Halfway There // Liam O'donovan

08

(TW: this chapter involves police harassment and themes of racism)

_STOP AND SEARCH_
•••
EVIE'S POV
•••

I had been grounded most of the week after I set my tag alarm off for the first time, but after receiving a couple messages from my sister, I decided to sneak out. I opened her window and took a cautious, slow step out of it. I looked at my door and made sure nobody heard me, and then I looked at the ground to make sure nobody was there.  When I was sure it was clear, I took myself out the window, climbed down the pipe and left the house.

I walked aimlessly across the street for a little while and then saw my sister stood at the corner with her hood up and phone out. "Is that- Is that El?" I called, my sister raised an eyebrow and looked around, confused but then her face softened at the sight of me.

"Wagwan," El greeted me, bringing me into a hug.

"Whats good?" I replied, smiling in my sister's presence, "Right, where are we going?" I asked.

"Come, follow," El said and I nodded.

El and I went to the bus stop and lingered there for almost 8 minutes, waiting for the bus. When it finally came, we waited for the last minute before jumping on through the back door. We made it subtle, though, and went in while helping a buggy in.

We rode the bus 5 stops before hopping off on the busy street. We went into the chicken shop and bought hot wings and chips, then they found a secluded bench to sit on. "So, how's it all been? In the ends?" I asked, looking at El.

El shrugged, "It's been alright, ya'know," She said, "No beef, we're all selling food and everyone's making P's. I've made 3 bags this week, it's sick," She said and I laughed, "Come back, Evs," She told me.

I hesitated. I didn't wanna get sucked back into this life unless I truly had too. "Nah, El, I'm not on that no more," I told her, "I can't go back to juvie,"

"Please, Evs! You know you loved it out here, and I know you want new trainers, and I know you miss it," She tried to convince me. For a moment there, I thought she had but I still shook my head.

"I already told you no," I repeated, firmly, "I told you last week and I'm telling you not, I'm not coming back. End of Story."

El kissed her teeth, "Give me one good reason," She said.

I gave her the blankest stare of all blank stares, "Are you dumb? I already said, I'm not going back to juvie," I repeated and she huffed, she opened her mouth to plead some more but I cut her off before she could, "No," I said, firmly.

"A'ight, say no more," She grumbled and put her chicken box beside her on the bench, "You want new trainers, though?"

I looked down at my mashed up AirForces and then looked at El, "Yeah, man," I said and she smirked. We left our empty chicken boxes on the bench, jumped on another bus into town and she took me into JD.

"Yo, choose whatever," She told me and I grinned.

I must admit, I did love spending money on trainers but I really didn't wanna get sucked back in. Really. I'd had enough of it. I know the estate is my family but I can't, and don't want to, get involved in all this crime and fighting anymore.