*flash-forward - 2006*

Eddie and Scott were both arrested for illegal activities while working together; they were waiting in their jail cell for the trial. Eddie enters the cell to meet Scott, sitting down face-to-face with him.

Scott: Man, you lost weight.

Eddie: Eating. Healthy.

Scott: *looks at him* I'm taking a plea. By around that time, someone can bring us home early.

Eddie: As far as they can, work out if they are giving us a sentence reduced.

Scott: If we don't, we're fucked.

Eddie: Listen to me; I don't want Veronica to see me get a life sentence.

Scott: I don't want for my wife either, but what the fuck? *stands up*

Eddie: The feds have no evidence against me, but they have plenty on you. I'm still prepared to accept the risk to secure a date and return home.

Scott: When are you gonna take responsibility for-

Eddie: Responsibility?

Scott and Eddie continue to argue about the trial, each accusing the other of mistakes or deception.

2006 >>>>>>>>>> 1992

*October 1992*

A prison guard, Scott, took a smoke break while chilling in the city; he's about to return to state prison for a while. As he strolled through town with his bag, he tossed his cigarette onto the ground. He continued walking, observing the people around him, trying to recognize anyone familiar. He wasn't quite ready to talk to strangers yet because he wanted helpful advice on navigating life in New York without informing his family.

Meanwhile, in high school, Arielle circled the hallway, reporting live on TV, followed by the cameraman heading to the cafeteria. Elias and Flynt allowed viewers to vote while Moby and Katie completed their lunch, observing them closely.

Moby: Lame, I'm not such a fan of this president.

Katie: I'm giving both of them credit.

Moby: You can judge whatever you want with them.

Katie: They are still your best friends. If anyone wants to participate, they give out papers to vote.

Moby: That's the question. But, shit.

Katie: It's not about a different direction; it's the same choice to vote in or out.

Moby: This isn't a coincidence.

Katie: Alright, Moby, whatever.

Moby: *watching them* Good luck with these folks.

Later, everyone is selling crack across the street while one person stands on the sidewalk, trading money for drugs. Trey is the only one outside, relaxing and watching them after buying chocolate milk from the store. Niall approaches someone to deliver the drug to the right person until the sound of a police siren makes everyone scatter.

??: 5-o!

Niall: *taking off quick*

Trey: *sees another cop car pulling over closer and gets away*

Detective Sandra: *grabs him against the wall* Grab the wall!

Trey: *grunts* Are you going to make me seem like I'm involved in drug dealing? The fuck outta here.

Detective Sandra: Shut the fuck up! *checking on him*

Trey: Fucking rookie cop.

Detective Sandra: *still checking*

Trey: I thought so.

Detective Sandra: Zip up your fucking mouth and get the fuck on.

Trey: *looks at her* I swear I should've tasted your ass. *walks away*

Detective Sandra: *looks at him*

Later that night, Travis and Gary enjoyed each other's company at the nightclub. Gary smoked a cigarette to watch the crowd while maintaining their relaxed vibe. He continued to smoke, observing the people wandering by until Travis spotted Teresa approaching them.

Gary: Wait a second. You must be Teresa, the one you talked about. I knew you were going to tell me.

Teresa: I'm a serious woman, don't you even fucked with me and lesson learned.

Gary: I hear you. Suppose you could compliment me.

Teresa: That's what I'm telling you now.

Travis: Have a seat, people, so let's talk about it.

Teresa: Both of y'all must be the cop, boys' night out.

Travis: Yes, the fuck we are. *drinking the cup with wine* God damn.

In his prison cell, Tavon wrote in the notebook he had received along with a letter from his family. Wrongfully imprisoned for the robbery and murder of a store employee, he faced twelve years in jail, having spent one year already. He continued writing until the lights turned off, then returned the notebook and noticed the guard passing by each cell to monitor the inmates.

After midnight, Foster dozed off on the couch. He woke up to a smell and saw flames rising.

Foster: *running through the kitchen and grabs the telephone to call the fire department* Come on with this crazy ass phone!

??: *throwing fire bottle to the house yet again and runs away*

Foster: *seeing more fire coming and he answered the phone*

The next day, Celia and Remy hang out with Walter outside the laundromat as long as he watches over them while they relax. Celia loads her clothes into the dryer and waits for them to finish; then, she walks over to Walter.

Celia: How's your work come along?

Walter: Not today; chilling out here; today is Tuesday, though.

Celia: It doesn't matter what day today is. Each day, you can proceed with whatever work you choose.

Walter: I've been choosing for a while now. Same shit on these streets as soon as the cop shows up; to get everybody arrested.

Celia: *hearing*

Walter: If it wasn't for anybody, I could spend the jail for the rest of my damn life after I started this piece of shit when it comes to drug activities. Damn. Someone else marked those fucking corners by yesterday while the police had surrounded them.

