Chapter 1

“I was sitting there on my bed with a football in my hand watching some television on my small tv until my dad walked in and said.”
"Hey boy, what are you doing"
I answered back, “nothing bored watching tv.”
"Where is the last time you hang out with Ricky," He questioned
By the way Ricky is my best friend that I knew for a long time. “I think last week” I tried to remember.
Dad says, "you should give him a call so yall can go hang out while I go to work, I don’t want you home alone
“Ok” I said, “I will”
I got up and walked to the house phone and dialed Ricky’s number. He answered
"Hello"
“Are you trying to hangout,” I said.
"Yeah sure, where are you trying to meet at?"
“How about that old baseball field on Grove St. I replied back.”
"Okay see you there" Ricky muttered.
As I was walking I pass by a liquor store 4 blocks away from my small two bedroom apartment and saw a guy walk behind me in a rush in the liquor store about to put a beanie on. I stood there for a little bit to see what the
guy was going to do. The guy was a tall black man with a big black jacket and some jeans. I was looking threw the glass liquor store door, but it was kind of hard to see because the door had signs that said win the lottery for 235 million dollars so it was hard to see what he all black man was going to do. The tall black man took something black out of his pocket and pointed it at the guy at the cash register. It was a gun and watched to see what happen next. The guy pulled a bag out and was yelling at the cash register guy saying.
"Put the money in the bag!”
I didn't know what to do, I was thinking of choices to do in my head.

1)Go try to stop the black man from taking the money,but I would probably get shot

2)Run away and call the police, but as soon as the police would come the robber would be gone.

3)Watch the guy take the money and see what happens next.

I decided fast because the cash register guy was almost done putting money in the bag. I chosed the 3rd choice to see what happens next. It sounded stupid calling the man the Black Guy, so I called him BG for short. I was so frightened at the time and was hoping that he wont see me but it was to late. BG got the money and shot the cash register guy in the chest and looked around and saw me looking at him throw the door. I ran away as fast as I can, but he was chasing after me. I thought he was going to try to shoot at me while he was chasing me but after I went around a corner and looked back a few seconds he didn't have the gun in any of his hands. After switching from Grove St to Monto St. where Ricky and me used to play hide and go seek and went to my best hiding place. I made a hole six years ago when Ricky and bunch of other friends and me played hide and go seek. I used to always get caught all the time until I made that hole and now nobody can’t find me. The only person who knows about that hole is Ricky. I made the hole bigger so Ricky and I can always go there when we don't want to be it. When I was sitting their for about 45 seconds BG came and I can see him looking around for me out in the open field. I can see him because I made a tool that bended around in the dirt like one of those tools you used on a park. BG shouted "Listen kid I don't want to got to jail okay, I'm sorry you had to see that but I need money for my family, Please don’t tell the police or I will have to get my friends on you and that isn't a good thing!" He ran away in fright, I waited for about two minutes so that he wouldn't pull a Ambush on me. I got up out the hole and ran to the baseball field all the way at the end of the street on the corner. I saw Ricky and told him what a crazy walked I had to get over here. When I got close to him to talk to him I was gassed out for running all over the place.
"Hey Erik What’s up, what's wrong with you" Ricky wondered.
I just had had the craziest walk over here
"Oh Really" Ricky says.
Do you know that liquor store four blocks down from where I live at.
"Yeah, why" Ricky answered.
I went by it and a tall big black guy with a huge jacket and long jeans that I called BG for short walked behind me in the liquor store and he was holding a black plain beanie in his hands and put it on his head. I Watch as he went into the liquor store and he put the beanie on and pulled a gun out and pointed the gun at the cash register guy and said give me the money. When BG got the money he shot the cash register guy and looked at me outside the store. I was scared and ran away and he was chasing after me, but I remembered that old hole I made when we were eleven.
Ricky answers "Yeah"
I went to the hole so BG won’t see me. BG came and looked around for a little bit then left. I got up and ran here thats why I’m fatigued right now.
"Wow man you had a lucky break" Ricky warned
Yeah I’m glad I got away from him. I thought he was going to kill me.
"Next time just asked your dad to give you a ride here because there are a lot of gang members in the bad part of Oakland. If you died our football team would suck because you're the best on the team and you will never have a chance to go to college and play college football like you always wanted to." Ricky admitted.
Yeah man just one to thank God that I’m safe right now.
“We should've never went here to meet up because this place reeks and you would of never saw BG in the first place.” Ricky complained
I know right, I agreed I can smell half eaten hot dogs, gang symbols on the walls, old shoes on the fence. This field needed an upgrade if somebody wanted to play any baseball games here or practice for a baseball team, but nobody cared about this baseball field. I don’t know why they made one in the ghetto anyways. Instead of this old piece of crap we should of bought a football.
“Yeah that so when we're not at school to practice our plays for football,” Ricky interrupted me, “We can practice here on the weekends and practice at school on the weekdays.
Yeah that would be much better.
“I heard they used to have baseball games here before this place was a ghetto. Now we have these gang members here and we can’t stop that.
“Since we’re here what are we going to do” Ricky questioned.



