How I Got Good

Chapter 6

"Real Recognize Real"

Imani's P.O.V.

7 a.m.

I woke up at Jermaine's bedside with the biggest smile on my face. Jermaine was still asleep, it was too early for him to get up before work. I decided to check on Messiah and make breakfast.

I hear Jermaine walk downstairs and into the kitchen. He approaches and holds my waist from behind. He kisses my cheek and says, "I love you." I turn red and my cheeks get warm. I turn to kiss his lips. "I love you too." While I turn away, I hear Messiah waking up. Jermaine walks upstairs to get him and comes back downstairs to the living room.

A couple minutes pass after cooking breakfast, I take Jermaine's plate to him and I see he fell back asleep with Messiah asleep on his chest. I quietly giggled and put his plate in the microwave. I take the little blanket and put it on top of them and go upstairs.

Tony's P.O.V.

I been real nervous lately about this investigation they've been doing since Jamal died. The only people that know are Imani, Jermaine, and that chicken head, Tiyah. I think--

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. I stared at the door for what seemed like ten minutes. The knock hit again even harder then before. I slowly walk over to the door. "Who is it?" I look in the peephole and my heart stopped.

"Police." Damn. I open the door, "who you lookin for?" The police look at me up and down. "Tony Hardey."

"On what grounds?" He looked onto the paper for the charge. "On the murder of....Jamal Moore." I gave in. I couldn't hide it anymore. "You Tony Hardey?" I nod in agreement then I shook my head in disappoint.

The police put me in handcuffs, "Tony Hardey, you are under arrest for the murder of Jamal Moore. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say and do will be held against you in the court of law." I didn't say anything and I didn't resist. We went outside toward the police car as I see Yhana walking to the front door. Yhana runs up to the police officer that is holding me, "Wait! Why is he being arrested? What did he do?"

"The murder of Jamal Moore." We continued walking and Yhana followed. He pushed my head into the car and slammed the door. Yhana put her hand to the window and I touched my forehead to her hand. I look at her and see the pain in her eyes. It's killing me inside. She was hurt and upset. I knew she wanted to yell at me but she didn't. As the police car pulled off, I look into the back window and see Yhana running to her car zoomed right behind the police to follow. She was Ride-Or-Die forreal.

Carnisha's P.O.V.

I don't know why, but I've been getting really upset that Imani hasn't been telling me things like she usually does. I don't know what it is, but it's been buggin me. I wonder if it's just me. I need a second opinion. I decide to call Jazz.

Jazz: hello?

Me: hey, I need an opinion on something.

Jazz: wassup?

Me: So lately, I've been getting annoyed at how Imani hasn't been telling me much of anything anymore. Like...either I don't know...or I'm the last to know. What's up with that?

Jazz: So what's your question?

Me: Do you think I'm making it about myself... or do--

Jazz: yes!

Me: ....well damn.

Jazz: Haven't you just looked at it at her perspective? She's been through a lot. Just because she doesn't tell you EVERYTHING doesn't mean she doesn't trust you. You're more worried about knowing everything rather than being concerned about how she feels. So yeah, you're making it about yourself.

Me: But don't you think if we're all concerned about her, it's all about her?

Jazz: No..because we choose to be concerned about her. We don't have to be. She isn't asking us to. We do it because we love her.

I sit on the phone, silent.

Jazz: Well, I have to go now, I'm alil on the busy side. I'll talk to you later.

She hangs up. Maybe I need a third opinion. Maybe I am. I don't want to put more on her plate. I just think she's been a bad friend right now. Maybe I should bring it to her attention.

Imani's P.O.V.

I sit on the couch with Jermaine, talking, while Messiah is sitting in his little Spider man chair, watching Paw Patrol. Jermaine keeps tickling me. "Leave me alone,"

I laugh. Our laughter is interrupted by a knock at the door. I go open the door. Its Carnisha standing at my door. "Hey girl," I greet her with a hug. She comes and asked to talk, I told her of course.

"Lately, since you and Jamal broke up, I feel like you haven't been a good friend." I stare at her in a squinted eye. "Excuse me?" She nods her head. "And what makes you say this?"

"Because you don't tell me much anymore, but a lot of other people know. Jermaine already knows everything before me. Why am I always the last to know?" I'm still confused. I'm still trying to figure out why this is even happening. "Did you ever stop to think that maybe when I tell one of the girls, it gets spread around?...Carnisha, I don't even recognize you because something like this...so small... wouldn't usually bother you. I don't even want to discuss this with you." She looks at me in disbelief. I look at her and say, "the door's behind you." She walks out saying bye to Jermaine. "I'll talk to you later then." I said Okay and shut the door.

Jermaine walks up behind me, "What was that about?" I shove him off of me, "I don't know but you can leave me alone too. I'm not in the mood."

"What I do?" I ignore his question and go upstairs.