The Owner of My Soul Vol 1: Prologue and Chapter 1
PROLOGUE
THE BEGINNINGS
My name is Kenneth Day’Quan Johnson. Born here in Cleveland , Ohio May 4, 20 85DNA is how it’s done. Minority Report is a prime example of how life is. Not sayin’ that the police knows what crimes will take place, but they can almost always find the person doin’ the crime. You have to know how to cover your tracks though. All music and movie disks are also the size of those on MR. One thang bout the cops, they don’t care too much for gang violence. They don’t mess wit us because of the fact we kinda doin them a favor. When we take out some mark ass niggaz, they can care less. That’s why I ain’t been arrested fa a damn thang.
In 2045, another civil war broke out, this time between the East and West. Since Ohio was considered Midwest , it became a major target for both sides. Pretty soon, the entire Midwest built its own military and fought both sides. 85% of that military was pure Ohioans. The war ended in 2047 with a lot of damage done to major cities in both coasts. My Great Grandfather took charge and made compromises that everyone agreed to. The US Midwest . Each quadrant had a capital. The South’s capital is Atlanta , the East’s is NYC, the West is LA, and the Midwest is Cleveland US United States US
When I told you we were the richest family, Smiths and Johnsons both, I mean rich beyond your wildest dreams. We have so much money; we can give the 3 trillion people in the world 500 centillion (which is 500 with 303 zeroes after it) dollars apiece and still have ova 999 googolplex dollars in our account. As a matter of fact, we have so much that a word was invented and input into the dictionary to represent it. It’s called a Johnsinian. We have more money than the Smiths, only by $5. That’s why it was named after us. To define it, 1 Johnsinian is a 1 with 9 more zeros than a googolplex following it. Now, as a family, we have about 575.6 Johnsinian dollars. That’s 575.6 with a whole lot of damn zeroes. Whew!
We live in the largest mansion ever designed. It’s a lot like a huge apartment complex. Each room is a three bedrooms, two baths, fully furnished, apartment. There are 50 rooms, 10 on each floor, including one floor of only weight training, and a basketball court, not to mention a swimming pool on the roof. The ground floor doesn’t have any bedrooms. Just the living room, kitchen, dining room, conference room, safe, ATM, gambling room, game room, and 10 offices. The basement has our 7 restaurants, including McDonalds, Baskin Robbins, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, KFC, Hot Wing Shack, and Burger King. The basement also has our movie theater, and most importantly, our full arson. We have a lot of weapons in a vault down there, including gold bars, and money that we keep for emergencies. Only 6 people have access to the vault, Dad, Ma, Uncle Tevin, Aunt Keasha, Will and me. Of course, Uncle Tevin has the same type of mansion. Theirs is located 2 miles down, but a brick fence separates our properties. That’s how far we both extend.
I have 10 brothas and sistas. I’m da middle. We all have da same dad, but some of us have different moms. Kevin Dwayne Johnson, Jr, or KJ, is my only real brotha cuz we have da same mom and Lisa Irene Johnson is my only real sista, but I treat all my brothas and sistas da same way. My Uncle Tevin is like a copy of my dad. They act the same way and always end up in da same shit. In fact, I think our families are cursed like that. For every son or daughter Dad has, Uncle Tevin has one to go with him or her. Mine is my cousin, best friend, and big balla, Will. We’ve always been together, no matta what. You’ll rarely see us separated. We grew up together and started our own lil click that we call the C-Town Ballas. Everyone we grew up wit was in dis click: Chris, or C-Lo (anotha rich kid, but nowhere near as rich as us), his brotha, Frank, or Frost; Oscar, or O-D; Greg, or G-Money; Jay, or Oak-Dogg; Dre, or DT; the twins Trey and Troy Sydney New York , and Rena and Post to Atlanta
When I was 7 years old, Dad told me something that I will neva forget:
“Out of all my children,” he started, “you are the only one I can trust with my company. You have the most potential of being great. You and Will can bring even more success to the SJ legacy.”
“Why me, Dad?” I asked him.
“I’ve seen you do amazing things at such a young age. Each day that goes by, you become more and more like me. It’s always been said that the son will become a betta man than the father. I believe this when it comes to you. I originally was goin’ to hand it down to David, but he’s too lazy. He’d sell in a heartbeat.”
“I will not fail you, father. I will uphold the family name.”
That’s exactly what I intend on doin’. When the time comes, I will continue the SJ legacy. I’m sure you noticed, but my dad and uncle are great men. The only thing they’re not good at is love. They’ve both been married numerous times. My mother was his true love. In fact, afta the first divorce, they got back together 3 years lata, or should I say last year. She’s the only one that keeps him happy and has the best chance of staying Mrs. Kevin Johnson. She’s also the favorite. My story begins at the same time my life does; during my last year of high school. KT High School, where Will and I led the varsity Cyborgs to 4 national championships. We were the best high school ballas in the world. Between us, the real question was who will be the first draft pick. We both averaged quadruple-doubles in points, assists, boards, and steals. Ever since we started playing basketball at the age of 2, when we were on the same team, we neva lost a game. Since getting on the varsity team, we’ve blown teams out by more than 30 points. We always start, no matta what. ESPN has broadcast every single basketball game we’ve played, starting in the 6th grade. Chris and DT are the football stars with the same story. What makes life even betta is the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers, our home basketball team, has the top two draft picks due to a trade they made last season. Life is a beautiful thing.
Will and I were dynamic duos on the court, and on the big screen. Dad and Uncle Tevin own their own movie and music companies. Every movie they made neva failed to impress. Special effects and storylines were always off da chain. The movie that brought our recognition was our debut entitled Cross Fire. Will and I are secret agents like James Bond, but even more classy, sexy, and smooth. It also started our fashion trend. In the movie, I’m always wearing white, and he always wore black. It’s now an almost every day thang. I’ve made white into a color like no otha. I basically made it famous. Will and I also put out rap albums that stayed numba one for a long time. We released 4 albums already since we were 14. All of them were best sellers, setting records and er’thang. Like I said, we had everything. We were always voted the sexiest men alive, always in the news, and always treated well. The only thing we didn’t have was love. The type of person I was didn’t have love included in the script. I’m a thug and always will be. I’ve neva come close to fallin’ in love. I’m a playa, and always will be.
CHAPTER 1
T’was the first day of my senior year and I couldn’t wait to get on wit it. I woke up at a quarter afta 6, but didn’t have to be in homeroom til 7:30 . I got up and took a shower. I had one of my freaks braid my hair last night, so I was good in that. I got out the shower, dried off and got dressed. My body was so silky smooth. The outfit I had laid out was an all-white slack-type pants and button-up shirt wit white boots. I had on a white t-shirt and left my shirt unbuttoned. The name on the left side of the shirt sported the initials KW, which was our clothing line. The same initials were also on the back of the pants on the waist line. The shirt was a lil loose, but mostly a muscle shirt. I made it look good. I had a white belt to go wit it. The belt buckle sported the name K-Dawg I had on my most expensive watch with matching ring, chain, and earrings. I was straight coordinated. Both of my ears are pierced, so lookin’ at me is fatal to da eyes. Not to mention I have white teeth too. Ouch.
