Write About Me

Chapter Four: Hyphens

January 13th, 2004 - Harlem, New York

Phabiola Fenty.

"C'mon Phabi, I'm gonna walk you to the bus stop." My mom held the door open for me.

I don't even know why I take the bus to school, I only live seven blocks away. When Chris is here we always walk. But I guess she has something important to do. I sighed pulling my old book-bag over my shoulder walking out the apartment. She locked up the door and we went out the lobby.

"Baby what's wrong?" She sighed placing her arm around me.

"I miss Chris mom. I miss him allot."

She sighed again pecking my forehead on our journey to my bus stop.

"I know, I know. But, he'll be back before you know it! Okay?" She held my tighter looking down at me.

"Okay..mom?"

"Yes darling?"

"What if he doesn't come back?" I croaked. I knew I was gonna cry..I miss him too much and being this long without my best friend is effecting me and my writing. I can't even think straight or function properly. I was scared for him. Because I knew T was after him, and his boys. I knew that, what if T and his crew gets him this time? All of these possibilities in my head. What if they've already got 'em.

"Baby calm down, don't cry. He's gonna come back." She wiped my tears as we approached my bus stop.

"Okay." I smiled weakly.

"Are you gonna have a good day back at school?" She held my face in her hands.

"Yes, I'm gonna try. I love you mom." I hugged her tight.

"I love you too Phabiola, now I've gotta get going." She said once the yellow school bus pulled up.

I nodded stepping onto the bus I sat in the first row. Pulling out my notebook and pencil I began writing where I left off. Well I tried. My tears kept wetting up my notebook the ink in the paper kept smearing. I huffed placing my notebook back in my book-bag. The entire way to school I sat with my legs crossed in eachother my face in my hands. My sandy brown hair covered my face too. Once we reached school I wiped my face and sniffed a bit grabbing my things and leaving.

When I got into the school building I went straight to where my first class was held. Even though I had a good twenty minutes until school started, I don't have any friends here. And I'm fine with that. I'm okay my only friend I do have. Chris. I sat in the desk in the very front putting my head down. I didn't wanna be bothered. I wish he never has to leave when he does. The first bell rang and people came flooding in. Here we go.

Mr. Amino came in settling down the freshmen. And started the lesson about some type of equations. I wasn't listening I was mentally drained today. And a bit restless.

"So what does x equal Ms. Fenty?" Mr. Amino pointed out.

The whole class shot their heads at me. I popped my head towards the board. To try and skin over something quick in my head. Algebra is not my best subject. Yet I'm taking algebra two honors.

"Uh..um three?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Yes, correct." He smiled. That was pure luck.

I tried my hardest to pay attention to the curriculum. Jotting down what I thought was important. And before I knew it class was over. I rushed out the classroom heading up to the fourth floor to my next class. Which was chemistry. Every freshman had it. I don't get it I thought biology came first but you learn it in that class as well. I was happy to see the overhead on which meant we were watching a movie. I could rest up. I sat in the back, placing my head down. Everyone came in the class at the final bell. I heard Bill Nye's theme song. I heard a chair scuff near me and someone sit next to me. I peaked and saw a girl that I've never seen before she must be new.