Zora POV

A lot has changed in a couple weeks. My grandfather finally retired and Carlton's dating Michelle now and I'm happy for him. He deserves someone who cares about him. I been spending a lot more time with Will because I know Michelle's uncomfortable with me being so close with him

I walked into the living room when I saw Carlton and his Glee Club. Carlton walked up to me

"Hey Zora listen to this" Carlton told me as I went sit down on the couch

Carlton blew his pitch pipe as They all began snapping out of sync

♪She's a brick ♪
♪

House ♪ they all sang making the shapes of a brick and a house

♪ She's mighty mighty ♪
♪ Just letting it all
hang out ♪ they continued singing as they held there arms out

♪ She's a brick ♪
♪ House ♪ They sang as I tried to hold in my smile when Will and Jazz walked in

♪ The lady's stacked
and that's a fact ♪
♪ And there isn't anything
wrong with that ♪ they finished as they waved their finger

Jazz and Will started laughing as Carlton looked over to them

"Let's take five, guys." Carlton told them as we walked over to Will and Jazz

"Will, was that really necessary?" Carlton asked

"Oh, I'm sorry, Carlton. You-you thought
I was laughin' at you?" Will asked

"That's what it sounded like." Carlton told him

"Oh, no, no, no, no, see, when I laugh at you it's more like this." Will said as he began laughing again

"Just for future reference." Will said

"Man, y'all butchered that song." Jazz said as I nodded

"That was the whitest version of Brick House I ever heard" I told him

"Hey, C, I'm tellin' you, if the Commodores
heard you singin', they'd tie you down to the tracks and run you over with the Soul Train." Will told him

"You know, I can understand why you're threatened. After all, you two possess absolutely no musical ability. Face it, you're so jealous, you're green." Carlton told Will and Jazz

"Alright, but just out of curiosity, Carlton
what color are you?" Will asked as he and Jazz left

"Stop" I told them. I love Carlton just the way he is. I balance him out he balances me out its very mutual

"Oh, here we go again. Look, just because I grew up in the best neighborhoods and pronounce the I-N-G's at the end of my words
doesn't make me any less black than you." Carlton told him

"No. It's that tie that does it." Jazz told him as they laughed at him again

"Look, face it, C, I'm tellin' you if you went down to Jazz's neighborhood lookin' the way you look and talkin' the way you talk
you wouldn't come home walkin' the way you walk." Will told him

"And what neighborhood is that?" Carlton asked

"I-in Compton." Will told him

"And if you can make it there you'll make it anywhere." Jazz said as I nodded

"They saw the same thing about Harlem" I told them as I sat down on the couch

"I'd do just fine and dandy in Compton
thank you very much." Carlton told them

"You know, C, talk is cheap. What do you say to a bet?" Will asked

"Oh no" I muttered I knew things were about to get stupid

"Name it." Carlton asked

"Please don't get stupid. Please don't get stupid" I begged crossing my fingers

"I'll bet you, you wouldn't last a day in Compton." Will said

"And things just got stupid" I said as I leaned back on the couch

"Alright, and if I do you have to stop makin'
those cheap shots at me." Carlton told him

"Gee, I don't know. That's my whole reason for livin'. Better make it two days." Will told him

"Two days, piece of cake. And I guarantee,
when I get to Compton I'll fit right in." Carlton said as he walked away singing "I Get Around" by the Beach Boys

"Damn, why didn't we bet money?" Will said as I got up and walked over to Carlton

"Carlton are you sure you wanna do this. I love you just the way you are" I told him

"If I do this Will, will never make fun of me again" he told me

"Oh he only makes fun of you because he loves you" I told him

"Stop trying to defend him. I'm not changing ny mind" he told me

"Then I'm coming too" I told him

"What are you insane" he asked

"I lived in Harlem for 12 years of my life. I can handle a weekend in Compton" I told him as I walked to my house to go pack