It was 7 when I made it downstairs. My room is on the 4th floor, so I alternate days on taking the elevator and taking the stairs. I went into the kitchen to see what was for breakfast.
“Good morning, sweetie.” Ma said to me. “Got time for a little breakfast?”
“Absolutely.” I replied. “Is Dad here?”
Ma is the head of all medical research in the world. Every disease, virus and infection known to man has been either cured or not a huge threat because of her. Don’t start thinking we’re in a utopia yet. I did say known. She owns the largest hospital in the world, Cleveland Metropolitan Hospital
“Yea, he should be comin down momentarily.” She replied, setting my plate down in front of me.
“Damn, this looks too good.” I commented. Will walked into the kitchen.
“Good morning Aunt Natasha.” He said.
He had on the exact same outfit I had, but it was black. Only he could do this, look good and no one think he’s a devil worshipper or some bullshit like that.
“Good morning, Will.” She handed him a plate. She looked at both of us, “I swear y’all are twins.”
“Dad started this trend.” I told her.
“I bet y’all will end up driving the same kind of car too.” I smiled at her. “Maybe one day you’ll be independent.”
“Doubt it.” Will stated. I nodded in agreement.
I finished eating and put my plate in da sink. Will was done 2 minutes later.
“Great breakfast, Ma, I’ll see you later.” I kissed her and walked to the door.
“Absolutely divine.” Will said, tryin' to top me. He kissed her, “lata, Auntie.”
“You don’t want to wait for your father?” She asked me.
“No time.” I said to her.
“Ok. Y’all have a good day.” She said to us.
We walked out the house. Will was parked in the courtyard, so he waited til I got my car out the garage. When I did, I parked behind him.
“Aye, Will, what you bumpin’ ova dare?”
“Our latest.” He replied.
“Thug Passion?”
“Fa sho.”
“Bet.” I selected that album on my touch display and had my system on blast. “I’m following you, pimpin’.” I yelled to him.
He nodded. Wheneva we travel together, we play da same music. It’s a law.
The school was 10 minutes away. When we got there, it was ten til da bell rings. We parked in our reserved spots. Da click was waitin on us. When we pulled in, they surrounded us, listenin to da song playin. Dis was dare favorite, so I didn’t turn my car off yet, but we both had the song blastin’ and in unison. Everyone knew we have arrived. When the song was ova, we turned our cars off and got out. We gave everyone in the click dap.
“K, I gotta hand it to you,” C-Lo began, “dat partay last night was off da grid map, fa real.”
“Aye, just bring yo own bitches and er’body is happy.” I replied inducing laughs from everyone.
“Speakin of which, who was ol’gurl you was wit, Will?” DT asked.
“That is a good question.” He looked as if he was thinking about it. “I have no clue. I’m dead serious, I really can’t remember.” He replied. We all laughed.
“You beat?” Frost asked.
“Get his neck!” C-Lo said. Jodie smacked the back of Frost’s neck. “Come on now, son, askin Kenny or Will if they beat is like askin someone did they breathe today.”
“True, true.” Will said.
“Ri, ri.” I said, meaning, right, right for all of you that don’t know. “Aye, I gotta find Lisa, we’ll holla at y’all boys, lata.”
I gave er’body dap except Will, whom was comin wit me. This particular high school was the largest in the country. It was easily the size of a university and had among the best teachers to grace the education field. Graduating from this high school would propel you into any college as a sophomore or a junior if you took advanced classes. All the popular students hung out in front of the main building until homeroom began. We approached the front of the school when we found those in which we seek, but were ovasteppin boundaries.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t my sista Lisa and cousin Brittany.” I said. They gave us da ill face. We then locked eyes wit da guys day were wit.
“Who you be?” Will asked the guy next to Brittany
“Will, Kenny, this is my boyfriend Ronald.” She answered for him.
“And my boyfriend Tim.” Lisa said, knowing we were goin to ask her next.
“How long has dis been goin on?” Will asked.
“Nun ya business.” Brittany
I smiled, “Lisa, how long dis been goin on?” I asked her calmly.
Lisa doesn’t have the testicular fortitude to lie or withhold information from me. She knows I don’t tolerate that and I’ve done too much for her. She swallowed hard and answered.
“3 months.” She said. I raised my left eyebrow Will raised his right.
“You tryin to tell me dat dis been goin on fo 3 months and I’m just getting wind of it?” She nodded. Will tapped my shoulder.
“Aye, we gotta get to homeroom.” He suggested. I nodded.
“We’ll hash this out lata. Believe that!”
I turned around and followed Will. My homeroom was one room down from his. I gave him dap and went into my room, making it two seconds befo da bell rang. The desks had assigned names and graphical pictures imprinted on them. I sat in my desk and logged in to class.
“Right on time.” Gina said to me.
Her desk is right next to mine. Her last name is Jones, so she’s been in my homeroom every year. Gina is a female that has wanted me like mosquitos want blood. Don’t get me wrong, she’s sexy, about 5’7”, nicely thick with a bangin body. The thing is, she has a long track record of STDs. I haven’t gotten one yet and I have a long list of experience. I do want to keep it that way, ya dig?
“I should say so.” I said to her.
“You look good today.” She said to me.
“Thank you, so do I.” I said, smiling.
“Don’t you mean so do I?” She asked.
“What did I say?”
“So do you.”
“Oh, then I said it right.”
“You’re so conceited.”
“I have every reason to be.”
I’m not really this conceited. I just make it known that I have no interest in her. I winked at her and turned towards the teacher as she was walking in.
“What did you get on your final report card?” Gina asked me.
“Same thing I always get.” I replied, looking at my class options.
“You telling me, you still have a 4.0?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you. I’ve neva got anything less than a 100 since kindergarten.” I told her.
“How do you keep a 4.0 and still have a thug status?” She asked.
“That’s a question that is both irrelevant and pointless. I seriously neva really thought about it.”
Our homeroom teacher sent electronic schedules to our palm pilots. We’re all issued them upon enrollment. You pick the classes you want and if it’s available, you’ll get it. Your homeroom teachers let you know by giving you an official schedule. I had all honors except 3rd period, which was P.E. I wanted electrical engineering, but I guess it’s next semester.
I smiled at my schedule, “Well, at least I’ll stay in shape.”
“What otha classes you got?”
“Advanced Calculus, Advanced Physics Honors AP, and Advanced Computer Engineering.”
“Your physics class is the only thing I qualify for. I thought about taking it.”
“Yea, I should of took it last year.”
The bell rang and it was time to go to 1st period. When I got up in dare, I saw C-Lo, Will, and DT. The class was Advanced Calculus. Yes, we’re all very good in math. It’s not too often we’re in the same class. This wasn’t good behavior-wise.
“Awww, hell, if we in da same class, day mine as well put our desks outside.” Will stated.
