The Girl Next Door || J. Cole & Taraji P. Henson

T w e n t y - E i g h t

Miguel-

I shifted from side to side until I noticed that I was in a hospital bed with tubes running throughout my body. I sighed as I laid there staring at the wall. I looked around more and saw a few nurses and doctors walking past the glass window. There was a monitor that beeped above my head constantly.

A few moments a tall, dark skinned guy came in with a hoodie over his head and hands in his pocket. I quickly rushed to grab the remote to call the nurse.

"I wouldn't press that motherfucking button bruh," he said as he flashed a gun in my face. My heart began to instantly race.

"What you want man? I don't have nothing," I said as I tried to lift my hands.

"Look I don't wanna kill you bruh, I may let you live if you answer this question correctly, have you seen that Aubrey nigga?" The guy asked.

"No, I just woke up, I haven't seen him," I replied nervously.

"Look man get away from here, here is enough money to take your family on a vacation, go anywhere Miami it doesn't matter just get the fuck outta town, I was told to kill you finish you off but I don't have the heart to watch an innocent mother suffer bruh just leave for awhile," the guy warned.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" I asked.

"Watch the company you keep bruh, if you see Aubrey give him this," He said as he gave Miguel an envelope with money and one with a note for Aubrey.

He slipped his gun back into his jacket and left. I reached on the side of my bed trying to find my phone. Aubrey was going to tell me what the fuck was going on.

Robert -

Once I maid it out I hopped inside the van with a waiting Winston. This nigga had been on my ass about this shit. I didn't wanna take dudes life, I really didn't want to be apart of this gang. But I made more money rolling with them then I would ever make working a job. I just wanted to get my sister out of the situation she was in.

"Everything cool?" He asked. "Cosher," I replied as I grabbed the blunt. "Welcome to the crew," Winston smiled as he drove down the street. I gave a sly smile even though deep down on the inside he knew everything wasn't going to be as cool as I thought. I hoped like hell Miguel listened to me.

Aubrey-

I don't know why but I had accepted Nicki's call to meet her at the Waffle House on Bridgeport. I couldn't lie I missed her like crazy. I know I had been hanging out with Rihanna but everybody was making something out of nothing.

Me and Rihanna had an understanding, we didn't want a relationship we just wanted good sex and good company. I couldn't complain about it she was beautiful but I didn't see her as girlfriend material even though people thought we were dating.

Deep down I still had feelings for Nicki, I missed her like crazy, but the way she did me was dirty. It hurt so bad how she left me for that Robert nigga.

He couldn't love her the way I did. He couldn't give her the life style that she deserved. I wanted to give Nicki the world. I wanted to give her everything, but I guess that's all a pipe dream now.

I walked inside the restaurant to see her sitting in back sipping on apple juice. She wasn't the same Onika like she was a few months ago. She looked pale, her hair looked matted like she hadn't combed it in weeks. Her cheeks were fatter, clothes wrinkled.

This was the same girl who stayed on top of every make up, and clothing line that came out. Now she looked simple in a big tee shirt and jogging pants.