Alright. It's me, Che Black Diamond with my new story. Roses. This will be my first HueyxJazmine story. I will have OC's but this time they are major. And they're all new. Let's go ahead and get this started.


-Roses-

Memories of the

Young & Defiant

...

So they died. Dead. Gone and buried. They were unmoving, still, and sleeping in eternal silence, to be forever quiet. My eight year old brother sobbed into our aunt's chest as I glared at the uncaring doctor. How hollow those disgusting blue eyes were, void of any sympathy, he probably figured just another couple biting the dust. It wasn't just any couple dying; it was my parents who I lost. They were killed, killed by his people who couldn't control their liquor and had the nerve to get behind the wheel. What made me feel contempt the most? The inebriated fools survived; yes they survived the wreck they caused. Their family across the room was sobbing with joy, their drunken pieces of shit relatives would make it out this hospital alive. I didn't care to learn their names, their all pieces of worthless garbage to me.

What about my parents? They weren't drinking; they aren't garbage, so why were they taken? My mother was a hairdresser, my father was a teacher. They weren't perfect, but they raised my brother and I in the heart of Southside Chicago. Our house was nothing fancy, but they always said they were saving up to move across the bridge, away from the gangs, away from the rats and roaches. They showed us the house across the bridge we were going to live in. It was a modest three bedroom…Riley was so excited simply because he'd have his own room and was bragging how he'd get the bigger room.

'Yep, soak it in boys we moving on up to the sky.' My father, Xavious told me. My mom, Royce laughed.

'We aren't frying any beans though.'

They had their life together, and promised my brother and I the world. Now, I don't want it. I hate it. I know now what the world keeps. Kill the good, spare the bad. This world is a cold and evil place…and eventually you and everyone around you will die. I don't want to cry. I leaned against the hospital wall as Granddad was talking to police, asking to press charges on the garbage that killed my parents once the driver was released. All I could stand to remember was that it was a white female. They said her name, but in my eyes, she has no name, I wouldn't even name her Spit or Dirt, she less than those. To name her 'Nothing' isn't strong enough word for her either; she's not even worth the title of Shit.

They family members were apologizing to my granddad and Aunt Cookie and when I looked away, a shadow was cast on me. I looked up to see a white man, dressed a white plain tee, jeans, and some sneakers. His face was ridden with acne, looking like a pepperoni pizza in the face and had scraggly, dry blonde hair.

"Hey kid…my condolences to your loss…I know this may not mean much to you, but I am sorry. I wouldn't wish this on anyone and I hate your parents did not survive."

I smiled at him wickedly. Something was born in me that moment…that night. Something crawled up my spine and into my soul. Was it a demon? Not so sure, but whatever it was it crept inside me and I felt it rip my heart to shreds.

"Oh? You hate they died do you? Well…how about you trade places?" I hissed. The guy stared at me in shock and stepped back. Aunt Cookie gripped my arm.

"Huey! Apologize! Being nasty about this will not help anything!" she didn't yell, but held stern in her voice.

"Telling lies won't bring them back either." I looked at the driver's family.

"I hate you all. I hate the ones who birthed her. I hate how you look at me with fake pity. I'm ten, not two, don't lie to me. You could care less your scum of a relative killed my parents. You're glad she lived despite her murdering someone because she was too lazy to call a cab. All of you can go burn." I snatched my arm away from Aunt Cookie and walked out the hospital, leaving them all to gawk.

Four months later, the scum was in court. She was in an orange jumpsuit and in was in shackles. Her dirty brown hair was wild and her face was wet with tears. She was just sentenced to life with no possibilities of parole for her vehicular manslaughter. Her family was to our right, crying softly, me? I was looking at dead at her. When we locked eyes, I'm sure she saw my unwavering hatred radiating out the eyes my mother gave me. I could've stolen her soul with my glare. She averted her eyes away from me in shame. She walked up to the podium and faced my granddad and Aunt Cookie.