"Hey sweetheart" my grandfather said as I walked into the living room

"Hi PaPa. My cheerleading team is having a sleepover at Claudia's house and I was wondering if I can go" I asked. I never lied to my grandfather but if he found out I was going to Compton alone with a bunch of guys . I'll be locked away like Rapunzel

"Sure when will you be back" He asked. I felt bad because he trusts me so much but the probably of him finding out is slim to none unless something goes terribly wrong

"Uh I should be back in 2 days" I told him

"Okay I'll you see then" he told me as I ran upstairs to go pack

I went back to the Banks House with my clothes and met Will and Carlton in the foyer

"Carlton, if you want to go to Compton
I mean, you gotta go through with this." Will told him

"But I've never lied to my parents. It even gave me the willies when Beaver used to do it." Carlton told him

"Alright, look, fine. Well, well, the bet's off, then. Man, it's about to be diss-fest '91 around here. And I feel one comin' on now." Will said

"Alright, alright, I'll do it." Carlton told him as the three of us walked into the living room

"Hi, Aunt Viv." Will said

"Hi, guys." She said

"Hi, mom, uh, dad, did you sign our permission slips yet?" Carlton asked

"I'm sorry, son. I don't know what you're talking about." Mr. Banks said

"I'm talking about two weeks ago when Will and I gave you a permission slip for our field trip this weekend. You said you'll think about
it and sign it later." Carlton told him

"It doesn't ring a bell." Mr. Banks told him as Will started whistling

"Dad, you're always saying how important
these opportunities are. And then when they come up, you completely ignore them.
It's like you don't even care." Carlton said as we sat down

"Philip?" Mrs. Banks cried

"Oh...I remember." He said hitting his head as he got up

"Where are you goin', baby?" Mrs. Banks asked

"Mr. Fels is takin' the English class to San Francisco to visit Mark Twain's house
and all the literary sites. I don't know.
I thought it was important." Carlton said

"Philip, how could you forget something like that?" Mrs. Banks asked

"I didn't forget, Vivian. Now, where did I put those permission slips?" He asked

"Dad, don't bother looking. I found it in the trash can underneath a banana." Carlton said taking two papers out his jacket as Mrs. Banks walked over to her husband

"Philip! Honestly, forgetting your son and nephew like that." Mrs. Banks scolded him as he signed the papers

"Here you are, guys." He said giving them back

"Thanks, dad." Carlton told him

"Thanks a lot, Uncle Phil." Will said

"Are you going too" Mrs. Banks asked as I shook my head

"Uh no. Cheer sleep over" I lied as she nodded

"I mean, really, Philip I think you ought to review your priorities." Mrs. Banks said as they walked away

"I'm goin' straight to hell." Carlton said as putting his head on my chest as I hugged him

"Look what you're starting" I told Will shaking my head as I rubbed Carlton's back

That night we had made it to Compton as Will was showing us Jazz's apartment. There was trash everywhere and I could of sworn I saw a dead rat on the way up

"Well, here we are, C, Zee, Jazz's crib." Will told us

"Crib, house, dwelling, domicile." Carlton said

"H-how did you know that?" Will asked as he gave me some index cards

"Hip-hop flash cards?" I asked as he smiled nodded

"I made them myself. I've been crammin' all
night. I just hope I can get it out of my head
before I take the SATs." Carlton said as Will opened the door

"Yo, J." Will said

"Prince." Jazz said as they did their signature handshake

"Hey Jazz" I said as we did his and Will's handshake

"Hi, roomie." Carlton said smiling holding his hand out be Jazz left him hanging

"Ah..That's called leavin' me hanging
because my hand is literally left hanging in the air." Carlton said

"Ah, my brothers." Will said as they all barked

"Yo, I want you to meet Boomps, Vidal, and Tiny. My cousin Carlton and my friend Zora" Will introduced as Carlton barked

"What was that all about" Tiny asked. Why do they call him Tiny he is buffer than everyone else and taller too

