Chapter 1: The "Break Up": Genesis
Genesis ran down the stairs, when she smelled the bacon in the air.
Genesis: Ma?
Her mother, Greta Good, came around the corner. She had bags under her eyes and it looked like she only got 2 hours of sleep last night.
Greta: Good morning, sweetie
The sound of her voice was sleepless. Genesis's eyes showed her concern.
Greta: I'm fine. Get ready for school. Is Gray taking you?
Grayson Good, her small half sister, bounced down the stairs.
Grayson: Smells good. Hurry and eat, I need to be somewhere
Genesis narrowed her eyes at Grayson.
Genesis: Where? To see that college boy Trae, who's too old for you?
Grayson:(rolls eyes) And? I like older men
Greta stirred her lumpy grits.
Greta: Older men, who's gonna get you pregnant, that is
Grayson: Whatever, y'all just jealous
Genesis:(scoffs) Of who? You? You know how many thirsty niggas want me? Like the whole school
Greta: And you better not be messing with any of them
Garden Good, Genesis's other half sister, flowed down the stairs.
Garden:(mumbles) Good morning
Grayson: How you gonna be a doctor and you can't even say 'good morning' loud enough to your family?
Greta: Hush now. Ain't nothing wrong with being a little shy. Garden is smart
Genesis grabs her bag.
Genesis: I'mma eat at school. Sorry Ma. Come on, Gray
Grayson grabbed her bag and waved to her family. They got in her silver Honda, then started down the road.
Grayson: How's school going?
Genesis: Ok, I guess
Grayson: Is it Rain and Ryan? You know I'll bust a cap in their ass if you want me to
Genesis:(laughs) School is good, Gray
Grayson: How are you and Shay? I see y'all hanging around town. You like him?
Genesis: I mean, he is something. I just wanna take things slow, you know?
Grayson: No, I don't(laughs)
Genesis:(laughs) You stupid
Genesis finds her best friends, Teyona and Camiah in the quad.
Camiah: Did you hear? Lucas OD'ed over the break
Genesis eyes shot to Teyona. She was rubbing her arms, uncontrollably. Her and Lucas used to date in middle school and she never stopped liking him. He had cheated on her with Rain Robinson.
Teyona: I'm fine, Gen. It's his fault, I told him to stop doing drugs. He just kept listening to dumb Rain Robinson
Camiah: Well, I guess he's fine now
Camiah pointed across the quad. Lucas Lovingston was laughing with Rain Robinson and Marcus Myers. Lucas's eyes shifted to Teyona, who looked away.
Genesis: He's coming over
Lucas glided over to Teyona with a flirty smirk on his face. Rain had a tight look on her face, as he came over.
Lucas: Hey
Teyona started walking off, but he grabbed her hand. Camiah pushed him away.
Teyona: Cammi, it's ok
Camiah: Leave her alone
Lucas: I just wanna talk
Teyona: About what? There's nothing to talk about
Lucas: Please, Teya
Teyona: About what, Luke?
Lucas: It's...private
Teyona:(sighs) After school, 3 o'clock sharp, here at the quad, dont be late
Lucas: Ok, thanks
Camiah and Teyona went inside the school.
Lucas: Hey, Gen, wait
Genesis: What do you want?
Lucas: Is Teya seeing anyone?
Genesis: Why would I tell you that?
Lucas: I really like her still and I just wanna make things right
Genesis: Right
Genesis turned to walk into the school.
Lucas: Gen, please
Genesis:(sighs) No, she ain't seeing no one
Lucas: Aight, thanks
Genesis passed Shay in the hallway and he grabbed her waist.
Genesis: Hi..
Shay swung her around, his smile fading.
Shay: You ok?
Genesis:(sighs) Rough morning, already
Shay:(smirks) How can I make it better?
Genesis: We could hang out tonight
Shay: I can't, I have student council. How about tomorrow night?
Genesis: Dance practice
Shay: We'll figure it out
Genesis: Dance practice lets out at 4
Shay:(smiles) Dinner? Coco's Diner? 6?
Genesis: It's a date
Shay:(winks) Of course it is
Shay walked away to the 11th grade hall. Genesis headed to her first class, which is english with the new teacher, Mrs. Smith.
Hunter Hamilton and Marcus Myers make their way to the back of the room. Genesis sits in front of them.
Hunter: Hey, Gen, is Cammi ok? She's been distant lately
Genesis: Ask Marcus
Marcus kicks her seat then smiles at Hunter.
Marcus: Ion know what she's talking about man(nervously laughs)
Hunter: Oh...well, could you tell her I'm worried about her? Please
Genesis: Sure, I'll let her know
Hunter: Thanks
Mrs. Smith: Alright, class, let's get started. I know you're all excited for Christmas break, I am too, but we still have to work
Class:(groans)
Mrs. Smith:(laughs) I know, I know, I don't want to either. Now, who all read the first chapter of 'The King Of Crows'?
