~For the Better~ by Alesia Lopez (black books to read .TXT) 📕

Will

That was the first time I've been happy in a while. So Now I find myself standing here at a bus station that's about to close down for the night, even though it is only 8 o'clock at night. But since its a week night  the bus station closes at 8. I hate how Wednesday nights are for our household. 

Since I only live three blocks away from the bus station walking is the .way to go. All I can think about is Jamieka. She's not who I thought she was. But then again who is? One block to go and the only thing that comes to mind is what I'm going to be walking into when I open the door to my responsibilities. 

23 Apple Ave. The door where the only key on my keychain opens. Opening this door everyday is similar to rewinding a jack-in-the-box because you never know what your walking into but the only thing that stays the same is the connection you have with everything unspoken. 

The house smelled like nail polish remover. Monica came into view shortly after the smell burned my nostrils.

Monica was dressed like she was a hooker for godsake, so my first words weren't even "Hello".

"Did you wear that to school?" And just like she always does Monica answered my question with a question.

"Why we're you so late coming home? I thought the study group got over at 5."

"Well you thought wrong."

"Ooo. I know what this is about."

"What is this about Miss. Know-It-All."

"Okay. F.Y.I. And that means for your information. I'm not a know-it-all. I just pay attention to everything."

"OK, so your not a know-it-all, your point is?"

"This is about a girl! Who is she? Do I know her?" Monica was now clapping her hands and jumping around the room. Huh, shes such an innocent little girl, I wish I could make sure nothing ever hurts her, but I can't.

"This is not about a girl." I honestly tried not to laugh but since she just knew, it made me smile. She has it so easy I wish I could just make things even easier on her even by just being there to keep making sure she's not forced to grow up too quickly.

"Oh my gosh! This is totally about a girl! Come, come, follow me. Step into my office." 

"Oh my, your so overreacting."

"I know, I know but that's why you love me."

"Hold on, we'll talk later."

"But that's what you always say. And this time your not getting put of it. We're talking"

"Oh okay." I closed her bedroom door after I saw her take out her phone. I walked down the hallway to Trey's room, turning on lights as I passed them. 

I just pushed open Treys door without even thinking. And the first thing I saw were hundreds and just two but a bunch and before I had time to count Trey was picking them up.  "What is this!" Normally I'm not a person to shout but this is a moment where closed doors can't hide my anger.

"What are you talking about!?!?" Trey said giving me a look at was telling me I shouldn't have saw all the money.

"What are you doing? Where did you get all that money, I would really like to know especially since you don't even have a job."

"I let someone borrow a hundred. They paid me back with interest nearly doubling my money. And so on and so forth, Problem?, besides why does it even matter to you? It's not like you even care!"

"Yeah problem, it matters to me because when the rest of the family is scraping by, you're making hundreds and hundreds of dollars! And I can't even afford to keep food in the fridge or the cable on for a month. And meanwhile you're out making so much money and you can't even share with your own family. That's why I care." I really hope I was getting my point across. If not en I don't know what I'd have to do to make him get it.

"I don't know why you're gettin mad. You should just save your breath 'cause it's not all gonna be here tomorrow."

"What the hell are you talking about? It's not gonna be here tomorrow!" How could a fifteen year old spend so much money in less than twenty-four hours?!

"OK. Look, nosy. I'm letting DeSean borrow all of it. He's my friend and he needs it."

"How much does he need?" This is making me wonder how much Trey actually had.

"All five-thousand of it." 

As soon as he said that I wanted to charge across his tiny room and seriously hurt my brother. But since I'm sill standing in the doorway I decided it wouldn't be a surprise or a good idea.

"FIVE-THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!" 

"Yeah, look he's gonna borrow it then he's gonna give me back all of it and two-thousand interest. So you should be thanking me instead of flipping out."

For a fifteen year old he's really smart and for a split second I was actually really proud of my brother.

"Okay, but keep Monica out of this. God only knows what would happen if she got involved too." 

"Thanks bro." and for the first time since Dad went to jail, he got up and hugged me. It wasn't the kind of hug Jamieka and I shared but a hug is a hug, and I'm glad.

Now for my next situation, my Mom. Almost all the times I've tried to get through to my mom she never gave me any hope, so I just gave up. I know I shouldn't have, but I did, which makes me wonder what she is doing right now, also why I would care, since I honestly have no reason to.

*** Jamieka ***

Right now all I hear are two very unhappy people. My mom and my dad are both downstairs right now telling each other how much they don't need one another. But if you ask me love is... Well I don't know what love actually is but i do know why everyone wants it. Love is the ultimate feeling, so close to magic everyone will fight for it. I've never seen my parents "in love" but people always tell me they were quite the love birds. This makes me wonder how two people can love each other so much at one moment and the very next despise each other. Also what happened to make things this bad?

I'm in my room right now after I took a shower. My hair is still damp and very curly, not nappy but curly, with little Jerri-curls in it that go down to my chest. And the only thing that comes to mind right now is Will. The way he looks, the way he talks and how he laughs even though things aren't that funny.

Uh-Oh, I just figured out why he is always in my head. I'm falling for him... Ive fallen for Will Jones, and I fell hard and fast with no protection or warning. The only thing I can think about is my boyfriend, Tyrell and how I'm supposed to be in love with him, and how everyone expects me to be. but now I'm not.

Ive always noticed Will,I mean 2 years ago when we were freshmen he was on the soccer team.And he was amazing,but now he doesn't play.everyone knows he loves soccer and baskettball. he was the best,a school legend,now people are luchy to wven see him dribble a baskettball.Rumor has it that every Thursday at 10pm Will goes to the basketball court and plays all night by himself. but of course i will never be able to see that since I live in the "upperclass" neighborhood and people like my parents would say Will lives in the ghetto. right now i just want to be with him.

Just then my daydreaming was rudely interrupted with my father slamming open my bedroom door.My father is one of the few people that scare the hell out of me, so seeing him barge into my room unannouced automatically put me in alertmode.

"You little bitch where the hell have you been!!!" my father boomed in his deep loud voice.I don't know what so I tell him? I was sitting on a public bus in brooklyn,ny alone riding around the city? Because if I said that this time he wouldn't only punch me in the gut he might also kick me in the side. And I dont wanna take my chances.

"Hello!! Open your fucking mouth and answer me!" This time he was only about a foot away from me. Since I'm sitting at my desk, I'm totally cornered... Shit.

Thats when everything connected. His fist to my face. Right below my right cheekbone and now the whole right side of my face throbbed. I immediantly knew i would have a black eye. But I'm still sitting there in shock. I can't believe this, he never hit me in the face. But I knew it was coming eventually. I dont understand why he is mad. But then I glance over at my alarm clock. 11:23pm. Oh. I left the house around 6 claiming I was going over to Tyrells for a school project. But that was just a lie to get out of the house. Now i remember, I told them I would be gone two hours tops, I'm so screwed.

"Fine. Don't answer me you fucking cunt! Your grounded!" Then seemingly on cue he slapped me across the face. Recovering from the blow I made sure to stare him in the eyes, he hates that the most. On the same side he slapped me guaranteeing me a black eye on my right side. After that he stormed out slamming my door. Then I heard the lock click. I was locked in. A slow smile spread across my throbbing face. Everytime my dad beat me after I've always wanted to run away, but I had no where to go. But now I have a small possibility. Now my main priorities are one, to get out, and two, don't get caught. Turning around to my desk I decided to write my parents a note telling them not to look for me.

Dear Parents,

Or should I say people who I thought were my parents, but you guys are monsters! So I'm gone. I'm done, I turn 18 next month and when I do I can gaurentee you will never see me again. So until