Maybe Thug

Chapter 1

I may have a problem with expressing my opinions

And a million other things I just failed to mention

~Tynisha Keli- Misunderstood

As I sat here and listened to Mr. Brown, our principal explain to me my job I cringed. As class president it is my job to lead my peers, but not as their baby sitter. Our new student Jabari is what I call a high risk. He's from a poverty stricken home, has already visited juvenile for charges like running away and breaking curfew, and hasn't talked to the 5 counselors and therapists appointed to him. At this point, I feel this isn't my problem. But Andrew isn't giving up on this.

"Just befriend the boy, try to steer him the right way," he urges.

"I'll do what I can," I answer dryly, slouching even farther into my seat. I know I wont be doing a thing.

"Alright, now go introduce yourself to him and here is his schedule," Principal Andrew Brown says handing me the information then shooing me off.

I walk out to the seat the special body is occupying. He's just sitting there, in all black staring at the ground.

"Hey, my name is Iza and I will be helping you get along in our school," I say with my best impersonation of a smile. But he didnt even budge.

"Maybe even a friend?" I try again. But he still sits there with his hat pulled down on his face, staring straight at the ground. I could barely even tell if he's breathing.

"Can I at least show you your class?" I ask while walking to the door out of the office. He doesnt answer but I turn around to see him right behind me. He moves so quietly, I think to myself.

I walk to his class trying to make small talk just to see if he can talk. But nothing comes out of him. I bet everyone walking past thinks I'm dumb for talking to myself. I feel dumb.

When we arrive to the door I turn to look at him.

"Well this is your stop, have fun," I try getting away from him. But he walks off before I can even finish my sentence.

"You know I'm going to be taking you to and from class. Possibly even home, so you better start liking me," I say jokingly but I see his eyes widen a little then return to normal. Jabari walks into class without giving me another glance.

I stand there feeling a little rejected. I mean I havent done anything to him for him to treat me like that, always giving me those cold stares.

"Why are you hanging with that kid?" my boyfriend Jordan asks from behind me.

I turn to him and answer, "I'm just curious about him."

"Dont be, that kid is no good," he answers looking in on Jabari in class.

"How do you know?" I ask, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"A guy from the team always sees him at night, like on corners or in the park. One time, he tried going up to him and asking him if he was all right, but the guy just gave him that stare he gives everybody" Jordan says still watching him. "I dont trust him, you stay away from him." He unwraps my arms from him and walks over to his boyswithout giving me a second glance.

"You have a nice day too", I mumble looking at my boyfriend of 2 years walk to his friends. Somethings never change!

I walk off into my own class which is right across the hall from Jabari's. Jordan rarely ever goes to class, since he's on the basketball team. The boy's team gets all the perks while the girls have to struggle with work, school, and practice. How that is fair, I will never know.

As im sitting here trying to focus on this really interesting History lesson, I turn to see Jabari running out of class. While my teacher is adding more dates on the board with her back turned I slyly ease myself out of my seat and out the door.

I see Jabari leave out of the front door quickly. I run after him but only catch up to him when he slows down a few blocks from the school.

"Why did you leave like that? What happened?' I ask out of breath and genuinely concerned. He looks mortified and scared out of his life. His skin is so pale. I try to reach out and touch him to comfort him but he hurriedly pulls away. His skin is so cold!

"Jabari, What happened?" I say getting a little scared myself. Its obvious this kid isn't all there and here i am in the middle of the hood with him.

"Stay away from me!" he says lowly but just as strong.

I kind of cringe from his voice. "Im sorry. I was just concerned with you," I say looking at the ground.

"Dont, no one else cares," he says seeming far off.

"Nobody should feel like no one cares," I say holding his hand. He actually lets me hold it for a moment then he walks off. I smile, this is a start. "You know they call your house for skipping?" I yell after him laughing a little. I dont think he's how Jordan thinks he is. Most people are misunderstood.

... coming soon

(Author's Note: Iza is the picture.)