Mind Games

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Diamond Williams

I took a long breath of air before i stepped into the apartment. After my father left my family, we haven't had much money. My mom has 4 kids and all of us live in a 2 bedroom apartment. We used to live pretty decent. The twins would share a room and my younger sister and i would share a room. We had a nice house in some neighborhood. I feel like i wasn't there long to have a good experience with it. I rushed up the steps to our apartment. Our numbers were crooked on the door. I sighed and unlocked the door. A strong odor slid right by me.

"What is that smell?!" i put my hand over my nose and closed the door behind me. I looked around the living room connected to the kitchen. There stood my younger sister smoking in the kitchen.

"GIRL WHAT YOU DOING?" i took the blunt out her hand and threw it away. She stood up immediately

"Why you do that?" it seems like she was too high to realize what i just did

"Naomi.. your too pretty to be in here smoking and stressing. I know it's hard living here but you have to get by without drugs."

"How Diamond? i've been waiting for that man to call me back... i called him three weeks ago. i count down the days. it hurts Diamond." she burst into tears in my arms. i felt her pain. Ive cried myself to sleep many nights wondering why he left. Were we not good enough for him?

"go get cleaned up so i can make a way for this smell to get out this place before mom gets home"

She walked into the bathroom and started the shower. I managed to taint the smell. I sat on the couch and pulled out my phone. Traci and Troy had texted me. I opened my phone to text them back.

Traci: girl wyd?  3:57pm

Me: nun. you won't believe what Naomi was in here doing.. 4:30pm

After i texted her i looked at what Troy texted me

Troy: hey i just wanted to talk about yesterday 4:00pm

i just read his message. I honestly have nothing to say to him. Everyday it's something new with him. Last night he asked if i wanted to talk so i went outside. Once i'm out there he starts grabbing on me. I had to dead whatever he thought we were because as far as i knew he was bro... that's it. And i would hate to tell his girlfriend Jhene what he out here doing but it's not my place. I turned out Netflix and turned on some show. I heard the front door open and here came my mother stumbling in.

"Hey ma" i said knowing she was about to cuss me out for nothing. But this time she didn't say anything. I got up off the couch and she was just standing there.

"why the hell my house smell like somebody been smoking in here?" my heart dropped. I couldn't tell on my sister. She's been through so much. My moms boyfriend walks in after her with his keys. I could tell he knew what we was talking about.

"Diamond.. ima ask you one more time.. WHY does my house smell like weed?!"

"hey baby it was me i apologize i didn't know the girls was home so i took it to my boy David crib don't stress her she didn't know." my mom turned around and looked at him.

"you lying?"

"now why would i lie to you? hmm?" now i know he be lying to my momma

"okay. okay." she huffed and sat on the couch. I gave him a silent thank you and went to me and my siblings room.

"the ice cream truck outside" i handed my younger siblings three dollars a piece and they ran out the room.

"Naomi i almost got in trouble messin' around with you ! Why you got to be so stupid?"

"ohhhhh my goddd just leave me alone okay? your about to graduate anyway right? you got money go enjoy your life while i'm stuck in this shit hole" i blew out a sigh of stress. She makes my days harder and harder. I buy her things when our mother can only provide us with one meal.

"Do you know who i am to you?" she chuckled

"my sister...."

"No.. i am your guardian. I protect you from the dangers of this world. I protect you from our own mother and i buy you things that other  children like you don't get. I get it we were living good but now your being selfish. You don't need everything and if you want a job i can help but you won't sit here and act like the world revolves around you. Your not the only one who struggles" I could tell it hit her deep. She nodded her head and got under the covers. I am going to get us out of here i promise.

I left our room and grabbed my bus pass, house key and purse

"i'll be right back.." i looked at my moms boyfriend

"don't come in late" like i care

I walked out and texted India

Me: India we need to talk 7:00pm

India: where at ? 7:01pm

Me: i'll be at your place in 30

India: alright bet

I put my phone in my purse and waited for the bus. I hopped on and waited for it to take me to my destination. When i saw her neighborhood i got ready to get off. The bus stopped hard, like always. I got off and walked to her complex. I ran up the steps and knocked on her door

"Hey" she said opening her door

"hey" i walked in and plopped on her couch. It felt better then mine of course

"so why is you over here?" she laughed and passed me a plate of mac and cheese with chicken

"thank you and i think you know why i'm here" i sat the plate on the circle shaped coffee table.

"look i-"

"i know India. You told me it's not easy but my family needs me. We used to live good now look at us. 6 people living in a two bedroom apartment and my sister smokes her pain away. Please i need you in on this" She stared at me for a little minute. I'm guessing to see how serious i was. I'm so serious.

"Okay" she gave up "i got you but i am the only one you trust okay?"

"okay i got you"

"your mom is going to kick you out..and when she does. You have a bed here" she side smiled

"i love you and thank you" i gave her a hug. By this time it was like 8:45 so after i finished my plate, i washed it and watched a movie.

"ima drive you home when you feel like leaving okay?"

"alright thanks"

Thing is, I met India two years ago. I was skipping class and she had happened to be skipping her class too. All i know is after that we've been friends. She graduated so she's 20 now. I'm glad she's here though because i can't let my family down... not again