Chapter 44

Esined

I rubbed my wrists as Mel drove us home.

"You good, lil bit?" Mel asked.

"Yeah,"

"I ain't gon' let her slide wit disrespectin' you and yo lil sis. She gon' keep her mouth shut,"

"I think she'll be quiet after that,"

"When do you go back to school?"

"Last week of school... in June,"

"Damn. You beat her ass dat bad?"

"I guess so," I mumbled as he pulled up to the house. "Can you stay in the room when I tell August?"

"Yeah,"

We got out of the car and went up to the door. When we got in, August ran over to me.

"You aiight, baybeh? You good?" he checked my face.

"I'm good. How do you know?"

"Somebody posted the videos. What she say ta you?"

"She talked about Erica," I frowned, looking into his eyes. "Are you upset with me?"

"You did what you had ta do. I ain't mad. I'm proud of you for defendin' yo self. I felt like you'd clear her shit one day," he chuckled. "I see you did dat move I should you,"

"I was trying not to," I sighed.

"What's yo consequences?"

"I'm suspended until the last week of school and I got fined,"

"How much?"

"Five hundred bucks,"

"You need me ta pay dat off?"

"I took care of it," Mel spoke. "Lemme holla at you fa a second, Aug,"

I sat down in the living room as they left to go speak in private.

August

"I'm tired of her messin' wit Es. We need ta shut her up fa good," Mel said quietly.

"What we doin'?"

"Give her a lil visit when her mama gone. Didn't you say she's goin' out of town?"

"Yeah. She said she's goin' on a business trip for three days,"

"When?"

"At the end of the week,"

"Cool,"

"Mel..."

"Yeah?"

"Is Viola alright?"

"Why you ask dat?"

"She's just been really quiet lately. She don't seem like herself,"

"I don't know. I been meaning ta check on her, but all these extra drops got me runnin' back and forth,"

"I'll be back to makin' drops soon. I took some NyQuil and I'm feelin' a lot betta,"

"You still ain't tell Esined?"

"No,"

"Why not?"

"I'm scared to. I think I'ma lose her,"

"Hopefully she'll understand,"

"I doubt it,"

"Tell her befo' things get too deep in y'all relationship,"

"Things already too deep,"

"What you mean?"

"I told her dat I love her,"

Mel looked shocked. "You did what?"

"Yeah,"

"You really love her?"

"I really love her,"

"Wow. I wasn't expectin' you ta fall dat hard,"

"Me neitha. I didn't think I was gonna be like this,"

"Told you dat you was gon' find the right girl," he smiled, patting my back. "Love ain't fa me, I don't need a girlfriend," he mocked my reaction to Chantelle cheatin' on me months ago.

"I can't stand you," I laughed.

"You know I'm messin' wit you. I'm proud of you lil bro and I hope y'all last,"

"I think we will,"

Mel stared at me fa a moment.

"What?"

"Yo ass betta go ta school tomorrow,"

"That was random,"

"I know yo silly ass ain't sick. You ain't slick, fool. You just wanted us ta baby you,"

I touched my chest. "I would neva,"

"I ain't stupid, August. I know you and yo lil tricks like the back of my hand,"

"I was really sick,"

"But you was draggin' it out,"

"I was not,"

He gave me this look. "Yeah, whateva," his phone rang. "You comin' wit me?"

"Yeah,"

He reached under his bed and got his shoe box. He handed me a piece and tucked one on the side of his pants. He pulled his shirt over it and I did the same. "Let's go,"

"Is it gettin' serious out hea?"

"Yeah. Auntie Pooka put me on some new shit,"

"What typa shit?"

He chuckled and pulled a container of pills from his pocket.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Whatchu think it is?"

"Xanax?"

"Yeah,"

"Who we sellin' these to and fa how much?"

"Hundred a bottle. Stupid, rich, white kids who tryna turn up at parties,"

"Damn,"

"These goin' fast too,"

"You tried 'em?"

"Nah. Thought about it,"

"I don't think you should. Heard about some bad sides wit those,"

He shrugged and tucked the bottle back into his pocket.

