Selfish

After high school, Mali decides to remove herself from underneath her parents wings. She moves out to Cleveland to be with her sisters, and to attend Cleveland State University. She gets comfortable with the new environment and the new people. That includes her roommate, Olivia, the life of the party. Olivia gets caught up the second week of school, putting them both in a sticky situation. June is known to be the calm and more humble brother out of the three Brook brothers. But don't mistake that for him being a punk. Born and raised in the streets of Cleveland, Ohio he lives and breathes a ghetto fabulous lifestyle. What happens when the two come across each other?

[selfish-ff]

If y'all follow and share this story on Wattpad I'll post a chapter today

http://my.w.tt/UiNb/gqpEFnVQXE

[selfish-ff]

I'll update on Sunday if not, amen ❤️

[selfish-ff]

If y'all follow and share this story on Wattpad I'll post a chapter today

http://my.w.tt/UiNb/gqpEFnVQXE

[selfish-ff]

I mean Mali like u know how she was in the car with the guy june and his brothers were coming for

Right!!

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That's crazy like she really could of been dead rt now if it were for June

She, as in?

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I like that June cares for Arielle deeply but I feel like him tryna get to know Mali isn't a good look. He says he wants to be her friend but his attraction to her seems more than friendly

The boy is definitely playing with fire

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Dylan said she was gonna fuck & boot Jah well Mali needs to boot Dylan. Dylan is about as goofy as Olivia was. Dylan still talking to the guy that's wants to kill her brother. Then she messing around with a dude who messing around w/ someone else. I wanna say she a bad influence on Mali but when I heard Mali say "I was aware of my self-worth & being someone’s second thought was not it" (they were talking about June & being a side chick) had me thinking that Mali has a good head on her shoulders.

Yeah, Dylan is a character but we'll get to know her more down the line. Mali is trying her best to focus on what's important.

[selfish-ff]

I really like the Mali character. She is a smart chick over all. She knew Dylan wasn't suppose to have that Amsterdam. She knows the deal with June and she knows what's up with Jordan. Mali knows not to play herself.

You are right! She's definitely not trying to get caught up out there. But it seems like trouble follows her

[hiphopclassicks]

Dave East

[selfish-ff]

SORRY ABOUT THE DELAY

I forgot the Finals were coming on the day that I was going to update, worked the last two days but....

I UPDATED! 

Plus: Here’s the chapter list http://selfish-ff.tumblr.com/chapters

[selfish-ff]

03: One More Shot

Mali

“Girl, my brother said this shit supposed to be jumpin’.” Dylan hyped, bouncing in the driver’s seat.

My new roommate and I were about to head out to some house party. The last time I went out was with Olivia and that was some white fraternity party. It was chill but it wasn’t really my scene. Dylan’s brother had told her that this party was over there near Ms. Keisha’s house so I knew this was about to be live. I looked up in Dylan’s rear view mirror. I checked my baby hairs and made sure nothing was in between my teeth.

“Oh shit, I almost forgot. I brought a little something. Dig in my purse and pull out the Amsterdam.” Dylan pointed down in between my legs. I did as she said and pulled out a big ass bottle of peach Amsterdam.

“You shouldn’t be riding around here with this shit, Dylan.” I frowned.

She kissed her teeth, grabbing the bottle out of my hand and taking the bottle to the head. Her face scrunched up after removing the bottle from her lips. I laughed, cause this bitch thought she was raw.

“Here, take this shit because when I get to this party I’m tryna be fucking lit.” She passed the bottle back.

I sighed, before taking the bottle to the head as well. The shit was light weight so I removed it from my lips and shrugged. I placed the bottle in between my legs, and Dylan backed out of the dorm’s parking lot.

“Them fine ass Brook brothers are about to be in this joint, and I’m tryna fuck with Jah.” Dylan admitted.

“Who are the Brook brothers?” I questioned, she looked over at me like I was crazy.

“Jahari, Dontae, and June…Girl them niggas own the hood, and are about they business. You better get hip boo.”

