C H A P T E R
F O U R

         Jumping off the bus and taking off on foot in a rush, roughly bumping pass people he bypassed he yelled out apologies left and right knowing he only had a little time left before the doors closed. Noticing the building of the church come into view a smile came to his face because he made it just when the line was starting to build up.

Quickly hopping in line behind an elderly guy, Malcolm adjusted his backpack strap on his shoulder while looking around at all the people walking towards the church and getting in line in hopes of getting a place to sleep tonight.

As the line moved Malcolm just stood there thinking about his life and where he was right now. He never imagined himself to be homeless and living on the streets, but anything was better than getting beat on for no apparent reason.

Looking down at his last pair of shoes he owned, he sighed. He sold his other pair to make some money so he could eat, but just as fast as the money came he went even faster and he honestly wasn't sure how many more nights he would last not eating.

He knew school was coming up in less than a week and although he was already registered for the year, he was too embarrassed to show up with dirty clothes and smelling like outside so he had half the mind to just drop out and forget about school and his goal to attend college.

Feeling his phone vibrate in his pocket, he pulled it out to see a text from one of his homeboys.

From Shoota☄️ :
Aye man, you coming to the court tomorrow? We been missing you bro, hope everything coo' wit you and yo folks. Hit me if you need anything💯

Instead of replying to his message Malcolm just slid his phone back into his pocket. He missed his friends and missed hanging with them as well, but it was too much going on for them to understand.

As the line continued to move up, Malcolm started to feel a little lightheaded and the scent of food hitting his nose did not make it any better. The sound of his stomach grumbling and the ache that followed behind was starting to make him feel sick. He was so hungry and he hoped like hell he made it inside these doors so he could eat.

Now second in line he eatched the elderly guy go inside and went to step forward but was stopped by the door greeter who held a sympathetic look on his face. "We're out of room son, half of the building flooded last night due to the rain and we can't let people in on that side." He explained before stepping away to yell out to the others.

Tears threatened to fall from his eyes as he looked down in defeat. Grabbing the guys arm gently more tears began to fall. "You don't understand man, I haven't eaten or slept in three days please." He pleaded.

"I'm sorry son, if it was more that I could do to help I would. It's still early you might luck up and find another shelter somewhere."

Watching as the guy walked inside the church shutting the doors behind him, Malcolm walked off with the rest of the people not sure what to do next. His legs felt like noodles and his hands shook uncontrollably as the feeling of life felt as if it was leaving his body from how weak he was becoming rapidly.

Walking alongside the sidewalk Malcolm stumbled up against the side of a building losing his balance as his vision started to blur. Scooting down against the wall he leaned his head back and before he could try and process what was going on he passed out and all he could do was pray to God that he didn't end his life like this yet.

          Abrutly waking up to water drops dropping on his face, Malcolm sat up to see he was inside of a tent and when he looked around he noticed a guy sitting beside him with a cup. "Who are you? And where am I?" He asked not expecting his voice to be so dry and rapsy.

"The name is Fredrick, but I like for folks to call me Fred and you're in my home." He stated as he began to move around rummaging through a bag.

Looking around the tent that was open he could see it was borded by cardboard boxes and blankets so no light could come in. "How did I get here?"

Passing him a wrapped turkey sandwich, Malcolm looked down at it then back up towards him. "I figured you might be hungry so here and you're here because I brought you here. You passed out not too far from the church and I couldn't just leave you there so I brung you back to my place." He explained.

Quickly unwrapping the sandwich, Malcolm wasted no time taking a bite out of it enjoying the taste of food finally touching his mouth. "I really appreciate this man, thank you."

"Don't thank me man, I'm just doing exactly what God would do. You want another sandwich?"

"I won't be keeping you from eating though right?" He asked.

"It's fine, I'll probably eat tomorrow but something in me just tells me you need this more than I do so take it." Tossing the sandwich his way, Malcolm softly thanked him as he continued to eat letting silence take over.

As Malcolm ate his food trying his best not to rush it so he could savour the moment, Fred just watched him silence as he pulled at his beard that was in need of a trim. "So tell me what's your story? You look pretty young and I'm curious to know how you ended up on the streets of all places."

Malcolm's jaw clenched as he thought back to the reason that led him to become homeless, feeling tears of anger swell up in his eyes. He wiped his eyes and mouth as a low a sniffle escaped his nose, "I couldn't live another day inside that place I used to call home, I honestly felt that if I stayed I would soon die by the hands of my father. It wasn't safe and everynight having to take beatings and being so sore to the point that fighting back can't even be an option to help yourself just got old so I left." He sniffled becoming even more emotional.