"By the way I'm 16" I said as a couple of guys groaned amd sat down

"Well, where do I put my things?" Carlton asked

"Oh, uh, let me have my butler get them.
Sorry. I crack myself up." Jazz said as he laughed

"No, you can put them on the floor but, um, watch out for my carpet 'cause it's imported from Persia. I could do this all day." Jazz joked again

"Just take them to the bedroom." Will told him as Carlton opened the door and a giant pitbull began barking and began going back and forth with Carlton's bag as he slammed the door and fell back on the couch

"Ah, well, now that Carlton's unpacked
I could go for grub." Will said as me him and Jazz began walking to the door

"Oh, what do I do till you guys get back?" Carlton asked us

"Well, let's see. Chill" Will said flipping through Carlton's flashcards

"You'll be fine. They may not be as scary as they look" I told him as I rubbed his shoulder and walked out the door

Will, Jazz, and I just got back from this chicken place as we were walking to Jazz's apartment

"Oh, look, Jazz, Zee, I just feel bad for Carlton, man. What does he know about livin' in the 'hood? I just spent half the ride over here trying to convince him not to say dy-no-mite! I mean, I just feel like I'm tossing him to the lions or something, man. You know what I mean?" Will asked

"The Detroit Lions still got those cheerleaders?" Jazz asked

"Then why would you send him here dummy" I asked hitting his head

"Ow" He said as I hit his head again

"Open the door, man." Will said as Jazz opened the door and we saw everyone crowded around the TV

"Yes, that's right.' You can buy property
for no money down!" The TV said as Carlton stood up as we took in his appearance. He had on a color shirt, sunglasses, a gold chain, rings, and a bandana

"Yo, what's up?" Carlton asked us

"Ca-Carlton...what the hell are you wearing?" Will asked

"Yo, this?" He asked

"Carlton, you look like a pirate." Will told him

"Yo, stop frontin'. You know this gear is chill." Carlton told him

"Why-why are you talking like that?" Will asked

"Yo, how you playin' me, Prince?" Carlton asked

"What?" Will asked

"Yo, you dissin' me." Carlton told him

"Come on, man, stop it!" Will said as he held his head

"Hey, Prince, lay off of him, man. We like C-note." Tiny told us as we looked confused

"C-note?" I asked

"Yeah, he was a little stiff but he's comin' around." A man who wasn't here before we left said

"Yeah. He's helping us with our business." The other one said

"Hey, C-note, how do I figure my net worth?" Tiny asked

"Yo, how many times I got to tell you?
Write your questions down. I'll hook you up later." Carlton told him

"I'm sorry. That was rude of me, man." Tiny said

"Yo, we cool." Carlton said as they dapped as Will, Jazz, and I watched the whole exchange in shock

"I'm living in crazy town and Will and Carlton are the town capitals" I mumbled

"They love me." Carlton said to us smiling

"Jazz, tell me that this isn't happening." Will asked

"I don't know, Prince. Man, I'm starting to like him, too." Jazz said as they dapped

"Zee fix him" Will told me

"I think he looks cute" I said as Will glared at me as I put my hands up in defense

"Hey, yo, C, I wanna thank you for that tip.
I'm going to go out and get me some of them douche marks." The man in the gray told him

"That's Deutsche marks." Carlton told him

"Yo, check it out, C, I'm leaving, right.
I'mma get get back with you later, so you're gonna help me open that Schwab account." The man in the blue said

"Peace." Carlton told him as he left

"C-note, are you still comin' to MacArthur Park tomorrow night?" Tiny asked

"Yo, I'm with it." Carlton said

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on, hold on.
You're going to MacArthur Park at night?" I asked

"Yeah. My squad's going to sell some Gucci bags. It's a sales bonanza. Sorry. There's no hip-hop word for sales bonanza." Carlton said

"C, I don't go to MacArthur Park." Will told him

"What's up, Will? Not man enough to swing
with the brothers?" Carlton asked

"Get over here, man!" Will said as he dragged him to the side

"Look, you have no idea what MacArthur Park is like. It's dangerous" I told him

"Oh, Zora, if there's any danger, I'll call the park rangers." He told me as I held my head

