Prologue
“HEADS!” Cherub said as a Basketball was hurling towards Safar’s head.
“What?” Safar said as his head turned to face the oncoming ball.
“Now that was funny” Cherub said back in the locker room.
“Shut up, no it wasn’t.” Safar said as he playfully shoves Cherub into a locker.
Cherub and Safar had grown up together in The Bronx. They were in the same class ever since the 5th grade and now even in Middle School they had many of the same classes together, including of course Gym. Still laughing and “play fighting” they begin to change from their shorts into their normal clothes for their next class.
“Finally man spring break starts tomorrow.” said Safar.
“Break for you maybe I have to get to L.A.” replied Cherub.
“Oh…yea. How’s the rest of the family taking everything?”
“Their taking it alright, my dad talked to the family over there on the phone. Their preparing everything for the funeral now we’ll be over there by tomorrow night. Monday will be the day of the wake.”
“I see…damn man she was just at your place in December. Feels kind of weird knowing that she’s gone now.”
“I don’t know how to talk to everyone over there…my dad told me their taking it well but that could just be an act over the phone you know. When we get there I know it’ll be completely different, I’m kind of scared of that though, I haven’t got a clue about what to say to them.”
The two fell silent, once they finished changing they began walking out of the locker room with grim looks on their faces. It was strange that neither of these two were cracking a joke or up to some type of mischief.
The following day Cherub said goodbye to Safar and boarded a plane to Los Angeles, California. As Cherub left Safar couldn’t help but think Cherub would do something stupid while he was in L.A. Cherub had a long and boring flight but somehow was able to make it through. He landed in L.A. with his mother. They were greeted by their family with open arms and tears. The funeral commenced and the day after a gun was fired. Safar sat at home waiting for his friend who would never come back.
Chapter 1 The first day of School
"Wow first day of junior year." Safar said as he headed towards his school.
He got off the city bus on that warm September day, which otherwise may have been a pleasing day had it not been the first day of school. He walked across the street from the bus stop and began walking down a ramp which led to his schools courtyard. Many people were happy to see their friends after the summer. Some were already playing games in the courtyard still wishing it was summer. He had a feeling in his stomach he didn’t like. It was the same feeling he got every first day of school for the past couple of years. He felt alone, he didn’t like going to school by himself, but what used to be his company was long gone.
As he walked towards the entrance of the school he noticed his friend Shawon in the courtyard texting someone.
"Yo Shawon" he yells.
"Your late" Shawon replies.
"Not my fault the bus was late and school hasn't even started yet."
"Get on an earlier bus then I've been here for like 20 minutes waiting for you and everyone else. Your the only one who showed up so far."
"Calm down man they'll be here soon."
Safar sat down next to Shawon as they waited for the arrival of their friends. They began chatting about their summers. Within a few minutes a school bus unloaded a number of students, including three of their friends Alvi, Rose, and Lumna. They all exchanged their hellos and also began discussing their summers. Soon afterwards Lumna's boyfriend Astume shows up with Michelle and Tina. The group was excited to all be together again and continued chatting about their summers. Everyone was engaged in conversation with the exception of Safar who kept to himself letting his mind wander elsewhere.
"Hey the bell just rang" Rose pointed out. "We should go inside and get our schedules."
The group begins walking in as Safar and Shawon fall behind.
"Hey are you ok?" Shawon asks.
"Yea why wouldn I be?" replies Safar.
"Well you seem a little out of it. Like your mind is in a completely different place."
"Well I feel fine man nothings wrong."
"You sure?"
"Yea look lets go pick up our schedules I'll meet you back here in a little while."
"Alright"
As safar walked away he reached into his pocket and took out a necklace shaped like a distorted star. Engraved on the back of the star was the name Cherub.
"I miss you bro..." he said aloud. He puts the necklace on and feels Cherubs cold name against his chest. He walks into the school and heads up to the second floor. As he walks towards his homeroom class he sees someone walking towards him. It was a familiar face and Safar would have loved the company of this person if he was really there.
“More hallucinations…” Safar said as he walks into the classroom. After some time spent in his homeroom class Safar picks up his schedule and walks back to compare with Shawon. As he walked out of the classroom he again noticed the familiar face.
“Cherub…why aren’t you real anymore…” he said as he fought back the tears forming in his eyes. He turned and walked back down to the courtyard where he noticed Shawon reading over his own Schedule. He caught up to Shawon and the two exchanged their schedules.