“You aint lyin. We all know Chris don’t know how to shut up.” I said.
“Ha ha ha, aren’t you da comedian.” He replied. Laughing, I looked towards the door and had my eyes drawn to a woman I’ve neva seen before. “Aye, you seen her befo?” C-Lo asked.
“Nah.” Will answered. DT shook his head.
“Hands off, gentlemen, I got dibbs.” I said.
“Don’t want her now.” Will said.
“Yea, who wants your leftovas.” C-Lo said.
“You da last one to talk. You cut Tina afta me.” I reminded him.
“I didn’t know.” He proclaimed.
“Yea you did, because I told you.” Will added.
“I was dare too.” DT said.
“What is this, er’body gang up on Chris?”
“Aye, don’t start shit wit half truths.” Will said.
“Or no truths at all.” I added, still lookin at the mystery woman.
She had on a jersey skirt and what makes me so surprised is the fact it is my jersey. Her hair was long, like Aaliyah, and she looked a lot like Monica, but way sexier (not sayin Monica ain’t sexy because we all know she da shit). She was thick in all da right places. Her body was straight bangin.
“Class, please take your seats.” Ms. Tickle requested. “Today is the first day of the last year of high school for y’all.” Everyone started to cheer except the four of us. We barked as loud as possible. “Alright, alright, everyone calm down.” She said.
“How was your summer, Ms. Tickle? You still goin strong in your quest for no sex?” I asked her, callin her out.
The whole class laughed, even her. Before you think I be all up in her business, she used to talk about sex all last year. She’s coo as hell. She’s 35, about 5’8”, slim, divorced and has two kids. She’s been divorced for 9 years. She personally knows my father and was highly recommended by him for this job. I’ve known her for years though. She’s constantly trying to get the bad boy image out of me. Sad but true.
“Okay, settle down everyone. For your information, Mr. Johnson, I’ve gotten engaged over the summer.” The class gave her a hand. “And the sex is definitely more than I need in a lifetime.” We all cheered on that note. “Now I want to introduce everyone to a new student. She’s one of 45 new seniors in our school, and already she has on a school jersey. Give a warm Cyborg welcome to Miss Monique Williams.” The class gave her a hand, but the four of us barked real loud. “Fellas, I said give her a welcome, not a holler.” She stated.
“Sorry, that’s how we do it on da court.” I said.
“And on da field.” C-Lo added.
“Well, we’re in the classroom.” Ms. Tickle stated.
“Sorry, we tend to forget that, ma’am.” Will said.
“Uh huh, trust me, I realized that. Anyway, what was I sayin…oh yes. I need someone that is willing to take a few moments out their busy schedule to show Miss Williams around.” Almost everyone had his or her hands raised. “Wow, how can I choose?” I then made my move. I stood up.
“Ms. Tickle, may I point out that these fellas here will no doubt show Ms. Williams around, but they would harass her and try to get her “digits”.” I said, acting as proper as humanly possible. Yes, I really did do the hand gestures for quotes. Believable for most. The guys were tryin to hold in their laughter. “I assure you, if you let me show this lovely, young lady around, I guarantee she will not have a problem getting around this school and I won’t harass her.”
“You hold a strong argument, Mr. Johnson. I leave her in your hands.” I smiled and bowed.
It usually requires more convincing when it comes to volunteering for things like this. She knows what I’m about. But I’ve always wondered why she gave in so fast. Maybe she saw the same things that I did.
“You will not be disappointed, madame.” I assured her.
“That’s what I like to hear.” She said. “Miss Williams, you may take your seat.”
“What was that all about?” Will whispered to me also surprised that Ms. Tickle gave in so fast..
“Yea, you neva jumped on ass that fast.” C-Lo said but not in conjuction with what Will was thinking.
“Can’t you smell it? She still has her V-Card. Got close one time, but da nigga didn’t know where to put it. Her last 4 boyfriends broke her heart, so she barely trust niggaz any mo. If I’m goin to get dat, I’ll have to work fast and diligently. If I don’t, and end up hesitatin’, someone else will get her and she’ll neva trust anotha nigga.”
“Ah.” Will said. “And how do you know all dis?”
“I’m Wolverine, nigga, I have a good sense.” I started sniffing.
“Nigga please,” C-Lo said, “da only time you use your nose is for that nose candy.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” I said, “yous a funny mothafucka.”
“Mr. Johnson.” Ms. Tickle called.
“Ma’am.” I was tryin to hold in my laugh. They were already laughing.
“Did I hear a word come out your mouth that wasn’t supposed to?” She asked.
“No, not just any word. A compound word.” I said.
This happens more often than not. Ms. Tickle’s most hated thing was cursing. We never intentionally try to, but when it happens, we already know we’re in trouble. She has good ass ears, too, so we know it’s a done deal the second she calls our name. After that, we just get smart with her.
“Really? Did the first word begin with “m” and the second “f”?” She asked.
“What?” I said in amazement, which is a high pitch voice. “No, ma’am, I would neva say mothafucka in school.” I said sounding defensive. Everyone laughed. Like I said, I don’t intentionally mean to say these words.
“Here’s a compound word for you. Outside.” She pointed to the door. Smart ass!
“I knew y’all mothafuckas were goin to get me in trouble.” Everyone laughed even harder. That definitely slipped, but I started smiling. “Chris and Will were sayin da “n” word.” I looked at them. Ms. Tickle did too.
“Dat nigga lyin.” Will said. Everyone laughed. He covered his mouth and stood up with his head down, following me, which he did on his own.
“Chris?” Ms. Tickle called.
“Ma’am?” He answered.
“Did you say a bad word?”
“No ma’am.”
“Dat nigga lyin.” Will and I said in unison.
“Mr. Smith and Mr. Johnson, outside, NOW!!!!” She yelled. The class was rollin. We got out and sat in the desks already by the door.
“How long did we last?” Will asked me.
“5 minutes.” I answered.
“Looks like we should get used to this.”
“Yep.” I looked around, “aye, you wanna walk around da school?”
“Nah, I wanna stay here and play wit yo balls.” He said, sarcastically.
“Wow. Umm….I don’t know how I feel about that.”
He stared at me with a funny face. We then both busted out laughing.
I stood up and started walked down the hall. Will was right next to me. The next room we came across, we slowed down. I shouted “nigga knock” as I knocked on the door. We sprinted to the end of the hall and went down da stairs. I could tell they looked because we heard the door close.
“A lil betta warning next time.” Will told me. We sat on da steps and took out a blunt. “I’m thinking bout it, but I’mma save it.”
“Yea, you do dat.” I took out my cell and started goin through the hundreds of numbers I had in dat thang. “You know, half deese I don’t even call anymo.”
“I could of told you that, pimpin’.” We stood up and continued walking.
“You eva thought about what to do afta high school?” I asked him.
“Go pro.”
“Education wise?”
“Online classes from SJ University.”
“Works for me.” We saw a group of girls at dare locker. “You thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?”
