Born Sinner

I get off of the bus and walk down the street and to Horton High. Its a big brown tall building filled with rich up tight kids. I could care less about the education part I just like the fact that its a performing arts school and that I get to dance.

"Good morning Horton High!. Today is talent show sign up day so if you have talent which I'm hope you do sign up now" The morning news was on like it was every morning. "Class starts in ten minutes so don't be late and always be great"

"Ugh that corny phrase " My best friend Tanijah said as she snuck up on me.

I laughed at her comment "Hey Tanijah"

"Hey um you heard about the talent show well that was a stupid question of course you heard of the talent show" Yeah she's a bit ADHD or something real hyper.

"Yeah but I'm not signing up"

She sucked her teeth "Why not your got the moves and I'm sure you'll win second place"

"Who's going to win first place" I stopped in front of the dance studio.

"The one and only Tanijah Wilson duh who else" Tanijah is an aspiring actress and thinks she's the next Angela Basset.

I rolled my eyes and laughed "What ever bye Nijah"

"Bye darling I will miss you" She did a spin and turned the corner.

Walking into the dance studio is like a breath of fresh air it feels like home. I go into the locker room change into my dance gear and come back out.

"Good morning dancers today is the due date for your presentations which will be your final grade for the semester you have semester left go we gotta go hard and want it" She paused to let us soak in her words I guess "Zoee your first"

I nodded and stood up. We had to come up with a dance that described us. That told a story without words but with movements. The music started and I chose Kendrick Lamar's song m.A.A.d City and did hip hop then I changed the song to Beyonce's son Disappear and did ballet. I was dancing and all of the worries went away. I didn't worry about my mom or the place I lived in. My only focus was the music and my feet.

The room was filled with clapping hands "Good it told me that you or the life you lived was real hard but then there was softer side to you. Am I right?"

I nodded as I tried to catch my breath "Yes"

"Okay then because you didn't mess up and it actually told me a story you get an A you may have a seat"

Its our lunch period and Jermaine is not where to be found. If he made his run got on the buses and came here he would have been here right on time for lunch.

"Hey um where's your boo Jermaine"

I looked over at Tanijah as I ate a fry "He's not my boo and I have no idea can I borrow your phone" She nodded and handed me her Android 3. I dialed is number and let it ring four times before I was sent to voice mail. "Uh where the hell are you you've missed four classes and now lunch call back and let me know whats going on caused your kind of scaring me"

"Hello Horton High sign ups start now so go sign up for the talent show before time runs out"

"That's my cue I'll be right back" Tanijah left to sign up along with a whole lot of other kids

"Not signing up I see" Malcolm said as he sat in front of me. He's been after me since freshman year but I would never give him the time of day. He fine in all but ain't my type.

"Yeah not my type of thing I like to do my talent in private"

He nodded "I see so uh where's yo boy or your man"

"He's not my man and I don't know why you so worried about it"

"Because anything that has to do with you has to do with me"

I rolled my eyes "Your not my man so I'm not your problem Malcolm"

He stood up and kissed my cheek "Not yet"

I watched him go and Tanijah come "Oh was what I saw a kiss on the cheek from oh Malcolm"

"Yes and trust I didn't like it"

She twisted up her lips "Mhm Jermaine need to not come to school more often so Malcolm and make his way in."

"No not gonna happen"

Its the end of the day and there was no sight of Jermaine and no call back. My mind is going through the things that could have happened to him. He could have been shot or robed or both. Living in Compton you never know. I got off of the bus and ran all the way to Jermaine's house.

"Jermaine....Jermaine open the door" I banged on the door for about ten minutes "Shit"

I thought of all the places he could be and the only ones that came to mind were the drug deal houses and the corner. I checked the corner and he wasn't there the only place let to look was the drug deal house.

"Hey uh you seen Jermaine around" I asked the tall dark skinned man who guarded the door

"Naw but you cab go inside and check"

I nodded and walked past him "Thanks" I walked further into the house and there was smoke every where and girls half naked laid out or on some dude.

"Aye pretty lady what you doing in here" Ryan the top dog of the neighborhood drug sell said to me. He was a 6 foot light skinned skinny tatted boy with dreads. Fine ass hell.

"Uh um the man at the front door sent me in here so that I could look for Jermaine. You seen him because he wasn't at school and-" He cut my words short

He smiled and licked his lips "Naw I ain't seen em but you welcome to stay and chill if you want I mean we got drinks food smoke and the perfect place to do your home work"

"I'm good but thanks" I turned to walk away but he grabbed my arm.

"Hold on pretty lady I ain't get your name"

I looked at my arm and back at him "Zoee"

"Ha Zoee you don't look like a Zoee you look more of a Lamika or Shay"

I sighed and tried to snatch my arm from him "Can you let my arm go"

"But I ain't done talking to you Zoee"

"Well I'm done talking to you so let my fucking arm go" I tried to yank it but his grip was too strong

He brought me closer to him "You ain't going no where any time soon" He tried to kiss me but I moved my face

"Let me go. Let my fucking arm go Ryan!" I started to get louder and louder hoping someone would coke and help

"Aye Zoee what you doing here" Jermaine came out of the other room higher than a kite "aye man what you doing let her arm this me"

Ryan let me go and walked out the room "Where were you. You missed the whole school day you said you would be there"

He shrugged his shoulders "I aint feel like going"

"But you promised me that you would go and then you don't come instead your here getting high"

She sucked his teeth "Chill man it ain't a big deal damn you the one who always saying school gone help us so why you trippin"

"Yeah but your the one who's always saying how you want to get out of here and last time I checked no one here made it out by getting high" I turned around and walked out with him right on my heels.

"Zoee wait a minute"

I turned to face him "Holla at me when you get your might back until then my door is locked and I aint home"