𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲; 𝐎𝐜𝐭. 𝟖

~~~

"So, you don't participate in spirit week this year, you didn't do it last year or the years before that. What's up with that, Jahseh?" Dexter asked looking at himself in his handheld mirror.

It was Throwback Thursday and some kids at the school were dressed up from different decades. Some in the 90s, 80s, 70s and even back to the 60s and 50s. Everyone had put their own style in their outfits. However, Jahseh wasn't feeling the whole dressing up part.

He never participated in spirit week since he started high school and never was going to. He found it pointless and didn't have school spirit cause he hated this school. Homecoming, dances, anything having to do with school, he didn't care for at all.

"Huh, Jahseh?" Dexter asked, nudging his shoulder. He shut his mirror then look over at his friend.

"It's just not my thing." Jahseh answered, shrugging his shoulders.

"It's just not my thing." Dexter mocked him, Jahseh glared at him before going back on his phone.

"That's wack as hell, Jahseh. It's a way for us to express ourselves-"

"By dressing up for different days out of the week. Sounds pretty lame, but that's just me." Jahseh cut him off, Dexter rolling his eyes.

"So, what are you going to do in college? I'm sure college spirit week or whatever is going to be bomb. Homecoming will be lit." Dexter exclaimed.

"Who said I was even going to be here to experience college?" Jahseh remarked, Dexter raising his brow.

"What is that suppose to mean?"

Jahseh shook his head, "Nothing." He mumbled going back on his phone.

Dexter frown at his friend comment, staring at him. It was always hard for him to figure out whether Jahseh was being himself or was depressed. And he felt bad since they were friends, so he figured he should be able to help. But, at times it was really hard. Jahseh was extremely difficult to read and he doesn't express himself at all.

"Jahseh, are you okay?" Dexter asked, placing his hand on his shoulder. He would hate for something to end up happening to his best friend.

Before Jahseh could answer, Blu walked over happily. "Hello!" She eagerly greeted them.

Jahseh look up from his phone, placing his attention on her. He seen she was dressed up as Dionne from Clueless, still no glasses but she had contacts in.

"Hey, puddin." Dexter waved at her and she smile. "Are you ready for the dance?"

"Absolutely, I got my dress. We're going to have so much fun." Blu answered with excitement in her voice.

It was her first homecoming since her previous school didn't have one. All of her experiences this school year was new to her and she was going to take advantage of everything.

"Of course, we would have even more fun if Jahseh was coming." Dexter remarked, rolling his neck. Jahseh wasn't paying them any mind, Blu and Dexter noticing.

The two look at each other, Dexter shrugging his shoulders. A girl walked over to the table chasing them to look at her.

"Are you Blu?" She asked, pointing at her.

"Uhh, yeah. Who-" before she could finish her sentence, the girl grabbed Blu hand making her get up.

The girl pulled her into the middle of the cafeteria, Blu extremely confused. She didn't say anything and instead put her attention on the cafeteria doors. She seen David walking in, holding something and she let out a small sigh.

"Jesus, please no." She thought to herself, watching as he walked up to her. Everyone else also watching the interaction.

David walked up to her, giving her a smile. He got down on one knee opening the box he held in his hands which was filled with donuts. Blu tuck in her lips reading what was on the box.

I DONUT want to go with anyone else, but you. Hoco?

"I know we only known each other for some time, but I wanna take you. So, what do you say?" He asked her, Blu fake laughing.

The least she want to do is embarrass him in front of the whole school. Plus, it was just a dance that really didn't mean anything.

"Uhh, sure." She answered, hesitantly. "Why not." she added, shrugging her shoulders.

David smile standing up while everyone else said 'aww' and clap. The public humiliation Blu was experiencing on the inside was tearing her up. He handed her the box then tried kissing her cheek, but she moved her head back.

"Right, anyway I'll text you the details later on tonight. You think you could put your glasses back on for the dance, it's just better." He told her and she roll her eyes.

"Bye David." She said, walking back to the table. She sat down, putting the box of donuts down too.

"Ooh, lemme have one." She slide the box over to Dexter and he took a donut. Jahseh lock his phone, letting out a small sigh.

"Jahseh are you okay?" Blu asked him.

"Yup, y'all have fun at homecoming." He said getting up, he grabbed his stuff then walked off.

Blu frown, tapping her nails on the table.

"I'm thinking black and gold will look nice on me..." Jahseh tuned out Dexter as he kept talking about what colors he was going to wear to homecoming.

Jahseh wasn't trying to hear it, but he was being polite about it.

"Black is really nice-"

"D, I don't want to be rude, but I really don't want to talk about this." Jahseh cut him off looking at his phone.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Dexter apologized, feeling bad.

"Nah, it's cool. I'm just tired, I'll call you later though." Jahseh told him.

"Okay, I'll see you. Love you Jahseh!"

"Love you too D." Jahseh said back then hanging up. He lock his phone and put it beside him.

"I see you peeking Tootie, so just come in." He said, turning his head towards his door. Tootie walked in, holding her teddy bear in her hand. She shut the door then hurried to his bed. Jahseh helped her up then she laid down next to him.

"You okay?" He asked and she shook her head. "What's wrong?"

"Daddy yelled at me." She answered, her head lowering. Jahseh sigh, lifting her chin up with his finger.

"Why he yell at you?" He asked, rubbing his thumb against her cheek.

"Because I told Ms Kelly no when she...when she...and daddy...and daddy yelled at me. And I started crying and he told me to stop crying or he's going to...to beat me." She stammered over her words, trying to explain what happened.

"And he put me in my room and said I can't come out, but I come out cause...cause I wanted to see you." She added, Jahseh nodded his head.

"Daddy scares me." She said, Jahseh let out a small sigh.

Those words...he hated to hear those words come out her mouth. His own sister scared of their dad and that didn't sit right with him whatsoever. Their dad was suppose to be protecting her and instead he was scaring her. And he knew as she got older it was going to get worse. He didn't want that for his little sister.

He lift up her chin, rubbing his thumb against her smooth skin again. He started kissing all over her face making her giggle.

"BamBam no." She giggled, pushing him away from her. He chuckled, kissing her cheek once more.

"You don't have to be scared of dad, okay pumpkin?" He asked her, getting serious.

"But, he yells at me all the time." She said.

"I know pumpkin, but it's okay. And you wanna know why?" He asked and she nodded her head.

"When I get enough money, I'm going to get a place of my own and I'm going to have you move in with me." He told her and her face lit up.

"I won't live here anymore?" She asked, excited.

"No, you won't. You'll live with me and we'll have fun together, just you and me."

"Forever?"

He stared at her, not wanting to say forever since he wasn't even sure. But, that was his sister and he was going to do what he have to do.

"Yeah, forever pumpkin."