"Wait we only have last period free together two days a week." Complained Shawon.
"The administartion loves screwing us over doen't it?" Says Safar.
"Yea they do...damn we always had a couple of classes together since freshmen year and now this crap."
The two sat down bummed out by their schedules.
"I guess we make the best of it now. Can't do much else" Said Safar.
“Yea…the bell just rang” Shawon said with a sigh, “first period just started.”
They both got up and went to their respective classes. The day dragged on with everyone happy about being with their friends again and sitting through the administrative processes which occur during the first week of school. Constantly filling out cards, getting assigned seats and receiving textbooks from their teachers. Safar went through all of this in all his classes. First Math, then English, Science, and History. It was the same process being constantly repeated throughout the whole day. Finally the eighth period bell rang. He no longer had any classes and went down to the courtyard to hang out with Shawon.
"How was day one of hell?" asked Safar as he and Shawon walked around the courtyard.
"Painful" replied Shawon.
The two sat down on some benches and continued their conversation. Rose spotted the two friends chatting and decided to come by and join the conversation.
"Hey guys" she said as she approached them.
"Can you believe were juniors now?"
"Well I can't I still feel like 8th grade wasn't too long ago..." Safar replied.
"Is that what's bothering you?" Shawon asked.
"Wait what's bothering you? Are you ok?." Rose chimed in.
"Really I'm fine I’m just having a bad case of nostalgia that's all." replied Safar.
"For once could you just not hide it and tell us what's wrong." Shawon shouted.
"Look there's nothing to tell ok I’m just a little bummed out everyone gets like this every once in a while its nothing out of the ordinary.” Safar yelled. The two had been steadily raising their voices as others around them began to stare.
“Calm down ok you guys are making a scene,” said Rose with a very worried look on her face.
“Were just worried about you ok there’s no need to yell…Whatever is Lunas coming after school today?” Shawon asks.
“Yea she is I’ll probably spend the afternoon with her before I go home.” Safar replies.
“Look I know I’m not in the best mood alright but really I’m ok there is nothing wrong with me at all so you guys don’t have to worry. Sometimes I just think about Cherub a lot and it just makes me a little depressed.”
Safar let out a sigh as he looked down at his feet.
“Well anyone would be sad in that situation but its good to talk about it with your friends or family…” said Rose.
“Yea that’s all were trying to get you to do so you don’t explode later from thinking about all of this crap.” Shawon added.
“Yea thanks I appreciate all of that but I’m fine really…” Safar replied holding back one tear drop he did not want the other two to see.
Shawon tired of trying says “Alright even though I think your lying and just not wanting to tell us what’s really going I’ll lay off.”
“Thank you I guess…” Safar replied.
“Were always here though if you need to talk.” Rose adds.
“Yea I know.”
Safar hung his head low for a while, he didn’t know why he couldn’t talk to them about it. He didn’t want them to worry but the more he didn’t talk about the situation the more it did worry them.
He kept thinking in his mind “Cherub died in 8th grade that was 3 years ago. Why does it still feel like it wasn’t that long ago…Why the hell does it still hurt?”
Rose and Shawon exchanged worried looks, they knew why Safar was bummed out but they didn’t know how to help. An awkward silence passed by for the three, none of them knew what to say next. Time passed by them as they continued into other conversations until finally the bell rang. Once the bell had chimed several times the three spotted Lunas walking towards the school.
“Hey there she is. Lunas!” Rose called.
It seemed like Safar had been cured of his “mild” depression, the three walked towards Lunas who was making her way down the ramp. Safar gave her a hug and a kiss.
“Hey how was school.” she asked
“Tolerable I guess.” Safar replied.
Shawon and Rose walked over and also gave Lunas a hug.
“Hey I haven’t seen you guys in a while.” Lunas said to them.
“Yea the summer has been busy for all of us.” replied Rose.
“I’d rather be going through my busy summer then coming here.” Shawon said.
“Well that’s too bad were all stuck here now aren’t we?” Safar chimed in.
“Shut up” Shawon said as he gave Safar a dirty glare.
“Why are you two always randomly arguing?” Lunas said. “Your going to end up hitting each other over something stupid and not talk to each other for a day or two.”
“Well their smallish brains aren’t capable of much so they wouldn’t do much damage to each other let them fight.” Rose commented.