We left the room and Esined wasn't anywhere in sight for me ta say goodbye, so I just left wit Mel and sent her a text.

Don't worry, I'll be back. You want somethin from the store? 8:12 pm

I never got a response, so I didn't worry about it. I was quiet as Mel drove ta dis neighborhood I wasn't familiar wit.

Esined

Viola and I sat on Sheila's bed as she stood in front of us.

"I really didn't think I was goin' ta have dis talk wit y'all," Sheila sighed. "Okay... I found these in the bathroom and I just wanted ta know who they belonged to," she held up the brown bag that Viola had her pregnancy tests in.

"That's just a brown bag, Ms. Sheila," I mumbled.

She looked at me. "A brown bag wit pregnancy tests on the inside,"

Viola and I stayed silent.

"Listen girls, I know dat y'all both at dat age where sex is startin' ta play a role, but please keep it safe. Make sure your partna wraps it up. I won't make y'all tell me who's it is, but whoever it is... Don't be afraid ta talk to me about it. I won't be upset. If you wanna talk and try ta get on birth control, we can do dat too, okay?"

We nodded.

"I love you girls and I see y'all as my own. Keep it safe,"

"We love you too," we said.

"Alright. Viola, you can go,"

Viola left her room.

"What happened at school today?"

I explained everything that happened to her.

"I don't understand why dat girl don't let Aug go. He's not lookin' fa her," she said.

"Exactly,"

"Then she had the nerve ta bring up your sister. I would have knocked her out,"

"I wanted to,"

"I'm glad you didn't do too much because you'd probably be in a cell right now,"

"Right. And I don't want to ruin my life for something that could have been ignored. I should have been the bigger person,"

"It's okay ta snatch people up sometimes. You did the right thing,"

"I guess," I shrugged.

"I have one last question and then you can leave,"

I already knew what question was coming. "Yes?"

"You and August aren't having sex, are y'all?"

"No," I said. "I'd never disrespect your house like that,"

"Oh, thank God. Thank you,"

I started laughing and she couldn't stop smiling.

"I like you two together,"

"Thank you,"

"Okay okay. I won't hold you hostage anymore,"

I giggled. "Goodnight, Ms. Sheila,"

"Goodnight, Esined,"

I left her room and was startled by Viola waiting on me in the hallway. I held my chest. "Why are all of you like this?"

"Sorry. Thanks for not saying anything," She whispered.

"No problem," I said. "You okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You just don't seem like yourself lately,"

"This just isn't my favorite time in the year,"

"Why not?"

"Anniversary for my sons death,"

"Wait, what? You had a baby?"

"Yeah. I don't really talk about it because I feel like it's an open invitation for people to judge me since I was and am still young,"

"I won't judge you and I won't force you to talk about it. But if you wanna talk about it or need someone to cry to, I'll be here,"

"Thank you," she faintly smiled. "I'm proud of you by the way,"

"For what?"

"Beatin' Chantelle's ass. She deserved it. I couldn't hear much from the video, what did she say to you?"

"She said something about my little sister,"

"I guess Nola's little defense lessons came to use," she said. "I honestly didn't expect that from you,"

"I didn't either. I don't think anyone did. I guess I blacked out," I laughed lightly.

"Hopefully that shut her up. How long are you suspended?"

"Until the last week of school,"

"Isn't that three weeks away for y'all?"

"Yup,"

"So they're taking two weeks of your education away? That's stupid,"

"Exactly. They did the most. Handcuffed me and charged me five hundred dollars too. Mel paid that though,"

"Did they take you to jail?"

"No, just handcuffed me and made me sit in the back of the police car to restrain me,"

She laughed, shaking her head. "Doing three much,"

"Exactly,"

"Well, I'm glad you're okay. I'm pretty tired, so I'm going to get some rest," she said.

"Okay. Remember what I said," I told her before giving her a hug.

"Thanks girl," she smiled and went to her room after we let each other go.

I looked up and Travis was coming out of his room.

"Oh, Esined Ali!" Travis said. "Lemme getcho autograph girl,"

I shook my head, laughing. "Hi Travis,"

He smiled. "Wanna do me a favor?"

