The gun went off, the motherfucker was on the floor. Tariq took my bike and we took off, we ran till we were sure that they cop were not on us. What the fuck was that? You setting me up? Tariq asked. I was gasping for air, No, no I cried. How did he fucking find us? Tariq was furious. I'm sorry I got scared, he said if I didn't do.. i was just scared, I'm sorry, I said. Alright come on Tariq said. We started walking further but there cop cars passing, Tariq turned and hugged me while waiting on the cops to pass. Shit! You've got blood on your shirt, Tariq said as he look at my shirt. Get it off, get it off! I kept saying. He helped me pulled my shirt off, I was shaking and said, stay calm, just stay calm. He saw a tap nearby and he was trying to wash the blood off. Listen to me he said, are you listening? Yeah I replied still shaking. He went to get my bike and said I need you to get back home, don't let your mom see this okay? Whatever happens, just keep your mouth shut okay? Okay I said. It's gonna be alright he said. I took my bike and my school pack and took off.
I got home, went straight to my sister's window and knocked. She thought it was her boyfriend so she said yoo chill brendan before she came to the window. Tony? Get in. If mama found out you out here, you dead. She's not, cause you're going to help me, I replied. And why should I do that? She asked. Cause I know why you skip school and I ain't tell mom, I replied. Get your little skinny ass outta here, she said. Rose please, I begged. She noticed the stain on my shirt and asked are you okay? Yeah, where's mom? I asked. Just got off work, changing her clothes, she replied. Look She sees you out there all wet, she's gonna know something is up, she added. What I'ma gonna do? I asked. Owe me, she said then come on. She shouted ma! Walking towards my moms room and I followed behind her. Yeah baby, my mom replied her. Where are my tampons? I can't wear these supers, she said, buying me enough time to get to my room. Give me one moment Rose, my mom replied.
Next morning I'm walking to school, almost in school premises when Lawrence came running after me, yoo tony, Tony! Huh? I replied. My brother wants his gun back, he said. I don't got it right now, I replied. What do you mean you don't got it? He asked. I don't got it on me, I ain't bring it to school, I said. Get it back, or we both fucked, you hear me? He said. Yeah I replied. A'ight. Tony! Some girl called from behind us and we turned, it was Jane. Y'all should, uh, come to my house after school today, she said. Okay, why? I asked. My parents are gonna be gone, so thought we'd have a little party, you know, for everyone in the dance. You can bring Sam, she said. Okay, I replied. Man, come on Lawrence said.
After school, took my bike and rolled up on Tariq. Wasup Tony! I need the gun back, I said. For what? He asked. It ain't mines, I said. Whose is it? He asked. My boy Lawrence, it's his brother's piece, I said. He don't know you got it, do he? He asked. No but he ain't nobody to fuck with, a'ight? Got it or not?I asked. Yeah I got but it's gonna take me a minute to fetch it, I tell you what, I'll go get it, and as soon as i got it I'll call you, we'll take it to him a'ight? he said. So you asked around? I asked. About what, he said. You know, if he dead or not. Don't bring that up no more, he snapped. Listen to me, it's gonna be alright, a'ight? Everything is gonna be all good, just don't talk about it no more, you hear me? I'll call you when i got it, he said and left. Be safe Tony! He said from a distance.
Me and my boys, Lawrence and Sam turned up in Jane's place. As we were climbing the stairways, Lawrence asked what the fuck is we doing? We being social, can you do that? I asked him. We singing show tunes with a bunch of girls after school. Anyone on the street hear that, our asses are getting whupped, Sam said. Bitch, you know your ass is not these streets like that, Lawrence replied him. How do you know what I'm doing? Sam asked Lawrence. I know what you're doing, you eating, Lawrence replied. I laughed. Better than sitting around braiding my hair, Sam said to Lawrence. At least I got hair bitch, Lawrence replied. I laughed again.
