"Why are you acting all cool about it?" César says sitting down beside me across from Ruby and Jamal. "Because if I make a big deal about it things get worse." I say rolling my eyes starting to eat. "Wait what's going on?" Jamal asks looking between the two of us. "Oh Alyćia has been sleeping with Spooky." Ruby says causally as I look up glaring at him. "What is it something else." He says shrugging looking at César.
"She was shot, the prophets have been heavy on the Santos and it's because she's been with my brother." He said sounding certain. "How about you all mind your business." I say barley moving my arm feeling a sharp pain through my arm and chest. "It is my business, my brother won't let this shit rest till there's payback." César says shaking his head as I continue eating.
"So what you're saying is that Freeridge is about to be a warzone." Ruby says sounding terrified. "No it's not, don't worry about it I mean it." I say looking between them. "Can't you do something about it." Jamal says getting a death stare from César. "I've gotta go." I say hearing my phone buzz before finishing my food up and dumping my trash. I rush down the hall going into the girls bathroom answering my phone.
"I heard you made it home little sister." Da'Vonte says over the phone sounding casual. "Please just leave me alone, I have nothing to do with the Santos." I say begging into the phone. "Is that why you've been seen with Spooky again?" He asks his voice unwavering.
"It's the end of it I promise." I say feeling my chest tighten. "I'll see you around Alyćia." He says hanging up the phone.
I stand there thinking about what he has said before calling my dads number. He picks up soon after, "I'm home Aly, I just parked the car." My dad says sounding relieved to be home. "Can you come get me?" I mumble into the phone scared for my dad to be home alone. "From school, yeah of course I haven't even got out the car yet." He says and I can hear the car start before hanging up. I put my phone back into my bag walking out the front doors. It doesn't take long before dad arrives and I run to the car getting inside.
He quickly pulls me into a hug making me wince in pain. "What's going on mija?" He asks looking over at me pulling away from school. "I've got a lot to tell you about." I say feeling all my emotions boiling up at once. "Okay." He says sounding confused driving down the block. "I don't feel safe here in freerige." I say feeling tears slipping down my face.
"What happened what haven't you told me?" He says as we arrive to the house and he turns off the car. "Da'vonte he's been calling and stalking me." I say burying my face into my sweater sleeve not moving my other shoulder. My father looks at me bewildered as we get out of the car and he pulls me inside slamming the door. "Why haven't you told me!" He says standing in front of me as I slowly pull off the side of my sweater showing him my wrapped up shoulder. "I didn't think it would get so bad." I say crying to my father slowly unwrapping my bandage showing him.
"He shot me dad, after he kidnapped me off the street and drove me to Compton." I say breaking down in front of my father.
