to class," I said.

"Anytime," he smiled. "I gotta ask you something,"

For him to be so tough acting, he had an amazing smile.

"Yes?"

"I know this may seem weird because we don't really know each otha and shit, but uh... You goin' to prom?"

"I'm a junior,"

"It's a junior and senior prom," he chuckled.

"Oh," I mumbled. "But no. I'm not going,"

"So um... I honestly don't usually do shit like this, but..." he scratched the back of his neck. "I ain't got a date and I was wonderin' if you was tryna go with me or somethin',"

As nice as it'd be to go to prom with him, I knew I couldn't. The main reasons for me not going would be my dad and the fact that I couldn't afford a dress.

"I doubt that I'd be able to go. I don't want you to think that I'm saying no to you," I could feel myself about to over explain. "It's my dad. I-I would say yes, but I know how my dad is,"

"Aiight. It's cool. Don't even sweat it, baby. I ain't driven,"

I stared down at the floor. "I'm sorry," I jumped from his hand reaching up.

He touched my chin softly and lifted my head up, making me look him in the eyes. "Don't be scared,"

"Sorry,"

"You ain't gotta apologize. Imma see you later, aiight?"

"Okay," I mumbled.

He gave me a smile before giving me back my backpack and walking away.

I went to class and found my seat next to August.

He looked at me. He parted his lips to speak, but instead he licked them and faced forward.

That was weird.

I was sitting in class quietly, thinking about what August could have done for Viola to dislike him so much. Same with Keenon. I felt like she was upset with me for walking with Keenon.

When the bell rang, I made my way to Ms. Trump's class. Viola wasn't waiting for me like she usually would be, so I walked to class alone. When I got to the lab, I went and sat next to Viola.

"Are you upset with me?" I asked.

"Yes, I am," she answered honestly.

"Why?"

"I was trying to protect you from him and you went straight to him,"

"For what? Keenon is a nice guy,"

"Keenon thinks with his penis. You don't need to be around guys like him. Trust me, I know him,"

"Well, Keenon is nice to me. He's not as bad as you make him seem,"

"Just take this warning and try to stay away from him,"

"You can't control who I'm around, V,"

"Fine, Es. Don't listen to me. When Keenon plays you or something, don't expect me not to say I told you so,"

"It's not like him and I are dating or anything. He just wanted to walk me to class. I can handle myself,"

"I hope so. Don't say I didn't warn you,"

"I won't,"

She huffed and I looked down.

Chantelle and her loud friends made their way into the classroom.

I felt so much tension between Viola and I to the point where I could barely focus on our project.

"Are we good?" I asked her. I didn't like her being upset with me at all.

"Yeah," she mumbled.

"I'm sorry,"

"You don't have to apologize... I'm being an over controlling friend. I just don't want anyone messing with you,"

"Thank you,"

We continued our project and I smelled something burning.

"Do you smell that?" I asked Viola.

She nodded. "Yeah," Viola then looked up and her eyes got wide. She ran behind me and that's when I noticed that my hair was on fire. I screamed and everyone looked at me. I began to cry and some of the students were scared.

Viola had put the fire out of my hair, meanwhile Chantelle and her friends were laughing. They made jokes, calling me the human torch.

Viola put her hair up in a ponytail and stared at Chantelle's friends. I saw one of Chantelle's friends with the lighter in her hand, laughing.

"I didn't burn as much of her hair as I wanted to," she told Chantelle. "You owe me,"

I hadn't noticed that Viola made her way over to her.

"What the hell is your problem?!" Viola pushed the girl.

"You better keep your hands off of me,"

"Stand up," Viola said. "Because you're about to catch this fade," her sweeter voice had became masculine and very firm.

"Girls!" Ms. Trump said.

"Make me stand up," she laughed in Viola's face.

"Okay," Viola started laughing, but instantly switched up and snatched her off of the stool by her hair. Viola dragged her to the floor and began to punch her.

"Stop!" Ms. Trump yelled.

"V stop!" I said.

Viola punched the girl in her face and yanked her hair, dragging her all over the floor. She kept on punching her and  dragging her. The girl was trying to swing back and missed every time.

Ms. Trump had called security and they came to break up the fight. Viola was yelling and kicking her feet.

"You gon' get yours, Viola!" The girl yelled.

"Fuck you, Jessica!"

I was scared and in shock. I covered my mouth, looking around. There was blood and hair extensions on the floor. I knew that what happened was horrible and I prepared myself to not see Viola again or for a while, in case she gets expelled for her actions.

Chantelle looked at me before smiling a little and mouthing "Hot head."

I knew that from this moment, I couldn't do anything. She'd mess with me until I stood up for myself.

Standing up for myself after being knocked down so much would be hard. I was tired of being picked on and it was time for a change.

-see, what happened was... I was gonna put this chapter as Aug's pov, but I had this idea in my head for the longest lol.

Aug's pov and what y'all been waiting for will be in the next chapter. fr fr this time.

anyway, hope y'all enjoyed.

comments and votes are appreciated.

much love, Shia. xoxo.