3. Signing & Sneaking Out

Years Later :

"And thus is why, the Underground Railroad is all a myth, and I believe the story of Harriet was just some folktale to give the negr- colored people some hope or idea that they had strength back then." Those words filled my ears and my blood only boiled more with every one.. these were the times I wished I could just turn my hearing off, or remove my ears in total.

Mr Carwell nodded, seeming pleased with that answer. "Thank you Alex.. you may have a seat." He bid and my classmate sat down, also seeming satisfied as if he was correct.

But not me.. I wasn't having it.

I raised my hand, waiting for him to call on me, but I knew he wouldn't, he never does.

"I got somethin- I have something.. to say." I corrected myself. I had to learn how to speak properly.

It was one of the many things I got picked on for when I first arrived hea.. I still stumble sometimes, but I'm learning.

"In this class you speak when you're called on." Mr Carwell stayed with his back to the class, writing on the chalk board. "You ain't— You are not calling on me.. Sir." I sighed, becoming frustrated.

This was an everyday thing.

He huffed, turning around. "Then you will not speak."

I stood to my feet, putting my hand down, and looking to my classmate. "The Underground Railroad is definitely a real thang. As I said Is! As in still existing, because there is still slavery happening so don't go saying nothing bout no back then, cause it ain't gone!"

"Sit down!" Mr Carwell pointed at me with his chalk and I ignored his words as my classmate spoke up yet again. "Look at how you speak.. do you believe that anybody would think something coming out of your mouth is logical?" He joked and the class of course laughed, as my skin began to heat up from not only embarrassment but anger.

"You don't know a damn thang bout slavery, you wouldn't have no knowledge of it if they put ya light ass out thea in tha' field right nie!" I went on and Mr Carwell slammed his chalk down on the desk and the class began looking at me with distaste and murmuring their negative thoughts as if I wasn't the one disrespected first.

"My people are strong! and you wanna talk about logic? We're smarter than y'all will ever be! We braided paths in our heads of the route to freedom, and your dumb ass ancestors couldn't even figure that out!" I angrily stated as Mr Carwell marched over to where I was standing.

He reached to grab my arm and I moved away from him, picking up my back pack, already knowing I was bout to get sent to the office. "That is enough from you girl!" He pointed towards the classroom door, and I walked out, all of them shaking their heads and some of them still whispering.

Sitting outside the office, I played with my nails, just knowing momma and daddy gone really let in on me after this one.

This is the fifth time this week... and Lord knows I don't know what time it is out of the entire school year.

I always thought I'd be spending my junior year of school outside, barefoot playing kickball with the same kids I done grew up with but that dream died when we started switching from town to town, and then when I was told I'd be coming to this snooty ass school, I sholl ain't expect it to be diss' way.

Hearing footsteps down the hall, I looked up, instantly looking back down, not wanting no lecture as his head shook.

Seeing his sleek and black leather school shoes in front of me, and his crisp ironed khaki pants, all the way up to his button down with the sweater over it and his long and thick black curls fanning all around his face, he'd lifted my chin, his eyes and eyebrows reading concerned as he then took a seat beside me.

"This is the fifth time-" I cut off his signing, nodding my head. "Yea yea.. the fifth time this week." I shrugged. "I know." I signed back.

His head shook. "You have to stop letting people's words get to you Coco.." I loved when he signed the nickname he'd given me..

Ever since the day we'd snuck that candy from daddy, he been calling me Coco.. and I've been loving every second of it.

When I found out Mr Green was having Jerome take signing lessons so he could better communicate, I begged momma and daddy to pay for me to have em as well, and at first they said no, but after daddy saved up for a couple of checks, he could afford one class for me, and then Jerome taught me the rest.

"Yea well when people start using their words wisely and correctly then there won't be nothing for me to be upset about." I shrugged and he couldn't help but to chuckle. "You're something else."

I smiled. "You love it!" I teased and he raised an eyebrow, revealing those teeth I've always loved as the door to the principles office opened and I sighed. "Ms Rose." The secretary called me in.

"Imma see you later?" Jerome signed and I shrugged. "Don't know if the wardens will let me out." I stood to my feet, grabbing my backpack and before I could walk away, he grabbed my arm.

"You're going to make history." He smiled.

I nodded, feeling my brown cheeks begin to heat up. "Ms Rose!" The secretary called again and I rolled my eyes.

"I believe it." I quickly signed back before rushing into the office and preparing myself for my parents wrath.

***

"But momma dem people ain't right!" I expressed and her head shook as she continued to prepare tonight's dinner.

"Troy.. Joseph has been paying good money for you to attend that school every year, and every year theirs something new with you!" She fussed, turning around to face me. "Baby what's the problem?"

I sighed. "Momma that's what I'm trying to tell you! All dem white folk think dey know some and I know nothin! I don't think I can take it there anymore." I sat back in my seat, crossing my arms and shaking my head.

"You won't be going anywhere no time soon, nowhere but to school and home since you can't get your act togetha'." Daddy walked in with the newspaper in his hand, just getting off work.

"Daddy!?" I protested and he shook his head, holding his hand up in signal for me to stop. "Momma.." I looked to my mother and she shook her head, turning around.

"You can't change the world Troy.. only adapt to it.." She lied straight through her teeth. I'd never in one million years believe that.

Just because everyone else settles for wrong.. doesn't make it right.

"Whatever." I huffed, standing to my feet and making my way to my new room.

With all of daddy's new money, he did a lot of renovations on the land he and momma have been owning for all these years, and our home has developed nicely.

I just wish it was easier for me to adjust as it was for them...

"You watch your mouth Troy!" I heard daddy yell as I refrained from slamming my bedroom door, closing it gently and silently groaning as I plopped back on my bed.

***

Sounding as if heavy rain was pattering on my window, I rubbed at my tired eyes, awakening from my slumber as I looked around my darkened room, the smell of meatloaf and mashed potatoes filling my nose as my eyes landed on the plate I assume momma placed on the small dresser in my room, covered in plastic wrap with a small cupcake beside it.

My attention then returned to the pattering noise coming from the window and I couldn't help but to smile once I realized who it was.

Opening my window, I quickly moved to the left as a pebble flew through it, almost taking my eye out before I looked out at Jerome who had a yikes' expression on his face.

"Boy." I shook my head, climbing out of the window with ease since our home is only one story. "I'm sorry. I should probably just start knocking." He laughed a bit.

"You think!?" I asked, dusting myself off before looking up to see him gazing at me. "What.." I smiled, shoving his shoulder.

"How bad they do you?" He asked as we began to walk along the dirt road. "On full lockdown says the number one chief." I referred to my fathers words and Jerome's head shook as he smiled.

"I heard about what happened.. Alex doesn't know what he's talking about." He looked at me for a second before examining our surroundings. "I know." I nodded.

"I just get so upset."

He stopped walking to grab my hand and make me face him. "And that's ok.. never let anyone make you dim your light." He nodded his head and I smiled. "Bright ass light of yours helps me see anyway.. I'm already disabled." He joked and i shook my head trying not to laugh.

"That's not funny J!"

"It is."

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Thoughts?