I came to America when I was 7, so I was used to the heat. A while ago, something happened that changed my neighborhood forever, one of the biggest fights that happened yet.
              It was hot that day. I came to my friend Jamie’s porch to get some shade and my friend James came too. My friend Jamie was always happy and usually never sad. James had a pit-bull dog named Resub and lived in a three story house, including the basement. We were sitting on the porch, talking, and laughing. I was quenched and went to my house to get some water. I left my phone and James said he would watch it. I went and got a cold glass of water with exactly 4 ice cubes in it.

As I sipped the cold water, I heard yelling. I ran to the porch and my phone wasn’t there. I panicked and run the doorbell to Jamie’s house. Her brother opened the door and said, ’’you glad I can’t come outside because I will, F* you up’’. She handed me my phone and slammed the door. I could hear her mom yelling at Jamie and I knew something was up.

             I ran to James’s house, and as usual, he was playing basketball. I asked him what happened, and he told me he didn’t know while staring at Jamie’s house. His hand couldn’t stay still and he was scared, Scared of something. I asked him again and he said he didn’t know. I told him he did nothing wrong and that I was going to be on his side the whole time. He said, ‘’okay… I was sitting on the porch right, then, I said my heartbeat was loud and Jamie wanted to feel it. She reached into my shirt and felt my heart.
As soon as she took her hand out, her mom thumped on the door and told Jamie to get in now.

She yelled and told me to leave off her porch’’. I told James they did nothing wrong and he kept playing basketball.
That night, Jamie’s mom had a party, and her family came. Jamie’s brother Nathan, a tall strong boy, came and asked me gently and quietly. ‘‘what did Jamie and James do?’’. Defending my friend, I said, “Nothing!” He asked me one more time and I gave his the same response. He looked at me dead in the eye and started walking to James’s house. I tried to stop him, but he just walked past me like a stampede of elephants. He banged on James’s door, and James’s dad came out. Nathan started yelling at Mr. Jay, James’s dad, and Mr. Jay has an angry vain on his head. Mr. Jay took Nathan by the shirt and pushed him down to the street. He told Nathan to stay away from James, and his house. He walked back in his black door and slammed it shut. Everyone in the neighborhood came out and saw the whole thing. As Mr. Jay’s door slammed filled the silence, someone said, ‘’****!’’ I ran to James and made sure he was okay. We went to a basketball court and started playing 21. I lost, only 18 to 21, and James was bragging.
             As soon as we left the basketball court, we were mobbed by Jamie’s family. “F you James!” one yelled. “Ima beat yo a*!” Nathan yelled out. By then, the whole neighborhood was outside and looking in awe.

They covered the streets live vultures covering their prey.

Just waiting for something to happen. Moments later, we saw flashing lights. Red, white, and blue. It was the ops. Someone snitched. Everyone was in fear. They all slowly walked back to their houses and the cops talked to each of us. They informed us that if we don’t leave each other alone, they will press charges for attempted violence, public disturbance, and other big words I didn’t understand. From then on, we haven’t talked to Jamie’s mom, Nathan, or Jamie.

The only time we see Jamie is on the bus but it’s an awkward silence when we see her.