Writer's Block

By Airis Thomas

Silver Spring, Maryland might not be your usual story location but to one girl, it’s where her entire story began.

Ebony Thompson is the recipient of a literary award for writing a story that highlighted her journey throughout her adolescent years in a suburban area outside of Washington DC.

As she takes us back through her written memories, we quickly learn that her adventures began as a young know-it-all teenager trapped between two lifestyles: focusing on her writing or being down for whatever.

However, with her five best friends tagging along for the ride, they help to make the journey much more exciting. They encourage her to stay focused on the prize even when they wind up in trouble at times but still Ebony takes a deaf ear willingly allowing herself to remain confined to the alter-ego lifestyle she hides beneath daily.

Once she gets on track to achieve her aspirations, Ebony soon finds that being able to follow her dreams and hold on to her friends may be easier said than done.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Airis Thomas
• Release date: Mar 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370034284

Airis Thomas

Born in Rockville and raised in Burtonsville, Airis Thomas is a proud Montgomery County, Maryland native. After relocating to Laurel, Maryland as a teenager, she began writing stories in the eighth grade. After graduating from high school in 2011, she attended Howard Community College ultimately receiving an Associate's Degree in General Studies. Airis then transferred to Bowie State University where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism in May of 2017. "Writer's Block," is her very first published work and looks forward to publishing many more.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

As I walk across the stage to accept my award, I feel slightly overwhelmed. Today I’m the recipient of the Lyndon R. Johnson Literary Award due in part to my story which I’ve been writing since I was a young teenager. Dr. Wilson, my professor at Bowie State University was so impressed with my manuscript that he entered my story in a literary contest.

By the grace of God, I won the contest or at least my writing won the contest I should say. Even while I was out being a typical know-it-all teenager, I managed to find time to write down my journey even if it seemed like I didn’t. Trust me, everything was duly noted. Each day I wrote something that took place but I wouldn’t call it a diary. I don’t know, I guess I’d call it my daily chronicles.

I didn’t write all that dear diary non-sense and I wrote in so many narrative styles. Every day I’d take my pen to my five-star notebook and practice my writing skills until each word I wrote became powerful. But my writing has a more significant reason behind its strength…it was true. None of it was exaggerated or made up.

I’ve always used writing as a form of an escape, hell really a prayer in some ways. I would pray that my writing would take me places I never imagined but who would’ve thought I’d get an award for doing it? Although I never expected to reach this point, I made it… I’m here. I mean I never saw my life this way but I figured if I wrote down my journey, one day it could save me.

I mean if I looked back at the terrible things I did… usually to myself, and the things I’ve experienced, I’d do anything to avoid going back to running myself down the path of destruction. In fact, I don’t believe this was supposed to be my dream to live out but don’t get me wrong ‘cause I wanted this. I just feel that there was someone closer to me who wanted it much more; I was too busy getting into slight trouble to stay focused.

However, I’m honestly living this dream for my friend who didn’t want to believe that I could escape the neighborhood life. I’m living this dream for the friend who believed I wasn’t cut out for the life I was living. I’m living this dream for the friend who believed in me when nobody else would and most importantly, I’m living this dream for my best friend who couldn’t live to achieve it herself.

By the end of this story, you’ll know my journey and notice a slight change in my vocabulary maybe. My success would never exist without the tough love from those closest to me. I’m very fortunate not lucky but I guess I’d have to be if God allowed me to stay here to share my story with the world.

My family, my friends, even random people in the audience are clapping in shock of my excellence but even with all the success I’ve been getting, I’m still too modest. I was put on this Earth to write my story, any story, all stories and any award I earn from doing so is due to desire not dependence.

I could write for free without the money or notoriety and still I would continue to write; the passion comes first, recognition comes second. If only they knew that this happiness in which my story ends with is the result of pushing through and holding on despite tragedy. I guess you can say it’s almost like a Shakespearean play despite all that extra tragedy he wrote; I’m definitely not about that lifestyle.

The story which you’re about to read is basically a memoir of my memories; I mean I didn’t include everything but I gave you just enough to avoid boring you completely. If only this were a movie then you’d really understand. However I don’t mean to brag or anything but my writing is strong enough to almost make you believe that you were right there watching everything unfold for yourself so I guess you can call it a movie on paper. My story begins in 2008, my junior year of high school. Well, actually it began in 1992. Oh never mind. You get my point. How about I just let y’all hear my story for yourself.