I rolled my eyes at her mentioning June. I didn’t know why, but I was kind of hurt that he hadn’t text me after he had insisted that I gave him my number. I sort of felt like I was some type of side chick, when I wasn’t even messing with the nigga.

“What’s that sour face for?” She lightly shoved me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“I had a couple run ins with June, he ain’t all that.” I replied nonchalantly because I didn’t want her to know that I was interested in him. I was known to be lowkey about my personal life and I wanted to keep it that way.

She chuckled, and twisted her lips to the side.

“You a damn lie. They are definitely all of that and more.  June gotta little piece anyways.”

I was sure that the disappointment was shown on my face. I wouldn’t have thought he was messing with someone when he was all up in my face every time he sees me. But, at the same time, I should have known. Every hood nigga has a boat load of hos that they gotta keep on their team.

“Good for him…” I spoke lowly, drinking some more of the Amsterdam.

“Yeah, I want to introduce you to my brother though. I could see ya’ll vibing.”

I didn’t know how I felt about that. I had moved down here to focus on me and my future career. I didn’t want to get caught up with some nigga. That had happened to me before and I promised myself I wouldn’t let it happen again.

So, I didn’t respond to Dylan. I think she knew she wasn’t get much out of me for the rest of the ride because she turned the music back up. I took another swig out of the bottle and placed it back down in her purse. I was hoping that this night would be one for the books.

*

“Oh shit shorty, excuse me…” I huffed, holding on tightly to Dylan’s hand.

That was the third nigga to step on my white polished toes. The house was filled with people from the bottom level all the way to the top. People were even chest to chest crowded on the stairwell. Dylan’s brother was right, this party was the place to be.

I had walked into the house nervously. I wasn’t nervous because I had never been to a house party like this. I was nervous because I didn’t know people out here like I knew people out in Atlanta.

“We needa get some drinks from out of the kitchen…” Dylan shouted over the blaring music, tugging me forward.  

Once we made it to the kitchen, Dylan grabbed two red solo cups, and handed me one. I looked down in the cup and turned my face up. Before I could even put the cup up to my lips Dylan had already downed hers. She did a shivering dance, and watched me, waiting for me to finish mine. I hesitantly took back my cup as well. I frowned down at the cup, because I knew from the taste that it was Henny. I hated Henny.

“Don’t ever make me drink that shit again…” I spat, and she laughed.

“Girl, whatever. That’s all these niggas be having. You need to get loose, you a little uptight” I rolled my eyes, and searched around the party to see if I could find June. I needed to find someone that I was familiar with.

“Damn Dyl, who is this little fine shorty right here?” I turned back around to Dylan, to see some basketball player built dude standing beside her, cheesing down at me. He licked his lips, and swiped a hand over his fade.

“That’s my new roommate, Mali! Mali this is my brother Jordan.” Dylan tossed her cup in the trash, and went off to dance with the rest.

Jordan peered down at me with a seductive look, I rubbed my arm and chuckled. He pulled me close, trapping me in between him and the island in the middle of the kitchen. He bent his head down and sniffed around me like he was a little puppy. I couldn’t help it, I busted out laughing causing him to smile. He rested his forehead on my shoulder, and battled with laughter as well.

When he stood back up, he stared down into my eyes making me weak in the knees.

“You smell good, what’s that?” He spoke loud enough that I could hear him over the music.

“Some coconut fragrance my sister bought me, I forgot the name of it.” He nodded, and looked back at the party.

“I’m feeling your vibe shorty, and I want to get to know you. But, that’s a problem cause of all this noise. You wanna kick it in my truck?”

I wasn’t going to lie and say I wasn’t interested in getting to know him. Something about Jordan was pulling me in, so much that I decided to agree.

“Yeah, that would be cool…” We both smiled at each other before he pulled me through the party and back outside.

June

“Last thing I want to do is turn out with some fucking babies!” Dontae growled, angry like always.

We had someone on our team following Jordan around. We found out that this nigga decided instead of paying what he owes us he would be out here partying. Little does he know the party is gonna end a little early tonight.

“Nigga, you were one of the first to agree that this nigga needs to disappear.”