Chapter 2
Lets call Ryan, Allen, and Rudy to see if they want to a little football game here.
“I don’t think calling Rudy is going to be a good idea.” Ricky warned
Why not, I thought we are still cool even though I took his position at running back but I think I deserved the position because I try harder than him at practice and at the games.
“Yeah but it’s not just that you told coach Johnson that he was doing marijuana and hanging out with gang members and coach Johnson kicked him off the team.”
Oh Yeah I should've never said anything about that but I got blamed for smoking marijuana and and hanging out with gang members even though I didn’t do it Rudy did.
“We should call Allen and Ryan but not Rudy because he told me that if he ever saw you he would get you” Ricky confessed.
What does he mean he is going to get me.
“I don’t know, I didn’t ask him how he was going to get you.”
Well why, you should have.
“Sorry Erik next time I will.” Ricky mumbled
How do you know there’s going to be a next time.
“I don’t know” Ricky pleaded
Just forget it lets go call Ryan and Allen so we can get more people to play football with us.
“Okay” Ricky said
I grabbed my dumb cheap flip up phone out of my pocket and dialed the Ryan’s number. Allen Ryan’s little brother picked up the phone and said
“hello”
Hey Ryan what you doing today.
“This isn't Ryan, this is his little brother Allen.”
Oh What’s up, is Ryan there so I can speak to him.
“No he’s in the shower but I’ll tell him that you guys want to know what are we doing today. Where not doing anything today.”
Do yall have any plans today.
“No we were supposed to go to church with my dad because its Sunday but my dad left with my mom somewhere.
Okay can I was just asking because I was seeing if yall want to play a little game football.
“Yeah okay ill make sure that Ryan knows when he gets out of the shower. Im pretty sure that he would want to play some football because he haven't played until Friday from the game you guys won. Oh Yeah good job on Friday when you scored three rushing touchdowns with 221 yards. Allen said
Thanks man that really means alot, Okay I will see you guys in a little bit, oh yeah meet us at Crazy Jack’s.
“Okay” Allen said.
Ricky and I threw the ball for about 5 minutes until we got hungry and went to Crazy Jack’s. If you are in high school Crazy Jack’s is the best place to hangout with friends or eat some good cheeseburgers with the Crazy fries. The Crazy fries come with thick long fries with the best sauce in the world for the fries. It taste like BBQ and other ingredients that came all together with toppings like cheddar cheese. It taste so good, every time Ricky and I go Crazy Jack’s we always starved over the fries and order a cheeseburger with the fries. When you took your first bite if the fries it had that taste where you have to come back again. As we we’re sitting there I wanted to know what was going on with his parents.
Ricky did something happen to your parents or something.
“Yeah they got a divorce like a year ago you're lost and my dad is moving to Santa Barbara, I don’t think they're going to get back together.”
That sucks, are you you going to see your dad when summer comes.
“Yeah but my mom has a new husband, his name is Jerry and he is alcoholic and has anger management.”
“Why does your mom likes him if he likes to drink and gets mad easily.”
“I said the same thing to her, she told me that he is a nice guy and works for a good business.”
“Oh that’s why you guys live out of the ghetto in that big two storey three bedroom house.”
“Yeah.” Ricky said.
Do you miss your dad.
“Duhh man who doesn’t miss their dad.” Ricky whined
Yeah, I miss my mom a lot.
“Yeah I feel you man, How did she died?”
I remembered when I was only 11 and my dad was watching me at home while my mom was out with her friend and they went to a club and got drunk and she was in the passenger seat and her friend that was driving the car went off the curve and they both died. My mom broke her spine and and had a coma and I don’t know what was my moms friend injuries. My mom was stuck there with the car upside down for several hours with a broken spine and a coma. Thats how she died.
“I didn’t know it was that bad man.” Ricky sobbed
Yeah it was terrible, I was paranoid for about 4 weeks until we had a funeral. If my mom was still alive I wouldn't be living here because she was a lawyer and we were wealthy at the time but,we would be living in Santa Barbara where I am from. After her death my dad wanted to go somewhere cheaper since he is a janitor and really janitors don’t get paid enough to be wealthy, unless you work for a rich school.
“Don’t you have a sister right?”
Yeah, her name is Erica but I rarely see her because she’s always outside with gang members, I haven't seen her in two days.
“What is your dad going to do about that.” Ricky questioned
Nothing, Erica and my dad had an argument about if she keeps leaving the house and don’t come back for a couple days.
“What did your dad say to Erica.” Ricky said
He said there's no reason to come back home if you keep leaving. He also said if she leaves one more time, she’s not welcome back into the house.
Ricky asked “Have you ever asked her why does she chills with gang members and never come back home for a couple of days.”
Yeah but she never answered me back.
“Hmm, have you asked your dad why she does she go out.
No but that’s a good suggestion, When I see him that’s the first thing i'm going to ask him.
“Okay, Where is Ryan and Allen it been like 25 minutes.” Ricky complained.
I know right he just took a shower,I don’t know why they are taking a long time to come here, They live three streets down.
“Ill call them to see if their coming or not.” Ricky said
Okay.
“Hello, are you guys coming.”said Ricky
“Coming where” Ryan answered
“What do you mean where. you guys were supposed to come meet Erik and I at Crazy Jack’s.
“Huh I didn’t know that we were supposed to meet you guys their.” Ryan denied.
“Allen didn’t tell you that you and him were supposed to come meet us here, we have been here for like 30 to about 25 minutes.” Ricky argued
“No wait, Allen! why you didn’t tell me that we were supposed to meet Erik and Ricky at Crazy Jack’s. Ryan Yelled.
Ricky told me that he can hear allen talk to Ryan. Ricky said that Allen told Ryan but, Ryan forgot because he has a remember things easily or he forgets them after he does something else.
Ryan interrupted their argument and says, “You know what we will just come over their and get yall because you guys are wasting good Oakland daylight and we want it to go to waste.”
“Okay” Ryan agreed.


