She answered almost on the first ring while sniffling.
"Baby, what the fuck is going on?"
"I just got a call that Princeton got shot. I was chilling by the river unplugged by myself and pulled out my phone only to take a picture when I saw your mama's message. I'm on my way to the Spa now to get you, baby!"
"NO! NO! What happened? Is he okay? Is he okay?"
"I don't know, baby! She said he is at Bronx Hospital! I'll be there in five minutes, baby!"
"Hurry, Ebony, hurry up!"
I crouched down even further to the ground, scrunching up in a fetal position. For a moment, the room seemed to go silent. It was just me and my thoughts playing so loudly that the sound went deaf in my ears. This was, in fact, one of my biggest nightmares living in the Bronx, especially Castle Hill. My brother isn't supposed to be a statistic. God, please, if you let him make it, I will change my life. I will devote myself to you completely for him to live.
When I finally pushed myself to get up from the floor, my body moved like I had no control over any parts. And legs felt heavy, my hands shook as I gripped the locker just to hold myself up.
My fingers slipped against the metal, trembling as I pushed in the code to grab the rest of my things. When it finally clicked open, I yanked my clothes out and threw them on without a thought, rushing as if the building was on fire.
When I left the locker room, the hallway to the front seemed stretched out longer than before. As I wiped silent tears from my face, all I could hear echoing in my ear was what I'd just been told about Princeton being shot. The words kept replaying in my head, each time heavier than the last.
My chest felt tight, and my heart was racing faster than my legs could carry me. Walking back into the lobby that brought me peace now felt off. The spa music, the calm voices at the front desk, and everything positive around me all sounded fake. How could the world still be moving like normal while mine just flipped upside down?
My eyes were burning from the pain, but I kept my head down, pushing toward the glass doors, feeling like I could actually breathe again.
"Excuse me, ma'am. We still need to get payment from you."
The attendant at the counter tried to stop me, but I kept going. It's funny now they see me, but when it was time to serve me, I wasn't prioritized. She can really miss me with that shit especially right now.
As soon as Emoney pulled up to the curb in our new car, tires barely touching the pavement, she killed the engine and jumped out the driver’s seat before the car even settled.
“Baby, are you okay? You good?” she rushed, her voice trembling as she ran up to me.
Her arms stretched, ready to wrap me up before I even answered, and the fear on her face mirrored the panic in my chest. I could see her eyes glossed over, like she was fighting back tears, already imagining the worst. One thing about Emoney, she loved Princeton too, probably just as much as I did.
Yeah, sometimes they’d go back and forth, trading little jabs and smart remarks, but it was never out of spite. Everybody had that kind of relationship with him, but you grew to love it when you loved him.
"I'm okay. Let's just get to my brother! That's all I want to do! My baby can't die. He can't die like this." My voice broke because that's exactly how I felt, broken.
Once we made it to the hospital, I ran through the glass doors, seeing my family sitting to the left of me. The first person to jump up and hug me was Ciara, whom I just knew would be here.
"I've been calling you and calling you, P. Are you okay?"
“No, no I’m not Ciara. What happened to him? Do they know who did this?"
"No, all I know is someone shot him in the back of building eight in the projects. He was trying to say something to me when he was on the ground but."
"Did he say anything? Give any type of description?"
Emoney interrupted, most likely about to try something foolish. If Princeton doesn't make it, then I will be what she is on.
When I heard low weeps belt out behind me, I knew that cry was coming from my mama because I'd heard those same sounds when she lost family members before. I went to her, who was in my aunt's arms, and gave her a hug that we both desperately needed.
When I stood up from my mother's embrace, I really started to feel a panic attack coming on.
"Come on, best friend. Come take a seat. You are shaking like crazy."
Ciara helped me to my seat, and Emoney sat down in one of the seats across from us. For the first time in my life, I was around most of my family, and no words were being spoken. No laughter, no arguing, no playful jokes between each other. I think everyone here is left speechless because of my brother.
I leaned over on Ciara's shoulder, bouncing my right knee with my eyes closed until I smelt a scent and heard a voice that popped my eyes right back open.
