CALLING ON YOU 📞

1|brutal.

It was a scorching day, the sun nearly blinding me. Thankfully, I had on my Compton hat as I rode my bike with my friends, or rather, my brothers.

As everyone slowed down, I followed suit. "Let's do a race around that block!" my brother Sam exclaimed, pointing to the block next to the shop. Everyone else nodded in agreement, and though I hadn't said anything yet.

We all rode down to the end of the road, the excitement palpable in the air. As I turned my head to look at everyone else, I noticed the fiery determination in their eyes. "Y'all are really serious about this race," I remarked, a mix of amusement and confidence in my voice. Just as I licked my lower lip, ready to show these Bozos what I was made of, Alex, one of my friends' brothers, began the countdown. The adrenaline surged through my veins as I prepared to leave them all in the dust.

“5……4……3……2……1……GO!”

As soon as Alex shouted "go," I shot off like a rocket, leaving everyone else in my dust. However, it wasn't long before they started catching up and passing me one by one. But there was one person who stayed behind me, my younger brother Max. At that moment, I realized that if I focused on my own race and didn't let distractions get to me, I had a chance to win. With determination, I kicked it up a notch and pushed myself to reach Alex, who was frowning at my sudden burst of speed.

Out of nowhere, he approached me aggressively, attempting to push me off my bike with one hand. I quickly maneuvered away, keeping a watchful eye on him. However, in my attempt to evade him, I collided with something solid, like metal. The impact sent me flying backward, landing on my back with the weight of the bike on top of me. The sun shining down, I closed my eyes, groaning in pain.

"Loser!" he taunted, riding past me and carelessly running over my hand. I winced in pain, my eyes widening as the sensation shot through my body. The throbbing in my head intensified, matching the pounding in my hand. As I lay on the scorching hot ground, both of my arms burned, adding to the discomfort.

I fought back tears, refusing to let the unbearable pain break me. With every ounce of strength, I pushed myself to get up, only to see Max already closing in on Alex. I groaned, realizing he had caught up much quicker than I had anticipated. As I struggled to free my leg from under the bike with one hand, I caught a glimpse of a shadow looming behind me.

"You look like you need help," the voice behind me said, followed by laughter. Another shadow appeared by my side, and I saw a brown-skinned hand pick up my bike. I let out a sigh of relief from the pain and used my other hand to try and get up. "Why not help tha girl, Jah? I already helped her with ha bike," someone said, making the shadow behind me let out a sigh. They then held me under my arm and lifted me up onto my feet.

My legs felt weak, almost causing me to stumble, but the person swiftly held me up. "How did you even end up in this position, shawty?" I looked up at the guy who had helped me, seeing a grin on his face.

He was a brown-skinned boy with a tattoo under his eye. He had a slim build but also had a bit of weight. As I turned around, I noticed the next guy wearing a hat. He had a similar complexion to the first guy but had more face tattoos that read 'alone' and 'numb'. He was definitely skinny and had starter locs.

"Because she's a fucking pussy, and y'know we don't help pussy's Strokeley."The hat guy said, causing me to give him a stern look while gripping my other arm tightly. I couldn't believe this guy...

"Na, you mad wrong... But anyways. What's yo name shawty?."The next guy, I think Strokeley, asked me, and I couldn't believe he would ask me that when I'm  in pain.

I let out a sigh and replied, "Lexi," looking down the block, still unable to spot my brothers. I realized I couldn't go anywhere because we were on the other side of Broward, which my father had warned was dangerous. I couldn't trace my steps back either.

"I have neva seen a girl name lexi ova ha??" The hat guy, Jah, said something, and I looked at him with an angry face and a stern look. I couldn't believe how he was speaking, but I guess that's just how they do things around here.

"Na, where you from though?."Strokeley asked me, and I licked my entire bottom lip before answering with a serious expression, "I'm living on the other side of Broward." I explained that I had recently moved here to live with my dad because of some family problems back in Compton where my mom lives. It's been about three weeks since I arrived, and I'm still trying to navigate my way around this new place.

I heard small chuckles from the hat guy, Jah, and it made me frown. "Imagine not knowing where you're from," he laughed. In that moment, I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and annoyance. I shrugged my shoulders, mustered up some confidence, and rolled my eyes at his comment. I wasn't going to let his words get to me.

"Don't pay attention to him," Strokeley advised, resting a comforting hand on my shoulder. "He  tryna  act like a clown." I nodded in agreement, appreciating Strokeley's support. As I looked down the end of the street, I saw my brothers racing back, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Na, imagining being nice to a bitch just to get pussy..."
"The hat guy really knows how to push my buttons," I thought to myself, my eyes widening in response to his words. This guy never fails to make me angry.

"Mhm mhm mhm, L.e.x.i! What's the deal? Why are you down here chatting it up with these little boys? Are you tryna getchu ass snatch" My oldest brother, Sam, rode up to us, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes in response.

"And who exactly the fuck you are?"The hat guy's provocative question caused Sam to lose his balance and come off his bike. The guy walked up to him, clearly looking for a fight, before the others arrived on the scene.

"Chill... Chill..." Strokeley intervened, pushing both of them back. Sam threw a glance at me, and I knew I was in trouble. But it wasn't my fault. Sam's dumbass  friend Alex started a fight, pushed me down, and caused me to get hurt.

"Get on yo bike and move on!" he shouted, causing me to sigh before responding. "I can't ride-" Sam cut me off, surprising me. "I don't give a fuck, now come on," he started to ride away. I shook my head and hopped on my bike, riding off with one hand.

My head was still throbbing, and my hand was aching, to some extent. I didn't turn back to watch the two guys, but it seemed like they were keeping an eye on me, as I could sense their gaze piercing the back of my head.

Oh Lord.

BRUTAL!🧍🏾‍♂️