Two Broken People

Chapter 5

Jermane

It's been about four months. I would say me and Layla are like friends. We hang out a lot.

Layla been through a lot. She didn't tell me anything but I can tell. She zone out like me. She go off a lot especially if I ask about her family. She yell, she scream, and she cry over the littlest things.

Some people would've been said fuck her but not me. I understand why she's the way she is. I don't know exactly why but I know why.

Layla

I can tell that Jermane been through some stuff. It's either that or he just got some anger issues, kind of. They aren't bad but they're there. He doesn't get like that with me though.

I don't think it's anger issues I think he been through some stuff like I've been through some stuff. I'm not sure if it's the same, I hope it's not. No one deserves to go through that.

Some people would've said fuck him cause of how he acts but not me. He didn't give up me me, why should I give up on him?

We're at work right now. It's a slow day. He walked to the register and looked at me. "What?", I asked.

"What you wanna eat for lunch today?", he asked.

"Mmm, maybe Subway." He shook his head up and down.

"A'ight." He turned around as a woman walked in. She's pretty. "Do you need help with anything today?", he asked as he walked to her.

I looked at them as they talked. She's flirting with him and he's smiling, I don't like it for some reason.

He never tried flirting with me. I'm a pretty girl, I think I am.

Jermane brought a shoe box to the register and the woman followed him. I rung her up as Jermane walked away. "$150.56.", I said to the woman.

...

I looked at Jermane as he ate. I'm not really hungry. Well I am but I'm not eating. "What?", he asked. I rolled my eyes and pulled my phone out. I don't know why I'm mad. "The fuck is wrong with you?"

"I don't know.", I said honestly. Well I know but I don't know. He took my phone from me.

"What's wrong?" I looked at him.

"I just, I don't know. I don't like the way she was flirting with you and you liked it. You never flirted with me before. Am I ugly or something?"

"No you're not ugly and I didn't think you'd want me flirting with you.", he said.

"Why?", I asked.

"I just didn't think you'd be comfortable with it. I pay attention to things.", he said.

"Like what?"

"The way you, freak out sometimes. The things you say. How you act in certain situations. Your body language. Everything. I don't wanna make you uncomfortable or anything like that so I don't flirt with you, plus right now I just wanna be friends. I got some shit I need to work out before I jump into a relationship." I shook my head up and down. I didn't think he paid attention to that.

"You're still here though, after everything I do you're still here.", I said.

"I don't just give up on people easily.", he said.

...

I wanna kill myself right now and I don't know what to do. It's just so much shit on my mind. I keep thinking about the past and my family. I just wanna die.

I don't have friends or family I can talk to. Maybe I can try calling Jermane. I'm sure he'll answer.

I know I don't wanna die in the long run but right now I do and I'm scared that I might do something.

Jermane

As I rolled up a blunt I got a phone call. I really don't feel like talking to anyone right now. I got too much shit on my mind. The phone stopped ringing.

As I smoked my phone rung back to back. I huffed and looked to see who it was. It's Layla. I answered it.

Me:Hello?
Layla:Hey.

She's crying.

Me:What's wrong?
Layla:Can you come over?
Me:Yeah text me yo' address.
Layla:Okay.

...

Me:I'm outside.
Layla:It's open.

I walked to the door and opened it. I went in closing and locking the door behind me. I followed the crying. She's in the front room. She's sitting on her knees rocking back and forth crying. "What's wrong?", I asked taking off my jacket.

"I just wanna die right now.", she cried.

"Why?" I sat down in front of her, not too close though.

"This shit is just fucking with me."

"What's fuckin' with you?", I asked.

"My past. This shit hurts.", she said.

"Talk to me."

"I can't."

"Yes you can. I won't judge you or stop fuckin' with you or whatever you think. Imma listen and imma try to help.", I said.

"You promise?", she asked looking at me.

"I promise." She huffed and wiped her face. She started telling me about her momma, daddy, and cousin. They did some fucked up shit to her. I see why she is how she is.

She told me her story so I might as well tell her mine. "I understand why you feel how you feel. You not the only one." She looked at me and sniffed. I told her about everything that happened to me.

"I'm sorry.", she said.

"You didn't do anything wrong.", I said. She looked down. "Can I hug you?", I asked. She shook her head up and down. I went to her and hugged her and rubbed her back as ahe cried. "It's gone get better."

...

She stopped crying a while ago but we're still here. She wouldn't let go so I stayed.

Did I bring my blunt? I felt my pocket. I did I got a lighter too, my smart dumb ass. "Can I smoke in here?", I asked. She shook her head up and down. I took my blunt and lighter out, lit it, and started smoking.

She sat up and took the blunt from me. I know she didn't. She took a long hit and held it in then slowly exhaled. "Sorry, I just needed that.", she said giving it back.

"It's all good.", I said. I took a hit then gave it back to her.

We went back and forth until it was a roach. "Thanks for coming over and listening. I feel better."

"Good and I'm always here." She smiled.

"Me too.", she said. I smiled.