"Your gonna be late to school!" Marshalls mother pounded on the door. Marshall rolled over in bed and looked at the clock, sighing. It was only 5:36. He had over 2 hours to get ready to go to school. He was tired, he wanted to sleep a few minutes longer.

"Aight MOM!" He yelled from the bed, turning over and burying his face in the pillow, to just sleep for a little while longer.

Not more than 5 minutes later, he was just starting to doze off again, when he heard the pounding on the door. "MARSHALL GET UP NOW!"

"Ugh!" He groaned and pulled himself out of bed, his eyes half open. He trudged over to the door and yanked it open, to see his mother standing there in her bathrobe, his little brother Nate on her hip, looking down at him. "What?!" He asked, obviously annoyed.

"You have to get up for school. Now." She ordered. He rolled his eyes and rubbed the side of his face tiredly.

"But, I have 2 HOURS!" He protested, shifting his weight from his left foot to his right foot.

"Dont you raise your voice to me Marshall Mathers! Are you forgetting whos the mother here?" She asked.

"Mother? Is that what you are?" He smirked.

"What was that?" She said, shifting Nate from one arm to the other and staring at Marshall.

"Oh, nothing mother." He replied, walking back into his room and slamming the door shut, causing Nate to start crying.

"NOW LOOK WHAT YOU DID!" She screamed through the door. He groaned and walked over to the closet, dragging his feet on the way.

He ignored her as she continued yelling at him, and pulled a pair of baggy jeans and a black tee shirt from the hangers. Shaking his head, he got dressed and combed his hair back. After he was finished getting ready for school, he grabbed his bookbag and put it over his shoulder. His mother was still yelling at him, but she was on the other side of the house, so he couldnt make out what she was saying.

He chuckled a little bit. Mothers were so stupid sometimes. Just yelling at you constantly like that, he wasnt even listening to her. But she still kept yelling at him. His little brother continued crying, probably more from all the yelling that his mother was doing than from the door being slammed shut.

He opened the bedroom door and closed it again, slamming it shut just to piss his mother off. He walked down the hallway and into the kitchen, going to find something to eat. His mother was pouring coffee in a cup, still talking to him, just going on and on about god only knows what this time. He opened cupboards and looked in them, finding nothing he went over to the fridge.

Still nothing there. Didnt his mother know how to buy some fucking food?! He sighed and gave up, turning around and watching her as she stared at him. She was still yelling at him, and he found it somehow, kind of funny. He didnt even do anything.

"You have a bad attitude." She pointed at him and walked over to the table sitting down and sipping her coffee. Nate was in his high chair, making a mess with some soggy cheerios.

"Sorry." Marshall mumbled, trying to make her shut up.

"I dont think you really are. I dont think you ever are sorry. And what is that your wearing? Are you in some sort of gang? I KNEW moving back here was a bad idea! I told you, if you started any trouble we are going back to Jefferson city, IM NOT KIDDING THIS TIME!" She yelled.

"I know. Im not in a fucking gang, relax." He said.

"Did you just say FUCK to me? DID YOU JUST SWEAR AT ME?!" She yelled, standing up. He stared at her blankly.

Did he say fuck? Oops. It must have just slipped out, he cringed. He was gonna be in deep shit now. "I didnt say anything." He stuttered.

"You have no respect for me at all. Get the fuck out of my house!"

"This isnt your house. You cant buy shit, someone else bought this for us! Who was it this time? Grandma?" He figured he was already in enough trouble so he might as well get some stuff off his mind.

"Thats it. Thats IT! Get out now. And dont come back until you have some respect for your MOTHER!" She yelled, grabbing him by the back of the shirt and pushing him towards the back door. "GET OUT!"

"Aight, Aight Im GOING, shit." He said, hurrying out the back door, getting slapped upside the head as she closed the door behind him.

He sighed and gave one last look at the house, muttering something under his breath as he walked down the rickety old steps. He got down to the street and took off towards school, kicking rocks and disgarded cans around boredly. Why did he always have to get kicked out of his house? Other kids didnt have to go through this shit. He had a fucked up life, and he was starting to get REALLY sick of it all. He didnt wanna have to deal with this shit.

It seemed his mother put all of problems on him, it was his fault his brother was crying, his fault that they had no money, his fault that his father left, his fault, everything was HIS FAULT. He was sick of it. It depressed him to think about all the shit he had to deal with, so he rather not. He knew he couldnt run from his problems his whole life, but maybe he could just put them off for a bit, until he had things under control again, and then he could deal with them, right?

"Hey, Marshall!" He turned around, hearing his name, and saw DeShaun and Lataya leaning against the side of the post office, staring at him. He grinned and walked towards them.