"It's not that kind of park, Boo-Boo.
Look, listen, people get killed there.
Look, you have no idea what you're gettin'
yourself into." Will told him

"I know exactly what I'm getting myself into.
Look, I'm tired of you always talking down on me, Will. I'm gonna win our bet, and you'll never be able to make fun of me again." Carlton said as I glared at Will

"Look what you did" I said shaking my head

"Look, you know what? You know
what? The bet is off, Carlton. It's off.
Come on, let's go home." Will told him

"Hey, leave C-note alone, man. He ain't leavin' till he does my taxes." Tiny said

"Yo. I'm going to sleep on the floor." Carlton said as everyone started making him a palate

"Well looks like he's leading the pack" I told Will

I was sitting in the hallway reading a book when Tiny walked outside and sat next to me

"You still up" he asked

"Im not about to fall asleep in a place with 5 random dudes and In Compton. I'm not that stupid" I told him

"Your really smart. Haven't met to many females that are as conscious as you" he told me

"Women" I corrected him

"What'd you say" he asked

"You call us females I don't like that. Say women" I told him

"Sorry. I haven't met to many women who are as smart as you" he corrected as I smiled as I looked around the hall

"This place is a mess. The city should really help clean up this place" I told him

"The city doesn't care about the poor. The manager has been begging for years for the city to help fix this place up" he told me

"Then what happened" I asked curiously

"Nothing they think we're all hoodlums that'll destroy it again. Jazz told me you were from Harlem and you know if you're not in the top 1% the world doesn't care about you" he told me as he got up and went back in as Will came out and sat next to me

"Hey couldn't sleep either" Will asked

"This is all your fault. Why do you make fun of him so much" I asked

"Because that's what family does. I didn't think he would take it this far" Will told me as I gave him a look

"He takes everything to far. Seriously have you met the guy" I asked

"I know. I don't know what to do" he told me

"Well you better figure it out because I'm not leaving until he does" I told Will

------------------------------------------------------------

The next day Will went try to tell Mr. and Mrs. Banks that Carlton was in Compton.

Will came back into the apartment as I walked over to him

"What happened" I whispered

"They told me to figure it out. Also your grandfather isn't very happy" He whispered back to me as I pinched my nose

"So what are you gonna do" I asked

"The right thing. Lie" he told me

"Carlton." Will yelled

"Shh! Grab a seat, man. Dude's about to explain variable rate mortgages." Jazz told him

"Look, later. Carlton, you got to come home." Will said

"I'm not leavin'." Carlton told him

"Look, listen, man. I called Aunt Viv to tell
her how we was doing in San Francisco.
She gave me some bad news, man. This Geoffrey, he fell down the back steps, split his wig, man. We gotta go the hospital." Will said

"Oh my god we have to get to the Hospital" I said playing along

"Knock it off, Will." Carlton told him

"Man, I'm not lying, man. The whole family's
down at the hospital. You can do what you want. I'm going down there." Will said

"You're serious?" Carlton asked

"Yes!" Will told him

"C-note, you better go, man."Tiny told him

"Yeah. Later. My condolences." Jazz said

"Great. Let's go." I said grabbing his and Will's hands when Mrs. Banks walked in

"Carlton!" Mrs. Banks yelled

"Mom!" Carlton said surprised

"Aunt Viv, what are you doing here?" Will asked

"What does it look like I'm doing here?
I came to get my boy." She said

"Mom, I can explain. We were on our way
to San Francisco when I realized I had
a sociology report--" Carlton lied

"Don't even try, Carlton. Will told me everything." Mrs. Banks said as everyone groaned

" It-it was a bet." Carlton told het

"A bet? I don't care. Carlton, you are not going to MacArthur Park tonight. In fact, none of you are going to MacArthur Park tonight."Mrs. Banks said

"Wait a minute." Tiny said standing up

"Boy, do not test me." She told him

"Yes, ma'am." He told her as he sat back down

"Carlton, Will, Zora, get your things. I will be waiting downstairs in the car. And another thing, this place is a disgrace! You have a trash can, honey. Use it!" She said as she left

"You went home and told mom and dad?" Carlton asked

"You dimed him out." Jazz said

"Wait, wait, h-h-hold up. I did the right thing.
Carlton was acting irresponsibly." Will said

"Carlton was acting what? In Cosby?
Prince used a school word." Tiny said

"You 5-0'd your own cousin."

