Josh Santos pov.14 years ago.
high school soon came along and it was something else.
we had all aged with the passing of time. it was like yesterday because I was still the same.
the experiences were the only thing that had changed. my grandpa had aged too. 67 years. we celebrated his birthday in the house with a couple of our neighborhood friends.
he had stopped working in the hospital.
he read news papers and smoked pot at home.
he was laid off by John flickers.
the owner of daily check.
his private hospital was at lam light.
for his services through the five years he worked at the hospital.
he was given a pension and this was his saving grace.
I was now in high school.a lot of things had changed in school.new problems.new enemies and so on.
my hatred for going to school had not changed but I continued to go.
Rachel wasn't around much.
she usually dished school and stayed at home doing drugs.
it turned out that her dad did drugs.
she found out after he got fired from his job in a fast food restaurant which he worked in at lake lines.
for many reasons.he'd decided to linger underground.
into the tunnels and he had been given a job by the underground gang members who deal on drugs.
she found some high quality cocaine in the house.
in his room. beneath his bed.
all packed in white water proofs and stashed inside a wrapped carton.equal and packaged.
she found out that he sold drugs.
a week later.she had already been hooked. buying
from dealers in the hood.
her dad always moved the ones in the house.
to avoid being caught and for her own safety. it was too late.
because she had already started sniffing cocaine in the bathroom.
It was at school.
that was during the beginning of high school she had introduced the substance to me.
it was during break one day. she had texted me to come to the girls bathroom.
she locked the door of the wash room and began to pour it on the tiled block.it was close to the bathroom sink.
"isn't that drugs?
she looked at me with a happy countenance on her face.
"sure It is."
"cocaine."
"what!
"have been on it for a while and it's lit."
"I wanted you to try some."
we sniffed the white substance with our nose and returned to class.
she had stoped coming to school for a while and I had gone to visit her.
it turned out that she was always high. it was cocaine.
we did drugs together during those days.
she had started a job at naked ally.
a strip club at james end.
as a barkeep.
I didn't really keep up with Rachel.
she had been invisible these days.
Amanda mills is a new girl who had started holy high.she is a beautiful white skinned girl who had blue eyes. she was among the new popular 4G girls.Emily pearls.Rebecca hills.Amanda mills and summer sanders.
they were all from reputable and rich families.
they were mostly popular among the girls because the more popular guys talked about them.
even dating them.
Levi Williams.
a council members son was one of them. he was the first to date one of the girls.
summer.
they were quite the pair because not only were they from rich families.
they were in love with each other.
his friends often joined them at the cafeteria. during break hours. they made a lot of noise.
the kinda teenagers who had rich outfits.good skin.looked nice.smelt nice.
the ones often talked about.
Abel and Blake often kept me company.
passing our mornings in an empty class.
sniffing Cocaine.
Blake usually brought some. he deals on them.
Just like Rachel's father did.
I neve got to ask him many questions.
I did know that he lived at lake lines and that was enough.
the place was a drug zone.
with an underground gang running it's territory.
it was that faithful afternoon. we were busy with our business in the science lab.it was at the last building upstairs.
the Windows were opened and they was sun light coming into the empty lab. I saw Amanda mills.
she caught us sniffing the substance.
we were oblivious to our surrounding.
my head was filled with less thoughts and less pressure.
I was half conscious.
Everything seemed bright and clear.
my nose ached a lot.
I first heard the footsteps before the door knob turning and then she came into the class room.
we were shocked.
"who the fuck are you?
asked Blake. his nose was stained with cocaine.
he sniffed it in before cleaning his nose with his left arm.
"well."
"bitch."he yelled.
she was perplexed. She stared at me.
"I was actually looking for you."
"Josh"
she said.
"I never knew you did drugs."
"well."
"so what?asked Blake.
he nudged my shoulder with his right arm. at where we were standing.close to a desk.
"you know her?
I nodded.
"um."
"no."
"not really."
I cleaned my face with the long sleeves shirt i had worn.
"what do you want?
"I thought you were less busy."
"I wanted to return something of yours."
"it was in literature class."
I looked at her hand.
to see my note book with her.
