Friends and Enemies: Corlew Chronicles

By Tyrone L. Corlew

The main character, Dennis, is excited about the start of his sophomore year and is seeking popularity among his high school peers. Fortunately, his best friend, LJ has signed a contract to perform at a local club twice a week and decides to bring Dennis onboard as part of his act. The two of them form a tight friendship together. However, both of the sophomore sensations have difficulty with their relationships with girls. To complicate matters, there is a local gang at Corlew Chronicles High School, of which the leader, Jason, is dedicated to making the lives of Dennis and LJ increasingly difficult.

Dennis, who has a reputation as a player, begins to fall for a young lady named Majestic who is determined to keep her virginity until marriage. Dennis doesnt have problems with this until a young lady from his past appears and is now interested in dating Dennis. This story will take you on a ride through the relationships that many teens encounter during high school. Along with those relationships emerge some pain and suffering as well as bullying and intimidation from the gang. Ultimately, the choices that are made by Dennis and LJ will have a profound impact on the outcome of their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Aug 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490743707

Tyrone L. Corlew

Tyrone Corlew is an up-and-coming author and has been in the education field for sixteen years. Many of the accounts that he writes about are based on social events that high school students often encounter. The social issues include peer pressure, bullying, relationships, athletics, talent, and academics. Parenting is also addressed in this novel, and the impact that both positive and negative parental influences have on the outcomes of today’s youth. The author strives to provide a guideline on decision making that will positively influence the choices that teens make and will determine the outcome of their lives.

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© Copyright 2014 Tyrone L. Corlew.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-4372-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-4371-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-4370-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014914167

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Trafford rev. 09/17/2014

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1   Friends and Enemies

Chapter 2   The Party

Chapter 3   Jealousy

Chapter 4   Jason

Chapter 5   Majestic

Chapter 6   LJ

Chapter 7   The Spotlight

Chapter 8   Christmas Eve

Chapter 9   Popularity

Chapter 10   LJ

Chapter 11   One Wrong Move

Chapter 12   Majestic

Chapter 13   Making a Video

Chapter 14   Friends First

Chapter 15   Attraction

Chapter 16   Prom Night

Chapter 17   Competition and Resiliency

Chapter 18   Friends, Enemies, Decisions

CHAPTER 1

Friends and Enemies

W ow ! It’s the first day of school and all the girls that I passed in the hall on my way to the quad near the cafeteria were looking good. It was time to enhance my standing at Corlew Chronicles High School, I thought to myself as I made my way down the hall. I refused to cower under the juniors, seniors, or the jocks. Some of which were passing right by me headed in the opposite direction and some were walking in the same direction as me. This is the year that Dennis Watson would emerge as a true talent and the man on campus. No longer was I a freshman, hampered by having the majority of my classes in the freshman academy. It was my time to shine as I walked through the door leading into the huge quad. The one group of people that I wanted to avoid this year was the South Side Slingers. They were a gang that was known for fighting, drug dealing and other covert activities. The one thing that I really had going for me was that I knew the difference between my friends and my enemies.

As I strolled handsomely toward the cafeteria, I was greeted by a scene that contained a plethora of people, who were all dressed in their first-day-of-school clothes, including myself. There were so many girls dressed in their high-heeled pumps and tight jeans (to make themselves stand apart from the crowd) and just as I was about to go and start up a conversation with one of my ladies, Ronnie, Kenny and Jason walked up to me rather noxiously and said, What’s up?

I stood very still and confidently responded, What’s up?

Jason stated, You down, or are you going to get beat down? Jason was big! He weighed about 230 lbs., most of which was muscle and he was about six feet two inches tall. He was at least four inches taller than me and he never smiled. Some of the things that he had done in the past were morally reprehensible. I knew that if anyone would fight on the first day of school, it would be him. However, I was not going down that path on the first day of school. So I looked right at Jason and said with a smile, I’m sorry, big thug. Thug of all thugs! Mr. Thugalicious! His fellow gang members began to billow with laughter. I had better things to do. It was the first day of school and all I wanted to do today was to find my classes, find out who my teachers were and check out some of the fine honeys on this campus. Now give me a hug. I tried to hug him, but he pushed me away. I started laughing and so did the rest of his crew. I used the momentum of the push that he delivered to keep moving in the opposite direction and away from the trouble that he and his gang posed. He shoved me with such envenom force that I ran into a female student and knocked her books and phone out of her hand. She folded her arms and stood back on one leg very tenaciously. I looked directly into her face; after catching my balance, I immediately became resolute. I said, Sorry. I was immediately struck by her beauty.

She looked at me and said "Really with a great deal of sarcasm. However, she did not cringe. After looking directly into her eyes and giving her a once-over, I dropped the hedonism and got down on one knee to pick up her items. She is gorgeous, I thought to myself as I bent over to pick up her materials. Thank you very much. I appreciate it," she said with appreciation.

You are quite welcome. Where did you get those eyes? I said as I stood up. I noticed that she was wearing all white. Her Air Force Ones were obviously new and her white skirt that came all the way to her knees was a subtle way of letting guys know that she was not loose. Yet I still noticed that her calves were very toned. Her white blouse was nearly form-fitting but not too tight. She wore two white bracelets on her right arm and dangling white lightning bolt earrings.