Safar responded to this by mumbling a few derogatory terms under his breath.
“Excuse me” Rose said with a raised eyebrow.
“Nothing…nothing at all.” Safar replied with a smile.
"Stop being mean." Said Lunas.
"Its alright he does this all the time anyway Shawon we should meet up with everyone else, you two have fun."
"Yea have fun just done tell me about what you do...creepy people." Shawon added.
"Shut up" Safar said laughing.
Shawon and Rose left the two alone and began walking towards the rest of their friends.
"You ok you don't seem like yourself..?" Lunas asked out of nowhere.
"You too huh. I'm ok not in the best mood but yea im fine."
"Is it because tomorrow is supposed to be cherubs birthday..."
"Oh that? I completely forgot."
"Stop that..."
"Well we'd be celebrating his birthday if some bastard hadn't decided to fire some bullets in his stomach."
At this point safar began to tremble. He fought hard to keep his tears back and once again succeded. The began walking up the ramp and walked around the block.
"Safar..."
"Can we talk about something else please"
"But that's not going to stop it from bothering you."
"Nothings gonna stop it from bothering me so what's the point in talking about it. Were already talking about it now all its doing is just making me mad so what's the point."
“You need to let it out that’s the point…I know you miss him and I didn’t know him that well but I miss him too. You told us all so much about him its like we knew him too.”
“I wish I stopped him from going.”
“It was his cousins funeral he had to go”
“If he didn’t go he’d still be alive. It was the same damn guy too. He killed his cousin and then goes and kills him too.” Safar’s voice continued to escalate.
“It isn’t fair ok he was like my brother.”
A moment of awkward silence passed by which ended when two more of their friends popped up.
"Hey its lunny and safar" yelled Rumi.
"Aaaaa its you people" Boru yelled.
The couples took turns hugging one another and saying their hellos.
"We kind of heard you yelling and wanted to see what happened...hope you know your really loud and scaryish when you yell Safar." Said Rumi.
“Why thank you” Safar replied.
“Not something to really be proud of but your welcome I guess…”
“Soooo whats wrong?” Boru asked.
“Its nothing we were just having a little argument that’s all.” Safar answered.
“It’s not nothing Safar…” Lunas pointed out.
“Well it doesn’t have to be talked about right now alright.” Safar angrily replied.
“Calm down dude getting mad over this is stupid.” Boru said.
“Lets all hug and be happy.”
“Ok barney thank you for making everything better” Safar said with a hug.
“Just doing my job” Boru replied.
“You guys are so stupid” Rumi said laughing.
Lunas joining in the laughter added “Aww you guys are perfect for each other.”
The couples then decided to sit down and spend the afternoon talking and catching up after their long summers apart. Safar was happy that the subject of Cherub’s birthday was not brought up again. And although it still lingered in the back of his mind he did not have to fight any tears back as he laughed and had fun with his friends. He was happy to be with all of them, but at the same time he was still sad that Cherub couldn’t be there to join in the laughter and fun.
Chapter 2 That night
“So that’s basically what happened today” said Safar.
“Why couldn’t you talk to everyone about it Cherub?” Angela asked.
“I just couldn’t I knew I’d end up crying and I didn’t want to do that in front of them.”
“So its just stupid man pride or is it something else?”
“Its just hard talking about it to anyone but you ok.”
Safar had known Angela almost as long as Cherub but it wasn’t until Cherub passed away that they became really close. They sat in the dimly lit living room in her apartment. They both sat and listened to the tick of the clock every second they were there. Both of them had very grim looks on their faces, and both of them wished there was a third person there to make everything better.
“You should at least be able to open up to Lunas I mean she is your girlfriend.” Angela said.
“She worries about me all the time why add to it?” Safar asked.
“She worries more when you don’t tell her anything.” replied Angela as she took a look at the clock.
“It…just hard ok…”
The two sat in Angela’s living room as Safar silently began to cry.
Angela giving him a hug says “Shh I miss him too…”
“Tomorrow is supposed to be his birthday…”
“Yea I know…”
Safar began silently crying on Angela’s shoulder. She gave him a kiss on the forehead and said “It’s always going to hurt from time to time.” She kept holding on to him and stroking his hair hoping it would bring him some type of comfort.
“Do you want to sleep over here tonight?” she asked him.