"Yo, man, you gettin' soft. Sellout."

"Hey, man, you about to catch an eye-jamming." Will said

"You're getting a little pale on us, ain't you?

"My brother, you want to take
this outside?" Will asked

"Wait a minute hold up Will was just looking put for him. Family protects family" I told them

"Yo, yo, Prince, chill out." Jazz told him

"Hey, J, I can't let him say that stuff about me, man." Will said

"Maybe now you know what it feels like." Carlton told him

We all made it back to the Banks House waiting for our punishment. My grandfather was not very happy that I lied to him and was in Compton

"Wow, what's it like to be in this much trouble?" Ashley asked us

"Why don't you ask Will? He's been there before." Carlton said

"Well, they're going to do all the talking anyway. So you just pretty much nod
and say," "I'm sorry." Uh-oh, and cry if you can." Will told us

"My grandfather would never punish me and if he does I do this" I told them as I pretended to cry

"I'm sorry they made me do it" I cried

"Like that's gonna work" Will said

"Have mom and dad and Mr. Allen talked to you yet?" Hilary asked walking into the living room

"Uh, no, but I think I heard Uncle Phil upstairs
testin' his belts out." Will told us

"Look, guys, I know you're worried but earlier I was upstairs with mom and dad and even though they were initially upset now I really think they're willing to overlook the whole thing.

"Really?" We asked

"What, are you kidding? They're going to kill you guys." She told us as she and Ashley laughed and left

My grandfather, Mr. Banks and Mrs. Banks walked into the living room

"Alright, guys. Stand up." Mr. Banks said as the three of us stood up as the three of them sat down

"Okay, this is new. The only way we're going to make it is if we stick together." Will told us as we shook hands

"Explain." Mr. Banks said

"It's all Carlton's fault." Will said pointing to him

"Will started it.". Carlton told them pointing to Will

"You the one got down there and started tripping." Will said

"Well, you're the one who made the bet!" Carlton said

"But it was your idea in the first place!" Will said

"Zora let us make such a stupid decision" Carlton said as I looked at them in disbelief

"She's supposed to keep us out of trouble" Will said as they pointed to me

"Why don't we go into the street so you can throw me under an actual bus" I said

"Zo-Zo you lied to me. We don't do that" my grandfather said standing up as I looked sad

"I'm sorry they made me do it" I "cried" as I went hug him

"I'm sorry too" Will joined in as he hugged my grandfather

"Knock it off" he told us as we went back over next to Carlton

"Hold it! I am ashamed of you three. Not only did you lie to us but you put yourselves
in danger for a stupid bet." Mrs. Banks said standing up

"But, mom, we were never in any real danger." Carlton said

"Well, you are now." Mr. Banks threatened us as he stood up too as I moved behind Will and Carlton

"Uncle Phil, at-at this juncture I just want to ask, is, like, one of us in any more trouble
than the other?" Will asked

"Will, you are the one who started this whole
thing." Mrs. Banks said

"I-I'm sorry, Aunt Viv." Will said

"I'm sorry? How many times are we gonna hear that? When are you going to start
taking responsibility for your actions? When are you going to grow up, boy?" She asked

"I'm sorry, Aunt Viv." He told her again

"Will, sit down. Now none of this would have
happened if you hadn't insisted on making fun of your cousin. Now, you know, for a person who's always going around
saying, "I wish people would let me act the way I want" you are awfully hard on Carlton." Mrs. Banks said

