“ A ye, you still fuck with Chuck?” I asked Pooh as we walked home from school.
“Nah, why? You want to fuck with him?” she quizzed.
“Hell nah, I don’t fuck behind my crew.” I smacked my lips before looking over at Jessie. She was the hoe of the crew, known for fucking after her friends.
“Then why you asking about him?” Pooh fired up the blunt she was rolling.
“I wanted to know what was up with Miami. That nigga was supposed to let me cheat off of his test today, but he didn’t show up to school,” I lied. “A bitch done failed and shit because of his ass.” I dramatically breathed out.
I was concerned about Miami not being in class, but I wouldn’t dare let anyone outside of Wilma know that.
“Girl, Chuck don’t fuck with Miami weird ass anyway. I told you something was off about that nigga. You need to pair up with one of them white girls. They get you right every time. If it wasn’t for Bella, I’d be failing the fuck out of chemistry.” Pooh took another toke of the blunt before passing it to Jessie.
“Bella is the truth. That hoe even made copies of her notes for me,” Jessie spoke before placing the blunt to her lips.
“Well, I need to hit her up then,” I uttered. From the corner of my eye, I could see Wilma shaking her head at me.
“Henny, come walk in the store with me.” Grabbing me by my arms, Wilma pulled me inside of Dollar Tree.
“Bitch, now I know you bullshitting,” she squealed. “Spill it, hoe!”
“Alright, I was just looking forward to seeing his ass in class today, that’s all.” I shrugged.
“Why, though? When did this sudden interest in Miami happen?” Wilma’s eyes quickly scanned the signs above the aisle before pulling me in the direction she wanted to go in.
“I kicked it briefly at the park with him last night. He rude as fuck, but he seems like cool people. I don’t know, and I low key think he’s cute.” I shrugged.
“Miami ain’t cute, that chocolate ass nigga fine as fuck. Just be careful, though. I’m all for you doing your thing, but um… that nigga Kenny ain’t wrapped too tight. Plus, Miami comes with too much baggage.”
“What the fuck we doing here?” I questioned, looking over at the shelves that were flooded with pregnancy tests.
“Umm…” Wilma chewed on her bottom lip. “I think I’m…”
“Nooo!” I interrupted her. “By who?”
“You remember that nigga Quan from Franklin Park?” Avoiding eye contact, Wilma studied the pregnancy test box that she held in her hand.
“Wilma, now I know you ain’t let that nigga hit you raw!” I gasped.
Quan was a sexy ass block boy who was getting money, but his ass couldn’t keep his dick in his pants to save his life. He was considered the Future of the hood since every bitch he fucked ended up pregnant. Rayna and Brenda were two girls at our school who were both currently pregnant by him with due dates weeks apart.
“I know. I fucked up, Henny. I’m just praying this test comes back negative because I have no business with a baby right now, especially not for that nigga.” Wilma frowned.
“We’ll figure it out, friend.” Grabbing ten tests from the rack, we slowly made our way to the register, both in our own thoughts.
“Henny, now I know you ain’t let that nigga, Kenny, knock you up.” Jessie frowned.
“Worry about what’s in front of you,” I snapped, pointing at her basket that was filled with snacks.
“Dang, you ain’t gotta snap on me. I ain’t ruin your life, that nigga did.” She smirked, trying to be funny.
Placing the pregnancy tests on the counter, I popped Jessie in her mouth with a closed fist.
“Learn how to shut the fuck up!” With my hands crossed over my chest, I waited for her to get cute, so I could go in her shit again.
“It ain’t even that deep, Henny.” Pooh slid her body between us before shit could escalate.
My tolerance for Jessie was low as fuck. I wasn’t sure what the fuck was up with her, but lately, she’s been on a mission to come for me every chance she got.
“Tell your friend to mind her fucking business.” Pulling out the twenty Kenny gave me this morning, I paid for Wilma’s test before walking off.
“Jessie be on some other shit. I just told Pooh’s ass not to bring that hoe to my house.” Wilma caught up with me.
“She stays on my clit. That hoe must want to lick it.” Placing my hand in the seat of my jeans, I grabbed my crotch.
“You stupid as fuck.” Wilma laughed until tears trickled down her face.
