Being One: High school, the next frontier. Volume 1

By Isabis Inside

Almost 20 years ago and the Being One characters are here to stay. See Timberly, Zaurah , Barry, Stefania and Latrice enter their freshman year of high school in New York City at Manhattan High, one of the prestigious hard to get into high schools in New York. Despite coming from all different Caribbean backgrounds, Jamaican, Trinidadian and other regions, join the melting pot in their diverse school, it's really all about being a teen in New York City back in the 90's.
Yet, who said it would be easy? Stereotypes and prejudices arise even in one's family. Zaurah as a
Rastafarian can attest to this. It may not be depicted now, but this book is the beginning of a Christian series. No matter your origin, under God's eyes, we are all one blood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716472558

Book preview

Being

One

No One Is Like No Other.

High School, the Next Frontier.

Volume 1.

Isabis Inside Copyright 2020, 2003. All rights reserved.

Lulu Press

This book is a work of fiction. Names, character, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2 020, 2003 . Isabis Inside. All rights reserved. Lulu Press.

Being O ne: N o One Is Like No Other; High School, the Next Frontier. Volume 1 .. E-book edition

ISBN: 978-1-716-47255-8,

www.isabisinside.com Author: Isabis Inside

Printed in the United States of America, Morrisville, N C. Author/Publisher’s note:

No type of scanning, distribution, or reproduction of this book of any means may be conducted without permission of the author. Your support of the author’s rights are appreciated. All rights reserved. Copyright © Isabis Inside 2020.

Cover design by Isabis Inside.

Introduction- A word from the author

It is my intent to expose most of the characters in this series as non-Believers or pre-Christians. Thus, this first volume does not unleash the beginning of a Christian series; in other words all the characters, locales, or action that may take place are not necessarily Christian. These characters are simply taking a small step toward a never-ending road; the wisdom beyond life is infinite. As people, whether believers or not, we would like to make decisions that can take us closer to comfort, safety, and peace. Ultimately, God is in that midst if one chooses to seek Him.

Overall, I hope you the reader enjoy this book, not just for entertainment but to realize the importance of communication among people. Hence, this is the reason much of this book is written in dialogue. It starts with the self, others, and, most importantly, God. Without God in your life, nothing can naturally fall into place.

Remember, this is only the introduction, what you see isn’t ultimately what you get. There’s always more to come as this series continues.

Acknowledgments

The one and only Jehovah, who made my life possible through  His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

And the people that made this edition possible; If it wasn’t for my 13-year-old niece, reading the print version of this book during this worldwide crisis; this e-book would have been in fruition much later. I thank my husband, Ricky, who told me I should write again after a 12- year hiatus from writing, as I focused on creating art. Thus, this e- book is the resurrection of the Being One series.

I also want to thank Lulu Press, for being able to transcribe my imagination onto paper even after 12 years. Last but not least, my future readers and fans, thank you again for your support. Remember to cast all your cares on Him, as He cared and cares for you!

Prologue

The cool zephyr brushed against my face as we got off the plane. Zephyr is one of my favorite words, I just learned it from a book I have read. But sometimes, I can’t describe how I feel with little words. I can’t believe we are here; America, the land of opportunity. I left ample in Jamaica, but I am sure things will change for the better. The airport was a busy place. Lots of people, but no one with a familiar face. No one was friendly

either.

I miss Marlene, my sister Deismae exclaimed. She’s eight, going to be nine in August. I just turned ten a couple of months ago, but who cares, I’m not supposed to celebrate birthdays.

I can teach you how to write her a letter, then you can keep in contact with her. My mother, Lily, looked down at Deismae and lifted up her chin. Cheer up, my child; things will only get better. My father also smiled. I smiled along with them. We can only look at the bright side.

My brother, Timothy, who was besides us, just sighed. This is a country of the whites, isn’t Jesus white? He seemed to ask, but it sounded more like he was questioning himself. I have a family that is very mixed up, especially from my father’s side of the family. But he still considers himself to be an African. I do not know why. He is not black skinned.

Someone from our family was supposed to greet us and welcome us here. Did they forget? No, I and I shall never forget. We are Jah’s people and should care and love one another. But I certainly do not see the love. Where is my family?

Meanwhile . . .

TLC is in da house. The rapper ‘Left Eye’ of the new group TLC shouted in my ears.