“Yea if you don’t mind…” he replied.
“Of course not.”
“Thanks…I should probably call my mom and let her know I’m staying here tonight.”
“You know where the phone is.”
He got up from the Sofa the two were sitting in and walked towards the phone on the other side of the room. He picked it up and dialed his phone number. His mother picked up and he told her he would be spending the night at Angela’s and would just go to straight from there to school in the morning. She said alright and after exchanging goodbyes he hung up the phone. He took a look at the clock as he walked back over to the sofa and sat down next to Angela once again. At first he was silent still thinking about Cherub and making glances every now and then at the clock.
“It still bothers me how the trial turned out…” he said.
“He got life in jail…”
“He deserved the death sentence.” he said with a anger in his voice. Safar was never known for wishing death on anybody but this was one person who he had aquired enough hate for to do so.
“He’ll die in jail by himself, that’s worse don’t you think?” Angela asked trying to appeal to Safar’s rage.
“It bothers me that he’s still breathing right now”
“There isn’t a thing that can be done about that anymore…” she said as she checked the time on the clock once more.
“I just want him to know what it feels like…” said Safar.
“Think about it he’s stuck in jail for the rest of his life…all he’ll see every single day for the rest of his life are the bars he has to live behind.”
“He doesn’t even feel any remorse for what he did…” Safar said with a sense of bitterness in his voice.
“I’m sure he does I mean he is human…”
“He confessed to it he said if he could turn back time he’d make sure that he never gets caught. He said that at the damn trial. How can you call him human?”
She sat silent with him for some time. Still glancing at the clock every few seconds to check the time.
Finally Safar broke the silence.
“I hate him so much…”
“I know but…you can’t let it get to your head. He’s paying for what he did.”
“He isn’t in my eyes…it won’t be better until he’s dead…” Safar said with more bitterness and grief in his voice.
“Don’t talk like that ok…”
“Well you wanted me to open up…that’s how I feel.”
Safar then took the necklace he was wearing around his neck and held it in his hand for some time. Before he had arrived he decided to give it to Angela. Carrying it around with him made himself feel a lot of comfort but for some reason he felt Angela should hold on to it.
“I want you to have this.” he said as took her hands and put the distorted star with Cherubs name in them. She looked down as tears began forming in her own eyes. She knew how much the star meant to Safar.
“Safar…Cherubs dad gave that to you to remember him…” she said holding back the tears.
“You’ll take better care of it then I will.” said Safar.
“But I wouldn’t feel right taking it from you…Safar I know how much this necklace means to you I can‘t take it…”
“I want you to have it…please…”
“Are you sure…?”
“Yea I am it’ll be more taken care of if its with you…knowing me I’ll probably lose it or something…”
“I just can’t take it…How about this, I’ll hold the necklace for you but I want you to take it back at some point ok?”
“If I ever need it back I’ll ask for it. Right now I just feel as if you should have it, and like I said you’ll take so much better care of it then I will.”
He took the necklace and put it around her neck. He clasped the ends together and looked at the star for some time. Although it wasn’t a real start it shined just as bright as any star would in his eyes.
“Thank you…” Angela said with a smile.
“No problem.”
Angela now felt Cherub’s cold name against her own chest. Her tears were getting harder and harder to hold back but somehow she was able to do so. Again she kept looking at the clock.
“Three years and it still hurts…” said Safar.
“Its always going to hurt…we can’t change that. We have to move on.”
“How exactly do we move on…I know I can’t forget him.”
“Moving on is different from forgetting…you don’t have to forget. Just keep him in your mind all the time. Think of all the great times you had with him and keep all those memories. Just think happy thoughts when you think of him. That’s moving on.”
“Its hard not to be sad when I think of all those happy times…I know they won’t happen again…hanging out in the woods just having fun all the stupid things we did that got us into trouble” Safar said with a laugh.
“The whole building hated seeing the two of you together” Said Angela smiling.
“Yea and now we won’t be.” Safar said as his temporary smile faded away. He looked at the clock to check the time again.
“He’ll be with you in spirit…” she said as she put a hand on his Shoulder.
“I’ve heard that so many times…so damn cliché…” Safar said shaking his head. “Its actually getting a little annoying”
“Kind of hard not to say something cliché at times like this…”
“Thanks Angie…”
“No problem hun I’m always here for you” she said as she gave him another kiss on the forehead.
