The Golden Gates

Chapter 1

POV: Marquis.

As I walk down the street of Manhattan. I see little people. There’s been a lot going in the world. There was a policeman who put too much force on a black guy, the black guy soon died afterward. Now, because of that, there are people protesting. People have been stealing from stores, there has also been a really bad virus going around. Being an African American can be scary sometimes, but there’s always hope. As long as there is a future we can get through this. Our president might not be the best, but he is trying. People need to stop and learn from History.
I look around me and see a few groups of people protesting. At least they are doing it peacefully. Unlike the people killing the cops. I worry about my life sometimes, ya know. As I am an African American I always wonder if my life will be cut short because of a gun or anything. My friends and I live in a really bad part of Manhattan and I am honestly scared to walk alone sometimes. Not because of what the police did, but with gangs fighting and contrasting shootings. Hope is the only thing that gets me through the day. If I die … that would mean the people I care about will die as well because they would follow me but I don’t want that. I’m not gonna put myself in danger just for fun or because of my toxic friends which I had a lot of.
I had to learn from my mistakes and learn to not let what people think of me control my life. Like everyone else, I went through a lot of shit in my life and I am only fourteen! My friends helped me through it all and helped me get rid of those toxic friends. I just happened to let myself open up and tell them that I wanted to stop hanging out with them. I’m grateful to have my new friends on my side.  I get to my apartment and go up the stairs. I pull out my key from my black jacket pocket and open the door.
Four boys are sitting down watching the news on the couch. Two of them are wearing sunglasses and plaid shirts. One is African American like me and the other is just American. They both wear gray pants and white sneakers. The two boys next to them are an African American boy and a mixed-race boy. Their names are Jason, Mass, Isaac, and Niku. Jason’s hair is black and fluffy, Mass's hair is brown and short, Isaac’s hair is black on the sides and white in the middle. Niku’s hair is a mullet and it’s black. Niku wears an orange shirt with black leggings while Isaac wears a black and white trench coat with buttons going down it. Jason looks at me.

Jason: Have fun at work?

I roll my eyes and hang my jacket up on the clothing rack.

Marquis: Same as always. What about you?

Jason: Had tons of fun. I get to do a photoshoot tomorrow.

I sit down next to Niku.

Mass: I didn’t have fun.

Niku: That’s because you hunt ghosts.

Niku says, looking at him.

Mass: It’s better than being a fucking Toy Keeper!

Niku frowns.

Niku: I love being a Toy Keeper.

He pouts. Mass rolling his eyes at him.

Niku: At least I’m not a dictator!

Isaac looks at him.

Isaac: What’s wrong with being a Dictator?

He asks Niku. I sigh, getting annoyed at them.

Marquis: Guys, not now.

They all get quiet. I rest my head on Niku’s shoulder.

Marquis: I just want some quiet.

Mass: Had that much of a rough day?

I nod.

Marquis: Someone tried to rob the store.

Isaac jumps up.

Isaac: You serious?!