Hey turn that up! I shouted from my front steps. My neighbor, Tyrell,

down the block was playing his boombox. He’s a close friend of my big sister, Gerry. I do not see her around that much, ever since she got that baby. I don’t know why she won’t show up. I am the Aunt of this baby, so I got a right to see it. But Mommy does not want us to. I do not know why, but right now, I do not care. It was Fourth of July 1992 , and people were lighting their firecrackers like there was no tomorrow.

School was out, so I got nothing to worry about. I got a couple of firecrackers up in my room, but nothing compared to what these people were blowing up. They were the Bazooka kind. Even though the crackers I have are pretty small, I’m still not trusted with a match! Come on, I’m going to be ten this year so you got to give me a break.

School was finally over, and I don’t have to face those dumb teachers anymore. I couldn’t wait to be a double digit; I can do whatever I want. Well, not really. I still have little brothers and sisters to take care of and since Mom just had another baby, which may be a very long time. Probably when I’m twenty or something. That’s too old.

Hey Timberly, don’t you hear me calling you? I mean a person with ears like yours should be able to hear me.

I screwed up m y face at the sound of the voice. "Shut up,

Ladazha. You just mad because I got my second ear piercing. She laughed. Well, your ears are big enough for it."

I was surprised that’s all she called me. My ears are kind of big, which is true, but one shocking thing for anyone to see is that I have two different-colored eyes. One light brown and one greenish brown. I guess the glasses I wear cover them up. Good, if anyone looks at me strange, Ima box dem. Just like I’m gonna do with Ladazha here.

I started to chase her around the block. Why she got to diss me all the time. She’s so stupid. She laughed the whole way and stopped suddenly. I’m glad she did because she was too fast for me anyway.

What’s wrong? I asked, figuring out something must be wrong

for her to stop so suddenly. Look.

I glanced where she pointed at. Two stray dogs, one on top of the other, were getting busy.

Let’s turn back, she said. I don’t like dogs.

Girl, they ain’t going to hurt you, they just having sex. What? How do you know that?

As I began to open my mouth, one of the dogs began to howl really loudly. It sounded like a cry.

See? I raised my eyebrows.

Oh. She smiled. I didn’t know dogs had private parts.

Of course they do, how else they make babies?

I thought they lay eggs.

No, dummy they don’t. A dog is a mammal so they don’t lay eggs.

Don’t call me a dummy. That’s for calling me big ears. So what if you have big ears.

I was just about to hit her when the girl dog seemed to be crying. Oh no, was she getting raped?

Oh, Ladazha, I think we should help those dogs.

What, I thought they were having sex, why bother them? I think the girl dog is getting raped.

She looked at me strange for about a minute. "You’re being

stupid now."

I ignored her comment. Really, doesn’t the girl dog sound like she’s in pain?

She laughed as she was a grown-up. Maybe, it’s her first time. What?

Tara told me when you do the nasty for the first time it hurts.

Well, I’ve seen them do it more than once, I said trying to sound like a grown-up. Ladazha thinks she’s so smart.

Well, then she’s just a ho then.

No, this is rape. We got to do something about it.

The poor girl dog cried once more then stopped. I think the boy dog was done.

He was. He just walked off. I asked the girl dog if she was okay. I guess she was because she acted like nothing happened and ran across the street, I guess to meet the other dog. I didn’t stand too close, I mean I can get rabies or something. I turned my head around. Ladazha was gone.

I decided to leave, too. At least I decided to stay around, to check on the girl dog. Ladazha is such a fraidy cat.

Timberly! Come over here. Didn’t you hear me calling you? my mother called from inside the house.

I was so involved in the excitement that exploded around me, I forgot that people were coming over for the Fourth of July weekend. They are my cousins that just came here about two years ago from Jamaica. They are pretty dope, I guess. They are just a little quiet. I guess they are not used to being Americans yet, but two years is a long time!

What were you doing out there? Me and Ladazha were hanging.

Ladazha? What I tell you about hanging around with that girl? I tried to defend myself, but instead apologized.

Good, now help me get more chairs outside here and get more plates, she said with my baby sister, Renisha, hooked to her hip. She was only six months old, but already she can walk. I don’t know why Ma doesn’t want her to walk. Ma claims she would grow up too fast. One thing I know for sure, that she will be spoiled and no one likes spoiled little kids. They always want

their own way.

