Josephine
My aunt ended up picking me up and since I been here I’ve gotten a lecture from her, my granny and my uncle. That was well over three hours ago and they’re still talking! I eventually tuned them out; well I tried to anyway. “You know yo Momma gon’ beat yo ass.” My uncle snickered and I rolled my eyes ignoring them and their remarks.
Eventually I migrated outside and sat on the porch before my mouth wrote another check my ass couldn’t cash. “Flo Jo what’s shaking baby.” I smiled somewhat before my eyes fell on Abel. He’s like the local big brother around here.
My mother and his mother are best friends and have been for years. He was about six when I came into the picture and since then we’ve never really separated. He’s like a leaf in fall. Blowing wherever the wind pushes him until another breeze comes along.
“Abe you have to save me!” I pouted with a slight laugh.
“I can’t help you. Auntie crazy as hell and I ain’t even about to dodge no punches today,” He chuckled loudly; I whined in response. “She might take it easy on you. Didn’t you fight chicken heads daughter?” He inquired and I nodded.
Toni’s mother and my Momma hated each other for as long as I can remember. I don’t know what happened between them I just know when Toni and I got called to the principal’s office in middle school Momma told me if she bothers me to beat her ass.
From then up until this point I never really fought back. Momma hated that, but she also said she don’t want me to get into any trouble this year since I’m a punk.
“Walk with me.” He nodded his head towards the gas station. I had my purse and phone with me so I just got up and went. Abel asked me about school and I gave him a quick run down before telling him about the fight.
“I hear you whooped her ass and broke her finger,” He dapped me with a chuckle. “Remember what I say ‘bout them power hits.” He pointed and nodded. I know I can fight because he taught me since elementary school. He brought him some swishers and got me a cup of ice, juice, and chips.
I swear I feel so safe with my big brother! I hate when he leaves because that’s when shit seems to hit the fan. Six o'clock seemed to roll around and right on the dot my Momma’s car pulled into Granny’s driveway. Talk about a dead girl walking.
“Oh shit. She look mad as fuck.” He sucked in air through his teeth.
“No she just got resting bitch face.” I sighed rising off his porch. He laughed and patted my shoulder. His mother works crazy shifts at White Castle so he goes back and forth between there and his girlfriend’s place just to make sure ain’t nobody messing with his Momma or her shit. I made my way across the street sluggishly and inhaled deeply before walking into the house.
“Josephine Yvette Jenks!”
I know you’re wondering how much trouble I got into. At first it wasn’t bad until Toni’s Mom wanted to press charges that’s when shit got bad! Momma beat my ass I swear I could not sit for entire week I was out of school. When I got to school this morning I sat in the car with Abel for a few minutes before I had to get out.
Like the first day I went straight to my locker and got out what I would need for Language Arts and headed straight to that class. “Good morning.” Mr. Brown said before taking a sip from his thermal cup.
“Morning.” I went to take my seat in the back in the last row near the chalk board. “Jo we have a seating plan now and you’re right here.” He pointed to the desk right beside the podium.
“Oh okay.” I trailed off taking my new seat. I pulled out my spare notebook and started to draw something random. I settled for a portrait of a random girl I saw on tumblr.
I felt his presence at the podium, but I continued drawing. Voices started to get louder signaling more people came in. “That’s really good, Josephine.” Mr. Brown complimented as he walked past. “Thank you.” I smiled softly starting to do some shading for her hair.
The bell rang and he closed the door. If you aren’t here when the bell rings you have to get a pass. “Alright pass up yesterday’s homework to the front. Then start your bellringer.” He instructed then cut the lights off. I took out a loose piece of paper and copied the bell work.
___
My last class of the day and I’m so ready to go home! I did and turned in all the work from last week so that’s off my to do list. Mr. Brown smiled at me as I entered the art room. “You’re always early.” He noted and I shrugged. “There isn’t anything out there for me.” I laughed somewhat honestly.
I mean I could socialize and attempt to make some friends, but for what? Some of the females in here don’t know how to be a real friend and I will not put myself in a position to have to whoop someone’s ass because they’re being fake. “You don’t have or don’t want to make any friends?” He polled somewhat in shock.
“I don’t trust people honestly. I observe and I can tell right off the bat if I like a person. Everyone here is fake as hell and so are the teachers.”
“Ouch.” He put his hand on his chest faking a pain.
“I wasn’t talking about you, but if the shoe fits.” I shrugged with sly smile.
“Fair enough,” he chuckled putting his hands up in defense. “Did you finish the picture you started earlier?” He asked and I nodded and flipped open my notebook. I showed him the page and he got up from his desk to get a closer look.
