New Native Land (The Blossoming)

Chapter 16 (Get It Together)

I got off the bus after spending a little bit more time with the crew after the game. It was dark outside so I wanted to hurry up and get off this street because something just didn't feel right about being out in front of a Brooklyn housing complex after nine o'clock. I began walking and I turned the corner. I saw the lights illuminating the streets and some guys out and about. I'm sure the children were inside because it was too late at night for them to be here.

I sighed and quickened my pace just a little so I didn't look suspicious, and I looked up the street to see a car coming. It was Ahm's car and he parked it in its usual spot and all of his crew just got out the car including him. I breathed in because yes, I was pissed and I didn't know what to say to Ahm so I wanted to just hurry up and get home.

I was approaching them and I breathed in and closed my eyes hoping they would avoid me.

          I was almost home free but Ahm came from the side of the car and grabbed my arm to get my attention. I let out the air I was holding and he stared at me. "It's late, you need a ride home?" His words were genuine. I shook my head no, I wanted to keep this conversation at a minimum.

He looked like he didn't want to further that subject, so he changed it, "How was the game?" I shrugged my shoulders. "Your school win?" I nodded then heard someone snicker in the back. Ahm looked over to his crew who were watching this spectacle and glared. "I gotta go it's late." My tone giving off my growing anger. he looked back at me, his eyes looked rather playful, "What are you doing tomorrow?" I swear I wanted to cuss him out when he asked me that.

"Thanks to you, nothing." I smartly replied, he cracked a smug grin. "Oh yeah, you were gonna go out with that guy huh?" Why was he continuing mocking me? "Wanna chill wit me instead?" I let out a humored scoff. "I'd rather stay home." He didn't look amused anymore, "Do that, don't come out tomorrow." His attitude got the best of him. My eyebrows knitted at his bold commands.

           "Excuse me?" Now my attitude was getting the best of me. "Thought you had to go home." I scoffed louder at his gall, looking up and scowling at this jerk.

I turned on my heel to leave and he warned, "Don't let me hear you left the house." I couldn't keep it in anymore, I turned around, "Repeat yourself?" His face contorted to his own scowl, "You ain't hear me? You deaf? Hard of hearing? Don't come out yo house tomorrow." I laughed out in his face and he looked appalled. "How many times do I have to tell you-" I began but he interrupted, "As many times as you want. Don't come out the fuckin' house tomorrow. Go home."

My whole face sparked at this man's ego. I was honestly stunned, nobody has ever talked to me like that before and if they have, they did not get away with it. I scoffed for the last time, and I laughed in this man's face. I turned my head and saw his empty seat right next to his right hand man. I knew I couldn't win this battle by force, nor was I going to try to.

I simply turned my back to him, I walked towards his right hand man as he looked confused. I saw the empty spot and I simply sat down. I crossed my legs and I placed my hands on my knees. I raised an eyebrow and I stared him not only in his eyes, but in his soul to let him know that I was not the one.

His whole crew stood there shocked, they didn't know what to do. I turned and looked at his right hand man held out my hand and said, "Reagan Marie Smith, ask me how he got me." His right hand man shook my hand and asked confused, "'How he got you'?" I immediately answered, "Fucked up," Scrap couldn't hold it in anymore, he doubled over in laughter. "And I'm going to sit here until I get my motherfucking apology." I finished and I turned back to him.

"Oh shit." Ahm's right hand man chuckled to himself, "Smokey! She gone get you in trouble man!" Scarp humored to the man, I finally knew what his name was. "Not me." Smokey got up while still laughing. I continued staring at Ahm, this is probably the angriest I've ever seen him. He looked like he wanted to kill me, that was probably the only thing he knew how to do to deal with people who didn't listen or follow his rules. But you're not going to boss me around in public like you're my father. It doesn't work for me, the only way for him to get me up out of this seat is to forcibly move me or kill me.

Ahm stared at me, contemplating what to do or what to say, which I think was hard for him to do because I don't think he's ever done it before. "Come here." He let slipped out and I raised my eyebrow and stayed seated. "I gotta ask you again?" The bass in his voice getting deeper than I imagined. However, I didn't waiver, I couldn't.

           Shad walked over to me, "I think you should go home." I shook my head no. "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. Don't tell her nothing. I'ma ask her one more time. If I have to go to you..." He closed his eyes at the thought.

"Do it, because if you're not going to apologize, the only way you'll get me up is if you force me to get up." I challenged him and his eye peaked with acceptance and something else, I can't quite put my finger on it. I saw Scrap wince at my words, his laughter ceasing after seeing the seriousness of the situation. I didn't want it to come to this but one thing you're not going to do is try to act hard in front of your boys and stunt on me, I'm not the one as stated before.

"You see the complications you have when you have a hard headed as woman by your side?" Ahm tried to make an example out of me. "You treat her right, don't slap her around, don't fuck around wit other hoes and yet she still got an attitude for no reason. I feel like I'm an ideal nigga." Ahm continued, I rolled my eyes at him, but his friends agreed with him. He turned his attention back to me, "Since you doin all this shit over another guy, I'ma pay him a visit and I'm going to see what's so great about this dude that makes you wanna act the fuck up."

My eyes got wide and I felt so helpless. To involve Chuck in our petty drama was crossing the line, but I guess in his mind of always being right and not to be seen as a weak ass dude he had to stunt and be disrespectful. "Tell him I said hey, I'll be right here when you come back." I bluffed but he saw right through me. "Alright let's go, and you better stay right there." Everyone began to walk towards the car as if this was the usual practice.

Ahm started walking towards the car and I cursed at myself mentally, I got up and I breathed out angrily. He turned around smirking, "Oh, you up now?" I rolled my eyes at him. Not wanting to verbally admit defeat, I began walking away, but Ahm grabbed my wrist like always. I yanked it out his hands but he grabbed me again and pulled me in and grabbed my hips. It was in a swift smooth movement.

He chuckled a little to himself, his voice dipped an octave, "I like a woman who can fight back. Makes shit fun, and interesting. But just know, I'll win in the end, cause I'm me and I made it that way." I averted my eyes, exhaling deeply, "I'll just get someone else." I said silently, "I'll find him. And I'll make sure he knows who you are to me." His voice was surprisingly sincere.

           "Why are you doing this to me?" I asked him and he loosened his grip a bit and made it more comfortable, "I did something to you? I thought as your boyfriend I had to stop other dudes from tryin to get with what's mine. So, I should be asking you the same, because you're entertaining them."

I shook my head, "I'll stop, so you should too... I get it..." I said begrudgingly to him and he smirked, "I know."