“I’m for real, though. Ugly ass bitch.” I chuckled. “Bitch done blew my high.”
“Let’s go get some weed from Mibo real quick. I got some wraps at the house.” Pulling up her high waist skirt until it was dangerously short, Wilma tied her shirt up, exposing her belly as we rounded the block that was littered with dope boys.
Scanning the crowd, I made sure Kenny wasn’t anywhere in sight before I slowly followed Wilma down the sidewalk.
“Damn, Wilma, when you gon’ let a nigga play in that pussy?” A light skinned, dread head covered in tattoos asked before reaching in to pick up the red dice that were on the floor. With his eyes trained on Wilma, he blew in his hand before shaking the dice and tossing them against the wall.
“Fuck nigga, that’s all me!” He shouted before picking up all his money.
A few niggas glanced my way, taking in my innocent schoolgirl look. The Nike biker short set I wore had my ass sitting pretty, my hair was nice and wild. With a fresh coat of gloss covering my plump lips, I was cute, but Wilma and her grown woman curves had every nigga on the block on mute, waiting to see if she was going to give dread some play before they attempted to shoot their shot.
“Wassup, Wilma, you fucking with me tonight?” Both his hands were filled with money as he wrapped them around Wilma’s waist, giving her his undivided attention.
“You got me with some weed?” She grinned. “I was about to go fuck with that nigga Mibo, but if you got me then…” She licked her lips, allowing her words to trail off.
“Walk with me, ma.” Whirling his fingers around in the air, he let his boys know he was on the move.
“You got something for me, Dre?” Wilma purred.
“Shit, you got something for me?” Dre’s eyes were drunk with lust as they roamed from Wilma’s full breasts down to her plump ass.
“Yeah, let me smoke with my girl, and you can slide up on me when she leaves.”
“Don’t be on that bullshit, Wilma,” he warned.
“Boy, just pull up to my crib in about an hour.”
“Alright.” Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a bag filled with weed and handed it to her.
“Thank you, baby.” Wilma squealed. Unraveling the bag, she inhaled the potent drug before smiling. “This that stanky!”
“I hooked you up! You better ride the fuck out this dick when I fall through.” Smacking Wilma hard on the ass, Dre looked over at me. “Smoke that shit and clear it, alright?” Dre winked at me before walking away.
“Why you never told me about this nigga Dre? You holding the fuck out!” Placing my hand over my chest, I acted as if my feelings were hurt.
“You never told me you was checking for Miami.” She shrugged. “Dre alright. We deal with each other here and there just to smoke and fuck. That’s all.”
Looking over at my best friend, there were days I wished I was bold and outspoken like she was. I wanted to live carefree like her with a black book filled with niggas I could call on just because. Wilma had all types of niggas checking for her, the majority of them fine, up and coming drug dealers. All she had to do was walk down the street, and niggas would break their necks, trying to get a second glance.
“If you are pregnant, could he possibly be the father…”
“Shit, I wish. You see how fine he is? Bitch, our baby would come out cute as fuck. Not to mention that nigga’s name is next on the come up list. He got bread. But, nah, Dre is the type of nigga who wraps his dick up and still pulls out every time,” Wilma spoke while pushing her front door open.
“Roll up while I piss on these sticks and take a shower.” She handed me the bag of weed, and I gave her the bag filled with the tests before I made my way to her room.
Like a normal teenaged girl, Wilma’s room was filled with colors. Her lime green walls were covered in purple butterflies and photos of me, her, and the other important people in her life. Since she was obsessed with Omarion, she had a wall dedicated to him, photos, magazine clippings, song lyrics, anything associated with Omarion was plastered on her O Wall of Fame, as she called it.
Taking a seat on her full-sized bed that sat in the center of the room, I pushed aside a few of her stuffed animals and pillows before making myself comfortable. Sitting Indian style, I grabbed a notebook off her desk then used it to break down the weed. Impressed with my rolling skills, I licked my perfectly rolled blunt closed before placing it to my lips and flaming it up.
“Whew, this shit is smoked!” Violently coughing, I reached for my ringing phone.
“Hello?” I choked out.
“Where the fuck you at?” Kenny snapped, forcing me to roll my eyes.