"sure."
I nodded before walking toward her.
she gave it to me.
"do well to be careful next time."
she smiled and began to walk away.
I looked at her as she walked past the door.
I stared at the others who were in a phase. because of her arrival.
"do you think we are busted?asked Abel.
I stared at the door.
she was already gone.
"I don't know."I whispered.
we had not been sent for. it turned out that she didn't report to the teachers and directors in charge.
it bothered me.
Blake wasn't concerned.Abel assumed that she didn't care to report.
I had my eyes on her.
I came to school in the morning and I would observe her chair in the class.especially literature class which was before break.
she was often with Elena and summer.they also offered the subject.
they smiled alot.hers was more beautiful.i was staring at her and it didn't take long before i was caught for being distracted during learning hours.
"Josh."Mr Clark said.
I stared at him.
He was looking at me.
he was our literature teacher and he still taught mathematics.
"what are you so focused on?
"noting." I replied while sitting back on my chair.
"you like staring at girls in my class."
"don't you?he asked.he had a strict countenance on his face.
"if you're not going to focus."
"I advice you to leave."
I stood up from my chair and picked up my bag.i began to walk toward the door.
I walked past the door and didn't bother to close it.
I could hear words being spoken and laughter. I didn't bother to listen.
it was pointless now.
like Rachel.
Blake had also started to skip school. according to him.he was more focused in the streets.
they were lots of goods scarcity going around and the town wasn't looking like a bright place to live at.
without money to go round.
he was in his business of selling drugs too.
unlike Rachel.he had a dealer and he was trying to sell them without getting caught by the police or teachers.
high school was mostly boring.
my friends circle was small.everyone was more focused on their studies and works outside school.
Willie and Abel often joined me during break hour at the cafeteria.
it was then that I noticed Amanda.she was staring at me with glowing eyes and a smile was on her face.
at first.i thought it was something else. I had been made to know by Vanessa. she'd told me about it in class.
"hey."
"dweeb."
"what you staring at?
"none of your business butch."
she smiled.
"well."
"have gat news for you."
she nudged her head toward Amanda's direction.
I saw her smiling.
"she's interested in you."
my eye brows furrowed.
I looked at Vanessa.she was writing on her book.not bothering to speak up.
I could feel her eyes on me and as I looked at her direction.she was already facing the teacher.
it was break time again and all the students were free to roam around the halls.
I sat on my chair.waiting to see what would be her next move.
her friends had left her side a few minutes ago and she was still sitting at the front row seat.her hands were on her desk.
I had not spoken to her since the day she caught us. this was the best time to go.
I stood up from my chair and went to meet her.
"hey."I said.
i cleared my throat.
"how are you?
she looked at me and smiled.
"am good."
"Josh."
"right?
"yeah."I nodded.
"I got your message and I wanted to say thanks."
thanks for not telling on us."
"sure."
"why would I?
"it's against the school law."
"oh."
"well."
"sure."
I nodded and was about to go back to my chair when she held my hand.
I turned back.
"what's your answer then?
"you got my message."
"didn't you?
"oh."
"yeah."
"am down."
"what do you want?
"you."
"I want you."
this was the first time a girl had shown interest in me.
it was quite the other way round this time.
I didn't have to text or woo anyone's heart.
it was simple and straight forward.
she'd given me her number and I had given her mine.
I went home after school. grandpa was sleeping on the couch.his pot was on the table and the house smelt of marijuana.
I was preparing breakfast in the kitchen when I got a text from Amanda.
"meet me at easy meals restaurant."
"at hill top street."
I looked at the message.unsure of what to text back. I knew the place and the street it was at.
but I had never gone there before.
it was built for the wealthy class people of the town.
especially the street.
it was beautiful and taken care of.
unlike brevely hills street and James end which i often visited.
the street was off the charts.they were lots of amazing sights to behold.
the council building was one of them.
a huge building where the council members of the town came to talk about the towns affairs.
it was also called the tower.
I would have to pass by indigo street before getting to hilltop.
my grandpa was still asleep and the time was 6:37pm.
my noodles was on the fire.half cooked and I was still staring at my phone.
