A Planet Called Harlem

Chapter One

A city full of crooked cops street stops and drug dealers. But not everything in Harlem is like that, we got hella talent here, memories, laughs, and fun. Harlem is also my hometown. By the way my name is Teyana and I know what your thinking no I'm not Teyana Taylor, some people sometimes mistaken me for her alot because we look just alike, and have the same hair, but i'm just the lighter skinned version. Anyways i'm Teyana (Love), but everybody calls me Te-Te for short.

I'm your full blooded born & raised Harlem chick. I know H.N.Y from top to bottom. Me and my crew Montrell, D-Reed, & Gabby hoop down at the Center everyday after school at 3:30pm. We been playing basketball for a few years now & been close ever since 7th grade. We have our disagreements here and there but nothing can come ever between our friendship.  

Basketball has been keeping us out of trouble lately and our minds of the struggles we got going on at home. Before we started hooping, Montrell, and D-Reed was slinging, and Gabby was steadily gettin high off weed, and for me; I was struggling with crack head mother. Everyone got out of there situations but unfortunately for me mines is still going on.

My moms been on crack since I was nine and being the oldest between my little 9 year old sister Regan, and I; I had to grow up pretty fast to take care of me and my sister. My moms disappears for days, weeks, hell even months. One day she's here, and the next day she's not, so she's never dependable for anything. I had to find some way to provide for me and my lil sister, so I found a job, two actually. I work at this pastry shop and this fashion boutique called Dope Appearal, one day i want to get my own boutique. I been working at both places since I was 14 pretty young huh? But they pay REALLY... good money because they know about my situation with my moms.

I do everything I can for me, and Regan. I make sure my lil ladybug gets her stuff for school; fresh gear (clothes&shoes), make sure her hair is done, stays in the bible, and that she gets her education.Regan is Nine years-old now, and she's already going to be in the sixth grade. She's so smart the skipped her up a few grades. I call her my little Einstein. And for me this year i'll be a junior. I got a good feeling this year is gone be pretty dope!

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