“I’m at Wilma’s house, studying for this test we got,” I quickly replied.
Whenever Kenny called inquiring about my whereabouts, I was required to follow up with what I was doing, who I was doing it with, and how long I’d be doing it. When he called himself my daddy, that nigga meant that shit literally.
“Bring your ass home now before you piss me the fuck off!” Kenny shouted and hung up before I could respond.
“Dumb ass nigga.” Sucking my teeth, I took a long toke, desperately anticipating the feel of the drug to numb me.
“BITCH!” Wilma burst into the room, trailing water that dripped from her naked body.
Her breasts violently bounced as she stomped over to me, dropping all the pregnancy tests on the bed.
“What happened?” I asked before picking one up to read the results.
“No, Wilma.” My eyes grew wide at the two bright red lines.
“What am I going to do?” She groaned and plopped down on the bed next to me. “My mama is going to kill me.” Reaching for the blunt, Wilma took a long pull.
Unable to speak, I just sat there, not knowing what to say.
“Best friend, I can’t be nobody’s mama right now,” Wilma fussed.
“I mean, you can always get rid of it,” I suggested.
“When I first got my period, my mama told me she wasn’t raising no babies or paying for an abortion.”
“Ask Quan. Technically, it’s his baby too. The least he could do is pay for the abortion.”
“I doubt that nigga pay for that shit, he loves having kids. Fool only twenty-three with five kids. I sholl know how to pick ’em.” A loud groan escaped Wilma’s lips as she buried her head in her hands.
“I can ask Kenny for the money.”
“Nah, you ain’t gotta do all of that. Imma ask that nigga Dre.”
“Alright, well, I gotta go. I’ll call you when I get home. Put some damn clothes on.” Scrunching my nose up, I acted as if there was a foul stench in the air.
“Girl, you know my coochie don’t stank. This that Pure Life pussy.” Wilma laughed before popping her ass cheeks, then dropping down in a spit.
“You gon’ fuck around and have all types of debris in ya pussy, keep playing,” I joked while reaching for the blunt. “I’m taking this with me too.”
“Later, hoe!” Wilma called out as I made my way out of the house.
Making slow strides down the dirty pavement, I smoked my blunt while minding my business. Out the corner of my eye, I saw a bitch checking her nigga over a hoe while another nigga across from them completed a drug transaction. The smell of fried chicken filled the air while kids played outside until their mamas yelled for them to bring their asses in the house. I had a love-hate relationship with the hood; I loved the drama that went on but hated how the drug epidemic ruined lives.
“Oh, hey girl, I was just talking about you.” Pooh interrupted my thoughts. She was posted up on the corner with Chuck.
“You checking for Miami?” Chuck smirked.
“Nah, he was supposed to look out for me on my Spanish test, that’s all, but that nigga never showed.” I finished up my blunt before tossing what was left on the ground.
“That nigga been on some other shit lately. He ain’t come home last night. My auntie said if he don’t show up tomorrow, she’s going to report him to his social worker.” Chuck shrugged.
“Damn, that’s fucked up,” I mumbled. “Imma catch up with you tomorrow, though, Pooh.” Walking off, thoughts of Miami consumed me. Instead of heading home like Kenny ordered, I went to the park in search of Miami.
Crossing the street, I headed in the direction of the park. Bypassing the basketball court, I ventured to the back of the park where the benches were located. In the far corner, I spotted him sitting on the picnic table with his feet propped up on the seat.
“Why you ain’t come to school today?” I asked.
Ignoring my question, Miami looked up at me, quickly sizing me up before looking away. Taking in his appearance, I noticed he was wearing the same thing from yesterday.
“You slept here last night?” I probed.
“Why the fuck you all in my business?” Miami snarled.
“Chuck said if you don’t go back home, his auntie is going to call your social worker,” I stood in front of him and said.
“You got some more shit to say?”
“I was just looking out, that’s all. You ain’t gotta be so fucking rude.” Sucking my teeth, I plopped down next to him.
“What the fuck you want me to say? Thank you?”
“I mean, that’s what normal people say when someone looks out for them.”
“Ain’t shit normal about me, shorty.” The deepness of his voice left me in a trance. The word shorty sounded so sexy escaping his thick lips.
