PRIDE. | beynika

1.

DAY 1

"Six hundred and seventy eight. Six hundred and seventy nine.. six hundred eighty. Six-,"

"Yo, Sleeze, shut the fuck up!" Cherry yelled out from her cell. I snickered. "Shut up, druggie!" I called back, her laughter echoing throughout the hall.

To others, that's a low blow. But for us, it was the norm. Can't be sensitive in a place like this.

"Line up! Now!" The C.O.'s loud voice boomed throughout the facility. I grew irritated. I was sick of this shit. But I put myself in here. I had no one to blame.

I drug myself out of my bed, wrapped in my blue blanket. I made my way to the line, being at the far end. We had to get our medication. There were times I wanted to skip, but I knew I needed it if I wanted to stay sane in this hell hole.

"Maraj. Why you so pouty, boo boo?" Cherry piped up. She poked my cheek and I pushed her hand away. "I'm tired as fuck, man." I mumbled. She knew to leave me alone now. I wasn't the nicest when I was tired. I wasn't nice at all, really.

After a long twenty minutes, it was my turn. I took my pills, opening my mouth to show the officer I swallowed before walking off.

"I heard there's a new girl coming in. I wonder who." Cherry inquired. I shrugged. "Don't know, don't care. She just better not be on no bullshit. That's all I know." I responded and she chuckled.

I walked to my usual table with my friend group. Or, my allies. These girls were on my side and knew not to fuck with me. As long as they didn't betray me, they'd be safe in here.

"Sleezyyy! What's up, shawt?" I dapped up Myra. She was like a sister to me, my other half for real. If you see her, you see me. If you see me, you see her. Period.

"Tired of this shit. That's for sure." She nodded. "I hear you. Still got a long as time in this bitch." "Man, who you tellin?"

We fired up a game of spades to pass the time. It was a little repetitive, but the game was always fun when we added a twist of gambling.

"Nawl, shawt, cause every time you end up eating my noodles, and I don't like that!" Myra complained.

"Cough that ramen up, hoe!" Marissa held her hand out. Myra sucked her teeth and slid the packet into her hand without anyone seeing. Sharing wasn't permitted in here.

The game went on until we caught wind of the new girl arriving in ten. We all waited. Even myself. I claimed I didn't care but you always have to keep an eye out for these bitches in here.

"Open G4." We heard over the intercom. Everyone watched the door open and in come the new girl.

"Daammnn!" Was all I heard. There were catcalls and whistles all around.

"Aye, yo, ma! Swing my way, baby!"

"I don't fuck with light skins. But she can get it!"

"I wonder if she snorts or burns?"

I just shook my head. I couldn't really see the girl from where I was sitting. She had begun to walk towards my cell and I furrowed my brows.

"Aye yo! Where she going, Holmes?" I asked the officer that was escorting her.

"She's sharing a bunk with you, Maraj. It's not fair you get your own while everyone else shares. You ain't special no more." He chuckled, making sure the girl was settled before leaving.

All I could see was the back of her head as she unpacked her things. She set up her bed in silence. I was irritated as fuck. I hadn't shared a cell in almost two years. So why are they doing this now?

"Don't touch none of my stuff! Careful how you move in here." I warned her but got no response. "I know you hear me talking to you, goldie locks!"

"And I guess you're the three damn bears. Get the fuck out my ear with all that shit." She snapped back.

I turned around, looking around. Cause no way she was talking to me. "Who- who you talking to?" I asked.

"Who the fuck else is in my ass about a fucking bed? Your ass!"

"Y'all better come get this bitch 'fo i slap the shit outta her!" I yelled out. A couple of people swarmed around, trying to get a view of a possible fight.

"You ain't doing shit. On my mama you ain't." She finally turned around and I could really see her. She was fine as fuck, and I didn't know if it was the fact that she was angry that made her even more attractive to me.

She had stared forward, not realizing I was about a foot shorter than her. She sucked her teeth. "Man, ain't no way I'm about to tussle with your little ass. Not about to get no strike cause Baby Groot wants to fight me."

An eruption of laughter came from behind me. To say I was embarassed was an understatement. Nobody has ever talked to me like this before. And I hated when people would joke about my height. So I was definitely in my feelings. I pushed through the crowd behind me and sat an empty table. I laid my head down, hiding under my blanket.

I already could tell this was going to be rough with that bitch. But I had to remember: one hundred more days and I'm out of here.

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A/N: This book has been in the drafts for about two months now.

Tell me how you feel so far!

I hope y'all enjoy it :)

I LOVEEE YOOOUU 🩷