They sat there for some time holding on to each other. Angela looked at the window and said. “Wow you can actually see the moon tonight, its really beautiful.”
“Its not as beautiful as my moon.” Safar said as he though of Lunas.
“Aww you should be telling her that not me” she said with a laugh.
He smiled and looked up at the moon.
“Wow Safar’s really smiling, haven’t seen that in a while.” Angela remarked.
“I always smile when I think of her. Can’t help it.”
“Corny but cute” Angela said with a laugh, “If you really feel everything you do about her then you really should open up to her…talking to her could help you a lot.”
“Getting tired of hearing this over and over from everyone…” he said as the smile once again faded away from his face.
“Your hearing this because we all want to help you.”
“I don’t need or want any help I’m doing just fine.”
“Just as stubborn as he was…you guys really could be brothers.”
“We were brothers…”
Safar looked up at the clock again and realized it was almost midnight.
“Its almost his birthday Angie…” he said as his voice cracked.
She looked up at the clock as well with Cherubs name still pressed against her chest.
“What would he have done right now if he was here?” Angela asked.
“He would have wanted to call up some hot girls to help him celebrate.” Safar said with a smile.
The two laughed thinking of all the things Cherub would have wanted at that point. Although they were laughing inside the both of them wished Cherub really was there to do everything they had pictured in their heads. They wished Cherub was there to make them laugh. Safar wished he could go to school every morning and hear Cherub complain about all the teachers who hate him. Angela wished Cherub was still around to drop by in the afternoons and make her mad at him for stupid reasons. All these thoughts raced through the two friends minds as they watched the clock edge closer and closer to midnight. All the could hear at that point was the tick tock of the clock. As time passed it seemed the tick tocks were getting slower but louder. The two of them hated listening to the tick tocks but they waited.
Finally both hands of the clock were pointing upwards to twelve.
“Happy birthday Cherub” Angela said aloud.
“Yea happy birthday…” Safar said as tears began streaming down his face.
They had both been anticipating this moment. Neither of them knew how to react with anything but tears.
Angela held him to her chest as he cried and as he did her own tears began streaming down her face. They cried silently for what to them seemed like hours though the clock only showed minutes.
“Why isn’t he here Angie?” he asked.
“Shh he is here…I know you can see him.”
“Having hallucinations about him being there and him actually being there are two completely different things.”
“But you enjoy his company…I know I would.”
Angela began stroking Safar’s head. The two of them began to calm down. Their tears were slowly subsiding.
They sat silent once again, neither knowing what to say. They both knew more tears would flow out if they said anything. They could no longer hear the ticks of the clock at this point. They didn’t need to hear it anymore, it was already Cherub’s birthday.
“Angie why does it still hurt?” asked Safar.
“Because we loved him that’s why.”
Safar sighed and rested his head against Cherub’s star.
He felt the star against the side of his throbbing forehead and Angela’s heart beating on the other side of it. Once again he began to cry.
Realizing that Safar had begun to cry once again she began singing a song. The song was her own special version of the lullaby song, a version she specifically made for him. A song she sang to him almost all the time.
“Hush little baby don’t you cry
Angie’s gonna sing you a lullaby
I’m gonna bring your eyes to rest
I love you so much cuz you are the best”
She continued to hum the melody of the song as both of them began to doze off. They closed their eyes and fell asleep with Safar’s head against Angela’s beating heart. And in between them the star that carried Cherub’s name.
Chapter 3-A few days later
“You don’t have to walk me to school I’m not a little kid” Safar said to Angela.
“What you don’t like my company?” Angela asked.
“Well it annoys me.” said Safar with a little smirk.
She playfully slapped the back of his head with a laugh.
“Your such a jerk why do I tolerate you?” she asked.
“I guess I’m just so amazing that you want to be around me all the time” he replied with a laugh.
Angela rolled her eyes as they continued to walk when she asked, “So you promised Lunas you would tell her the whole story when you guys meet up right?”
“Yea I did and yes I’ll tell her,” he said anticipating her next question.
“Good”
They walked on for a few minutes and found themselves a block away from Safar’s school.
“I guess I’ll leave you here.” Angela said.
“Wow finally” Safar remarked.
“Jerk” Angela said with a hug. “See you later and make sure you stop by my place before you go home tonight.”
“I will if I feel like it” Safar replied as he crossed the street.
