Chapter 1
Leo
My Twin.
A Bond that is the most sacred in the whole world .
A Bond that has brought me nothing but happiness and joy .
The joy that he brought is nothing compared to the pain that came after his death .
It has been 3 months since my brother’s murder and my mother has yet to heal . Things have not been easy at home both financially and emotionally ,mom Has been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and hasn't been employed for 2 months leaving me to fend for myself .
It’s 5:00 in the afternoon and I'm starving but I have no groceries to cook nor money to order anything .
Sometimes I go over to my friend Brittany’s house for food or I steal from strangers . Although , I am ashamed this is what I do to survive now .
As I kick around the snow on the sidewalk I spot a mural for my brother . It was a picture from our family photo album of him in a black hoodie and a name chain that read “LEO” . This was my favorite photo of him because we had fun that day at the park when I took these pictures of him using my Sony A7R camera .
That was my first ever camera that Leo bought me for christmas after I told my family that I wanted to be a photographer . I remember him being the only one supporting my dream instead of doubting me .
As I swing the door open to the deli I spot a man narrowing his eyes at me but i ignore in abd walk to the counter
“Hey Teo , let me get a chicken cutlet on a roll ; no cheese and a lil black pepper”
“Gotchu , how’s your mom ?” wrapping the sandwich
“She’s doing a lil better” I smile
Although my mom hasn't been back to her old self she has been getting up and moving about.
I guess that is good right ?
“Here you go Lee” Mateo says handing me the sandwich
I scrambled through my bag “How much do I owe you?”
“You don't owe me anything, go before i kick you out “ he chuckles .
“Thanks Teo” I whisper in his ear as I embrace him .
As I hug him I peer over his shoulder to see the same guy looking at me ,but I don’t recall seeing him before now ..
I walk through the back exit and through the backlot of the store .
I im finally a couple blocks away when I hear the spark of a lighter .
“ Yo c’mere , where u going ?”
I turn around to find “Deli Boy”
“What do you want” I yell from a distance
“Im Tyler , and Ion want nothing from you I just wanna talk”
“Talk about what ? You don't even know me”
Then it finally occurs to me that people always talk of a guy named Tyler who was seen around my brother but not for good reasons .
I turn around and act as if I'm interested .
Maybe I could find out more about my brother.
“So wassup , whatchu gotta say my sandwich getting cold”
“You look familiar ma , why you out here by yourself ?”
“I be around but ion remember seeing u at all”
I say narrowing my eyes .
“Don't worry about me , I could handle myself”
“Oh really” he said grabbing me by my hoodie
I try fighting him off but his grip is so strong to the point where im choking .
“ Your fucking Brother fucked wit my money when he was alive but i guess u gonna have to pick up the slack bitch!”
“Yo what the fuck you doing bro” A voice yelled
Tyler released his grip and I rub my neck in pain
I turned to find a handsome tall boy with dreads I swear he is the finest man I ever seen .
“Khalil , what you doing here bro?” Tyler looked confused
“What am I doing here? What are u doing grabbing up shawty like that , what the fuck wrong witchu”
“I got my reasons bro , u know this already”
“Nah bro, I dont know . Get the fuck outta here before i fuck you up”
“Thats how it is Lil ?”
“Yea thats how it is”
" Alright , but imma catch you , WATCH!” Tyler points at be as he backs away .
I let out a breathe I didn’t know I had in .
“Well , Im Khalil and u are ?”
I find myself looking up to the biggest smile and prettiest hazel eyes I HAVE EVER SEEN .
“Im Laya , thanks for that ” I smile
" No problem , it’s getting late your family not worried?”
“Nah not really , I live with my mom but she hasn’t been well since my twin passing .”
“Twins Huh , Fraternal or Identical?”
“Fraternal , he was my brother ; or is because he is still with me in spirit ” I say as I look down smiling .
“Did you eat yet?”
“Nah , I bought a sandwich but I hadn’t gotten a chance to eat it for obvious reasons ” I say laughing as I hold up the bag .
“I was gonna offer to take you out but I guess there’s no need”
“Raincheck? I would love to but I gotta get home . ”
“Ok sounds great , lemme get your number ” he says holding out his phone
I type my number in and as I type the number I feel his gaze on me and I can’t help but look up into his eyes .
“See you tomorrow Khalil”
“I hope so” he says smiling without breaking eye contact .
Fiddling with my keys I open the door the house and close the door
“Mom, I got sandwiches from Mateo ”
“Helloooo Ma ” I yell
That’s weird usually she’s here ..........