"Hey." He said. DeShaun looked over at Lataya and then back at Marshall. "Your out early." Marshall said, looking between them. "

Yeah, um, Lataya slept over last night again so we had to get out before my parents woke up." DeShaun said slowly. "They dont care though. We aint going to school today."

"We skipping. You wanna come with us?" Lataya asked. They looked at Marshall who grinned.

"Sure!" He said eagerly. He had skipped school before, so it wasnt a very big deal to him. It wasnt like he actually cared about his grades either.

"Great. We goin over to mah house." Lataya said. "But, in like a few hours or something, once my mom leaves for work and my dad goes where ever it is that he goes during the days."

"Okay." Marshall grinned at them.

"You look like you had a rough morning." DeShaun observed, as they walked down the street.

"I did." He sighed, thinking about the past events of the morning.

"Aw, whats the matter?" Lataya asked in a baby talk voice, joking around.

He laughed. "Just some shit. My mom threw me out again."

"Again. Hmm. What did you do?" DeShaun asked.

"Nothing." Marshall said defensively. " I aint do anything, she just kicks me out from time to time. Yanno?"

"Moms." Lataya rolled her eyes.

"Yeah." Marshall laughed a little bit. "Moms."

A few hours later, after they had just walked around the nieghborhood, and showed Marshall where everything was, it was almost 9 o clock. No one was concerned about the school trying to find them, no one really cared all that much. They headed back to Latayas house, all were tired of walking, and bored.

Lataya unlocked the door, only after checking to make sure that her fathers car was not in the driveway, and they all walked into the kitchen. DeShaun and Marshall sat at the table, and Lataya pulled 3 cans of orange soda out of the fridge, handing them to DeShaun and Marshall and keeping one for herself.

"So, what do you guys wanna do?" She asked, sitting down across from Marshall. "Listen to CDS? I got the new Chronic album."

"Yeah." DeShaun nodded and looked at Marshall. "Do you like NWA and Dr Dre and shit like that?"

Marshall grinned. "Most definatly."

"Awesome. So lets go listen to it then. C'mon." Lataya said, standing up, bringing her orange soda with her as she started out of the kitchen. Marshall and Deshaun followed close behind her.

"Damn, we dont gotta go in that trash hole you call a bedroom again, do we?" DeShaun teased.

"Well, you know, most people think that the floor is a place to transport yourself from one room to the next, but in reality," She opened her door. "Its the biggest shelf in your house."

"How can you SLEEP in here? I mean, doesnt it bother you?" DeShaun laughed.

"Not in the least." She threw herself down on the bed and reached up to a shelf with a couple CDs on it beside a CD player. DeShaun cleared himself a spot on the floor in front of Lataya, and Marshall sat down beside DeShaun. Lataya smirked. "Well, if ya'll are gonna sit down there..." She trailed off and slid down onto the floor inbetween Marshall and DeShaun, after putting the CD in tha radio and pressing play.

They listened to the CD, and Marshall had never heard this one before. It was new, and he hadnt gotten enough money to buy it himself yet. It was awesome, and they all had fun talking and listening to it, and just hanging out. After they had listened to the whole CD, they sat on her floor, bored and restless trying to think of something else to do.

"Um, play video games?" DeShaun suggested.

"Yeah, but I dont have a TV. You do." She shook her head. "And we cant go to your house because,"

"My mom is home from work today." He nodded. "I know, I know."

"So, why dont we see a movie?" Lataya reached into her pocket and pulled out a 10 dollar bill. "We have our lunch and bus money today to use."

"Yeah." DeShaun shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out a 5 dollar bill and some 1s. "Aight, Im in."

Marshall was quiet. He didnt have any money. His mom never gave him money, so he wouldnt be able to get into the movie.

"You in?" Lataya asked Marshall, noticing his sudden silence.

"Uh, I dont have any money." Marshall said sheepishly. Lataya looked at DeShaun.

"I got ya." She got up and walked across the room to the closet, taking a small box down and pulling out a 5 dollar bill.

"Where the fuck you get that from?" DeShaun asked in awe.

"My mom." She said quietly, walking back over to stand next to the guys.

"You dont have to pay for mine-" Marshall started.

"Naw, its ok. I got ya." She smiled at him.

"No but really." He protested. "You dont have to-"

"But I want to." She interrupted him.

"But-"

"Look, I fucking WANT TO. OK?" She raised her voice and put the money in her back pocket of her jeans. "C'mon guys." She turned and started towards the door. DeShaun reached back behind him and turned the CD player off and then he got up and followed her, Marshall behind him.