“That didn’t mean I wanted to be helping with the disappearing act! I got other shit that I need to be dealing with.” I chuckled because I knew exactly what this nigga was talking about.

“Get out of your feelings bro. Pick one shorty and keep it pushin.” Dontae looked back at me with a mug. Here we go again.

“I’m gonna keep fucking with both. They either gonna be okay with it or they gonna be okay with it.”

“That’s some abusive shit to say, Tae.” I shook my head, and he just huffed turning back around.

“I’m feeling both though, so I couldn’t see myself choosing.”

I decided to leave the conversation at that. I knew I would have to get Dontae to understand that he couldn’t have his cake and eat it too.  But, I knew my brother.  He could only take so much criticism at a time before the nigga was bound to blow his top.

“Well, worry about all that shit after we handle this.” Jahari pulled up on the curb outside of the house party.

The party was live as fuck. We could hear the music from inside Jah’s truck. There was some good looking shorties chilling out on the lawn with some niggas I’ve seen around the way. Red solo cups all over the lawn and broken glass in the driveway from alcohol bottles.

As soon as I opened my door the smell was so loud. I smiled widely, leading the way up to the house. Everyone’s mouths were wide open, surprised to even see us show up to a function like this.  My brothers and I were real lowkey since our business was starting to expand. I couldn’t be caught dead in these little street parties when there’s money to be made.

All the bitches started flocking to us, treating us like the street royalty that we were. The niggas stepped back not saying a damn thing cause they already knew what it was.

“June, what’s up baby!” I smirked over at shorty, because I was nice when I wanted to be.

My brothers and I didn’t even have to push through the party like everybody else. They all made a path for us, parting this bitch like the red sea. I searched around to see if I could find this nigga so I could keep it pushing.

“Jahari, come here!” We looked back at shorty. Jahari walked over to her, whispering something in her ear. He was spitting his usual mack-daddy shit to her. I knew from the satisfied look on her face.  

She followed behind him as he made it back over to us.

The music stopped, and one of the little niggas that was out there selling for us stood up on the couch. I could tell the nigga was gone, the way he was rocking back and forth. I shook my head, and waited to hear what the nigga had to say.

“Ay ya’ll we got the fucking Brook brothers in this bitch! Everybody show them love!” I threw my twos up for me and my brothers while everyone made some noise for us.

We didn’t come here to party with these niggas, so we walked off while they were still going crazy.

“So, show us where your brother’s at and I’ll give you somethin in return, shorty.”

The girl chuckled stupidly.

“He’s chilling in his truck with my roommate, what ya’ll need him for?”  

“Bitch, where the fuck is the nigga!” Dontae’s inpatient ass barked at shorty, freaking her out.

She didn’t say anything else, she just walked off. I thought she was trying to run off but she had led us straight to a blue ford truck. I could see Jordan in the driver seat with a blunt to the face but because of all the cloudy smoke I couldn’t see who shorty was.

“Ya’ll better not be on some bullshit…” She spat, looking directly at Dontae. He shrugged.

I felt bad for shorty because that’s exactly what we were on, bullshit. She was about to lose someone that was close to her. At the end of the day that nigga shouldn’t be playing with his life like this. Without further conversation Dontae swung the door open. I frowned after seeing that Mali was the chick he was with in here.

“What the fuck ya’ll on?” Jordan shouted angrily, looking at all of us with a glare.

“Nah, we tryna figure out what you on bitch!” Dontae slapped the blunt out of Jordan’s mouth. It dropped down in Jordan’s lap, burning his white pants.

I couldn’t even focus on what was going on with Jordan, all my attention was on Mali.

“Aye shorty, let me holla at you…” I spoke over the commotion, and she hesitated to get out the truck but eventually did.

“What the fuck, June? That’s not a priority.” Jahari spoke up, but I ignored him and walked across the street with shorty. Them niggas could handle it without me.

“That nigga isn’t a good look…” I stood inches away from her, towering over her little frame. She looked up at me, and rolled them pretty ass eyes.

“And you are? I heard you have a whole ass girlfriend so why are you over here worried about me?” She crossed her arms to her chest, with her lips pouting out. Little mama was so fucking fine, I couldn’t help but smile. “There’s nothing to smile about, June!”

