Control

Prelude

August 2008

Sitting in the back of the classroom, Legend completed his math work in silence while everyone else conversated about many different topics. Many of his classmates found him weird because he never spoke but he was passing so they rarely bothered him.

"Hey, you mind if I sit here?"

Legend didn't look her way, he continued his work, ignoring his classmate. He didn't have many friends and he liked it that way, being in high school, he seen many friendships end over small things and he'd rather not deal with the extra shit.

"My name is Yasmine"

Legend continued to ignore the girl, not understanding why she came to bother him. He wasn't sure if it was a prank or if she was genuine.

Tapping his shoulder, Yasmine was over being ignored. She wanted to be his friend and nothing was going to stop her. Her approach wasn't to be malicious at all, she genuinely wanted to be his friend.

Cutting his eyes at her, he finally decided to give her some attention. The first thing he noticed was her beauty, she was beautiful, and for her to stay until he gave her attention showed her persistency.

"Legend" He mumbled quietly, taking his completed work to the teacher.

"Good work Legend"

Sitting back in his dark corner, Yasmine's attention was once again on Legend.

"Aren't you 14? How did you get into a Junior's Math?"

"I'm smarter than an average 14 year old" Legend tried to keep it as short as possible

"Oh okay, I'm 16. Are you an introvert? I'm an extrovert as you can see" Yasmine chattered earning just a head nod from Legend. He really didn't want to talk more than he had to.

"Yasmine, why you talkin' to this weirdo? Come back up hea' with us"

"Shut up Dre, he's not weird. I'm stayin' right here"

"The nigga don't even talk. He weird as shit, how is he 14 in a Junior Math? He suppose to be in Foundations or some shit"

"Leave him alone" Yasmine stood up for him. She pushed her fluffy, curly hair from her face. Legend couldn't believe that a girl he barely knew was taking up for him. He appreciated it and she would see it in the long run.

"Man whatever, you lame anyway bitch" Dre walked towards his friend. Legend couldn't believe that this guy had came out of his mouth calling a female out of her name.

"Watch your fuckin' mouth" Legend spat Dre's way. He didn't want any problems but he refused to let a woman get disrespected in his face.

"The fuck you say boy?" Dre walked up on Legend, snatching him up by the collar on his Polo

"This ain't what you want" Legend sent a smirk Dre's way. Dre raised his fist towards Legend earning a mean right hook from Yasmine.

"You right, cause that's what he wanted" Yasmine laughed, seeing Dre laid out on the floor.

"Yasmine, Legend go to the office NOW!" Their teacher spat, they took their time packing their things before beginning their journey to the office. Yasmine reached for Legend's hand, she thought that since she just knocked someone out for him that she deserved to be his bestfriend now.

Side eyeing Yasmine, Legend decided to just hold her hand. She just defended him so a little hand holding wouldn't hurt, would it?

June 2018

Walking through the glass doors, Legend ran his fingers over his grown out hair. He was way over due for a haircut, being that he was one of the hardest teachers, he barely had time out of work to take care of his personal needs. He was one of the hardest math teachers because he expected more from his students. Out of a class of 16, only about 10 took it serious, and only 6 passed.

"Mr.Taylor, do you do extra credit?"

"You already know the answer to that don't ask again"

The students conversated among themselves about how strict the teacher was. He could care less though because he was still getting paid and was still getting approved to work at the college each year. Most of Legend's work was assigned online via Canvas, the only time paper work is assigned is for tests.

Hearing footsteps get closer, Legend picked his head up to see a new student approaching him.

"Mr.Tay, can you open up some more work? I've finished this week and next week's work" Legend was shocked, It's been awhile since he had a student this dedicated.

"Here's the test for this week, sit beside me & complete it then I'll give you the test for next week and after you complete it, I'll open up more work, sound good?"

"Perf. Thanks Mr.T" She bit her lip, eyeing her attractive teacher.

"No problem" Legend ignored her advance & handed her the test, going back to entering grades.

Seeing his iPhone light up, Legend quickly picked it up seeing that his bestfriend to this day, Yasmine was texting him.

Yas 🤞🏽 : Wyd tonight?

Legend 👑 : Relaxing

Yas 🤞🏽 : Go with me to this party

Legend 👑 : Lol.

Yas 🤞🏽 : I'm serious, please Legend

Legend 👑 : Slide through at 9, I might be dressed

Yas 🤞🏽 : You better be dressed Legend, I'll fuck you up

Legend 👑 : Lol.

"Okay Mr.T, slide me the next test" Legend slid the student the next test, quickly grading the one she finished. He wrote -2 on the top, making her grade an 85.

Yas 🤞🏽 : I'm serious 😋

After all these years, Yasmine & Legend were still friends. The more time that goes by, the closer they get but there was one thing that Yasmine just didn't know about Legend. This secret would either make their bond or break their bond.