"I left my own mama there to deal with that nigga and every night I live with that guilt praying to God that she's okay and that one day he doesn't go too far and beats her to death before I can save her." He cried finally releasing his emotions.

"You did what was best for you in that situation son, I know life for you now may not seem all that right at this moment but it will soon get better. You just gotta remain patient and faithful to the higher power and keep praying that your mom will leave if she already hasn't to save herself as well." Fred expressed whole heartedly. "But in the meantime just work on getting off these streets."

"I hear you." He mumbled.

Digging around in the same bag where the two sandwiches came from, Malcolm watched as he pulled out two apples and handed him one. "Looks like we have dessert on the menu tonight." He joked earning a laugh from Malcolm as well.

Malcolm was truly grateful for this man's kindness, it really made him appreciate his gesture because despite him being homeless and not having much food himself he was willing to give up his last to him to make sure he was good. "You in school?"

"Yeah, school starts back in a few weeks but I don't think I'ma go back well at least not like this." He shrugged.

"Why not? Don't let your current situation detour you from getting an education son, being educated and intelligent is the best thing anybody in this world can be. A dummy with money isn't better than a broke man who is book smart." Fred preached.

"I know, but I've been rewearing the same clothes for weeks now and the money I did have to wash them at the washerteria is long gon' and I can't show up like this without getting picked on. I'd rather just focus on getting a job and work on getting myself off these streets."

Fred nodded, "Okay, so when that happens then what? What's your plan after that? You look like the type of cat to want more in life rather than just working and fighting to survive? What's a dream of yours that you wish to persue? Tell me something."

"Finding a job and working so I can start the fight to survive is my reality so right now dreams don't matter."

Shaking his head, Fred stood up and pushed back the card board box that was blocking them from the outside word and stepped out so Malcolm could follow.

Letting the smell of fresh air hit his nose, Malcolm looked around to see they were under a bridge and for the first time he was able to see how talk Fred really was. When Fred started walking Malcolm noticed he walked with a limp and his curious mind soon wanted to know what happened.

They walked for a good minute under the bridge following the trail of water before they stopped where a deserted area that hung over a big body of water stood. Despite the sound of cars and traffic the place was steal peaceful and watching the water flow calmed Malcolm's nerves.

Slowly taking a seat, Fred looked out onto the water and sighed. "Growing up I wanted to be a hero who saved lives everyday," He started. "I was aiming to be like my father who served in the army and majority of my life that's exactly what I did and for a brief moment that goal came true and just as fast as it came the moment was short lived after I lost my leg during war, was diagnosed with severe PTSD, and losing my mind and hearing from a bad bombing."

"I eventually turned to drinking and starting doing drugs to help cope with what my life had become and that costed me to lose my wife and kids along the way. And due to me being on drugs I no longer could recieve the benefits from being a Vet and I can't blame anybody but myself. I'm here where I am right now because of me, I grew up wanting to be somebody else instead of simply being me and doing what I truly love to make others proud." He ranted.

"What did you truly love to do?" Malcolm questioned.

"I wanted to be a writer, I was real big on writing novels in my free time and that was something no one knew about either. But I'm sure if I went after my dream of becoming one of the best selling author's I wouldn't be where I am today so son dreams always matter in the end especially when its something you're really passionate about. So again, what's a dream of yours?"

Finally taking a seat beside him, he looked out towards the water before sighing. "Well.."

          Closing up the shop for the night, Shaun flipped off the open sign and walked out with Dave not too far behind talking on the phone with Shanice. "We leaving out now, I'll grab something to eat on the way home."

Walking out the backdoor, Shaun played with the keys in his hands tossing them up in the air before grabbing his phone to call Nolan. Listening to it ring a few times, he was soon met with his voice and could hear Armoni laughing in the background. "Where you at boy?"

"I'm dropping Armoni off back at home and then I'm headed to the place right after." He explained making Shaun smack his teeth.

"I told yo bucket head ass to be there by time I got off work, be there in fifteen minutes or that's your ass." Shaun spat into the phone before hanging up and getting inside his car.

Throwing up the peace sign as Dave drove by honking his way, Shaun soon started his car and pulled out going towards the direction of the place he was meeting Nolan at.