My eyes come from my father, she said.

Well, I just met you and you already have me on my knees. What’s up with that? I said and then she smiled.

Nothing, I didn’t ask you to get on your knees, she replied.

Hey, my name is Dennis. What’s your name, pretty lady?

It’s nice to meet you, Dennis. Thank you for picking up my book. I’m glad that you didn’t break the face on my phone, she said as she looked at me with those big brown honey-colored eyes.

I’m glad that I didn’t break your phone either. That would be a terrible way to begin a relationship. Speaking of phones, what’s the number to this phone? I said with a smile.

Really? I must be going now. I’m a new student and I have to find where my class is located, she said as she turned to walk away and flashed that smile at me again. Wow! She had the prettiest white teeth and a beautiful, resplendent smile that made the day seem even brighter. Her lip gloss increased the beauty in her smile, yet it was the only makeup she wore.

You didn’t tell me your name, I said loudly as she walked toward the door. She didn’t say a word as she looked back at me and smiled again.

I walked to the spot near the cafeteria, hoping to see my best friend, LJ. We always met there in the mornings before school started every day last year. I didn’t see him the last two weeks of the summer because he went to Tennessee to visit with his dad’s side of the family. It was a trip that he and his family took nearly every year since I’ve known him.

As I walked up, he was standing there with his girlfriend, Staci. I walked over to them and we gave each other a pound and a half hug and then I gave his girl a hug. I realized that he had gotten taller. He was probably six feet tall now. He had always had a girlfriend ever since we met, but none of the relationships lasted longer than a year. His new relationship with Staci began at the end of last school year. I can understand why he chose Staci. She was extremely pretty. She had shoulder-length hair, an athletic build, a cool personality and she was adroit in the classroom. However, she was involved in drama from time to time. What’s up, man? How was the trip? I asked as I stood on the wall with them.

It was good. I had a good time. We just got back Saturday night. What’s up with you? he said with his low voice.

I’m good. Trying to decide if I am going to remain single or get serious with just one girl this year. ’Cause I just ran into this girl in the quad. And I literally ran into her. I almost knocked her shoes off. That’s how hard that fool Jason pushed me.

Hey, Staci! How are you doing? Did you have a good summer? I asked as she stood there laughing with her tight jeans on and her belly button barely exposed. She also possessed a pretty smile.

Yes, I did. I went to Atlanta for a little while and spent some time with my family. After a month, I was ready to come back to Charlotte. I missed LJ. When I came back, he was leaving to go to Tennessee. So we only saw each other the first two weeks of the summer and that was it.

Well, I guess I will leave y’all lovebirds alone and allow y’all to catch up, I said.

That’s cool, let’s catch up later. Here comes Mr. Justice anyway, LJ informed me.

Who? I asked.

The assistant principal, Mr. Justice, he said. Mr. Justice was always on my case. But he was fair. He was about thirty-two years old and the way that he carried himself caused adulation in the majority of people who came around him. From the way he dealt with the students and staff, to his suits and his car, he was the closest thing to a superstar on our campus. He wasn’t a braggart, but he expected the best out of every student and teacher in the building. Yet if you were caught up in trouble, he would show you to the door.

Dennis! he called to me.

Yes, sir, I responded.

Where are you supposed to be? he asked as we walked toward each other.

I have AP English right now, I said as I walked to him to shake his hand.

Good! Let’s get there. And pull those pants up! We are not going to start that this year.

I got you, Mr. Justice, I said as I walked toward my class. The halls still had quite a few people trying to find their classrooms, but it seemed that Mr. Justice was only worried about me. But just as I was about to turn the corner, I heard him address another student.

The remainder of the day went pretty well until I got to my last class. That’s when everything definitely got better. I was already in there sitting in my seat as the teacher was taking attendance. There were about thirty students in the class. The teacher said, Majestic.

Here, she said as she entered the class with poise. There she was. Dressed in all white. My day shifted from good to spectacular.

Come on in and have a seat, Mrs. Anderson said. I heard the sounds and comments of some of the other guys as she strolled in. She was given the seat right behind me. As she sat down, I turned to her and said, Majestic?

Yes, she said as she focused her eyes on mine.

Why couldn’t you tell me that this morning?

Can I tell you something without you being mad or offended?

I said, You can tell me anything that you want. As long as you don’t tell me you have a boyfriend.

No, I do not have a boyfriend. But I do not talk to guys who do not understand how to use a belt or how to wear their pants. You would look so much more appealing if you were to pull your pants up and look like you are about something instead of trying to fit in like everybody else. You should try being yourself and not a part of the terrible-looking crowd, then maybe I would have given you my name. I don’t do saggin’. Write the word down in reverse order and you will understand what I mean, she said very politely.

Really? After writing the words in reverse order in my notebook, I was impressed but also determined to be abstemious. There was no way that I was going to abandon my style of dress for a girl whom I didn’t even know. Before I responded,