Whispering Tears (A J. Cole Story)

Chapter 2

       "The letter came in," said Jermaine in a very low tone.

       "AND?! Me & my best friend going to run SUNY Potsdam right?" I tried to be as enthusiastic as I can be. But I think I know where this is headed.

       "Nah, these bum ass niggas didn't accept me." My heart broke into pieces. I can feel it in my throat.

       "What?! How could they not? Did they explain why? Do I need to make an early trip up there & cuss someone & their mama out?!"

       He laughs, but it's not one of his usual laughs. It's one of those "that was funny but it doesn't make me feel better" type of laughs.

       "Nah best friend. It's cool. I guess I wasn't made for this college life. The letter says that my overall GPA from high school isn't high enough.... Imma call you later. I'm going to just chill out & play some games for a bit."

       "Want me to come over?"

       "It's okay. I need some time." *Clicks*

       Oh my God. My best friend, my other half, the most important man (aside from Terrance of course) won't be there on this route in my life? I don't know if I can do this without him... He's my motivation. We keep each other going. We lift each other up. He's been the only man I've trusted, the only male figure in my life. & he isn't coming with me.

       I throw on some Pandora, switch it to the R&B station & just lay there. As the minutes go by I drift off into a deep sleep.

                       -------------------------

       *Bzzzzzz. Bzzzzz. Bzzzzzz.*

       I wake up to my other best friend, Kayla, calling me. I met her in the 4th grade, except we didn't hit it off right away. I'd say around the 7th grade we had to do this little lab experiment in science together, we tried switching partners but our teacher wasn't having it. We ended up agreeing that we'd work together for the sake of our grade, we ended up realizing how much we had in common & how well we bonded. Kayla & I have been pretty much inseparable since.

       I pick up, "Bitch! Why wasn't you in school today?!"

       "Well hello to you too beautiful. & cause it was the last day nigga! I'm pretty sure ya ain't do a damn thing."

       "We didn't, but damn," she had a point, but still. "What you doing though lovely?"

       "Tryna see if you still going to Charlie's cookout today! There supposed to be bottles & it's supposed to be lit." Shit! I completely forgot.

       "I definitely forgot about that. But yeah I'm going. I need to go out & relax a bit."

       "Iight, meet me on 106th & 2nd in half an hour.

       "Okay. Gotchu." *Clicks*

       Let me call Jermaine to see if he's going.

       On the third ring he picks up. "Hey beautiful."

       "Wassup, we out to Charlie's cookout?"

       "I was about to ask you the same thing."

       "Well, you do know great minds think alike." We laugh. "But I'm going. I'm actually meeting up with Kayla in half an hour on 106th & 2nd, wanna come get me & we walk together?"

       "Yeah, no biggie. I'll be downstairs in like twenty minutes."

       "Okay. See you!" *Clicks*

       I get up & walk into the living room. My mom & Terrence aren't home. They probably went to third avenue, my mother been talking about these sales they've been having lately on some summer clothes.. She better think about her wonderful daughter while she's out there..

"I should go use the bathroom before we go." I say to myself.

After I'm done using the bathroom I put my sneakers back on, spray some Strawberries & Champagne from Victoria's Secret, grab my iPhone from the charger, one look in my mirror, "Fine as always!" & I'm headed out the door.

Jermaine is walking up to my building as I walk out. I automatically get excited.

"Hey handsome!" I open my arms for a hug.

"Wassup." He hugs me back. We start walking.

"How you feeling now?" I look at his face. I can tell he's still bothered.

"Eh, I'm getting there. But I'm not trying to think about that right now. Imma just enjoy my night." His mood lightens up a bit.

"Okay, well, I'm here, as you always know. Pero, we shall enjoy this cookout!" I jump a little with excitement. He laughs. "There you go, there's that smile that I've been missing." He smiles a bit harder. "Yessssss! Mission accomplished!"

"This is why your my best friend. What would I do without you?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe be one of these dope fiends out on 125th." I start to impersonate the way crackheads stand without ever falling to the floor.

He bursts out laughing. "You so fucking crazy, I swear yo."

"Oh, just a bit," I start laughing too.

We walk up to Kayla & we each give her a hug.

"Wassup ya." Kayla says with excitement.

"Ain't shit, ready for this cookout. Why you so excited?" I ask.

"Oh maybe cause my boo Dante supposed to be there!" She starts jumping around like a crazy person.

"You still messing with him? Shit, surprised ya ain't official yet," says Jermaine.

"Well we working on that, soon though, soon." We all laugh.

We all start talking our bullshit as we walk the streets of East Harlem to Jefferson Park. This is just the first night of many.