“Just looking at your cute ass makes me smile.” She blushed, and looked back at what was going on behind us. My brothers were still in Jordan’s face questioning him while his little sister was trying to be the meditator and shit. I gently pushed her attention back to me by a tap on the chin.

“Even if I did have a girl what’s that got to do with our friendship?”

“A lot actually, I’m not tryna step on anyone’s toes.” I nodded, stroking my chin hair.

“I hear you, but let me worry about my girl. I’m just tryna be a friend. I know you new out here and I wanna help with anything I can help you with.”  She shrugged, and bit down on her bottom lip. She smiled making her bottom lip pop out.

“You have my number…” She simply said before walking off to Dylan.

“I didn’t take shit from ya’ll! I put that on my fucking life!” Jordan shouted, while Dontae had a tight grip on the nigga’s collar.

“I don’t like liars, nigga!” Jahari spat, punching Jordan in the jaw making blood gush out his mouth. Dylan screamed, causing every nosy body to come out of the house.  

“Okay, niggas. This getting out of hand. Let’s go…” I said, pulling Dontae and Jahari away from Jordan.

Today was supposed to be the day Jordan met his maker. But, Dontae and Jahari were showing out which was causing a scene. We would have to catch him some other time.

**

“You ready? I’m outside…”

“Yeah, here I come…” Arielle replied.

There was a lot of rustling going on so I knew she was rushing to get all her shit together. I licked my lips and looked around shorty’s apartment complex. It was a nice little place away from the streets.

Since she was just now getting off her feet with this tattooing gig I would help her out with rent every once and a while.

She wanted us to get a place together but I wasn’t in the mindset to have a shorty up under me all the time, clocking all my moves. I was a very busy man that needed to be focus all the time. I knew having her around my living space would throw my game off. I was sure of it.

“Hey baby…” She greeted my lips with a kiss after sliding into my whip.

After she buckled up, I zoomed out of the parking lot. I had one hand on the wheel while the other stroked my goatee. The shit we were about to get into had me in deep thought. I mean it’s not like it was the first time, I’d taken her out here before. But, shit popped off during every visit made to this nigga.

“You sure you want to do this baby girl? We can get some breakfast then I can drop you off at work.” I peered over at her. She sighed, locking and dropping her phone into her lap.

“He’s my brother June…”  

“I don’t think you should keep visiting this nigga. Every time we go out here his ass is two seconds away from getting his shit peeled back. I don’t like the way he be talking to you.” I told her truthfully, clenching my jaw.

“I should be there for him since no one else in the family will. You love your brothers even when they talk shit to you. I love my brother even when he doesn’t treat me right because he hasn’t always been this way. Something happened to him down the line, and I want him to eventually feel comfortable enough to share that with me.”

I understood where she was coming from so I didn’t push it any further. But, that didn’t mean I was okay with him dogging my girl out. I knew I would end up checking this nigga down the line but not with his sister around.

I pulled up into the visitor parking lot of the penitentiary. I turned the car off, got out, and locked the doors after Ari got out as well. We walked up hand in and hand. I knew shorty needed all the support that she could get. Her palm was sweating but I wasn’t even tripping because I knew she was nervous. She was every trip.

We signed in as Aiden’s visitors, and the officer ushered us to the visitation room. Every time I came into this joint I would run into someone I knew. I had some family, and some street soldiers in here. I was a well-known nigga so I was bound to run into someone I know everywhere I go.

“I know this ain’t my little nigga, June!” I looked over at where the voice was coming from, I smiled big.

It was my grandmother’s brother, the nigga that helped me and my brothers jump start in the streets. I brought Arielle with me over to him. She needed to be with me during the whole time we were here. I didn’t trust none of these niggas up in here.

“What’s up man, how you holding up?” I questioned, bringing my uncle into a brotherly hug.

“Man, I’m just tryna survive. I got two more years left. You got something for the old man to do when he get out?”

“Now Unc, you know that we got something for you. If It wasn’t for you, none of this shit would be the way it is.” He nodded, and then looked over at Arielle with a knowing smile.

