Chapter VIII: The Devil's Syndicate
As time move forward, Graduation was right around the corner. With everything going on with Jodi post-relationship, he spent more time to him-self, reflecting on the past, the current and the future. With so much for Jodi to look forward to, one particular thing weighed heavy on his mind, hindering his excitement. And while Jodi isn't much of a social smoker, his take to it of late has became his solace. Courtesy of Tyrone, a supply of Purple Haze helped ease the pain, more importantly, helped control his emotions from irrational overthinking. Jodi hated every bit of it, not listening and being proven wrong. A bit naive, but loyal to a fault, Jodi was. But he knew, for the next person, if there was a next person, Jodi would not again just read the words and turn the page...
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Graduation Day
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Graduation Day
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"Jodi!.. Jodi! Come on, you don't want to be late for the ceremony!" Cassia shouted from downstairs.
Moments later, Jodi makes his way down the stairs to meet up with his mother. "Of all days, my hair wants to start frizzing up", Jodi implied as he tended to his twisted braids with oil sheen.
"Oh, it doesn't look that bad", Cassia waiving off his concerns. "Besides, you'll be wearing a cap and gown anyway. You'll be fine. You look great though, I see that bit of extra workout is paying off for you."
"I've been trying to cut down a few pounds so I can bulk up some in exchange. Definitely want a sturdier frame. Something tells me I'm going to need it in a few months."
"Oh? So you've decided to make a decision on school?" Cassia asked.
"Yeah. I think I found the school that makes the most sense."
"Well, it sure took you long enough. Usually, kids make their commitment during their junior year. I guess it took you a little longer to have it all figured out." She said as she groom Jodi, nitpicking on bits and pieces.
"Yeah, I know, I know. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't passing up on any offers to come. And the past couple weeks have been quiet, so it's now or never."
"Alright, come on, lets get my young man graduated and then you can make your big announcement. Cause I'm sure whatever school you have chosen is awaiting the big news."
"I'm excited for them, Ma." Both Cassia and Jodi made their way to the car and made their destination to Monte Vista High School, where the final days were imminent. It wasn't long until the party arrived to the school where people were still filing into the auditorium. While not fashionably late, Jodi had the pleasure of dealing with the task of finding parking as it appeared all the spots on the school lot was taken up. Luckily enough, there was one opening way at the back of the lot, that looked to be unbothered. But pulling up to it, it had revealed a rather sizable pot hole in the middle of it. With another ten minutes of parlaying for a spot, they were able to pull into one near the post office. It was a bit of a walk back in the opposite direction to the school, but it was the price to pay for being on time and not early.
Just as the two got to the auditorium, Jodi obtain his cap and gown from Cassia as the last of the students filed in and took seats. After departing, Jodi makes his way to the student section, sharing a smile and dapping up a few of his friends along the way. Nearly every seat in the house was taken, except one. And that seat resided next to none other, Prisha Woodson...
"Hey, Jodi..."
Jodi side eyes Prisha without saying a word to her. The bitterness from prom night had manifested into disdain for Prisha, and it wasn't in the foreseeable future that Jodi would be forgiving her.
Without drawing much attention, Prisha whispers her plea to Jodi before the ceremony took place in mere moments, "Jodi, how long are you going to keep ignoring me? You really need to think this through, I'm not cheating on you. It seriously wasn't what it looked like at the prom, I swear to you!"
"Shit, you fooled me once, that was enough. But twice? Nah...
"Jodi! You can't be serious. I told you in my messages, my VMs, I told you I was not talking to him still. He approached me and I told Derrick to leave me alone, and that I was still with you. Why won't you believe me?" Prisha pleaded more. To Prisha, it was her sincerest form of trying to make right with Jodi, trying to make things work, something Prisha has never done in her life. But now, she was getting a taste of her own medicine, sitting on the other side of the spectrum. With Jodi's heart yearning for Prisha, craving to mend wounds, his mind remained firm on the action of shutting any and every window of opportunity down. Jodi was not about to allow his own heart ruin him.
"You're dead to me..."
"... I'm dead to you?... Okay... Fine..."
Principal Silva soon takes to the podium, seizing all murmurs across the room to begin the graduation ceremony. "Good evening Monte Vista High School. To the faculty, students, parents and guardians, thank you all for attending this harmonious event. It's been one full calendar school year after another, and it never comes to me easy as the principal of Monte Vista High to see of some of the great faces I've had the honors of seeing mature through the years here. Majority of us had spent the last four years here, some have transferred here a year or so. Whatever the reason why you're here, here at Monte Vista, we are family. We are friends. We are the glue that holds this great community together, forging a better world today for tomorrow's future. It goes without saying, with each and everyone one of you sitting centered in the auditorium, I am most proud of you all as your principal. You all have seized each day, discovering yourselves, bettering your abilities on display, and excelling the academics we bestow onto you all. Each and everyone of you are here, in cap and gown, for a very real reason. And it's not just to walk this stage and be handed a diploma, it's more than that. This is the day that you all stand up and say, "hey world, I am here, and I am coming to help build a better future." You all may be still teenagers, but your lives starts now. And I can't think of a better way for Monte Vista to show it's gratitude to it's students by expressing our deep heartfelt adulation as we celebrate and usher the next generation to the next step of their lives!"