2

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

My neighborhood, the Goodacre Knolls community in Silver Spring, Maryland; a suburban city located just outside of Washington, D.C. I live at 6882 Bradford Road, across the street from The Bradford Condominiums and Top of the Park townhouses right off of Piney Branch Road in a single family house. This is where my story begins; right here in this neighborhood.

Well, it actually started on Greenwood Avenue in Takoma Park when my parents first bought a house together but once that didn’t work out, we ended up moving constantly throughout Silver Spring. Currently, this is the most content home for us since we lived on Greenwood Avenue; we’ve been here since I started my eighth grade year at Eastern Middle School.

My mom and dad make up to break up; they’re the weirdest married couple I’ve ever seen. They act like teenagers who move in together one minute then the next minute one of them gets mad at the other and moves out into another place just to eventually get back together weeks later. Don’t make sense how grown folks continue to act childish even beyond their young years. My dad is still on Greenwood Avenue and comes back whenever they make up.

It’s like he keeps that place as a safe house. I don’t know how he manages to pay the rent on that place and our current house. Their situation is too much for me to understand and my siblings don’t try to get it either. I have one older brother, a younger brother and two younger sisters; I’m the second oldest child.

I put on my earrings and head to the kitchen for breakfast. As I walk into the kitchen, I spot my oldest brother Marcus grabbing a box of cereal from off the top of the refrigerator; he’s eighteen and thinks he’s my father when dude isn’t around. I call him, tough guy, because he personally believes he’s the muscle of the family, hell he thinks he’s the muscle of the neighborhood.

Of course, Marcus decided to scream out to my mom louder than an alarm clock about whether we have any milk. Mom, do we have any milk?

My mom comes shooting into the kitchen to figure out why he is so loud. Boy, why are you so loud?

I’m not trying to be loud, he said putting the cereal box onto the table.

Well, you are! Now what do you want?

Marcus repeated his question. Do we have any milk?

I don’t know; did you check the fridge?

Yeah!

Well, did you see any milk?

Nah.

That means we have none then!

Just then, my younger sister Shannon entered the kitchen and took the opportunity to bother him further for asking an obvious question. Wow, what a waste of a question. Why ask something you clearly know the answer to?

Marcus became instantly annoyed as he usually is with Shannon. Shut up!

Make me shut up!

My pleasure!

Shannon began to race around the table as Marcus tried to make a quick dash after her. I grabbed a seat at the table quickly before the two of them end up running into me. My mother began to yell at them; no surprise there.

Hey! Stop y’all! Marcus go to the store and get the damn milk please?

Why I got to go get it?

Shannon had to throw her two cents in again. ‘Cause you’re the one looking for it you moron!

You know what-

My mother began to yell again; I really wish they would stop! It’s too early in the morning for this woman to be yelling like seriously. Hey! Didn’t I just say stop it? Just go boy…

Fine!

Marcus grabs his jacket and heads out the door but not before bucking at Shannon. The fireball she is, she bucks back. My mom gives them both the look and they know she means business.

Shannon is twelve-years-old and also the loose cannon of the family. Shannon is a seventh grader headed for the eighth grade. I can’t count how many times my mom has to get on her for something. She’s not a trouble maker but she’s definitely not a punk. She refuses to back down and it ultimately gets her in trouble too often.

Tatiana enters the kitchen rubbing her eyes. Good morning!

Good morning baby! my mother says smiling hard at Tatiana.

We all greet Tatiana good morning. She smiles and climbs into the chair next to me. We call Tatiana Tati; she’s the baby and the heart of our family. She’s eight years old and always smiling. When we’re acting ugly, she comes in the room and makes us change quickly. I mean, if you see this little girl’s beautiful brown eyes, you would stop actin’ ugly too. Of course, Amir comes racing into the kitchen like he’s missing out on a steak dinner.

Boy, why are you running through my house? she says wiping her hands on a dish rag.

No reason ma’, he said as he sat down to tie his sneakers.

Amir, did you finish all your homework?

