An Unexpected Turn

Jayceon (Chapter 1)

"You are late, Ms.Evans"
"I know, Mr.Johnson" I said, mocking his tone.
He's so annoying, just like everyone else in this school.
"Come up and sign your name and take this paper here to fill out"
I scanned the room before I walked up to his desk, signed my name and took the paper.
"Don't you already know why I'm here?"
"If you would read the whole paper, you have to write what you'll do next time so you won't end up here again, Ms.Evans"
"Whatever" I said then took a seat.

Someone was staring at me, I felt it, but who? I turned around to see a brown skin boy eyeing me, when I stared back I expected him to look away but he didn't, he kept that gaze. Frustrated I turned back around and continued writing. After 30 minutes Mr.Johnson finally let us go, I exited the school then walked to the corner store to get a pack of apricot sour patches.

"Sup Julio" I said as I took out the dollar from my pocket.
"Hey Jay, how are you?" he said in his heavy spanish accent.
"I'm good, tell the wife and kids I said hello" I said as I slapped the dollar on the counter.
"I will, stay safe" he yelled as I walked out the store.
"Always" I said back

Not paying attention as I struggled to open the packet of candy, I felt a strong body bump into me.

"Sorry" I said as I looked up.
It was him.
"It's cool" he smirked
"Mhmm" I mumbled as I walked away.

There was something about him that seemed familiar to me but I just couldn't figure it out. I hopped on the C train and headed straight home, when I got in Carol was there, the girl who would babysit my little sister sometimes.

"Hey Carol" I said as I sat on the couch.
"What's up Jay, how was school?"
"Same as usual, boring, I just came from detention" I said
"I don't even wanna know why" she said shaking her head.
"Where's Kayla?"
"She's over there" she said pointing to the playpen near the kitchen.
"And Donte?"
"He went to the park to play ball"
"Uh, as usual"
"Yup, so I'm gonna leave now, you good?" she asked as she picked up her Tory Burch bag.
"Yeah I'm gucc, text me when you get in"
"Gotchu, see ya later"
"Bye" I said as I got up to lock the door.

I took out my phone and dialed my moms number to see where she was, no answer. I looked outside the window and saw Donte in the basketball court. I picked Kayla up out the playpen, put her in the stroller, grabbed my phone, keys and anything else I needed and went outside. I crossed the street and made a short cut into the park, then went on the court. I noticed that Kayla was getting a little fussy, so I picked her up and held on my waist.

"D!" I yelled
He heard me and turned around.
"Yeah, what's up" he said as he walked over to me all sweaty.
"You spoken to mom today?"
"Nope, what happen?"
"It's almost 5:30 and her shift starts soon and she hasn't been answering her phone"
"Um, go check Teetee's house, you know she's always there" he said then kissed Kayla on the forehead causing her to giggle.
"Aight"
"Hey Jay" Ty and Anthony said in unsion smiling at me.
"Hi guys" I said back

Sometimes I wonder how those two ended up being my brothers best friends. I put Kayla back in the stroller and walked over to Teetee's building. Teetee was a family friend but sometimes she seemed to have this negative effect on my mother. I wouldn't necessarily consider my mom an alcoholic but she did have some issues, she'd stayed away for a while until she linked up with Teetee. All they'd do is drink which is not what my mom should be doing right now. When I got off the elevator, I walked over to apartment 3B and banged on the door, which I really didn't even have to do since it was unlocked. I pushed a piece of wood to hold the door open and left the stroller outside where I could see it. It smelled like so much weed and I didn't want Kayla around that.

"Ma!" I yelled as I grabbed the cup out of her hand.
I studied her face, luckily she wasn't drunk or tipsy.
"What?!" she yelled back
"Get up, your shift at the hospital starts soon, you have to get ready"
"And hi to you too, Jay" I heard Teetee say from in the corner.
"Hello aunty" I said in a stern voice not even looking at her.
"Let's go" I said as I lifted my mom off the couch.
"See ya later, T" my mom said as she left the apartment.
My mom leaned over trying to grab the stroller.
"No way, do not touch"
"It's my stroller and she's my child"
"Oh now you wanna act like a mother"
"Watch your mouth"
"This is the millionth time I've had to come over here and get you from her house, Ma"
"I just loose track of time some days"
"You mean every day"
"Whatever Jay"
"I have work tomorrow after school, Ma so you have to be more aware, I can't come get you. Maybe you should stop going to Teetee's house for a while"
"Maybe you should shut up"
I sucked my teeth, this woman couldn't take anything seriously.
"Ma!" Donte yelled as we walked past the court.
"Hey D" she said
He walked over to us, he scrunched his nose as he smelled the liquor and weed that she reeked of.
"You gotta stop going to T's house" he said with a serious look.
"I don't know why you kids think you can tell me what to do"
"It's for the best though" I interjected
"I cooked up a little something for yall to eat all you gotta is heat it up" she said then walked back to the house.
"I'll be up in a little while" D said as he looked at me.
"Kay" I said back then walked away.