"Mm... I don't know about your favors. What is it?"

"Gimme my money," he put out his hand.

"Oh yeah," I dug into my back pocket. "Got change for a twenty?"

"Nah,"

"Travis,"

"I'm playin'," he laughed and turned to go into his room.

I followed him and he hand me a five from his wallet. I handed him the twenty and he shook my hand.

"Nice juggin' you," he smiled.

"What's a jugg?"

"Nothin', lil mama. Go on about ya night,"

"Okay," I laughed, looking at him weirdly. I left his room and closed his door.

I went to the living room and took out my phone. I went to google and typed Define Jugg. I felt stupid after I found out what it was.

The door opened and I looked up. August came through the door with Mel. Mel closed the door behind him and locked it.

"You ain't get my text?" August asked.

"I haven't looked,"

"I gotchu somethin' anyway," he handed me a pink lemonade and a bag of barbecue chips.

"Thank you," I smiled.

"Mhm,"

"You look like you're feeling better,"

"I am," he sat next to me and Mel hit his shoulder. "What?" he looked up at him.

Mel pinched his fingers together.

"I'll be back," August told me. He stood up and followed Mel to his room.

I sighed and opened my bag of chips. I was in the middle of watching a makeup tutorial on YouTube while eating and I felt the couch dip down besides me. I knew it was August, so I didn't bother to look up. I continued watching the video and I felt my bag of chips get taken from my hands.

"Excuse you," I said, pausing the video.

"You passed gas or somethin'?" August dug his hand into the bag and pulled out a hand full of chips, stuffing his mouth.

"No. That was really rude of you to take my chips without asking,"

He chuckled, continuing to eat them. His eyes were red and really low. They barely looked open.

I snatched my bag back from him and turned away from him. I pressed play on my video.

"Aye," he tapped me. "Can I have some?"

"Some what?"

He lazily pointed to my juice.

"No,"

He laughed and took it anyway. "Gimme some mo' chips,"

"You are so rude. Have them," I threw the bag onto his lap and tried to stand, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back down.

"Chill," he chuckled. "I'll buy you some mo',"

"First of all, don't ever grab me like that again. Secondly, it's rude to buy people things and take what you bought them-"

"Who is you talkin' to?" he asked.

"We're the only two in the living room, so, who else do you think?"

"You talkin' ta yo self,"

"Pretty sure I'm talking to you, August,"

"Pretty sure you're not, Esined. I ain't no fuckin' child,"

"Cool. Never said you were,"

He looked at me. "You cute when you mad,"

"Thanks," I said sarcastically.

He chuckled. "I love messin' wit you. You be turnin' red and shit,"

"I guess it's funny to upset people,"

"Let dat hurt go,"

"Let that ignorance go,"

He started laughing. "Baybeh, chill. I said I'ma buy you some mo',"

"It's not even that I'm upset about anymore. You're just flat out disrespecting me and I don't like that. You need to chill,"

"What I do?"

"Really?" I looked at him as if he'd lost his mind. "Okay. I don't know if I'm tripping or not, so I'm just gonna go to my room,"

"Nah, I dead ass just fa'got what just happened. I'm sorry fa bein' rude,"

"What is wrong with you?"

"Girl, I'm blowed as shit," he laughed then covered his mouth.

"What's that?"

"Nothin'. I ain't say dat,"

I blinked at him.

He tucked in his lips, trying not to let out his laughter.

I stood up and grabbed my phone. I went to my room. I didn't want to be around him with him acting like that. It was annoying and I didn't want to keep going back and forth with him while he just stared at me like I was stupid. Sometimes talking to him was like talking to a brick wall.

-weshhhpoppin'? how are y'all?

idk what other schools do, but that's what my school does. you get fined (but I think it's $200 instead) and all the stupid stuff.

I guess I'll have Esined find out a few things about August in the next chapter.

No, they aren't breaking up. Shh. Save them tears fam lmao.

Any questions or concerns?

Excuse typos please.

Comments & Votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo.