THE OUT CROWD

NEW BEGINNINGS

 KENTRELL

After being on the bus for hours it finally came to a stop. The bus driver announced that we had arrived in Atlanta. I have so many emotions running through me from fear to excitement. Fear of the unknown and excitement that I am getting a fresh start and I may finally get the life I always wanted. I grab my duffle bag, strap my backpack on my back and grab my skateboard and walk off the bus. I pull a piece of paper out of my pocket which has the address of the apartment I'll be staying in. The apartment isn't anything fancy just a studio but it's all I can afford right now. I start work at the skateboard shop on Monday and it's Friday now so I have  a few  days to rest and get to know my surroundings a bit. I make it to my apartment building after what seems  like forever, my feet are killing me I can't wait until I have the money to get a car! I walk into the landlords office and pick up my keys and go to apartment 38 B which is my apartment. I make it inside and sit my stuff down. I sit down on the couch so I can rest my feet a bit. I look around the apartment and besides the bathroom being in it's own separate room everything else is all in one room, including my bed. I am beyond hungry as it has  been hours since I have eaten so I decide to shower and then head out to find some food. I go in the bathroom and strip out of my cloths, I turn on the shower waiting until the water is warm enough before I get in. After the water gets warm I climb in and start washing myself. I stay in for 20 minutes and then I get out. I begin to dry off and as I am drying off I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror that is in the bathroom. I look at myself not sure how I feel about how I look, then I look down and  instantly memories start flooding my mind. Memories about my family and why they didn't want me and why they dropped me off at the orphanage. Memories of all the awful things that happened to me while I was living on the streets. Tears slip out of my eyes even though I am trying to hold them back. I just hope that nothing like that happens to me again. I finish drying off and then I go to get dressed I slip on some underwear and then I put on some sweats and a hoodie. I put on my tennis shoes, grab my key and my skateboard and head out. I start skateboarding down the sidewalk taking in all of my surroundings. After searching for awhile I finally come up on a convenient store, I decide to stop here as my stomach was now touching my back from how hungry I was. I picked up my skateboard and walked inside the store. I saw a little basket and grabbed it so I could put my stuff in it. I walk over to the the frozen food aisle and see frozen pizza. I think about it for a minute until I decide to get a pepperoni pizza, I look next to the pizzas and see some burritos so I get those too. I leave the frozen section and head over to the isle with the noodles. I grab a few packs of chicken flavored ramen noodles and head over to the chip isle. Once there I grab a bag of hot Cheetos and then make my way over to the drinks which is the last thing  I'm getting on my way there I go over everything I have so far. I know I don't exactly have the healthiest food in my basket but until I can find a real grocery store this will have to do. I finally make it over to the drink isle and I start debating on what  drink I am going to get. After standing there for a few minutes trying to decide between getting an Orange Fanta or Sprite I feel a presence next to me. I look over and I see this chocolate skinned boy next to me. He has a nose ring in his nose, a black and green beanie on his head which matches his black a green outfit. Suddenly I get this weird feeling that washes over me and I can't even explain! All I know is this man was fine! I guess he could feel me staring at him cause he spoke. " You good Bruh?" It took me a second but I eventually answered stumbling over my words because the sound of his voice completely hypnotized me. "I.........M g.....ood." I managed to stammer out. He shot me a smile before speaking again and I swear I melted like butter. " That's good you must be new around here?" "Yea I am I just moved her from Philly." "That's what's up I hear Philly is a nice place." " Yea it is."  I was looking at his beautiful eyes and I was hypnotized. He smiled at me before he spoke again. " My name is Tyquian by the way but everyone calls me Ty." "Nice to meet you my name is Kentrell but you can call me Kenny or Ken." "Nice to meet you too, I like your name by the way." "Thanks" " You like to Skateboard?" "I love it, skateboarding is my life! In fact that's why I moved here I got a new job at the Skateboard shop on 38th Street." " I think I heard of that place they customize Skateboards." " Yea they do I am hoping they will use some of my designs." " You like designing em as well?" "Yea I like it cause I get to show my creativity, I hope I can start my own design shop one day." "That's what's up I'm sure you will be able to do it!" " Thanks!" "Your welcome!" As we are standing here talking to each other my stomach growls reminding me that I  am still hungry and why I came here in the first place which is to get food. I finally decided on which drink I wanted I grab a Sprite and a bottle of water and put them in my basket. After I do that I look over at TY who I guess had come to the store to grab a drink himself because I saw him grab a Blueberry Faygo out of the cooler. We both walk up to the register with me getting there first. The Cashier rings up all my stuff and it comes to 17.50, I give the cashier a 20 and then he gives me my change. He bags up my stuff and hand me my bags. After he is done he rings up Ty's drink which came to 2.15. Ty pays him, gets his change back and then we both walk out. I put my skateboard down preparing to skateboard back home when Ty speaks up. " Say I know we just met each other and all but I was wondering if you weren't busy tomorrow if you would like to come hang out with me and my friends?" " I don't have anything planned tomorrow that I know of I would love to come out with you and your friends!" "Bet let me give you my number and then I can text you the addy." I handed Ty my phone and he put his number in my contacts, he then called himself so my number would be in his contacts. He handed me my phone back where I noticed he saved his name as Fine ass Ty. I laughed as he  grinned at me. My stomach growled again and it made both me and Ty laugh. " I guess I better let you get going so you can eat." "Yea." "I'll see you tomorrow Kenny." " I'll see you tomorrow Ty." Ty smiled at me before turning and walking the other way on the sidewalk. I watch him walk away before making sure my bag with my food in it is secure on my arm and hoping on my  skateboard skateboarding down the street to my apartment. I make it back to my apartment in no time and make my way upstairs to my floor. Once there I open up my door and go in, I sit all of the food in the kitchen and put everything away except the pizza as I decide that is what I want to eat. I put my pizza in the oven and make myself comfortable while I wait all the while I can't stop thinking about Ty it was just something about him something I can't put my finger on that reminds me of Ahmaud. I sigh at the thought of Ahmaud I miss that boy so much! He was truly my whole heart! I know he would be proud of me right now for getting a job working with skateboards and moving to a new city to try and make a life for myself. I know its going to be hard but I know I can do it! My pizza is finally finished and I take it out of the oven. I sit on the couch and eat my pizza while scrolling through Instagram. While scrolling I notice I have a new follower, I click on the page and it's Ty. I smile as I follow him back. I scroll through his pictures and he looks so good in all of them!  I finish my pizza and then I go wash my plate off. After that I decide to watch TV for awhile. I flip through the channels until I stop on Black Ink Crew and decide to watch that. After awhile I start getting sleepy and I decide to lay down. I pull off my hoody and my sweats leaving myself in my underwear and I lay down. I look up at the ceiling and tell Ahmaud goodnight before closing my eyes thankful for the opportunity for this new beginning!