Yes, ma’am.

Let me see it.

Come on ma’-

Come on ma nothing! I want to see it because I’ll be damned if I get another phone call from your teacher saying you didn’t turn in some assignment. Get it now!

Ugh fine.

Amir…my fourteen-year-old brother who is starting to take a profound interest in girls; so much that he’s been putting his homework on the back burner so he can chase them around. I knew my mom was going to bust him on his homework after two of his teachers called yesterday to tell her he hasn’t completed his assignments.

Getting a phone call home is an instant punishment around here. I don’t care how slight the reason is behind the phone call. Hell, I’ve gotten into trouble when my teacher called my mother last year to tell her I was putting makeup on at my friend’s desk. However, I was at my own desk and I was only checking to see if my eye shadow was still on because I don’t usually wear makeup. I had rubbed my eye and saw glitter on my hand so I took my mirror from out of my purse to check it. Before my teacher could even say anything, I put the mirror away.

Now I explained this entire story to my mother but was she trying to hear it? Hell no! Instead, I got threatened with the, You better be glad I was on my lunch break and couldn’t get up to your school ‘cause I would’ve whooped you, blah, blah, blah. In this house when we get a phone call home, the teacher wins and we lose. That’s why it’s good to keep a somewhat fairly low profile in school.

Amir is an eighth grader who will be going to the ninth grade come this August; he and Shannon both go to Eastern Middle. Amir gets his binder and brings it into the kitchen. He hands my mom a few papers and she scans them.

Okay good. Here you go, she says handing the papers back to him.

Amir puts his homework back in the binder and goes to put it in his backpack. Right as Amir went to put his binder away, Marcus comes back running with the gallon of milk so we can eat breakfast before the bus comes. My mom was surprised at how fast he went to the store to get the milk. I don’t know why though; she knows that boy is greedy!

Damn boy, you sure made it to 7-Eleven and back really quick, she said giggling.

"That’s the, I’m hungry and I need to crush this Cap’n Crunch before the bus comes, mode."

Marcus grabs the cereal and pours it into his bowl. Tatiana gives everyone else a bowl and spoon. My mom admired Tati’s kindness.

Aww that’s so sweet baby.

It’s the least I can do mommy, especially since they all have to leave before me.

Tati goes to New Hampshire Estates Elementary School and leaves for school after we’re all gone.

Don’t hog all the cereal Marcus! Shannon shouts at him.

Ha, I should cough on it so you can’t get none!

I know my mother is extremely tired of yelling at them and the day has just begun.

Boy, if you cough on that cereal, you’re going to catch a beat down. Hurry up and pass the cereal around! she says in a firm tone.

Once Marcus pours his cereal into the bowl, he passes it around so that everybody can pour the cereal into their bowls. My mother grabbed the milk when we were done with it, placed it in the fridge and rushed us to eat.

Marcus and Ebony, y’all better hurry and eat ‘cause you got less than fifteen minutes before the bus comes.

A’ight, says Marcus as he stuffs his faces with cereal and picks up the bowl towards his face.

I laugh at his greediness and reply to my mother. Okay, I said in between bites.

We hurry and finish our cereal then get up to place our bowls in the sink before going to get our stuff for school.

I got to go put on some lip gloss before I leave, I say as I head towards my bedroom.

My mom rolls her eyes and gives me this lecture about coming straight home from school. Yeah right and you better get home on time Ebony! I’m not playing with you!

"Yeah, yeah, yeah okay. Get home when I feel like it."

Now I thought I was whispering when I made that comment but I must not have whispered low enough because my mother heard every word.

What did you say?

Nothing ma’!

Don’t get smart! You’re always doing something you got no business doing! I swear your setting a bad example for your sisters. Go get your backpack!

I roll my eyes and close my bedroom door while my mother is still screaming. She must be still sour about her argument with dad last night. I can hear it all in her voice from the first time she checked Marcus this morning to just now when she got on me. I really wish her and daddy would get it together already. Whatever. I can’t worry about it. I mean I know I was wrong to get smart but still.

Most of the time, I feel like I’m living an alter ego type of lifestyle. One minute I want to run through the neighborhood experimenting and getting into everything I have no business being involved in then the next minute I’m finding my notebook trying to be the best journalist in the world.