Chapter 3
Ricky and I were walking and we were about to go on the street where the burglary happen but nervous because what if BG is waiting for me to walk back on that street or sent his other people to watch that street for him. I told Ricky we should go on the next street.
He disagreed and said “Why this way is faster.”
Well remember BG and the burglary.
“Yeah” Ricky wondered.
This is the street BG was chasing me on and that liquor store over their where those cops are at is where the burglary happen.
“Oh really, Lets go on Temple street the next 3 streets over, because I bet that BG sent people after you they wouldn’t just look on 1 street just to look for you they would go on more streets you get what I am saying.
I was to worried about BG finding me again that I barely heard what Ricky was talking about, so I just said yell to make it look like that I was listening. I just followed Ricky and we went on Temple St. It was a long street with fences in front of the houses and big silver trash cans at every house and about 3 to 4 lowrider cars on each side of the streets. We were walking all slow because Ricky and I never came across this street and were really curious about it. We went down like 4 houses and we saw these two black guys,one of them had a red tank top with tan shorts and the other guy had no shirt with saggy red pants. On their porch drinking two 40”s, 40’s are big beers that get you drunk in a couple of gulps. Both of them had a 40 in a hand one, the one with the tank top kept looking at me and the said.
“A What’s Up young blood where you from?” The tank top guy said.
I from Santa Barbara but moved down here, me being stupid I ask the tank top guy where you from.
Tank top guy answered and said “I from here youngblood, what y'all about to do young blood.”
“I was talking to myself and said people in the ghetto talk weird. When he kept saying blood I thought it was a nickname for cool dude that looks fresh. In Santa Barbara nobody talked like that but I think because I didn’t live in the ghetto. I was being stupid again, So I try to act all tough and talk like him. I said we’re about to pick up my friends blood. He looked at me and his facial expressions looked like he was mad at me and responded back and said.”
“Listen blood just because i'm saying blood you don’t have to say it back alright, I don’t know you enough for you to say it back to me.
When he was talking he kept walking closer and closer to me, when I was about to apologize to him Ricky interrupted me and said.
“Sorry man where sorry it won’t happen again, we will just keep walking, have a nice day.”
The guy backed up and said
“Alright man see ya’ll later the, and watch what you say okay. Hold up, What is you guy’s names?”
I’m Erik and this is my best friend Ricky.
“Alright I’m Deandre and my brother right here is Ed, stay out of trouble and watch each others back.”
Okay and Ricky and I walked away, I looked at Ricky and said I was a little scared.
“You’re dumb, Ricky said and shoved me a little bit, Why would you say blood back to him if you don’t know what it means.”
I do know what it means, I think
“What does it mean then?”
Like tight cool dude that looks fresh, Right
“No man their in a gang called Blood’s and that’s how they talk.” Ricky said
Bloods?, that is weird.
“You don’t know or heard of a gang called Blood’s.” Ricky questioned.
Nope, Why would they name their gang Blood’s
“You see how both of them were wearing red.” Ricky said.
Yeah.
“Red is the color of blood and if their gang was called Red’s that would sound dumb, that’s why they are called Blood’s.” Ricky explained.
Oh okay I got you, what is the point to have a gang anyways.
“I can’t answer that because i'm not in a gang and don’t know why either. If you want a answer you ask a real gang member.
It doesn’t make any sense to me, I know i’m black but I don’t never want to be on the streets selling drugs and killing other people, that’s not right to me.
“I know i’m with you on that man, but that was still dumb from what you said.” Ricky said.
I know I need to think of the words i’m going to say before I say it.
“Yeah that would be smart.” Ricky started smirking at me.
Ricky started laughing and I was thinking when I met him I forgot what Raise he was, When I met him it was in 8th grade and I remember the exact words from my question I said, What Nationality are you, I forgot what was his answer. From the look of it he look mexican and with a little of black but I didn’t remember so I asked him again. What Nationality are you Ricky?
“You don’t remember asking me this a long time ago.” Ricky whined.
No that was five years ago and that’s when we both met each other.
“Im Mexican and half Black.” Ricky answered.
“Yeah I was right I was thinking about that in my mind. I need to see your mom Chloe again I miss her a lot, I haven't seen her in a while.
“She been a work and taking care of the house. If you want after we play football we can go to my house so you can see my mom and meet my new step dad.” Ricky said.
Yeah sure that would be cool.