“Down to the last detail.” He replied, basically meaning yes. They noticed us, but tried not to pay attention.
“Is it me, or is that an ass I ain’t seen yet?” I said.
“Definitely new.” Will added. “What’s yo name, baby girl?”
“Felecia.” She replied. She had a fat ass. Straight coke bottle shape body.
“Well, you three, come take a stroll wit me.” He requested.
“Iight den, you three step into my office.” We started talkin’. Well, at least I did most of da talking. I was spittin’ da game right. Will came back around da corner, so I finished my business. “Iight, we goin to get together lata, fa sho.” I told all three of them.
“Now y’all get to class.” He watched them walk ova to dare friends, “befo I’m tempted to tap dat ass.” He whispered.
“You? Shit, you have no idea.” We turned around and looked at da school clock. “Bell
“Gentlemen, you already know I don’t appreciate your language in my classroom.” She said to us. “My number 1 rule is no swearing in my room. Next time you two swear, I will write you up. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes, ma’am.” We said in unison. We then looked at each other and back at her.
“What you say?” I asked her.
“I know y’all hear me. Get in there and sit down.”
We both knew she was tryin hard not to acknowledge the funniness of the situation. She really was like an aunt to us. One that was quite hard on us as we got older. All in ways that was beneficial for our growth.
As we walked passed her, I looked at Monique and noticed her lookin at me. I winked at her and she smiled back. Will looked at me and shook his head.
“Aye, Kenny, you lookin at Monique?” Chris asked, out loud. The class looked at me. I smiled and shook my head.
“Was that really necessary?” I asked Chris.
“Hell yea. Remember what you did back in Mr. Grey’s class last year?” He stated.
“Oh yea, I remember that.” Will said. “That had to be the funniest thang of da year. I had no idea you was sprung like that.”
“I wasn’t sprung. I had dat bitch wrapped. Y’all da ones that was twistin shit.” He proclaimed.
“Is that right? How many “favors” you do fo dat hoe?” I asked him. He got quiet. “Exactly. She had yo ass runnin round like a chicken wit its head cut off.” We started laughin until the bell rang. We stopped playin. I looked at Monique and noticed her smiling at me. I grabbed my stuff and walked up to her.
“Hol up, shawty, why you walkin so fast?” I asked her, actin’ like I was outta breath.
“Gotta get to class, I don’t even know where this room is.” She sounded so innocent, sexy, and flirticious all at the same time.
“Let me see your schedule.” I looked into her eyes, flirting with her a lil bit. She handed her palm pilot to me and I started smiling.
“You’re in luck, we have the same 2nd period class.” I told her.
“I guess I am.” I handed it back to her.
“So what brings you to my school?” I asked.
“Well, my father took a new job at Cleveland Heights
“Your father made a good choice. This is the best school in the world.”
“Is that right? What makes it so great?”
“Me and Will.” I smiled at her.
“I must say, you’re a lot taller in person than on TV. How do you go about everyday life, knowing you’re one of the most famous people in the world?”
“Sorry, I don’t do interviews. You’ll have to schedule it through my publicist.” She smiled at me in amusement and I smiled back. “Sorry, dumb joke. In all seriousness, you know, that’s a good question. I just do. Neva really occurred to me how I do it.” I looked ahead and saw our classroom. When I saw Gina walk in, I raised my eyebrow. “Dare we go ri dare.”
“Well, that was fast.” We walked in the room. I saw Will, C-Lo and DT in the back. I then locked eyes with Gina. I lipped the words, “what are you doin hea?” She then lipped the words, “Schedule change.” I started shakin my head. “Aye, I’mma sit up here.” Monique told me.
“Yea, I’mma sit in da back.” I grabbed a seat next to Will. They were staring at me. “What ya lookin at me fer?” I said in a redneck accent. Yea, I said it. Rednecks have an accent in my book, bitch.
“We know dat look,” C-Lo began, “you like dat girl.”
“Fa sho,” I replied, “like to cut her.” I then looked at whom she was sittin’ next to. “Aye, dat big head gurl next to Monique, is that Gina?”
“Yea, dats Gina.” DT replied. He then started laughin’.
“What you laughin fo?” Will asked.
“Gina is goin to fill in da new gurl bout Mr. Wonderful ova hea.” Will and C-Lo started laughin’.
“Hell yeah,” Will agreed, “you know Gina is yo biggest hata.”
“She like to tease you,” C-Lo added, “but don’t want to please you. But to go along wit it, she won’t let anybody else have you eitha.” When they noticed me smilin’, they stopped laughin’. “Aye, it’s not funny any mo when you’re smilin’.”
“Only a crazy mofo like you would like the challenge.” Will stated, realizing the meaning behind my smile.
“Fa sho, pimp juice. My odds of succeeding are very slim, but it makes victory all mo sweet.” I assured them.
“Whateva, whateva,” DT said, fast. “Look, we still goin to da club tonight? You know all dem fly shawtys are goin to be dare.”
“Oh fa sho.” C-Lo agreed.
“We all know why you want to go.” Will pointed out, talking about C-Lo.
“Yeah, you rememba my sista was goin to be dare.” I reminded him.
“Don’t know why you want to see her. You neva talk to her.” DT added.
“I will someday. Who knows, maybe tonight will be da night.” C-Lo replied.
“Yeah, that’s what you said 2 years ago.” I said.
“I’m 18 now. She won’t reject me since I’m at least legal.” He said.
“She may. The gurl is 22.” I pointed out. “While I’m thinkin bout it, what classes do y’all have next?”
“Gym.” They all said in unison.
“Me too.”
“I guess we ballin’.” Will suggested.
“Y’all can, but DT and I need to lift weights for football season. First game is in two weeks.” C-Lo said.
“Stayin dedicated, I like that.” I teased. “Don’t y’all have practice today?”
“Til 7.” DT said. “We’ll be ready by 8.”
“Don’t know bout y’all niggaz, but I’m bout to take a nap.” Will said. “I was fuckin all night last night.”
“I’m feelin dat.” Chris agreed. The three of them laid their heads down. I tried to listen to what Gina and Monique were talkin bout.
“My name is Gina, and you are?” She said to Monique.
“Monique. I remember seeing you before.”
“Where do you stay at? What neighborhood?”
“Rosewood.”
“Dat’s where I stay at.”
“That’s good to know I have a friend close by.”
“So your family was the one that moved into the big white house?”
“Yeah. It is big, but not quite as big as my otha one.” Monique looked back my way. I smiled at her. She smiled back.
“Are you interested in him?” Gina asked.
“Maybe. I neva thought he’d be that sexy up close in personal.”
“Yea, lookin at him on stage or TV doesn’t really show his full physical attraction.” She turned around and looked at me. I stopped smiling.
“I heard that.”
“Don’t let the looks fool you.” Here we go. “Someone like you wouldn’t want him.”
“Someone like me?”
“Yeah, innocent and nowhere near being a freak. He’s a dog. He has more girlfriends than Hugh has playmates. All his own lil playmates. He’s been caught up in so many paternity suits, it’s ridiculous. Even though he won every case, he’s still only interested in one thing.”
