𝐆𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

My hand rested on my cheek as I sat in my last class, waiting for the bell to ring. It had already been a long day, and I was more than ready to head home.

   With my work finished, I had nothing to do but stare off into space until the bell signaled my freedom. Some students were on their phones, others were still working, and a few were reading or sleeping.

      The boy next to me was watching videos on his phone without headphones, scrolling through his feed.

   As he scrolled, I heard a video say, "It has been reported that the officer who shot and killed the young teen, Gemini Amare Ayre, has been arrested."  I tapped him on the arm, "Can you go back to that, please?" I asked, wanting to confirm what I had just heard. He scrolled back to the video.

   The video played, showing a reporter standing in front of a screen displaying pictures from the recent protest. "The officer who killed the young teen, Gemini Amare Ayre, has been arrested and will be charged with murder"  the reporter announced. "Just a few days ago, a protest was held... I repeat the officer is now under arrest."

    The post was just posted on The Shade Room five minutes ago, and my heart swelled as I saw the officer's mugshot plastered on the screen.

  I couldn't believe it. A small smile formed on my face as I turned to the boy and said, "Thank you." He nodded, asking, "He was your friend, wasn't he?"  I nodded, and he replied, "Well, I'm glad he got justice." I thanked him again, and just then, the bell rang.

    The walk to my car felt like as if I was speeding. Many people were staring at me, having just seen the video that was posted. I quickly got inside my car, took a deep breath, and pulled out my phone to call my dad.

   He answered on the first ring, I had started a FaceTime call. He was at the tattoo shop, and his face had a smile when he answered.

"Dad, did you hear?' I asked, and he nodded. "Hell yeah, I heard, baby! You see the power of what your voice can do?"

"I learned from the best" I said, referring to him, and he chuckled. "I may have passed on a little knowledge to you and Isis"  he joked, and we both laughed.

"Nah but Solem. Gemini would be proud of you if he saw this. You used your voice, the voice God gave you, to speak up. I'm forever proud of you." His face was on the screen, and I could see the happiness in his eyes.

    I smiled  "Thank you, Dad. I love you" I said, and he replied, "I love you too, sweetheart. Imma see you when I get home aight? Be safe." We ended the call.

   Isis got into the car, a bright smile on her face. "You did it, Solem!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug.

   "Gemini would be so proud of you"  she whispered, I hugged her back just as tightly, trying to hold back tears. "Thank you, Isis"  I said, my voice muffled against her shoulder.