10 years later...
Monday
27th August 2018
6:43 a.m
Mahogany Ross POV
It was an ordinary summer day today. Today was an important day for me. Today, I become a senior. It's big thing to me. I'm finally growing up and then the next step is college. I've always wanted to go to college. I wanted to make my parents both proud. I'm the baby of the family so really, everybody is focusing on me. I just want to get my grades then go college so that I can open up my own bakery. I've always wanted to be a baker. I've always loved cooking for my family whenever I got the chance to. That slowly went away after Terrell got shot.
That day, I'll always remember it as if it was yesterday. I was shocked but I was mainly traumatized about the whole thing. To see my brother there laying on the ground with blood spewing from out of his neck was horrible. It was a sight that I never thought I'd see in a million years. I didn't understand why he got shot. Everyone was happy and having a good time but they had to come along and ruin everything. Luckily, Terrell had survived the shot. He sworn to himself that he'll never be a corner boy or go anywhere near drugs again.
I walked out of my bathroom and headed downstairs to where my mother was preparing breakfast. The smell of vanilla cinnamon buttermilk pancake hit my nostrils. I closed my eyes and inhaled the smell. My mom always does every year. We all get to choose what we want her to cook in the mornings. It's just something that we've always done.
"Morning, mama." I smiled before taking a seat at the table.
"Good morning, baby. How do you feel about becoming a senior?" She kissed my cheek.
"Honestly, it's exciting." I smiled.
"Where's your brother?" Mama huffed walking out of the dinning room.
"I'm right here, mama." Prince said jogging down the steps.
"Morning." He kissed mama's cheek then looked over at me.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" He narrowed his eyes.
"Because, I don't have to. You're 21, why don't you get a house so that you can provide for yourself and your baby momma. Then, she can wake you up and cook you breakfast." I too narrowed my eyes.
"Whatever..Thanks for the breakfast, Ma." Prince smiled.
"No worries. Look, I'm heading off to work. I don't know if your father will stop by. I'll be home at 7 today and Prince, you're cooking dinner tonight." Mama picked up her purse.
"Maaa..." He groaned.
"Uh-uh! No complaining. If you live under my roof, you gotta take part in doing something." She pursed her lips before heading straight for the front door.
"What you cooking tonight? Hopefully, it isn't anything that's going to poison me like the last time." I dug into my pancakes.
"Shut the fuck up, man." He muttered as he looked at his phone.
"Look, Pryce.." He handed me his phone.
I looked at the picture of my nephew, Pryce, "He's so adorable..He gets it from his mom." I cooed.
"Haha, very funny..(!)" He mugged me.
After eating my breakfast and cleaning up my dishes, I grabbed my bag from the floor and placed it on to my shoulder. I said my goodbyes and headed to the front door. I dug my hands into my pockets and pulled out my keys to my Mercedes G-Wagon. This was a present from my dad. Although he and mama aren't together, he makes sure that were all okay no matter what. He still gives mama money whenever we're in need of it. He hasn't got any family of his own but he's engaged to his girlfriend of 5 years.
I answered my ringing phone and a smile immediately appeared on to my face, "Wassup, bitch?" I said.
"Hey, Maggie." Athena called me by my nickname.
I waved at Mrs Patrick, "You want me to stop by yours?" I asked.
"Sure thing. You might aswell. Mama took my keys away from me." She smacked her teeth.
"Alright, I'm coming." I chuckled.
"Anyway, did you hear about Mandy?" She questioned.
I connected my phone on to my cars Bluetooth, "No, why? What happened?" I furrowed my brows.
"She's pregnant. Travis got her pregnant." She announced.
"Wow." My eyes widened as I pulled out of my driveway.
"I know, right." She sighed.
We spoke for a while until I pulled up to her house. Athena doesn't live that far from me. Only a good 5 minutes. She was sitting on the porch when she ended the call and walked towards the car. Athena and I have been good friends since the age of 4. We've been inseparable since then. She opened the car door and gave me a hug.
"So, you excited about the new school year?" She asked slapping on some makeup.
I shrugged, "I guess I am." I lied trying not to show my emotions.
