Broken

8.

August

The next morning, I woke up ta hearin' cryin' and a few voices. I frowned and got up.

I walked out my room and saw mama in Izel's room rubbin' her back and showin' her some.

"Y'all straight?" I walked in and looked at her cry.

"It's just something personal. I'll be back, I'll go to the store and get you everything you need." My mama got up. "Don't ask her too many questions." My mama eyed me before walking out.

Now she know good damn well I was gon' ask what was wrong.

I closed her door and sat next ta her.

"Stop cryin'." I wiped her tears. "You ain't gotta tell me what's wrong if it's too personal, but Ion want ya being sad."

She sniffed and looked up at me.

"I can tell you, but you can't laugh."

"I won't."

"Pinky promise?" She held up her pinky.

"Izel, I ain't doin' that extra shit."

She gave me a stern look and I connected my pinky wit hers.

"So I woke up this morning, and my
stomach was hurting really bad.. sorta like stabbing pains, and when I got up, I saw a lot of blood and I thought I was dying at first, but your mom came in here and told me it's just my period." She mumbled the last part and looked away.

I ain't even know girls can start they cycles late in age.

"Dats why you cryin'?"

"I'm in a lot of pain. It hurts." She frowned and laid down.

"My mama probably went ta go get ya some medicine for ya stomach. Until then try to sleep it off. You gon' feel betta' soon. You want me ta cook you up some?"

"No thank you." She mumbled in her pillow.

"Aight. I'm gon' leave you alone na'."

I was about to get up but she pulled me back.

"Can you stay?" She looked up at me. "Just until I fall asleep."

"Sure." I sat back down and watched tv until I fell back to sleep myself.

❁

Izel

Right now, me and Travis were downstairs playing call of duty, and he repeatedly killed me but little do he know, I picked up how he plays.

"Aye did you just use my skill against me?" He asked when I killed his guy.

"I sure did." I giggled.

"August, get ya girl." He told August as he came downstairs.

"What y'all playin'?" He sat next to me.

"Call of duty. I got one kill, and it was Trav." I gave Travis an evil grin and he flicked me off.

"Y'all a trip" August shook his head. "You feelin' betta'?" He looked at me.

I was uncomfortable bringing the situation up around Travis but he seemed to be minding his.

"I'm fine." I smiled. "Ms.Sheila helped me out."

"She known for doing dat." He chuckled. "You must've ain't know-"

"Can we not talk about it right now around Travis?" I whispered.