Chapter 4
We made it to Ryan’s house and knocked on the door, Ryan opened the door and said.
“Are you guys ready to lose suckers.”
Noo way Ricky and I won 3 of the last 4 games, Were going to win today and that is going to be the 4th.
Ryan was tying his shoes and as soon as I said Were going to win today he looked and this is going to be the 4th he looked at me with a small smile and said.
“Okay you’re wrong because my brother and I worked out yesterday and made some changes and new plays. You guys been winning because my brother is a Junior and you guys are Seniors.”
“Whatever” Ricky said.
Ryan tell your brother to hurry up so we can beat you guys.
“Allen hurry up and Erik where are we going to play at so.” Ryan questioned
Where going to the park on Palermo St.
“Are sure about going over their I heard that gang members are always strolling that street.” Ryan worried.
We should be good trust me. Their goes Allen finally, What were you doing.
“I was trying to find my other shoe, It was in the closet under clothes.
Oh well let’s go you guy’s already took a long time, we could of played a couple of games, but now I think we only have time for one.
“This is all Allen’s fault if he would of told me to meet you guys earlier and had to wait for him to find his shoe.” Ryan blamed Allen.
Allen got mad and got closer to Ryan and said.
Ryan shut up, You always blame everything on me, Even when we we’re little kids I always got in trouble and you didn’t.”
“Well because it would always be your fault.” Ryan said.
Okay guys we’re good there doesn't have to be no fight or anything.
Allen interrupted me and said.
“Shut up Allen you don’t know what I have been threw with this Ryan”
Allen shoved Ryan and Ryan came back and punch Allen in the nose and Allen had a nosebleed.
I tried to break it up but Allen was furious at Ryan and threw me off of him and tackled Ryan to the ground and starting throwing punches left and right at Ryan. Ricky and I finally broke it up and new that they were still mad each other and didn’t want another fight to happen. So me and Ricky switched team,
Allen was on my team and Ryan was on Ricky’s team, but when Ricky and I told Allen and Ryan about the game and how the teams were going to be different teams they both didn’t want to play no more. Ricky and I went threw all that for nothing and were kind of mad and I just went to Ricky’s house to see his mom. Ricky’s house was huge, they had a two story house with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. They were wealthy and lived in the rich neighborhoods. His mom was a lawyer that’s why I barely saw her and I didn’t what his step dad did for his job.
As soon as I got to Ricky’s house Ricky’s mom got so excited and went to me and gave me a big hug and and a kiss on my forehead. I said I miss you to.
“How are you doing Erik I haven't seen you in a while.” Ricky’s mom said.
I'm doing fine, I like this house so big and spaceful.
“Thank you Erik you're always complimenting on us, nice young gentleman.” Ricky’s mom said.
I heard a call from the living and it was a person but I couldn’t hear what is was or who it was,until I heard again and it sounded like a grown man, he said
“Ricky is that you, come here boy”. I thought it was ricky’s dad and thought he came back and Ricky’s parents were back together. Ricky walked in the living room and I followed him. Their was a grown man sitting on the couch and tv was on ESPN and I knew that Ricky’s dad always watch that so as soon as i went in the living room I said what’s up Ricky’s dad, but it wasn’t Ricky’s dad it was Ricky’s step dad.
“I’m not his real dad i'm his stepdad. Let me introduce myself i'm Jerry.” Jerry introduce himself
I heard about you before from Ricky. He said you were a good guy and glad you're with his mom. As I said that Ricky looked at me and Jerry responded and said.
“Oh really he doesn’t say that to me in person, isn't that right Ricky.”
“I don’t know, It’s different from telling you then telling other people.” Ricky said
Ricky went up stairs and I followed, we got in the room and ricky looked at me and said
“Thank you for not putting me out their.”
No problem, a real friend doesn’t do that.
“Yeah thanks, do you want to play some game cube or something.” Ricky considered
Yeah sure man what games you got.
“I got a football game we can play so I can beat you like I always do.” Ricky got cocky
Thats not going to happen, you know I always win with any team I play.
“Okay lets get it started, i'm going to play with the Falcons because when I ever play this game that’s the team I always play good with and that’s the team i’m going to beat you with.” Ricky being cocky again.
I see you being cocky, you're not going to be cocky when I use the Raiders and beat you, but this is my first time playing a gaming system so you might have to help me with the controls okay.c
“Yeah of course, if you need help with anything I will help you with whatever you need help.” Ricky
Thanks man and so I received the ball and the game started. As we were playing I smelt food, it was the fourth quarter and I was down by one touchdown. The score was 35 to 28 and I really wanted to win, but my mind was set on that food Ricky’s mom was cooking. I was hungry and the only thing I ate was the Crazy Fries we ate 2 hours ago so my stomach was grouling. I had the ball in the game and their was only 47 seconds on the clock and Ricky was still talking trash and being cocky so I knew that I had to come up with a great play and to not lose by my best friend in the sport I love. So I did the play the Flee Flicker where the quarterback gives the ball to the running back and makes it looks like it’s a run play, but then the running back passes the ball back to the quarterback and then the quarterback passes the ball to the wide receiver for a touchdown. I picked the Flee Flicker play and the same thing happen and I scored with zero seconds on the clock, but I didn't want to go to overtime and have to play longer because I was hungry and wanted to eat. I went for a 2 point conversion and got it and I won and started bragging and being cocky like how Ricky did to me. So we went downstairs and I saw some fried chicken and some french fries on the counter and ate so much that I felt like I was going to throw up. Ricky and I went outside and wanted to go to the park real fast before it gets dark.





