The Other Side: Growing Pains

36. Permanent Scar (Part 1)

Summer's POV

"Ohhhhh..." the classroom erupts as SJ walks in, cast free!

It's been months and he's finally healed from the accident he sustained.

"Look at you, twin!" I say as he smiles before shaking my hand and double fist pounding.

We made that handshake up with our dad when we were like six years old. But honestly, we haven't done it much lately. Luckily for us, California is proving to be new beginnings.

"Looking like new money, my guy!" J.R. says as they exchange a handshake.

"It's scary hours, for real. LA ain't seen nothing yet." He tells us, and I assume he's referring to sports. "But first, I need you to take me to the best tattoo spot in the city being as though you're eighteen and all."

"You know dad said sixteen, right?" I ask.

"Yeah, but that was before I sat in a cast for months." He says and I'm confused.

"What does that mean?"

"It means, I watched my life flash before my eyes in that accident. And I witnessed the same accident claim my first love's life. Which mean, getting this cast off isn't just about me. I want to honor Milan. So forget what Pops said. We're going." He explains and everything tells me this is wrong. But his delivery was pretty convincing though.

"I don't give a shit about your power-to-the-people speech. I ain't putting my name on shit for you." J.R. says seriously and SJ sighs.

"Well, at least, take me to a spot where they won't ask."

"Your Pops is a legend in this city. It ain't no way you're going anywhere around here and pulling off the fact that your sixteen." J.R. says and he makes a valid point. "Besides, ain't y'all sweet sixteen party coming up?"

"Yeah, and we can kiss the party goodbye if this fool gets caught with a tattoo before sixteen." I respond and SJ waves his hand at me, dismissively, and sits down.

"Stop being so scary," he tells me.

"How are you going to explain to dad why you're not going home with him after school?"

"You love pointing out the negative, don't you?" He questions, as Ms. Keaton begins class.

I laugh because he's always coming up with some half ass plan and attempting to drag me into it.

"As you all know, the SATs are in two weeks. I encourage all students to take it. Even if you're not planning to go to college." She informs us. "I'm starting a study jam session today and the next two weeks for all of those who want to prepare."

I feel a tap on my shoulder before turning to see a huge smile from my brother. "Ding, ding, ding... I just found our way to the tattoo shop."

I roll my eyes and he grins as he raises his hand.

"I'll sign up," SJ says and Ms. Keaton smiles, excitedly.

"Good. I'm so proud of you. Taking the SATs serious is the best thing you can do."

"C'mon, sis! Don't leave me hanging." He says and I grimace.

"I'll sign up too."

"Summer," Ms. Keaton says as she writes my name down.

It's obvious, she's not a fan of mine anymore. But, at least, she got the hint. She hasn't been fluttering her eyes in my dad's face in a while. And I haven't heard her say a word about the boy I like, lately either.

"Last chance," SJ says to J.R. and he jokingly gives him the middle finger. "Scary ass."
__________

The rest of the class is spent researching and writing a paper on the most influential person in our lives.