[Applause]
"So without further adu, we will first here from our Monte Vista Valedictorian, Alice Castle."
Prisha's friend, Alice, took to the podium and gave a commendable speech, but through the sit of it, Jodi was quietly pestered by Prisha as she continued to try to resolve the matter, and not for nothing, he gave her kudos for persistence. But what stuck out the most to him was an ultimatum given to him underneath the speech everyone, but those two, were focused on.
"Listen Jodi, we need to have a serious discussion. You can be really insufferable, but I'm really trying here to prove my innocence and commitment to you. You either reconsider or face consequences. I'm very serious. I'll leave it up to your judgement of how you want your life to play out..."
Deep inside Jodi resided facial emotions that wanted to take a double and screw his face up at her, but it was neither the time or place. Rather than living with his emotions on sleeves as always, he endured and bide his time. As the ceremony progressed, students were being called up to be handed their diploma. What felt like forever in anticipation, Jodi would hear his name called and get quite the pop from the audience as he took stage to receive his certificate.
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A Few Days Later
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A Few Days Later
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The last days of high school was wrapping up the school year. Some had already made plans to go to college, some applied for part-time/full-time jobs, while others made it their business to get out of Danville and see the world open up to them. Everyone had their own agenda and what the world some knew, was changing. With everything considered, the kids on the block had grew up and it was time for them to leave the nest and allow the next generation to take their place, passing the torch, per say. And that what was happening in the home of The Woodsons.
It's been weeks since Prisha had her last encounter with Jodi before the prom. Since then, she wasn't sure what her body was going through as she had multiple visits to the hospital, it wasn't until the second visit confirmed the unknown. Rather exciting news for Prisha, but she had no one to share it with at the time. And the last person she wanted tell, ended up being the first person. One morning, her body gave way to the noticeable bump, Prisha couldn't retain the information anymore as her fears of her mother's reaction ran wild through her mind.
Having already felt "less valuable" for being deflowered before marriage, that afterthought became more prevalent in her head as her relationship with Jodi had taken the turn for the worse. What Jodi saw at the prom was the execution of their relationship, by the book. Why's that? Well, it certainly wasn't jealousy knocking on the door. Jodi had made it clear to Derrick to stay away from Prisha, while Prisha should have gotten the memo as well with how things turned out. But seeing Derrick and Prisha communicating at the prom, after all that was done, was the dream killer. But if only Jodi knew that Prisha was actually innocent this time, at least that was what was running through the mind of Prisha, clearing her name. But foul words were spoken at the graduation. And in the world of Jodi Rogue, the death of Prisha was symbolic to his heart to her, at least that's what he wanted to feel. But nevermore Jodi was to be led by his heart.
Prisha arrived home after spending the day at the mall with Alice, slightly window shopping, but mostly gorging on summer outfits. While her day was one of the nicest she had in a while, seeing other people doing family activity started to bother her. Seeing couples holding hands, laughing, wearing the same outfit scheme, the ice cream, all that that comes with the lovebird phases, Prisha was missing that from Jodi. Prisha was missing him more than she cared for after what was said to her, as somewhere during her change, she opened up to him in a way that she can never close that door again.
After discussing the news and views with Alice, Alice was in full agreement that Jodi should know the good. The good news... The news that could bring peace and harmony back in Prisha's life... Or the news that could create utter turmoil and a lifetime of bitterness... The good news. Every scenario rushed through Prisha's head as she held her phone in front of her face to unlock her phone. With certainty in her nerves that she must tell him, Prisha washed her mind of the negativity that fluttered inside, allowing herself to make the call. The phone rings, several time, no response. Again, Prisha calls, the phone rings several times, again, no answer. With doubt and a bit of frustration growing on Prisha, she gives her-self a few minutes to actually even find the words to say if her next call is answered. Prisha makes her final attempt, letting the phone ring all the way through this time, actually making a connection.
"Hello?"
"Um, hey, Jodi?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"You know I said I wanted to talk to you, it's been a while. Do you have the time to talk right now?"
"I'm sorry, my time is up, leave a message after the beep..." -beep-
[Great. Voicemail.] Prisha thought to her-self. Unbeknownst to Prisha, Jodi was busy at the time making his announcement to the school he was committing to. With no other way to get in touch with Jodi, Prisha did what she could only do and leave a message, hoping that he may hear it and have a positive response to it. The game of anticipation.
"Jodi... I'm calling you to let you know... That I'm pregnant with your child... Our child... We're going to be a family..."