"I…there are no words…no words that can fix the permanent damage I have caused to the Freeman family. There are no words to fix any wrong I've committed. For my family to weep in front of you is disrespectful enough…there are no tears to be had on me…I deserve this fate. I can apologize…I can send my prayers…but the outcome is the same. I will have to live the rest of my life knowing I took two innocents. Freeman family I am truly sorry." Her eyes fell back on me, but my gaze never left her. She was the only one my eyes saw in the room. I heard Riley sniffling beside me and felt the grip he had on my hand tightening, I returned the grip. He soon went to a full blown sob…his grip weaken and he buried his face into has hands, once again something inside me snapped, I leaned forward and cried.

"YOU SEE WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" I snapped, jumping from behind the court pews. I was too fast for the guards and I jumped on her. Clawing, biting, scratching, hitting. I did all that and more to her. When I was done, her face was a bloody mess.

"You bitch!" I spat in her face as the guards ripped me off her, I screamed in anger. I wasn't done with her!

"Let me go! Let me go! I want her! I'm not done!" I snarled, not even recognizing my own voice. They rushed her to jail and rushed me out the court room. Aunt Cookie and granddad tried effortlessly to calm me down, but I was out for her blood! Riley grabbed my bloodied hand.

"Huey…" He whispered. I looked over to my younger brother.

"…It's enough." He continued to whisper. My breathing became more even and I eventually gained my composer. He put his head on my shoulder and closed his eyes.

"Let's go home." He said. I clenched my teeth. Home? You mean that empty house? That place wasn't my home anymore. It was all but a gaping structure. A house of memories, something I now couldn't stand to look at. I wanted to dose it with gasoline and burning it all down to the ground. I wanted to burn the picture I held close to me, I wanted to burn the home videos we made…I wanted to hate it all. The memories haunted me every night! Memories of when I use to smile, memories where I use to laugh! I was so sick of it! Sick of the dreams of seeing the four of us together and being happy, it hurt me.

I'm tired of hurting. Stop hurting me…please. Let me rest in peace.

...

Aunt Cookie suggested we were to move into granddad's home and we did. As we were getting the remaining things out the house, I caught Riley staring up at the house on the curb.

"Yo Riley, let's go." I called. He turned to me and nodded, stuffing his hands in his Sean John jacket dad gave him. When he got into Aunt Cookie's minivan, I took one glance at the house.

"I'll be right there Aunt Cookie, I forgot something in the backyard." I called as I walked to the back. Back in the back, I saw the single rose I bought earlier today and picked it out the vase that was on the back porch. I walked back towards the front and unraveled it out the plastic. Kneeling, I placed the rose on our front door.

"…Bye." That was all I decided to say before going back to the car. I also placed roses on their tombstones. They both loved roses; mom told me they were the flowers of pure love. Mom believed a rose was a symbol of both the death of love and the start of it.

'Roses would say what your mouth can't.' She'd explain. Well…it's not that I couldn't…I just no longer had the strength to.

...

"Mr. Freeman, while I understand what happened, Huey cannot keep fighting in school." Principal Hill said. It wasn't before long before both Riley and I started acting out in school. Riley was mute this time, but not me. I was caught fighting in the boy's bathroom. My friend Cairo was walking towards a stall when some bully pushed him to the floor. Darion Jackson was his name. I hated him more than that witch in jail. I told him to back off of Cairo and he told me:

'Or what? Whatcha gon' do Afro bitch? Call your daddy on me? Oh…wait…' he smiled. I proceeded to smash his head against the sink repeatedly.

'Huey! Stop! You're gonna kill him!' Cairo grabbed my shoulder, I whirled around and faced him, Cairo stood back from me.

'You're…scary Huey…' he whispered. 'You've gotten scary…' I dropped Darion on the floor, and looked at my friend.

'Maybe so Cairo, you should follow me anyway. It's recess.' He hesitated but did come with me. My granddad looked down at me with disapproving eyes. I just looked up at them as they towered over me.

'Maybe therapy will help your grandchildren. This is a serious matter, I'm not excusing what Jackson told Huey either, but violence is never the answer. The boys should both find outlets to express themselves.' Principal Hill was a kind woman…she would remind me of mother…her kindness disgusted me. Those sympathetic eyes…she called herself being hard on Riley and me, but she would help us in the end. I hated and loved her at the same time. Is that normal? I don't know how to feel or to know what is normal anymore. She smiled.

