Chapter Two – Respect



Another hit across the face and this time Jay grabbed his cheek in agony. He looked up at his overweight father. His shirt greasy from eating pizza and hotdogs all the time. He looked Like a overgrown version of Jay but with green eyes, instead of blue. “You stupid piece of crap! All you do is hangout with those no good thugs! What the hell are they looking forward to besides going into jail and becoming someone’s #####!” yelled his father, face now dark red.
“I’m…I’m sorry pop.” He said rubbing his face. His father changed ever since their mother died. Around the time she died he was becoming a drunk and smoked a lot. Once mom died he became totally out of control and began to beat down on Jay. “I just wanted to see how they were doing.” Said Jay letting go of his cheek and putting both of his hands on his pants. Another slap went across his face and he held on to his pants while his face went to the side. A small spit of blood flew on to the floor and he began to make a tighter grip.
“Respect is something you must learn you little ####!” his father Bellowed and ran out of his room, slamming the door behind him. Jay got up and shook his head. He threw off his shirt and flew backwards on to his bed. He closed his eyes and began to think about his past.
He remembered why he moved From California to New York. It was a mix of reasons. In Cali it was all about respect and that was something he never could get. He went to school, did his homework, past his test, did his projects just like every other kid. Then once he was 10 everything changed and it was either have friends and your cool or be a loner and people beat on you.
Well Jay was always in the loner group and most days he would receive forceful pushes into his locker or a door and even sometimes pushed to the ground. Once awhile he took a few punches in the stomach, one took a bat to the back and stayed home saying he felt like he had the flu. Jay smiled while lying on his bed for one reason. His mother was still their and when he get home she was always there, gave him a kiss and hug, let him have a snack. He remembered he had to do homework after his snack but never minded since his mom was always there to help. Back then once dad got home he would watch T.V. with Jay and just laugh at the idiots or did stuff for prizes.
Everything was atleast at peace there while here was almost always chaos. Once Jack joined his best friend Mike’s Crew it was all different. First there were a lot of fights, just plain old fist fights which only once and awhile became really bad. He didn’t mind since he had friends their so it was all good. His best friend’s little brother Chris was their most of the time, he was also part of the crew, but most times stayed to the side. Kate was one of the first people to start the crew with Mike, they were best friends. Then Wes, Mike’s friend from childhood friends joined and Wes and Kate hooked up around two years ago. Kevin joined soon after and last was Zack which was the only colored person of the whole group. He was the same age as Mike’s brother Chris, 15 years old. He was also usually the only one who had the least cuts after a fight due to his quickness.
The only big thing that changed in school was now he was barely passing. Jay hadn’t care much for school once his mom died and just went random days and past a test once awhile. He was behind a few classes but it never changed the fact not go. He never really liked anyone in the school, the only embarrassing thing was he never had a girlfriend. Lot’s of friends as girls but never a real girlfriend.
Jay got up and went to the door and checked to hear any footsteps. He then grabbed his keys off the counter and walked very slowly out the door and ran down the steps. He never stayed long after his father’s scrawling. He just flew down the stairs and began to run towards the hideout. Once their he quickly ran up the stairs and opened the door to only see Zack and Kevin their.
Zack was sitting eating a burger while Kevin was still in the same position as before watching the bootleg T.V. “Hey.” Said Zack tiredly and Kevin just ignored his appearance. Jay sat down next to Zack and let his head fall onto his folded arms. “What’s wrong? Your cheeks are all red, Kate got to you to?” said Zack with a grin and Jay couldn’t help but give a little laugh.
“Nah my ##### ass father again. Beating me up and saying I have no respect…Yeah right I have more respect then he ever will.” Said Jay looking down to make sure not to make eye contact. He was ashamed of telling Zack about his weakness.
“Hey man forget your pops.” Said Zack finishing his food and leaning back. “He nothing, he knows nothing about respect if he thinks you don’t have any.” Said Zack grinning and Jay looked at him smiling. “Trust me if anyone knows anything about respect It be me. I for one now have respect, partly to due with you and this crew.” Zack said arms wide open showing the crew’s size. “I mean without you guys where would I be?” he asked and Jay just shrugged. “Well good question I don’t know either but damn I’m happy of where I am. I don’t want to be shot like my older brother or gang beat like my father. I want to live a life with you guys, I consider you guys my family.” Zack said and got up with his garbage.
“I didn’t know your brother died.” Asked Jay after a few moments of silence and after throwing away his garbage Zack looked back and with a sad face nodded. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Jay said and Zack thanked him and left the hideout. He looked down at the table and thought about his life. So what if you moved and so what if your doing bad at school…some people got it worse then you. Jay kept saying that over and over again until finally he heard farting sounds. “What the…” He said looking towards Kevin who was sitting their. “You fat bastard…” Said Jay holding his nose and walking over to the seat next to the couch to watch some T.V.