Okay, Ma. I bowed to her com mands.

She looked at me with a furrow in her brow. What was that? she asked me.

Confused, I asked her what was it.

You don’t call me Mommy anymore? She pretended to pout.

I giggled. Ma, Mommy is a little kid’s word, I’m not a little kid anymore.

She lifted my chin with her free hand. You’re right, but you are still my baby. She paused and released her hand. On the other hand, with them eyes of yours, I hope you do not grow up too soon.

She smiled and went back into the kitchen. For while, it seemed that I was doing all the work preparing for the party. How come I was the only one doing all this work, where was Ketrini? She ain’t handicapped.

As soon as the thought of her came, she appeared.

Here’s some more hamburger buns, Ma, she shouted and went into the kitchen along with the sound of change jiggling in her shorts. When is Xyminique coming over?

What I told you about screaming in this house? We don’t live in a mansion.

Sorry, Mommy, when is Xyminique coming over? she said in a lower tone.

Any minute now, just get ready, I think Aunty Glorianne is at the airport.

What, what for? I ran into the kitchen. She’s going on vacation without letting me know?

No, she just has to pick something up, she said as if it wasn’t important, but I feared something was wrong.

Mommy, what is she going to pick up?

Ma looked like she was going to lose her temper, so I didn’t ask more questions, but Ketrini continued.

Is it something bad, Mommy? If it is, why didn’t you go with Aunty so she won’t be scared?

It’s nothing bad, Mommy reassured. It’s just something not expected.

Oh, she said like she had no idea what she was talking about. I do not blame her, I have no idea either.

Mommy?

She sighed. Why do you ask so many questions? Or I will give you something really to question like this belt around my waist. Although Mom moved the whole time, little Re-re didn’t move or cry a bit. She was a good baby. Well, around us. I don’t think she met any strangers.

Yes, Mommy, sorry. She looked away and continued to do her chores.

Good girl, you are doing something without having me to tell you. She smiled, but I just feel something was not right. What was Aunt Glorianne picking up? It could be a good thing, but I didn’t like the way Mom spoke about it. Is it coming over here?

Four years later . . .

Chapter 1

Timberly

My first day back to school. Already? Where did the summer go? Inggg, ingg, ingg. The annoying alarm shouts in my ears, but that didn’t work thanks to my loud little brothers and sisters. My first day of high school has finally arrived. I can’t believe how fast the summer went. Yet, at the same time, it was boring. I didn’t do anything for the summ er, thanks to being thirteen. I hate it. I

should be able to work and get some money.

You heard that buzz, get your butt up, school will start soon.

My little sister sounded wide awake; her voice echoed in my ears.

I'm already up. I looked at her with menacing eyes and finally sat up on my bed. Man, I am going to miss sleeping late.

What did M om tell you about using that word? You are still a little kid. When I was your age, I wasn’t cussing like your mouth was. I sucked my teeth and started to walk around the room. Well, I did use to curse like that, but I don’t like it when little sibs are all in your business.

I didn't curse, and like you never said a bad word, I hear you and your friends talking. She folded her arms across her chest and gave me  her McDonald’s arched eyebrow. Her eyebrows are weird like that, it looked like two semi-circles on top of her eyes.  It does not look cute.

Well, that’s between me and my friends . . . dang you need to stop eavesdropping, that's bad, too, anyway, I need to get dressed.

I walked past her and looked around. I couldn’t find my blue and green plaid shirt with my new electric denim jeans! That junk  costa fortune, well not much of a fortune, if you consider twenty dollars for a pair of jeans expensive. I don't have a job. I have

wait until next summ er because I would be able to work then. I

12      High school, the next frontier

hate the fact my birthday is as soon as the summer is over. Then when I have a job, I can stop bugging my parents for money.

Ketrini, where’s my outfit for school? I stopped in my tracks and narrowed my eyes at her. Where did you put it?

What outfit? she said as if she didn’t know. She thinks she’s slick, but I can see right through that wannabe tough exterior.

The green and blue plaid shirt with the matching jeans. I looked at her curiously. W here did you put it? I repeated.

I put it into m y dresser. I thought it was mine. She brushed it off like it was nothing.