"sure."
"l'll be there."I texted back.
few minutes later.I was done eating.done bathing and was on new clothes.
"hey."
"grandpa."
"aren't you going to church."
"you're gonna be late again."
bells garden was at the next street from ours.
It was at indigo street.
they was a church which was run by reverend Ramos.
grandpa and I both attended on Sundays but he usually went when they was any weekly programs. like today.
i didn't attend often.grandpa was the one who always disturbed me to follow him.
reverend Ramos was his old friend.according to him.
my late mother and himself had been a member for years.even before my late father came in the picture.
then myself.
that was all he did these days.reminiscing about the old days while smoking his pot at home.
I was heading toward hilltop. I would be passing indigo street.
where bells garden was at. it was open.
a huge brick building.faded and colourless without and a cross was on top of the roof.
I could hear the sound of panic while walking by.
hilltop street came next in view.
the roads were interlocked from starting to the end.
I noticed the new houses everywhere and they were fancy street lights. on
the sign board were the words which said welcome to hilltop.it was written in capital letters and it was hanged on top of a traffic light.
it was getting dark now and the sun was setting for the day.
the street was starting to light up and they were less traffic here.
few cars were on the road.
I kept on walking and looking around.
the difference was clear.
this were made by those who could afford it.
I could not imagine that grandpa could own one of these buildings.
we were livivng on rent in brevely hills and we could barely meet up with the bills sometimes.
it was clear that things were different here.
it was like it existed outside of Torino.
I could see police cars around.
I could tell that it was well guarded.
easy meals.
i stared at the building which the letters were spelt on.
it was powered by electricity. giving it a yellow glow.
the Windows were transparent glass and it was well lit within.
i could see how orderly it was.
the furnitures.tables.chairs.
it was lively. they were guests within and they were all busy eating and laughing.
I walked toward the door and it suddenly opened.
"welcome." a voice spoke as I passed by.
the air conditioners were on and it was a different temperature here.
"am here."I texted her with my phone.
I went to an empty table and sat down on a chair.
I was staring at the chandelier lights that hanged on the celling.
they were celling fans too.
the building was huge.they were other rooms around.
I was still looking around when Amanda came toward me.
She was dressed In a yellow uniform.she held a book in her left hand.
she was smiling.
"i see you made it."
"now."
"what can I get you?
I kept staring at her.
"anything."I said.
"i had noodles before coming."
"well."
"l'll be right back."
she worked here.
they were others in the same uniform.
a few minutes later.she returned with a tray.
she dropped it on the table and sat down at the opposite direction of the table
it contained a drink and a harm burger.
"go on."
"eat."she said.
"sure."
I began to eat.
the meal was good.it was my first time eating here.
"do you work here?I asked.
"nah."
"I own here."
"we have a couple of restaurant's in this street."
"we." I repeated.
"me and my mom."
"cool."
"cool." I nodded.
"what about you?
"well."
"my parents are dead."
"it's just me and my grandpa "
"we own noting." I said.
"am sorry to hear that."
"my dad is late too."
we sat in silence.
I was still eating while she stared at me.
I was starting to feel small in her presence. I didn't know what she felt or thought.
"come on."
"when you're done I'll like you to follow me home."
"sure."i nodded. I was excited and also worried.
i didn't know much about her.
expect that she was rich.
like the other kids at holy high who lived here at hilltop.
soon. I was done eating and she carried the tray away.
I watched her disappear into one of the rooms.
I could see people staring at me.
she came out. She had changed into a blue gown.her hair were untied now.
"come on."
"Let's go."
I stood up and she held my left hand as we walked past the door which opened by itself.
"goodbye."the voice from the computer system spoke up.
it was dark outside but the street was perfectly bright.
the air was chill and the surrounding was quiet. expect for the few cars that drove on the road.
I followed her toward the back of the building as she led the way.
a parking space that was filled with cars came into view.she brought out a key from her pocket.
one of the car lights suddenly came on.
"come on."she said.
we walked toward the blue car.
"you like?
"yeah." I nodded.
"it's mine."
"I know." I nodded.
"I think you don't."
"I don't bring it to school."
