TWO| Ready to Play
May 6, 2011
~
//Milan\\
"Damn Ro, it's push and go, I'm not gone teach yo clumsy ass no more." I told him shoving him off my board. "You suck ass."
He smacked his lips, "Yeen gotta be mean about it. It's not my fault that I don't learn as fast as you." He shrugged.
We were on our way to the park from the building. It was going on 1 something so I thought why not.
Better than being with Joe or Aunt Jen while Granny Ruby in the Hospital.
I sighed, "My bad. Alright. I'm just irritated."
"With what?"
"The new stuff Joe got me doing around the house. And let's not forget he wants me to clean thee closet..."
"What's wrong with thee closet?" He asked.
I groaned, "When we first moved in my momma was gone put stuff in the closet. Thing is that's where the bugs stay-
"Ew you dirty-"
Not telling him shit else.
"NO the fuck i'm not." I got offended. "It's been like that for forever, don't got money for the exterminator, bugs spray just makes them evolve into something new....Im scared to even breathe in the same space as thee closet."
"So where's your room?"
"Next door to the bathroom." I shrugged, "the Closet is in the beginning of the hallway so."
"And they never crawl out?"
"Ion know, All I know is that they'on come in my room like the roaches up in yo house be crawling all over the walls. Dirty ass." I shook my head at him.
Joe doesn't like when people comes over unless they're Mrs. Janie, that come over every two months to check on me, so he's never been in my house. Never seen my room.
As for me, I've been inside his house multiple times.
"That was before Shelia got the whole apartment bombed why you always bringing that up?"
"Cause you called me dirty." I pushed him.
"Well I'm sorry."
When we got to the park we were heading to, Royal stopped in his tracks and just started to stare, "Ro....Ro....Earth too Royalty is he in there?" I waved in his face.
He just moved my hand. It was like he was in a trance.
He doesn't stop and look at me like that.
Girl
I followed the sight of the Basketball courts. Nothing but boys in their sweaty gym shorts, boxers exposed, and shirtless. These Boys had abs and some were bird chested, some had waves, others had corn rolls that were covered by a wave cap. Or as black people call them Du-Rags. Mostly both though.
But then on the bleachers, McKenna Yasana was sitting, he never told me he liked her.
"You wanna go over there?" I asked him as I rubbed my ear, "What am I saying we gone have to go there. The Skate Park is on the same side. Come on," pulling him with me I made sure we walked through the courts and not around them like I usually would.
I wanted to see how'd he act with McKenna. If it'd be different from the way he looked at me, and talked to me.
But I didn't know Royal was popular it seemed.
"Aye Wussup Royal, you tryna hoop?" Damon, McKenna older Brother asked. He was thirteen, two years older than us.
I never really seen Ro choke as much as he was right now.
Don't tell me
"A-actually me and Milan w-we're going to the Skate park," he stuttered.
He never stutters. Not even over me.
"No, I'ma just go home," I nodded, "I don't really feel like going to the park any more." I said trying to mask my sadness.
Royalty doesn't like me, he doesn't like Brit in our building, he doesn't McKenna.
But Damon?
And he'an tell me.
"Uhm ight, Lemme walk-"
"No it's cool. Have fun, see you in the building."
I tried not to cry on my way back home but I couldn't help it. My heart really hurt right now.
~
As I skated home, I started to wonder was he always you know- gay. Like did he like me before then, I mean.
We got married.
Did he ever like me?
"Hey child of God hows it going?" Kengi said. He couldn't see my face since it was down but after hearing his voice I tried to wipe my tears. He caught me, "What happened? Who I gotta shoot?" He asked me.
I sniffled, "Royalty doesn't love me, Kengi." And just like that. Hearing the words seep out my mouth, my heart broke again.
Why don't he like me? Am I not cute? Do I need a-you know? Fix myself?
Kengi wrapped his arms around me in a hug, "Aww, ya first heartbreak it's okay Shordy. If he'on see how good of a person, and how adorable you are, then he ain't for you beautiful." He spoke.
I wiped my tears, "thanks Kengi."
"But ion see no smile yet. Where the smile I always get?" He smiled, "I need to pack him out or something," he fake box punched me gently.
