Changez

•5•

"Yes, she was involved in a fight with another student and- yes... yes... Okay. Is his name on the-? I understand Mrs. Allen. Alright, you have a blessed day." Principal Green got off the phone with my mama.

"What's the word?" I massaged my knuckles.

"She said your stepfather is going to come get you, I didn't know she remarried. Congrat-"

"No. She didn't remarry. This is some bullshit! I don't know that man for him to be scooping me up from school! Principal Green, how you gonna allow this?" I asked.

"You should be thanking me! That girl was beaten to somethin bloody! I could have had you arrested or expelled. You're lucky this suspension is all I'm doing. Oh, and you can kiss homecoming goodbye." Green shrugged.

"What?!? The suspension isn't enough ?! No fucking way.." I sank in my seat.

"Watch the language. Look, don't worry, Kadijah isn't going and neither is little trouble making Tupac."

"He ain't no trouble maker... He was looking out for me, unlike the rest of those cats out there. Your security didn't even bother to get Eric's monkey ass off of me! Some staff..." I rolled my eyes.

"Well, you were attacking his sister. She's smaller than you, Monika." Green responded, making me want to punch him in his throat.

"Are you kidding me? She's small with the mouth of a dragon ! Any chick with a mouth like that should know how to back it up, you know? throw hands like they throw their tongue." I spat.

"Your dad is gonna be here any minute..go outside and wait for him. I'll see you when your suspension is up."

"Looka here... My dad died a few years back. You know this. This dude my mama got, ain't nothing to me. With the little respect you may have for me... Have enough not to ever call that man my pops." I hissed, before swinging my back.

***

I toyed with my dirty K-Swiss laces and sat on the steps out front of the school, waiting for Daniel's hoopty to pull up.

"Mo.." I heard that raspy voice that made my stomach flutter everytime.

I turned to see Pac with his hands in his pocket, walking towards me.

"Tupac!" I got up and hugged him.

He smelled so good.

He looked at me and cocked his head, smiling.

"My bad, uhh-" I scratched the back of my head.

"It's cool, you aiight?" He asked.

"I'm good, thanks for having my back, Pac. I really appreciate it." I smiled.

"Ol boy was hitting on you like you stole somethin. I couldn't let that happen... Had to black that nigga's eye. I see you got ya hands on Brenda. You happy?" He asked .

"... Hell yeah. They called your mom?"

"Yeah, but she don't ever pick up the phone. You can't go to homecoming, right?" Pac switched the subject.

"Nah, I'm pissed." I exhaled.

"To hell with that homecoming! It ain't gon be nun but these kids doing the bump on the dance floor and in the back of their folk's car. Aye, wait a minute... I could throw a bangin party of my own on that night . Would you come?" He raised a eyebrow.