She gave him a little kick as he laughed and jogged away.
It was the second week of school and all the classes became long and busy with all the administrative processes finally finished. The day wasn‘t too bad for Safar. He was kept busy at all of his classes and had fun during his lunch periods and free periods with his friends. The day seemed to roll by until it was 3:34 the bell rang signaling the end of the school day and as it did he walked out of the building and saw Lunas waiting for him outside.
“Hey babe” he said as he gave her a kiss.
“Hey how was school?” she asked after their kiss.
“It was alright I guess not as slow as most other days you?”
“Basically the same really everyone’s getting busy and the teachers are coming down hard with the work.”
“Yea a lot of that happening here.”
They walked away from the school and found themselves at a nearby field. They found a line of bunches right by the field and decided to sit down. They began talking about their day. It felt nice for the both of them to have some sort of escape from the normally hectic day. They loved the fact that they could find this escape in each other. It was one of the few things Safar enjoyed.
“This feels so good there’s a nice breeze too. Why can’t it be like this all year round?” Lunas asked.
“Its really not that great.” Safar said with a laugh.
“Well to me it is” she replied with a kiss.
He stroked her hair for a while both of them fell silent. Safar was waiting for Lunas to bring up the promise he had made to her. After some time passed she finally did signaling Safar to get ready to talk.
“Safar…you made a promise to me…” she said.
“Yea I know you want to hear the whole story from the beginning…”
“Yes I do…”
With a heavy sigh Safar began his long story.
“In 8th grade right before spring break Cherub’s cousin was shot and killed by a member of some gang in L.A. Cherub and his mom got tickets to fly over there so they could be with the family during the funeral. Angel’s dad stayed behind because they couldn’t afford another ticket. We said our bye’s and then he went off to L.A.” Safar paused as he was trying to get the rest of the story out of him. He felt as if a ton of weight had been lifted of his chest just by sharing that part of the story with Lunas.
“Go on…” Lunas said.
“He got to L.A. fine and I talked to him on the phone after the funeral. That phone call was the last time we had any contact. The same guy who killed his cousin found out about the funeral and decided to stir up some more trouble just to prove to the other people in his stupid gang how hard he was. He saw Cherub and he just decided to mess around with him. He told him how he was the one who killed his cousin and there’s nothing Cherub could do about it. Cherub had a really bad temper so of course he punched the guy in the face. After he did that the guy took out the same gun he used on his cousin and shot angel in the stomach a six times…” Safar had almost choked on those last words as he attempted to continue telling Lunas what happened. Although it felt good to let it all come out he couldn’t stand thinking about Cherub’s death.
Lunas gave him a hug and said, “If you don’t want to tell my anymore right now its ok…I know its really hard for you.”
“No I want to tell you. I promised I would.” Safar said as he trembled. He sat silent for a moment and then continued his story.
“Someone who heard the gunshots called 911. By the time the police and the ambulance got there the shooter had been gone for a while. They rushed him to the hospital but it didn’t matter it was too late to help him…he lost way too much blood. There were a lot of witnesses so they found the guy and he actually confessed to both murders during the trial. He said if he had the chance he would do it again just the second time he would make sure he never got caught…”
“That’s disgusting…” Lunas commented.
“Yea…well what can you do? This guy is one of the sickest bastards in the world. I don‘t know anyone who could do something like and not feel any damn remorse for their actions.” said Safar.
“We don’t live in a perfect world…there are people of all types that live with us, this guy was just different from most people…”
“I know and that’s why he should have gotten the death sentence.”
“Why didn’t he get it?”
“Cherubs dad didn’t believe it was right he asked the Judge to just give him life in prison.”
“He was a really nice man…”
“Yeah…I guess.”
With a sigh Lunas said “Thank you for telling me this…its good for you too you know to let it out a little bit.”
“Well that’s really not the whole story…” Safar added.
“Wait…there’s more?”
Safar nodded.
“His parents also died shortly after…”
“How…”
“His dad committed suicide…he’s a damn coward and his mom was killed by her brother because a large sum of cash was promised for him in her will. Everyone in the family knows he did it but there’s not enough evidence to prove it so he’s a free man.”
“Wait…what about the necklace his dad gave you…where is it and when did he give it you?”