I broke in a smile, "that's what I'm talking bout." He tapped my shoulder, "I gotta go but uh, here 50-"
"I'm not taking that Kengi." I pushed it back
"Nah you are, take it, save it, stack it, ya herd?" He looked at me seriously.
I smacked my lips, "I heard you."
"Ight. I'ma pick you up tomorrow, we gone go do some fun."
"Okay." And with that he started to walk away.
Kengi no longer live in the apartment building. Word around is that he got him a cool spot in Highbridge with his girlfriend.
Ion really get to see him that much unless he in the our hood, scrappin or something. Or just came by to see me.
Thing is since Joe don't like him and he don't like Joe he wait in his car for me.
Sometimes he tell me when he gone be here and I wait.
He was cool.
When I got to the fourth floor of our building I seen a bright Pink paper on our door.
An Eviction slip.
I ripped it off and walked into the house, seeing Joe sprawled out on the couch, coke all on the table and beer cans on the floor.
He was knocked out, and I had to wake him.
"Joe." I kicked him slightly, I was too scared to poke him. Last time I did, I had a black eye for 2 and a half weeks.
"Joe-"
"WHAT!" He hit my foot causing me to fall over and hold it. I breathed in and out to not cry knowing if I did, then he'd get the belt.
And we'on need the belt.
"WHAT DID YOU WANT!"
"I-it was an eviction notice on the door." I threw it at him, "We gone get kicked out." I told him.
He sat up reading the paper, "Fuck." Shaking his head he left.
He just fucking left.
While he was gone I iced my leg. Ian wanna live with Aunt Jen after Granny Ruby goes.
Ion wanna stay with Joe neither.
I need my own money.
I ran down the stairs carefully to where the Landlord Fredrick resided, "What do you want, spawn of Satin?" He groaned.
Fredrick was a Puerto Rican man living and owning this apartment building filled with nothing but Blacks and a couple Dominicans.
People usually got over on him. Including me. Hence the name spawn of Satin, he always feels the need to call me.
"How much is the rent?" I asked him.
He began to laugh. Laugh hard as fuck, I wasn't laughing though. I was dead ass.
"Oh you serious." It had seized. "Damn well run me that 17-50."
"1750?!" I yelled. "I only got 50 dollars."
"Well make the deposit." His hand held out.
I shook my head, "Why is it that much?"
"Ask Joe who ain't pay rent for 3 months, and you a kid coming up to me talking bout rent Get the fuck outta here."
"Wait." I stopped the door from closing, "how you gone let him do you like that?"
"More money for me, it ain't my problem." He pulled out a cig and put it in his mouth before lighting it, "So you gone Run me my dough or what?"
I smacked my lips handing him the 50 Kengi had gotten me earlier. "How long till we gone be kicked out."
"A week." And with that he slammed the door in my face.
"Ass." And with that I started to make Plots. The first, Rome.
Grabbing my board out the bushes, I made sure my right foot was on the board as I rode off.
It was killer but it'd have to do.
~
When I made it to Mott I had to make sure the first place I went to was where I knew where Rome place of work was.
But I wasn't dumb enough to go in there, "You seen my Brother anywhere?" I asked Flocko.
He was the guy who always sat on the porch for some reason. Never seen him off.
"Naw, try 127th."
I smacked my lips going back to where it was that I had came from going to his second spot seeing him there.
I popped my board and held it as I made my way up to him. Serving Rocks.
"Yo Ghost!" I had yelled to catch his attention. He looked over at me with an irritated look on his face.
He was growing facial hair and he had a couple tattoos now. He was growing up right before my eyes, growing colder every day it seemed.
"What the fuck are you doing? GET the fuck outta here!" He hit me upside my head, I socked him back.
"DON'T HIT ME!"
"GET THE FUCK ON LANO!"
"NO! I GOTTA TALK TO YOU!" I shoved him back. He always fucking hitting on me.
Difference between Rome and Joe is that Rome doesn't try to hurt me to the point where I'm bawling. Joe hits me until he feels like he wants to stop.
With Rome I can fight him. With Joe...he's the cat and I'm the mouse trapped in it's claws.
Bound to get eaten.
We walked to a burger joint sitting down, "What you gotta talk to me about?"
"Money-"
"Not this shit again," he groaned.
"NO but this time I really need it." I told him. "We might get Evicted by the end of this week."
