My sister's friend's brother

Chapter 1

It's funny the day started the same as always even though it was the last week of school Graduation finished finals were over just a week of senior fun, and yet, my body felt different the air felt cleaner the scent of grits and cheese and the sound of eggs sizzling all felt crisp and clean as I got ready to go even though there wasn't a true need. I felt in my bones to go and maybe that's because he was taking me.

"Coi hurry up Jazz and Carlos are almost here" my sister Bonnie hollered up the stairs I rolled my eyes as I finished slicking back my hair and picking out my many patterns of curls to form a single puff shape.

"COI" her tone more boastful.

"Yo I'm coming Hold on" I mumble to myself always in a rush I come down the stairs almost jumping to make my presence known As I reach the steps I'm greeted by an unhappy Bonnie and an annoyed mom and I can't help but giggle because bonnie borderline look like our mom but in a different font same circle head shape and narrow eye and both have big beautiful hair granted bonnie takes better care of her's so her curls are more defined, bonnie stands up from the table grabbing her bag.

"They're here if you're ready to leave if not I'm leaving without you," she says as she walks away to leave I give my mom a quick kiss on the cheek and leave with Bonnie As we walk down the porch I see Jazz bonnie's friend in the back of her brothers' black Honda civic which was weird considering she was always in the front, my sister would sit diagonally of her and me of Carlos but I shrugged it off since it's not the first time I've sat in the front with him but it just wasn't routine. As I got into the car I glanced at Carlos and I'll admit it the man's fine his beautiful smile those dark brown eyes that can send chills down your spine and his voice well it was so deep and buttery it was almost intimidating if you didn't know him; overall he's hella fine but today he was silence no hey ma, no, why don't you just walk, nothing and same with jazz it was quite and his stoic face just looked annoyed and tired then all of a sudden I feel a buzz from my phone.

B: I'm not trippin' right like the vibes are off.

Me: Nah I feel it too and I peeped that jazz was already in the back .

B: Yeah I saw that too but she's not even trying to talk to me.

Me: And you of all people don't know what's going on is crazy.

It shocked me that Bonnie of all people didn't know what was going on considering they've been friends since diapers, I turned my head to Jazz to get a feel of what might be going on but from my glance, all I saw was her staring daggers at her brother which caught me off guard I mean they've argued sure but this look almost looked like betrayed and hurt the silences continued for a few more blocks it was so quiet it was starting to get too awkward so I tried to break the silence.

"So yall wa-"

"I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH OF A JERK YOU ARE" Jazz blurted out My heart nearly dropped from her sudden boost of anger I turned to Carlos who was looking at her threw the car mirror.

"Yeah whatever dude it's for your good You shouldn't even know him let alone be 'talking' to him" Before I could ask what was going on Bonnie chimed in.

"Is this about Angelo" I whipped my head to face Bonnie.

"Angelo, Angelo O'Hara the wanna gang banger" All she could do was nod yes to confirm and I soon looked at jazz.

"And you in a 'talking stage' with him."

"Well yeah we met over winter break and this jackass said if I don't stop talking to him he'll tell our parents but he is a nice guy" Jazz explained while looking at the car Matts with defeat.

"Yeah I bet he is and I bet he's got goals and ambitions beyond being a SoundCloud rapper and dealer" Carlos piped up shaking his head in disappointment he looked at Jazz again threw the car mirror but decided to stay silent as we arrived at school, as bonnie and jazz left it seemed less important to go to school. I looked at Carlos and all I could see was anger and sadness, I decided I couldn't let him be alone so I decided to stay in the car I turned to Carlos and asked.

"Hey you know what You mind if I just chill with you I don't have to be there anymore" he gave me a side eye and shrugged saying.

"As long as ms, Jones doesn't hit me again fine."

I playfully rolled my eye "Omg you're not over that, That was during Christmas and you shouldn't have cussed in the first place."

He shot me a look of his cute crooked smirk "You pinched me hard as hell in the ribs What was my reaction supposed to be" I giggled as we drove away from the school When we got far enough away I decided to speak up.

"So I'm guessing you're still selling" I looked at him as he kept focus on the road but I knew he knew my expression. I knew he knew how sad my face looked. After some awkward silence, he spoke up.
"No I meant that shit I'm done but you know the streets keep you updated and I know that Angelo is out there and I don't need her tangled up in that'' his face turned sour and his hand gripping the wheel Carlos used to sell dime bags off a corner to help out his family and due to his built stature and personality he quickly grew rank in the gang and ended up sliding more than dime bags but a bit after getting into a shoot out and almost getting arrested he swore he would never do it again and decided to get jumped out I should have left it at that but I had to pry.

"And she still doesn't know," I asked as I was facing the road.

"I think she's got an idea but we haven't talked about it" his expression softened a little his faceless tense and switched to disappointment and my stupid self uttering out.

"Maybe you should she old enough now you know she is about to be 17 in July."

He turned to me as if I told him the most outrageous thing known to man"So, what does her knowing about my past have to do with what's happening now" As I was fixing what to say he cut me off.

"Listen ma I don't need your lectures OK I get it but just drop it" I dropped my head down I couldn't look at him All I could muster up was a sorry as I turned my head to the passenger window looking at the streets of people walking around with kids screaming and mothers laughing and uncles playing spades then the streets grew darker it wasn't warm and inviting but cold and infected stopping in front of a house with lots of potential but looked old and run down I soon turned to Carlos.

"So what are we doing here you said-"

"Don't worry we ain't doing nothing like that I just gotta handle business" he said his tone low as he got out of his car that's when I realized it wasn't what but who he was looking for and I swiftly got out as well.

"Nah coi get back in the car," he said in a concerned tone trying to turn me away from the broken-down house.

"Nah, cause you're not about to get reckless up in here are you dumb," I said grabbing up by his forearm and giving him a yank he was silent I looked into his eyes but there was nothing but a wanting almost like his mood changed for a second but he snapped back to his anger and tried to pull away but I yanked him back.

"listen what if you go in there huh and he's not there then what you just busted up in some dude block just cuz, and who to say if what you wanted to go down did then what, now you and jazz are in trouble" I looked at him dumbfounded as If this wasn't obvious.

"So can we please go" Carlos looked back at the house and then at me he signs with frustration and ripped his arm away from me walking to his car and shouting.

"Yo let's go" I raced back to the car sighing in relief, when he dropped me off at home he grabbed me before I could leave. I looked at him and he had that same look, the same wanting look but fought against it.

"Listen Coi I'm sorry I just... I just don't want Jazz to end up like me You know I don't need her getting dragged into that life you know she's a smart kid" his voice was shaky and filled with hurt I couldn't help but feel sympathetic.

"Hey you did what you did for your family and I think you having that talk and knowing how deep in that world you were in could help her understand why someone like Angelo isn't the best to be around" I didn't realize he never let go of me until he did placing his hand on the wheel I hopped out the car and waved bye as I walked back in the house.