Chapter 18
"Tyrone I knew you wouldn't go to school, you're going to end up just like your brother.
Immediately Ty's eyes came open,
"Sorry mum, I must've missed the alarm.
"Missed your alarm, don't take me for a fool boy, she stood, hands on ample hips, "it's here, all over the floor, a week old. You need to wise up boy, you're wasting your life, do you want to end up like Rueben, you think he's having fun?
"Course not.
"Well you've got a funny way of showing it, now get up out of that bed, you hear me.
Turning she marched out the room.
Ty rubbed a hand over his cropped hair and down his face before pulling back the duvet. Of course he didn't want to end up like Ruby, Ruby was always banged up, more like Jarvey. Wondering what his mum's reaction would be to this revelation he chuckled to himself as he headed to the bathroom.
Walking into the kitchen ten minutes later his mum looked at him in disbelief,
"That's not your school clothes, where d'you think you're going?
"Aw come on mum, it's too late to go to school now, look at the time.
"I don't care about the time, you're going to school.
"What's the point?
"What do you mean what's the point, to get an education, to get somewhere in life, that's the point.
Ty scowled,
"Exactly, there aint no jobs around here, education aint gonna get me nowhere in life¦.
"Don't get smart, get changed, go on.
Ty sucked his teeth.
"Don't you kiss your teeth at me boy, where you think you're from, some Jamaican ghetto?
"I'm going out, see you later.
As he left the room she called,
"Where you think you're going, I told you, you're going to school, Tyrone, get back here.
The door slammed and she stood looking down the hall shaking her head. Another one lost to the streets.
The front door was already shut when Ty noticed the police presence, keeping his head down he disappeared down a passage a few houses up. Walking along the back alley he pulled out his phone.
"Paul it's Ty, wassup?
"Still in bed rude boy? Have you seen the time?
"Yeah I'm on my way now bro, listen, I dunno what's happened but there's bare feds on Riverside Street.
"You know it, para, boy para.
"'Bout five from your yard.
"Right see you in a mo, get the kettle on yeah.
Paul opened the door dressed in tracksuit bottoms, pulling his fair hair back into a ponytail.
"When you gonna chop that hair off bro, you look like a bitch.
Tutting Paul looked skywards,
"Shut up fool, go on into the front room, I'll be in in a sec.
They touched knuckles as Ty walked towards the lounge,
"Where's that tea?
"Kettles boiling now, digging his hand into his pocket Paul pulled out a small bag of weed, "skin up if you want.
Taking a sip of tea Ty passed the joint,
"Yeah dunno what they're doing there, but there's loads.
Paul chuckled,
"What did you think it was over that the other night?
Grimacing Ty nodded,
"I thought I was in trouble big time boy, my mum was already on my case over school, let alone getting busted.
"What she caught you?
"Yeah, all the usual shit, you know, about ending up like Ruby. Where's your mum anyway?
"Had to go to the Town Hall over something, she won't be back till later. What's the rest up to, you phoned anyone else?
Ty quickly shook his head,
"Not yet, you know Mags 'll be at home, we'll head over there innit.
Paul's eyes lit up,
"Yeah, what about Jay, he'll have cash.
"Nah, you know he'll be at school, always is. We'll have to look for an earner, gotta get some cash together for tonight, get some more stone innit.
Paul winced,
"I dunno bro, that shit's addictive, I don't want to end up some burnt out crackhead.
Ty looked offended,
"We're only doing it occasionally P, it aint like we're doing it¦
"Ty, you had it last night and the night before¦
"Yeah but only cause we've had a couple of good earners, before that it was just the weekend innit.
Looking at the floor in submission Paul shrugged,
"Yeah, I s'pose, anyway let's get over to Mags.
At the entrance of Wellington Park stood a familiar figure.
"Yo, Vin, Paul shouted, "what you up to?
Vin threw Ty a cautious glance and nodded,
"Same old, you know how it is, what about you?
"Going over to see Mags, you still dropping off for that bloke?
Vin nodded,
"Yeah, it's a piece of piss, easy money bro.
Interrupting Ty pulled on Paul's sleeve,
"Come on let's go.
As Ty and Paul turned the blonde haired youth turned,
"Oh watch yourself Vin, Feds everywhere, aint there Ty?
Before Ty had a chance to say anything Vin rolled his eyes,
"Tell me about it, some bird O.D'd last night.
Raising his eyebrows Paul looked interested,
"Oh yeah, who's that then?
"No-one you'd kno¦.
"What dya mean, no-one we'd know, Ty interrupted, "like I don't know nobody. See since you've started running a bit of smack you've started to think you're a bit above everyone else.
Vin's brow furrowed,
"What you on about?
Ty looked at his companion,
"Aint he?
The other boy stared at the floor,
"Don't bring me into this, come on let's go.
Ty looked back at Vin sneering,
"You wanna watch you don't get jacked.
"What by you?
"Maybe.
Vin's eyes narrowed,
"What and you reckon you'd get away with it?
Ty eyed him angrily,
"Who's gonna stop me?
"Well I wouldn't just let you, but it aint my gear you're robbing.
Ty started towards the other youth and Paul leapt forward to intervene.
Vin ducked below Ty's first punch and threw his own, catching Ty in the temple. As he reeled back Vin caught him again on the jaw. Getting between them Paul shoved them apart,
"Ease up, both of you.
Vin took a step back,
"I didn't start nothing, you need to sort your bredrin out there bro. See you later, you take it easy yeah.
Ty watched him go through narrowed eyes,
"I'm going to have him for that blood, stab him up proper.
"Let it go, come on let's get round Mags'.
