Love of Life (URBAN)

Chapter 1

Courtney

"Don't forget to lock the door when you leave, Court"

"I got you" I said to my manager as I clocked out. I grabbed my jacket and turned around to head out. "Can I take you to dinner Friday?" Kevin asked. I jumped and put my hand over my throbbing heart. "Damn Kevin, you scared me...but no" I said pushing pass him before I could witness sadness take over his face. "Why not?" he pressed. I sighed, we go through this every week. "Because Kevin, my boyfriend will kill me." Literally. He chuckled and threw his hands up in surrender. "Alright Miss Courtney. That won't stop me from trying though." He left and I shook my head. I walked out and locked the door. I looked around for Jamal then walked to his car. "Hey babe." I said getting into the car.

"Who was that nigga you was giggling with?"

"My coworker"

"You fucking with another nigga?"

"No, I was telling him I couldn't go to dinner with him."

"What's so funny about that? You lying to me Courtney??"

"No ba-" before I could finish his heavy hand went across my face. Hot tears streaked down my face as I dared not to look him in the eyes. I continued to look out the window as we rode home, listening to him mumble under his breath. When we pulled up to his house I quickly got out and went inside to get undressed and apply lavender oil to my bruises. Jamal came in behind me and ran me a hot bath. I flinched as he put his hand up to caress my cheek. Then he kissed my neck and told me he loved me. I told him I loved him too with a weak smile. I stepped into the bath and washed then relaxed until my shower got cold. I thought back on when I first met Jamal. He was fresh outta high school and I was a junior. I was working and he'd come in frequently. He hardly ever got food, just a 50 cent cookie or a drink just to talk to me. He'd take me out every Friday night and we'd chill at his house the rest of the weekend. He was such a gentleman. When my parents died in a car accident he was quick to take me in and the only touches of his I felt were those of embrace. He always made sure I never had to ask for anything. He even pressed me to quit my job but I refused. Things changed all of a sudden. It all started when his homeboy came on to me, but I kept pushing him away. He went to Jamal and said that I kept coming on to him. Jamal came home furious, his eyes were pitch black, he cornered me and damn near beat the life out of me. Ever since then, he'd hit me over little things. Like not putting enough ice in his drink, or not putting enough mayonnaise on his sandwich, or waking up too early or not early enough. I've tried to run, but he found me and I don't know how. He took me home and broke my arm over his knee, I still have the scar from where the bone stuck completely out of my skin and I had to get stitches. He made me tell the nurse that I was trying to do backflips. She gave me a worrying look like she knew, but I was officially scared for my life. I didn't say anything, and I haven't said anything, and sadly I don't think I ever will. Every time he tells me he's sorry, and that he loves me and he tries to make up for it by giving me gifts and catering to me, but none of that overshadows the rage in his eyes, how quick they go from light brown to black. Somewhere in there is the man I fell in love with, I don't know where he is and I highly doubt that he will be coming back

I wiped my face of my tears and got out of the bath. I wrapped a towel around me and walked to the closet to pick out something to wear to school tomorrow. I ironed my clothes and put on one of Jamal's t shirts before getting in bed and going to sleep.

Jamal dropped me off to school the next morning and I went to my classes. I really didn't have any friends anymore because Jamal thought "they'd drag me with them to be hoes". They thought I was putting him before them but it was actually me helping myself. I walked outside when school let out and looked around and as usual, Jamal was late. I walked down the street and sat at a bus stop across the street from an alley since he wouldn't be here for another hour at the minimum. I looked down the alley and watched a bunch of crack heads argue and throw punches at each other. Not too long afterwards a white Audi with dark tinted windows pulled up in front of it. A guy got out looking mean as hell, our eyes locked and his were dark, just like Jamal's when he gets mad. I quickly looked down at my hands, I played with them and heard two gunshots ring out.

Benjamin

"Where he at again bro?" I asked my brother Terrance over the phone. This nigga owes me over 10K for some crack. They always say they'll have it next time or they'll get it to you as soon as they get it but you never gonna get your money. So I gave this nigga a deadline which was yesterday. "The alley down the street from the high school" Terrance told me. "Bet." I nodded, hung up and pulled up in front of it. I got out and met eyes with this pretty ass chick sitting at the bus stop. She was beautiful af but she looked at me like she was scared then looked away quick. I stared at her for a quick moment and started walking towards the alley. Crack heads started running like roaches, even the one I came here for. I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him on the brick wall. "Where you going??? Where the fuck my money at???" I said. I-I-I" he stuttered. "You what nigga???"

"I need more time"

"Hmm ok"

"I pr-pr-promise"

"Alright" I said, letting go of him and walking off. I walked away out of spattering distance, turned around and shot him twice in the head. Y'all crazy if y'all thought I wasn't gonna off that nigga. I went to get back in my car but decided to go talk to that girl across the street. "Excuse me" I said walking up to her.

"Don't worry I didn't see anything." She said. I laughed.

"I'm not here for that, I just wanted to know your name."

"Courtney."

"You're beautiful Courtney."

"Thanks" she mumbled still not looking at me

"You don't have to be scared of me..."

She looked up at me with the most beautiful and innocent eyes. One cheek was slightly bigger than the other but she was still beautiful.

"My name is Benji."

"..." she looked away from me again

"You need a ride? You too pretty to be riding the bus"

"No I'm good."

"You sure? ca-"

"I'm fine, there's my ride right there" she looked to her left and I followed her gaze. This big-ish nigga stepped out after the car came to a screeching stop. He slammed the door and walked our way. "Who's this?!?" he asked. "I don't know." Courtney whimpered. "You don't know??? You was just talking to him like you do." He yelled at her. "Aye bruh, I came over here talking to her, I don't want no problems." I said hoping to make the situation better. "I know you don't want these problems" he said, then he looked at Courtney, "nobody does". He grabbed her arm and dragged her to the car, she looked back at me like she wanted to cry for help, like she felt sorry. I looked at her cheek again. Then it clicked, this nigga hits her. I started towards the car but by that time he threw her in the car and sped off. This won't be the last time I run across them...I'm gonna make sure of that.

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Jamal in the MM