'I noticed Riley is extraordinary in art. Maybe we should enroll him in our after school art program.' She looked at me, still having that warm smile.

'And what interests you Huey? You know, I couldn't help but notice that Bruce Lee poster in your locker. Do you like martial arts?' She's observant like mother too.

'Yes I do.' She nodded.

'My eldest son owns a dojo in central Chicago. I shall arrange your enrollment.'

'Wait! How much will that cost?' My granddad folded his arms and stuck out his upper lip.

'Outlets should be more concerning than the prices Mr. Freeman…but if it is too strenuous…I shall pay out from my pocket.' I gawked at her, my eyes widened, only to frown.

'Why do you help me so much?' I said angrily. 'Why do you insist to act like you care about me? I'm not your son! Stop thinking I am!' I lashed out at her.

'Boy! She trying to help your—' She raised her hand to signal granddad to stop talking and knelt down to me.

'Huey Percival Freeman, I act like I care…because I do. I know you are hurting, more than I will ever understand…more than I can comprehend, you and Riley are so smart…so very bright, I will fight to see that potential in you and your brothers rise. You are the son of Xavious Rashaad Freeman, Chicago's true descendant of the Black Panther Party. Through his teachings at the University he helped his people, and you know this. All the non-profit organizations, the free food your mother would make to send to the shelters downtown…I refuse to let the seeds of marvelous people go to waste.'

I stared at her. Loved her, hated her, was glad to know her…all these emotions I whirled around me. I couldn't take it anymore and I grabbed her into a hug. Before I knew it, I felt myself crying for what seemed like months.

'Huey…you need to let that pain out of you.' She stroked my hair and let me hold her. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter as I dampened the shoulders of her dress suit.

I got so much pain…little did she know…it was hard to kill.

Soon after that meeting, it was all set and done. After school Riley would stay in the after school program Urban Art from 3:30 to 4:30. I had to admit…his art was getting better and better. I wasn't in tune to drawing stuff and whenever Riley would explain his concepts or ideas behind the pictures, they'd just confuse me. But none the less I supported him but lately he's been acting weird. Riley was a quiet child, and we would read together, play games together and even go outside and play together. But ever since he's joined that after school program…he's…changed. He was put on to that rapper Gangsterlicious and was now talking about how hood rich he is and how he wants rims. I became disgusted with Riley. He wants to conform to the stereotypes, does he? He likes Lauren Hill and listens to her album almost every day, he can fool everyone else in the outside world, but he can never fool his older brother. He even talks different now.

'Yeah me and my niggas ballin my nigga, get up with me!'

Riley used slang and honestly so did I, but at least we were still coherent. Principal Hill did these fantastic things for us, and he's taking a shit on it with his new and improved 'thug' behavior. Penelope Hill would take me to the dojo to and from every day. Granddad's cheap ass refused to pay for the $35 a month classes and so Ms. Hill was paying for it, like she said she would.

'I feel like a burden.' I admitted to her one day.

'You are not.' She said.

'You're paying for a child that's not even-' I sighed. She did it because she cared.

'I am forever indebted to you.' I said instead. When she pulled up to the house she ruffled my hair.

'Of course Huey, good night, I'll see you tomorrow.' I got out the car and paused and looked back at her.

'Thank you…I love you. Please know that.' I shut the door behind me before she could answer. When I got home Riley was already on the video game.

'Get you some nigga!' he smiled at me. I rolled my eyes and sat beside him.

'You're trying too hard. You're starting to sound like Carton Banks if he wanted to be Tupac.'

Riley's mouth dropped. 'What do you mean?'

'Riley, don't act like everyone else. You never cared to fit in before.'

'Nigga this IS how I am!' he cried defiantly. 'I'm not like you! I want friends! I don't want to scare them off like you do!' he threw his controller down and ran into our room and slammed the door. Great, that means I can't go in my own room until he calms down. I hated sharing rooms with him. Riley never had the need or want for friends before. I was his friend…wasn't it enough? I found myself sulking against the couch.

My own brother doesn't even want to be my friend anymore. Was this overreacting on my behalf or flat out anger and jealousy that he was beginning to push me out his life? I shrugged. Fine, I don't need anyone, not even my own family. I was born alone, makes since to die alone too. Granddad walked in from the kitchen.