"Naw they can't do that." He popped a fry in his mouth, "it's a thirty day notice or some shit before actually getting evicted to give you time. That week shit is a hauxs." He shook his head.
"Well still. Who knows where Joe keeps or does with the money he gets from his job--"
"Don't it go to you?"
"NO!"
Coke and beer. Thats what the shit goes on, fuck my pint up hospital bills or rent or bills, it goes on CRACK and BOOZE!
"So how you get them Jawns on ya feet Lani?"
"I got a plug for that."
Kengi stay giving me the fresh out jawns, without him I'd probably still have the shoes from a year ago.
"Umhm." He ate another one, "I'm not helping you. I seen what this game does to people. You too golden to be diminished, i'm straight." He put his hands up.
"What do you know Romeo?" I didn't looked at him. Golden? I wasn't golden. "I rather you help me out than anyone Romeo. Rather a good mentor than somebody who gone take advantage of me, cause I'm getting money rather you help me or not."
He put down the fry he was going to pop in his mouth down and looked at me with a serious glare. One that got me this uneasy feeling in my stomach.
Low-key scared me.
He sucked his teeth before he began to nod. Not saying anything, "You think you tough enough for this game huh? You got the balls to do what I do Milan? You got the balls to kill?" He asked me.
I shrugged, "No it's a yes or no question because once you in I. CAN. NOT TAKE YOU OUT! I might not even be able to protect you, which you make so fucking hard already Lani-" He groaned.
"Then teach me." I nodded, "Nothings impossible right." The infamous words of Selena Gomez and many more to the point that that the saying is old as hell.
He huffed and got up, "Follow me."
~
We began to walk. Well him walk me more glide because of my foot. It kinda hurt to do this as well.
We made it to an abandoned train road. Nothing special really until we made it off the road and into some abandoned, broke down, burned up, building.
He put the old beer cans and bottles on to this old raggedy table and then pulled a gun out on me.
I immediately put my hands up, "I know I irritate you. But Ian think it'll come to this. This? Now this is fucked up, I thought you loved me." I spoke thinking that he'd really kill me.
He just looked at me like I was dumb, "Shut up you fucking Doofus. Grab the gun in my hand."
It was a revolver like Kissing Kate Barlow's. It was nice lookin, maybe even more nice looking. It was heavy but it fit in my hands.
It fit me.
"That's a Smith and Wesson 357. 357 are the bullets the inches are only three. I keep it in my boots. Now this gun gotta little kick in it and you might feel it since you ain't got no meat on you-"
"Shut up." I stale faced him as he laughed.
"Just saying."
"So now what?"
"Hold it firmly, yeah. Arms straight like cops. That way you got more grip and the kick won't hurt and the sound won't be directly in you ears because you might go a lil deaf using these things." I looked at him, "I'm just playing."
"So like this?" I asked in getting my stance ready.
"Yeah but close ya legs a little bit get comfortable. The gun is a part of you." He said fixing me. "Aight now you see them bottles. Them bottles not there, but instead, your worse enemy is. Pull the trigger."
I pulled the trigger closing my eyes feeling the kick back in my shoulder. I laughed and cheered as it was my first time shooting a gun, but he just slapped the back of my neck, "The fuck was that? You got telekinesis or some shit girl open ya eyes and fire the shot." He said before he began walking over to me, "Who yo biggest enemy?"
Joe.
"Penny Wise." Both some clown ass niggas who gone end up dead.
"Picture his head right there. Right in the middle. Relax breathe. Take it. Simple." He instructed, "You got the image."
Picture his head, "Yea."
Joe stop it, it hurts.
TAKE IT BITCH! STOP CRYING!
"Relax,"
You think they gone believe yo lying ass bitch I'll fucking kill you!
"Breathe."
I'LL KILL YOU!
"Take the shot."
POW
POW
It was simple. This time I didn't close my eyes, but I did jerk.
I found my self not even there, but in my own world as I took the can and beer cans down doing the easy three steps over and over again.
And I didn't miss a lot.
Yeah well what about when his body is really there?
Can you do it then?
Yep
shh.
"Wow." Rome said, "I done created a monster." I heard him mumble before me.
"How'd I do?"
"You did good...better than me at first." He took the gun out my hands putting it back in his boot. "Come on," he grabbed me. I made sure to grab my board on the way out.
