Top Boy

6

I stared at my phone in disbelief. Youngers would already be on their way to check what I was doing.
"Jamie stop the car."
He looked at me confused, "Why? Who belled you?"
We stopped at a red light and I watched him carefully in the mirror, wondering how far I'd be able to run if I jumped out now.

"Dushane's got people on me. Unlock the doors," I said, starting to panic as my eyes scanned the road around us.
His eyebrows furrowed, "Dushane? Why are you talking to him? Why's he got people on you?"
I paid no attention as I watched a group of definitely summerhouse kids jogging up the pavement, "Jamie unlock the fucking doors!"

He looked out the rear view mirror then back at me, debating what to do.
"Sit on the floor in the back. Windows are tinted and they'll see I'm in the car on my ones."
I've never jumped up so quickly, sliding between the two front seats and sitting on the carpeted floor, knees up to my chest.

"You better start answering these fucking questions Imani," he put the car into gear, accelerating as soon as the light went green.
"He thinks I'm giving you details like I'm some snake or something."
He stopped the car in the middle of the road, other cars beeping at us but him taking no notice, "What information? Why do you know things about them? How are you being a snake when you're nothing to fucking do with them anymore?"

His voice was getting louder with each question, knuckles doing a Michael Jackson as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

I swallowed, racking my mind for an excuse.
"It's nothing like that I swear! It's just because I live on the estate and I'm friends with Shelley and Lauryn. Shell obviously hears stuff from Dushane and Lauryn hears stuff from Jaq. He reckons I'm only friends with them to try get details for you, he's being an idiot."

He pulled forward again, this time at a normal speed, "Why's he only doing this now? You've been friends with me since day one and with the fields for time now."
"I don't know, I honestly swear to God don't know. The other day I left Jaq and Lauryn's yard to go out with you, remember when you picked me up and I had to warn you Dris was strapped? Maybe he told Dushane and exaggerated shit because of our beef. I can't think of any other reason."

He took a deep breath, "So what? Are you just hiding forever or can this be sorted out? Do I need to sort him for you?"
I sighed a sigh of relief, knowing he believed me, "I'll sort it, don't worry. I just need time first and to catch him on his own. But I can't hang with the Fields Jay. Hanging with you is causing enough problems as it is."
"But why is it causing problems? Because you live on the same estate as him? Nah fuck this, I've got it."

"No!" I blurted out, taking his phone from out his hand, only realising what I did afterwards, "Focus on the road man, you're a shit driver as is."
His concerned expression dropped as he rolled his eyes, a laugh leaving his lips, "This meetings important. I've gotta go. Where should I drop you? Mine?"

I shook my head, "Just let me out here, I'll walk down to Summerhouse and find the dickhead."
"Bruv are you mad?" he pulled a face, "You're not walking. All the youngers will be looking for you and trying to prove something. We're not risking that."
"But I have to talk to Dushane," I stressed as he continued not to listen to me.

"I'm sorting it, don't worry."
"But I don't want you to sort it! I've got it under control alright? Now can you please unlock the doors?"
He looked as if he were about to say something but stayed quiet, pulling into a bus stop and opening the doors, "Update me, stay safe."
"Thank you," I leant over to kiss his cheek lightly and then stepped out of the car, taking in a deep breath and setting out for my estate.

END OF POV

Imani walked for the next fifteen minutes, hands deep in her pockets as she went down the back ways so as not to bump into anyone. She knew she could pattern this so long as she spoke to Dushane one on one. Sully might be a bit harder to convince but once Shane was on her side it'd be calm.