I looked at her.
"I come late to school by the way."
"I know." she said.
she entered Into the front drivers seat and I went in through the other side.
she pressed the switch on the steering wheel and the engine came on.
she drove out from the parking space.
then into the road.she continued to move forward.
"I don't get to hang out much after school."
"why?
"cause of the family business."
"it's hard on me."
"you see?
"that's why am taking a break today."
"with you"
"cool." I said.
Amanda drove along the street of hilltop.i was staring at the window.
everything was classic.
she parked along the road.
in front of a two storey building which had a gate.
both were painted and designed with black and white colour paint.
she came out from the car.
I did too.
"welcome."
"this is my home."
"you live alone?
"for now."
"yeah."
"my mom don't visit often anymore."
I watched as she approached the gate.
I glanced at my watch.it was 7:30 already.
my mind went toward my grandpa who I had left in the couch.
I looked at the building. ours was noting compared to this.
Amanda opened the gate with the key and she was beckoning on me to follow her.
she had a smile on her face.I walked into the compound and she closed the gate.
we went toward the porch and the front light welcomed us. by switching on.it was white in colour. she put the keys into the door knob and turned the door knob before the door opened.
the whole house was filled with yellow and white lights.
the furnitures were arranged.they were chandeliers lights on the celling.
a huge tv. a stair case leading to the next floor. the walls within were painted with white paint and the floor were tiled.
"this is my home."
"isn't it beautiful."
"sure."I nodded.
"it is."
I could see the fridge at the corner of the dinning table area.it was next to the living room.
they was a water despenser in the living room.
on the wall.they was a picture of herself. she wore a blue t shirt and a jean.she had a braided hair and a peace sign was done in the picture pose. with her two right fingers.
I couldn't help but to stand and look around.
"why don't you make yourself comfortable josh."
"you don't wanna stand all day."
"do you?
I sat down on the couch and stared at her.not knowing what else to say.
all of a sudden. she'd invited me to her house. no one was at the house.
the time was 8:01 pm now and it was getting late already.
I watched as she pulled off her shoes.
she stared at me while performing the action and it was like she was compelling me to do same.
I quickly got the message and removed the shoes from my leg.
"now."
"that's better."
"isn't it?
I nodded.
i watched as she laid back on the couch and closed her eyes.she was stressed.I had not started any job since my parents death.
grandpa was always the one who paid for the bills and I was just being useless.
taking drugs In school.
with blake and Rachel or with the other boys at school.
after almost getting caught.Blake had gone awol for awhile.i had not seen him in weeks.
"you seem responsible."i said.
she opened her eyes and stared at me.
"yeah." she smiled.
"it's been like this for as long as I can remember."
"I had to assist my mom with her business."
"I am the only child."
i nodded.
"am the only child too but I haven't been useful so far."
"it's okay."she held my hands and squeezed it.
"I know what that feels like."
"do you?
"yeah."she nodded.
"I don't think you do."I said.
"am not like you."
"we."
I paused.quite unsure if I would continue or not.
"my grandpa and I don't have it easy like you do."
"he is responsible for me."
"not the other way round."
"it's never too late josh."
she caressed my left hand.
"you could be better."
I reasoned her words. i dont know.
the town offered jobs of all kinds and I wasn't particularly good at anything because I had no experience.
I suddenly remembered grandpa's plan to send me to collage after high school.
"hey."
"Josh." he would say.
"you better get out of high school soon and leave this town to somewhere better."
"it ain't safe here anymore."
"you don't wanna end up being useless like myself."
"do you?
I usually didn't give much thought to it then. thinking that it was still far away.
and maybe he wouldn't be able to pay the bills any further.
it was quite depressing.thinking about the future.
I guess that was why I involved myself with cocaine when Rachel offered it to me.
she seemed hooked on it.like I was.
"I understand."I said.
"you're gonna be fine."
"you gat me now."
"you're gonna stay over right?
"yeah."
"I'll text my grandpa."
"good."
"I'll go take my bath first."she said and stood up. She walked away from the living room.
I watched her leave and I couldn't imagine myself in her position.
my life was a gamble.
a risk that might pay off.