It was about eighteen months ago, me and my cousin Quincy were chillin like we always did on the weekends; we weren't doing anything too crazy just normal stuff like playing basketball, eating too much food, and talking about shyt we used to do as kids. Then Quincy got a phone call, to this day I don't know who was on the phone but whoever it was seemed to have Quincy shook. For the rest of the day he seemed on edge and with each passing second he became more distant and closed off but he was still trying to be engaged but it just seemed forced..... Around the time he usually dropped me off, Quincy decided that we would take a quick detour, I watched as my cousin ran inside a house and came back with a bookbag that he didn't go in with. I grew up in the hood so I was almost certain that I knew what he was doing and I felt myself getting pissed; my dad and his dad were both involved in that lifestyle which resulted in them both being locked up and I saw what that did to my mom so the fact that Quincy was following down the same path as them pissed me off.
"Bruh take me home...." I said firmly and Quincy looked at me with those sad eyes and I knew he was about to try to guilt me into coming with him."No, no, and no.... Quincy, I'm not fuckin stupid I know what you're doing and I don't want any parts of it. I got too much going on with my life to get caught up in some bullshyt."
"Ka'Jai just this once.... look I got wrapped up in some shyt and I really need someone by my side that I trust to roll with me..... Just this once Ka'Jai, please?" Quincy said looking and he could see my will breaking under his gaze.
"Quincy.... don't make me do this. I'm getting looked at by colleges and even got a few offers for a full ride for track and field, me and Kairo's relationship couldn't be going better, and my mom is feeling a lot better..... that's a lot to lose." I said looking at him and we just sat there staring at each other. "Fine man.... but after this."
"Thanks, man... we gotta drive down to Olympia, it should be an easy job." Quincy said and I should've known that whenever someone said that something should be easy everything usually went to shyt............
"So how does this work? We all go to different schools and there's no way we can take both the cars and still get there on time. Especially since our school is halfway across town." Marcelino said as we all sat in the living room.
"Actually we've worked all this out... Ka'Jai goes to a private school and since he has his license he'll be able to take himself to school. Since Calvin plays sports it's only fair that he gets to stay at his school... even though his coach is a bitch." Will said looking around the room. "Calvin, Nayquinn, Mauricio, and Marcelino will all be going to the same school, because of his criminal record, Denzel will be homeschooled."
"Wait how the fuck is that fair? I gotta up and leave all my niggas and transfer to a new school with these clowns yet this bitch ass nigga gets to stay home and lounge all day... this is some fuckin bullshyt." Nayquinn said pouting.
"Well considering that you were suspended ten times last year being around 'your niggas' we figured a change of scenery may do you some good and keep you outta troubles since you don't know anyone at that school." Big John said in his calm measured voice. "Maybe then you can focus on your studies as well... I know for a fact Devin rewards good grades so hopefully, that'll motivate you.... Ka'Jai come with me real quick."
"Wassup...." I said leaning against the sink and watching his facial expression, though he hid his emotions well I was really good at reading people so I had a good idea that they were hoping that by moving Nayquinn to another school he'd grow closer with the other dudes in the house, though I seriously doubt it.
"Aight so y'all have been in the house for a week and starting tomorrow y'all will be assigned chores to keep this house clean. You're the most organized and I've seen how you get up before the sun and start cleaning, so I want you to come up with the schedule for everyone that's fair." Big John said. "Ka'Jai I can tell you have leadership qualities, you more than everyone else have the ability to bring everyone together.... they respect you, even Nayquinn though he'd never admit it." There was something in his statement that triggered a memory from that day.......
