My Neighborhood Love Story

Chapter 15: Snakes

Serene's P-O-V

Practice was over and as I was pulling my math textbook out of my locker, I felt a smack on my behind. I turned around and saw CJ laughing. He was totally baked. CJ has been trying to get me to sleep with him since the 9th grade.

"When will it be my turn?" He asked trying to grab my hand.

I quickly snatched it away and went back to getting my books for homework.

"Oh. So you want to front on a kid? Okay," he said before grabbing me.

I tried to release myself from his hold, but he was too strong.

"Let me go!" I yelled.

I felt his hands moving down my abdomen and that's when I heard a familiar voice.

"Yo! What are you doing?" Kwame yelled pushing him off of me.

"What do you care for? It's not like she's a factor to you. All you do is-"

Kwame gave him one blow to the face and knocked him out cold.

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"I'm fine," I said looking at CJ's lifeless body.

"Good. Come on. Let me take you home."

"Okay."

I followed him to his car. He opened the door for me and I got in. I felt safe with Kwame. I was glad that he showed up when he did. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't.

"I'm so sorry Serene," he said as soon as he closed his car door.

"Why?"

"Because of what happened back there."

"But it wasn't your fault."

"But he put his hands on you. He could have assaulted you."

"But he didn't because you showed up when you did," I held his face. "Now relax because to me, you're a hero."

He smiled, "Thanks."

We kissed and he took me home. We said our goodbyes and I headed inside the house. My mother wasn't home as usual.

I found Jalil sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Hey Jaja," I said kicking my feet up in his lap.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?"

"Doesn't matter. I'll never stop."

He shook his head.

"So what are you-"

My statement was cut off by a knock on the door. I went to open it and Khalil was in front of me.

"Serene. Can we-"

"Jalil! Khalil is here to see you!"

"Oh. Hey man!" Jalil said walking to the door.

I walked away from the door and went up to my room. I laid down having flashbacks on what CJ did to me. It gave me chills.

I heard a knock on my bedroom door. I was too tired to get up so I yelled for them to come in.

Khalil entered the room. I rolled my eyes.

"What?" I snarled.

"Can we talk?"

"No."

"Serene I'm sorry."

I got up, "Khalil, I honestly don't care about what it is that you have to say to me right now."

"Look, I didn't know what I was thinking when I did what I did. I just want us to be cool again."

"Khalil. Get out."

"Not until you can forgive me."

"You want me to forgive you? You must be out of your mind to expect that!"

"I know what I did was wrong."

"What you did was more than wrong! It was foul. You ruined my entire life! Everyone thinks I'm easy and willing to give it up! I was sexually assaulted today because of you! And you expect me to forgive you for that? You know what? Just leave!"

"But-"

"I said leave!"

He headed for the door with slouched shoulders and a hanging head and I didn't stop him.

Before he walked out of the door, he turned and looked at me.

"I just want to let you know that I won't stop. I'll come over every day and beg for your forgiveness. And I mean that."

"Yeah, whatever. Just go."

He left and closed the door behind him. I began to cry into my pillow. I felt dejected, rejected, and trashy all because I made one little misjudgment and let a snake into my garden.