Josh Santos pov( sixteen years ago)
I stayed home for two days.
Rachel had given me a kilogram weight of cocaine.I had visited her in her work place.naked ally. she didnt come to school.she focused more on her job.
she was one to take school seriously those days.
back in first grade.
but now. all she did was work to pay off debts and bills.
she usually worked full time.running night shifts too.it was a club and an inn.
james end was a busy street.
business of all kinds was being run here.mostly lively during night time.
it was a street that was quite known and not too expensive.
the house's were affordable. james end was a nice street.
girls usually hanged around at night.
by the roadside.
waiting for people to carry them home.
some ended up at naked ally.with men who would glady take them in for the night.
the club was filled with female strippers too.these set of girls were for entertainment only.
they were paid by the owner of the place.
I didn't like them that much but I often found myself watching them while visiting at night to see Rachel.
Amanda and I had become a thing.
we both ate together during lunch break. sat together in class while holding hands and she'd allowed me to kiss her in school.
she was the reserved kind of girl who didn't allow much friends into her life but somehow.she'd warmed up to me.
this attracted more problems.
Levi Williams.the council woman's son had picked up a fight with me.
he and his crew.
some of the other popular boys in school.it was during closing hours.everyone was going home and I was still in class. preparing to go down the staircase when they came to the door. It was open.
I recognized them.especially levi. he was popular in school.
"hey."
"pumpkin."
he said and smiled.
the other boys began to laugh
they were four of them.
"where do you think you're going?asked Diego.
it was mathematics class.I didn't like the subject either.
even the teacher.Amanda had suggested that we attend the class.she was down stairs waiting for me.
"what do you want?
"isn't it obvious."replied Levi.
"you."
"me."I replied.
"why?
"because you're hanging out with someone you shouldn't be with."
"Amanda."I said.
"yah."he nodded and walked toward me.
"it would be best if you stay away."
I smiled.he kept staring at me with a serious countenance on his face.
"what about her?I asked.
"I don't recall her being yours?
Levi held my t shirt.
"it's best if you listen to me buddy."
"You don't wanna be on my bad side."
I could see the other boys grinning and watching from behind.they seemed to be enjoying the scene.
"what if I don't?
before he could move.I pushed him back and he staggered backward.
they caught him.
I ran toward them.
the first boy came and i kicked him in his stomach.
then i punched the other boy who was close to me.
my bag was on my back.i quickly ran out through the door and went down the staircase.I could hear their screaming behind.
thier voices were filled with anger.
I was already down the staircase and was running.
I didn't spare any second to look back.I just kept going until I passed the main exit door.
they were students outside.some had already passed the entrance gate.
I didn't bother waiting for Amanda.
i simply climbed down the staircase and ran toward the gate.
Grandpa had filled his jar
with marijuana and I had my cocaine.
we both stayed at home and he didn't bother asking me why I didn't go to school.
I was sixteen and already doing drugs.
he simply smoked his pot outside while I lay in my room.
I didn't read comics anymore.i had some porn tapes and videos.
the tv in the living room was in my room now while grandpa used the radio which had lots of channels he could listen to.
during those two days.time went by slowly. I knew I was alive and in my room.with snacks.can water and my phone. I usually climbed up to the roof of the building.to watch the stars at night.
brevely hills was quiet at night.I could see the other house's from my roof.
they was my next door neighbour.
both husband and wife had lost their kid In an accident.
seven years ago and had remained childless since then.
I didn't see them expect from when they came back from work in the evening.
their house was always quiet.
the street was quite small too.I could see the bus stop.
holy high was located at the far end of the street.I didn't like going to school because of the bullies.missing the bus and all.
now.I just did whatever I wanted. getting into fights and running away was one of them.
the air caressed my bare chest.
they would be after me now.
the boys at school.
i may even be expelled but I didn't care.
I just wanted to enjoy the night.watching the sky. I always wanted to get one of those instruments used to enhance sight viewing. I i could never afford it. so I just kept staring at them with my eyes.
I woke up the next morning to find myself on the roof. the sun was out in the sky.
I blinked and used my right hand to shade the rays from entering my eyes.
"damn."I said and stood up.
I could see vehicles moving on the road.stores were already opened.i had fallen asleep on the roof.
I thought of going to school.
the bus stop was empty.the bus usually came at 7:am and departing at 7:32 am. I tought about the fight. it wasn't my fault. they came for me. I hated being threatened or bullied.
Levi Williams was the son of the council woman and they had every power to put me in prison or throw me out of the school.
I stood up and l went into my room. entering through the window.
it was the same way I left it and the door was closed. grandpa must have come to check on me.I was hungry and dirty.
I walked toward the door and unlocked it.
the living room was empty but the porch wasn't.I could see grandpa smoking his joint while reading a newspaper.
the kitchen was just at the Left direction and the fridge was at the dinning room.
