The Ghetto

Epilogue

JAHLIL POV
Finally. It was the big day. May 28th, 2017. The most illustrious day of a highschool students life. I was standing in the mirror staring at myself, hoping I wouldn't have an anxiety attack from just thinking about being an adult. Someone tapped on the door, "Come in".

Aniyah walked in her face full of tears. "C'mere princess".
She walked over to me and put her head on my chest and just broke down completely.

"Baby boy, I don't want you too go, you'll just forget about me when you get to college".

I let out a long sigh. "I promise I won't forget about you, I love you. Why is that so hard to understand"?

"Because Jahlil, you're going too college where the women look better and they dress sluttier and just oh my god".

"You just described our highschool. Look trust me, you can do that can't you"?

She nodded her head and in between sniffles she said, "Yes, I can".

I wiped the tears from her face and lifted her head up so she was looking at me eye to eye. "I don't want anyone but you and that's what's real". I kissed her forehead, then her lips then said "Now go wash your face we have some place to be".

We walked out to my car and drove off to the civic center. I dropped Aniyah off in the front and then I found a parking space. I walked in and went downstairs to go get dressed up. I was the class valedictorian and it was just another accomplishment of mine that I was proud of. I sat dowm with my cap and gown and looked over my speech, the next thing I know everyone started filing in and then it was time.

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Everyone had piled in to see their loved ones named called and I took my position at the podium ready to began my speech.

Welcome Friend's, Family and the elated Class Of 2017. We can all finally say that we've made it. I first off give thanks to the man upstairs for allowing us to live to see this day to allow us to have the determination to drive and get too this point. Graduation. Looking back at these four years sheesh, it's a been long long road. Walking in the doors ninth grade felt like it was just yesterday. The feeling of being nervous not knowing what the next four years will hold. Well now we've lived through it, the fights, the food fight sophomore, the many times going to Mr. Ansley to get our attendance failures fixed. The homecomings the dances and most of all Prom. It's been a great four years and I hope y'all enjoyed them as much as I have. God be with you all tonight and for the rest of your life.

I heard the loudest cheers as I took my seat and we proceeded with the program and finally it was our time to get our diplomas. We waited a while before it finally got down the roll to me and Desmond's name. Desmond G Harris. My whole family exploded blowing horns and everything. Jahlil Z Harris. The whole Civic center exploded, I hopped around and yelled as I shook each administrator's hand and collected my diploma. When it got the end I really exploded when they called Khalil's name. Kahlil J Seabrooks. The Civic center again exploded it was a great moment in Khalil's life you could see it in his eyes. Once the ceremony was done we all exited and took pictures with our family and friends. Every one was asking me was I going to the club but I couldn't I was one of the younger kids in my class I was still 17. So I just went home and enjoyed my night with the family it was a great one. A chapter of my life had closed and now A new one was about to start. 17 years in the Ghetto and I'd made it out not it was time to get my mom out.
The Ghetto would no longer be her home, our home.