Love & Hustle

Book Of Life.

-2 Days Later

Being suspended is pretty fun when you're suspended with your best friend. Ronnie came by my house and we chilled. We heard a car outside, then a knock. Ronnie answered it.

"I was hoping that dime-piece would open the door, but you cool, too." 

Ronnie put her hand on her hip, "Oh, and I'm not a dime? Si me engañas otra vez con tus mentiras!" 

"What?" He looked at her with confusion while walking towards me, "Aye, I think your friend just cursed me out in Spanish." 

I giggled, "She didn't." 

"So what's up?" He asked, sitting next to me. 

"Nothing much. What about you?" 

"Same. Just came to see somebody." 

"Oh, well my brother's in his room. I'll go ge-"

Out of nowhere, soft lips pressed against mine. I looked him in his eyes as we pulled away.

"I meant somebody special." He smirked. 

"Ooh, chica!" Ronnie screamed.

He looked at her and smiled, "Bet she'll be saying that again while y'all on the phone tonight." 

"You bet I will!"

He did a light chuckle, "Ma, why you got all that make-up on?" 

"What do you mean?"

He told me to hold on and went into the kitchen. He came back out with a damp paper towel and wiped my face with it, "This is what I mean." He held the now caramel colored paper towel up to my face. 

"How could you tell?" 

"You just got jumped by nine girls. Your face shouldn't look so perfect." 

"Whatever." I mumbled while pulling my concealer out of my purse. 

"Stop," He snatched the make-up away from me, "I don't want to see you with make-up on." 

"Well, I don't think I should be seen without it." I reached for my make-up. 

"I'm not giving it back." He smirked. 

"Fine," I huffed, "I'll just by a new one." 

His face turned serious, "I'm for real, Rose. I don't want to see you with make-up on." 

"Why not?" I folded my arms. 

"You don't need it, that's why." He kissed me, "You're beautiful, a'ight?"

I nodded. Tracey came out of his room and gave him dap, "What's up, man? Why you ain't tell me you was coming?" 

"Cause I ain't come for you, fool." He whispered. "My bad, I forgot to call." He got up and went in Tracey's room.

"Oh dios mio! I told you!" She jumped on the couch. 

"Calm it, Bonita." 

"So, will you go out with him?" 

"No." 

"Why not? Any other time, you be fronting about how he won't ask you. Now that he's attracted to you, you act like you're too good!" 

I sucked my teeth, "No I'm not. You know my people don't want me around him." 

"That's why you keep it low-key." I laughed. Her thick accent makes it where she has to slow down her speech.

"Nah, I want my people and him on cool terms before I ride for him."

She simply nodded in understanding. My mom and dad feel like they're some kind of aristocrats. They always have good cars, clothes, furniture. If we lived in England, you'd think we were next in line to rule! 

Since they feel so wealthy, they put me and my brother up on a pedestal. In their eyes, we can do no wrong. They have our book of life written out for us. Since a little girl, I was taught to be independent. I'm to stay a straight 'A' student and go to one of the most prestigious universities in the country. I must master in law, medical, or whatever. Then, I will marry the right man and have two kids. Same with Tracey, except he has to join the military after college. 

But that's their fantasies. To me, it's bull. I want to experience life. I want to be let go, not break free! 

I was pulled from my thoughts as Tracey's door opened. Out walked Jerome, soon to be followed by my brother.

"I got you, man." Trey said. 

"A'ight. Do like I said! Slinky is like the soap in prison showers. Once your guard is down, you're scarred if not dead."

Me and Ronnie just sat there quietly. My brother thinks he can run the streets, but he can't. He's not like Jerome. Like I said, my parents feel wealthy so they try to make us feel the same whether we like it or not. My brother wasn't raised in the streets, but he loves to act like he can roll with the big dogs. 

Jerome shot a quick smile at me before returning to his serious look, "I'll see you later." He said more to me than Tracey. 

"Alright. And stop looking at my sister, man."

He shook his head and bit his lip despite Tracey's empty warnings. He slightly raised his eyebrows and nodded his head towards the door as if telling me to come with him. Ronnie squeezed my arm tight. I looked at Tracey to see if he noticed what was going on. He did.

"Yo, what I just said?" Tracey yelled in annoyance. 

"Shut yo punk self up!" I looked at him shocked, "Like I said, I'll see you later."

He left and I looked at Tracey, "Really Trey? I'm fifteen. Sometimes, you need to chill. I don't front when you do things you're not supposed to, so don't when I only think about it." Me and Ronnie got up. She sized him while I walked to my room, "You're really messing up with her." She said before coming back to my room.

I love Tracey. He's my bro. But sometimes, he's way too overprotective! All Jerome did was look at me and he's yelling at him like he's his dad! That boy, that boy!

"Forget your parents! You need to get that before somebody else does!" Ronnie said. 

"I know," I sighed, "but what if it's just lust with him? I don't want to end up falling in love and he's just thinking I'm a pretty face." 

"Trust that if he does, yo me encargo de él!" She said punching her fists together and nodding her head. 

"That's why I love you!" I giggled. 

"Te quiero demasiado." She smiled.