True To The Game

Hood Princess

At the park is where i spent most of my summer days. Watching the boys play ball and listening to music. My friend Ellie and i worked during the school year at a movie theater and loved to spend our weekends roaming around Queens, daydreaming. I just turned 17 and never had sex, smoked a cigarette, nothing. Ellie on the other hand was the dare devil and did it all. I got along with almost everybody and those that didn't like me it was 9/10 over a man that liked me. I was simply the hood princess. My father was born in the Dominican Republic and my mother was born in Haiti they met in Queens at 17 and had my brother Miguel first and then me two years later. Miguel was well respected and if anyone messed with me they messed with him. Eating ice cream and listening to music Eliie and i sat on the bleachers and watched two little kids fight over a ball and other kids having a water ballon fight.

"Its sooooo boringgggg."Ellie sighed

"I know i don't have to work today or tomorrow.. My dad is at work."I said.

"Are you going to the Marquis concert on friday?"Ellie asked me lighting a cigarette.

"I don't know i gotta ask my mom ."I said

"Me and Vickie are going... ask her tonight so we can go pick our outfits out tomorrow." Ellie smiled

"I will."

Ellie's boyfriend and his friend Jackie came walking up to us. Ellie's boyfriend Hakeem was 4 years older than her and was a drug dealer who lived in the same projects as us. Hakeem was shot 6 times last summer and had two bodies on his hands from what Ellie told me. Miguel and Hakeem are like best friends and you never see Miguel with Hakeem or Hakeem without Miguel. Today Miguel's girlfriend made him stay home and hang out with her but i am sure you will see them outside tomorrow running the block.

"Where your brother at ?"Hakeem asked me placing his arms around Ellie.

"Boo-lovin. you know when he don't answer that phone he's around Kiana."I laughed.

"sucker ass nigga. tell him we on the block tomorrow be up early."Hakeem said. He gave Ellie a kiss and walked off with Jackie.

Ellie was blushing and fixed her hair. She loved Hakeem and i couldn't understand why. He was an cool dude but sucked at being her boyfriend. He always cheats on her and she always takes him back.

"What do you see in him?"I asked her.

"Something you can't see."she giggled. That was the problem with Ellie . She was immature and naive. Hakeem used her and she couldn't see it but i did.

"He's using you Ellie.. he knows you love him too hard and that you'll never leave him."

"That situation with Yasmine wasn't that major. He just let her suck his dick."

"But what about Candy, Erin, Latisha?"I said rolling my eyes.

"Butt out Tia... Thats my man and thats all that needs to be said."She snapped.

"Whatever."I stood up and grabbed my purse.

"We still on for tomorrow?"She asked walking behind me.

"Yeah.."I replied . We walked three blocks to my house and stood outside for a little.

"Imma call you tomorrow."I said before walking into the house. Loud rap music was playing and Miguel was in the living room smoking weed.

"Where mama at?"

"Her and dad went out of town for a couple weeks to Aunt Dorlene's."He said

I walked into the kitchen and made myself something to eat. Kiana came walking in with her daughter Chanel and poured her some juice. Chanel wasn't Miguel's daughter but we treated her life family.

"How's everything been Kiana?"I asked before leaving out of the kitchen.

"Pretty good girl. Your brother is working my LAST NERVE....how about you?"She asked laughing.

"Everything has been chilling i'm about to go to a concert friday."

"The Marquis concert right?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe i'll see you there. but if i don't be safe."

"I will."I smiled before heading up the stairs. My parents were always gone so it wasn't a major surprise that they were going to be gone for two weeks. I got in the shower and went right to sleep. I knew that Ellie was gonna be here super early to go shopping.