"So when are you going home if you got kicked out?" DeShaun asked curiously.

"Uhm, I dont know. Not tonight though." He shook his head. Maybe tomorow he would go back, after school. If he went back tonight she would just lock him out of the house.

"Oh. So where you gonna go?" Lataya looked over at him.

"I dunno." He shrugged.

"We'll hang witchu tonight man." DeShaun said, patting him on the back. "We was gonna hang somewhere anyway, where do ya'll wanna go tonight?"

"My dad probably wont be home. Monday night football at the bar. And my mom wont bother us. So if you guys wanna come over tonight or something you can." Lataya offered.

"Aight cool. Ima have to sneak out though, so I'll be there a little bit later than you guys." DeShaun said. "After my parents go to bed I'll be over. Marshall, you can come with me, we'll walk over together."

"Okay." Marshall nodded.

"Cool." Lataya grinned at them.

The rest of that day was spent at the movies, hanging around the city boredly, stopping at the parks and places like that just to hang out, and then after school was over, Lataya went back to her house and DeShaun and Marshall went to DeShauns house, waiting until that night to sneak out to Latayas house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Aight, I think they asleep. C'mon." DeShaun glanced down the hall at his parents closed bedroom door, and then back at Marshall. "You ready?"

"Yeah." Marshall nodded and they walked quietly down the hall.

It had been nearly two years since Marshall had moved back to Detriot. Things hadnt really changed, except Marshall, Lataya and DeShaun were best friends. In a short time they had grown to be inseperable, always walking home from school together, always skipping class with each other, everyday hanging out at one of their houses.

A year after they had all met, Lataya had a crush on Marshall again. She told Deshaun beucase she tells him everything, and DeShaun told Marshall because he told him everything. As it turned out, Marshall had also had a crush on Lataya, and after alot of thinking, DeShaun finally talked him into asking her out.

Marshall had got ket back, because he missed too much school, so he had to repeat the 9th grade. It wasnt that bad though, because Lataya had also been kept back. She had missed alot of school, plus it didnt help that she failed everything, including gym. DeShaun had moved on into 10th grade, even though his grades werent the best, but he had passed just barely.

"Aight, c'mon. We're not going fast enough, we gonna get caught!" Marshall whispered furiously.

"Yeah, yeah. Lets go." DeShaun rolled his eyes and they took off across the dark driveway, hopping over the fence and landing with a soft thud into someones backyard.

It was the usual route, through a few peoples backyards, then hope another fence and then they ran down the alley way behind the taco bell and they came out to Latayas backyard. Although it wasnt exactly her backyard, more like her driveway.

As they walked down her driveway, talking quietly and occasionally laughing at each other, they noticed that her bedroom light wasnt on. DeShaun glanced at Marshall, unsure of what to do. Her light was always on.

"Guys!" They heard a whisper behind them and turned around quickly to see Lataya, sitting on the front of her dads car. The moonlight hit the metal and bounced off it, creating an illuminating glow.

"What are you out here for?" DeShaun asked, as they walked towards her.

"Um." Lataya glanced at Marshall nerovusly. She still hadnt told him about the things her dad did. She smiled at him, and he grinned back, sitting up beside her on the hood of the car. "My dad was home and my mom isnt."

DeShaun nodded, he understood. "Goddamn. Im sorry.

"Me too." Marshall sighed, putting an arm around her shoulder. He knew that she didnt get along with her father, and that sometimes he even hit her, but he didnt know about anything else like that.

Lataya smiled weakly at him, and rested her head against his shoulder. It wasnt that she didnt trust him, or that she didnt want him to know, but it wasnt easy for her to talk about. It was really embarassing for her, and she didnt want anyone to know. She pulled her jacket around her tighter. "Now where do we go?"

"Guess we can go to my house." Marshall shrugged.

"Aight." DeShaun turned to go back across the driveway, towards the alley, back the way he and Marshall had just come.

"Its cold." Lataya stated as Marshall hopped off the hood of the car and held his hand out to her. Although she could get down herself, she took his hand and jumped down onto the ground beside him.

"We know." DeShaun said mockingly as they started out across the alley. Lataya rolled her eyes and walked close to Marshall.

After about 5 minutes of walking, they reached Marshalls house. Marshall reached into his jacket pocket and took out a key. He put it in the lock and turned it. The door opened and the 3 stepped inside.

The house was warm, a pleasant change from the cold December air outside. The lights were off, except for the light above the stove in the kitchen. Marshalls mom was probably asleep, there was no noise coming from the upstairs.

