The First

.24.

The next morning I woke up and got ready for school. It was so nice waking up and getting to see Jamal first thing in the morning.

He snuck in a kiss before we had breakfast that his father made for us.

"Eat up kids. I have some time so I'll take you guys to school" his father said. 

We ate and his dad drove us. 

The rest of the school day went well. 

After school we all walked to Ruby's to chill and do home work. 

While Monse and I were working on a paper for English, my phone rang. 

"Can you get that for me babe" I asked Jamal.

"Of course" Jamal said while picking up my cell. 

"Unknown number" Jamal said before picking up.

"Hello" he said.

"Why are you calling?" Jamal continued.

I looked up from my laptop with confusion.

"I know what happened between you and my girl. I'm just letting you know that you need to back off" Jamal replied.

At that moment I knew it was Latrelle. 

I wanted to snatch the phone from Jamal but I knew I shouldn't. He had every right to tell latrelle about how he felt. 

"Here Tasha. Its Latrelle" Jamal said in anger.

I took the phone from him and immediately felt nervous. 

Everyone was watching me. 

"Hello" I said into the phone.

"Hey ma, your boy is bugging out. He's lucky I ain't around to put him in his place. Anyway I just wanted you to know I was alright. Thanks for everything. I'm about to go to work so I'll let you go. You have my math if you wanna talk. Bye Tasha" latelle said.

Before I could even say a word, he hung up.

"What did he want?" Jamal asked.

"Better question, why is he still alive. Spooky said he shot Latrelle" Cesar said.

"He wanted to thank me for the hook up in long beach. That was all" I softly answered.

"Wait, why were you helping him?" Ruby asked.

I sighed and closed my laptop.

"Look guys I'm sorry. Latrelle did get shot by Spooky but someone called an ambulance and he was saved. I know that I shouldn't have helped him. He did a lot of fucked up things to you guys. I wasn't trying to betray any of you guys. The only reason I helped him was because I was always taught to love your enemies. My dad always told me to pray for them and do good for them even if they hurt you. Im sorry guys" i said. 

Jamal walked over to me, sat down and kissed my cheek. 

"Cut her some slack guys. She was only doing what was right. We tried to do the same for Cesar. At least Tasha got Latrelle away from freeridge, the safe, legal way. Don't be so hard on her" Jamal said. 

I turned smiled at him.

"Yeah he's right guys. Tasha didn't do anything that we wouldn't have done for Cesar. Plus we can't just erase the fact that she let the guy basically rape her just so we could be at peace." Monse added. 

Ruby and Cesar sat there in silence for a bit.

"Fine, you guys are right. I'm sorry Tasha" Ruby replied. 

"Yeah me too" Cesar added. 

"Thanks guys. Like I said I'm sorry. I didn't mean to come across as unloyal." I said. 

Everyone got up and hugged me.

I was squished but it was nice that I had such understanding friends. 

At that moment I knew everything would be alright. 

When I first moved to Freeridge I thought I'd have a hard time making friends and adjusting to everything. But after meeting Jamal, everything fell into place. I met his friends Cesar, Ruby, Monse and even crazy Jasmine. 

Sure there was drama along the way with Latrelle, but at the end of the day I got the opportunity to help get him safely get away from his gang and into a better life style. 

I had an amazing boyfriend who I loved, and an amazing group of friends. I couldn't be happier and more excited to experience the rest of highschool with them by my side.