Chapter 43

Next day, Esined

I was in class, texting August.

SnuggaPoo: Can you come home? 😭 11:16 am

No, August. I'm at school, where you should be. 11:17 am

SnuggaPoo: I'm sick. Tf. Why would I come to school? 😒 11:17 am

Watch your mouth, young man 11:20 am

SnuggaPoo: What was you just doin' in those 3 mins you took to text me back? 11:20 am

Boy. 💀 I'm trying not to get caught. 11:21 am

SnuggaPoo: You in yo step dad class? 11:22 am

He's not my stepdad, but yes. I'm in Mr. Togel's class 11:23 am

SnuggaPoo: I miss you 11:25 am

That's cute. I gtg 11:26 am

SnuggaPoo: Really? You don't miss me? 🙄 11:27 am

I do. Mr. T told me to put my phone away. 11:30 am

SnuggaPoo: Tell him to fight me. I wanna talk to my baby 11:31 am

Bye Aug. Lol. See you when I get home, Snugga Poo! 11:32 am

SnuggaPoo: 😒

The bell rang and I put my notebook away.

"Esined," Mr. Togel said.

"Yes?"

He waited for everyone in class to leave before he started talking to me. "August again?"

"Yeah," I said. "I'm sorry. He's sick and he's just-"

"I understand. I just would like for it not to seem like I have favoritism towards you because I usually don't say anything to you when your phone is out,"

"Oh okay. I see,"

"But on a serious note... I know your mom isn't a flashy woman, but I got her something,"

"What'd you get her?"

He opened his suitcase and took out a small red velvet box. He opened it and there was a necklace in there. It was in the shape of the letter E with diamonds in it.

"Awe. That's so cute," I cheesed.

"Do you think it's too much?"

"I think she'll love it," I said. "You two are getting serious, huh?"

He chuckled. "Love happens when you least expect it,"

I smiled. "Awe. You love her?"

"I've been loved her, but I had to let her go back then. I was really upset to see her marry that guy,"

"What about Olivia?"

"Before I crushed on Olivia, there was your mom. Your mom played me all the time though. I stayed in the friend zone with her, until one night, but that's inappropriate-" he stopped himself.

"Mr. Togel... That's nasty,"

"I forget that you're a child because you're so mature. It's like talking to a friend. My apologies," He started laughing and so did I.

"You should be lucky you're a cool teacher," I laughed.

"Thank you,"

"Tell me the story. Lunch can wait," I took a seat.

"It's not much to tell you, honestly," He leaned against his desk. "Anyway. I got tired of your mom playing me, so I finally focused on Olivia. Then you know what happened with her," he sighed. "And now I finally got your mom. End of story,"

"I know that's not all,"

"Oh, but it is,"

"Mr. Togel," I laughed. "Tell me the rest,"

"Nah. Go have lunch, fam,"

"You let your students influence you too much," I stood up, laughing. "You always calling us fam or bro,"

He chuckled.

Mr. Togel was really laid back and more chill than I ever expected him to be. He knew how to be playful and join in on the slang with his students, but yet be a serious teacher at the same time.

"When are you giving my mama her gift?" I asked.

"The next time I see her,"

"Which is?"

"When she comes back to Atlanta,"

"And that is?"

"When she gets here,"

"Mr. T, c'mon now,"

"She told me not to tell you,"

"She won't know that you told me,"

"I'm a man of my word. My mouth will remain shut,"

I pouted.

"I'm not August or your mom, so that doesn't work. Go to lunch," he laughed.

"Awe, you suck," I laughed, leaving his room.

My phone started vibrating. I answered the FaceTime call.

"Yes, August?"

"You ain't comin' home fa lunch today?"

"Oh my goodness. Really?"

"You ain't respond ta my texts,"

"I wasn't looking at my phone at the moment," I looked at him and he was pouting. "What's wrong?"

"I miss you. You gotta work today?"

"Yeah, why?"

"'Cause I want you ta take care of me. My mama left Trav ta watch me. When I ring my bell, he ignores me. I ain't even ate yet,"

I frowned. "That's not good,"

"He said I was annoyin' and closed his door so he could ignore me,"

"Well..."

"Well what? You think I'm annoyin' too?"

"Huh?"