“Who is this young lady?” I looked over at Arielle, as she looked around nervously. I tugged her hand a little and she looked between the two of us.

“This my girl Arielle. Babe, this the uncle I was talking to you about.” She smiled wide as hell.

“It is so nice to meet you, sir. June and his brothers talk about you all the time.”

“These little niggas are my everything. Please keep this youngin’ out of trouble, honey.” She nodded, and hooked her arm around my waist. I kissed her temple.

“Arielle, I thought you were visiting my ass what the fuck you talking to that old ass bag of dust for?” I growled at the sound of that bitch nigga’s voice. I felt my temper building from the fact that this nigga was referring to my blood.

I turned around quick, about to haul off towards that nigga but Arielle pulled my arm with all her strength.

“You need to watch who the fuck you talking about, nigga! I don’t play with mine at all!” I barked to him. The guards around were walking over to us.

“Baby, calm down…” Arielle said softly, stroking my arm.

“Listen to your lady, June. I’m good, that young man gets enough shit up in here anyways.” Arielle looked at my Uncle confused. I snatched out of Arielle’s grip, and covered my face with my hands. I was trying my best not to get in this nigga’s ass.

“Arielle, I don’t think I can go over there with you today, shorty.” I looked down at her apologetically, and she pouted.

“You promised June…Please just ignore him, I can’t do this without you.” I huffed, and said okay. I said my goodbyes to my Uncle and walked over to Aiden with Arielle.

As soon as we sat down in front of him he had a smirk on his face. I wanted to shoot the shit off his face.

“How are you, Aiden?” Arielle started.

“How the fuck you think I’m doing? Don’t come in here with them stupid ass questions you be having.”

“What the fuck did I just say to your bitch ass?” I gritted through my teeth and jumped towards this nigga. He flinched, and cleared his throat,

“I’m aight, Arielle. Why you always bringing him in here when he obviously hates my ass?”

“Cause I’m her nigga, and I’m gonna always make sure she’s good. Next conversation.”

“Baby, it’s okay I can speak for myself. Thank you though…” Arielle gently rested her hand on my face. I nodded and looked around the room before giving Aiden my attention again.

Aiden rolled his eyes, and sat back in his chair.

“Mama said she’s gonna come visit you soon with Kelsey. Your baby girl is getting so big, Aiden.” Arielle cooed.

“Nah, don’t let Kelsey come in here seeing me like this. And fuck mama tell her ass that she’s dead to me. She’s the reason I’m in this bitch.” Arielle huffed, looked down at her folded hands. I tapped my foot getting even more irritated with this visit as the time went by.

“Aiden, you shot and raped your girlfriend. That’s really fucked up, and what mama did needed to be done. You need this because the shit you’ve been doing isn’t okay. I want to be on your side but you just keep fucking up. Don’t you want to do better for your daughter?” Arielle questioned with irritation in her tone.

“Man fuck this…” He spat, before pushing himself out the chair and walking back to the guard in the back. They cuffed him again, and walked him back to his cell.

Arielle was next to me bawling. I helped her stand up, and held her while we walked out the visitation room. I felt bad because shorty really put her family in the middle of her heart and nobody gave her the same love. That’s why I gave her so much love, because shorty needed that from somebody.

Mali

I had just got out of my psychology class and was about to meet up with Dylan for lunch when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took my phone out and smiled down at the message.

Jordan: I’m sorry about what happened the other night, them niggas always on my back. Let’s meet up for lunch tomorrow?

I typed a quick message to let him know I was down for that idea.

Jordan was a cool dude to hang with. I don’t think I could see myself dating him. He was fine and very charismatic. But, I could tell that he was one of them niggas that be fucking around. I saw that a lot of women were blowing his line up when we were in his truck . I didn’t want any parts of that.

I walked into our student union in search for Dylan.

When I saw her sitting down at one of the tables on Facetime. I walked up to the table, and sat in the chair. She moved the phone from her face.

“I think I’m about to get Chik-Fil-A…But, I’m wrapping up my conversation with Jah.” She smiled wide.

