English Projects/Stories

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

Everyone in our school was young and foolish, the teachers old and stupid. Me and my friend Kassiopeia, but everyone call her Kumquat, were just right. Cept that one time Kumquat wasn't.
It started out when Kumquat's cousin Victoria, but everyone call her Nike, arrives lookin like a whole new person. I take one looks at her and think I don't like her.

This isn't the first time I'd seen her. Just this time she look 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.

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Wednesday, 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.

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Friday comes and when I see Kumquat I don't understand why 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, at least you would be seen. But I'd already agreed to come and I can't diss on Kumquat now.

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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?" Kumquat nods and 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. "You got a little something on your shirt." Kumquat looks down on her shirt and does a little gasp that startled me.

"Hey, quick question Kumquat." I says. "Shoot."

"When it comes to baked goods, what's your favorite flavor?" Kumquat takes her time to thinks bout it.

"Probably... chocolate and cookies and cream and red velvet." Kumquat look back at me. "Why?" I shrug, "No reason." I says.

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After I walked Kumquat home, I ran to my house to get my money. I head to Sugar Cube Corner and make my order of three chocolate and three red velvet cupcakes with frosting. "When would you like your order ready?" Says the clerk, "Sunday please." I says.

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It's Monday, it's lunch time. Kumquat's lookin for me amongst the crowd, I could see her little head pop up. When she finally finds me, I see she wearin a red shirt that says GUAPI LIFE and black jeans and for the first time in a while her hair loose. In her hair she wearin a flower crown with blue and white flowers and for the first time, Nike brand. Specifically, Nike shoes. They grey.

I brought the special order 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 spottin the cupcakes. "Can I have one?" She lookin at Kumquat, knowin for sure she'll give her one.

"Here ya go-" Kumquat say, but I jump in. "Do you know what day it is Nike?"

Nike lookin 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 walks away and mutters bitch under her breath.

Kumquat slaps me, "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you Kumquat?"

Kumquat lookin mad so before I get in trouble, I hand her the box.

"Happy birthday Kumquat."

We eat the cupcakes while Kumquat is loving the box and I'm hopin that this little gesture of kindness can calm her down a bit.

                                                                       ☙☙☙☙☙☙☙

I should've known Kumquat wouldn't forget it. We walkin home from school and Kumquat askin me again, "What's wrong with you?"

"The thing that I think is wrong with you Kumquat, is that you're being a doormat. You're just lettin Nike walk all over you." Kumquat lookin at me and I just keep talkin,

"First she doesn't give you a heads up when Friday was cancelled and now she forgot your fucking birthday."

"I'm sure it's just a one time thing."

I look at her, "If you two are so close, I'm sure she wouldn't forget."

Kumquat nudges me to the side, "You walkin on your own today." I'm left alone, while my best friend is in her little fantasy world.

                                                                          ☙☙☙☙☙☙☙

So the next day I see Kumquat and Nike are walkin together. I run up to Kumquat, but who gets in my way but the ever so stoic Bullet.
"See ya runnin toward your girlfriend there aren't ya?" It really pisses 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, but he just follows. I start gettin worried that this bullshit has to do with Kumquat.
I finally reach Kumquat with Bullet behind my ass. Once Bullet spots Kumquat he starts walkin toward Kumquat like he angry or somethingorother.
And for Kumquat, her only means of defense from Bullet is by pokin the shit outta him.

Bullet start arguin with Kumquat. Grabbin her wrists violently to get her to stop poking him. Bullet start sayin this shit how I 'replaced' him.

So I expectin Nike to step in and say somethin, but she just standing there with Shmitty and Vanilla.

So I have to step in and break those two up before Bullet start yellin at Kumquat, before he has her in tears again that won't be shown til Kumquat gets home.
I glare at Nike and she just lookin, like she did nuthin wrong.

I push Bullet and tell him get the fuck out.
"Thanks for the save." Kumquat say.
"Kinda wonder why he does this today." I says. "Probably cause it's my birthday. Wishing me a unhappy birthday." Kumquat say.
So I'm here wonderin still why he does this. Then I starts thinking, is Bullet feelin jealous? Bullet feelin threatened? What? I don't understand.
I looks at Kumquat "If Nike really cared for you," I says, "I'm sure if family is important to her, Nike would've told him to back off. To show she cares bout you."

"I know she cares bout me." Kumquat looks down unsure of herself.

"I think she found a new family, but you ain't part of that family anymore." I says.
Seein how Nike would rather be with Shmitty and Vanilla, breaks my heart that Kumquat has to deal with the truth.

She lay her small head on my shoulder, Kumquat now lookin at Nike and Shmitty and Vanilla. Kumquat lookin back at me like she scared.
I nod and she hugs me.
"Apology accepted." I whisper. I didn't expect my shirt to get wet, but now Kumquat's eyes are wet. "So she's not my family anymore?" Kumquat ask "Guess she ain't" I says.