It’s like I want to be bad but I want be good; I want to be down but then I want to go to college and become the greatest writer. It’s so easy to allow yourself to be conflicted and caught up with the dangers of the fast life. I just wish I could lead myself out of this dilemma. I wish I could lose my enthusiasm over getting into trouble.

I grabbed my backpack and headed for school but not without saying bye to everyone. Bye y’all!

Bye Ebbie, says Shannon zipping up her backpack.

Amir gulped down his Sunny Delight and said bye. See you sis.

Bye Ebbie! said Tati smiling hard and waving at me.

I kiss Tati and Shannon on the forehead just to turn around to see my mom looking at me with her not playing face.

You heard what I said, right?

Yes, mother, I said somewhat annoyed.

Alright, don’t let me catch you running the neighborhood with your friends when you’re supposed to be in the house.

I get it!

Excuse me?

I mean, I understand, taking the bass my mother probably heard out of my voice.

I know the problem is will you listen?

Yes, mommy!

Good, stay out of trouble and have a good day at school.

Thanks, you have a good day at work.

Thank you, I will. Get on out of here. She kisses my forehead and I return the kiss.

Bye ma’! said Marcus leaving out the front door before me.

Bye son! See y’all later!

I then walk towards the front door to get to the bus stop. Once the screen door closed behind me, I walked off to meet up with my friends at our spot.

3

THE BOX, THE CREW & SCHOOL

I head towards my friends who were waiting for me at our usual spot…the electric box. You know the green electric box that every neighborhood has that you really have no business sitting on? Well that was our meet up spot. It was almost like a magnet; one of us could be sitting on the box and without informing anybody that we’re there, another one of us would magically pop up at random. Before you know it, we’d all be at the spot. It seems like the box had this significance that brought all six of us together; whether we were mad, sad, happy or indifferent. Of course, I was the last one to get to the box. I can never be on time.

Hey y’all! I said loudly.

Ebbie boo! Shanice replied.

All of my friends have abbreviations that we call each other all the time; Jessica is Jessie, Tasha is Tash’, Shanice is Niecy, Tiffany is Tiff, Jinel is Nellie, and I’m called Ebbie or Ebz’. However, I think we find ourselves using Shanice’s nickname the most sometimes. Now I know you’re like, "Really? Ebbie though?" but you can’t really create many abbreviations with my name so I got to do what I can do with it.

Jessica smiled as she greeted me. "Hey chica!"

Hey Jessie! I said hugging her.

Of course Miss. Hater, I mean Jinel had to start off the morning with a smart remark. "Miss. Wannabe Bad, did you take a break from writing? Where’s your notebook?"

It’s in my book bag smartass! I said as I rolled my eyes at her.

Tasha shook her head at Jinel’s early morning non-sense all though this happens too often so it’s really no surprise. Don’t pay her no mind best friend; she just mad ‘cause she ain’t a good writer at all like us.

Exactly Tash’; born a hater.

Girl bye! I don’t wanna’ be some boring, has no life, dull ass writer such as yourselves, says Jinel as she tries to save face.

However, Tiffany rains on her entire parade. I bet, probably ‘cause you can’t write. Hell…barely can read with your illiterate ass.

We all fall out laughing at Tiffany’s comment but of course, Jinel wasn’t. She replies to our laughter sarcastically. Ha-ha, very funny! Let’s roll.

Jinel grabs her backpack and stands up as we prepare to leave for the bus stop. As you can already tell, Jinel was the biggest hater in the group. She was one of those, "Rather see you fail than succeed," type of females. If I were smoking a joint, she’d be cheering me on like I’m winning for doing so.

She can be the fight power of the crew at times although Tiffany consistently jokes around saying that she’s all talk. However, I’ve seen Jinel fight a couple of times and I must say her fist punching has gotten her message across every time. She might annoy us but she doesn’t sit right allowing someone else to bother us.

Hell, she didn’t use to always be like this though; I don’t know what happened. I love her but sometimes her negativity irritates me deeply. Do something negative, bet she’ll be your biggest cheerleader! Anyways, we walk to the bus stop where my bigheaded brother is already waiting there with his crew.