Most of the class raised their hand.
Mrs. Smith: Good, good. Hunter what did you like about it?
Hunter: Uhm, well...I liked how Charles admired his teacher alot
Sean: He had a crush on her. Does that ring a bell?
Class:(snickers)
Hunter: Whatever, dickhead
Mrs. Smith: Alright, calm down. What did you like about it, Sean? Or did you even read it?
Class: Ohhhh!(laughs)
Mrs. Smith smirks at Sean and he crosses his arms; embarrassed.
After class, Marcus goes up to Genesis at her locker.
Marcus: What do you know? Did she tell you?
Genesis: I don't know what you're talking about, Marcus
Marcus: You sure knew what you were talking about a minute ago. Cut the shit, Gen
Genesis: You're sleeping around with Camiah and ruining her relationship with Hunter
Marcus: We're not sleeping around...we're just hanging out
Genesis: So, you've never made out and had oral sex?
Marcus looks around nervously.
Genesis: As I thought. She doesn't like you, you know. Her and Hunter are in a fight is the only reason; you're just a distraction
Marcus: Well, Shay doesn't like you either. He's only hanging with you to get at Ryan
Genesis crosses her arms.
Genesis: I don't believe you
Marcus: Right. He ignored you all last year and when him and Ryan gets into a fight, he suddenly starts hanging out with you. Do you believe me now?
Genesis: Well, I don't like Shay either. I just wanted some excitement in my life
Shay: Is that true?
Genesis and Marcus swirl around.
Genesis: Shay?
Shay's eyes are filled with hot tears.
Shay: You just wanted some excitement?
Genesis: Don't act all innocent! You don't like me either
Shay: What're you talking about?
Genesis: You're just using me to get at Ryan. Marcus told me everything!
Shay's eyes shot to Marcus.
Shay:(glares) What did you tell her!?
Marcus: I-I...I just thought-
Shay punches Marcus in the face; sending him to the floor.
Genesis: Shay!
Mrs. Smith: Hey!
Mrs. Smith helps Marcus up off the floor.
Mrs. Smith: Go to the principal's office, now!
Shay: He deserved it!
Shay stormed away, down the hall. Mrs. Smith turns to Genesis.
Mrs. Smith: You, go to class!
She then holds Marcus's arm and leads him to the nurse's office.
At lunch, Genesis tells Camiah and Teyona what happened.
Teyona: Did you mean those things?
Camiah: Why did you tell Marcus that!? I really like him, Gen!
Genesis: Then, why don't you break up with Hunter?
Camiah: Because...
Genesis: Because you're a thot
Camiah: What did you call me?
Teyona: Cammi, just go
Camiah: Oh, so you're on her side!?
Teyona: She's not wrong, but you're doing is wrong
Camiah: Fine, fuck you both!
Camiah flips her friends off and storms at the the lunchroom.
Teyona:(sighs) I hate when she gets like that, but you shouldn't have said that
Genesis: Fuck you, Teya!
Genesis gets up and runs into the hall. Shay's standing there with Lucas.
Genesis: Shay?
Shay doesn't look at her.
Shay: What the fuck do you want?
Genesis: Is it true that the only reason you're hanging out with me is to get at Ryan?
Lucas: I'll give you guys a minute
Lucas goes into the cafeteria.
Shay finally looks at her, glaring.
Shay: Really? You actually believed him?
Genesis: You did ignore me all last year and Ryan bullies me all the time. Who wouldn't?
Shay: I ignored you because of Ryan. I knew she didn't like you and I didn't want to make Ryan mess with you more
Genesis: Then, why are you hanging out with me now?
Shay's eyes softened.
Shay: Because I don't care what she thinks anymore and you're special and I'm not afraid anymore. I really like you, Genni
Genesis:(blushes) Really?
Shay's eyes turned cold again.
Shay: But, you're not worth it
Genesis: What?
Shay: You still said those things and now I know how you feel
Genesis: No, Shay-
Shay: Nah, save it for someone who cares. I'll see you around, Gen
Shay pushes passed her and enters the lunchroom.
Genesis:(sobs) Shay...
Genesis buries her face in her hands then starts to sob.
Julian: Gen?
Genesis: Just go away, Juls
Julian: What friend would do that? What's wrong? You can talk to me
Genesis: Shay...ended things with me...
Julian: Why the hell would he do that?
Genesis: He was just using me to get at Ryan
Julian: Fuck him, Gen. He's not worth your tears
Genesis sniffs and wipes her face.
Genesis:(smiles) You're right. Thanks, Juls
Julian: Anything, for you girl(grins)
Genesis: Are you doing anything tonight?
Julian: Nah, why?
Genesis: There's this open mic tonight, wanna go with me?
Julian: If you're reading something
Genesis:(smiles) Then, I'll see you there
Julian:(grins) I guess so