'What you do to Riley this time boy?'

'I didn't do anything.'

'Mhm, just like you didn't do anything to that damn kid. They could've sued my ass for that. You're more trouble than you're worth.' He spat before walking into his room. I smiled, but it wasn't a smile of love or warmth, it was out of spite, maybe it wasn't even a smile, more so of an amused grimace. Really? Is that how you feel about me Granddad?

'Mom…Dad…if you really loved me….why'd you leave me here?' I asked aloud, but I was never given an answer. I slumped over, getting so depressed I just feel asleep on the floor. It didn't feel like a long time before I felt someone poking at my shoulder. I looked up groggily to see Riley. He had a ball resting in-between his arm and waist. He looked at me with a weird look in his eye, the look that he wanted to say something, but wasn't brave enough to.

'Yo Huey, let's go shoot some hoops before the street lights come on.' When I didn't answer he spoke again.

'I ain't forget about you.' As cryptic as it would sound to anyone else…I knew what it meant.

'…Yes you have…' I looked back down at the tan carpet.

'Nigga will you just come out and play with me?' he whined.

'Why? You got your niggas to play with.'

'…Fuck dem. I want to play with you.' I was satisfied.

'Okay…let's go.' We walked outside and to the Millennium Park and played ball. We smelled of grass, sweat and dirt once we walked back inside the cooled home, but we had fun.

'Damn, ya'll stink! Go take a fuckin' bath! Shit!' Granddad covered his nose as he flickered through the channels.

'I call shotgun.' I ran for the bathroom.

'No fair! You didn't tell me we were racing!' Riley grabbed at my shorts as we struggled up the stairs.

'Aight do I have to get my belt and whip ya'll behinds? Stop the horse playing!' he screamed. Riley laughed his famous mischievous laugh and let me go.

'Fine, you won this time, but I got next time.' He rolled his eyes and walked into our room. Wow, he sure told me. I shook my head and got ready for my bath.

Hours after we ate dinner and granddad went to sleep, Riley and I snuck into the living room to watch TV in the dark. We'd come to love Cartoon Network's Space Ghost, but it would always come on super late.

'Huey…'

'What?'

'…I don't know…but like…before you came home…I heard granddad talk to Aunt Cookie on the phone.'

'And?' Riley at this point faced me.

'We might be moving.' I snorted. Moving…that was what our family was supposed to do.

'Oh? He's sick of us already? But to be fair, I was getting tired of him too, I don't know why we weren't given to Aunt Cookie anyway.' He grabbed my shoulder to make me face him.

'No. He's taking us with him…' he stopped short his sentence and looked down at the floor.

'Out of state…he's talking about leaving Illinois Huey.' He whispered. My eyes burned with fury. What? Why?

'Riley I swear if you're playing I'mma smack you.' I growled. 'Chicago is our home! We were born and raised here! Everything we know is here.' I had to stop myself from yelling at this point.

'Why would I lie about this?' his voice got even lower. I gritted my teeth. No! This cannot be happening!

'We won't go.' I told him defiantly. Riley gave me a hard look.

'Something is telling me we won't have a choice.' I returned the glare.

'Yes we do. We can live with Aunt Cookie. We can live with Miss Hill.' I began calculating around this predicament. I looked over at the door.

'I'll run away if I have to, whether not you follow me, is entirely up to you.'

'My home is where you are.' Riley said. I stood up and looked down on him.

'Then it's settled. Operation Home Front is initiated. The goal is simple: we fight to stay here.'

...

I was monitoring granddad for the rest of the week. It bothered me he was going out more, and it was bothering me he was being mute. When Robert Jebidiah Freeman was quiet for once, he was up to something. That Friday, Riley's after school gig was cancelled because his teacher had a previous engagement. I told Miss Hill we could walk home that day. Taking the bus was a small adventure for us, we liked going on the bus sometimes.

'I think he changed his mind, I haven't heard anything about moving anymore.' Riley said surely.

'That's the problem. You know his loud self. When he doesn't tell you anything that is when you should worry.'

I felt the adrenaline rush when I got to the front door. It bothered me, being that I never felt it all this week. Shit.