My eyes bulged out at the fact that she was chatting it up with the guy that had punched the shit out of her brother. This girl was really something else. I knew Jordan wouldn’t be happy if he knew she was chatting it up with him.

“Okay, come over later… Yeah, you can bring June.” She spoked into her earphones.

I gasped, and motioned for her to cut that idea out. She chuckled, and shook her head before saying goodbye to him.

“Why did you invite them over, Dylan?” I spoke angrily.

“He’s probably not even gonna come. Calm down. Jah was just messing around because he knew you were at the table.” I let out a breath of relief

We both got up and headed towards Chik-Fil-A. We talked a little about the classes we had today, and about some poetry event that was coming up in a couple days. Dylan swore she was going to perform, and I was excited. She had some good quality work that could be shared.

“So, you and Jah are a thing now?” I asked, while we waited for out orders. She shrugged, and smirked.

“I don’t know…I told you my goal is to fuck with him. I think I’m just gonna fuck him and boot him. Whenever I say I’m tryna do something, I’m determined to do it.”

I thought that was a silly way to think of things, because he had literally threatened her brother’s life. But, I guess not everyone thought the same about things.

“What did June say when he pulled you to the side? If his girl knew he did that she would blow up the entire city. She love’s that nigga’s dirty drawers.”

We both got our food, and headed back to the table we were sitting at before.

“He just said he wanted to show me around because he knows I’m new to the city.” Dylan busted out laughing, and started coughing from how hard she was laughing.

“That’s some head ass shit to say!” I chuckled, thinking the same thing.

“I’m not a homewrecker, so I don’t plan on starting anything with him.”

“Yeah, you don’t plan on it but things can definitely change.” I shook my head, I couldn’t see myself being a side-chick. I was aware of my self-worth and being someone’s second thought was not it.

“I doubt it…” I said lowly while I looked down at the message my sister text me asking me to watch my niece tonight. She was meeting up with some guy about opening another tattoo shop in Westlake.

I agreed, since I wasn’t doing anything else for the day.

[selfish-ff]

Almost done with the chapter, update tomorrow night

[selfish-ff]

Love y'all and the patience y'all have! ❤️

Chapter coming soon

[nothin2somethin-ff]

Intro

Shyne

I stuck a finger into a cigarette burn hole in the dirty tan couch. I bit down on my glossy bottom lip while trying to mentally control my breathing. My eyes burned as I stared ahead at my supposed family member.  She smiled, and crossed her leg over the other.

“What do you say?”

“I can’t leave her…I’m all she has.”

The woman closed her eyes, and let out a breath. Once she opened her eyes she was smiling again.

“Your mother is very selfish Shyne. She left my brother, and now she’s leaving you too. She left you for the drugs, have you not realized this?”

I shook my head, and glared at this woman angrily.

“She loves me, she just needs help!”

“Honey, you’re so young. It’s not your responsibility to take care of your mother. She’s supposed to be taking care of you. If you live with me, my daughter, and your father I will make sure that you live the teenage life that you’re supposed to be living. No one is trying take you from your mother. I’m just offering a healthier environment.” She looked at me with sympathy. I groaned and rolled my eyes.

People always came around trying to stick their hand out to me.

I wasn’t bothered that people were trying to help. But, I didn’t care for people coming around showing pity towards my living situation. People usually took me as some sort of charity case.

At the end of the day I was surviving, and I would continue to survive with or without help. I didn’t need a damn thing from anybody. I didn’t want anybody feeling like I owed them anything. People like this woman could take their little sympathy and get the fuck out of my face.

“No thank you, show yourself out.” I spat, pushing myself off the couch and leading the way to the front door.

“Your dad really cares for you. He really wants to change things for the better.” She stood up from sitting in the lawn chair. She smoothed out her business attire and headed over to me.

“Yeah, I can really tell by him coming here instead of you.” I laughed bitterly, opening the front door.

“If you change your mind call me. I’ll leave my business card behind. It has my cellphone number and work number on it.”

“Don’t wait on it…” I spoke truthfully, nines time out of ten I wouldn’t be contacting her.