Celia: Sticking up to your different plan. Just don't be insecure, OK? *looks at him*

Walter: As long as we keep ourselves connected during that time.

Celia: *looks at him and walks back inside* Yeah.

Remy: *looking at them until he got the message from his pager*

Liam was playing catch football with the mayor, Thomas, in the backyard when he visited Thomas' house to discuss sharing the election until it came very soon.

Liam: Sir, you didn't need to breach the contract while managing the mayoral duties in NYC. Moreover, as a teacher, my learning process mirrors my experiences attending school each year.

Thomas: Since you become a teacher, how can you differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners?

Liam: As I have done previously, I will utilize diverse teaching methods and resources to accommodate various learning styles, implement adaptable grouping strategies, and provide assignment options.

Thomas: You are still in the right circle.

Liam: I always do. George Bush can do the same damn thing as a real president to keep on rolling.

Thomas: Bush can be a visionary no matter what the people are watching him. Bush is white because I'm black.

Liam: *hearing*

At the university, Airo and Minnie exit the building together. After class, they stroll outside to relax. Minnie scans the area and spots Celia confronting others for advice on changing their personalities.

Airo: You were looking at this popular one?

Minnie: Yup, as long as she maintains the nice spot.

Airo: *looking at the car to find the taxi*

Minnie: So, where are you waiting for? Christmas?

Airo: Tell me about it.

Meanwhile, Chandler and Vince are participating in a yoga session together after she invited him to join. They are both following the lesson, and Vince finds himself captivated by Chandler's yoga poses, prompting him to approach her.

Chandler: Watch me. You'd better grip firmly after I make my first move.

Vince: *hearing and looks at her*

Later that night, Lian drives home, unloading her food bags from the car, when he spots something resembling a ghost.

Lian: What are you doing out here?

??: *shoots him in the chest*

Lian: *falls to the ground and breathes heavily*

??: *walks away*

The next day, Tavon is watching TV and listening to music in prison while Carlos walks by, drags a chair, and sits down alone.

Tavon: *looks at him*

Carlos: I wanna stand a little closer to the TV.

Tavon: It sounds like this prison has been quite frightening for you.

Carlos: Someone taught me that.

Tavon: I'm Tavon, man.

Carlos: Carlos. *doing handshake*

Tavon: *doing the same* What's up? What were you in jail for?

Carlos: I've been going through much trouble when I was stuck in foster homes; someone tried to kill me. I was fighting someone back, almost beaten to death, and that's why I got sent to jail. This prison....is hardcore.

Tavon: *hearing*

Carlos: I'm 19.

Tavon: What about your real parents?

Carlos: They don't need me anymore. I was trying to help them get into rehab until I got sent away.

Tavon: *sighs*

Carlos: Nobody knows or likes me anymore, except I love myself. I want to go home—a real home.

Tavon: So do I, bruh... I was in trouble for being wrongfully accused of bank robbery.

Carlos: Everybody heard it from you. 

Tavon: How long are you gonna be in here?

Carlos: Like two years here, three years on probation. That's what I got here less than a month ago.

Tavon: *hearing*

Carlos: How long are you staying?

Tavon: Eleven years left.

Carlos: Damn.

Tavon: *looks at him*

*Elias' house*

Elias: *running downstairs, trying to get out* I'm about to get outta here.

Elias' dad: Get your sorry ass in the living room.

Elias: *walks to the living room and looks at the parents* What's going on?

Elias' dad: *shows him the gun and puts it on the table* Your mom found this piece of gun while she was doing the laundry. Is that what you become a gang?

Elias' mom: Honey?

Elias' dad: Don't speak for me, women. Do you think he's tough now?

Elias: Why would I care? This city is getting strange. I'm protecting my family; I haven't used the gun yet!

Elias' dad: Boy, your mama doesn't know who you are anymore because of this.

Elias: Bullshit.

Elias' dad: What the fuck do you say to me? *stands up* Right about now, I don't want you around in my house no more.

Elias: Good, I'm outta here. *leaving*

Elias' dad: Don't forget to take the gun with you. While you're out there, think about how you are growing the fuck up!

Elias: *slammed the door*

Later, Albert is currently homeless after losing everything when Officer Gary fired him. Meanwhile, Mark and Hadley were relaxing in the city, strolling around until they noticed Albert, who was silent, walking past the corner.

Eddie is tidying up the music and returning everything to the closet when he notices Veronica's song. As he prepares to set it aside, he reflects on his difficulties while figuring out the next project. He lies on the bed, contemplating his thoughts.

Meanwhile, Genevieve returned to New York excitedly, eager to revisit her favorite spots and reconnect with friends.

KerryKennedyAuthor

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Millany_Kelly_Green

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