The BoyZ

Jewels

I woke up to screaming in the morning. Like the usual mom is drunk and abusing my sister, but I'm not gonna do shit because dad is watching me like a hawk.

As I was walking to school, I got lost in my thoughts. I do that often—maladaptive daydream. Usually, I dream about Hakim and me being brothers. His parents are mine and I'm happy. Today it's my sister, I dream of her happiness and my mother because although mom is violent she's in pain, same with my father. As I'm dreaming I catch myself smiling.

"JEWELS" my sister's friend yells, interrupting my thoughts. I don't realize I'm in the school until I hear other voices around me. I kinda hate it when I do that, but on days like this, it's the only thing I crave. Just me and my dreams. 

"What do you want Starlove?" I groan.

"Where's Samantha?" Before I could reply she continued, "Please don't tell me she's getting hit again" Starlove and my sister are close so Starlove knows about my home life, I wish I was like that. More open, maybe then I wouldn't feel so exhausted. 

"She is" There was no need for me to lie.

"You know you're a bad brother, she's always getting beat and you never help her"

"Stop starlove. You have no idea what it's like, so please don't meddle in my business" I'm triggered by her words but I try to stay calm.

I get away from her as fast as I can, I don't really want to hang out with my friend group so I go to class. Hakim is the only one in class and I smile. I hate it when rooms are crowded.

"Yo wassup Hakim" I dabbed up Hakim and sat in my seat.

"We made 0 progress convincing Menelik, let's just stop?" Hakim's already giving up. He's laying his head on the table but facing me and I notice how bad his eye bags have gotten but I don't say anything about them.

"Nah give me a few more days and I'll convince him"

"Why are you so serious about him?" 

I think before replying to his question. I've seen Menelik before, he's smart, fast, and strong, and he would be a good member in this 'gang.' Not gonna lie I think this gangster thing is mad stupid but I'll take anything as a distraction from home. "He would be a good member," I tell him.

He nods in response. 

After school, I was expecting to hang out with Hakim and the others but they were all busy so we canceled. When Hakim drops me off I go to the nearby park. When I arrive I see Menelik sitting on the swings. I approach him, he tries to leave but I grab him by his wrist and gently pull him back then I let go.

"Why are you still trying to convince me? Now look at you, stalking me" Menelik folds his arms.

"I'm not stalking you, this was a coincidence" I mimic his body language.

"A bad coincidence" he scoffs.

"Join the gang, please if you do I'll give you money," I say without thinking and immediately regret it. I sound mad desperate.

Menelik was expressionless, his cold eyes staring right through me. I hate his eyes, they always reminded me of my father which scared me. 

"Is money all you can offer?" he laughs, for the first time I saw him smile I didn't think that was possible for him. He's usually expressionless and cold. 

"What else would you like?"

"Nah I'll join I don't need money though, I just would like to know why you want me to join so badly"

I'm not sure how to say anything without making him feel uncomfortable so I think for at least 3 minutes and he sits still just waiting for me. How is he so patient?