Look, it’s the Bradford Posse! he says slapping his friends five.

Shut up Marcus! I swear you’re so corny! I say shaking my head and cutting my eyes.

Whatever!

Marcus and his friends start laughing. Including me, it was six of us and I mean we did always get into some shit together so I guess we were somewhat of a posse.

Anyways, did y’all do Mrs. Richards homework? Shanice asked slightly still giggling at my brother’s stupidity.

You know it! Tasha said smirking at Shanice.

Jessica looked at us in complete shock. She gave homework?

Yeah girl! See, I said as I pulled the assignment out from my notebook.

Tasha laughed at how surprised Jessica really is about not remembering to do the homework assignment.

I have her fourth period though, Jessica exclaims.

Tasha however bursts her bubble. You know that don’t matter; she gives the same assignments to all her classes.

Damn, we constantly slipping Jessie, Shanice says turning to Jessica.

Guess I’m going to do it in first period.

As usual! said Tiffany laughing.

Jessica giggled. Whatever at least I’m putting an effort!

But it’s called homework not schoolwork, says Tasha.

Well either way you look at it; it’s still work so it shouldn’t matter where it’s being completed at, says Jessica twirling her hair around.

This is true, says Tiffany.

I shook my head in relief. Thank God I have her sixth period!

Lucky! You have all the time in the world to complete it! Jessica whined.

I know! How could y’all forget? It wasn’t even that hard! I said giggling as I put the assignment back in my binder.

Leave it up to Jinel to attempt to try me again. Well, we know it wasn’t hard for you seeing how you a scholar and all.

Better to be a scholar than an illiterate, don’t you think? I said just as calm as ever.

We all start laughing but hey, that’s how you have to deal with Jinel. She has slight good moments and many bad. The key is to not let her bother you ‘cause that fuels her up.

The school bus creeps up to the bus stop and we all get onto the bus. We all walk to the back of the bus and grab a seat. Tasha sits beside me on the inside Shanice sits beside Jinel and Tiffany sits beside Jessica.

We still going around Anthony’s place after school? Tiffany asks as she finishes her Cheetos.

Hell yeah girl, says Jinel matter-of-factly.

I wasn’t hip so of course I wanted to know what was going down after school. Now I know what y’all are thinking; my mom told me to come straight home so why even concern myself with what my girls are getting into?

What’s going down at Anthony’s place?

Nothing good I’ll bet, replied Tasha without even looking up from her notebook.

Anthony’s throwing some kick back at his place, replied Tiffany.

"All those fine chicos guapos will be there!"

Jessica and her Spanish was everything. She usually would throw some in between things she’d say in English. I absolutely loved to hear her speaking Spanish.

And a whole lot of weed, alcohol, and trouble as usual, Tasha says.

But of course, Jessica was down for the weed, alcohol, and trouble. I know girl, so exciting!

Tasha shakes her head and cracks a slight smile at Jessica’s craziness. Nevertheless, I’m feeling up for that kind of craziness.

That sounds like the move! I said smiling.

Slow down home girl! I’m pretty sure your mama wants you home right after school!

Jinel please, I can do what I want.

Okay, if you insist but you better be down.

I’m always down what you mean?

Okay Ebony. Bet! We’ll see.

The bus pulls up in front of the school. Everyone gets off the bus and walks inside the building. Here we are, the place I belong to five days a week; Montgomery Blair High School. When I really feel like paying attention, I honestly do learn a lot.

Can’t complain, I love my school. Sometimes it’s just not my top priority when it should be. We walk towards our lockers while discussing what we’re going to eat for lunch today.

What’s the move for lunch y’all? Tiffany asks as she throws away her empty bag of Cheetos.

I say Chipotle, says Tasha.

Once she said Chipotle, I just knew Jessie was going to agree in Spanish. She absolutely loves Chipotle and loves to let us know that she loves it in Spanish. It pays to have friends of different ethnicities; Jessica’s Salvadorian, Tiffany is Dominican, Jinel is Jamaican, and Shanice’s mother is an Afro-Brazilian which I guess makes her Brazilian too.

As far as Tasha and I are concerned, we’re Black. I mean my dad is Jamaican and my mom is just Black. Tasha has some Trinidadian in her too I think but I don’t know; whatever else her and I might be has yet to be determined. My friends and I are all different shades and honestly I love that we do not all look the same.

