My eyes peel open in need as the flat field with a many landed Curveyn doubles on it, comes into view. I start rocking, my palm itching like crazy. The only thing that could satisfy it, is spreading my palm and laying it across someone face with speed and force. That someone?! Funk boy!
His hot breath done made a bubble of funk in this seat and I am ready to pop it with my fist. But I can't. Ms. Leo is cool, but to my memory she tolerates no fighting. That's why I give out my beatings like candy right before class in the field, behind some trees or when we get dropped off home. When the floating double hovered low enough, and unleashed the drop steps, I spider crawled over the barricade between my seat and the door, not waiting for funk boy to move out my way.
'Cause if I did—he'd be on some games and then I'd have to join with my fist being the main player. I didn't even wave to Ms. Leo, gonna have to apologize about it later. But right now! I need to breathe! I hop out the double, collapsing on the grass, taking deep breaths of fresh proper smelling air.
I was on that double taking small sips of air, praying that I only got the more refined particles of oxygen, instead of the shit filled ones from funk boy's mouth. I on't even look back at the double, don't need flashbacks or this day may be over before it started. My pacing began on this semi-flat field, trees sporadically spread around the field. Curveyn doubles, regular sized Curveyns filling up the field. Groups of kids pouring in for the day.
I simply weave through the crowd to the Dhome. Once I see the Dhome tree system was near, I duck to a nearby baby tree. Well, the baby tree was baby compared to the Bluwe Dhomes. Speaking of Bluwe Dhomes, I promised you some understandin'. Bluwe Dhome Lesson House is a five tree system.
Thee Bluwe Dhome, it was the deepest shade of blue, the leaves where blue and morphed into purple at the tips, and it was where most classes was held. It sat in the middle and was the biggest of them all. Four smaller trees by comparison of the middle one, but still pretty damn swole, all colored various hues of blue, two sat to the north of the biggest and the other two sat to the south of it. I know the south tree to the right, I knows what goes on in there pretty well.
That tree was Council Lounge, it was for the teachers, council board, main office hall, and the discipline hall. Council Lounge tree was a paler blue, no wonder it held the discipline hall for bad kids. It's no wonder I hated that tree on sight. I been in the D hall probably for about half the year. The north tree to the right as well is the fun of Dhome.
The fun interactive classes, arts, fitness, practice. The other two...no clue. You askin' the wrong one. Today, only the mega tree will be graced by me Khezzy. Inside the tree trunk was hollow space, a door carved into the trunk, made out the wood snatched from the very trunk.
The classes? On the tops, the dome. How do we get up there? I'm glad you care enough to ask. There's a ladder up top, can be thrown down under necessary demand, so it's usually not, which I appreciate.
Early in the morning I ain't tryna climb nothing. Flying dust, dust came straight from wings of a matured Yay. I really wish I produce that dust. But, sadly I'm not there yet. Only a non-winged person, injured Yay, too young to fly Yay can use the dust.
The teachers say it's such great practice for our wings. F that. I'm a be hella injured today, injured with broken bones of laziness. Keio betta gimme that dust. I wait for the sea of youth bright eyed Yerosai ready to enter the trunk of one of the 5 trees, before I enter the main one.
By the time I skip for door, I was late for my first lesson of the early light. I push back the heavy door, looking up from the darkness of the hollow trunk to the light spilling in from the dome. Before I could take flight, I was stopped in my tracks by Keiomaztin. The door guard who take his duty too serious. I almost forgot his existence.
“Kheznaria Umtofye! Haven't been here in a couple forevers and still got the nerve to be late your first time back.” His buck toothed golden majesty comes from out the shadows.
I observe him, take his new look in. A tiny smirk forms on my face, then I knock it away. “Keio, how's it crackin'? I see you let ya dog Cumber piss in ya hair.”
He looks up at the stringy bang falling on his forehead. “Yellow hair is all the rage!” He yells incredulously.
I do my best not to laugh at him, but I fail. “Where's that Keio? It surely ain't 'round my way.”
He points at me in disgust, I can't help but grin at this fool. “And where is wearing cloth in sync? Huh? You think you're just so special.” His warm brown face was turning red, I was really pissing this boy off. Let's continue, shall we?