How could you think it was yours when it specifically says size medium on the tag, you a size small. I shrugged and shook my head. Oh man, it's probably all crushed up now, and I'll be late for school ironing that junk. I sighed. You might as well take it out and iron it for me, while I am in the shower, I demanded, and got out of our bedroom heading for the shower. It's my first day of school, and I am already running late. Little sibs can sure take up your time with things.

No. She had some attitude in her voice before I walked out the door.

What you got attitude? Do you want me to crush up one of your outfits, you are not even dressed, I snarled.

All right, she said under her breath.

All right what? I demanded as I neared toward the door with my hands akimbo.

All right, sister Timberly. She rolled her eyes as if she couldn’t control them and looked at me up and down like I was the little sister. I used to fuss about that a lot, but what can I say? People are always going to be putting you down, even if it’s your family.

Yet, it would be nice to get some respect from a little one once in  a while. Anyway, I’m there arguing with my little sister when I

should be in the shower. There's only one bathroom in this house; I’m one of eight brothers and sisters. But two of them are not here. All I know that they are residing in Jamaica; we haven’t heard from them in a while. One of them, who is my half-sister, Gerry, had a baby, and I haven’t seen her since 1992. My half-

brother, Royard, is also in Jamaica, and I have not seen him since Thanksgiving in 1991, almost five years ago. They and Omari were born in Jamaica. If my parents had waited a few more years,

I would have been a naturalized Jamaican citizen. Oh well, at least both of m y parents are Jamaican.

The bathroom was closed, but I didn't hear anybody in there. I knocked anyway.

Yes. I heard my little brother's voice.

Hey Zephrey, it's Timberly. Can I come in? I pushed the door slightly, but not enough to see what he was doing.

Wait a minute, I'm almost done, he said as if the door had opened. I heard the toilet flush. I hope he didn’t stink up the bathroom again, because he has been eating a lot of sweets lately. Especially them Now-N-Later candies. He isn’t even six yet, and  he already has four cavities. W ell with all them sweets, I wouldn’t be surprised if he had more. I’m older than him and don’t have any. That’s a shame. He’s lucky those are in his baby teeth.

Done, he said, and I walked right in. I was right; the place smelled like we were living in a sewer.

Sheesh boy, how did such a big number two come from a little boy like you? Whew! I waved m y hand in my face. His pants were still down.

Did you wash your hands? I said, still waving my hand in my face.

It’s not that bad. He stifled a smile and pulled his pants up. I just gave him an eyebrow. Come on, I got to get ready for school.

Yes, It's eight o' clock, you are going to be late for school. This little boy is sure smart for a five year old.

14      High school, the next frontier.

Goody, now you got to get out, I got to take a shower, thank you, Zephrey. I pushed him out the door.

Wait. He stumbled. I forgot my belt, he said, and I looked around. It was on the towel rack. I took the belt off and gave it to him.

Here, now go, bye. I pushed him gently out of the door and slammed it. As soon as I slammed it, I knew I shouldn't have done it.

Who slammed the door! my mother hollered. She hates the sound of slamming doors; it makes her ears hurt.

I ignored the voice and hurriedly went into the shower. Uggh, the shower was cold! I sprayed the water here and there and jumped right out. My shortest shower ever, it wasn't even a minute! Cold showers are not my thing; I get such big goose pimples all over my body, and it takes a while for it to wear off.

I heard a knock on the door. Timberly, are you still in there? You been in there foreva!

I opened the door. It was Ketrini. Did you iron my outfit like I told you to?

Yeah, yeah, it's on your chair. Her voice sounded dry.

Thank you, and I hurried to my room. It was just 7:50, Zephrey said the time wrong. I guess he was just trying to tell time, maybe he isn't that smart after all.

I got dressed and put on my favorite perfume, so the boys would swoon over me. Yeah with a body like this, please, my legs are skinny as twigs, and I got no booty. W ell, the girls are in this family are skinny as bones. Not like that on purpose, but because of our high metabolisms. Most of us anyway. My cousins who are in their late teens aren’t that skinny. Nothing is wrong with that. Iyola, who is seventeen, looks pretty good as a big girl. Besides, having a little meat on the bones always distinguishes a  girl from a woman. I still look like a little girl. Hopefully, the boys at high school would be attracted to my skin and bones. If they are not, they better be mature. I hope the boys in high school will be a

little mature. Then again, I think not. My brother Omari may be older than I, but his maturity level is the same as a six year old. I wonder if he will be prepared for college next year, that's if he is going to college next year with his dumb self.