I opened the door and Riley and I gasped. Granddad was packing up things in the closet, he turned and looked at us.

'What's the meaning of this?' I frowned.

'Boys, sit down on the couch, granddaddy has an announcement.' We begrudgingly sat down and he walked in front of us.

'Now, I've been thinking. Chicago's been getting dangerous, and now that I'm retired and receiving my social, I want to move.'

'Bye, when are we going over Aunt Cookie's?' I asked.

'You two will come with me.' He said sternly.

'No!' Riley shouted. 'We don't want to leave Chicago.'

'Aunt Cookie has her own life; I don't want to throw you two bad ass kids on her.'

'Sorry for being a burden, our parents were only killed.' Riley snapped.

'Don't you talk back to me boy, we're moving and that's final.'

I folded my arms and sunk back in the couch.

'We are not going. I will ask Miss Hill to take us in.' I said. Granddad's frowned deepened but rose in a smile.

'Huey, Riley, you boys are testing my patience. Your mother was my daughter and you two walk around acting like only you can feel hurt. I took your ungrateful ass in when no one else wanted to!' he yelled. 'I didn't ask for her to get killed!'

'AND WE AREN'T ASKING TO MOVE!' my voice thundered through the house. Grabbing Riley's wrist, yanked him from the couch and out the door. We ran, ran as fast as we could. How dare he say those things about us, it just made me more defiant. We retreated to to the dojo, we knew if we were to go to Aunt Cookie, she'd turn us in to granddad.

'I wish you would've let me get my toothbrush and extra clothes.' Riley sighed.

'That's why I was carrying around this backpack, and it has things for you and I to use. I got our stuff this morning when you were eating.'

'Geez, I'm relieved.' He sighed. Michaela, Miss Hill's son walked up to me.

'Huey, hey, I didn't know we had a session today.'

'We don't. Can we come with you to Miss Hill's house?'

'Sure thing, let me wrap up some things and we'll head out. Does Mr. Freeman know you're here?' I nodded. I had to learn to lie in order to get the things I wanted done sometimes. I'm not ashamed to admit it either, people are gullible and easy to fool, why not use it to my advantage? He was doing some paper work and after he was done, he took us to her house.

'Michaela, I have-Huey? Riley?' She asked as she walked out the kitchen.

'Hey Miss Hill.' We said in unison. She smiled.

'What brings you two over?'

'May we have dinner with you? Granddad's got a date.' I said smoothly.

'Sure, of course, whatever happened to your aunt?'

'Ah, we were in the neighborhood, I was at the dojo and I saw Mich, so I said why not.' Miss Hill laughed.

'I would have to whip up a vegan dinner for you though.' She said thoughtfully.

'That would be nice, thank you.' I smiled as I dropped my black backpack filled with survival stuff on the floor. Riley was tearing her salmon and shrimp scampi to pieces as I ate a vegan pizza she made for Mich, who was also vegan. It was 7:30 now and we were done eating dinner.

'Mm, it's getting late boys, I should take you home.' Mich said. Riley's eyes quickly averted to mine and I cleared my throat.

'Miss Hill, can we talk in the kitchen?'

'Yes sweet heart, help me with the dishes. I happily obliged her request and followed her in the kitchen.

'Remember how I said Granddad's on a date?' She nodded.

'Will it be okay for us to…sleep here? I mean, I really don't want to-' I nearly dropped the plates when I heard hard banging on the front door. SHIT! I tossed the plates in the sink, getting the water on my shirt and ran into the front. Riley was wide eyed and was out the chair. Mich was looked at us crazy and looked at the door.

'C'MON RILEY!' I screamed as I snatched my bag off the floor.

'What is the meaning of this?!' Miss Hill yelled. We ran to her bathroom, she had a window in there and we shall escape through there.

'ARE THEY IN HERE?' I heard my granddad yelled once he was allowed in the house. I pushed Riley out the window before throwing myself out. After a quick roll, I staggered on my feet and we ran again, hearing the bathroom door being torn open. We ran to the subway and barreled down the tunnel.

'Now what will we do?' Riley asked me.

'On to Cairo's.' I said after catching my breath.

