Issue 16 "Get a Grip"

Tonight was the typical Friday night on the east side of town. The gang called the “Rippers” was out skating. Everyone knew not to mess with any of them, especially when AJ was around. The whole crew kept skating for hours trying new tricks, picking on each other, and just having fun. They weren’t all extremely close, but considered each other family. Nobody ever stepped foot near Dakota since her father passed away, but if someone did, all of them stepped in.1

All of the kids heard the click of the street lamps and realized time had flown by quickly. On Friday nights they all stayed out till curfew. They still had a few hours of skating. When it got too dark to tell where the ramps were, three cars pulled up the left side of the skate park. The crew stopped skating and gathered around each other. AJ whispers quietly, “Stay close,” as she keeps right hand near her side.2

“I didn’t think anyone came around this late anymore,” Dakota whispered back, “at least not while we’re here.” Everyone was in disbelief as two of the cars unloaded. None of which paid any attention to the kids in the skate park. Dakota’s eyes were locked on the one car when she noticed that no one came out of it. She had this dying urge to find out who was in that car. Her eyes stayed locked and didn’t hear AJ’s voice.3

“Damn it, did you hear me?” shouted AJ from the car. “Get your ass over here before I leave you.” Dakota turns and starts for the car. Putting her board in the trunk, she hears that lonely car door open. Her body pivots 180 degrees to find out what made her so intrigued. A tall dark haired girl glides out of the car. The girl turns gracefully and shuts the door, in the process locks eyes with Dakota. The girls exchange smiles before AJ pulls her out the trance. 4

Dakota and the rest of the crew were dropped off to get their own car or dropped off at home. When Dakota got home it was late, but her mother was already in bed with a note left on the dining room table. Where were you Dakota Jai? I am tired of this late night bullshit. I know it is not a school night, but you still have curfew at home. Make sure your room is clean before you go ANYWHERE tomorrow. Dakota threw the note away and looked through the fridge for a late night snack. Finding nothing, she gave up and went to her room. 5

Her phone buzzes to life with a text message from AJ. What was your deal back there?6

Dakota text messages her back with a confused meaning, what do u mean? I was shredding it out there. She gets a reply back faster than expected from AJ but leaves it alone till she gets out of the shower. Quietly she grabs a pair of pajamas and tip toes into the bathroom trying not to wake up her mom. 7

When Dakota gets out of the shower and dressed back in her room, she finally looks at the text message. DJ those were drug dealers at the park. Stop thinkin about that girl. I know those kinds of ppl. Don’t even try, there is no use.8

Dakota doesn’t reply to the text message and drifts off into sleep. So much for not thinking about the girl. Throughout the night DJ kept dreaming about her, but only saw what she could from earlier that night. It was too dark to tell anything but Dakota loved that girl’s smile. The only event off in her dream was she saw everyone looking at her. She woke up startled to the sound of a gunshot in her dream. The gun was pointed at her.