Free Perfect Chemistry 1 by Simone Elkeles Page B

Satin Hood are gonna fight at
    Gilson Park tonight. The Hood never fight fair, you know."
    Paco didn't tell me about the fight, probably because he knew I'd
    try to talk him out of it. Sometimes my best friend gets into situations
    he can't get out of.
    And sometimes he exposes me to situations I can't help but get
    into.
    "I'm in," I say, then jump into the front seat so Raul is stuck in
    back with the two lovebirds.
    We slow down a block before we reach the park. The tension in the
    air is thick, I can feel it in my bones.
    Where is Paco? Is he getting the shit kicked out of him in the back
    of an alley?
    It's dark. Shadows move, making my hair stand on end. Everything
    looks menacing, even the trees blowing in the wind. During the day,
    Gilson Park resembles any other suburban park . . . except for the LB
    graffiti on the buildings surrounding the park. This is our territory.
    We've marked it.
    We're in the Chicago suburbs, ruling our 'hood and the streets
    that lead here. It's a street war, where other suburban gangs fight us
    for territory. Three blocks away are mansions and million-dollar houses.
    Right here, in the real world, the street war rages on. The people in
    the million-dollar houses don't even realize a battle is about to begin
    less than a half mile from their backyards.
    "There he is," I say, pointing to two silhouettes standing a few feet
    away from the park swings. The streetlights shining on the park are
    out, but I can tell which one is Paco right away because of his short
    body and trademark stance resembling that of a wrestler about to
    start a match.
    As one silhouette pushes the other, I jump out of the car even
    though it's still moving. Because walking down the street are five more
    Hoods. Ready to fight with my best friend, I push away thoughts that
    this confrontation could end with all of us in the morgue. If I go into a
    fight with confidence and fire, without thinking of the consequences, I
    win. If I think too much about it, it'll be my doom.
    I rush toward Paco and the Satin Hood before the rest of his
    friends reach them. Paco is putting up a good fight, but the other guy
    is like a worm, squirming away from Paco's grasp. I roughly grab the
    Hood's shirt and pull him up, then my fists do the rest.
    Before he's able to stand and face me, I glare at Paco.
    "I can take him, Alex," Paco says as he wipes blood off his lip.
    "Yeah, but what about them?" I say, my gaze focused on the five
    Hoods behind him.
    Now that I have a closer look, I realize these guys are all fresh.
    New members, full of piss and vinegar and not much else. New members
    I can take. But new members who pack heat are dangerous.
    Javier, Carmen, Sam, and Raul stand next to me. I have to admit
    we're an intimidating bunch, even Carmen.
    Our homegirl can hold her own in a fight, and her fingernails are
    downright deadly.
    The guy I pulled off Paco stands up and points to me. "You're
    dead."
    "Listen, enano," I say. Little guys hate when you make fun of their
    height and I can't resist. "Go back to your own turf and leave this shit-
    hole to us."
    Enano points to Paco. "He stole my steerin' wheel, man."
    I look over at Paco, knowing it's just like him to taunt a Satin Hood
    by stealing something so stupid. When I glance back at Enano, I notice
    he's now wielding a switchblade in his hand. And he's aiming it right at
    me.
    Oh, man. After I fight these Hoods, I'm gonna kill my best friend.
    THIRTEEN : Brittany
    My chemistry partner hasn't been in school since we received our
    projects. A week later he finally struts into class. It pisses me off,
    because no matter how bad my home life is, I come to school.
    "Nice of you to show up," I say.
    "Nice of you to notice," he says as he pulls off his bandanna.
    Mrs. Peterson walks into class. When she sees Alex, I think she
    seems relieved. Squaring her shoulders, she says, "I was going to give
    you a pop quiz today. But instead I'll have you work with your partners
    in the library. Rough