One day in the South side of chicago a young boy named Xavier was riding his bike down the street. Xavier had just left his friends house, and the sun was begining to set. The young boy excited that he had just had a great day at his friends house was eager to get home to explain to his mom how his day had went. Xavier was about to get home as he was approached by 3 men who stood infront of him. Xavier pushing on his brakes was looking motionless at all three men knowing what he had comming. Xavier was then beat up and robbed for his bike, phone, and little money he had to spend on food for the day. Xavier stood on the floor beaten until he was approached by a girl of his age who asked if he was ok. Xavier then got up, and explained to the girl what had just happend. She mentioned that her brother had got beaten, and robbed in the same neighborhod just a couple blocks down. She then added that Xavier should join a local gang the Latin Kings so that he would be protected, and safe because they would only robb him again. Xavier thinking in his head how good that had sounded shook his head motionless still feeling beat from what had just went down said he didnt know, and he had to think it over. Not even asking the girls name he limped away, and began to head home. On his way home all he could think of is what was going to happen when he got there. What his mom would say,and how his dad would react? In the back of his head he was thinking about how if he had been in the gang nothing would of happend in the first place like the girl said. He got home, and was instantly approached by his mom who paniced. She asked what had happend thinking him, and his close freind had got in a fight. He said he was robbed not to far from the house by three guys, and that they had took his bike, and all. His father was still at work, and Xavier told his mom to hide it from him. Xavier knew that his father would just over react, and look towards reporting it to the cops. Xavier also knew that nothing could be done even if they filed a report to the police because they were always worried about bigger things because they lived in a bad neighborhood. Xavier hid everything from his dad, and his mom aswell they both reacted as if nothing ever happend. That night Xavier seriously thought in his head that he wanted to join the Latin Kings, but never asked for the girls name. He didnt know how he was going to let her know that he was intrested, but he did know when ever he seen her that he had made up his mind on joining the latin kings. The next day on his way to school Xavier seen a group of people infront of a house. He walked towards the group because it was on the same block that he had seen the girl the day he got jumped. As he got closer to the group of people he seen the girl he asked if he could speak to her one on one, and she said sure. They walked together down the block, and Xavier then asked the girls name. She answered " my names rosie i didnt get your name either". Xavier trying to talk in a deep tone said " my names Xavier " . Rosie asked xavier if he had made up his mind on joing the latin kings, he answered with a yes. She then said that maybe he should ditch school, and come to a former latin king members house just 4 blocks away from were they were at. Xavier willing to do anything to look cool, and show he was able to be in the gang instantly answered with a yes. The two walked to the house, and went inside. Inside the house were plenty of Latin King members,and they looked meanly at Xavier asking Rosie who he was, and why he was there. Rosie said he was a new commer, and began to introduce him to everyone. The day consisted of smoking, and drinking Xavier knew in his head that both of these were not usual for a kid of 16 years old,but at the same time his desire to be protected by this gang was his main intentions. Days went by, and Xavier had stopped attending school. Little by little the king mentaility was sticking to the young boy. He began selling drugs to support his own habit that he had grew into from drinking so much everyday. Xavier was not an alcoholic but it would numb him when on the streets committing crimes, and doing dirt. Xavier had been involved in over 30 Altercations with other gangs in the past 4 months of being in the kings. Xavier knew it was kill or be killed on the cold streets of chicago, and tried to stay safe knowing he had a loving mother at home that he had not seen in months due to him joing the gang. Xavier was kicked out of his house, and living with the kings only a month after he had even started hanging out with the kings. Xavier missed home as he grew older with little education, but knew there was little chance of him leaving the gang alive. Days went past, and the same 3 things have been on his head daily. Family Money, and love. He was getting all of those three things being in this gang, but knew with the trouble he had already gotten in joining the gang that there was not a good chance of him getting that far in life. He wanted to further his education, and knew that being on the streets would not cut it. One day he went to his old house, and knocked on the door to see his father opeining the door. Xavier with butterflies in his stomach due to the fact he had not have seen his dad in months now had a smile on his face, and said "hi dad". His father answered "hello xavier". in a slow soft voice. He answered that everything was good, and that he was living with a roomate in the lower ends of the city. His dad said that was good that he had a stable home. Xavier then asked where his mother was at his dad answered" Xavier your mother passed away over a month ago due to a stroke i didnt know how to tell you because you never kept in touch with me". Xavier feeling dead inside stood there with a blank face as a tear trickled down his left eye his dad opened up his arms, and gave xavier a hug holding him like he had when he was just a little boy. Xavier crying explained to his dad that he did not want to live the life he was living any more because he knew his mom would not like that. His dad offered him help not knowing that he had joined the Latin Kings, but respecting it at the same time. He told Xavier that he had a friend that could change his life. He told xavier that going the school his friend owned would be good for him, and he could work with him to pay off some of the loans himself meanwhile. He accepted the offer, but told his dad that he could not be on the streets due to him leaving the gang without any say so. His dad then moved him out with a brother of his for a few months as he pursued a career in engineering. Xavier finished school, and started working right out of school. Everything was going great for xavier, and to top it all off he had never heard from the gang since the day he left. Xavier was proud of himself, and knew his mom would be aswell. Xavier is now an engineer, and has his own buisness. He stuck two the 3 things hes always loved most Family Money, and love. The crazy thing is Xavier is me.......