I walked toward the fridge and opened it.
I could see bread.milks.eggs and beef.they were carefully arranged inside the fridge.I took out the sliced bread and two eggs and walked toward the kitchen. I dropped them on the table.
I picked the frying pan and lit up the gas with a lighter before putting it down. the palm oil was inside the cupboard.I
brought it out and poured some inside the pan then quickly picked a plate and spoon.
"Josh."yelled grandpa.
"is that you boy?
"yes."I yelled.
I broke the eggs in the plate and applied a little bit of salt in it.
"do you want breakfast?I asked.
"nope."
"am good."
"you're not going to school today?
I poured the egg into the pan and watched as it began to heat up.
"umm."
"nah."I said.
"I don't think so."
I was afraid to mention the ordeal that happened in school.
I didn't want to disturb him.
he seemed to be at peace. I planned on keeping it that way.
after everything he'd been through.i didn't want to stress him with any of my issues.
I put off the gas and transferred the eggs into another plate.I walked toward the dinner table and sat down in a chair before beginning to eat.
I had no choice but to face him myself.
my phone began to beeb in my pocket.
I brought it out to see 3 miss calls from Amanda and one text.
"where are you?
I shook my head and put it on the table.
this was all because of her to begin with. those boys had been on my trail for a while. ever since we started hanging out together.
Levi didn't want us to be together.he had decided to send a message.
by warning me.
the phone began to ring again.it was Amanda.I hesitated before picking up.
"where are you?she asked.
"am at home."
"what happened?she asked.
"what do you mean?
"I haven't seen you for two days now and they are saying that its beacause of the fight you got into."
"why did you get into a fight and then run away?
"what!
"I didn't."
"they attacked me first."I said.
"that's not what am hearing josh."
I nodded.
"sure."
"more lies."
"that's bullshit and Levi knows that."
"you need to come over and clear your name."
I was quiet for a while.I could hear noises in the background.voices.laughter.footsteps.even her breathing.
I could tell it was a problem that needed my attention.i was innocent.
but then.who would believe me?
"Josh."she said.
"are you gonna come?
I sighed.
grandpa was still outside.the front door was open but they was another beside it.it was made of net.it was closed. the smell of marijuana was starting to fill the house.
my stomach was kinda flat. I was hungry.
I stared at the clock which was on the wall of the living room.it was 8:35 pm.
"josh."
"I don't know"I said.
"am kinda busy here."
"do you want to get expelled?she asked.
"cause that's what might happen if you don't show up."
"they have already twisted the story here."
"like I said Amanda."
"they started it."
I said and ended the call before dropping my phone on the table.
"damn."i muttered.
this was trouble and I knew it.
I can't run forever else grandpa would be involved and the matter would turn to something else.I hated school from the beginning.it would seem that I had encountered more bullies along the way.
I stood up from the chair and walked toward the door.
Grandpa stared at me as soon as I stepped into the porch.
"what's good boy?
"no school?
I shook my head.
"they is."
"I woke up late again."
"missed the bus."
"do you mind passing the smoke?
he passed the pot to me.it was on the table. It was
next to his rocking chair.
I took it from him.i put it in my mouth and began to smoke.
"you look skinny boy."
"what have you been taking?
i coughed in the process of exhaling the smoke.
"noting much."
"you sure?he asked.
"am sure."
I kept on smoking the pot.inhaling more smoke. I could feel it inside my head.it felt good. the ease it brought was something else entirely but not compared to cocaine.that was way worse.I had Finished it last night while staring at the stars.
I needed more but I was broke and I couldn't count on rachel to deliver anymore.
she did all sorts of jobs just to meet up with her bills.
they was blake.the dealer.my orphan buddy. it had been long I seen him in school. perhaps I would hit him up and ask for some. I was addicted to the substance.
"here."I passed the pot over to him.
the street was quiet. few vehicles were moving and the stores around were open.
one thing I liked about this street was the silence and less population.it wasn't huge either. it was boring too.
I went into the house and the door made of net and wood closed.
I took a seat on one of the couchs and relaxed my back.I closed my eyes and my mind wandered toward the problem that awaited me at holy high.Amanda was serious on the phone. i didn't know how this was gonna turn out but I wasn't bothered.I was innocent.I assured myself.
I opened my eyes to see myself on one of the couch in the living room.I had passed out. i stared at the clock which was on the wall.2:30pm.
I was surprised but not bothered. I woke up this morning to find myself on the roof.i looked outside to see grandpa.the door was still open.I put my hands into my pocket.searching for my phone.i couldnt find it.
I went toward the dinning table.
I picked the phone and they was a message from Blake.
"where you at Josh?he asked
"home."I texted.
"what about you?
I felt the need to sniff in something.
weed wouldn't do it for me now.I had not bathed since morning.