“You’re really good girl. Serious talent.” He admired the drawing. “Thank you.” I felt an unknown emotion course through me. Besides Abel I don’t let other people see my drawings.
Momma calls it mindless garbage. A couple years ago I drew her a picture of her as a African Queen. She hated it and tossed it in the basement. I had it blown up and put it in a gold frame for her. So now I just get her a card and turtles from Fannie May.
“Can I keep it?” He looked at me and it caught me off guard a bit. “Yeah be my guest.” I smiled and he gave it back to me to peel out the notebook. “Sign it for me?” He asked and I smiled.
“I did. It’s just hidden.”
“Not telling. You have to find it.”
He grinned at me and nodded before taking it to his desk. Everyone seemed to be coming in last minute because there was a fight in the hallway. Because the room is set up with tables with four chairs to each table a group of three guys sat at the table with me.
The one that sat beside me was dark skinned and he had a pretty smile and handsome chocolate orbs. Most people don’t see the beauty in dark brown eyes, but his has this twinkle to them that matches his smile. Mr. Brown continued to go on to recap what they did last week while I drew in my notepad as I listened.
“Hey, how you doing baby?” A voice asked lowly, but I didn’t think they were talking to me until it felt like someone was staring at me. I glanced around and noticed the guy beside me was looking dead at me. “We’re you talking to me?” I asked and he nodded with a chuckle leaving his full lips. “I’m sorry I didn’t know.” I apologized completely embarrassed and confused. “What’s your name baby girl?” He licked his lips and shifted in his seat.
“Josephine.” I shook his outreach hand.
“Kenneth.” He smiled a toothy grin.
His bottom lip embedded itself between his teeth. I instantly had the urge to swipe my tongue across my lips slowly. I looked down shyly at my drawing and nibbled on the inside of my bottom lip. “You drew that?” He spoke again and I nodded looking down to see what I was drawing.
Sometimes I forget what I’m drawing and just draw out of habit. This time it happened to be a rose. Kenneth went to open his mouth, but the sound of someone clearing their throat grasped our attention.
“Mr. James and Miss Jenks. Do I need to separate you two?” Mr. Brown scolded; my head hung low slightly and I shook my head no. “Nah you ain’t gotta do that. I can’t promise to behave, but I’ll try.” Kenneth looked me up and down and my cheeks grew warm. It didn’t help that other people were ooohing and going oh snap! Mr. Brown dimmed his eyes at us, his state firmer on me, before going back into his lesson.I’m so embarrassed!!
___
After class Kenneth told me he was new here and the two guys with him are his brothers. They’re new here obviously and he thought he’d speak to a friendly face. I don’t know if that’s him flirting or what. According to Abel I got resting bitch face like my Momma. “Where you stay?” Kenneth leaned against some lockers beside mine. “Over by Kennedy. I’m a couple blocks away from Anthony’s.” I referred to the restaurant on the boulevard.
“No bullshitting I live over there too. You wanna walk with us? Or we can ride the bus.”
“I don’t think I can my brother is supposed to pick me up and before I even attempt to hang with anyone he has to meet them. It’s mandatory.” I giggled shyly because anyone who comes near me heads for the hills once they realize he’s my brother.
“I ain’t scared to meet yo brother. I’ll meet him now.” I laughed at his confidence.“You’re so confident! That’s cute!” I cooed patting his shoulder. “Cute? Baby girl I’m sexy.” He smoothed his brows and posing. Indeed he is. I laughed and looked at my iPhone 6 Plus Abel gotten me.
Big Bruh 💪😚: I’m outside c'mon a nigga hungry. I’m tryna get to Pepe’s!
“Well he’s outside. If you’re serious about meeting him lets go.” I gestured for them to follow me. Sure enough he was right behind me his brothers decided to take the bus. I spotted Abe’s car right out front of the double doors. When he saw me he instantly got out of the car; “Who this?”
“Abel this is Kenneth. Kenneth, Abel.” I introduced the two. Ken stuck his hand out for a shake but Abe just looked at his hand. I narrowed my eyes at him telling him to be nice and he reluctantly shook his hand.
“He wants to be my friend and I told him the rule. He had to meet you first.” I informed and a wicked grin came across his face.
“Yup and you will only hang with her if I say so. Is that clear?” He directed his attention to Kenneth. “Good. C'mon I’m hungry as fuck and I gotta get you home before both our Momma’s beat my ass.” He waved us over to the car. I hopped in the front and Ken hopped in the back. Abel gave me a look and I smiled big.
He better be nice or I’ll whoop his ass.