"Dats cold, baybeh. Dats cold. You supposed ta be my main squeeze,"

"I am your main squeeze,"

"No you ain't. You just like everybody else,"

I playfully dropped my jaw. "Baby, c'mon now,"

"You so country," he chuckled. "Baby," he mocked my voice.

"Hush. You can't say nothing with that thick ole accent you got,"

"My accent make girls drop they lil panties,"

I looked at him, glaring. "Who are you making drop their panties?"

"I'm tryna make you drop yours. What's poppin'?"

"Go to bed,"

"I can put you ta bed,"

"August, stop talking like that,"

"Oh, now you playin' yo innocent role? Hm,"

"Boy," I laughed. "I am innocent. I'd let you say whatever you want, but I don't have my headphones in,"

"Put 'em in,"

"So you can have me bothered and unfocused in school? No,"

"Hmm. You right... How ya grades?"

"I have a C minus in Ms. Trumps class,"

"Why?"

"Because she's petty,"

"Dat ain't really answer my question,"

"She says that I don't participate and I talk to PJ too much,"

"Do you?"

"No. Maybe she's right about the participation, but I know when to stop talking in class. She just doesn't like me and never has,"

"Dat ain't no reason fa her ta be draggin' yo grade down. Don't make me have ta talk to her,"

"You sound like my mama,"

"'Cause dat shit ignorant. I wish she would try and ruin yo perfect grades. Done had straight A's all yo life,"

"You seem upset, Snugga Poo,"

"I am. Travis ugly ass still ain't make me nun ta eat,"

"Hold on. I'll call you back, okay?"

"Why?"

"August," I laughed. "I'll call you back,"

"Fine,"

I hung up and dialed Travis' number.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Why are you being mean to my boyfriend?"

"He's annoyin',"

"He's hungry and he's your little brother. Be nice,"

"August been puttin' me through hell today. He's part devil,"

"No he's not,"

"He had me fluff his pillow so many times, I debated on suffocatin' him wit it. He keep ringin' dat damn bell, I was gon' shove dat down his throat,"

"Awe man. Trav, can you please just make his soup and give him his crackers and Vernors?"

"No. You know he picky as hell. He gon' be like Dis too spicy. Dis too hot. Dis Vernors ain't got enough ice cubes. Dis ain't how Esined do it. Whea my baybeh at?" he mocked August's whiny voice perfectly. "And I'ma slap dat tattoo off his neck. I ain't got the time, Esined,"

I laughed. "Goodness. Travis, please. I'll tell you how to do it and I'll pay you,"

"How much?"

"How much are you asking for?"

"Ten,"

"Deal,"

"Okay. Heat up his soup in the reddish brown glass bowl. He likes the homestyle noodles. Heat it on three minutes then stir it and put it back in for thirty seconds. Then put ten dashes of hot sauce, a shake of lemon pepper and stir it up,"

"Yeah yeah. Dats too much,"

"You want him to complain?"

"If he complain, I'ma slap him,"

"No you aren't,"

"Bet,"

"What cup he like his Vernors in?"

"The blue one with the weird patterns,"

"Yo boyfriend do too much,"

"I know,"

I was quiet, listening to him prepare August's food.

"Aiight. I'm puttin' it on a tray now,"

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it,"

"Don't hang up. You bouta hea' his reaction,"

"Okay," I laughed.

I could hear Travis walking up this stairs and he went inside August's room.

"Now you wanna be nice ta me?" I heard August ask.

"I was gon' let you starve, but yo girl called me," Travis said. "Enjoy,"

It was quiet for a moment.

"Um," August started.

"Um, what? Is there a problem?"

"It's too spicy,"

"No it's not. I made it just how Esined makes it,"

"No you didn't. You put too much lemon peppa,"

"No I didn't. I put ten dashes of hot sauce and two shakes of lemon peppa,"

"I said put one," I said.

"Well... Esined puts one. Can you remake this?"

"I'm about ta slap da shit out of you,"

"I'ma tell Mama,"

"She'll understand. All you been doin' is bein' sick, complainin', and pissin' us all off. Ain't nobody yo slave. You ain't disabled. Get up and make dis shit yo self,"

"I'm tellin' my girlfriend you bein' mean ta me,"

"Tell her. She hea' everything right now,"

August gasped.

"Yeah, she seein' yo true colors,"

"Get outta my room,"

"Gladly. I hope you choke on a cracka,"

"You and Viola should be best friends! Y'all both the devil!" August yelled after him.

