On My Block

Saving Cesar

~Teresa's POV~
Me and the gang met up at Ruby's house to talk about saving Cesar.

We all were talking at once when Cesar cut us off.

Cesar: "Yo! One at a time. I'm not following."

Ruby: "Sorry it's excitement. We've been chewing on this for the last two weeks. And it's finally time to move forward with a plan."

Cesar: "A plan for what?"

Me: "Getting you out of the gang."

Cesar: "(laughs) you're serious? Oh my gosh. No! No, no, no, no. There is no out. You guys are being naive. Once you're jumped in, you can't get out. Unless, you get jumped out, and that's not, you know, an option."

Jamal: "Why not?"

Cesar: "They beat you till you die."

Jamal: "Oh, I see your dilemma."

Cesar: "Yeah."

Me: "Death isn't the only option. Ruby?"

Ruby: "So, after copious amounts of research, I've formulated a theory that all great things come in threes: The holy trinity, primary colors, Destiny's child."

Jamal: "D.C. started with four members."

Ruby: "But they weren't big until they were three. Which is why there are three common denominators to end any and all hostile situations. I call them the three M's. Money, Murder, Manipulation."

Me: "Clearly, murders off the table. The irony would be too much."

Ruby: "And there's no way we can hustle up enough cash from a car wash to be worth oscars while."

Cesar: "All right, I'm out."

Me: "We haven't even pitched the final M."

Cesar: "Don't need too."

Me: "(Sighs)"

I get up out my chair and push Cesar back on the bed.

Me: "Manipulation."

Jamal: "Through negation."

Ruby: "With cogent, well-articulated arguments."

Cesar: "So, That's it's? That's the plan? You're gonna get me out of the gang with cogent, well-articulated arguments?"

Ruby, Me, Jamal: "Yes!"

Cesar: "Never gonna happen. (Claps) Good talk."

We all went to school. Cesar meets us in the hallway.

Me: "The longer we wait, the deeper Cesar's in. Right now, he's got no responsibilities. We got to get him out before he puts in work."

Cesar: "Who's putting in work? Your still with that?"

Ruby and Jamal: "No!"

Me: "With what?"

Cesar: "Jamal?"

Jamal: "We're still with it."

Cesar: "This isn't funny anymore. Trying to reason with my brother is dumb. Promise me you are gonna drop it."

Me: "You're overreacting.."

Cesar: "Especially you, Promise."

Me: "I promise."

Cesar: "Okay, good. See you after class."

Cesar went to walk away.

Me: "Guys you go to class I'll catch up with you guys after and we will discuss the plan tonight."
They nodded and walked to class. I ran to Cary up with Cesar.