A Flutter In Life

'WHAM!' the doors of the school opened with a blast and the Trinity walked through the opening sea of high school students. These girls were bad. The baddest gang in Hartford, Connecticut. They were worse than the boys. All thanks to the leader, Memphis. Tall, thin and muscular, she leaded the gang down the hall without a smile. 'I wouldn't want to be in a gang,' stated Angel Hernandez, 'they should be called el diablo nino.' Butterfly Philipa looked straight ahead and said nothing.1

     The day was dim and gloomy with an end of fall feeling in the air. Butterfly wished the sun would open up the place later on in the day. She was wearing a soft orange sweater with some brown pants that complemented her brown skin tone. She wore her Trinidadian flag necklace, even though it didn't match. She moved from Trinidad when she was two, so she loved to represent her country. Butterfly had a good life: she had both of her parents that loved her, she had a great house, a great room, and she was never out of her comfort zone. Yet something was missing in life for her.2

    The day dragged on and finally the bell rang. Butterfly walked home fast so she could get away from the cold gloom and get into the sunshine of her room. She took the shortcut through the ally to block herself of the wind. There was a tremor of negativity that ran through her bloodstream, but she ignored it. As she came toward the center of the ally, a hand shot out, grabbed her and pulled her back behind a dumpster. Butterfly's scream was muffled by a hand over her mouth. 'Shut the hell up girl. We need to talk.' It was Memphis's voice.3

    Butterfly listened carefully to her words. She had no choice. If she ran off, Mickey, the buff Puerto Rican would tackle her, or Jesse, the Italian would run after her and catch her (Jesse was an incredibly fast runner) or Hikaru, the Japanese girl, would shoot her. All of the gang had circled around her anyway. But the bold words that Memphis was putting into the air had given her this sense of need. a sense of belonging. She was inviting Butterfly to join the gang. Memphis motioned the girls to follow her. 'I'll talk witchu tomorrow. Holla.'4

    Now at home, Butterfly lay on her bed to think. {To be in a gang?} she thought. {I don't know. I can't ask Angel because he already said he didn't like them. So that's a no. I can't ask Juliani either because she'll say I'm mad.} Juliani Stenson was Butterfly's other best friend. She was Jamaican and moved to America three years ago. She always tries to keep Butterfly in her right mind, ever since they met. That's what made them such great friends. 5

    Just then, Angel and Juliani barged into her bedroom. 'Whats up chica?' said Angel happily. 'Yea, what deh deal? eh eh. you look stress.' Juliani looked at Butterfly with worry in her eyes. {It's like she knows what goes on in my mind.} thought Butterfly. So she couldn't help but tell her friends that she might want to join the gang. Angel gave her a hard look. 'No eres tonto, Butterfly. I care to much for you. You can get yourself in trouble and i don't want that for you. Ti amo, chica.' Butterfly loved the way he talked so softly. It gave her chills. but she wasn't backing down from the gang offer. She would try it for about a month, and if she didn't like the life, she'd just stop. That's all. Easy. But Juliani scolded at her. 'You mad chile, you mad! Look what you gettin' into. God put you to help man, not kill em! Lord know what you gon' do. Meh heart hol' shame for you chile, pure shame. I must leave before meh get hit wit deh mad gyang disease!' Then Juliani just stood up and left. Angel followed, still giving Butterfly that hard look. {My best friends didn't help me through my decision, so that left me to be alone.}6

    The next day when Memphis entered the hallway with her group, Butterfly walked up to her, hands shaking. She stuffed them in her pocket as Memphis stopped in front of her. 'so?' she asked. 'I'm ready' said Butterfly. Memphis smiled a quick smile, but it left her face as fast as it came. She gave a nod and Hikaru took Butterfly's arm and led her off school campus. 7

    When they were in the woods of the school, Hikaru started explaining what Butterfly had to do in order to 'fit'. She had to jack a car, and shoot three birds. if she could do that, then she could join the Trinity. Not much to ask.....right? But Hikaru threatened her. not with words, but her eyes. Even though Hikaru was skinny, her Japanese eyes were bold. On top of that, she had amazing aim when it came to guns. But she was able to get along. That day, She taught Butterfly how to shoot, and how to break a car.....while it was still moving. Tomorrow, Butterfly was to attempt the test. Nerves shook her even more.8

    The next day was Saturday. {that gives me all day to try this out} thought Butterfly. As she walked to the station, She passed by Angel and Juliani. They gave her one glance and looked away. Butterfly thought she saw a tear come from Juliani's eye. {I can't cry back. I must be stronger than that.} Then it was that time.9

    Butterfly stopped in front of a liquor store. Then one by one, the Trinity walked out of the store. First was Mickey Grace. She was dressed in a Brooklyn jersey and faded jeans with a rip on one knee. 'Hola, de nada.' she simply said. 'Welcome for what?' asked Butterfly. 'you'll see.' Then Jesse Olivo stepped out in high heels, a tight leather skirt, and a tight belly shirt. Surprisingly, she didn't seem cold and she'd still be able to run. Hikaru Toshino was behind her in a green shirt with a black jacket over it and some black jeans. her silky hair was tied in a ponytail. Then Memphis stepped out in all black leather. Biker gloves and everything. Her brown skin seemed like it didn't belong. Like, she needed rougher skin instead of that smooth chocolate color. You know? Memphis stood on the sidewalk for a while, closed her eyes and just stood there. It looked like she was meditating. Yet, the rest of us waited. The world stopped and waited untill She was ready. Then, she looked at me and smiled. 'You ready?' 'yea.' is what came out of my mouth. On the inside, I wasn't really sure.10

    Butterfly waited for the Lexus that was going to drive by at 4:00 on his donut run. it was 3:59 right then. 4:00 sharp. The Lexus turned onto the street. Mickey quickly passed her the hammer, and Hikaru ran with her, gun in hand. They ran towards the car with steps in beat. The hip hop music blasting from the other car matched with the scene that was happening on the Hartford streets. 'CRASH!' the hammer went through the window of the passenger seat. Then Butterfly caught a hold of the passenger window. The driver looked terrified. Butterfly unlocked the door so Hikaru could get into the driver's seat. She opened the door and the two girls got in. Hikaru pointed the gun at the driver. 'Park at the side of the road and let us have the car,' she said. The driver stopped, smiled, and got out. That negative feeling of nerves shook through Butterfly once again. {Something tells me that was way too easy.} But she pushed those feelings aside once again because she LOVED it. She had loved that rush of adrenaline. She had loved the look of fear on the man's face. It made her feel invincible. Butterfly got out of the car, smiling. Mickey, Jesse and Memphis walked up to her. 'de nada' said Mickey again. Butterfly understood.11

    Angel and Juliani had watched the whole thing. they were no longer Butterfly's friends. but Butterfly hadn't thought about them anymore. She was one step closer to becoming part of the Trinity. Later that day, she had shot three birds using 5 shots. Not too bad. At this point, she had no more love for nature. Her heart was cold, and she was a Trinity now. She no longer lived with her parents. She moved into the house that the Trinity lived in. This is what was missing! this was what Butterfly needed! and now she got it.12

    She smiled one more time.13

{I'm Happy.}14