Chapter 16

Keenon in the MM.

Esined

"Get up," my dad said.

I stood up and he placed his hands on my shoulder.

"Look at me and listen,"

I looked into his eyes.

"Your mother doesn't love you. She never wanted you. If she loved you, she would have stayed,"

"That's not true," I shook my head.

"It's true. You think she loves you? She wanted to abort you, Ned. I told her to keep you... She's not coming back for you. You don't know her like you think you do,"

I sniffed and he wiped my tears before hugging me.

"Shhh. Shhh. Listen to me and listen closely... Don't try to runaway. I'll find you and I'll kill you," he held me tightly. "You hear me? You aren't going anywhere,"

I nodded. "Yes, sir,"

"Go on to bed. You have school tomorrow," he let me go.

I went to my room, but sleep didn't take place. I stayed up, crying all night. I hoped that my mama and Uncle Don were safe and okay. I wondered if mama would really come back for me. How would I make it out of here alive?

When morning hit, I woke up to only be reminded that mama was really gone. I wasn't woken by her sweet voice and beautiful, radiant face. I was woken by my dad's rough and raspy voice, and pale face.

"Twenty minutes," he walked away with his cigarette in between his lips.

I stood and prepared myself for school.

"Ned!" He yelled.

I went to his voice. "Yes?"

"Gimme a brush and some holders,"

I got a brush and three ponytail holders and handed them to him.

He pointed and I sat down in front of him. He put my hair in a ponytail then braided it down before wrapping it to form a bun. He put the last ponytail over it to secure it in place.

"You can't wear your hair down anymore," he told me.

I didn't question him or say anything.

"I know it won't protect it from fire, but it's something," he shrugged and tapped my shoulder.

I got out of his way.

"You ready?"

I nodded and he looked at me. "Y-Yes," I corrected myself.

"Come on," he left the room.

I went to grab my backpack and went to get into the truck.

He finished off his cigarette before getting into the truck. He started it up  and began to drive off.

The awkward silence was replaced with his voice.

"Uncle Don is getting out of the hospital tomorrow or the day after," he informed me. "I'll be at work, so he'll need some help getting some things,"

"Where was he shot?"

"In the shoulder,"

I frowned.

He pulled up to the school shortly and pulled me back when I was getting out. "Do you eat lunch?"

"No," I lied slightly.

I only eat if Ricardo and Viola are at school. Viola was suspended, so I probably wasn't going to eat lunch until she came back. Not like Ricardo wouldn't buy my food, but I'd be too shy to ask him.

"How much does it cost?"

"I'm fine. I just won't eat," I rejected before he could offer.

He handed me a five dollar bill. "Is that enough to cover it?"

"Yes. Thank you,"

Where was he getting money from? His farming job doesn't pay him enough for him to have spending money honestly.

"Come straight home after school," he reminded me after I got out of the car.

I went up to the doors and went through security.

I knew that it would be a long and boring day. I wish Viola wasn't suspended so I could have someone to talk to.

I was at my locker and I felt someone touch my lower back. I jumped before turning around to see Keenon.

"My bad," he chuckled. "You good?"

"I'm alright," I relaxed.

"You look nice," he smiled.

"Thank you,"

It became quiet and awkward. I never knew what to say when Keenon was around. I felt a little feeling in my stomach when he was around. I knew I couldn't like him, but it was something about him. He's not like your typical thug kind of guy. He's sweet.

"How come you don't smile much? Your smile is amazing," he said.

"I don't know," I said. "I don't really have any reasons to smile. I'm living, so I guess there's one,"

Truthfully, there wasn't much for me to smile about.

"I'd like to be one of those reasons that makes you smile," he looked down at me.

I stared up at him, before looking away and blushing.

"Lemme get those for you," he smiled and held my books for me. "You ready?"

I nodded and we began to walk to my first class together.

"I heard what happened. I never got to see you after. I just wanted to know if you were alright," he spoke.

"I'm okay. Thank you for asking,"

"Was a lot burned?"

