Ashanti and I were walking down the hall when someone bumped into me, making me drop all of my shit. I quickly bent down to pick up my stuff and stood back up. "Damn, watch where the fuck you goin," Ashanti said. I looked up and it was none other than Kennedy.

"I ain't see y'all," she said looking me up and down.

"Yo lying ass. You know damn well you saw us. You can keep all that negative ass energy to yourself," Ashanti seethed.

"And you a loud ass hoe; can't even keep your legs together, especially when you hang around trash like her," Kennedy said pointing to me.

"Excuse you. You know you ain't got no room to talk. That's why ain't nobody like yo nasty ass. All you do is dick ride. Maybe before you try to dish out some advice, you go follow your own. Stupid ass bitch," Ashanti mean mugged. I quickly grabbed her.

"It's not worth it," I whispered.

"You gone let her talk to you like that?!" Ashanti yelled.

"No, but I need to graduate. Let's just go, please," I said pulling her away from Kennedy.

"Run along, Asha." I could hear the smirk in Kennedy's voice. My grip on Ashanti tightened even more as she tried to pull away. I pulled her into the restroom and called April and Briana for backup. They arrived not long after, but Ashanti was still very much heated and running her mouth.

"What's her problem with you anyway? I've noticed that she got some kind of grudge against you or something. She always mean mugging you," Briana said.

"I don't know. I never did anything to her."

"Of course you didn't. She just an evil bitch, everyone knows it. Shit, she probably jealous. She been trynna get Cairo's attention since freshman year, and he curve her ass every chance he get. She just bitter that Cairo has taken a liking to you instead."

"What?" I whispered in disbelief. Surely that's not true.

"She thinks Cairo likes me? Since when? Who thinks that?" My heart started beating real fast. This is not good.

"Ion know, shit. I'm just saying she jealous that you hang out with us," Ashanti continued.

"I don't know why she jealous. It's not like y'all know each other," April spoke up. Little do they know, Kennedy and I live together and it's definitely not something to ever brag about. She ain't nothing but drama.

"Anyway, girl you need to grow a backbone. I always fight for my own, and I'll beat Kennedy's ass any day. Ion care if we in school or not, but I'm not gone always be there," Ashanti said.

I nodded my head. I was too busy thinking about the possibility of Kennedy actually believing that Cairo likes me, and what my mom would do if Kennedy told her. I ignored everyone for the rest of the day. I needed time to think. You can say whatever you want about Kennedy, but she ain't no fool. She is spiteful as hell and can hold a grudge even if it's one sided. If she thinks that even for a second, that I'm getting too close to Cairo, she will investigate. She will pry her way into my business until she finds something. When she starts feeling threatened by me, that's when all hell breaks loose. The little bit of security that I have found in my friends over the past month or so won't mean a thing if she starts plotting and scheming.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I whispered to myself. While at work, all I could think about was Kennedy. Even when my regulars came in, I couldn't find it in me to plaster on a fake smile. I felt sick to my stomach, which has been an occurring feeling lately. My birthday is right around the corner. When I turn 18, I will be a legal adult. I can leave my mom and Kennedy for good, and no one will be able to force me back. I won't have cops hunting me down, and I'll be able to make my own decisions for once. I will be free of them. Maybe I can take my boss up on his offer, stay with him and his wife for a few months until I find a place. I'd even live on the streets or go to a shelter if I have to.

.....

Kennedy has been real quiet lately. A whole week has past. I somewhat felt like I was in the clear. I found a new dealer. He gave me this new stuff, it's expensive, but the shit is legit and strong as fuck. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before.

Today, Briana and I are going to a carnival. I have a few hours to spare, and I timed it out perfectly. I should be back home before my mom gets back from her trip and before Kennedy gets home from her nigga's house. Briana picked me up and we were off to our adventures.

"So, how you been? Have you been eating? You seem to be in a better mood today," Briana said glancing over at me. I was indeed in a better mood today. I felt light on my feet like a cloud, also a little drowsy, but happy nonetheless. I guess those were some of the effects. I haven't felt this good in a while. And just the smallest amount does the job unlike the last shit I was using.

"I am in a better mood," I stated.

"That's great Asha." I nodded my head with a goofy smile on my face.

"Is it just us or..."

"They meetin us there."

"Ok cool." Briana turned on some music, and blasted it through the speakers. I sung when I knew the words and giggled at my own foolishness.

We got out the car. I was kinda excited to get on a few rides. I had never been to a carnival. "What are we going to get on first?" I clapped my hands in anticipation. They all looked at me oddly but I ignored them. I was feeling too good.

"Why you actin like you ain't never been to a carnival," April chimed in.