'But he stays near Aunt Cookie-'

'If she has already looked there, she will not look again. No doubt Granddad told her to look out for us.'

'What if she didn't though?' we boarded the train.

'We will run again.' I looked at him.

'We must be stealthier this time.'

I made Riley change into his black clothes I thrown in the bag; I was already dressed in black. Glancing down at my watch, it was now 8:45; we've been on the run for an hour now. Now that my bag was lighter it was an easier travel. We made foot work in the yards and fences of Cairo's side of town, ducking and dodging any cars and lights.

'This is getting kinda fun.' Riley chuckled.

'No time for fun. This is business.' I told him. We reached our destination, Cairo's backyard. His lights were on and I could see a small shadow walking around.

'Look around for Cookie's van.' I whispered to Riley as I began climbing on the vine that sprouted on the side of the house.

'No mini-van in sight.' He said from below. Good. I tapped on his window and I was immediately face to face with Cairo. His eyes were bugged out and he looked side to side in paranoia.

'Huey! Have you gone crazy?'

'She was looking for us, wasn't she?' He nodded in fervor.

'Over three hours ago, she did. Mom told her we haven't seen you. What are you doing?'

'Let us sleep here, we're running away. Granddad is trying to take us away.' I landed on my feet in his room as Riley fell clumsily in.

'Away? Like moving?' Cairo asked. I nodded. Cairo's mom worked the night shift, so she wouldn't be back home until 8:30 am. That gave me and Riley until 7:30 to leave this place.

'That sucks, well of course you guys can stay, let's turn the lights out like we're sleeping so should they come around again, they won't see shadows.' I smiled.

'Smart nigga.' I gave him a hand dap. Adults think kids are dumb, they don't realize how clever we can get to outsmart their smug asses. After killing all the lights, leaving the stair well light on because it was away from windows, we had our guys' sleep over.

'So where is he trying taking you?' Cairo asked.

'I don't know and don't give a fuck.' I cursed. I looked over at Riley. 'Did you hear where he is trying to move to?'

'Something about a Woodcrest.' Riley said.

'That place sound so white.' Cairo sneered.

'I know, ole sell out.' I spat. We hushed when we heard knocks from downstairs.

'What the hell?' Cairo whispered. Riley looked in-between us nervously, shifting his eyes back and forth. We were on the floor; we weren't that loud, who could that be knocking? The knocks didn't stop either.

'Ah shit, what if it's Aunt-' Cairo placed a finger on his mouth.

'Don't worry ya'll, I'll see who it is.' He quietly walked down the stairs, not even making them creak. After a while he came back up.

'It's your granddad with the cops!' he exclaimed with his mouth wide. 'Ya'll get in the closet, quietly.' He instructed.

'No. That's to be expected, I know where to go.' I said. 'You answer the door.'

Cairo went downstairs after the constant knocking got louder, where me and Riley decided to hide, we were able to hear. Cairo faked a yawn as he opened the door.

'WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY?' Granddad yelled furious.

'I haven't seen them Mr. Freeman, I was asleep.' He said.

'YO' ASS IS LYIN! YOU DON'T GO TO SLEEP AT NO DAMN 9:00!'

'Mr. Freeman, halt your abrasive language on the child.' The cop said finally.

'Now son, this man is trying to find his grandkids. You are their friend, have you seen them?'

'No, their Aunt came by earlier before my mom had to go to work and asked about them, I haven't seen them all day.'

'Search the place.'

'We cannot do that without a warrant and his parents are not home.'

'I know you lying.' Granddad hissed. It was the last thing that was said after Cairo closed the door.

'Damn yo' granddad mean.' Cairo said after the cars pulled off the lot. Riley and I climbed out the cabinet under the sink. I snorted.

'Yeah. Let us resume.' The rest of the night we ate, talked and played video games. Riley was the first one to get sleepy so he went to go sleep in the closet.

'So what will you do tomorrow?' he asked me.

'When we leave we will board a subway and go across the bridge. From there we can live on the streets I suppose.'

'…You're gonna get caught.'

'We didn't get caught tonight.' A victorious tone was in my voice. Cairo smiled.

'Alright Huey, you and Riley be careful in the morning in these streets.'