Chapter 5
We were walking and I was still talking trash about the football game. Told you I was going to win, you didn’t believe me.
“Erik shut up that was luck and it wont never happen again.” Ricky said
As we made it to the park I saw Rudy with two other guys and they looked like crack heads. I went by Rudy and said What’s Up and he responded back
“Shut up snitch get out of here before it becomes a problem.”
I had to, they were blaming me for what you did, I wasn’t going to get in trouble for something I didn’t do.
“Well you should've blamed somebody else like this pathetic waste of trash Ricky.” Rudy said
“Shut up before I” Ricky said
Rudy interrupted him “Before you do what?”
Rudy back off man we don’t want a problem and as I said that I put my hand on him because he was getting to close to us.
“There's already a problem” Rudy said
He pushed me off of him and then I pushed him back and then I got punch by one of the guys Rudy was with and then a fight broke out. I was trying to fight Rudy and his friend while Ricky had the other guy. I wasn’t worried about Ricky because he knows MMA and started being the guy up, but the guy pulled out a gun and shot ricky in his chest and I thought I was next to get shot, but they ran away and I ran to Ricky on the ground. He was still alive but wasn’t going to last for long.
“Leave me, I will be gone in a little bit. I want you to be the best football player in the world and I want you to get their for me.” Ricky muttered but I heard him
I said okay and started to tear up a little bit.
“I will be watching you up their Erik and I will be proud of you, Thanks for being my friend and always being their for me.” Ricky said.
His eyes closed and I knew he was gone and went to a better place.