She pulled Jovanis up by his hoodie, cradling his head in her lap. Blood was everywhere, covering her clothes and skin.
“It’s okay, Van. Help is on the way,” she assured, rocking him back and forth.
Ol’ boy sighed, shaking his head. “It ain't no use. That nigga dead.”
As soon as the worddeadpenetrated her mind, Irish whimpered. How could this have happen? How did she not seethe person lurking in the shadows? She could’ve warned Van that trouble was on the horizon. This was all her fault.
“We gotta get the fuck outta here. Your hand is bleeding.”
Irish wasn’t concerned with her wound. She didn’t care about any injury she’d sustained because her best friend was dead. Deceased. He was no longer in the land of the living, and that stole her soul.
“I’m not leaving him. I can’t.”
He groaned, clearly irritated by her insistence to stay. Sirens rang out in the distance as she cradled a lifeless Jovanis in her arms. She would have given anything to feel breath in his body again.
“Yo’ I got warrants so I can’t stay. I’ma hit Noble up and tell him what happened.”
Irish didn’t hear a thing he’d said. All she could replay in her mind was the conversation she’d just had with Jovanis. They’d finally reached an agreement. Although it wasn’t in his favor, they’d had an understanding. She was to be with Noble and he would finally let her go. Irish didn’t expect Jovanis to let her go through his death. She never thought their bond would be severed to this capacity.
“Jovanis, I’m so sorry.” She wept. “I never meant for this to happen.”
Irish had somehow inherited this burden. She’d picked the spot for them to meet, therefore luring Jovanis to his death. If she never would’ve summoned him to this park, he would’ve still been alive, telling her how much he loved her.
Red and blue lights dazzled across the park. A fire truck pulled up with an ambulance right behind it. People in uniforms jumped out the trucks, rushing over and carrying bags of equipment.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” one of the paramedics asked.
Irish shook her head, unable to voice how distraught she was. They didn’t know she had just lost a piece of her heart. They weren’t aware of how her life would be bleak without her best friend by her side. These people, who saw trauma on a daily basis, didn’t know that this would forever change her.
“Ma’am, I need to ask you to please step aside.”
Irish couldn’t let go. She couldn’t release Jovanis into the realm of death. With her holding him tightly, she felt she could’ve transferred life into him. She could have brought him back if he felt the love that she possessed for him.
“Ma’am, please.”
Irish shook her head, clutching Jovanis’ head tighter. A woman came over on the side of her. There was a faint smile on her face as she planted her hand on Irish’s shoulder.
“I’m so sorry you're suffering right now. At least allow us the chance to try and save him, okay?”
Irish peered into her eyes and spotted remorse. It was so strong that her tears clouded her vision.
“May we try to work on him?”
Subtly, Irish nodded. The woman helped her release the hold she’d had on Jovanis. Absently, Irish scooted back, watching the paramedics try and revive him. She knew already what the outcome was. In the depths of her soul, Jovanis was gone, and she would never be able to speak to him again. There would be no hugs or no jokes about how fat her mother was. He wouldn’t profess his love ever again. Irish was so torn up that she couldn’t do anything but weep.
Time of death… 8:42 pm.
Cali had tunnel vision as she barged through the crowd, knocking over anyone in her path.
“Cali, don’t go over there.”
Bria’s words didn’t even caress Cali’s ears. She didn’t want to hear anything but screams from the punches she was set to deliver. The walk over to the other side of the beach party seemed longer than usual. Cali locked her gaze on Rozalin and Rio. They were hugged up, sharing a quick kiss that sent her pulse racing. The couple was oblivious to the shock they had put Cali in. She was so stunned that it felt like her body had been doused in ice cold water. This had waken her up. The depressive fog she had been submerged in dissipated within an instant. Rage stepped to the forefront, ready to make an entrance. The closer Cali got, the more her body burned with fury. She was so close that Rozalin didn’t see her coming.
“Bitch!” Cali screamed, knocking her over on the ground.
Rozalin didn’t have time to recover. Straightaway, Cali kicked her in the chest and started repeatedly punching her in the face.
“Oh, shit! These bitches fighting!” someone yelled out.