I nodded. We have to. I told Cairo to set his alarm at 7:30 so we can get up. He did and I went in the closet with Riley to sleep. I don't know what time it was, but his bedroom door was opened and the closet door flung open. Still sleepy and disoriented I was snatched up by a force. When my eyes adjusted I was looking into the face of an angry old man and a petrified Cairo sitting up in bed, gawking at the scene in front of him. He looked at his clock that said 7:00. I'll be damned.

'You will get the ass whoopin' of your life boy!' granddad shouted as he grabbed Riley by his arm and dragged us out the house. When we got back to the house, he pushed me on the ground. I glared up at him.

'We are MOVING Huey! And that's FINAL! You AND your father walked around like ya'll were some kind of gods! Like you all were above the rest of us! Well, I'm gonna beat that arrogance out of you!'

'You can't.' I smiled at him. He smacked me across the face.

'Granddad, stop, we'll go pack….dang.' Riley helped me up. He was avoiding that belt all day, but not me. Everyone took a beating sometimes.

I never did get to apologize to Ms. Hill in person about the ruckus I made at her house, but I did write her a letter and I attached a single rose to it. I made sure I attached the address of our new house as well…giving her the option to respond.

Woodcrest, Maryland. I snorted. He can uproot me, he can hit me, he can belittle me, but that can't break me, I refuse. Aunt Cookie was mad at us for days about the stunt we pulled, but she still saw us off at the airport.

'You boys keep your wits about you. What you did last week was so foolish, but I love you boys. Granddad is doing the right thing by taking you out there. You need it.' Cookie placed her hands on our shoulders.

'…Why don't you want to keep us?' I asked her bluntly.

'Your granddad signed the papers to be your legal guardian after your parents were killed, that's why I couldn't keep you two, even if I wanted to. Don't speak in that tone to me Huey, you are loved by me, don't think I don't just because I cannot keep you here.' She frowned sadly. I just turned with Riley as we walked towards the boarding train. It didn't hit me until I was sitting on the plane.

'I good a good feeling boys, whoooo-hoo yes sir, we gon' live nice out here!' Granddad whistled. Riley just muttered something as he played on his Gameboy. I sunk further in my seat.

I wanted to go back Chicago. It was nightfall by the time we touched down in Maryland.

'Aw shit, the car won't be in town until tomorrow.' Granddad muttered as he stared at the receipt to transfer his mini-van 'Dorothy' to Maryland. He named his car after our late grandmother and his only wife.

'So how we gon' get to our new house?' Riley asked.

'A cab dummy.' Granddad laughed. He whistled for the airport cab to stop, as we waited, I looked around and scowled. Too many blue eyes…it was much too bright here. Look at them with their disgusting smiles and rushing and bustling like they really important. I yawned as I stuffed my hands in my black jacket. I was getting sleepy. Just take me to this 'thing' granddad wants to call a house so I can sleep. After we finally got our cab, Riley's curiosity got the better of him.

'…What's the house look like?' he asked as he looked up at him.

'It's a big one boy, we cleanin' up now.' He smiled. 'Just wait.'

The driver turned down a street called 'Blushing Dove' to get to our street 'Timid Deer Lane.'

I have got to hand it to these people. These are the most sissified street names I have ever had the displeasure to read. What, were they reading fairytales when naming these streets? Blushing Dove…I swear…white people are so soft. Wanting to get majestic and shit.

Riley laughed, finding all of this amusing. 'That sign says 'Blueberry Hil!' he laughed. Apparently they were hungry sissies too. When we pulled up into the driveway I got out the car. Riley gasped.

'Word? This our house?' Riley's eyes were wide. A crème colored house with reddish frames around the windows, it was no doubt a two story house. The garden was cut and flowers decked the sides of the sidewalk leading to our auburn door.

'Quit gawking and get your bags, I'm being charged out the ass.' Granddad snapped. We grabbed our bags and he paid the cab driver. Glaring with hatred of my new…lodgings, I made a personal mission. As soon as I am of age, which is a painful 8 years from now…

I'm leaving this place.


Mm. Huey was a lil bad ass boy wasn't he? lol Welp, that's the start of this crazy ride. Hope you enjoyed. See you later.

-Che