“You coming to school tomorrow?”
“If I come, I come. If I don’t, I don’t.” Reaching for his bookbag, Miami got up from the bench then walked away.
“Shit,” I groaned when Kenny started blowing my phone up.
Ignoring his calls, I headed home to receive the ass whooping I knew his ass had waiting for me.
Pulling my hair into a high ponytail to prevent Kenny from pulling on it, I made my way inside the house. Seated on the couch was my father, drinking from a bottle of Hennessy, while my mother sat next to him with her feet propped on his lap while she did lines of coke. Sucking my teeth at my sorry ass parents, I knew they wouldn’t be much help when Kenny started beating me. Licking my dry lips, I slowly made my way to my bedroom and pushed the door open.
“What the fuck?” I frowned at the playpen that was set up in the middle of my room.
“Why the fuck you always testing my gangsta?” Kenny asked, gripping me by my neck.
“I told you we were doing schoolwork!” I calmly spoke.
Pushing my body against the wall, Kenny scowled down at me before slapping me in the mouth.
“Lie to me again!” he yelled, shaking me by the grip he had on my throat.
“I’m not lying.” I sniffled while tears trickled down my face.
“You and your hoe ass friend was on the block selling coochie for weed?” Kenny grilled me.
“Wilma copped some weed from her dude, then we headed to her house to study, I swear!” Pleading with my eyes for Kenny to believe me, I prepared myself for the next blow.
I would beat your ass right now, but I need you to watch my son for me while I make a few moves.
“What son?” I asked.
“Listen, my ex just hit me and told me he was mine. I had him tested, and he is. This shit was before you, ma.” Kenny softened his tone.
“I don’t know shit about babysitting no baby. Bring his ass back to his mama,” I spat.
“What the fuck did you just say about my son?” Through the slits of his eyes, Kenny glared at me.
“He is not my child. Why should I have to watch him?” Nervously shifting my weight from my left leg to my right, I gazed at the small baby who slept peacefully in the center of the playpen.
“You my bitch, right? What’s mine is yours,” he reasoned.
“I have homework to do, so…”
“You really not about to watch my son, Henny?”
“No, that’s not my kid!” I raised my voice.
WHAP! WHAP!
My face was on fire from the harsh blows Kenny delivered. Through gritted teeth, he snarled down at me before huffing out, “Watch your fucking mouth when talking to me.”
Pulling me by the bun that sat on top of my head, he flung me across the room, causing me to hit my shoulder had against the wall.
“OUUUUUCH!” A desperate cry of agony escaped my lips.
“Dumb bitch!” He kicked my injured shoulder before stepping over me and grabbing his son. “That’s why I keep a bitch on the side to do everything you won’t do!” He shot at me before slamming my room door behind him.
My arm was paralyzed with pain as a burning sensation radiated through my shoulder. Using my good arm, I pulled myself to my feet then made my way to the mirror.
“Shit!” I sobbed at the sight of my arm hanging out of the socket.
Hobbling out of my room, I reached for my phone and headed to the living room.
“Sorry ass motherfuckers!” I spat, looking at the motherfuckers who created me sprawl out on the couch passed out. “I hope you motherfuckers die!”
With every step I took, pain surged through my body, crippling me. When I finally made it outside, I was winded. Leaning against the wall, I struggled to catch my breath before calling Wilma. Frustrated that she wasn’t answering the phone, I slowly continued my walk up the block, heading in the direction of Wilma’s house, out of fear that Kenny would return and finish me off. I always knew he would be the one to kill me. I’ve accepted and welcome it, but today, I didn’t want to die. I had to get away.
With my eyes trained on the ground, I watched every step, making sure I didn’t trip or fall.
“Aye, man, you good?” a familiar voice asked, causing me to look up.
“Miami?” Ignoring the pain that I felt in my shoulder, I walked into his embrace, wrapping my good arm around him. “I think my arm is broken,” I cried.
“Nah, that shit ain’t broken, it’s dislocated.”
“I need your help, please.” Gripping the back of his shirt, I held on tightly to him.
“Alright, man, come on.” Miami placed his hands on the small of my back while he walked me through an alleyway filled with motherfuckers who were strung out on the drug of their choice.