"No,"

"That's good. Viola a real one. Make sure you keep her around,"

I looked at him. "What happened between you and Viola?"

I couldn't help, but to ask. I wanted to know so bad.

He sighed as we stood outside of the classroom. I was against the wall and he stood in front of me.

"Was it that bad?"

"Sit with me at lunch and I'll tell you, alright?"

"Okay,"

Keenon gave me back my books and I accidentally dropped my notebook. He reached down and grabbed it. He looked into my eyes as he handed it back to me.

"Thanks for walking me to..." I trailed off. "This place... Where teachers teach and students learn," I refrained from saying class.

"Why does everyone do that?" He started laughing.

"Do what?"

"Whatchu just did. You wasn't tryna say class,"

"I didn't want to say it and offend you or anything," I laughed with him a little.

"You're not affiliated, baby. You good," he shook his head before chuckling.

"Okay, well um. Thanks for walking me to class,"

"Blass," he corrected me.

"Keenon," I frowned.

He began to have a laughing fit. "I'm just messin' witchu ma,"

"Get to blass before you're late," I joked.

"You silly. I'll see you at lunch," he smiled before walking away.

I smiled, watching him walk away before I entered class.

It was something about Keenon. I didn't want to say that I liked him, but I liked the feeling I got when he was around. I liked the goosebumps that appeared on my arms when he spoke. I liked the butterflies I got in my stomach when he smiled or complimented me.

I just hoped that whatever he told me wasn't as bad as Viola makes it seem. I wasn't ready for whatever I had with Keenon to end just yet. It had barely begun.

When lunch came around I was sitting across from Keenon. His friends weren't around because he told them he just wanted it to be him and I. He even paid for my lunch, which I thanked him for.

"So, this Viola thing," I started off as I opened my sub. I ate as he spoke.

"I'll keep it short. I was dating her cousin and I messed up. Broke her heart and Viola has hated me ever since,"

I chewed and swallowed the food that was in my mouth before speaking. "How'd you break her heart?"

"I cheated on her,"

I frowned. "Why?"

"I honestly don't know why. I guess temptation. I hadn't been wit'a girl like that in a while. Me and Viola cousin wasn't having sex and we was arguing a lot. Not over sex or nothing. We just ain't see eye to eye on some shit,"

I wondered what they argued over then.

"We argued because she didn't support my music, so I went to do my own thing," he said before I could ask. "I went to this gig I had and did my thing. Had too much to drink and ended up with a different girl," he explained.

"Were you willing to wait for her?"

"Yeah. I was with her for a year," he took a few sips of his lemonade.

"Do you regret cheating?"

He nodded. "I don't think I'd still be with her though. I need a girl that'll support me and my choices, ya know what I mean?"

"Yeah," I said.

"I mean, of course I'll expect my girl not to agree with me if I'm tryna be on some dumb shit," he corrected his statement.

I looked at him.

"I hope that didn't change the way you see me,"

I wasn't sure if it had saw Keenon differently. I knew that the interest I had in him still remained.

"What type of music do you make?"

"I'm a rapper," he chuckled.

"I completely thought you were a singer," I joked and he began to laugh. I joined him in laughter.

"Funny, smart, and cute. I like that in a girl,"

I smiled and he smiled back. "Is that right?"

He nodded. "That's right,"

The bell rang and we stood. He walked me to class then went to his. I thought about Keenon throughout class to the point that I was going to be happy to see him when class was over.

I think this was the start of me developing a crush on Keenon. I know I shouldn't, but he's such a sweetheart and he's honest. I can't help it.

-hola. how was y'all day?

I'm sick, so I might as well just take reading request. I'll take a few, so message me your books. I only give feedback if you ask for it btw.

also, I forget to answer one question. all of their names are backwards because I'm a weird person tbh. I was meeting a celebrity and said my name backwards by accident when he asked for my name. so I started putting names backwards. Marie Denise are my middle names and I just put them backwards. weird story, I know. but yeah lol.

that's is all.

comments and votes are appreciated.

much love, Shia. xoxo.