You May Be Young But You're Ready

17

"Good morning beautiful..." Twan whispered in my ear, causing me to wake up. "Morning Daddy." I smiled while sitting up, stretching and yawning.

I slept so good, maybe it was from popping all those pain killers. And yesterday was such a long day, I got my ass beat. Now that's something you don't hear everyday! My face was still a little sore and all beat up, it hurt when I talked for too long and my eye was swollen shut. But here I am, laying in the bed with the man who caused all this.

"I'm about to go downstairs and make all of us some breakfast, aight baby? And if the kids ask what happened to your face, you tell them you got into a cat fight at the bar last night. If anyone asks, tell them that." He got up, walking over to the door.

"Okay..." I nodded my head.

"Okay what, Chanelle?" He stopped in his tracks and looked at me.

"Okay... Daddy." I said softly, which seemed to had made him smile and leave the room. This man was so full of shit, but something about him kept me around. Despite him whooping my ass all the time, I loved him. A lot.

I picked up my phone, checking the time and weather for today. Then I realized I had like a billion missed calls. Mani called me 12 freaking times, Trayceon called me 7 times, and Ms. Sharese, Tray and Qarons mom, called me 4 times.

I was super scared after seeing all the calls, my heart stopped. I knew something wasn't right, I just could feel it in my heart. I hurried up, FaceTime calling Mani back.

When she answered the phone, I could tell she was in a doctor office or a hospital due to the needle and baby posters in her background.

"Chanelle!" Mani cried, tears rolling all down her face.

"Yes! Mani, what happened?" I asked, causing my eyes to get all watery as well.

"It's Ronny! Somebody shoot Ronny! They shoot him, Chanelle! They shoot him! Tray is going crazy and so is momma Sha! We're at the hospital, hurry up and come!" Mani sobbed.

"I'm on my way!" I said before ending the call.

I couldn't believe it! Who would do this to him? He was such a fun, loving and playful person! He didn't deserve any of this. He was too good. He was too good of a person to be in this situation. He planned so much, how he wanted to leave Philly and take me with him. Either football or rapping was going to be his way out. I was in shook.

"Lord, please watch over him. Lord, please watch over him. You got this Ronny, you got this!" I repeated, as I danced around the room trying to jump into my clothes. I grabbed my wallet, house keys and cell phone charger as I ran downstairs.

"Yo, yo! Where the hell you think going Chanelle?" Twan said as he grabbed my arm, pulling me towards him. "My Uber's outside, I have to go!" I said, snatching away from him and running outside to the car.
—
Finally, arriving at the Hospital. I grew even more nervous as we pulled up. My heart couldn't take it, but I had to prepare myself for the worst. I prayed like it was my life that was on line. I just wished I could've been with him last night, rather than Twan's corny ass.

I hurried and stepped out of the car, running into the hospital.

"Mani!" I ran into the waiting room, hugging her. "Ronny's not looking too good. The doctors say he might not make it, Nelle. Momma Sha, Tray, and Kevin are in there with him." I nodded, and gave her a little smile before walking off.

I took a deep breath while holding onto the door knob of the room he was in. I didn't want to see him all messed up. I didn't want him to see or hear me crying. That'll freak him out even more.

I finally gained enough courage to open the door, and stepping inside.

Ronny was all messed up. Machines and wires hooked all up to his body, my heart just couldn't take it! I didn't want to see him like this. Trayceon got up, walking over towards me, taking me into his arms and holding me tight. I really felt for my best friend, that was his only brother and they were so close to each other. I knew he was going through it. I could see it all in his face. I didn't want to let go of him.

"Momma Sha, how are you holding up?" I asked while making my way over to her, hugging her neck tightly once I finally did. "I'm alright baby. I know God has my son. He's in good hands and he's gon' be alright." She said calmly while holding my hand in hers and the Bible in her other.

I smiled before walking over to the bed that Ronny was laying on. "I love you so much Qa'Ron! I'm so sorry that this happened to you. You're always be the love of my life." I whispered in his ear, then kissed his cheek. "I- I love you too C." He mumbled causing me to smile. "Yo boy did th- this shit to me. He c- caught me lack- lacking last night." He mumbled. "Ronny, wha-" I stopped talking after hearing the machines start beeping like crazy.

The nurses and doctors rushed in, pushing me and everyone else out.

"We're losing him!" One of the nurses shouted.

"Come on Mr. Baker! Stay with us man! You go this..." Another one called out while cutting his hospital gown open to get to his chest.

"He's having seizure! Nurse, hand me my tool." The head doctor demanded.

"You guys have to go!" The assistant nurse pushed us out and slammed the door in our faces.

"FUCKKK!" Trayceon screamed and cried while punching the wall. "Tray, calm downnn! He's gonna be alright." I walked over to him and hugged him tightly, then Mani came over joining the hug. We truly needed to be there for Tray and Momma Sha right now. For Ronny.

After sitting outside in the waiting for what felt like hours, the doctor finally came out pulling Momma Sha aside.

Me, Tray, Mani, Kevin, Tyquai and a couple other friends of Ronny sat down trying to hear what they were telling momma. But clearly it wasn't good.

"Nooooo!" Momma screamed out, crying and dropping to the floor.

We already knew that the news was bad. We all looked at each other then at Tray, who's head was about to exploded, then back at momma.

It felt so unreal. Like this was all a bad dream. But it was real, because I pinched myself but I didn't wake up.

We ran over to momma, hugging her and helping her off the floor.

Everyone was off. All of our heads were put in a bad space. Ronny was the glue that kept everything together. He was the one that made sure everything was okay. This was going to be a hard change for everyone.

Ronny's boys pulled Tray to the side, trying to comfort him. He was just out of it. Starring into out of space, he was stuck. My best friend wasn't the same.
And he was never going to be the same!

"We gonna find that nigga, Tray. And his ass gonna be the next one in a body bag. That's on me!" I overheard one of the boys say.

I didn't want anyone else getting hurt, now wasn't the time to try to beat violence with violence...