Emotionless.. ( Joey Bada$$ )

D

Song of the Chapter:

Like Water, by Pro Era.

- Zella

" Nah fr Jo, it's not that hard. "

I started. " Just say that you don't want to be in a relationship no more. "

I was trying to help Joey breakup with ole girl cause he don't know how to. We were walking up the steps of my building trying to find food. I knew I had some stuff at home to make spaghetti.

" But Ion wanna hurt her feelings too bad. This why I don't do relationships B " He said. I pulled out my key and unlocked the door. We stepped in the building to see my Aunt Cathy from Massachusetts standing in our living room. She only visits on special occasions. I would too if I was her. She stayed in a way better neighborhood. Plus, who ever wants to come visit the hood?

" Hey Aunt Cathy " I said. She turned around with large bags under her eyes. I looked around and saw luggage surrounding me.

" Hey baby. Hey Joey " She said.

" Hey Auntie. " He said.

" What's going on ? " I asked. She sat me down and held my hands.

" Zella, your mom she-... she died Zel " She said , barely getting it out. I felt my heart shatter and felt as if I were about to throw-up.

" What ? " I whispered.

" She over-dosed " Aunt Cathy said. She went to hug me but I backed up.

" I hadn't seen her, in almost a month. " I said. Tears began to come down my face as I bit my lip. I stood up and ran to the fire escape.

I stood out and over looked the neighborhood. All the crackheads and prostitutes stood, lingering around. Some nights I would look out and actually think I saw my mom on the corner. I'm so hurt. I knew she was just tryna do "it" for my sake, but this was not the way.

I constantly tried to convince her to get a real job. But she ain't listen. Like a lot of prostitutes, she got sucked into drugs; crack at that. I felt like this day would come , but I didn't know it would hurt this bad. I heard footsteps, and saw Joey sit beside me.

" Crack kills " I mumbled. I looked over to Joey's watery eyes. Before my mom got all bad, she was a nice lady. She was actually close to the gang, especially Jo. I hugged him and cried into his shoulder. He rubbed my back and swayed me back and fourth. My body was shaking uncontrollably.

Joey picked me up and put me over his shoulder. He carried me to my room and laid me on the bed. I continued to cry softly. I couldn't believe she wouldn't even be able to see me graduate. Everything felt so unreal, but I knew this was definitely happening. Joey put the cover over me and sat on the floor next to me.

" I'll be right back , ok? " He said. I didn't say anything, just nodded.

I looked at the picture of me, mom, and my dad on my window. She was smiling and holding me up in the air. And my dad was behind us photo-bombing.

Everything was cool back then. Things all took a turn when my dad died when I was 9. He was shot on the way to work one day. My mom fell into a deep depression. She got fired, got behind on rent, and just sulked in her room. Once she realized that we needed to eat, she just ran to prostitution. It was keeping the lights and water on. Soon after that , she ran to crack. She had been mentally dead for years. So I guess in a way, she was taken out of her misery. I just hate it had to happen like this. I picked up the picture and placed it next to me. I closed my eyes, and cried myself to sleep.

- Jo-Vaughn

As soon as Aunt Cathy said the news, I felt Zels whole energy shift. I knew this day was coming honestly. I just didn't know if it was going to be us walking in on it, or someone telling us. I honestly feel so bad for Zella. She had some anger towards her mother, but she still would kill for her. And the fact that she hadn't talked to her in a month makes matters worse. I walked back into the living room to see Cathy's head in her hands. I sat next to her and let out a breath i didn't know I had been holding.

" So whats with the luggage ? " I said.

" I'm moving in. Its good for Zella to be around family. " She said. I nodded my head and played with my hands.

" But maybe you should stay the night, for her sake? " She asked.

" Sure " I smiled. I walked back into the room to see her sleep. Her face was in a frown and her hands wrapped around a picture. I removed the picture from her hands and pulled the covers up on her. I grabbed a blanket out the closet and laid on the floor.

" Joey " Zee whispered. I sat up and gave her my undivided attention. I looked into her red eyes and seen so much hurt, confusion even.

" Oh Zels " I mumbled. It hurt me to see her like this. I've never witnessed her like this before.

" Can you come lay with me ? " She whimpered. I could hear the shakiness in her voice.

I got up from my make-shift bed and laid behind her, giving her space. She faced me and desperately reached out for me. I pulled her body into mine to close the space. She placed my arms around her waist, and her head in my chest. I've never been this close to her. Especially not in a state like this. She was vulnerable , fragile even.

I could her heavy gasping, signaling that she was crying. I kissed her forehead and gently rocked us.

" It's gone be aight Zel" I whispered.

Soon she was sound asleep. I followed after her.

Short Chapter. Enjoy.
dedicated to xxToniBxx