"Where we going?" I asked him as we exited the prem-the old building.
Ion think it could still be counted as a 'premises' so that's what I came up with.
"We going where I work-"
"Oh." I shrugged.
"No." He stopped me, "Where I really work."
When we made it to his work place, it was a building. A large two story building.
This place didn't have men on the outside but the inside.....man.
I seen men loading guns, loading drugs. I seen kids in here too, some looked like they've been doing it for longer than I have. Some looked like they ain't belong. Some looked infatuated.
Did I say that word right? Who cares.
One face found mine though and man. He was cute, "Lano keep up."
I walked with Rome up the stairs to this room. Opening the door, we began to hear crying sounds before Rome closed the door all together.
"We gotta wait." He shook his head before going down the stairs.
That's where we seen Hercu. "Wussup bro. Lil sis." He dapped up Rome and gave me a hug. "He up there?" He nodded up to where we just were.
Rome nodded, "La'Keisha again."
"GHOST!" We heard. I turned around quick jumping. They laughed.
Rome tapped me and we started to walk about. Back up there. When we went in it was a man...a big man sitting down in a chair while his lady sat next to him in a chair.
He looked at me and scrunched his face up, "What the fuck is this?" He pointed at me.
I mugged him, "This name is Milan." I rolled my eyes talking to him.
Rome punched my shoulder, "This my little sister Milan."
"Mhm. And why she in my face?"
"I want in on the operation you got going on here. I'm in need." I said sitting down in the chair in front of his desk.
He looked at me seriously before laughing.
I growled. Why nobody taking me serious today.
"Oh she serious.." He smiled before he changed. "Why?"
"I might be getting Evicted." I told him.
"Ain't Rome yo brother he get paid-"
"But his daddy not mine and we'on live together." I said truthfully sitting up straight in the chair I was sitting in.
"And yo daddy don't pay the bills?"
"Technically no. He doesn't." He shook his head at me, "look besides my brother and my granny the only person I got looking out for me is myself," and Kengi but ion want people knowing about Kengi.
It might look weird from the outside looking in.
You know how people are cause Im sure I would've said it was weird too.
"And if I get kicked out, I'm gone be right back at somebody else's door just like this. My work ethic is spectacular, and I learn fast. I'm never late when it comes to business and I take everything I do seriously. You won't have to worry about me fucking you over. I'm loyal, I can do it-"
"And what's in it for me?"
"Well if you let me work for you, you won't even have to give me the whole cut, split it more 40/60 only until I turn fifteen and by that time you'll see how much I swear on my word. Just give me a chance. Please."
The way I talked to people when I actually want something is more like a lawyers touch. I make you see things from my side then tell you what you wanna hear but also make you have a deal with me.
That's how it's always been. It's my special skill I only use when I need to.
He looked at me questionably before leaning back in his chair. "Business woman? I like the way you talk. How old are you now."
"Eleven, I'll be twelve in February."
"Mhm." He nodded, "What you think bout this baby?" He asked the lady.
She sized me up as I looked at her with puppy eyes, "please." I begged.
She smacked her lips, pressing a button saying "Get me Sammy and Fiona." With that she let it go and I was just standing there.
My palms were getting sweaty. I didn't know what the fuck I was getting my self in right now but I know i'd have to get ready for it.
I am ready for it.
Just then two girls that looked like they were three, four years older than me came in.
One was slim and short lowkey. She looked to be Light Caramel color. Her hair was in braids she had a black eye on her left and her clothes were fresh, she rocked some 1's on her feet.
The second was thicker then the other girl but her stomach was still toned, she was also taller then the other girl. A pretty brown skin complexion, and her hair was long
And here I am. Only Eleven about to get down with them. I won't say Im scared because when it comes to fighting I never am.
It's the only thing I can do great besides board and cheer when I can barely do either one of those freely.
I barely can cheer now.
"Left is Sammy. Right Fiona. Watch out for Sammy though. She the type to just swing. No questions." Rome
I shrugged, "So am I."
"Ight 3 minutes on the clock. Go."
3 minutes. Kengi never let a fight go for that long how-
MAC!
This bitch just punched the fuck outta me bro.
And right after so did many more. I felt so defenseless I just swung wildly. Normally I was the one to swing first during a fight but that bitch.
