Jordan and Michael were tired of being treated like little kids. Both boys were currently living in a residential home for boys after getting into some trouble while they were living at home. They had come from different towns, but were very similar. They were both black boys around the same age, who had troubled home lives. Due to this, they both found themselves in local gangs, and it just so happened that they belonged to the same gang. However, at the residential home, they were not taken too serious due to the fact that they were a few years younger and much smaller then most of the other kids there.
Both Michael and Jordan lived in the same dorm due to their closeness in age. There were 8 other boys who also lived in the dorm. Although Michael and Jordan had the respect of most of the kids in their dorm, what they really wanted was the respect of the older kids living in different dorms.
There were several other kids at the residential home that claimed to be in gangs, however, most of the time, it was just talk. There was, however, one boy in particular, who both Jordan and Michael knew belonged to a rival gang, and that was Nate. Nate, who lived in the same dorm along with Michael and Jordan, was only a year older then Jordan and Michael and slightly bigger. Although Nate didn’t really get along well with Jordan and Michael, up until now he had managed to coexist with them.
One night in the dorm there was only one adult there as one of the other adults had called out sick. Jordan and Michael planned on taking advantage of that by sneaking out the window to smoke a cigarette.
After lighting the cigarette, both boys were startled by someone walking around from the front of the dorm. It was Nate, who had also jumped outside to smoke.
“Go away. Youre going to get us caught†Jordan said to the approaching Nate.
“Don’t worry about it. Nobody saw me†Nate said
Both Michael and Jordan knew that Nate was not the smartest guy in the world and immediately went to put the cigarette out knowing Nate would get them caught. It was too late though as the staff member approached and caught all three boys smoking the cigarette.
“God Damn it Nate†Jordan yelled as the staff member brought the three boys inside.
“Who the hell you talking too†Nate said back. Nate was not the strongest kid in the world, but the gang life had taught him to not back down to anybody. Nate pushed Jordan hard in the chest. Jordan went to go back at Nate but the staff member intervened before anything else happened.
The three boys were brought back inside with Jordan really fuming over Nate’s behavior. Jordan really hated Nate and would have fought him right then and there, not caring what form of consequences he got for fighting.
Jordan went right to his room when he got inside. About a minute later Michael walked in.
“I know you would have washed Nate†Michael said to Jordan.
“Damn right I would. Nate’s soft†Jordan said.
“He’s such a bitch. Nobody even likes him†Michael said.
This gave Jordan an idea. Maybe everyone would gain some respect for him if he made an example out of Nate. Michael agreed right away and the boys figured out a plan of action. The both knew that tomorrow was Friday, and the older kids were planning on sneaking out a night to smoke weed and drink. Jordan and Michael decided that would be the perfect time to make their statement and finally get in good with the older kids. They immediately got to work strategizing what they would do.
The next morning, the whole talk of the school was what was planned for the night. Only about a quarter of the boys would be sneaking out, and although Jordan and Michael were not invited, they planned on being there.
After school, Jordan and Michael returned to their dorm. They saw Nate sitting on one of the couches in the living room and approached him.
“Listen Nate. Jordan got some good week for tonight and we were wondering if you wanted to get in on it†Michael said.
Nate was a bit skeptical at first, but would never turn down getting high and agreed. Jordan and Michael walked away, smiling widely at each other as they did so.
As the day went on, Jordan and Michael continued to become more and more excited. Their main objective was to embarrass Nate in front of the older kids and earn what they felt was long awaited respect.
“I say we just beat the hell out of him in front of everyone. We can take that little bitch†Michael said.
“I got a better idea†Jordan said as he went into one of his desk drawers. Jordan pulled out a roll of duct tape and showed it right to Michael.
“Nice. You wanna tape up Nate?†Michael asked.
“Yup. It’ll be fun†Jordan said.