"That was my point." Carlton said

"That's no excuse, Carlton. Just because Will teases you you have to do something this foolish?" Mr. Banks asked

"Dad, I know it seemed foolish, but I had to show him that I had the courage
to survive down there." Carlton told him

"That's not courage. Courage is being
the way you are.no matter what anybody
says about you. Will teases me but you don't see me going"Yo, yo, yo, homey, yo." Mr. Banks said

"There's no "yo" at the end of it. I'm pretty sure of it." Carlton said

"Zora your supposed to be the good one. Your supposed to keep them out of trouble not get dragged into it. I'm so disappointed in you" my grandfather said

"Ooh the disappointment card" I whispered to the boys

"Well, I'm glad you three had such a fun time down in the 'hood because we're going
to have a fun time dreaming up your punishment." Mrs. Banks said

"Peace out." My grandfather said throwing up the peace sign as they walked out as Will stood up

"Yo, I'mma go test the lock on my door.
Goodnight, Carlton, Zee" Will told us

"What do you mean, goodnight?
This is my time to gloat." Carlton told him

"Gloat?" Will asked as I threw ny head back

"We been through so much. Is not the time" I asked

"I won the bet. I humiliated you in front of your peers. Plus, you said I couldn't handle Compton and I did. I'd say it's time to gloat." Carlton said

"Goodnight, Carlton. Goodnight Zee" Will told us

"See, you're just embarrassed because I beat you at your own game. Look, I've never judged you for bein' the way you are but you always act like I don't measure up to some rule of blackness that you carry around." Carlton told him

I watched this conversation because it needed to happen

"H-h-h-hold up, wait, wait. You don't judge me? You do everything but carry a big, old gavel around. I mean, you treat me
like some kind of idiot just 'cause I talk
different." Will said

"Differently." Carlton corrected

"Goodnight, Carlton. Goodnight Zee" Will said as I stood up

"Stop okay being black isn't a personality trait. You both need to learn that. Being black isn't what you're trying to be it's what you are" I told them

"Well, just so I don't need to tell you later
I did win the bet." Carlton said

"Why do I even try" I asked

"Well, no, you did not." Will told him

"Yes, I did." Carlton said

"No, no, wait, our bet was that you couldn't spend the weekend in Compton,
and you didn't." Will said

"That's only because you came and got me." Carlton told him

"Cause if I hadn't come and got you
you'd have got yourself killed." Will told him as he crossed his arms

"And why was that important to you?" Carlton asked

"Pfft! It wasn't." Will said

"Yes, it was. Admit it, Will. You care about me." Carlton said as I smiled

"I do not." Will said

"You do. You like me. You like havin' me around." Carlton told him

"Hey, Carlton, take it back, man." Will said

"Face it. You just gotta face it. You love me." Carlton told him

"My brother, you want to take this outside?" Will asked

"Just hug already" I yelled

"Gross" they told me as I stood up

"Hug time" I said as I stood on my tippy toes and wrapped my arms around them and hugged them

I walked into my house as I saw my grandfather on the couch

"PaPa I'm really sorry. I know I lied to you and I know this is the stupidest thing I ever done and I just want you to know that" I told him

"I know you're sorry but your still gonna get punished" He told me as I nodded

"I know" I said as I sat down next to him

"PaPa when I was there. I looked around they didn't have any new pipes and it was dirty. The building was falling apart and everything" I told me

"So what do you want to do about" he asked
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We here all at at Dinner Party at my house as I was telling everyone about my new organization

"The Zora Foundation. We have people come in and help make the place nice and we just don't do this in Compton we do this in South Side Chicago and Harlem and so many other cities that need it. Now this dream isn't gonna happen over night but I believe we can make a change so the next generation can have and so can the next and the next and the cycle can continue" I said as everyone clapped

"I'm proud of you" my grandfather told me hugging me

"What's the point of having money if you cant do good with it" I asked as he smiled

"You're still in trouble though" he told me as I smiled

"I know" I told him as I hugged him