“Did you give it to him?”
“No, but he’s beggin me.” Whoa, she been smoking crack on dat one. I don’t beg anybody. “He’s been tryin fo 3 years.” She tryin to play me, shawty.
“You’re kiddin. Does he act real conceited and cocky?”
“24/7. He’s not packin and he don’t know how to work it. That’s what I heard.” When I heard that, my leg started shakin’.
“Whoa, easy big fella.” I whispered to myself, rubbing my leg.
“I would of neva thought.” Monique replied. “But why are you telling me this?”
“Because I know he’s interested in you. In fact, I tend to warn all the new girls. I don’t want you to get hurt. I’ve consoled so many because of him.”
“You warn all the new girls? Do they listen?”
“Not a one.” Gina said as she shook her head in disappointment.
I think I heard enough. I laid my head down and tried to sleep. I could feel her eyes on me. I had to think of a response.
When the bell rang, we all woke up and stretched.
“Aye, I’ll see y’all in da gym.” I gave em dap and walked out the room. Monique was waiting on me.
“Didn’t think I’d wait on you, huh?” She said to me.
“Sure didn’t. I figured Gina scared you off.”
“You heard all dat?”
“Gina’s voice travels betta den ya think.”
“Maybe I can get your take on it. You can be honest too.” She looked up at me, waiting on a response.
“Well, she’s not all the way correct. I don’t have a lot of girlfriends. I actually don’t have any at all. Just freaks. Secondly, I’m no where near small. When she said that, I had to calm da big guy down. Trust me, I know how to work it.”
“Kenny, I’m not interested in what’s in yo pants.”
“I know you’re not.”
“You know, I’ve been thinkin, and I figured you wouldn’t be right for me. I love committed relationships.”
“Yea, I know. Trust me, I already have you figured out.” I assured her.
“Then you already know what I want?”
“Yes, I do.” I looked at her in confusion. “But why would you come out and say all that? I haven’t even made a move on you.”
“I’m just letting you know now. I don’t want there to be a misunderstsanding.” She replied.
“I guess. What class do you have?”
“I’m in gym. I know where that’s at.”
“So do I. I see they put you mostly in my classes. Maybe it’s a sign.”
“Whatever.” She started blushing a lil bit.
When we got to da gym, I walked into the locker room. Will was talkin bout da fight that took place last week. He was telling it in overdramatic fashion.
“He caught me in da chest, ri? I was like whoa, shouldn’t had done dat. Den he was like, don’t be talkin bout my momma. And I was like, its not my fault yo momma is mo active den you. Den I went boom and caught him in da jaw. He went, ahhhhhhhhh!!! I went ha ha ha, you can’t beat me punk. Take it like a man. Den I hit him again he was like, I want my mommy. I was like, had your mommy and it wasn’t as good as advertised. I den laughed all da way to da car. I was then like vrooooomm goin bout 150 for bout 3 feet. Den I went into da club.” We all were laughin.
“What’s wit all da sound effects?” I asked him.
“Makes it more exciting.” He said.
“Aye, Kenny, you and Will ain’t on teams this time.” Darnel said.
“Aye, D, you know da rules. If you don’t want us to be on teams, betta be first captain.” I told him.
“And make sure we don’t get a shot to be first cap. I don’t even remember da last time I missed.” Will added.
“When I blocked you.” I reminded him.
“Oh yea. But still.” We were all ready to ball when we came out da locker room. “Damn, I guess er’body knew we had gym dis period.”
The bleachers had at least 200 students, all from 1st lunch. They were eating in here and wanting to watch us. Basically, 3rd period is free shows. When I turned around, Darnel had a ball in his hands.
“Yea, it’s on now.” He said. He shot and missed. Greg got da board and then missed. Will and I stood around waiting and bullshittin.
“Yo, by da time we get a captain, it’ll be lunch time.” Will proclaimed. Another shot clanked off the rim.
“Tomorrow.” I added. I couldn’t take it anymo. Da next shot that went up, I ran and got the board. Everyone on the court was upset. “Aye, I gave y’all a chance. Will, you on my squad.”
“You ain’t even shoot yet.” Ronald said. Not the same Ronald that is dating my sista (ill). I gave him an evil look. I turned around and threw the ball ova my head. I heard nothing but net.
“Happy now.” I said.
“Damn, dogg, dick in yo mouf.” Will teased. In the corner of my eye, I saw Monique. Will noticed too. “You know that’s her sista next to her. Beyonce.”
“Damn, da momma gotta be fine as hell.”
“I heard dat.” Will agreed. I looked back ova at the group of suckas to choose from. I picked the three worse playas. “We’ll be generous, y’all get ball first.” Darnel brought da ball down da court, talkin trash.
“I got betta dis year. I’mma get a starting position dis time around.” He said to me.
“I’m happy for you. But do you really think you can get my position? You can’t even tell if you’re dribbling the ball or not.” I replied.
He looked down and noticed the ball wasn’t in his hands anymo. I ran down da court and threw the ball up. Will caught it, did a 540, putting it between his legs in the process, and comin down wit a back dunk. Dat boy got hang time like whoa. Da whole gym erupted. It was definitely time to put on a show. Darnel had it again, but this time he passed it…right to Will. Will tossed it up and threw it to me. In air, I bounced it off da backboard and came down wit a back dunk.
This actually went on da whole gym period. Throwin alleys, hittin long-range shots, and crossin up er’body on dare squad. By the end of the period, we had a pretty good workout. When I came out da locker room, Monique was waiting on me.
“Show off.” She said to me.
“What can I say, I’m blessed.” I wiped my face with a towel. “What class do you have?”
“Mr. Ingles, Government.”
“That’s da next room from mine.”
“Well, we actually don’t have a class together.”
“You seem disappointed.” I told her.
“A lil. I’ve had time to think things ova.” When we got to her room, she stopped me. “Here, I want you to call me lata on tonight.” She handed me her card. “That’s my own line, so you can call any time you want.”
“What time do you usually go to sleep? I don’t want to wake you up.”
“Somewhere around midnight . If you wake me up, it’s ok. But that’s only for you.”
“Don’t I feel special?” I said, half sarcastic. “Iight, I’ll hit you up when I get home. Betta yet, here.” I gave her my card. “When you want to talk, you hit me up.”
“Iight, I’ll prolly call when I get home.”
“It’s on.” I then watched her walk in the room. I smiled and went to class. Will was da only one in dis class wit me.
“Aye, dogg, dat was a good run.” He said to me.
“Fa sho. It’s nap time again.” I said.
“Fa sho.” We laid our heads down and went to sleep.
Da bell rang, letting us out fo da day. We went to our cars and chilled fo a minute. After school ritual. We get a briefing on events to occur that night and whatever else comes up. We’re quite organized, dammit.
“What’s da word?” I said, as I approached da click.
“Word has it dat Ruckus is goin to be at da club tonight.” Troy
“Yea, day expectin us.” Trey added.
