JAZLYN
It was probably past 4am in the morning and I have yet to fall asleep on this school night, since my stepdad was arguing with my mother. They don't realize how thin these walls are and how much I can hear throughout the night. I rolled over and decided to go ahead and get my day started. I looked at myself through the mirror sighing as I saw the many bruises that were around my neck and arms. Sometimes I get lucky and get away before he has the chance to beat on me and sometimes I don't. Times like this I wish my father was still living. He never gave up on mother and I even if we were a handful.
I hopped into the shower once it got steamy, it helped with the bruising pain. The bickering between the two only got louder as the time passed. Soon after I hopped out and went into my room grabbing some clothes to throw on. I grabbed some makeup and started covering up the bruises on my neck. My phone started ringing.
"Hello"
"Bestie!! I'm on my way to come get you" Harlow said loudly through the phone. I chuckled.
"Text me when your outside" after we exchanged some words, the call ended. Harlow has been with me through everything I have went through. She knows about my situation at home and usually allows me to stay the night at her house every so often. My mom truly tries everything to protect me but she just can't seem to leave Charles. I just wish she would realize her love will not save their relationship. He is an abuser that does not deserve my mother's kind heart. After I got everything situated I grabbed my belongings and headed downstairs.
"Good morning Jazlyn" Charles said staring me down. I relocated my eyes away from his. I went into the kitchen grabbing some snacks and a water for lunch when I felt his nasty old hands gripping my thigh.
"Speak when I'm talking to you bitch" tears threaten to fall down my face as I felt his hands rub against me.
"I have to go to school, please let go"I said barely over a whisper. If it wasn't for the doorbell ringing I honestly wouldn't know what he would've done. He removed his hands and I scurried to the door wiping away the few tears that fell. I put in the happiest face as I greeted my best friend.
"Did you get any sleep?" She asked once we got in the car.
"Unfortunately I didn't, more like I got Insomnia" we shared a laugh as we stopped by Chick-fil-A. We usually leave early to get some breakfast before heading to school.
"So my parents told me that my brother lives down here" I raised my eyebrow.
"Really, it's been so many years since you guys last saw him" Harlow brother was like the rebel in the family I guess you can say. Her parents didn't condone a lot of things and for some reason her brother made sure to do everything they didn't like.
"Yeah he's coming over for dinner tonight, and I was wondering if you wanted to join us?" I'm not even sure what her brother looks like anymore, I haven't really seen him since we were real young.
"I don't wanna invade y'all little family reunion though" she sucked her teeth.
"My parents won't mind" "and I just thought since you had a little crush on him, you should come over" she said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at her comment.
"Harlow that crush was years ago, I doubt I still have it" for the longest she has been trying to play match maker since we were kids. We got our food and made our way to school. The ride to school was pretty short as we pulled into the parking lot.
"Can I come anyway, I just feel like it's going to be awkward" I sighed. Since it's a Friday I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind me staying over at her house for awhile.
"Sure I'll come with you" I said finally giving in. She smiled as we walked into school. I hated this prison with a passion. All these kids were drama filled and aggravating. I opened my locker when Bryson walked over to us.
"Hey babe" he said kissing my lips. I smiled. Bryson is my boyfriend and we've been dating for about year. He is very supportive and helps with anything I need.
"Y'all got Chick-fil-A without me. Fake" he said.
"Oh well nigga" Harlow said laughing. I chuckled grabbing the books I needed for class.
"So you busy tonight" he asked as we walked to class.
"Uh I'm suppose to be going over to Harlow house for dinner, why?"
"Tryna see if you wanted to chill with me" he said.
"I'll see what I can do" he nodded before letting me go to class. I took my seat in my usual seat which is beside Harlow. This girl Iris and her friends walked in taking loud as hell.
"Hey slut" she said to me with a laugh. I rolled my eyes and started doodling on my notebook.
"Hey don't let her get to you" Harlow said rubbing my back. Another reason why I hate this school is because news spread so fast. Something that happened some time back got back to the school and most of the girls have been calling me sluts, hoes, you name it. I was standing up for myself but when people didn't listen to my side of the story I gave up trying to prove myself. I mostly ignored the comments and carried on with my day.
"Okay class pass up your homework and start on your daily question" I pulled out my homework and passed mine up along with everyone else in my row. I then started on the assignment.
School was finally over and your girl was tired. I really wanted to go home and curl into my bed but I promised Harlow I would come over to her house today. I walked over to her car to see she was already over there waiting for me. I pulled my phone out and sent my mom a quick text of where I was going.
"Ready" she asked as she turned up her music. I put on my seatbelt and prayed. This child drives so fast, definitely when she is ready to go home. Kehlani was flowing through the speakers on the ride there. I was texting Bryson before he had to go to practice.
"I think my mom is making salmon" I did a little happy dance, that's the signature dish at their house. We pulled into her driveway. I grabbed my bookbag and hopped out.
"Mom is it okay if Jazlyn stays for dinner?" she asked, walking into the kitchen.
"Yeah that's fine, I'll call you when dinner is ready" we turned on our heels and headed upstairs. "Also your brother is here, he's in his old room"
"Let's say hey to my brother real quick" I gave her glance and followed behind her. We knocked on the door.
"Come in" we heard. She opened the door and he was on his bed shirtless. I was not expecting that.
"Aye you can't do that in here, mom is gonna smell it" Harlow said referring to him rolling up a blunt.
"And? What you want" he said, putting on his shirt when he noticed me.
"Damn just came to see you big bro" she said as they shared a laugh. "My bad, how you doin lil sis" she grabbed my hand and pulled me to them. It felt a little awkward to bombard their conversation.
"Anywho do you remember Jazlyn?" She asked. He gave me a good look before a smile appeared.
"Uh yeah, your childhood friend" he said "wassup Jaz"
"I gotta use the bathroom, you guys continue to chitchat" I gave a hard glare as she walked out. I just stood there as he continued to do what he was doing before.
"You can sit down" I took a seat at his chair, relaxing a little bit.
"I haven't seen you awhile"I spoke up.
"Yeah I know it's been a good minute, how have you been holding up?" He asked.
"Barely by a strand" he laughed.
"You wanna smoke with me before dinner" he asked standing up.
" In here, isn't your mom going to smell it" he shrugged his shoulders.
"We can sit on the roof unless you're scared " I mugged him and went over to open his window. He helped me climb out before joining me. I never smoked a day in my life, so this should be interesting.
"Can I be real with you?" He asked lighting it up. He took a couple of pulls before passing it to me. I raised it to my lips and inhaled. Instantly I coughed. He started laughing at me as I tried again.
"Wassup?" As we continued to pass it back and forth it took him a while to speak what was on his mind.
"I'm honestly surprised you're still friends with my sister after all these years" he said. I raised my eyebrow looking at him.
"Uh why do you say that?" He looked over at my serious face before shaking his head.
"I don't wanna put my business out there since I don't really know you like that anymore but this family is drama which is why i moved out when I was 16" I released the smoke taking in what he was saying.
"Why did you come back then?" I asked curiously. Before he could answer Harlow climbed out the window. "Y'all smoking without me" she said laughing taking a seat between us. I passed her the blunt and stared into the sky. Should I be concerned?
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New book!!!
Please let me know what you guys think of this chapter. It's a spin-off of a book I wrote a long time ago. Kind of the same thing but a different storyline. Share to others!
Comments and votes are appreciated
-BR££💜