"Calvin's space."Blake replied.
I knew the place.it was at lake lines.
"am on my way."I replied.
I quickly took the plate and frying pan to the kitchen before going to my room.
I pulled the jean I was wearing and went into the bathroom.
I was done bathing in a matter of minutes.I dried my body and put on new clothes.
I was at the door and as soon as I came out.I stared at grandpa. he was sleeping. the news paper was on his legs.the pot too.
I chuckled.he must have passed out again. this wasn't the first time I had caught him dozing off on his rocking chair.
it would be best not to disturb him.
I climbed down from the staircase and began the walk toward lake lines.
To the best of my knowledge.lake lines wasn't one of the best street to live at.
the crime rate was something else.it was a street that harboured the ugly and terrifying things about the town.
most businesses didnt function at lake lines and it would seem that most arrests happened here.
one of the famous gang leader lived here.
drugs were being smuggled in through the train station.from outside the town and the police officers could hardly keep up with him.
he owned this side of the town and he was rich too.
everyone wanted what he had to sell.his influence was another thing.he was known for many things too.
a gang leader.killer.businessman.criminal.
he was the baddest.the police officers had not been able to get him in prison.
I walked past James end street.naked ally seemed to be locked. the sign was seen outside but I could see people inside.doing drugs or whatever.
I kinda felt for her.her dad had left her to fend for herself.
I had walked past by rachels house.the building looked old. a one story building which was still standing.I didn't bother to stop.I continued to walk down the street till i arrived at the end of the road.i crossed the road to the left.they was an open space which was used for sports. football fields.tennis court.basketball court and skate boarding tracks all stood there.well constructed and well taken care of. however. no one was around.I walked down the staircase.
I brought out my phone from my pocket and clicked on the previous message from Blake.
"am here."
I sat down on the staircase and kept waiting for his reply.
"hey."Blake said.
I looked back to see him smiling at me.
he looked different.more smaller.
his body seemed to have lost weight and he had a scar on his face.
"what happened to you?I asked. I stood up.
"noting much."he said and began to scratch his head with his left hand.
"just a couple fights."
"damn."I muttered.
"I got into one too."I said.
his eyebrows furrowed.
"who?
"Levi and his boys."
"why?
"beacuse of a girl
"which girl ?he asked.
"Amanda."
"yeah."I nodded.
"so what you gonna do about it?
"I have to settle it by going to school."
"they are saying it's my fault."
"you need my help."
"don't you?
I shook my head.
"nah."
"am good."
"I just came to see you."
he nodded.
"cool."
"so here we are."
"it's been long."
"hasn't it?
"sure."
"how's business by the way?
"I kinda need a favour from you."
"what?
"I need cocaine."
"you have any?
"well."
"you shouldn't get in deep with this shit josh."
"you see me right?
I observed his body and nodded.
"I do."
"yeah."he cleaned his face with his right hand.
"shit has fucked me up quite well."
"my uncle keeps putting me through drills if I don't sell these drugs."
"your uncle."
"who is that?I asked.suddenly realizing that I never got to know who this person was.
I knew Blake was an orphan.just like me and he lived with his uncle.
"he's a gang leader."said Blake.
"lobos odini."
"what!
"no way."
"yeah."he nodded.
"I never did tell you."
"did I?
"he runs this street and he wants to take over this town."
"damn."
"yeah."he walked past me and sat on the staircase.
"being his only relative."
"he expects a lot from me."
"I can't afford to let him down."
"you need to take it easy Blake "
I said.
"else you'll end up."
I paused.
"in prison."
"you mean."
he brought out a blunt from his sweater and lit it up with his lighter and then began to smoke.
"well."
"shit happens buddy."
"we all know this."
"we take risks everyday."
"moving this weight."
"nevertheless."
"it's worth it."
"no one gonna help you."
i shook my head.
"am sorry buddy."
"Don't be." he said.
"like I said."
"am good."
"sure you are."
"hey."
"pass me that blunt."
Blake passed it to me and I began to smoke.
the sky was getting darker and I was feeling cold already.
"you gat any for me?
I asked and stared at him.
"well."
"no."
"I don't."
"not now."
"but I'll call you."
he looked at the sky.
"its gonna rain soon."
"we need to move."
"what you gonna do?
"about what?
"school."
"Levi."
"how you gonna prove that you are innocent?
"I don't know."
"you should prove yourself."
"tell em the truth."
"as the only way."
"I can't fight them."
"I don't want my grandpa to be involved in this."
"I understand." Blake stood up and began to clean his sweater.
"nice seeing you Josh."
"but i gat to go now."
"sure."
I nodded and watched as he walked away.he disappeared from sight.
I sighed.
I was still holding the blunt in my right hand.I brought it to my mouth and began to smoke.
I had no choice than to report myself in.