Ambivalent • z.p x i.t

6. When I See You (3/3)

Zonnique POV

Today is my last day of suspension. Issa, Sarah, and my parents never got to persuade Ms. Tejada that I was innocent, but they did convince the police. Mimi apparently took some pills to eradicate the baby, and made her sister beat her up so it would seem believable, and she was arrested for stealing prescription drugs from the pharmacy, attempted murder, and some other stuff that didn't have much to deal with the case.

Today after school, Issa and Sarah are taking me to Chick-fil-A. It's been a long ten days, but the two of them have really helped me get through it. They always tried to make me happy when I was upset.

It's 1:00, and school gets out at 2:45, so I decide to start getting ready. I already had my outfit laid out: my softball shirt from my old school, white shorts, and my white Air Force ones. There was a knock on my bedroom door, and the only person it could be is my brother, Marcus. "Come in," I called out. The door opened and Marcus came in just to rest on my beanbag chair. "Call me when you're leaving," he started with his eyes closing. "I need my beauty rest." I looked at him like he was out of his mind. "Boy, get your ass off my chair!" We shared a laugh as he stood up and looked around the room. "It's nice in here, baby sis. It's a shame you have to leave in a few months." I nodded and looked around with him. I'm going to college, of course. I'll be close, though; I'll be attending Spelman College in the fall. I think I'm going to stay in student housing, or get a place with Sarah, my newly found Spelman sister.

"So this Issa guy," Marcus started up. "He was really fighting hard to try and get you outta trouble with administration." I smiled at the thought. Marcus was right. Issa went to bat for me throughout this entire process, harder than Sarah and my family. It means a lot to me that he worked so hard to prove my innocence. "Well, he knew that Miana was lying, so if you see something, say something, amirite?" I said with a little chuckle following, but my brother didn't find it very amusing. "It's obvious he likes you, and I know you like him. Just watching the way he defended you in that courtroom and seeing the way you looked at him whenever he said your name. Just be careful; he has a reputation around here, Niq." I rolled my eyes. I know Marcus is just looking out for me, but sometimes, he just sounds too much like my dad. "I'm eighteen, Marcus. I can handle myself." "Alrighty, then. Suit yourself, baby sis."