Marshall looked around at first, and then gestured for Lataya and DeShaun to follow him upstairs. They tiptoed past his moms open door. She was asleep, and looked quite comfortable. For some odd reason, his mom took a strange liking to Lataya. Always asking about her, always making an excuse to talk to her.

They got to MArshalls room and he led them in, closing the door behind them.

"Aight guys." Marshall said sitting down on his bed. "Wanna know something?"

"What?" DeShaun asked sitting in a chair against the wall on the other side of the room.

"Well, you know Darnell Bennet?" Marshall looked at both of them and they nodded. "I hear Kim dumped him."

"No way, Kim Scott dumped Darnell Bennet?" DeShaun looked up.

"I always thought Darnell would dump her." Lataya said thoughtfully, laying down on her stomach on Marshalls bed.

"Why?" Marshall laughed.

"I dont know, maybe because Kims a hoe." Lataya laughed.

"And Darnell...Let the bitch go!" Marshall said, rhyming with Latayas words.

"Oh please. I can see him now, trying to be a rapper." Lataya laughed and pointed at Marshall.

"Hey!" Marshall said defensively.

"Im kidding, Im kidding." She raised both eyebrows. "Relax baby. Relax."

"Naw Lataya, Lay off him. Hes got some serious skills." Deshaun said, seriously.

"Im kidding." She repeated, staring at DeShaun.

"Yeah, right." Marshall sighed and stood up. "You know you meant it. No one thinks I can be a rapper someday."

"Hey, you already are a rapper. You can beat anyone in the park. Thats good." DeShaun said encouragingly.

"So? I mean a signed rapper. Plus I cant beat YOU!" Marshall walked around his room aimlessly.

"Well." DeShaun smirked, shrugging. "Thats because Im undefeat-" He was cut off midsentence by a pillow hitting him in he face.

"Sont listen to other people Marsh. Especailly not him." She glared at DeShaun who laughed. "Your only 15-"

"16." Marshall corrected.

"Oh yeah, well your only 16. Your good at rapping so maybe in a few years you will get signed." She said, looking up at him.

"I hope so. Im so sick of this shit here." He looked around. His small room that was shitty and cold had never looked so empty and depressing. The house he lived in wasnt all that much better.

Lataya sighed. "Itll get better, for all of us. One day." She told him.

"Fuck." Marshall swore. He shrugged all the negative thoughts he had off his mine. The subject was dropped, they talked about other things. Christmas vacation was in 2 weeks, and they were all a little excited about that. They talked for a while and then DeShaun looked at the clock.

"Its almost 3." DeShaun said, looking over at Marshall and Lataya and smiled when he saw them.

Marshall was seated on the floor, leaning back against his bed. His legs were spread out in front of him. Lataya was sitting in front of him, inbetween his legs, leaning back against him. His arms were around her waist, and his chin rested on her shoulder.

"Is it really?" Marshall asked, he sounded high, but it was only because he was tired. He looked at DeShaun suspicioiously. "What are you smiling about over there?"

"Oh nothing." DeShaun said innocently.

"Uh huh." Marshall said slowly.

"Hes smiling at us." Lataya said, her eyes were closed peacefully.

"Why?" Marshall asked quietly, looking from Lataya to DeShaun.

"Because, you two are SO cute." DeShaun said in a baby talk voice.

"Asshole. Shut up." Lataya sighed, her hands were over Marshalls arms, not wanting him to let her go just yet.

"Shes a fiesty one." DeShaun teased. Marshall laughed.

"Thought I told you to shut up!?" She snapped. She elbowed Marshall lightly. "Dont encourage him hun. Hes not funny."

"Whipped." DeShaun coughed.

"Ugh. Hes not whipped! You shut your mouth." Lataya defended.

"Jeez, Im only playin'." DeShaun sighed in defeat. "Want me to walk you home Lataya?" He offered.

"Naw. I cant go home tonight." She looked up at DeShaun, looking him straight in the eye. He nodded.

"Oh right! Okay. I gotcha." DeShaun said quickly. He knew she didnt want to go home to her dad at 3 AM.

"Wanna stay here tonight?" Marshall asked. She nodded and he grinned. "DeShaun, you want us to walk you back?"

"Naw, its ony a street away. Ill see you guys tommorow or something?"

"Yeah." Marshall nodded. "See ya man." He started trying to stand, and Lataya reluctantly stood up also.

"Bye D." She waved slightly.

"Bye," He hesitated. "L? Shut up." He laughed. "Aight Ill see ya guys."

Marshall opened the bedroom door and walked DeShaun down the stairs quietly to the front door. They shook hands and DeShaun left. Marshall shut the door quietly after him and retreated back to his room where Lataya was waiting for him.