guardian ➸ trevante rhodes

prologue & characters

Hold up, shawty, I got you..

"Get out of the house, Toya," the stern older woman yelled. She turned away from me and shook her head. I bet she wondered how her smart and educated daughter got rejected from the University of Chicago.

"Mother, please," I cried as tears spilled out from my dark brown eyes.

My father spoke up, "No, you need to leave. Take your clothes and that old ass car. I won't you gone by morning."

The tears continued to fall. What was I supposed to do now? How was I supposed to get money? Where was I supposed to live?

I got up from the couch and headed towards my room. I grabbed a duffel bag and stuffed it with my clothes. My drawers falling to the ground because they're all broken.

I didn't want to stay the night knowing that at five in the morning I would have to leave. I kissed my younger brother's forehead and then walked out.

"Wait, where are you going?" He followed me.

"Jalynn, get back into the house, its dangerous," I said and placed my keys into the lock.

"Where are you going, sis?"

I sighed, "I'll be gone for a few days, don't worry, I won't miss your seventh birthday, okay?"

He nodded and then ran towards me. He embraced me and then ran back inside.

As I unlocked my car, I noticed those group of guys at the corner—most likely selling drugs. I've never taken drugs, other than medicine, but I don't think I ever will.

I shook my head and got in. I turned the car on and headed to the nearest gas station. Of course, the group of guys were there but for some reason it didn't fear me. It actually made me feel comforted almost.

"Hey, yo," a husky voice said. I turned around to see a dark brown skinned man with gold grill facing me. He sure was muscular and built. "Do you mind watching my car? I gotta run in and use the restroom real quick."

I rose my eyebrow at him, who asks a question like that?

"Please? I'll pay you," he lightly grinned. Oh how much I hate when a guy grins, it's like they have a dirty plan.

"What am I supposed to do if someone does try to steal your car?" I ask him in monotone. I motioned my small body causing his eyes to linger down my body.

"You just tell me who did it and how they look like," he shrugged. "Please?" He begged once more.

I nodded my head slowly while he ran into the store. I stayed pumping my gas and looked down at my phone. I'm slowly running out of battery and forgot my car charger. Guess I'll have to buy one in here.

The man finally came back and slipped a ten dollar bill. What was I supposed to do with ten dollars? I took it anyway.

I locked my doors and went into the store, searching for a charger. The doorbell jingled again signaling someone came in, I turned around and noticed the man by me again. Why was he here? I thought he'd be more worried leaving his car attended alone.

"It's not safe in here for a girl like you," he said and continued to follow me.

"Thanks, but I'm okay," I replied with a small smile. He nodded but continued to stand behind me. I grabbed the car portable charger and paid for it. I walked out again as he followed my steps.