He'll Thug For Me

Take It

"Whea my change at?" Dranko said taking both bags from me.

The twenty dollar bill was burning at my pocket. I had two options. Give Dranko the money, and have him wonder how I paid for it, or keep it. Remembering what had happened before I hurried home, helped me make my decision.

"There's none." I simply said.

I winced when Dranko lifted a hand but to my surprise it was to fan me off and stumble back. The woman, Trista or somethin' like that wrapped her arms around his waist and grinned at me, "You ain't add tomatoes, did you?"

Feeling like this would result to a beaten, I felt my shoulders hang low. I could never get anything right. But now that Dranko's prized possession was about to be pissed at me, I knew I was in for one hell of a beaten.

"I added everything...sorry," I quietly said.

"Fa what?" She smirked. She rubbed Dranko's stomach, "We all make mistakes baby, just be glad I ain't allergic. Thank you for the food, whatchu get yourself?"

"Nothin.." I trailed off.

She frowned, removing her hands from around Dranko, "Why the fck not?"

Confused I replied, "Didn't think I could."

I mean I was hungry. I hadn't had anything since school, but I wasn't going to tell them that. Whenever they headed to bed, I was going to search and search the kitchen for something that would hold me over at least until tomorrow. Now that I have money I can get myself something to eat, something good. Maybe Chinese...it was good as hell.

She shook her head, "Next time get yourself somethin', go find somethin in the kitchen and I goin to lay down," she patted Dranko on the shoulder, "right baby?"

"Right, right?" He drooled. He stumbled to the room, with her hands wrapped around his waist. Before entering the room, she looked to me and winked before going into the room.

I didn't know whether or not to decide if I liked her. If I decide now, it'll only bite me in the ass. Only thing I appreciate from her is that she keeps Dranko occupied-at all times. I need that. I appreciate that. Don't nobody want a wondrous Dranko...shit happens that I hate.

For an hour I was either cleaning up the house or searching for food. My stumble grumbled as I came up empty. Only thing we really had was some leftovers from two weeks ago. I wasn't eating that shit. They only bought groceries when company came or ate out, so this house was never stocked.

I kept finding myself looking at Dranko's room, I could hear the two going at it loudly but I was wondering if I slipped out for some food, would they notice? Plus, Shelly and them weren't back yet. All it would take is another trip to the corner store, which was like five-ten minutes top. No one would notice.

My stomach grumbled again helping me make my decision. I'm getting something to eat. I don't care at this point.

I quietly open the front door, with low creaking noises to stop and blink several times. This can't be. This couldn't be. Seriously?

A guy was walking up to the front door with a white styrofoam container in his hand. This guy didn't know when to stop. He always felt the need to gift me up with food or something when he went crazy. Even though he's my only friend...am I willing to possibly go through one of his episodes?

"What are you doing here, Jace?" I go outside and shut the door behind me.

He stops at the beginning of the steps and reaches the container out to me. I don't move, I don't do anything. The food, that's obviously in there, smells delicious but I have to stop accepting things from him.

"I figured you were hungry, so I thought to bring you some more Chinese," he nervously chuckled, "ya know since you like it and shit."

I take a step back, bumping into the door. I can't take it. I refuse to take it. Then I remembered the money. Even though I want to get some food, I need to end whatever the hell this is.

"No thank you," I reach in my back pocket and easily pull out the twenty and I place it on top of the container.

He didn't look happy about that. "Man I told you, you're my friend, I take care of my friends. What about that is hard?" He said it...almost offended.

"I'm sorry...I can't accept these from you. Take the money, and let me know how much everything else cost...I'll pay you back," I reply.

Even though I don't want to, I have to cut Jace off. He's got a side to him that I'm afraid of. I already have Dranko and Shelly in my life, I didn't need another. I really did think he was someone that was going to help me out of my situation, but he can't. How can he when he's just like them?

Jace took a few steps towards me until he was literally a few inches away. The container was rubbing against my stomach, making me want to snatch it away and run inside and eat it. But that would ruin everything I'm trying to do now.

The smell of his cologne made me want to just draw him in even more. It was a smooth, sexy smell. And not to mention when he looked frustrated, I could-what the hell am I talking about? Jace is cute but I'm not his type...even if he could be my type.

"What I gotta do to get you to take it?" He said softly.

I refused to make eye contact with him. The heat building up between us two was too much and the tension I could feel wasn't any better. I just wanted to be out of this situation now.

"N-nothing...maybe you should be giving this to Simone..." I reflected back to what he did to her. Even if I don't like the girl, she didn't deserve that.

He rolled his eyes, "Oh so you cool with a bitch startin shit and bullying yo ass but when a nigga stick up for you, it's wrong? What the fck happened to you for you to think that way?" I wanted to say Dranko...and my dad so badly.

Again I said, "Nothin," shifting around uncomfortably, also feeling my stomach about to growl. When it did, I groaned inwardly.

A low laugh was released from his lips, "Take it, aight?" To my surprise, I stretched my hands out and grabbed it. I actually grabbed it. What the fck?

For the first time, I was able to look into his eyes. I saw nothing but sincerity. Maybe he did care, just had rage he had to deal with. Plus the lifestyle he's living ain't easy. Mine ain't easy either, but I know he dealin' with some shit. I know he sells drugs...he was doing it when he lived here.

"Thank you," I mumble.

He nods then takes a few steps back. He then takes a seat on the steps...so he's staying? He looks into the streets at people. For a while I stuck-frozen, unsure what the hell to do? Do I sit with him or do I go inside?

But inside was a wasted Dranko bangin the brains out of a woman I didn't know whether to like or not. And out here? Out here is freedom.

So I took a seat next to him. He turned and smiled at me, "You gone eat or what?"