Lauren
"So what did the doctor say when you went to the hospital yesterday?" Callie asked as I put my things into my locker. We were getting ready for lunch.
"Oh um he told me I needed to rest." I lied. Callie is a little too messy and likes to start rumors. I can't just go around telling my business to people.
"Oh." She said putting on some bright red lipstick.
"Tomorrow is Friday right?" She said putting mascara on.
"Yea why?" I asked leaning against my locker.
"Okay so we're going to Stevie's party and I'm going to swing by your place and pick you up. Is your dad okay with you going?"
Nobody knows that my dad died. "I don't know if I wanna go-"
"Come on Lauren. You never want to do anything."
"Yea but I have to watch my sister-"
"Fuck your sister. She can watch herself."
"Wait a minute bitch don't-" I was cut off by Stevie.
"Sup shawty." He said looking at me.
"Hey Stevie." Callie waved her hand.
"Oh hey Callie. Anyways y'all still coming to my party right?" He asked.
"Um actually we were just talking about what we were gonna wear. We will be there." Callie said lying her ass off.
Stevie nodded and walked away.
"I'm not going. My sister is my first priority."
"Blah blah. Your so lame Lauren. Get a life." Callie walked away leaving me by myself.
I was just about to go to lunch until I felt my stomach turning. I ran to the nearest bathroom and threw up in the toilet.
"What am I gonna do." I pressed my head against the stall.
Ace
I was currently at the warehouse taking care of business.
"Aye Pepper." I yelled.
"Yea?" She came into my office.
"I need you to go make a run for me." I handed her 3 small bags of Marijuana. "Make sure the nigga give you 85.
"I'm on it." She said.
The warehouse was quiet and everyone was doing there job. I could finally sit back and-
"Antwan where you at!" I heard that loud ghetto ass voice.
It ain't nobody but Tisha.
I left my office and went to the front. I saw my guard Johnny trying to hold her back.
"It's good Johnny let her through."
"Antwan I been blowing-"
"Stop." I grabbed her wrist tightly and lead her back to my office.
"I love it when you get rough daddy." Tisha said.
"Sit yo ass down." I slightly pushed her.
I closed the door to my office.
"We need to talk about some things." I told her.
"Good because I got some things to say too." She popped her gum.
"Spit that damn gum out right now." I clenched my jaw.
"Fine." She said and spit it out.
"Alright. Let me get this through yo ghetto ass head. You and me, are nothing! Your my fucking baby mama and that's it-"
"But Antwan-"
"Don't call me Antwan and ain't no damn buts bitch. And stop coming over here looking for me-"
"Antwan-"
"Shut yo ass up. I'm not finished. Stop acting like you my bitch that I put a ring on. You are nothing but a dirty slut that I accidentally had my son-"
"Antwan, AJ in the hospital."
*
*
*
Lauren
"Hi welcome to Benny's Soul Food. Can I start y'all off with some Kool-Aid, lemonade, ice tea or some of Benny's special punch?" I asked the couple that had just walked inside.
"Um no. Can we just have a regular soda?"
"Sure. Coke or Sprite? That's all we got."
"We'll take a water."
I nodded and went back to the kitchen.
Evelyn was cooking the greens and the corn bread was baking in the oven.
"Where did you sit the sweet potato pie and fruit cake?" Ms. Evelyn asked.
"It's on the counter." I told her while putting ice in the glasses.
"Okay good."
I sighed.
"Everything okay suga'?"
"I need your help with something."
"Okay what is it?"
"A couple of days ago. I found out that-"
Ace busted through the door. "AJ is at the hospital."
"What why?" Ms.Evelyn quickly took off her apron.
"I don't know but we gotta get down there."
"Okay baby. Lauren lock up the place for me." She threw me the keys.
I nodded. I watched as her and Ace got into the car and sped off.
"What was that all about?" Abby asked eating a sucker.
"I don't know. Something about AJ. Whoever that is."
*
*
*
"My feet are killing me." Abby complained as we walked home.
"Girl we are here." I said.
"Aye Lauren. You got a couple dollars?" A junkie asked while we were trying to go up the steps.
"No." I said and walked quickly up the steps.
"I'm gonna beat you." Abby said and ran up the rest of the steps and into the apartment.
I laughed. I was just about to walk inside until I felt a pair of hands connect with my ass.
I turned and saw that it was Mr. Dean.
"Hey Lauren. Rent is due." He said trying to kiss me.
I placed my hand on his chest and tried to push him away. "I already fucking "paid" the rent you old freak." I said through clenched teeth.
He smirked and chuckled. "See you next month."
I rolled my eyes and proceeded into the house. I shut the door and locked it.
"That's basically rape." Abbygail said looking out the window.
"What are you talking about?" I said and took off my shoes.
"I'm not blind I saw what Mr' Dean just did too you."
I sighed. "Abby-"
"Am I too much trouble for you? Do I need to put in a foster home?"
"What? No Abbygail. I can handle this okay? I just got a job and everything will be fine. I'm turning 18 in a couple of months. I'm basically a grown woman."
"Okay." She said with a smile.
I leaned in and gave her a hug. "Everything will be okay."