Gravity is a Bitch

1. A New Beginning

Ok this is an edit version.

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-- Alex --

I was sitting across from Asha, who was wearing her orange uniform. I didn't even know what to say. My hands were laced together on my knees, and I couldn't shake the guilt weighing on me.

"Seriously?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you going to sit here avoiding my eyes for the next twenty minutes?"

"I'm not"

"Yes, you are. How are you?"

"Okay. I'm okay. And you?"

"I've known worse"

"I doubt that. Look, I really don't understand why you're doing this. I..."

"Stop, okay? I did what I had to do. That's final"

"No, you didn't have to do this. You didn't have to do anything, Asha. It wasn't me, I promise"

"I know. I know you better than anyone. I know you did nothing. But do you really believe the cops who put handcuffs on you would have believed you? No. A'd you're 18 now, they would have treated you and this would have a record following you forever. I already have record, so forget it and move on. That's how it is. I don't want you to feel guilty. You know what I want?" She leaned forward, her eyes locking onto mine.

I shook my head, unable to speak.

"I want you to focus on your studies. I want you to make new friends wherever you go. I want you to go out and have fun. If I'm doing all of this, it's so you have a chance to live the life you deserve"

"But I won't want any of it, knowing you're stuck in this place because of me" My voice cracked as she reached over and flicked my forehead.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"You're not allowed to feel guilty. I'm here, and there's nothing you can do about it, so why waste two lives? You better work hard in your new school a'd not still be in high school by 20 since you're about to be 19"

"It wasn't even my fault that I had a repeat of 6th grade, we were moving way too much. Or the fact that I got suspended for punching that racist Biology teacher. What do I even have to go to school anymore, I can get a better job and.. " I started but was cutt off by Asha.

"Wait, you think you'd stay at home for the next six months of my incarceration not going to school and doing whatever ?"

"Shut up. I have the right to dream"

"Yeah, keep dreaming. And on the bright side, you're moving to Manhattan, going to a private school, and maybe you'll even have some educated rich friends who don't hide drugs in their friends' jackets"

"They can kiss my ass"

"Language"

"Why would this guy want to help us? I don't understand why you contacted him. We don't even know him"

"Because I don't trust you alone in our neighborhood, certainly not with friends like yours, you really need an upgrade, aside from Dan, he is a good kid"

"I'm almost 19. I could have stayed home Asha, I don't wanna go live with some strangers"

"I'm really scared you'll take a wrong turn with all those thug around you. So do this for my peace of mind ok? And he's an old friend of your father."

"My father? What are you even talking about?"

"That's what he told me, he went to see me at my work a few the last three months ago, asked to meet you. But I was a bit hesitant and wanted to know him first"