Rebels Never Smile

Elvis

Elvis: The New Kid

It had been a while since I've had an encounter with June, after I watched her fall and another guy picked her up, I knew he'd take care of her and so I left. I didn't go far though, just far so she wouldn't see me. I watched as she had a hard time walking while the new guy picked her up and walked her home. Judging from her expression, I assumed she was embarrassed. That kid was gonna fall for June. He's already taking her home. Worry wasn't what I was feeling, it was a sort of jealousy. Okay, it was jealousy and a whole lot of it. I said I wasn't gonna try to pursue her no more, but the idea of her with another man, made me boil with jealousy.

I went grocery shopping with mama the next week and as we walked home, I saw him enter her house. I gasped and stopped. Mama looked back at me to see what happened. " What's wrong baby?" She asked. " Did you forget something?" I shook my head and grunted while walking up the stairs. After I set down all the groceries and helped mama put them away I went to change and shook my shirt off. I then walked to the balcony and looked over to June's house. There he was just standing there. Like he wanted me to punch a damn hole in his face. He felt me staring and glimpsed at me. He hardened his gaze and pretty soon he dropped his, and put hands in his pockets and left. I hadn't noticed that my knuckles were wrapped around the bar too tight, and when I let go, there were pins and needles in my palms. Mama called me in and prayed for dinner since daddy wasn't gonna make it home tonight.

We are in silence for a little while, until mama broke the tension with a questions. " Baby, did you meet that girl that I wanted you to see?" She inquired. I shook my head and took a gulp of my juice. " Well, I'm gonna invite her pretty soon, so just don't get surprised when you see a purdy girl walking around in the house, you hear?" I nodded my head, not interested in the

conversation. Noticing my disinterest she immediately reacted. " Elvis, what's wrong?" She slowly asked. I shook my head and stood up. " Sit back down young man, you know you ain't 'supposed to get up when someone is talking to you. I rolled my eyes and sighed as I sank back down to my seat. " Elvis Presley, you tell me what's wrong with you now." She said in a low voice. " Mama, ain't nothing wrong with me. I'm just tired." I pleaded. " Don't lie." She narrowed her eyes. " Mama" I sighed, " ain't nothin wrong, honest." She reluctantly nodded her head but didn't press more. Instead she asked me to wash the dishes with her. Not tryna start a fight I smiled and nodded.

The next day, at school, during lunch, I went to my tree, to see somebody already there. I walked closer to see it was the boy I saw June with. I walked up to him and he looked at me and neither smiled or said nothing. " What are you doing here, man? This is my spot." He chuckled and said " Hey man, I'm not tryna start nothing, I just wanted to talk." I looked him up and down while he smiled at me. " You know June?" He asked. Her name made be blink but I made no other emotion. I hardened my gaze and replied " No." His eyebrows met in confusion. " I thought you were the one she was chasing at the library the other week." I shook my head and said " Wasn't at the library since last month." I walked past him and sat down leaning on the tree. " Go on now man, beat it." His smiled disappeared and he got down, squatting and said " You know what, I believe you. But it's not nice to talk like that to others." He looked at my clothes and sneered. " Jerk." I immediately got up and walked close to him, and stood so close to him, I could count his eyelashes. I sneered, looking into his eyes, and although he didn't want to fight, his eyes were defiant and willing to. Both of us, waiting for the other to move.

" Stop!" Someone yelled. They pulled us away from each other- actually SHE pulled HIM away from me. It was June. " Aaron, what are you doing?" She scolded. She looked at me too, worried probably, not acknowledging the fact that I had been trying to ignore her. " Elvis" she began. " What's your problem?" I scoffed and sneered. Then out of anger I said " I was going to beat up your pretty boy boyfriend." And then I walked away. Although school wasn't over, I walked home. I didn't want to see them anymore, since I'd probably want to punch Aaron and tell June that she belonged with me. If I really loved her though, I wouldn't and I didn't. He's probably better for her anyway. He treated her better, and he isn't a jerk like me.

At home, Mama welcomed me in. " Baby!" She yelped. " Awe baby guess what?" She practically sang. I chuckled not willing to infect her with my sour mood. " The pretty little girl I told you about is coming to dinner today." I stopped, truly surprised that mama got a friend. " Mama, you were really serious?" I mocked. She giggled, " Of course I was, I want you to stay here and help me make dinner. She said slapping my arm. " And if you want, you can wear a suite and tux." She winked at me. " Oh mama." I sighed.

Later that day, before dinner, mama sent me to go change my clothes into something "decent" she had said. I took a quick shower and put on white slacks and a white high collared shirt. I had been adjusting my collar when mama called me. " Elvis, come out, I want you to be here when that doll gets here." I rolled my eyes again but went anyways since it wasn't everyday my mama made friends. I walked in and she looked me up and down. " Whooie baby who you dressin up fer?" " Why, I'm dressed up for my gal." I said walking to her and kissed her cheek. She laughed and we both heard a knock on the door. Mama went to go open it and I noticed something on my shoe. " Mama imma go check something okay?" And she nodded and when I turned around she opened the door. From inside I heard mama and another girls voice. It was distinct, but I sort of noticed a familiarity in the voice. I cleaned my shoe and walked outside, only to be shocked.