"Mhm..I cannot wait for college, man." She bit down on her lip and I immediately knew what she was talking about.
"Ew, nasty." I rolled my eyes playfully.
"What? There's some fine ass niggas in college." She shrugged.
We finally made it to school and watched how people were reuniting with their friends and walking into the big building. It was nice to see how everybody had changed over the summer. Athena definitely has. She's gotten a little thicker but her boobs were still the same. They weren't small but they weren't big either. I on the other believe that I'd lost some weight due to going to the gym. I'm not skinny. I'm average with boobs and an ass but it wasn't big like Athena's.
We got out of the car and was met by Omar and Natasha, "Wassup, y'all?" Omar said smiling.
He pulled me into a hug, "I'm good, thank you. I haven't seen you in forever." I grinned.
"Maggie." Natasha and I hugged each other a little tighter.
"How was Jamaica?" I folded my arms.
"It was amazing. We've got to get away together sometime." She smiled.
"Alright, y'all ready?" Omar asked as we stood there looking at the school.
"Y'all are missing one person." A deep voice spoke.
We turned around, "Monty!" My eyes widened and I threw my arms around him.
"I missed you, best friend." He kissed my cheek and we hugged it out for quite some time.
"I missed you too." I let go of him.
"Okay, now we ready?" Omar questioned.
"Yeah, let's roll." Athena said.
-
I watched as Montana passed the spliff to Athena who then took a long drag. Weed wasn't my thing but I'd smoke it here and there. School was over and we were chilling at Omar's house. Today went well, it was just boring because the teachers went over their stupid rules and expectations. Monty looked at me with his red eyes and gave me a smile. I smiled back then looked down at my phone.
"I'm going to use the bathroom. I think I'm going to be sick." Natasha said getting up and leaving.
"And I have to leave. My mom's going to be home soon and she'll get crazy." I stood up from my seat.
"Why don't you stay for an extra hour or something?" Athena questioned.
"So that I can be murdered by my mother? No thanks. You know how it gets with these niggas hanging around in these streets." I shook my head.
"Whatever." Athena frowned.
"I'll walk you to your car?" Montana coughed.
"Sure." I slowly nodded my head.
We both walked out of Omar's house and to my car. There were a group of boys chilling and there was one in particular that was staring at me. I shrugged it off and continued walking to my car. Once I got there, I opened the door and got in without closing it. I stared at Monty as he rubbed his eyes multiple times before looking at me.
"What?" He asked.
"Nothing. You high as fuck." I giggled.
"I'm trynna get my ass home." He ran his hands down his face.
"Get in the car, I've got you." I smiled.
"Okay. I'll text Omar and tell him I'm with you before he starts crying like a bitch..." He pulled his phone out and walked to the other side of the car.
The car ride to his house was silent. He was all in his feelings and was starting to act all funny whenever he'd try to flirt with him and I'd reject. Whenever Monty gets high, he just starts acting weird, it actually freaks me out. Last time, he said that he was 'trying to hit'. I knew he didn't really want to but it was the weed talking. I arrived at his driveway and found him asleep. I gently nudged him and he slowly opened his eyes.
"Huh..?" He yawned.
"I said, we've arrived." I laughed.
He sucked his teeth and sat up, "Damn..I've got a headache." He held his forehead.
"You need help getting into the house?" I asked.
"Nah. Just honk your horn 3 times and my brother will come out to help." He shook his head.
I did as I was told then his brother walked out of the house, "I'll see you tomorrow at school, Maggie." He smiled before getting out of the car.
I watched as he got help from his brother to get in the house. After doing so, I sped home. I didn't want to get home after my mother, she'd just started asking random questions that I really didn't want to hear. I instantly remembered that Prince was cooking, I made a face whilst driving then I shook it off. Once I had gotten home, I found Prince carrying Pryce.
"Hey, Pryce." I grinned.
"Hi-Hi." He waves and giggled once I took him out of his fathers arms.
"Naliah came by and dropped him off because she had work. Where did you go after school?" He furrowed his brows.
"Omar's.".
"Mhm.." He nodded his head.
"Where's the food?" I put my bag down after putting Pryce down too.
"It's there on the stove." He said going on to his phone.