"Because I haven't, duh. I've never done anything remotely close to this." We got on a few rides, and I had fun on all of them. We played some games, ate some funnel cake and popcorn. I constantly checked my phone to keep track of the time. After awhile when everyone's back was turned to me, I snuck off. I found my way behind some tent and took out my little baggie. I dipped the tip of my finger into the bag, paying close attention not to spill anything. I placed my finger in my mouth and sucked on it. I quickly zipped the bag back up and hid it in my bra.

I found my way back to where they were, only, they weren't there. Did they leave me? I was confused but I mostly shrugged it off. Oh well, I'll just have fun without them. I played a few games, but didn't win anything. Then I ate a candy apple all by myself. I walked around some and admired the colorful atmosphere.

I stopped what I was doing and quickly grabbed my phone from out of my pocket once I realized that I hadn't looked at it in awhile. I had hella missed calls from everyone including my mom. Shit, I forgot it was on silent. I looked at the messages from my mom. It was all her calling me a fat bitch, a slut, a thief, every name in the book but my own. The last message was her telling me to bring my ass home. Fuck, it's always something. I just know this got something to do with Kennedy because ever since I changed schools, I just can't seem to catch a break. Before, I could tolerate the toxicity, but now it's getting to be too much. I feel like I am drowning in misery.

I was quick to call Briana until I heard my name being called. "Asha!"

I turned quickly as Ashanti and Derek ran up to me. I paid them no attention. My eyes searched around for Briana. I needed to get home before my mom started snooping.

"Where the hell have you been? We all been looking for you everywhere."

"I was right here. Where is Briana, I need to get home."

"Fuck that! Where you disappear to? We turned around and you was gone!"

"Why are you so loud?"

"I'm loud?! How you gone disappear and then not answer your phone when people calling you. We thought somethin happened to you."

I ignored Ashanti and walked around her. But she grabbed me. "Asha, I'm talking to you."

"Don't touch me," I said snatching my arm out of her strong grip.

"Are you serious? Is she serious!"

"Ashanti, calm down," I heard Derek say.

"No! We been looking for her ass for over half an hour. I ain't no damn babysitter, if she wanna act like a child then so be it."

I dialed Briana and she answered on the first ring.

"Asha, where you at?"

"Umm, by the uh...ummm...I don't know, the ring toss. I need to get home, my mom looking for me," I said with a shaky voice.

"Okay, meet me by where we had those funnel cakes, by the entrance." I didn't say anything but hung up.

I practically ran to where we first arrived. Everybody was looking at me like I grew two heads or something. Cairo was staring at me with the most intense gaze, it was as if he was studying me. Before anyone could say anything, I spoke up first. "I need to get home."

"Okay, I'll take you," Briana said.

"That's all she got to say," Ashanti mumbled under her breath as her and Derek stormed up to us.

"Ashanti, just stop!" I yelled. I was beyond annoyed. Ashanti turned on me hella fast, and all hell broke loose. She tried to step up to me, but Derek grabbed her just as fast. Briana tried to defend me, so Ashanti and her began arguing. They both were alike in the sense that they both gave zero fucks and was quick to put anyone in their place. Briana just wasn't as loud and in your face as Ashanti was. And of course, Brandon jumped in as well. He and Ashanti were good friends, but he'd defend his sister over anyone. April just looked confused while Cairo had yet to stop staring at me. I got even more upset that I caused all of this. I caused everything. I was nothing but a burden. On top of that, my stomach was upset and I felt nauseated, probably from all the junk I ate. So, I did what I do best, I turned away from everyone, bent down, stuck my fingers down my throat, and vomited everything I managed to eat since we arrived. It stung so bad my eyes watered.

"Are you okay?"

I shook my head no as I continued to spill my guts.

"Asha what's wrong?" April asked.

"Everything," I sobbed once I was done puking. I was embarrassed and ashamed at my behavior. I just wanted to get home before everything got 10x worse. I wiped my mouth on my shirt and stood up and began walking. I didn't know where I was going once I exited the carnival. I just walked. Maybe if I walked home, it would give me enough time to come up with an excuse. Maybe I could lie my way out of whatever got my mom so heated.

"Asha!!" They followed me. I suddenly stopped and turned. I need to get home.

"Please take me home. Please," I pleaded with no one in particular. Cairo was the closest to me, but I didn't want him to take me.

"I'll take you," Briana said. I nodded. She walked up to me and lightly grabbed my hand. "Come on." I just nodded again. We walked past everyone. They all looked concerned and confused, but I didn't say anything. I was exhausted and not at all ready for the storm awaiting me once I got home.

"I'm sorry, this is not like me," I told Briana. No matter how bad it got, I usually don't take it out on them. I always just suck it up. But, I was too paranoid right now.