“Well, I don’t see a reason to disappoint them.” Will said.
“Anything else goin on?” I asked.
“Nah, dats it.” C-Lo responded.
“Bet, y’all go to practice. I’m bout to go to da crib.” I said.
“We’ll holla at y’all boys lata.”
Will said. We gave er’body dap and got in our cars. Upon leaving, we had to show off just a lil bit mo. We blasted our music and pulled out at top speed.
When we got home, Will and I chilled in the courtyard of my house.
“Have you ever thought about how life would be like if we didn’t have so much money?” Will asked, getting all deep and shit.
“Er’night. The mo I think about it, the mo I forget about it.” I told him.
“What about women?”
“What about em?”
“Have you thought about the fact that maybe some women we hook up wit are tryin to trap us?”
“If my memory serves me correctly, every woman we’ve hooked up wit were tryin to trap us. Are you suggestin’ that Monique and Beyonce are tryin to do da same?”
“I’on know what I’m suggestin.”
“Well, we’ll find out soon enough. Ri now doh I just want to trap some food in my stomach. Come on, Ma made some hot wings.”
“Dat’s what I’m talking bout.” We went into da house, dropped our stuff off by the door, and went into the kitchen. You can smell the hot sauce. Ma was sitting at the kitchen table reading her book.
“Mommy, I’m home.” I kissed her.
Yes, sometimes I’m a big mommy’s boy. You can kiss my ass if you got a problem wit that.
“Hey sweeties….how was school?” She asked us.
“It was ok, Auntie.” Will replied, kissing her.
“You didn’t go to work today?” I asked her.
“Nope. I’m goin in tonight though, so I’ll need you to make sure your brother goes to bed on time and wakes up in the morning on time.” She was referring to my youngest brother, Treyvon. He’s only 6 in the 4th grade. That lil nigglet is smart.
“No problem motha. Any mo wings left?” I asked.
“Of course. They’re in the oven.” She replied.
“Hells yea.” We replied.
We proceeded to get some hot wings. “Aye, Ma, we bout to go to da mall, want anything while we’re out?” I asked.
“No thank you. Gotta get ready to go to da hospital.”
“Ok. We’ll be back in a couple hours.” I kissed her. “Lata.”
“Bye Auntie.” Will said, also kissing her.
“Have fun.”
We left the house and got back in our separate rides. We were playin the same music though. We then went up to Twix Mall. It was packed with high school people, mainly because it’s the chill spot afta school. We saw our entire click—including the football stars—and met up wit em. We gave each otha dap and started talking and walking.
“Hol up, y’all, I see someone that I need to say hi to.” Will said as we passed by Foot Locker. “K, stroll wit me.” We walked ova to Foot Locker.
“Is that Danni?” I asked him. Danita was her actual name.
“Fa shizzle. Haven’t seen her in a minute.” We walked up to her. “What it is baby?” He said to her. She immediately turned around in hope.
“Will!!” She yelled in excitement. “Where you been?”
“Nowhere. You neva told me your schedule.”
“You stopped callin.”
“You stopped answerin.”
“Oh yea.” She hugged him again. “I’ve missed you so much, Will.” She then looked at me. “Hey, Kenny.”
“Hey Danni.” I replied. I hugged her. “I’ll let y’all have some alone time.” I turned around and walked out the store. I chose to sit by the fountain and just admire the water. Alone fa only a sec, my phone ended up ringing. “What it is?” I answered. It was Monique.
“Hey, Kenny. Are you busy?” She asked me.
“Not at all. Just at the mall chillin. What’s stackin and prolackin?”
“Well, at first, I wasn’t goin to call cuz it was a lil early, but I had to. What do you intend on doin tonight?”
“Goin to Club Shakedown. You?”
“Stayin home. I have a lot of unpacking to do. But look, I just wanted to call and say hi, didn’t want to take up too much of your time.I was actually hoping you were goin to be available tonight, but since you already have plans, maybe I can catch you another night.”
“You slick baby girl….glad to kno I’m on yo mind.”
“Yea, well, hit me back when you get a chance.”
“It’s on baby girl.” I hung up wit her and as I was clippin it back to my belt, I saw a certain group of people. I slowly stood up and walked to Will, neva takin my eyes off em. “aye, pimpin,” I began, “I need your assistance stage left.”
“Be back.” He told Danni. “Wassup, K?” He asked me.
“Dig dis ri hea.” I pointed to em. He raised his eyebrow.
“Well slap my ass and call me a bitch.”
“Yea. Shall we?”
“Indeed we shall.” Will agreed. We walked to the group. The whole click noticed us, so they met us ova there. “Lisa, Brit, may I ask what are y’all doin hea?”
“No you may not.” Brittany
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t our new friends Tim and Ronald.” I said. “Does Ma know you’re here?” I asked Lisa.
“Yes.” Lisa replied.
“Ron and T, can we holla at ya fa a minute?” Will asked.
“No.” Lisa said. “Why must you embarrass us?”
“Hold on, Lisa, it aint even like dat. We just wanna talk.” I assured her.
“It’s ok, we’ll go.” Tim spoke. Both him and Ronald stood and walked towards us.
“Good men. Don’t worry, we’ll have them back in one piece.” Will told em. We all walked away from Brittany and Lisa. “Iight, mane, we gon make dis short and to da point.”
“You got yoself in quite a predicament, Mr. Monkeyman.” I began. “You see, Lisa is more den just my lil sista. She’s like a daughter to me. I basically raised her.” Very slight exaggeration, but for the most part, it was true.
“Brittany
“We aint tryin to scare y’all. We just want to warn y’all. If for any reason, you disrespect them, hit them, treat them badly, or break up wit em fa no reason…believe me when I tell you that it would be your last relationship.” I then pointed at DT, “You see this man back here.” They looked. “The last nigga dat crossed the line wit our sistas, got fucked up by dis nigga ri hea. Show em DT.”
He reached into his pockets and showed them pics. They looked like they were goin to hurl. Don’t ask why he carries pics like these everywhere. When we realized he did it, we joked about it for days until it got old. Now we use it as a scare tactic. Works magic 9 times out of 10.
“That was with his bare hands. He’d do it to you in a heartbeat. Believe dat.” Will added.
“Please, I beg you not to take dis as a threat.” I insisted.
“Doing so is a very risky and dangerous thing.” C-Lo jumped in. He then looked both of em dead in the eyes. “Consider it a promise.” He then smiled at em.
“Do we understand each otha?” Will asked. They nodded.
“Good. You may proceed.” I told em. We watched them walk back ova to the girls. We turned around and walked away. “Good shit, y’all.”
“Fa shizzle.” Will agreed.
“That was fun.” Chris added, “But we gotta bounce. Practice to go to.”
“No doubt. We’ll see y’all tonight.” Will said.
We gave em dap and parted our separate ways. Will and I walked back to Foot Locker. He continued talking to Danita. I looked fa some mo shoes. Afta about 10-15 mins, he was finally ready. “Iight, K, lets bounce.”