“Watch where you going. There’s a bunch of dirty needles around here.”
“Okay.” I nodded while holding on to his body.
When we arrived at an apartment complex a few blocks from the park, he stood behind me, my ass pressed to his front as he walked me up the stairs.
“Stay right here real quick.” He turned to me before making his way into an apartment.
With the back of my head pressed against the wall, I waited for him to return.
“Come on.” He waved me over to him.
Pulling me by my good hand, he rushed me into a room before closing the door behind us.
Two other boys were in the room, each of them lying on the bunk beds that were pushed against the back corner of the room.
“Is it okay for me to be here?” I asked.
“Lay down right here.” Disregarding my question, Miami motioned for me to lay on the bottom bunk.
“I’ll be right back.” I watched as Miami walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
My eyes traveled to the two boys who were in the opposite bunk beds. The cartoon on the small TV that sat on the even smaller nightstand had their undivided attention. They hadn’t batted an eye when I walked into the room. I wasn’t sure if I should speak or not. Deciding it was best to keep my mouth closed, I tried to focus on everything else but the pain I was feeling.
“Here, take this.” Miami returned with a pill and a cup of water.
“What is this?” I questioned, looking up at him.
“It’s a Percocet for the pain.” Snatching the pill from the palm of his hand, I quickly gulped it down with the entire cup of water.
Welcoming the effects of the pill with open arms, I looked down at Miami through hooded eyes. It didn’t take long for my body to feel as if I was dancing on the clouds. The intense excitement that coursed through my veins eased my body, ridding me of the pain. My eyes grew lazy as I tried to focus on Miami, who was now kneeling on the floor beside me.
“Turn on your side.” His voice softened, or at least in my mind, it did.
Doing as I was told, I slowly turned on my side. Chills rushed through my spine the moment Miami’s hands made contact with my body. Gripping my arm, he felt around on my shoulder blade before counting to three, then forcefully snapping my arm back in place.
“Ummm,” I moaned. With the Percocet in my system, the quick movement felt good.
“I Just popped your shoulder back in place.”
“Thank you.” Flashing Miami a bright smile, I could no longer conceal my attraction to him. Despite his mean persona, I sensed there was some kindness underneath his tough exterior.
“You gotta go.”
“Can I kick it here until Wilma answers the phone?” I slurred. “I’m in no position to walk home alone right now.”
“Man.” He looked over at the boys who were in the room. “Don’t say shit. Just lay there and shut the fuck up. When ya girl hit you up, you gotta clear it.”
“Pinky promise.” I softly giggled before pulling his blanket up to my nose, inhaling the mixture of fresh laundry and his cologne.
“Kelly been in here messing with y’all?” Miami asked the boys.
“No.” Both boys shook their heads.
Grabbing a towel from the rack, Miami walked out of the room.
“Is he always this mean?” I spoke up.
“He’s not mean to us. He just don’t speak much,” the oldest of the two replied.
“I’m Hennessy. What’s your name?” For whatever reason, I was feeling real chatty.
“I’m Aaron, and he’s Luke,” the oldest replied.
“Do you guys like it here?”
“Yes, Ms. Kim is cool, but Ms. Kelly is mean,” Aaron spoke for them both.
“Does she hit you?”
“No. She’s always yelling at us, especially when we invade her and Miami’s privacy.” Aaron shrugged.
“Her and Miami’s privacy?” I asked more to myself. I wanted to ask Aaron to elaborate, but the door swung open, and in walked a shirtless Miami dressed in a pair of orange gym shorts, a color that matched perfectly against his chocolate skin tone.
The more I studied Miami’s tall, lanky frame, he reminded me of King Combs, P. Diddy’s son.
“Why the fuck you looking at me like that?” Miami snapped me out of my trance.
“No reason.” I yawned.
“Your girl still ain’t answer the phone?” Pulling a pillow and a blanket from the top bunk, he made a pallet on the floor before lying down.
“No, not yet.”
“Hit her ass up again. You can’t be here for long.”
“Alright.” Turning on my side, I studied Miami as he lay on his back with his fingers locked behind his head while he watched TV with the boys.
Tired of fighting a losing battle with my sleep, I closed my eyes, welcoming the deep slumber.