The Artist (Latrelle)

Chapter one

      *flash back to Before the summer*
We're all standing on a create waiting for Cesar who's gonna sneak into the high school graduation party to get us Beers since no one was willing to get us any since we're only 15. I'm looking over the wall seeing everyone dancing smoking drinking and having a good time celebrating their graduation I look over to see Mario locking lips with Angelica on my search for cesar I cringe "do you see him? I don't see him." Monse says sighing "something bad is happening I can feel it. I knew this was dumb." Jamal says beside Monse "pop a zannie, J. We can't see him because his being stealth." Ruby says on right of me "no doubt. When has Cesar ever disappointed?" I ask tapping my finger on this wall "his got this." Monse says "mmm, fourth grade. Kickball tourney. We lost." Jamal says answering my question from before "oh yeah I remember that." I mutter "only cause I picked the kid with no skills. And I'd pick you again." I turn to see Cesar with the beers he throws one to Jamal who almost drops it "loyalty trumps victory, Compa." Cesar says walking closer handing up the beers "word." I say taking it from him happily "thank you." I say and he nods "ah. Take it in. This is about to us. This is highschool." Cesar says as we look in-front of us seeing everyone dancing having fun I open my beer and sip it I grimace slightly "I will never get use to American beer." I say and Cesar let's out a chuckle they sip their drinks and they all grimace too "at least I've drunk before." I say sipping more of the bitter beer "Ruby, you think your brothers gonna marry Angelica?" Monse asks as Ruby turns to her "no idea. Mario tells me Jack." Ruby says as we look over at Angelica and Mario and Jamal chuckles "what about that time he said Angelica has a dangler?" Jamal asks and Ruby shushes him "but he said that." Jamal says "in private! Time and place, dude." Ruby says frantically "oh, guys check out Huertia at nine o'clock." Ruby says changing the subject and I look over I see her whining "Monse, if you were a girl-" Ruby starts "I am a girl." Monse cuts him off "yeah, but if you were a girl like that, would you wear underwear?" Ruby continues and Monse rolls her eyes "why'd you only ask me? Juno's here too." Monse says "cause I know she'd beat me up if I asked her or do some freaky gypsy shit." Ruby reasons and I laugh "I've taught you well." I say sipping my beer as Jamal speaks "oh, my god, I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die." I look over at him from in-between the boy I consider a brother and Ruby "why are you gonna die?" Monse asks him "those guys okay for the 'Ridge. Did you know that last year alone over a quorum of kids-" he starts "died playing football?" Monse finishes for him "you're stuck on repeat." I say sipping my beer "so, don't play." Monse adds "no choice. My pops was a legend. It's family tradition. I'm dead." Jamal let's out a breath "I didn't follow mine and I was fine." I shrug as Jamal turns around jumping off the create "you're not dead." Monse says as she jumps off too then Cesar follows and offers me a hand down and I take it getting down "football spiral?" Cesar asks as he lets go of my hand once I'm on the ground safely and Jamal starts hyperventilating bending over cesar walks behind him so he can see Jamal's face "Jamal, CTE is not in your future." Cesar says trying to calm our friend own I walk over putting a comforting hand on Jamal's shoulder "guys, check out my game. Huerita just gave me the nod." Ruby says proudly still standing on the create before a man comes over from behind the wall grabbing his throat with one hand and Ruby chokes "eyeing my girl, Cabrón?" The guy asks "no. God no. I'm not into blondes." Ruby lies quickly "easy. He does your mums taxes. Mrs. Guzman, right?" Cesar asks and the guy nods "three thousand dollar refund. Schedule C, line 30, home office deduction." Ruby throws out information about Mrs. Guzman's taxes "Seriously dude." Monse says when the guys doesn't let Ruby go and another guy comes over leaning over the wall and puts a hand on Ruby "yo, what you doing, ese? That's spooky's little bro and Adz little sister, dawg." The new lad says mentioning Cesars older brother who was currently in prison and my older brother who was part of the Santos and he guys lets Ruby go who chokes out falling toward us I grab him helping him stand upright and Cesar puts and arm around Ruby as I put an arm around them both putting Ruby in the middle of us "I didn't realise it was you, homie. Hey, listen, tell Spooky and Adz sad eyes sends respects." Sad eyes says and Cesar nods so do I as sad eyes taps the other guy who practically just saved Ruby telling him they should leave and the guys holds out his beer almost saying bye and he leaves with sad eyes "thank god for your brothers." Ruby says as I take my arm away from Ruby and Cesar "don't. Thank god for better things." Cesar says and a gunshot ruins the moment and we start running as everyone else does too as they continue going off "that was a .38." Monse says as we run "no, it was a .45." Jamal says "it sounded like a .44." Ruby says "I'm with Ruby on this one." I say ducking down as Cesar puts his arm around me ducking down too as we run "wrong!" Jamal says and another shot goes off and we slow down ducking down even more ".357!" We all shout running.