Chapter 4
Kelsy
I've been hiding all day at school. I truly believe Tayo meant it when he said its not over. I know hes coming for me. The bell rings for lunchtime and I practically sprint to the library- its the last place that juvenile will look. I hope. I'm 16 years old. All my life I've been hoping to be normal. I should know by now hopes and wishes don't come true for me.
I see Tayo waltz in as if he owns the place. Im at the back so he doesnt spot me straight away. I guess its time to hide then. I conceal myself behind a book shelf and again, foolishly, hope he wont find me.
''Anyone seen Kelsy?'' I hear him shout.
''SHH! Tayo Ramerez! This is a library! Quiet please!'' Mrs Jamison, the libarian stage whispers at him.
''Move out my face, 'fore man moves you hisself'' OMG! How can he talk to poor Mrs Jamison like that? Hes so ruude!!
''Has anyone seen Kelsy?'' he repeats.
''Who's that, fam? A new girl? Might have to move to that still lol'' I hear someone say.
''Argh, low them talks, Nathan. Kelsy is that white neek in 11J''
''LOL! Keep her, fam, she's all yours'' I hear Nathan say.
''Lol, its not like that, trus'' Tayo says, his voice getting louder. Which means he's coming nearer. I squeeze my eyes shut tight, wishing I had magic powers to disappear. Thats quite sad for someone of my age, but I dont care right now.
''Boo. Found you.'' He whispers in my ear. He's so close I can feel his whispy breath tickling my skin. I open one eye slowly...
''H-Hello, Tayo'' I whisper.
''Why you looking so scared, babes?'' He whispered back, stroking my cheek. ''I'm not gonna hurt you''
I open my other eye. ''Your not?'' I'M the one who is flabbergasted now. Unless this is a setup.
''Nah, I was just looking for you, babes'' I could feel him looking me up and down slowly. It was most uncomfortable.
''Why..?''
And why was he calling me babes? Though, I must admit, any term of endearment is better preferred to 'Bitch'.
''To apologise for yesterday. Man was out of order.'' Tayo looks down at his feet as if hes really ashamed. I look too. He's wearing black trainers today.
''Ha ha! Black 'crepes' today! Won't be able to see any smudges then! Ha ha ha !''
He looks at me blankly and gives a forced laugh.
''Yeah...So am I forgiven? Your not just some any girl and you didnt deserve to be man handled yesterday. The way I treated you was...'' he paused as if to say he was trying to think of a word. Its a good thing he's talking to me then. My dad calls me a walking thesaurus!
''Horrendous?'' I provide him.
''Yeah, and-''
''Disrespectful?''
''Yeah, yeah, that too. But-''
Traumatizing. For me''
''YEAH MAN! CHA!'' he shouts in my face. Oh my! He's got quite a temper doesnt he? He quickly composes himself again.
''Sorry.. Uhmm.. Yeah, babes, it was all of those things. And I'm feeling really bad about it. I wanted to make it up to. Can I take you out tonight?''
Well Sir-ee! THIS is a suprise! Tayo and I on a date?! In fact, I do quite like that. Tayo and I. It has a ring to it. A head pops round the bookshelf.
''Bruv! What the fuck are you on!''
''Cant man get a little privacy, Nathan?'' Tayo says. Then he winks. Whats that wink about? Is it like a boy signal or something that Tayo and I should be alone? It works.
''Oh, oh! Your pisstake fam lol'' Nathan said disappearing again.
''Sorry bout that baby. I'll make sure we wont get interupted again. Its just me and you now...'' he says moving closer to me.
Well, technically its not. I can see Jayon standing in the corner, his face all scrunched up. He looks peeved. See, I told you hes always there. Sneaking up on me all the time. I thinks hes a bit of a weirdo. I turn my head back and face Tayo, looking him directly in the eye.
''Well, Tayo, it would be lovely to go out ith you. I feel so delighted that you thought to ask me! And I fully appreciate your courage to come and apologise, putting your pride behind you. And I know your pride is so very important to you, so I would like to show my upmost gratitude to yo-''
''I'll pick you up at 7. You live on Hillberry Cresent, number 7 yeah? I gotta go'' he said in a rush pecking me on my cheek and walking off. He stopped suddenly and turned around. ''Kelsy.''
''Yes, Tayo?''
''Don't say 'crepes' again. Ever'' then he walks off again laughing to himself.
OMG! MY FIRST DATE! I could actually die of, of... I haven't even got a word for it, thats how excited I am!
Jayon walks up to me and scowls.
''Don't get too happs. Be careful'' and he leaves the library.
Whats thats supposed to mean? ...
Tayo
Its too easy, man, too easy. Man didnt even have to drop no sweet boy lines, thats how desperate this chick is. But real talks, whos gonna deny me? Look at me man. I go into the toilets, piss, wash my hands and look at myself in the mirror. I'm not vain and shit so lets not get it twisted, man just aint the type to be caught slippin. Swaggas got to be immaculate 24/7, yuh zimme. And I dont think any man has ever looked at Kelsy, so me taking her out must feel like a birthday to her. To be honest she aint really that bad looking. I should know, mans a gyalis and I've fucked worse looking tings. She's just bare jarring. I look at her and get pissed. She opens her mouth and I'm ready to spark her. Girls like her talk too much. Know to much. Girls like her need to sit down and stay in the background if they dont wanna get violated. Let mans like Jayon batty lick them. I wouldn't give a shit, but its just Tio man. I'm tryna prove to him I can handle being a Don. And if 'wifeying' Kelsy is some sort of test, then trus ima pass.
Jayon
I can't believe Tayo is being such a heartless nigga. All for Reggie's fucking business. Its gonna eventually kill him anyway, so mek him tan deh. Im tired to talk to him init. No point if he wont listen. But I need to draw the line at Kelsy. I'm not in love with her or anything. I just admire her. That she's able to stay focused on her work, getting the grades she needs. I know it sounds moist, but at least shes doing suttin correct with her life. I need to change. I wanna get out of the hood, start afresh, go uni. I wanna help my mum. I'm all shes got since my dad walked out on us two years ago. It made me think. I dont wanna do that to my wife and kids. I dont wanna be one of then fathers that dont do shit and just dont care. I know when my dad left I was ready to break down. But everyday I saw Kelsy at school and I know shes been through shit with her mum and no one really talks to her, but she puts on this brave face and lives in her own world. And she copes. Thats why I admire her. And to see someone so vunerable be taken for a mug is pissing me off major. But mi done tark. Ima have to deal with one thing at a time, and trus when Im ready to deal with Tayo, someones gunna get hurt. But before that ima have to get rid of Reggie once and for all.
COME ON YOUS LOT READING, I NEED COMMENTS, VOTES, I WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU THINK , HOW I CAN IMPROVE SO TAALK (Y) :)