The drive for Shaun was less than ten minutes due to it being near the shop, parking his car around back. He got out and leaned up against his car checking the time on his watch. After waiting another fifteen minutes or so, Nolan had finally arrived which irritated Shaun even more.

Getting out the car, Nolan grabbed his bag from the back and threw his hood over his head as he walked up to Shaun who looked upset. "You told me you were going to take this shit serious and here today is your first day of training and you running late. How does that look?" Shaun questioned while opening up the back door and pushing him inside.

"Pops, I'm sorry. I lost track of time while watching a movie with Armoni, it won't happen again. I promise."

Giving him a simple head nod, they made their way towards the front of the gym where guys either stood around working out or inside the boxing ring training.

Looking around the building Nolan nodded loving the energy of the place already. When him and his dad checked out the place a few days, Nolan knew then boxing was his calling and was amped up to join and start training.

Watching as his dad slapped hands with a guy, he looked back and pointed towards Nolan making him step up. "Toni this my boy Nolan and he feels he has what it takes to join your boxing team."

The guy by the name of Toni smirked before reaching his hand out, "Nice to meet you son, your pops is a good friend of mine and I'm doing him a solid by letting you join and get free training with us so you really gotta come with it to prove to me you got what it takes. So that means being on time to all practices, working hard, staying focused and absolutely no drama here is allowed, alright?"

Nolan nodded eagerly, "I hear you and I promise I won't let you or my pops down."

Smiling to himself, Toni motioned for him to follow behind. "I hope your a man of your word son, but come on I want you to meet your trainer Kris."

Saying what's up and nodding his head at guys he passed getting the same reply in return, Nolan already knew he was gonna like this place a lot.

Approaching a ring towards the middle of the gym, Nolan looked up and frowned when he saw a girl who looked to be about the same age as him and just knew this had to be a joke.

She was cute and looked to be fit, but he couldn't see himself training and fighting against a woman. When she locked eyes with him while wrapping her wrists, she smirked and looked off going back to what she was doing.

Laughing to himself, he looked down. "You've got to be kidding me, this is Kris?"

Looking back Toni, folded his arms across his chest before sharing a look between both Kris and Shaun. "Yeah this is Kris, nickname short for Kristina and she is going to be your trainer. So getcha yella ass in that dressing room and suit up, she's ready for you."

Not saying anything else he began walking towards the direction he pointed to. Entering the dressing room where a few other guys stood around in spanks, shirtless just talking and laughing amongst each other.

Finding an empty locker, Nolan sat his bag down on the bench and began removing his hoodie and basketball shorts. "You the new kid right?" One guy asked from behind.

No shit nigga, who else would I be? He thought to himself.

Closing his eyes, Nolan had half the mind to say something slick back but refrained from doing so and just turned around to see who was speaking to him. "Yeah, today's my first day."

"You gon' love it man nothing beats that rush of adrenaline after a good round." One guy stated becoming hype. "I'm Maurice by the way and these two busta's are my boys Nate and Coby."

Throwing a head nod towards both Coby and Nate, Nolan frowned when he saw Nate wasn't returning the gesture instead he stood up and began walking towards him. "Kris yo trainer right?" He questioned making Nolan look him up and down.

"Yeah why?"

Instead of replying, he just shook his head and pointed towards the words on his muscle shirt that read, "Off Limits," before walking out with Coby following behind while Maurice stayed back shaking his head.

"Don't pay that big nigga no mind, him and Kris call themselves dating or whatever so he's just real protective over her and with them being like the top boxers here at the ring, he likes to hold himself to a higher standard. But between you and me the nigga really ain't shit. But aye, Kris may be cute but don't let that cute face fool you." Maurice laughed as he walked out leaving Nolan to think about what he just said.

After changing and putting on the correct gear for training, Nolan walked out to see his dad and Toni sitting donw talking but soon focused his attention on Kris who was jump roping.

The manish boy in him looked down at her chest watching as her breast bounced up and down, and the sweat that covered her body making her skin shine from the light of the gym.

Quickly shaking the thoughts out of his head, he stepped inbetween the rails and onto the ring catching her attention. Tossing her rope, she walked towards him with her hand out. "I'm Kris, nice to meet you."

"I'm Nolan, nice to meet you as well."

Stepping back, she popped her knuckles as a devious smile spreaded across her face. "Ready to get started?"

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Thanks for the love & support as always!
Chapter 5 coming next!
- Denise 💕