“I talked to him after we found out what happened, before he went to L.A. to attend the trial. That’s when he gave it to me and asked me to always remember Cherub. I told him I would. He killed himself after the trial and Cherub’s funeral was over…”
“Where was Cherub buried?”
“They flew his body out to D.R. and they had a funeral there.”
“Oh…where did you put the necklace…your usually wearing it?”
“I gave it to Angela I thought it would be better taken care of in her hands.”
“Oh…that’s really sweet.”
“That’s just the kind of guy I am”
Lunas giggled “And that’s just the kind of guy I love,”
“And you say I’m the corny one?”
“It rubs off on me too ok” she said with a playful shove.
“Uh huh yea”
As Lunas’s smile faded away she asked him, “Where is he now?”
“Cherub’s uncle?”
“Yeah…”
“In D.R. living off the money his sister wanted him to have.”
“How can you kill your own family members for money…”
“You said so yourself there’s a lot of different type of people in this world. There’s also a lot of different motivation factors. Money is one of them.”
“Yeah…your right thanks for telling me everything.”
“You deserved to know I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about this before…”
“It’s alright.”
“I miss him a lot babe…I miss them all even his dad…”
“They were like family too you…of course you miss them. You grew up with Cherub always around and always in the same class every single year. I guess I don’t really know how much it hurts because I never felt anything like that before…”
“I’d never want anyone to feel like this.”
They both sat silent for some time. In his mind Safar could see him and cherub playing catch with a football and Safar failing to catch it over and over again as Cherub just laughs.
“Just remember I’m here ok, we’re all here for you, to support you no matter what”
“I know”
“Don’t ever forget that…”
“I won’t babe its just hard to talk about it sometimes. Its just how I am I don’t like crying and talking about it usually makes me cry.”
“Crying every once in a while isn’t a bad thing.”
“I hate it when it happens ok.”
“I know…but its good to let it out every once in a while instead of just letting it build up inside you. Cherub wouldn’t have wanted you to always be depressed, he would want you to move on…and that’s what you need to do right now…”
“I know everyone’s been telling me this…”
“Well you need to start listening to all of us.”
Safar looked up into the sky and said “I was at Angela’s place the other day and we talked a lot about Cherub.”
“That’s good you know…keep his memory alive.”
“We talked about his killer too…I wish he was dead right now…him and Cherub’s uncle both deserve to be dead right now.”
“Don’t say that ok…Cherub’s killer is paying for what he did.”
“He might be…but the uncle isn’t” Safar said with a very angry look on his face.
“Calm down ok…he’ll have to deal with consequences for his actions at some point too alright.”
“Yea well its just taking a little too long for that to happen.”
They both sat quite for a while until Safar finally said.
“He’s going to be in NY soon…to visit Angela’s cousins.”
“Safar…don’t think of doing something stupid…”
He sat quiet ignoring Lunas’s last comment.
“Safar…”
“I’m not going to say I won’t do something I might end up doing…”
“What are you talking about…you can’t do anything you’ll ruin your entire life if you do…” she said frantically.
“I don’t want to talk about this right now just let me think about it.”
“Safar this isn’t something you should be thinking about.”
“Well I am thinking about it so too late for that huh?”
“What are you planning on doing?”
“I don’t know I’ll have to think about that.”
“Can you promise me you won’t do anything stupid?”
“What you consider stupid may be different from what I consider stupid so I’m sorry no I can’t promise you anything.”
“Will you promise me one thing though…that you’ll talk to all of us before you do anything?”
“Yes…that I can promise I guess.” Safar replied.
“Thank you for that much at least.” Said Lunas.
Safar sighed he couldn’t stand the fact that this murderer who got away with everything would be so close by. He secretly made up his mind right then and there. He would make sure that this man would get what he deserved. He would make sure that this man felt the same thing his victim felt.
Chapter 4 - Another day afterschool
The bell rang signaling the end of 8th period. Safar gathered all his belongings and quickly got out of the classroom he was happy that he could finally spend some time with his friends after a long hard day at school.
“Safar!” Shawon yelled.
Safar turned around and saw Shawon walking towards him.
“What’s up man how’s your stress level?” asked Safar.
“Beyond the level a human should ever be unfortunate enough to reach.” replied Shawon with a sigh.
The two sat down outside in their schools courtyard.
“Is that guy in NY yet?” Shawon asked.
Safar had decided to also tell Shawon and Rumi about Cherub’s uncle. Just like Lunas they were afraid of what Safar may be planning to do.