"When are you heading back to college? Isn't this your last year?".
"Yeah. I'm heading off this Friday, though." He placed his phone on to the table.
"But hey, don't tell mama or anybody but I've been saving up to get us a house. Me, Pryce and his mom. Don't tell Naliah either.".
"That's great." I slowly nodded my head.
"It's closer to college too. It's only an hour drive from here." He shrugged.
"That's amazing. It really is.".
The door opened then closed, "I'm home, y'all." Mama said.
"Hey, mama." I smiled.
"My baby boy!" Mama said opening her arms to pick up her grandson.
"Mimi!" Pryce giggled and hugged mama.
"Ohh, I missed you so much." She grinned.
"Where's Naliah?" Mama looked around.
"She's not here. She has work, Prince says." I sat down at the dining table.
"Shereen, I thought I told you to wait for me." I heard my fathers voice.
"Wassup, dad?" Prince gave him a head nod.
"That ain't how you greet your father, boy." He sucked his teeth.
"Bonjour." I stood up from my seat and gave my father a hug.
"How you doing, Maggie?" He kissed my cheek.
"Hey, Daddy. I'm doing good." I smiled.
"How was the first day?" He questioned.
"It could've gone better. It was just boring, that's all." I shrugged.
My father was born in France but came here to America when he was 5 with his family. Ever since my siblings and I were born, we'd speak French to my father and his relatives. He taught mom some French too but she found it a little hard to learn. She understands a little which is good, though. My father stole a piece of my chicken and I frowned before laughing it off. I swear, when it comes to me and food, nobody better come in between and I mean it.
Next day...
12:34 p.m
"Why are you telling me this information?" I laughed.
"I don't know. You're my best friend, why can't I tell you what's going on?" Monty sucked his teeth.
"It's just weird you talking to me about a girl that you like." I shrugged.
"Fine. Let's talk about you, then. You got anybody in particular?" He licked his lips.
"No. I don't have anybody that I find attractive." I shook my head.
"Hm..." He narrowed his eyes and slowly nodded his head.
"Montyy.." I frowned.
"I know you don't find anybody attractive. If you did, you'd make that face or you'd be very quiet. I know my best friend.".
"Whatever.." I shook my head.
"Look, there she goes now." He mumbled.
"Can I look?" I questioned.
"Quick." He nodded his head.
I slowly turned around and spotted the girl that Montana was talking about, "She cute." I smiled back at Monty.
"Yeah, I know." He said staring.
"Stop staring. You look like a creep." I rolled my eyes.
"I'm not...I'm not." He shook his head.
"Here comes, Natasha." I said out loud for her to hear.
"Heeyy, y'all." She said giving me a side hug then taking a seat.
"What are y'all talking about?" She asked.
"Nothing. Just chilling." Monty shrugged.
"D'you think I really believe you? What were you really talking about?".
I looked at Montana, "Nothing." I laughed.
"Okay, then. Have y'all seen Omar?" She folded her arms.
"Nah. Check inside." Montana turned around.
She walked off leaving Monty and I, "Anyway, have y'all spoken yet?" I raised a brow.
"Nah. Not really. She follows me on Instagram and we have each other's Snapchat but we don't talk all the time." He shook his head.
"I think you should message her and ask her if she would like to head out to that party that's happening on Saturday." I propped my head up.
"Nah, man. If anything, I'll talk to her on Saturday if I see her. Right now, I've gotta bounce." He stood up and left.
-
"Come on, Mahogany!" Athena shouted.
I looked up at her and shook my head whilst laughing. I received the ball and made a three pointer which swiftly went into the basket. I grinned and threw my hands up in the air celebrating. The guy smacked his teeth and I rolled my eyes folding my arms.
"Nigga, you know what to do." I raised a brow.
"You got lucky, man." He slapped a $20 bill in my hands before walking off with his basketball.
"Girl, did you see that!? You went all 'boom, boom, bang' all over him!" She smiled.
I've always played basketball since I was a little girl. I used to play with my dad but after he and mama split, we stopped spending time together because he was too busy or mama wouldn't let him see us back then. Mama just loved being petty. They'd be on good terms but she'd just say that he's not allowed to take us out or something like that.