We’re not the, "Light-skinned crew, the dark-skinned crew, etc. Like my brother says, we’re the, Bradford Posse," and just like Montgomery County, we’re a little taste of everything, almost.

"¡Oh infierno, sí chica! ¡Estoy de acuerdo!"

Girl, you got to teach me some Spanish! said Shanice.

"I got you chica!" Jessie said laughing at her.

You need to teach Tiffany some too! added Jinel.

Shut-up! Tiffany says bucking at her. I know enough Spanish besides you’re Jamaican yet I don’t see you speaking any Patois!

Okay, Jessica’s Salvadorian and what are you? she asked playing dumb.

I’m Dominican dumbass!

And believe it or not there’s a difference Jinel, says Jessica mockingly.

Not much!

Jinel probably thinks El Salvador and Dominican Republic are the same country, says Tasha.

Nah she probably thinks they’re states with her dumbass! added Tiffany.

How did this become a debate of ethnicities? I asked confusingly.

That’s what I’m saying! I just wanted to learn some Spanish, shoot! said Shanice.

We have so many debates over nothing; I guess it’s how we function. Besides I think Jinel just wants to hear herself talk ‘cause she knows Jessica speaks in Spanish way more than Tiffany does but that doesn’t mean Tiffany doesn’t know any. Once Jinel was tired of embarrassing herself, she dropped it and moved back to the topic we were having about lunch.

Whatever so Chipotle’s the move. Meet y’all at the usual spot after fourth period, Jinel said as she headed for her first period class.

A’ight bet, I said as I grabbed my notebook, binder, and books out from my locker.

Jessica and Tiffany said bye as they headed for their classes but of course, Jessie had to say it in Spanish. "Suena bien para mí. Bye chicas!"

Later y’all!

We grab our things that we need for our four classes before lunch. Tasha and I also grabbed our writing notebooks. We usually always write during class. Our pens do the listening while our teachers do all the talking however the listening comes from the thoughts in our mind, not the actual classwork. Shanice and Tasha said bye as they closed their lockers after they finished getting their stuff.

Okay cool. Peace!

See you later! added Tasha.

I’m actually shocked everybody agreed on Chipotle. Usually, we never want the same thing; our taste buds be on different levels. Shanice and Tasha waited for me to finish getting my stuff. I closed my locker and together we walked to our first period class.

4

FROM CLASS TO CLASS

Shanice, Tasha, and I have first and second period together. Our first period was English with Mr. Wright. Once we get to class, we grab our usual seats in the back of the classroom.

Once the bell rings, Mr. Wright begins class. Good morning class.

The class answered back less enthusiastic than Mr. Wright. Good morning Mr. Wright.

I guess you guys are tired. Well I hope you weren’t too tired to do all the homework I assigned last night. So pass it up.

We take our assignments out of our binders and pass it up to the front so that Mr. Wright can collect them. Once he collects the assignments, he begins to instruct the class.

Alright class. Today we’re going to pick back up on our personal narratives. We’re going to brainstorm ways to pick a topic that is relevant to your personal interests. So let’s discuss.

As Mr. Wright is helping the class to get ideas on where to begin with our personal narratives, Tasha and I are way ahead of him. When he gave us this assignment yesterday, we dove right into it. Writing is our passion and he isn’t explaining anything that we don’t know when it comes to writing. We’re on our second page already and half of the class can’t even begin page one of their essay.

Shanice glances over at Tasha and me writing diligently. She instantly becomes amazed at how quick we’ve taken to the assignment. "Damn! Y’all are too good! How do you do it?" she whispered.

It’s just a passion. I enjoy writing so this is cake to me.

I have to agree with Tasha. If you’re good at something, you’ll put your all into it. Writing is my lifeline and I can’t live without it. That same passion for writing we have is felt through our words, which makes it so natural.

You know talking to you two is like watching, Freedom Writers, or a documentary? she said as we both giggle at her comment. Can you guys help me with mine?

Of course Niecy! I said smiling at her.

Tasha also agreed to help Shanice. You know it especially seeing how you help us with math on the daily.

