Chapter 1
On a sunny afternoon, in bustling neighborhood, birds chirping, cat fighting in the alleyway, some teens( mostly latino) were doing some shady business, a rat ran out in panic as if it was being chased by a hawk from a dumpster, a young boy of 18years was dumpster diving
" Oh damn not again, who shit in his pant and left in the dumpster" he said cursing,
Yes that young boy is me, James Rolland, am about to be 18years in few days, living alone in an old 1 bedroom apartment, I live at echo park, in Los Angeles, wait a minute not the luxurious LA, that you see celebrity and supercars, no this is an ok neighborhoods, so far you know how to communicate the street language and the right people to befriend,
Here I am looking tattered, but not defeated, I dive dumpster to dumpster for a living, I sell what I have to the pawn shops and sell plastic in the mall, if am lucky I can get up to $300 day but sometimes after selling some lucky items I saw in the dumpster I can get up to $1,000 if am lucky, but is not always like that, I work part-time in macdonald and sometimes work in the park looking and taking care of people's pet.
Also I am a high school final year student, I am not an A grade students but am ok, I attend Belmont high, in nearby Westlake, I guess you are thinking how I pay the school fees , well things wasn't always like this, I had everything two years ago, it all came to a crash, my dad was a wall street broker and my mom was a beautician, I am the only child….it all happened so fast
FLASHBACK 2022
In a sunny environment, inside a 5 bedroom bungalow, noises of hurried footsteps were heard
" James hurry up, before you are late for your presentation at school" yelled Charles Rolland ( James father), "am coming, just need to… "honey come take your lunch money" said Susan Rolland (James Mum)
"Coming.." James ran to his mom as she gave him $30 and winked at him, she looked a like a matured Billie Eilish, you would mistake her for someone in early 20s but she is 34 years old, Her heart-shaped face, lit by golden-hour light, features high cheekbones, faint laugh lines, and piercing blue-green eyes framed by arched brows. Her fair skin glows, freckles dusting her nose, with subtle crow's feet hinting at wisdom. Auburn waves with silver streaks fall past her shoulders, replacing her former black locks. A berry-lipped smirk and minimal makeup highlight her features. A constellation tattoo peeks from her cream cashmere sweater. Relaxed yet commanding, she blends vulnerability and gravitas.
" Stopping petting him dear, he is a full grown man" Charles said while picking up his Lexus 2021 Rx 350 F sport car keys, wearing a black tailored suit, with a shiny Rolex watch on his left wrist, A 36-year-old Caucasian male with short, neatly trimmed dark brown hair and striking blue eyes. He has a clean-shaven face, a lean build, and stands at 5'10". His skin is fair, with a few freckles on his cheeks, they were a happy family
A smooth, low-pitched electronic starter whir or hum lasting 1-2 seconds, followed by the engine idling to life with a soft, muffled rumble. The exhaust note is refined and barely audible inside the cabin
A quiet mechanical "click" or "thunk" from the shifter mechanism and transmission solenoid engaging, accompanied by a subtle hydraulic whoosh as fluid pressurizes the torque converter. It's brief (under 1 second) and feels smooth with minimal vibration.
VROOOM
The 2021 Lexus RX 350 F Sport is a premium midsize luxury crossover SUV, blending refined elegance with sporty accents. In its sleek Caviar (solid black) exterior finish, it exudes a sophisticated, understated presence. The body measures about 192.5 inches long with a 109.8-inch wheelbase, seating five comfortably in a cabin lined with black NuLuxe synthetic leather and open-pore brown walnut trim for a modern, upscale vibe.
Powered by a 3.5L V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, it achieves 0-60 mph in around 7.5 seconds while returning 20/27 mpg city/highway
While the family of 3 was crusing from the street of Westlake to Belmont high school,
Chatting and joking about, it happened in a second BOOOM The Lexus, cruising along Glendale Boulevard, is struck head-on by a speeding delivery van running a red light at the intersection of Alvarado Street during rush hour. The impact crumples the Lexus's front grille and hood, shattering the windshield and deploying airbags with a loud pop. The van's front end is mangled, its bumper hanging loose. Tires screech, metal grinds, and glass scatters across the asphalt, creating a sharp, cacophonous clash. The Lexus spins sideways, scraping against a parked car, leaving deep black paint streaks and a dented door.
Smoke wisps from the Lexus's engine bay, and the acrid smell of burnt rubber and coolant fills the air. Onlookers from nearby Echo Park cafes rush over, phones out, calling 911. The van driver, shaken, stumbles out, clutching a minor head wound. Traffic halts, horns blare, and sirens wail in the distance as emergency responders approach. Debris—twisted metal, a broken headlight, and a dislodged side mirror—litters the street, reflecting the fading daylight. The scene is a stark disruption of Westlake's bustling rhythm, drawing a crowd as police cordon off the area,
FLASHBACK PRESENT DAY
I lost my parent that day, the van driver was arrested for careless driving and murder charge sentence to 15 years without parole, then I was told my father took a loan in our house, I was asked to move out, no relative took me in, and all friends deserted me, I was lucky my dad already paid for all of my education if not I won have stopped along time ago, I do aspire to be a business man or a broker like my dad, I miss both of them everyday, I can hear my mum laughter echoing in my ear, see my dad's smile when I close my eyes,
I work Monday to Friday (4 PM–10 PM) , and have days with no shifts, averaging 20 hours/week. I get paid $20 per hour that $400 a week and $1,600 a month but I prefer weekly per Saturday and Sunday I work in the park taking care of People's pet I get $200 a day, that how I have been taking care of myself, also I pay my protection money to the latino gangs in my area but not really money, I buy them stuff to get my street cred,
"GRWOOL" a gurgling, sound was heard in James stomach, " I have to eat first am soo hungry" he said while heading to a local popular fastfood named " soul food"