2.

***

We strolled through the busy and lighted city of New York, with chips in our hands, munching and laughing, satisfied with our earns.

We visited a few fun areas like fairs and casinos without ever buying anything or playing any game.

At six pm, as we left the fair, we passed through a bridge. As we walked, we noticed a white guy sitting on the bars of the bridge, water far beneath his feet.

"Isn't he scared?" Yasmin asked me.

"You're asking me? Maybe he's just taking some fresh air."

Yasmin smiled at me.

"How bout one last pickpocketing?" she giggled and I laughed.

"Please yourself, girl. He does look like some rich kid."

Yasmin turned to him. He was on the other side.

"Hey!" she yelled and he turned, "You trying to die??"

The guy shook his head.

"Nope. Taking some air."

She looked at me.

"Lemme go get his wallet." she whispered and crossed to go meet him.

At that moment, my phone rang. It was King, my boyfriend. I picked it up.

"Hello, baby."

"Hello love. Whatup? Checked on you today but your momma said you were out with Yazz."

"Yeah. Paper hunting as usual."

"Baby I told you, you can always get money from me."

I rolled my eyes.

"You know I like to be  independent. You know that. I look for ma own money. Even if I gotta steal it. And plus, I don't want the money you get from selling all that dope."

I heard him sigh

"Why you keep acting like what I do is wrong, sweets? It's the business."

"I didn't say it was wrong. What I do too isn't better. But I prefer you avoid drugs."

"I sell them. I don't take them."

"Yeah right. Just remember that this is your last chance."

King was someone I really appreciated but I hated the fact that he took drugs. There was a time we broke up because of it. When he sniffed some, he was very violent. Once he even beat me up under the influence.

I forgave him because he'd begged for forgiveness. And I told him that if he really loved me, he would try to avoid it.

"I know. I love you, Harl."

"I love you too. See you tomorrow." I hung up and Yasmin came over. The boy was still sitting on the bridge.

"You got it?" I asked her.

"Nah. Decided not to steal it."

"Why?" I asked amused.

"I decided to talk with him instead. He's too cute."

"PFF!" I rolled my eyes and we both laughed, walking away.

"Gotta go home now." I told her.

"Why??"

"Got school tomorrow. An important exam."

"The hell?? What's up with you and this school shit?? Harlem, you're the only one in the hood that still goes to school."

"That's cause y'all decided to drop out or quit."

"Yes. Cause it ain't gonna take us nowhere. You're in your last year, you'll graduate then what? Who'll pay for university?? Why waist time."

I stopped and turned to her.

"I'm not ready to argue, Yazz. If I'm lucky, that exam I'm writing tomorrow will be enough to get me a scholarship into Greenwill University in Manhattan. I want a future. I want to give my mother, the life she deserves. You can stay and continue exploring, but as for me, I'm heading home."

I turned and began to walk away. Yasmin caught up with me.

"Fine, Harlem. It's as you want."

***

I gave my mother the Money that night. Of course she was glad. She asked where I got it from. Of course I made up some story to tell.

-

After eating that night, at nine, I was in my little room.

I sat on my bed with my drawing book and a pencil in my hand. I was an artist if I could say. I drew extremely well. My portraits of people were perfect. Drawing was a hobby I had from childhood. It was the only thing that permitted me to think out of the real world for a while.

Right now I was making a beautiful portrait of my mother.

Once through, I put it in a file case with my other drawings.

I then prayed, hoping to do my best at the exam of the next day.

After praying, I put off the lights and went to sleep.

***

The next day, I went to school. We weren't quite many in my class because most of the people my age were dropouts, prostitutes, dealers and even worse.

"Okay, guys. This is the only chance you all got to get a scholarship into Greenwill." Our teacher said, sharing copies of the exam. Once done, he went to the front of the class.

"I wish y'all the best. So far you are the few who made it to the twelfth grade. Here in this quarter of ours, it's not easy to make it in school. I want you all to prove that good things can also come from the hood or ghetto."

"Thank you sir." we replied.

"Welcome. Begin."

**

"How was it dear?" my mom asked happily that afternoon when I returned.

"It was great, ma. I believe I did my best. Waiting to receive a letter next weekend to know if I've been accepted or not."

"That's great honey." she hugged me tight, "I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you, momma."

We broke the hug and I went to change.

After a good meal, I left the apartment to go meet King. I wanted to see him so bad.

*

I knocked at his door and soon enough he opened it.

"Baby." he smiled and I hugged him tight. We then shared a passionate kiss before he let me in.

King wasn't the type of guy a girl would call prince charming or a hottie, but to me he was perfect. We fit each other perfectly well.

He was the kind of bad boy I liked. He was virile and that was enough for me. I was attracted to macho men. Men who could beat someone else for you.

"How are you, hun?"

"I'm okay. I gotta tell you something."

"What?"

"I wrote the main exam today. I'm a little confident I might gain a scholarship into a university."

He frowned a little.

"You'll be leaving??"

"I don't know yet. But if I have to leave, don't worry. I'll visit every weekend. It's in Manhattan."

King stood up, running his hands through his hair.

"Are you angry?" I asked him.

"Yeah. But– but it's fine. If it's what you want." He sat down and held my hand, " Just promise me one thing."

"Yes?"

"Don't flirt with any rich brat over there."

I giggled.

"You know I won't. I'm not into spoiled kids. And you promise me one thing."

"Yes?"

"Let's not allow one week distances affect our relationships. I'll come every weekend. That is, if I get the scholarship."

"I promise."

We smiled at each other and shared a kiss. From that kiss, we made love.