“Yea.” We walked out the store and out to the parking lot.
When we got back home, Will to his house and me to mine, I took my bag upstairs and laid across my bed. I began getting one of them feelings that something was goin down tonight. The more I thought about it, the more I began to smile. Tonight was goin to be off da chizzle. I was goin to set it off on da rea. For now, though, sleep sounds good.
I woke up a few hours later. It was about 7. I got up and decided to get dressed. I took a shower and er’thang, but couldn’t decide what to wear. It came down to a silk, white, button shirt and some white slacks. I had on some white Stacy’s and a white belt. I had on all my jewelry, but instead of a big chain, I just had on a platinum necklace with a fist as the charm. No doubt, I was looking good. When I got downstairs, Will just got to the door. I looked at Treyvon.
“Remember, bedtime is at 9, ok?” I told him.
“Ok.” He replied.
“You goin to be ok by yourself?” He nodded. “Iight, any problems, call me or go upstairs to David, iight?”
“Yes.” He then kept on watching TV.
“That’s my nigga.” I opened the door and looked at Will up and down. “I knew you were goin to have on the same clothes as me.” He had on the same exact thang, except black of course.
“I could say the same bout you.” He replied. We stared at each otha for a moment and then shrugged our shoulders. “So we rollin togetha or separately?”
“Separately. Just in case we have a group.” He smiled in agreement. “What did you drive here wit?”
“BMW X9. Nice car I may add.”
“Your black one or red one?”
“Black.”
“My bad, dumb question.” I smacked the back of my neck. “Iight, I’ll take my white one.”
“You lead.” He told me. I nodded.
He followed me all the way to the club. We saw the rest of da click up dare, posted up in a secluded area. They were all ova dare smoking and drinking.
“Y’all ready to get dis place scraight clickin off da easy tip?” I asked them.
“No dizzle.” C-Lo replied.
I drank a 5th of the Hen and Hip dat DT was drinkin and led the way to the club. It was definitely on and poppin up in dare. Females were everywhere. Then again, that’s how it is in da C-Town, mo women den men. Da ratio is 8:1 women to men. Gots ta luv it. C-Lo, DT and Will looked at me. We all nodded at the same time and decided to spread out. When we were noticed, freaks didn’t waste they time tryin to dance wit us. In a matta of seconds, I was being sandwiched, Will was on da floe, C-Lo was behind a phat ass, and DT was also on the floe. I aint see da rest of em besides Frost, whom was making out wit dis fine light tenderoni in da booth.
After bout an hour of nonstop grindin, we gathered up to brag.
“Yo,” Will began first, “ol’gurl in da red and black jersey skirt got a phatty.”
“I agree,” I agreed. “I felt that shit too.” We chuckled and gave each otha dap. “C, check it.” I nodded behind him. “My sista.”
“Toya?” C-Lo said, quickly turning around.
“Nope. Just wanted to see you turn around like a lil pussy whipped nerd.” We all laughed except him. He turned back around and gave me an evil look. “My bad, pimpin. On da real doh, Toya is hea.”
“Yea right.” He said, disappointed.
“Chill out, lova boy. She’s right behind me.” I told him. He acted like he didn’t want to look, but ended up doin so. “See, told you.” He saw her, talking to some otha guy.
“Who dat she’s wit?” He asked me.
“How da hell should I know?” I said.
“Well, look.” He suggested. I turned around. I saw the look on Toya’s face.
“Ah shit.” I took one last pull of da blount and killed my drink.
“What it is?” DT asked.
“I know dat look.” I got up and walked ova there.
“What does that look mean?” Frost asked.
“She’s pissed.” Will casually told him. They followed me ova to her. I stood next to Latoya.
“Is there a problem, sis?” I asked her. She jumped, not even noticing I was there.
“Damn, where you come from?” She asked.
“Our parents the last time I checked. What it is?” I replied like it was a normal thing to say.
“Nothin. This person was just leaving.”
“I ain’t goin nowhere til I get that kiss. I’d appreciate it if you would mind your own damn business.” He said to me.
“Hol up, playboy, you aint bout to get a damn thang unless you wanna be boatin. You trackulatin wit my sista and dats what makes it my business.” I told him.
“Track you where?” He said confused.
“It means botherin you dumb ass sum bitch.” Will told him.
“Look, I’on give a damn what you say. Da bitch gon give me my kiss.” He said, ignorin every thang dat was just told to him. “And I suggest you move out the way.” His boys started crowding around him.
“Oh my god, it’s the Backstreet Boys. I’m really scurred now.” I teased. My click was surroundin me. “Look, I’on want any trouble, but keep on slurrin yo spit and you gon catch it.”
“You bad, break it.” He said, directly in my face. “That’s what I thought.”
He pushed me. I grabbed his right arm wit my left and pulled him. As he came forward, I stuck him right in his jaw. Not once, not twice, not thrice, but four times. It went so quick; his boys didn’t get a chance to stop me. The whole club came to a halt. His boys tried to hit me, but one by one, my niggaz took em out. It just looked like one big bar fight. The big dude I was fightin was on the ground, yet I was still stickin him wit lefts and rights until I was pulled off him by bouncers. They came from everywhere. Bout 50 of em came in and snatched us all up, taking us outside. We were all separated since they were using different doors. Latoya wasn’t grabbed out, but she walked on her own. The bouncers took us out the club, but only left us outside. We weren’t able to get back in. I did a quick count of all of us. The only ones that were with me were C-Lo, DT, and Will. Latoya came outside and looked at me.
“Thanks.” She said.
“No problem. How did that start up?” I asked her.
“Long story, I’ll tell you lata.” We then saw ol’dude that was messin wit her. He had five people wit him. He was bleeding uncontrollably in his face.
“Don’t let me catch you by yourself, bitch.” He yelled to Toya. That’s when C-Lo made his move.
“You know what?” He said, as he started walking towards him. “I got a million dollars that says you aint got the balls to say that to me! If you got the marbles to say sum bullshit like that to her, I’m positive you can say it to me.” DT, Will and myself started catching up to C-Lo. He grabbed the guy by the throat and lifted him right off the ground. DT hit two of his boys straight to the ground. The other three didn’t want any part, so they backed up. “Ah, yo boys aint got no heart. Dat’s tellin you somethin. Understand this, nigga, if I eva have to have this conversation with you in your pathetic life again, dare’s goin to be some consequences and repercussions.” C-Lo squeezed his throat even harder. He started gasping for air. “Do I make myself clear?” He tried to say yes. C-Lo dropped him and watched him trying to breathe. Behind the club, I heard our call.
“Shit, someone is getting dropped.” Will said.
We ran to the back of the club. Latoya followed us. Frost, Oak, G, O-D, Jodie, Troy Troy
“What the hell happened?” C-Lo asked.
“We was comin out da club, and out hea waitin on us was Chill.” Frost explained. He was holding his ribs.