"You should really play basketball in the future. I might see you playing beside LeBron." She grinned.
"Athena.." I chuckled.
"What?" She asked.
I threw my duffle bag over my shoulder, "Nothing. Don't worry." I shook my head before walking ahead.
"Ay, Athena." One guy behind the fence called out.
"Who the fuck is that?" I furrowed my brows.
"Oh, that's Lamar." She said casually.
"Lamar?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Lamar Lamar. The one that lives next to Natasha." She said fixing her hair.
"Okay, do I look good?" She asked.
"You look good, Athena. He's too old for you. I can't believe you got for somebody older." I folded my arms.
"Don't worry, Maggie. Ain't nothing gonna happen." She grinned before walking.
"I'll meet you at your house." She yelled.
I shrugged before turning the other way and walking out of the basketball court. Where we lived, it wasn't bad at all. Meaning that the neighbourhood and the people that lived here were nice and kind. The only bad things were the boys that'll chill and holler at girls younger or a little older. It was sad just seeing boys hanging around the streets like this. So far, 10 have been killed and the others haven't learnt their lesson. As I was walking home, I saw Jasmine hanging about with a couple of older boys. They looked like they were either 21 or 20. She saw me and began sniggering to her other friends.
Jasmine and I have always had a problem, ever since the 7th grade. I remember that day like it was yesterday. We both fought over Monty. Not that I liked him or anything but she was taking my best friend away from me for herself. Monty and I have always been together as best friends but ever since she joined the school, she thought everything was hers. I rolled my eyes at her and she blew a kiss then turning around and placing her arms around one of the guys. I just shrugged them off and minded my own business. I reached my street and as I got nearer to my house, I spotted Monty's car. I entered my house and I could hear his voice, along with my mom.
"Hey, mama. Wassup, Monty?" I placed my duffle bag down.
"How was basketball?" Mama stood up.
I shrugged, "Okay, I guess." I said giving her a look.
"I'll leave y'all to it." She said.
"Thanks for the drink, Ma'am." He smiled.
I threw myself on the couch, "What're you doing here?" I questioned.
"I can't come and see you now?" He furrowed his brows.
"Monty.." I raised a brow.
"Come to that party on Saturday. I'm throwing it because my parents are heading out of town. I spoke to my mom and she's cool with it." He shrugged.
"Your mom is down?" My eyes widened.
"Yeah." He slowly nodded his head.
"Hm..okay..I'll only come because you're the host." I rolled my eyes.
"Even if I wasn't the host, I would've gotten Athena to drag your ass out of the house. Where is she anyway?".
"I do not even know but she said she was going to meet me here." I shrugged.
"You hungry?" He asked.
"You acting like this yo' house and you about to cook." I chuckled.
He chuckled too, "Nah, let's head out or something." He folded his arms.
"Alright, well, I'll tell Athena to meet us there." I stood up.
"Cool." He shrugged and watched as I picked my purse up.
"Mama, we heading out to eat!" I yelled, "You want anything?".
"I'm good, thank you, baby." Mama yelled back.
We left the house and was met by Prince and Naliah who looked like they've been laughing at something. I gave them a smile but hugged Naliah first as she opened her arms out.
"I haven't seen you in a long ass time." I raised a brow.
"Sis, I know. I've been busy with work lately and now we've got this college shit." She smiled.
"Wassup, bro?" Both Prince and Monty slapped hands.
"How've you been?" She asked.
"I'm good. School's good." I shrugged.
"I'm glad you're okay. Where y'all headed?" She questioned.
"We just grabbing something to eat with Athena's ass too." Monty explained.
"Y'all go 'head. I'll see you later, Mahogany." Prince kissed my forehead.
We walked towards Monty's car and got in. After texting Athena that we'd be meeting up to get food to eat, I headed on to Snapchat to see what was going on with everybody. I was so hungry and I just needed some food in my stomach.
-
Here's a little insight on Mahogany Ross' life. I won't be doing her POV unless it's really important so all chapters will be written in the omniscient's POV.
I feel like she's so bubbly if she was to come to life. Anyway, you've met her mother, brother and friends.
Let's go ahead to the next chapter❤️