English Projects/Stories

1st Draft (mimic of "The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara)

Everyone in our school was young and foolish. The teachers old and stupid. Everyone is still and always be that. My friend Kumquat were just right. Cept that one time Kumquat wasn't.
It started out when Kumquat's cousin Nike, arrives lookin like a whole new person. She seemed like trouble now.
Last time I saw Nike she looked innocent. Like she couldn't have a care in the world. Sumthin like a Disney princess.
Now, Nike look like someone who follows. Lettin society tell her who and what she need to do to be accepted.
Me? I never follow trends, especially in this generation. They seem to be sayin, be yourself, but you still being judged even tho we say not to.
So I'm with Kumquat and Nike's clique. They talkin bout how they should go to the movies Friday, but being vague on details. What movie should we watch? Should we buy snacks or bring them? What time should we go?
"Wanna come with?" Kumquat smiles. "Sure what the hell." I says and Kumquat hugs me tight. I shrug and Kumquat hugs me again.

Sometimes I don't understand Kumquat. She get all dolled up to go to the movies and for what? To be in the dim lighting when nobody lookin at you.
I'd much rather go to the pool where it's cool, everyone can see you. But I'd already agreed to come and I can't diss on Kumquat now.

We waited for half an hour for Nike and her clique to come. When Kumquat finally decided to text Nike, Nike replied, Oh I forgot to tell you we canceled There no good movies playing today.
With that said, Kumquat sat on the floor sulking about the 10 minutes of her time wasted on her outfit.
"Wanna go grab some grub?" I lift her from the floor and we head out.
"Feelin better?" Kumquat nods, her mouth full and a little bit of her shirt stained with barbeque sauce.

It's lunch, Kumquat's lookin for me amongst the crowd. I could see her head pop up, she finally finds me and she wearin a red shirt that says GUAPI LIFE and black jeans and a flower crown with blue and white flowers and for the first time, Nike shoes. They grey. I brought Kumquat a box with six cupcakes. On the inside of the box is a picture of My Little Pony characters. I open it and Kumquat freaks. The wording on the cupcakes say MA-KE-A-WI-SH-! On the mark, is a candle, I light it and Kumquat makes her wish. Nike walkin by spottin the cupcakes. "Can I have one?" Kumquat was bout to say sumthin, til I beat her to it. "Do you know what day it is Nike?" She look around, like the plants are going to tell her. Nike finally look at us staring blankly. "You can't have one then." I says and Nike mutters bitch under her breath. I looks back at Kumquat. "Happy birthday Kumquat." We eat the cupcakes while Kumquat is loving the box more than the cupcakes. Which confuses me, but I shrug it off cause she weird.
We walkin home and I says "Kumquat, I think Nike startin to forget you." "What you mean? Of course she remembers me." I look at her, "If she did, she would've remembered to tell you Friday was cancelled and remembered you birthday." Kumquat nudges me to the side, "You walkin on your own today." Im left alone, while my best friend is in her little fantasy world.

So the next day Kumquat and Nike lookin like they friends again. I run up to Kumquat, but who gets in my way is the ever so stoic Raton.
"See ya runnin toward your girlfriend there aren't ya?" It really ticks me off when people say we datin. They just assume and don't even ask if we are. Kumquat scared, I don't feel.
So I'm really hating this nappy head bitch and his goddamn attitude.
"So what if I am? I just wanna be with my friend." I says. I go around him and he follows. I start gettin worried that this bullshit has to do with Kumquat.
I finally get to her with Raton behind my ass. Once he spots Kumquat and Nike. Raton starts walkin toward Kumquat like he angry or somethingorother.
Kumquat and Raton arguin. Raton sayin this shit how I 'replaced' him.
I expectin Nike to step in and say something, but she just standing there with Shmitty and Vanilla. So I have to step in and break those two up before a fight (or just a slap fight) breaks out.
I glare at Nike and she just lookin at me like she did nuthin wrong.
"Well that was random." Kumquat say.
"Just wonder why." I says.
Is Raton feelin jealous? Raton feelin threatened? What? I don't understand.
"So you say Nike always there for You?" I ask.
"Yeah, she is." Kumquat looks down unsure of herself.
Seein how Nike would rather be with Shmitty and Vanilla, breaks my heart that Kumquat has to deal with it.
Kumquat now lookin at Nike and Shmitty and Vanilla and Kumquat lookin back at me like she scared.
I nod and she hugs me.
"Finally," I whisper, "What was That?" Kumquat say. "Nuthin."