Obstacles | Keith Powers |

promises

Jasmine

january 31st, 2:57am..
I woke up out of my sleep in a cold sweat with tears running down my face. I sighed as I sat up in bed trying to calm myself down as I realized it was just another nightmare. I ran my hands down my face and redid the messy bun that my curls were hanging loosely from. I checked the time on my phone and sighed again as I knew now I wouldn't be able to fall asleep again. I slowly got up from my bed and walked into Chelsea's room to check in on her and see that she fast asleep. I continued past and walked downstairs slowly and into the kitchen. I turned on the kitchen light to find my mom sitting at the island with a cup of wine in it. I jumped and sighed, holding my chest.

"Why are you awake?" She asked me as I walked past her and to the fridge.

"I had a bad dream." I mumbled, grabbing the apple juice and a cup.

"About what? Are you okay?" She asked. I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

"Oh, now you care about me? How about all those times when I was getting raped and beat down by your no good ass husband?" I said to her, drinking my apple juice. She sighed and looked down.

"You wouldn't understand--"

"You damn right I wouldn't. I would never see the sense in selling your children's bodies for some damn money," I stated violently as I washed my cup out. "You're a disgrace. I cannot wait until I graduate high school so I can get Chelsea and I the hell up outta here." I said, putting the cup in the dishwasher about to make my way back upstairs not before pausing to say; "And for the record, I'm not okay. I will never be okay. Not that it would change anything anyway."

thursday, february 1, the next morning..
I was walking towards the school and I went to look for Keith. I saw him at the side of the school talking to another lightskin boy. He had tattoos all over his arms and plump pink lips and gold grills in his bottom row of teeth and had curly hair. I've never seen him before, but Keith handed the boy a gun. My eyes widened at the sight and I got closer to listen to their conversation.

"How much did he owe you?" The boy said.

"500. I gave him an extra 2 days to give me back my money and he didn't so I did what you said." Keith said as he shrugged. He dug in his pockets and pulled out a wallet.

"This his stuff?" The other boy asked. Keith nodded.

"His I.D., bank cards, and any other information you need is in there." Keith told him.

"Alright, Jamal and the boys will take care of that situation and make sure you get the money back." The boy said, dapping up with him.

"Alright, Tre. Later boss." Keith said as he turned around and walked away. I quickly moved so I wouldn't look suspicious and walked quickly into the school.

Keith

first period..
"Talk to me. You've been quiet all morning." I complained, poking Jasmine's back with the eraser on my pencil as I sat behind her in first period.

"I'm fine, Keith, I promise." She sighed.

"Bullshit." I said. She sighed again and turned around showcasing a fake ass smile.