“Oh it's not Keio. Nowhere except my house and my crew, but see I can admit that. It might—might look better if ya hair was springier, but that piss string you got goin' on ain't cuttin' Keio. And I'm just giving it to you honest.”
His eyes look down, then he turns away, finger combing his hair. “Is it that bad Kheznaria? You think a curl would make it better?”
I hold back chuckles, hide away my smile 'cause I know it's go come out my voice. “It would help a bit. Another hue would help more. I'm sorry Keio—you just don't have the juice to make piss colored hair fall in the sync. It's not happenin'.”
I hear him sniffle, muttering, “Thanks Kheznaria.” He pulls himself together and I learn when I give him a little flavor—he just turn around and spoil it.
“Now that that's over.” He lifts his head, going back in 'doing too much' mode, looking down at me. “I'm gonna have to write you up. Why were you late? How can we prevent this from happening tomorrow? Why have you missed the latest lesson? Do you have a write up from your parents explaining your behavior?”
I sigh, rolling my eyes, shaking my head back and forth. Not today Keio.
“Dude,” I cut into his shit, “you need to get the hell out my business. I'm no—”
He interrupts me, pointing to the light of the dome, “Whatever has to do with that is my business!”
“Shut up! Let me finish. I'm not even here for class today. Mama sent me here to get my transfer. I was told to come in later—after classes start, kids settle. You not knowin' Keio.”
“Well,” he utters skeptical, “why didn't you head for Council Lounge?”
“Why you think I'm here after classes fool?! I went there first—they had me wait the kids out over there. What you think—I was playing in the shadows first?” I frown up my face, as though I was telling the truth. “It was the Council Lounge that sent me here. You messing up plans right now man.”
He looks away, seem unsure if I was speaking the truth. That must of meant he was being a lazy guard. That yellow on his head must of got to his brain, 'cause usually he on top of his game. Checking the main office before he even start guard duty.
“Okay, you can go up.”
“Let me get some dust.” I reach behind him, he pushes my hand away.
“Don't push it Kheznaria. I'll see you after lessons. By then I'll know if your story checks out.”
I smile, then wink at him. I fly up the hollow trunk, going for the light of dome.
For 6 stressful weeks, I am on my better behavior. Tough times. My parents accept it with no suspicion. Never voiced it to me much, at least. I assume they believe that little talk slowed me to the level of retardation—the mental impairment makin' me act out with proper behavior. Whatever they wants to think—I'm a sho let 'em.
I'm ready for this trip and a warm tingly feeling inside me says they'll gimme a yes. I spent my days cleaning up behind my parents and myself too. Going to school, pretending I was doing my after lesson work. I been amazing if I say so myself. The last task of this 2 month trial period is the icing, cherry, sugar bits on top of mom/dad cake/pie/muffin. Yes.
Taking 'Tika on a trip. Trip to the Barn Jam. Don't ask, please. Its name—location is all I know. I know too, 'Tika been wanting to go back since she first went with her class last year.
I'm even gonna pay for it.
On the day I suggested it 'Tika pulled me aside, saying, “I know ya game
—ain't no reason to front big sis.”
I grin with innocence, “I don't what you talkin'.”
“Naga, please. I know what's goin' on, but I will play along for a trip to the Jam.”
I give a nod. “Mm hmm. I thought you would.”
The week right before the Wave is when I asked. I got four thumbs and a standing ovation—it's on now! When the weekend hit, I met the ladies at the Palace, just some girl time before we met with the boys. Yup, the Forcei boys. This a trip we sharin', our first and most likely not our last.
It's go be a hot mess, at least I'll never get bored. I close my wings, entering the Palace, pacing through the dark living room, it's evening, heading for the hallway to our rooms. Only one room was lit, at the end of the hall, it was Samita's. I peak in through her wide open door. Samita was laid out on her bed, snoring every so.
That's a good idea. The rest of the girls will be here in less than an hour, but sleep is good no matter 10 minutes or 100. I'm a take it.
“Thanks 'Mita,” I whisper, pretty much for myself.
I shut off Samita's light, then follow the walls to my own room for a quick slumber.