I couldn't stop laughing.

"See. Yo boyfriend been bein' an asshole ta all of us," Travis said.

"Oh wow. I'm sorry that he's been acting like that. I'll talk to him," I laughed. "Thanks for trying, Travis,"

"Uh-huh. You owe me fifteen dollars,"

"We said ten,"

"Yeah, but he put me through trouble and I didn't smack him like I wanted to, so fifteen,"

"Wow. You ain't shit,"

"Stop cursin' lil girl and have my fifteen when you get home,"

"I got it," I laughed.

He chuckled. "I'll see you later,"

"See ya," I hung up.

Just when I hung up, the bell rang, signaling that lunch was over.

"Why?" I asked nobody in general.

Messing around with those two, I missed lunch. I went to the vending machine. I got a bag of chips and a water. I turned back and got a Reese's then left.

I went to class and sat down. I was eating my snacks and Chantelle was staring at me. I wanted to ask her what the hell she was looking at, but I was enjoying my snacks too much.

I was starving and this was how I had been eating these past few days. I knew I was gaining weight and I needed to lose it.

I drank my water fully without stopping.

"Damn girl. Thirsty or nah?" Chantelle laughed.

"Mind your business or nah?" I asked.

"You and August are cute," she said.

"I know,"

"Do you know where he was last week too? Since you seem to know everything,"

"Is there something that you're trying to imply?"

"I don't know," she shrugged with a smile. "He came over my house,"

"Oh, did he really?" I asked, already knowing he was there.

He was getting some of his money from her, so I knew she was lying. she wanted to make it seem like it was something more. I knew how August felt about me, so I didn't believe anything she said even for a second.

"Yeah. I guess you aren't enough for him, so he came back to where he belongs,"

"I guess he wasn't enough for you since you cheated on him with two other guys. How's the baby?"

"He's great. How's your dad doing in jail?"

"If I knew, I'd tell you," I smiled. "Are you mad that August found better or something? It's cute that you do your research and keep tabs on me,"

"Awe. Not checking up on your dad? i surely do my research. I would ask you about your little sister, but..." she shrugged. "I guess there wouldn't be much for you to say,"

I stared at her. "You need to walk away before shit gets real,"

"Did I hit a nerve, baby girl?"

I moved my notebooks off of my desk and put them under it. "Yeah, you got five seconds to get away from me," I took off my necklace.

"Or what?"

I stood up and moved my desk back.

The whole classroom was staring at me.

"Is there a problem?" the substitute teacher asked.

I ignored her and stared at Chantelle. "Five..." I began to count.

I started about thinking everything she's ever said or done to me and it made my blood boil.

Chantelle stood up, getting closer to me.

I didn't even count down to one before I brought my arm back and made a jab straight at her face.

She stumbled back and tried to swing back, missing.

The whole class was yelling, jumping around, and recording as we swung at each other.

We were fighting on a desk and she pulled my hair. She was scratching me and I was sending pure blows.

The substitute teacher yelled for us to break it up.

Chantelle scratched me under my eye and I could feel her rip my skin.

I snatched her hair downward and brought her down to the ground. I sat on her as I swung lefts and rights at her face.

"Get her off of me!" she cried, trying to get ahold of my arms. She dug her nails into my skin and yelled for help.

I kicked my feet as multiple students tried to get me off of her.

Chantelle fell back onto the floor when I finally kicked her in her face.

I yelled as they dragged me out of the classroom. "Talk about my fucking sister!"

I was met with the security guards who took me straight outside to a police car. I was handcuffed and put in the back seat.

I sat on the hard and cold seat, crying. I was upset that I had let her get to me and possibly let her ruin my future. I was disappointed in myself.

-MERRY BHRISTMAS!

I don't celebrate, but this is my gift to y'all and I hope y'all enjoyed it! I hope you all got the gifts you wanted and are enjoying the holiday.

Omfg. Essy fighting and getting arrested? Shit getting real lmao.

How does Chantelle know all of this though? Hmm.

Random fact: I wrote this while listening to Willow Smith. That girl is great lmao.

Thanks for everything. I appreciate y'all loving my book as much as I love writing it. Y'all are amazing.

Any questions or concerns?

Excuse typos please.

Comments & Votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo