I was back with the group of kids this week. Austin had to run an errand for Derek this week.
Derek chose secret deliverers every now and then. I was only chosen to deliver a few times. It was a dangerous and sneaky deal. I was kinda glad to not be alone anymore.
We ate lunch together everyday. Jasmin had this thing about her that made every moment sparkle. Everyday we would go in the dark back area to play hacky sack -Well I was too shy to play. I'd just watch. Until this time.
They gathered into their circle. They were all there. Jasmine, Derek, Austin, Michael, and Tommy. But they walked over a bit closer to me than normal. There was a gap between Jasmine and Michael right in front of me.
They kicked it around a bit, then Austin picked it up and threw it down hard in front of me.
"You're suppose to kick it!" His voice echoed.
He had a smirk on his long bony face. I stood up fast, with the sack in my hand.
"I don't know how to play." I said looking at him. He took the sack from my hand and threw it softly above my shoes. I attempted to kick it but missed. The kids standing around smiled. I was a little embarrassed. I picked it back up and I could feel them looking at me. I threw the sack lightly into the middle. Derek kicked it to Austin. Austin caught it in mid air.
Jasmine walk over to the drinking fountain.
"Try again." He said. The group was patiently waiting. He threw it to me. I bent my leg up and hit it with my heel. It actually went up. They continued playing, and I felt like I was officially part of their group.
Beeeeep. The bell rang. I went to go get my bag when Michael said
"Hey, let's not go to class." The other kids nodded in agreement.
We went to bathroom, so we wouldn't get caught skipping. I just followed them there. Even Jasmine came into the Men's room; which was a little weird. We all sat in the corner and talked. Derek took out a card and threw it. It got stuck in the ceiling.
"Hey, why don't we do something together." Tommy said with a concerning voice. "Why can't we meet up after school?"
"We can!" Jasmine exclaimed.
Michael looked at Tommy. "What would we do?"
"Well," Tommy started. "I got some spray paint in my garage." His white teeth showed through his smile. "We can make some art."
The kid's nodded. I actually really liked his idea. We devised up a plan to meet at the tennis court - where Derek would go every single morning at 4:20 to get the supply, and leave behind money. From there we would walk to the public library down town.
"Toss meh the blue, nigga." Austin whispered. I shook the red can then pressed the cap. It sprayed my shirt. It wasn't hard for them to tell I've never done this before.
It was dark and the crickets were tattling on us with their noise.
The old brick wall got pasted with color. I made the shape of two swooshes, kinda like the 'Nike' sign. But one was rotated and under the other. Jasmine used pink and black. I don't really know what she made. A flower or something with a black outline. I wondered if we should really be doing this. I stopped painting. I felt like someone was watching us.
"Mines the best" Michael said standing back. Tommy put the caps back on the containers. In front of Derek were the letters 'A c e'.
I heard a creaky door open.
"Hey! What do you kids think you're doing?" An old raspy voice came through the screen door behind us. I could tell it was an old geezer even though I couldn't really even see the man.
We darted faster than you'd imagine. Never getting caught.
If you can get by with something, does that make it okay? Some people are sneaky and never get caught. If you don't get caught then nobody will know it was you. I guess that means if you are clever enough to erase your tracks and leave behind no evidence, you deserve to get away with it. But someone has already caught you. Yourself.
