Moving Forward

Fifteen

Prodigy

 I uncapped the spray can, testing in on the ground. It's a shame. This poor building is so nice. I chuckled to myself.  That's exactly why I chose it. To fuck it up.

 I lifted my arm prepared to begin my masterpiece when I heard gunshots. Why would there be gunshots? This is the nice part of Manhattan. People don't get shot here.

 I heard the sirens, then I saw the ambulances rushing by. Just seeing the ambulances reminded me of Liyah. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring.

 I don't know why I'm still carrying this around. I shook it off and began painting. I got so lost in the painting, I didn't realize what I was painting until I was finished. I took a step back to admire my work when I realized I had painted Aaliyah's name.

 I guess I still loved her after all.

 Aaliyah

 Everything was moving so fast. People were sticking wires on my mother and shouting out different things. They were struggling to stop the bleeding. They soon whisked her away. I wanted to ask them where they were taking her, but I couldn't find the words. Just being at the hospital made me want to throw up.

 Roc slid his hand in mine, and that was the only thing that kept me going. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest, when I saw the doctor approaching us.

 "Are you the family of Tasha Davis?" She asked us.

 I nodded, swallowing hard. His face darkened, and I knew. "We did all we could, but we couldn't save her," She said, and I broke down. "The bullet wound was just too great."

 Roc wrapped me in his arms, and I couldn't control my shaking. I began sobbing, my knees growing weak. Not my mother. I had just gotten her back, only for her to be taken away again.

 Ray Ray

 I walked into my penthouse, ripping the black ski mask off. Breathing heavily, I glanced down at the gun in my hands. I could still hear the gunshots ringing through the air the same way I could perfectly remember Mrs. Davis's face when I shot her. The look of complete shock and horror was enough to make my body hum with electricity.

 "I had to do it," I mumbled to myself, tucking the gun into the bottom of a cabinet. "Now she'll love me."

 I stared at the gun as it lay in the cabinet, and I heard my brother walk into the room. Panicking, I slammed the cabinet door shut.

 "What are you doing?" Prod asked, folding his arms across his chest.

 "Nothing," I answered quickly. Nervously, I shoved my hands in my pocket. "Why are you assuming I did something?"

 He paused. "I wasn't? You just looked like-"

 "I wasn't doing anything. Damn, Prod just mind your own fucking business!" I yelled. He stared at me in shock, and I ran out the room to avoid any more conversation.