TIANNA

ch1.

Everything in this story is written by me. The story is influenced by a book called "Let Me Hear a Rhyme." That I suggest y'all read. I plan on making this story a series so please tell me what you think and how you think the story should go as you read. Hope you like it!

- Kiya

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"Mama do you need anything?"
My mom sat in the brown reclining chair that stayed in the corner. If she wasn't sitting there she layed in her bed, only coming out for food. It's been like that ever since they killed my brother, Steph. I cried the first week. The second week I also cried, but only because I couldn't strangle the people around me. The third week I committed to finding out who did it since the police wouldn't. I'm still searching. Every. Single. Day. And I always come up empty handed. I'm sure there's someone who knows something. Until I find them I'll be in the streets questioning people like the white news anchors.

"No baby, just some rest. I need rest." She sighed. She took it worse, I mean, it was her son. She had him before me. Her first, and I'm the last. It's just us, and that reality scares me. I never met my dad so I never consider how he might feel. I hear her talking to him a lot, trying to cope together but, that's about it. "I have to get ready for bed, just like you should be doing." I said to her after kissing her on the forehead. "I trust you will." I said, smiling at her before she smiled back. "Ok, goodnight baby."

The days always go slow. It's like after Steph left, the house died with him. I hate it here at this point. She cleaned his room out already and gave me most of his things. Jewelry, shoes, shirts, things he stole from me lol. I had an iPod that Steph took from me after he found out I was doing bad in school. I remember him saying, "You ain't ever fail. This shit gone be your demise." Before he threw it at the ground hard. It didn't break so he put it in his pocket while I laughed at his failed attempt. He would smile back but walk out the room without giving it back. He was right though. I started talking to people who influenced me in the worst ways possible. I almost did drugs. Steph stopped that too.

I was hanging on the corner of Crenshaw and Bake when he drove past me in his beat up civic. "TIA!" He yelled out the window, making me drop the blunt. "The fuck is you doing?" He asked as he got out the car, slamming the door behind him. "And who are y'all?" He barked at my friends. We just stood there looking stupid. He grabbed me by the wrist and forced me in the car. I got in, folded my arms and just let it happen. He yelled at my friends and threatened to tell their parents, even though he didn't know them. I rolled my eyes at the time but, I love him so much for it. Steph was always there when I needed him most. He's also the reason I need him right now.

—

"Wake your ass up!"
Rocks hit my window as I woke up. "Earth to Tianna!"
"The hell!?" I sat up, realizing the noise was coming from outside.
"Tia, Tia Tia, Tia, Tia Tia." Mya and Sam sung into a megaphone.
I lifted up the window and shouted. "Y'all are embarrassing. And where did you get a megaphone?"
"I'll tell you when you get down here!" Sam shouted. I shook my head and got up to get ready.
It was the seniors last day of school before graduation and we were having a senior cookout on the football field. I made sure to wear my mom Jean shorts with a black belt and a white tank top that I tied in the back. I had on Timbs with chunky socks and my hair in a fro'. I grabbed my Polaroid, my purse and met them downstairs.

"Bern, bern, bern!" "Here comes the princess." Mya made trumpet noises as Sam introduced me. I curtsied before asking "Who's the Queen?" as I hugged Mya. "Me!" Sam shouted. I busted out laughing. "Girl please." "Yeah your tripping." Mya agreed. "It's definitely me." Mya shouted.
"This better not be a thing." I said as I snatched the megaphone from Sam.
"If you learn to get up on time then it won't." She smiled, before snatching it back. She lead the way as me and Mya followed behind her.
"One of these days we gone fight." I whispered to Mya. We chuckled and continued on the walk.