“I promise you would love it. Even if it’s not permanent. You could stay with us over the summer to see if you would like to stay with us. Just think about it, please.”

Once she was on the other side of the door. I shrugged, waved goodbye and closed the door in her face.

I couldn’t see myself staying with someone like her ever in my life. It seemed like the woman couldn’t breathe with how uptight she was. I would be walking on eggshells around a family like that.

*

“Girl, you’re telling me Clara Huxtable came to the crib talking about adopting your poor ass and you said no?” I rolled my eyes because she could never take anything serious.

Rayna and I walked into the cafeteria. Everyone’s eyes were on us per usual. We were the ‘it’ pair of the school. Girls usually wished they could be us, and boys wished they could be with us.

I might be considered broke at home, but my boyfriend made sure I walked around looking finer than wine.

“I’m not poor, Ray.”

“The money you’re getting from that little corner boy that you’re fucking is nothing compared to what that family can provide.”

She was right but I wouldn’t admit that to my girl.

“Kenny is not a corner boy. You know his brother owns the streets and he be stacking Kenny with some.” I defended my man, like I always did.

Rayna broke out laughing after grabbing her tray of food. I mugged her before grabbing my own tray. She was still laughing while leading the way to the table.

“I knew you were funny, but I didn’t take you as a comedian.” She plopped down in her seat and immediately picked up her slice of pizza.

“What’s fucking funny?” I grilled her.

“Shy, I live and breathe these streets! Your nigga is out there selling daily. Whatever words that nigga is feeding to you don’t even consume it. That nigga has been lying to you, baby girl.”

I sat next to Ray, watching her devour her pizza.  

“Whatever Rayna…” I pouted, spooning up some applesauce.

“You need to go check on what your pops is talking about. This could be something major, Shyne. We’ve been talking about getting outta the hood and this is your chance!” She spoke excitedly.

“You’re not gonna miss me? I can’t be leaving the ghetto without my girl…”

She kissed her teeth, and waved me away.

“You know you’re my best friend, and I don’t fuck with nobody else around here. I promise I’ll find a way to visit your ass every damn week. If someone popped up with a chance like this for me I would be chucking up the deuces. Leaving ya’ll to sweep up my dust.” I shoved her, while we both laughed. “Really Shy give it a try.”

*

I walked home from school with a lot on my mind. I didn’t think moving with my father would be the best. My living situation could be better, but this neighborhood was my home. I was raised here, and I always thought I would end up dying here. Some of the older women in neighborhood helped me out when I was in need. Since my mother wasn’t fully capable of taking care of me like a mother should. I had grown up with people out here, people that I borderline considered family. The love of my life and best friend were here, how could I leave a place so close to my heart?

I shook my head, watching as I dragged my feet on the cracked and filthy sidewalk.

“Aye yo, Shy!” I snapped my head up, and looked over at where the voice was coming from. I smiled wide when I noticed it was Kenny’s older brother. I jogged across the street over to him. Keith was chilling on the front steps of an apartment building where all the fiends flocked. He turned his hat around so that I could see blemish free brown face.  He smirked at me with a toothpick tilting down on his bottom lip. “What’s good with you, shorty? Where you going?”

“I was heading home. I have so much homework to do…” I sighed, sitting next to him on the steps. He nodded, glancing up the steps after hearing Ms. Carter step out of her apartment.

“You still fucking around with my brother? I haven’t seen you around.”

“Yeah, I’m just trying to finish off my junior year strong. I’ve been focused on all my school work.” He rubbed his hands, and stared at me approvingly.

“You different from everybody else, Shy. You not meant to be out here with us thuggin ass niggas and these dropping drawers whores.” I laughed loudly, Keith has always been a jokester. “I’m so serious, shorty. You need to get up out of here as fast as you can. Enroll into one of these little colleges, get you a nice paying job. You so damn smart, you could do anything you want.”

I combed through my hair with my fingers as I really thought about what Keith was saying. It was like he had read my thoughts. Even though I wanted to stay, he was right. I couldn’t just stay here when there’s so much out there for me. Before my mom turned in to a fucking crackhead she would always tell me that I needed to start stepping out of my comfort zone.  