Well you know. Math isn’t my favorite subject but it’s so easy.

I put down my pen and gave Shanice the craziest look. Okay, I know you’re trippin’ now!

That’s right! There is nothing easy about math unless you’re doing basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They lost me when they started adding the alphabet into mathematical equations…like that’s disrespectful. Either give me numbers or give me the alphabet but not both. They be doing too much!

Tasha had us cracking up after that. However, she isn’t lying. It should be a law against combining alphabets with numbers but I guess if we didn’t have algebra, geometry, etc., we’d all be in trouble. Tasha and I stop writing our own assignments and start the process of helping Shanice.

So, what are some of your interests? Tasha asked as she pulled a blank sheet of paper out from her notebook to assist Shanice with the brainstorming process.

Hmm-

And please, nothing illegal girl! Tasha interjects before Shanice can say anything.

Ha-ha okay, um…double dutch, shopping, and downtown chilling-

Okay, how about double dutch, since you’re one of the best jumpers around.

Shanice looks at Tasha with that, "Damn right, look on her face. You hip! I like that!"

You could talk about how you do all these tricks in the rope and how you transform into a different person while you’re jumping, I added on as Shanice sat there still thinking.

Yes! I really like that approach. Thanks y’all!

Not a problem!

Anytime hun! Tasha said.

We each turn back to our writing assignments and continue working on them. Tasha is writing about the culture she takes in whenever we’re in downtown Silver Spring going to the movies or something. I’m writing about my flamboyant style of fashion. My sense of style is almost like a voice to me; it’s as strong as my writing. My clothing almost tells a story and it has a personal impact on my life.

I was so deep into my assignment that I didn’t realize class was over. The bell rang and everyone began to pack up but not without Mr. Wright delivering one last message.

Okay class, we will pick up tomorrow where we left off but in the meantime, continue your writing for homework tonight. I know you two are almost done.

Mr. Wright makes that comment to Tasha and me as we leave the classroom. We smile at him and he smiles back because he really understands our passion for writing. I think that’s why he hands out so many assignments that involve writing narratives.

However, it’s time to go to my least favorite subject….Geometry. Well, it’s me and Tasha’s worst subject but Shanice is a wizard with numbers so she doesn’t have a problem with it. Go figure. We go to geometry class and try to focus. Mrs. Andrews had math problems on the board she wanted us to copy and solve for credit.

Alright ladies and gents, many of you have been struggling with the geometry assignments this week so I have put six problems on the board that I want you solve. Remember these problems will be collected at the end of class for credit so take each problem seriously! You are welcome to use your neighbors for help but please don’t just copy someone’s right answer ‘cause I will be quizzing you on this so I will know! Get to it!

Mrs. Andrews goes to sit down at her desk while everybody takes out a sheet of paper and begins to write the problems down. Usually when Mrs. Andrews assigns problems like this that aren’t worth any credit, I don’t do them. I mean I’ll write them down and pretend to do them but I just end up writing stories in my journal instead.

I write made up stories as well as my own daily chronicles. Geometry just isn’t my thing. Guess it’s time to start taking it more seriously though ‘cause I’m not trying to get in trouble for my grades.

Tasha and I look to Shanice for help and we solved each of the six problems assigned. There is only 25 minutes’ left before class is over so we hand Mrs. Andrews our loose-leaf assignments and just chill the rest of the time.

Hey Mrs. Andrews, do we have any homework? asked Jared.

Kira and Jordan were ready to tear Jared up for asking that question. There’s always that one person who has to remind the teacher about homework.

Really Jared? said Kira cutting her eyes at him.

Why would you ask that? Jordan said angrily.

Jared quickly dismissed their angry comments. Just chill, I’m onto something. Mrs. Andrews, seeing how we solved these problems, how about we get no homework tonight?

Mrs. Andrews smirked at Jared and came up with an idea as she erased the problems she gave us off the board. How about this; I will put three more problems on the board and if you guys can solve all three of the problems before class is over, you won’t have any homework.

We all started cheering loudly.

However, if you don’t finish them, you’ll have to finish them for homework.

Once she said that, we started cheering even louder. Mrs. Andrews was the best teacher. I hated math but I loved her as a teacher. She began