“Toya, you used to date Glee, where is dare chill out spot?” I asked her. Glee is one of their leaders.
“Citgo off 255th.” She answered.
“Thinkin what I’m thinking.” I said to Will.
“No slizzle.” He replied. “Let’s work.” We walked and slightly jogged wit a purpose to da car. “Iight, y’all, da way I see it, 255th is a pretty watched neighborhood. Once they hear fighting, cops will be dare in an elapsed time of 2 mins. Whoop day ass as fast as you can and den it’s you can’t catch me, I’m da gingerbread man. Ya dig?”
“Word.” Day all said.
“Iight, meet y’all up dare. Toya, you rollin wit me or C?” I asked her.
“C. I wanna talk to him on the way.”
“It’s on.” They all followed my lead as we raced to the Citgo on 255th.
When we got there, I popped my trunk. We loaded up on brass knuckles and baseball bats. We weren’t just gone whoop day ass, we were gon send a message. We saw them all posted up in front of the store. We spread out and ran ova dare. By the time they saw us it was too late. They tried pulling guns on us, but we hit em befo day could. No talking was goin on. Just swinging. I had Glee by the throat, stickin him repeatedly in the face, chest, stomach, throat, just everywhere besides the loins cause that’s dirty. After him, I chose anotha victim. We went through them like it wasn’t nuttin. We heard sirens in the distance. Will, DT, and C-Lo grabbed bats and started bustin up they rides. We then all sprinted back to the cars and drove off, seconds before the cops came around the corner. If we left 2 seconds later, they would have caught us. We pulled into the nearest parking lot, which was Greenland Mall.
“Whew, that was fun.” Troy
“You shoulda seen how Heat hit da ground afta I hit him.” Jodie joked. “He did like 50 cartwheels and rolled like 50 feet.”
“His jaw made a nice sound when I stuck him.” Trey bragged. “Aye, y’all, wassup?” He asked C, D, Will and myself.
“I see nuttin to brag about.” C-Lo spoke. “We won, but overall we lost.”
“What are you talking bout?” Frost asked his brotha. “You was part of it, we just straight stomped day ass.”
“Don’t you get it Frost?” I cut in. “We got caught sleepin. Yea, we got em back, but day had us as a whole against the wall. What if we weren’t dare to bail y’all out?”
“Pretty much we’d be a group of 4 instead of a click of 11.” Will stated. “The way I see it, we gotta be mo careful. Dats all dare is to it.”
“Come on y’all, lighten up.” Oak suggested. “Y’all actin like y’all were da ones getting jumped.”
“G, what’s CTB Law #1?” DT asked.
“What happens to one member of da click, happens to all.” G-Money replied.
“Meaning?” DT asked him.
“Meaning da fact that we got jumped, everyone got jumped.” He replied.
“I’on know bout y’all, but I want to hold on to the rep dat we hold. When C-Town Ballas come to mind, I want people to think the most dominant, toughest, scariest, click eva created. We’re doin a damn good job at upholdin it until tonight. We gotta keep our guards up at all time. We have enemies all around us. Hatas are our motivators. Always remember dat.”
I told them. I looked at each and every one of them then walked to my car. It was 11:30 when I got in. I waited on Latoya, whom was conversating with C-Lo.
“Chris, did you really mean what you said?” She asked him.
“Every word and then more. I’ve always liked you, but since you have a 4-year jump on me, I didn’t think I was in your league. I decided to try since I’m 18 now.” He told her.
“Well, I always had a small crush on you, but didn’t think you were interested. The way you stood up fo me though was beyond sweet. Regardless of the fact I coulda handled it.”
“I know, but why get your hands dirty when I can be your gloves?” Not bad.
She smiled, trying not to blush, “listen, I really want to talk to you on the next level. Kenny is waiting for me, so I’ll call you.”
“How do you have my number?”
“Kenny gave it to me a long time ago.”
“Huh?”
“I asked for it. Just like I’m sure you asked him for mine.” He smiled. “Look, I neva do this, but…” She stood on her tippy toes and kissed him. I definitely looked away as quickly as possible. Will came up to the car a second lata.
“Do you think we wrong fa bustin day bubble?” He asked me. What’s up wit the sensitive Will? I can’t wait for him to regain his balls.
“Kinda, but it’s true. We shouldn’t be celebratin. I’m really pissed bout what happened. We got caught way off guard.” I replied.
“I feel ya. So we’re homeward bound?”
“Unless you have anotha idea.”
“Nope. Beyonce wanted me to hit her up when I got home.”
“Yea, Monique wanted me to do the same thang.” I looked at Latoya and C-Lo and then back at Will. “Looks like C-Lo is turning in his playa card and becoming a one woman man.”
Will smiled, “yep.” Latoya and C-Lo finally stopped kissing and departed one anotha. She got in the car and looked in the mirror. I just stared at her. “I’ll holla at ya in da morning.” Will said to me.
“It’s on.” I gave him dap. I started the car and started headin home. Latoya and I began talking. “So what happened?”
“I really don’t wanna relive the dumb shit. But, long story short, I was dancing, got really into it and began holdin on to someone close. It happened to be him. He started talking, I tried dancing, and I told him, yeah, yeah, yeah, I’on give a shit. Fa some odd reason, he mistook it for I’ll give you a kiss. So that’s how that all started. When we were arguing, he kept callin me a bitch and sayin he’d bang me out.”
“Is dat ri? I’m actually letting him breathe afta all dat?”
“Yea, I aint concerned about it. Thanks for handling it.”
“Just returnin da favor finally from years ago. Remember Brianna?”
“Of course, dat was da first girl I hospitalized. We were 8 and you were 4.”
“Yea. You handled that well. I finally had a chance to return da favor afta all dis time.”
“I see.”
We got home and went upstairs via elevator. When my floor came up, I got off.
“Kenny.” I turned around. “Promise me you’ll stay the sweetheart that you are and not change that part of your persona.”
“Promise.” I told her, smiling.
“Also, I just want you to know that I’m sorry for getting you involved in that. I honestly didn’t know you were at the club.”
“Like I told you, sis, it’s all good and gravy baby. I’ll have your back now and forever just like you have mine.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you too. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I watched her get back on the elevator before turning around. I went into my room and took off all my clothes, placing them on my “Worn” rack. I had on nuttin but my boxers. I decided to call Monique even though it was 10 til 2.
“Hello?” She answered.
“What it is baby girl? Were you sleeping?” I asked her.
“Not fully. I was getting there though. You just makin it home?”
“Yea. A few thangs went down tonight, so we’re home kinda early.”
“Early? Its almost 2 in the morning on a school night, how is that early?”
“You’ll see one day. Look though, any chance you can meet me in front of school 5 befo da bell?” I asked her.
“Yea, I can do that. Why in front of the school?”
“So I can get a good look at ya.”
“Uh huh. Well, K, I would love to talk to you all night, but school in the morning and I’m tired as hell. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“It’s on. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” We hung up wit each otha. I lied on my bed and stared at the ceiling. She’s as good as mine.
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