“No he isn’t” Safar replied.
“Dude can you tell me what you plan on doing…”
“To be honest I don’t know what I’m going to do…I might end up doing nothing.”
“Everyone knows you’ll try something…I was talking to Lunas and Rumi last night their really worried about you and so am I.” Shawon said with a worried look on his face.
“You guys have no reason to be worried I’m not going to do anything alright.”
“Can you look me in the eye and say that.”
Safar sat silent not knowing what to say.
“Exactly you can’t.” Shawon pointed out.
“What would you do?” Safar asked Shawon.
“I’d be just as angry as you are…but I wouldn’t do anything that could potentially ruin my life.” Shawon answered.
“Yea you say that now.”
“I’d say it again if I were you.”
“Well you’re not me.”
Safar had avoided looking at Shawon until now.
“I’m not going to tell you that I won’t do anything and I’m not goint to say that I will do anything. Something may happen, something may not happen. That’s all I can tell you right now.”
“Just make sure heads clear before you make any decision whatsoever ok…” Shawon said.
“OK” safar replied.
They in the courtyard as time passed by around them. It was almost October and the leaves would start dying and fall from the trees. Everything would start dying now.
Safar got up and said “I think I’ll just head home right now.”
“You don’t want to hang out with all of us today?” Shawon asked.
“I’m not really up for it today man…”
“Alright yea…I understand, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
They said their goodbyes as Safar decided he would walk home instead of taking the bus. As he walked he kept thinking about everything.
“I want to make him pay…” he thought to himself.
“I could easily get a gun…”
He kept walking looking at the green trees that wouldn’t be as green anymore soon.
Safar walked on and although he felt alone in the back of his head he knew he wasn’t. The familiar face was walking along side of him.
“I know you would do the same…” he said aloud.
The familiar face didn’t say anything back to him but kept walking along side him until eventually the face began slowly fading away.
He felt around his chest searching for the star. He remembered that he gave the start to Angela and put his hands in his pocket as he continued to walk.
“The bastards gonna be around here soon…I’ll get him” he said to himself.
He was getting closer and closer to home when he noticed another a familiar face. One he could actually interact with.
"Snake!!" Safar called out to his cousin.
"Hey bro" Snake said as they embraced.
"Haven't seen you in a while man how you been" Safar asked.
"Its been busy I got some time off from work so I thought id give my cousin a little visit." He replied.
They were both in front of Safars bulding, and decided to sit down on the steps in front of the entrance.
"Man its been way too long." Safar exclaimed.
"Yea it has, how's school and everyone?"
"Busy man a lot of work."
"Yea I remember high school it was fun but a lot of work."
"Listen man im glad you came today I really want to talk to you about something..."
"Is everything ok?"
Safar let out a big sigh
"Na not really." he finally said, "listen let me ask you this...if someone killed your best friends mom and he was dead and couldn't do a thing about it and you knew where the killer was what would you do?"
Snake looked at Safar puzzled.
"That's one of the strangest questions I've ever been asked but to be honest id probably want to go kill him..." answered Snake.
"You aren't planning on killing anyone right..."
Safar looked down.
" I don't know right now what I want to do. I do know the guy who killed my best frinds mom will be here soon and I want him to pay for what he did."
Snake looked at Safar with a surprised look.
"Bro you do know that I want to be a cop right..."
"Yeah I know..." Safar replied.
"I don't know what to tell you but I guess if I was around if and when you did something...id turn my head the other way."
Safar looked up again.
"You would?"
"If you were sure about what your doing then maybe..."
"Snake...I hate this guy so much..."
"I know you do...but think about it...you don't want to ruin your life."
As Angela’s dad drove the car into the night little Nathan began crying.
“Come on stop crying Nathan.” Angela said as she took him into her arms.
“Open up the window a little bit there’s a nice breeze.” Angela’s mom said. Angela opened up the window as her hair began flowing in the wind. They were driving by a beautiful river with the full moon above them. It was the last beautiful sight that any of them saw.
“THERES A CAR COMING TOWARDS US” Angela’s mom yelled.
The two cars collided as Angela’s head banged against the half open window. The chain on the necklace broke and the distorted star with Cherubs name on it flew out the window. Nathan was no longer crying and Angela was no longer holding him. The star rolled down into the river never to be seen again.