I looked ahead as I watched the sunset.

“Someone came to my apartment earlier, on some fresh prince type shit. She was talking about taking me out of the hood to live with my uppity side of the family.” Keith chuckled.

Before Keith could respond, this scrawny ass nigga stepped ingin front of the both of us scratching his ashy neck. He looked around the block before licking his chapped lips.

“What’s up Ke-Keith, le-let me get some of that white girl.” He stuttered.

Keith shook his head, pulling out some cocaine from his pocket. He traded the nigga the cocaine for some bills. The scrawny dude smiled like the damn Kool-Aid man before he took off down the street.

Keith looked back over at me, while pointing to where the dude just ran off.

“That’s a reason why you need to go ahead and take your kinfolk up on that offer. Fuck all this lame shit out here, you deserve more than this.”

“What about Kenny?” Keith frowned.

“Man Shy, you need to stop fucking with that nigga. He not treating you right.” I furrowed my eyebrows. Kenny was treating me better than anyone else has ever treated me. I didn’t know what Keith was talking about. I was tired of people thinking they knew my relationship with Kenny more than I did.

“Ain’t nothing wrong with the way he treating me…” I said defensively.

Keith shook his head, and chuckled. He pulled the blunt behind his ear before lighting it.

“Kenny my brother, Shy. I live with that nigga. He’s a pathological liar. You can’t be believing every word that nigga be feeding you.” I sucked my teeth at the fact that this was the same shit Rayna was saying.

I didn’t really want to be talking about my relationship anymore. I stood up, pulling the straps of my backpack further up my shoulders.

“I’ll catch you later, Keith.” I glanced back at Keith before I took a couple steps towards my apartment

“I’m just tryna look out for you shorty. He’s not who you think he is.” Keith shouted after me.

I walked into my apartment, dropping my bookbag next to the door. I skimmed through all the mail, most of it being bills. I huffed, dropping them on the living room coffee table. I didn’t know who was paying those damn bills because I was tired of asking Kenny for some money to pay them.

“Mom!” I shouted, walking into the kitchen to prepare dinner for myself.

I looked in the fridge with utter shock. The fridge was completely empty. I swung the freezer door open coming up empty again. I started to panic, searching through all the cabinets. Nothing.

“This bitch really got me fucked up!” I was heated, storming out of the kitchen, heading for the stairs. I jumped up two-steps at a time with steam shooting out of my ears. “Where the fuck are you?!”

I shoved her bedroom door open. I growled at seeing her cuddled up with some young ass nigga that I’ve seen around selling to the fiends.  I walked up to her pushing her body back and forth.

“Ma, you ate my got damn food! Kenny bought me that shit for the week!” I cried angrily.

She shot up in a panic, looking around the room confused. She stared up at me with sad eyes. She knew exactly what the fuck she had just done. What was I going to eat for the week?

“I’m sorry baby, we were hungry and other people came too.”

I looked up at the ceiling trying to calm myself down so I didn’t kill this woman.

“You know what? Fuck you, this nigga, Kenny, and this fucking neighborhood! I’m staying with dad!” I spat harshly. She was so scared that she couldn’t even respond. I walked out of her room disappointed in what she had become.

I jogged downstairs, and grabbed the business card the lady had dropped off earlier.

“Hello, this is Laura Davis, how can I assist you?” I rolled my eyes at the formalities.

“Hey Laura, it’s Shyne…” I sighed.

“Oh! Hello honey, I didn’t think you would call this soon.”

I didn’t either.

“Well I thought it over, I would like to give it a try.”

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I love your story so much! You inspired me to start writing lol. Can you check out my intro?

Oh snap! Thank you. I'll check your story out, and reblog that bad boy!

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I'm a new reader and I simply love this story. I love the storyline and all the characters. So far my favs are Mama Betsy and Leilani. I can't to read what happens next.

Thank you boo

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Watch Jordan's sister is the girl Mama Betsy was talking about being Mali's potential roommate.

👀

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"TiTi, he so cute!" She is so adorable!!

My fav lol