Flow and Crash - Rain Lewis Book 1

Chapter 2

Word got around quick that the Three Pins that were hanging out around the school got got. Though nobody really talked about it all that openly. There were a few students that were tight with them, or at least pretended they were, and weren't above snitching to get in their good graces. All that was known, at least by most people, was that three of them got knocked down, cops were called, and that Jay Solomon and me were there. Which would have accounted for the stares that came my way as I bussed my tray through the cafeteria.

I could've gotten used to the attention, all things being honest.Some rather fine honeys were scoping me for more than just my jacket,even though it looked fresh as hell. I loved this thing. Dark purple track fabric and black vinyl arms, zipped up to my collarbone. When anybody asked where they could get one, and I told them my mamma made it, they'd scoff and call me out, saying I didn't have to tell them if I didn't want to, but I never made it a secret that if they wanted one I'd ask her to make one.

It probably could've used some letting out, though. It was starting to feel a little tight around the shoulders, and it was starting to make me feel slick. Not slick like "looking good" but like I could bust out into a sweat in a heart beat. It was strange. It felt fine when I put it on this morning, and it didn't even bother me after I ran for the bus. But then, today had been a strange day as it was. The dream, the Three Pins, Jay coming back, what was feeling like I could slip out of my kicks without warning?

"Hey Rain." Jay smiled as I sat down at the table. "Montez was just telling me about what's been going on whilst I was gone."

"Hey man, just call me Tez, right?"

"My bad, man. Anyway, who are these Three Pins jokers?"

"Shh,man, they may look like scrubs but they've been gamin' up lately." Tez gave a warning look as he lowered himself in his seat. "Just stay out of their way and you'll be cool."

"Yeah, I hear you." Jay huffed. I could've sworn I saw steam fly out of his mouth as he did. He gazed over to me."Oh, by the way,man sorry I forgot your birthday."

"Ah,don't worry about it." I dismissed. "What have you been up to since you were gone? Sorry I couldn't ask earlier, ya know."

"Right? Pop Quiz from Mrs. Carlton, first day back. I gotta be cursed." Jay chuckled. "Not much, Rain. My foster dad had some work in another state, when that ended we came back. I've only been back a week or so. Heard Kareem's in college now."

"Yeah, he's doin' well. Wish he'd write more."

"And how's Iyabe, oh, and Mercy too?"

I forgot that he knew my mother's name. It nearly made me inhale my drink. But then, when he was last here, he'd visit every so often.Hang out with Kareem and me, would always tell Mercy some dumb kids joke. As welcome as he was at my house I always got the impression mamma didn't quite like him. It wasn't a White thing either, she was just watching him whenever he came by, and he was never allowed to stay the night.

"Yeah, they good man."

"You haven't changed all that much, either. Still with the mid-fade hair do?"

I laughed. "I liked having longer locs, man. You should know, you lookin' like some guy from Motley Crue."

"Shh,shh, guys, play cool." Tez whispered ferociously before straightening himself up, letting a strand of his hair fall from the brim of his hat, and quickly easing back like his bones had slackened. I knew that posture. He struck it whenever he wanted to look cool and unbothered. Unless I missed my guess, we'd be seeing her right about...