Ima need that.
Ding
Ding
Ding
"BITCH YOU SNEAKED ME!"
"Baby girl I was right in ya face calm down, I'm right here." Sammy said with a smirk. "I must admit though you heavy handed as fuck, I'm Sammy." She held her hand open for me to shake.
I slapped it. "Damn she mad." They teased.
"She gone have to get over it." Sammy smirked.
I mugged her, "Fuck you."
"You too young to even be cussing, you must wanna fight."
"I sure do."
MAC!
WHAT THE FUCK!
I began to swing back but then next thing you know this bitch got me pinned to the floor. "Say sorry." She said in my ear.
"Fuck you-ah." I groaned feeling my hand twist.
"Say sorry."
I smacked my lips, "I'm sorry."
"Like you mean it."
"I'M SORRY LET ME GO!" She let me go and I punch her in her face.
BAAHP
"Now we even."
She held her mouth before she smiled. "I like you munch. What's your name?"
"Milan."
The other one then spoke, "Im Fiona." I shook her hand.
"So now what?" I looked at Gane.
Gane smirked at me before standing up grabbing a red bandana out of his drawer.
He just keeps those in his drawer?
"Welcome the ABMOB Bloods Milan."
"What does that even mean?"
"Absolute Bandit Mafia of Bronx."
"Why?"
Gane shrugged, "Ask the man who made the name...oh wait he's dead. Get out."
Once we walked down the stairs we began to here bickering coming from the main section of the whole trap.
It was a female and a nigga. Arguing.
"6-2 you ain't shit!"
"Just like you a hoe!? Like you'an gotta nigga at home and in prison. Fuck outta here!" He mushed her head.
She punch him, "I FUCKING LOVED YOU!"
"Sorry I can't say the same Cakes. I for really am." And with that he walked away.
Cakes had sat down on the couch. Rome looked down at me, "Stop starring."
"Im not I just-wait a minute." I think I know her.
I walked up to her on the couch and sat down. "Hi."
She looked at me and her eye brows rose, "What're you doing here."
"What're you doing here?" I asked her.
She wiped her eyes, "your ribs healed?"
"Yeah I just have to watch my breathing. Sometimes it hurts." I nodded at her, "that guy was your boyfriend, yeah?"
"Something like it."
"Yeah I know how you feel." I put my head down thinking of Ro. "I just found out my best friend who I got married to, doesn't even love me. He loves Damon Yasana. Stutters for him and all."
She shook her head, "These niggas ain't shit."
"Not at all." I agreed.
She looked at me and frowned, "Ain't you like 10."
"I'm 11, and still."
"Does he know you love him."
"If he doesn't then he's a dumbass."
"Oop. Well then."
"Yo Lani come on." Rome said interrupting everything.
I stood up, "I never got your name."
"Camilla." She smiled, "People call me cakes."
I smiled back. "Nice to meet you."
Once I was back in Rome's arms it was time to explore the trap. Or the main part I would need to know.
"This is where you get yo supply. Your new supplier, Dani will give you yo packages, say hello to Dani."
"Hi Dani." She had a mask on her face in nothing but her bra and panties.
"Wussup." She looked at me, "New Recruit?"
"Yeah."
"So what's yo name?" Just like that the boy I seen earlier had came over and had asked.
I never knew he was this cute because man was he. Caramel like brown, puppy dough brown eyes, amazing since in style. I have to match his fly one day.
"M-"
"Snap." Rome said. "Rush this my lil sister Snap. Lady Snap."
"Well that's wussup. Ian know Ghost has a little sister."
"Well you do now go."
We moved along and he provided me of a phone, "Tomorrow, you will get a text, come here talk to Dani. Dani'll give you, yo shit and where to push it. Ya heard me."
"Yeah sure but since it's still early a bit. Can I start now?" I asked.
"I gotta post already so- aye Rush, you selling weed still right?"
"Yeah."
"Ight then. Snap and you are partners. Show her the ropes the first couple days, I'll pay you."
"No problem." They dapped each other up and with that left me with him.
He licked his lips oh so effortlessly. So gorgeous.
Rush? What's your real name?
He's not all that.
He's something
"Well let's get going."
~
ENDING OF CHAPTER II
Ready to Play
~
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