Picture Us

Chapter 3

I changed into a white tee, black sweatpants, and my concord 11. I was about to step outside to go to the park, when my mom called me.

" Teyana, where are you going?" She asks, as if I didn't tell her earlier.

"I'm going to the park.", I reply.

"Oh. Let me talk to you for a second." I drag myself inside and sit on the couch.

My Mom asks "what?"

I reply, quietly. " nothing. "

" So what I wanted to talk to you about is how I have been acting. I have been too controlling. You're 18 now and it's just hard seeing you grow up. I've tried my best trying to get you to grow up less and now that you're growing I want to tell you that, the real world living as an adult is hard. When you move out, like you've always been talking about, you will face a lot of struggles and stress. With bills to pay and a life to live, you don't always know what's right and I just want to let you know that in there for you always. Even if you do everything that is wrong. I will be there now and forever. "

I tear up hearing that.

Zoey: mom, I'm not leaving till the end of school. There is plenty of time to find out what's wrong or right. I know because you taught me. And I just want you to know that I'll always be there for You when you need me. Now and forever.

After that, my mom pushed me out the house and said go have fun.

I walked down the street feeling happier because I don't have to sneak around any more. When I get to the park, I see the boys playing basketball. I automatically see Langston. I think about when he called me last night

* flashback*

I hear my phone ringing. But since I was down stairs and it was charging upstairs, the caller has to wait.

* ringtone is Hyfr by drake ft. Lil Wayne.*

" do you love this shit, are you high right now, do you ever get nervous, are you single, I heard you fucked your girl is it true, getting money thinking that niggas you with is with you? And I said hell yeah hell yeah hell yeah fuckin right fuckin right alright and we said.

I answered " yo what's good my nigga"

Langston: nun much just chillin. But me and the boys gunna go play some basketball tomorrow. You wanna come?

Zoey: I don't know if my mom will let me

Langston: just sneak out

Zoey: fine

Langston: ardd but what's cool ma

Zoey: nothing good. Just making dinner

Langston: fffoooodddddddd you wanna share

Zoey: nah nigga I'm good.

Langston: fine it's whatever. Ok bye

Zoey: bye Lang Lang

Langston: again with the nickname , zee zee

Zoey: lls. Good bye meanie

Langston: bye child.

I hung up and went to sleep, that convo still on my mind.

*end of flashback *

I walk up to them and say hi. I I take off the tee to reveal my sports bra. Ain't nobody got time to be burning up and shit.

We make the teams and I go up to Julian who has the ball and block him. He tries to go around me but I get ahold of the ball. I turn and dribble down the court. Day day tries to stop me but I cross him. I go up to the 3 point line and stop before I shoot. All I hear is a swish and some cheers.

Issa says" dang, lil ma. You got skills. "

"tell me something I don't know."

We decide to go first to 25 wins. Obviously, my team wins. The losing team has to take us to sweet frog and buy us frozen yogurt. I enjoyed my ice cream because free food always taste better. 

When we leave sweet frog I bump into someone

"sorry. " I reply simply.

The unknown person says, "You better be. Watch where you're going.", with an attidute.

I recognize the voice as bratty Ashley.

"Why are you everywhere I go. Last time u followed me to foot locker, stalker. That's why I cussed yo ass out right there. Now leave me alone you dirty ass lonely ass stalker. "

Julian says "yo chill stop wasting your time on that hoe."

"last time I checked I wasn't a hoe if you was fucking me yesterday. " Ashley says. That doesn't even make sense. 

" bitch, what're you talking about?" Julian asks.

" yeah what are you talking about" Day Day says putting emphasis on the are.

"Are y'all deaf? I said that He Was Fucking. Me the other day. "

"What the fuck! Man wtf is wrong with you!"

"so you gonna believe this lying ass hoe over your own bro. " Julian asks, gradually become frustrated.

"It seems something yo punk ass would do"

" nigga what eva. Fuck this shit "

With that, he left us there just standing there. I knew shit was getting real around here. That's just what you should've expected round here.

"Ashley just leave cuz yo ass ain't needed. Why the fuck would you say that. And Langston why would you believe that. He's your own bro and you would just drop him and believe this ratchet ass hoe?"

I just wen home . As soon as I got in my room, I stripped and went in the shower. I just felt like washing all this dirt from the drama off my skin. I hopped out the shower changed into a halter top, leather shorts and some vans. I hopped in my car and just drove all the way to my grandmas house. It was about an hour away but I needed the time to think. I pulled up to the house and sat on the porch. Ever since granny died I would come sit on the porch and say everything that was on my mind, like granny was sitting beside me. And I must say that she is a great listener. I spoke my mind and let my words float through the air. The wind rustling my hair. The sound of children's voices shouting "you're it" or laughing. I missed the time when I was a kid. I didn't have a worry in the world. I got snapped out of my daydreaming when my phone rang. I was so out of it that I forgot to check the caller Id. But it was too late.

"Zoey. Hear me out I'm sorry but I just didn't know what to believe. I called Julian too, but he's not answering! I ha-"

I cut him off right there.

" If you didn't know what to believe then why did you believe her and not him. We cant believe you. You won't even believe him when Ashley was telling lies. He was with his girl friend Deanna yesterday. You dumb ass. And don't talk to me till you apologize to juju. GOODBYE Langston"

I hung up and threw my phone down. I decided it was time to go home now. Mom would be worried.