The clock read eight o’clock on the dot; it was time for me to go. School started 8:45.

Bye y’all, I shouted and got out of my crowded little house. I ran to the bus stop, which was only a block away. As I got there, the bus immediately came. I hopped on, out of breath, paying my fare. Fortunately, there were still some seats around on this

Wednesday morning, so I sat near the window. I may be skinny, but I’m still out of shape. Running after a bus isn’t a joke, you got to have skills or else you would trip on your feet. Seriously, I remember back in grammar school, me and my friends were walking home and all of a sudden we saw this big brown dog with huge teeth. It started to chase us, and I tripped on my left foot.

Luckily, he had that stupid leash around his neck, so he could only go so far or else it would have been me on his plate.

After that experience, I watched my feet from time to time while running so I wouldn’t make a fool of myself. I’m not in

elementary school anymore, so I better not make a fool of myself. It’s my first day of high school.

I can't believe that I am going to one of the best high schools in New York. It's a liberal arts high school. They got courses from art to zoo keeping. All right, I may be exaggerating a bit, but I feel so proud. It was either this school or Brooklyn Tech, but Brooklyn Tech is further away. I don't feel like riding an hour on a bus and waking up mad early in the morning.

Time passed, and it was time to get off to transfer to another bus. It was already 8:30 . I'm going to be late on my first day of school. I got up from my seat and went out the back door to meet the next bus. I don't mind being late sometimes, but the first day of school is serious. I certainly do not want to mess up my

reputation on the first day of school.

I got off the bus quickly and went to catch the next bus, just in time before it left.

I was already late, but better late than never.

The bus stopped just about a block from my new school. It was 8:55. Ten minutes isn't so bad, and I realized I wasn't the only one late. It seemed like thousands of people came pouring out the bus like water from a bucket and were heading to the same school I was going  to. People of many accents hurried to their destination, like their life is at stake. As for me, I just simply took my time. I'm late anyway.

As I stepped in, the school seemed bigger than when I first visited. Too big, I realized. I came from a junior high that had only three eighth-grade classes. That's a total of ninety students.

And I know that none of my junior high school classmates are

coming to this school, except for my cousin Zaurah Hutton. She’s a full-fledged Jamaican unlike my Jamerican self, and it's not like we tight so she doesn't count as someone I would hang out with. Most of my classmates went to  Sheepshead Bay, John Dewey, and some other places. Good. I don't feel like seeing the same

faces for another four years, life gets boring after a while. I’m gonna miss my friend Tamara, though. But we will still kick it like the sixth grade. She and I are too tight to be enemies.

Right now, I am supposed to go to the auditorium where they hand out the program cards, bus passes, and ID pictures. I do not want to ask anybody for help, but the time I have spent looking for the room, I might as well give up. The school is too big!

Excuse me, I called to a girl down the hall. She looks like she knows where she's going. Where's the auditorium?

Freshman, eh? She smirked.

I nodded my head. Yeah, yeah. I brushed off the obvious. Where’s the auditorium?

It's where I'm headed, you can follow me, she said with confidence. Samone.

What about someone? I asked the girl. Is it about me?

No, my name is Samone. She smiled a Kool-Aid smile.

Oh so why don't you say so? Timberly, I said, and shook her extended hand. She must be a senior or something, shaking

people’s hands is old school. Timberly? That's so cute!

Thanks, what grade are you in? I peered down at her. Freshman, just like you. She smiled.

Freshman? You sure got me fooled there, making me think you know this place and all.

I do, I took classes over the summer.

Oh, I said and realized that I was a head and a half taller than she was. She looked a little older because of the short cut she was sporting, but at the same time she looked fourteen because of her baby-looking face.

If you didn't ask me where the auditorium was, I would have assumed you were a sophomore or something.

Really? Would you be surprised that I'm still thirteen?

What? She raised her eyebrows in surprise. When is your birthday?

September ninth.

That's only five days, you might as well be fourteen.

We both laughed. We were so into our conversation that we just missed the auditorium .

My bad, here am I talking when I should be directing you. She smiled and looked at the tiled ground. This girl sure smiles a lot.

It's all right, but we should put the pep in our step because we already missed one period of class.

True, let's get to it. And we walked quickly to the auditorium. The auditorium was packed, and there was still people pouring in. It took a while to wait, which made us miss one