Communication| b.x.b. X/CB

Call #3

Whew, chile🥵...
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February 6, 1968

"All I'm saying is that ain't look cute on her. Ain't nobody tell her to come up here looking like that. " Jen mutters quietly as we walk the schools' halls. I giggle lowly as we look at Shirley. Poor thing came up here some big ugly curls in her hair.

"Girl you need to stop it. "I say. Jen giggles and stops at her locker to grab her textbook for her next class.

"Well it ain't my fault she look like that. Girl looks like she belong on the front of a perm box for white women. " We both burst out laughing in the middle of the hall causing people to look at us.

"Well, Well...What's so funny?" Frank asks as he and his crew come over to Jen and I.

I disliked This negro right here so much, but he still always managed to scare me. His demeanor was so intimidating. No wonder no one ever dared to fight him. The jocks don't even play fight with him except for his friends and Chris. I noticed Johnnys demeanor. He seemed timid and remorseful. He knew what was about to happen.

"None of ya' damn beeswax! Get on somewhere." Jen retaliates. I say nothing as I look at Johnny. I don't know why but I couldn't take my eyes off of him; and neither could he.

"Somebody needs to put a damn muzzle on you because you talk too damn much. I was asking ya' lil friend right here. "Frank spat. He looked me dead in the eyes and repeated himself. "What's so funny?"

"I—uhm..." My mouth wasn't making words right now. Can my brain not handle it? Are my last two brain cells gone?

"Fuckin' weirdo." Frank says as knocks my books out my hands. I quickly go to scoop them up and I notice another hand helping me. It wasn't Jen's because she was yelling at Frank about how wrong he was to do that. Instead, it was Johnny.

He gave a small smile as he hands me my history book. I shyly return the smile and take it from him as he stand a up. He holds out one of his manly hands as a gesture to help me up. I accept it and stand with his assistance.

"C'mom man! Whatcha doing?" Frank says loudly as he notices what Johnny did.

"That wasn't necessary. Find someone else to pick on. Preferably your size. "Johnny shoots. Frank looks appalled.

"Whatcha trying to say, Johnny?" Frank spat as he stood in Johnnys face.

"I'm saying that you never messed with him while Chris was around. If Chris was here you wouldn't be bothering 'em. " Johnny says as he pushes Frank out of his face and continues on to class. Frank looked upset and defeated. He had just got pinkies out in front of one the people he bully's and the few onlookers. Frank soon leaves also in a fit of rage.

"I think you've made a new friend, Jah. "Jen voices, stunned. I roll my eyes and wave her off. We bowfin to slowly make our way to class.

"No. He was just being polite."

"It don't matter. Maybe you need to befriend him. You saw the way he stood up to Frank. The only person that ever did that for you other than me was Chris. He ain't here no more, so you need someone to take care of you. "

"That's why I have you Jen, duh. " I giggle. She looks at me seriously.

"You know how it is for people like you, Jah. It ain't easy and plus you're a young black man. I can't always be there for you. I have to be there for my sisters and brothers more now. I have to get a job to support us all. You know I worry about you. "