AMBITION

1

Mariah POV

"Another day in this game." I said stretching as I got out of my bed. I looked out the window and saw the empty road outside of my apartment complex. I went over to the bathroom and completed my daily hygiene.

"Mariah, you're gonna be late for school! Don't miss the bus, if you do I ain't takin' ya." my momma yelled from the kitchen.

I giggled as I rushed to my room to get ready. I was a senior in highschool, along with Haven and Sage. Aliyah and Tia were juniors.

Due to some family financial issues, I couldn't afford a car for myself just yet, so the bus was my best bet.

"Bye momma, love ya." I said as I kissed her cheek and rushed out the door.

Sage POV

I took a seat on the bus and soon saw Mariah hop on, later followed by Haven.

"Hey." I said to the two of them as they sat down. Mariah smiled. "Hey."

"Hey girl, I'm so glad the school year is almost over. I don't think I can stand this crusty bus anymore." Haven said rolling her eyes as she smacked on her bubble gum.

Mariah and I laughed.

The bus ride wasn't too long before we arrived at the school. I looked around and saw the usual. There were the girls with big hoops, booty shorts and crop tops roaming around, flipping their $0.99 weave, then there were the thugs walking in their numbers within their gangs, there was the smart students who took their education seriously, and then there was the remainder of people that couldn't really fit into one category. That was us.

Knowing the community in North Atlanta, the school wasn't very fortunate in funds, everything about the school was torn down, and just overall tragic, and that led the staff to not give any fucks about what the students did. The fact that everyone practically did whatever they want, made life here so difficult. While all some of us wanted was a diploma, others wanted dick, money, drugs, hoes, and so much more.

Bottom line: it wasn't easy.

But those who tried, kept making that effort to succeed. At times, the girls and I went to other schools for some classes, and that's pretty much how we've made it this far. I'm honestly so thankful that none of these distractions have come our way so far.

Aliyah POV

"Tia, you goin to school today?" I asked.

"Um, duh. Why?"

"Ion feel like going."

"Bitch you better get yo ass up so we can go because you know that we are late." Tia retorted in pure annoyance.

Living with Tia was terrible. I love her and all, but she pushed me too much. Her parents had to go back to their home country for some family issues, and ever since then I had shared my apartment with her.

Yes, I was a junior, but my parents paid for the apartment for me, don't worry, I had a job and paid my other bills myself. My older brother and my sisters were in various parts of ATL, so once in a while they came to check up on me.

"Liyah hurry up!" Tia yelled as she carried her bookbag walking out of the door.

"Okay, okay. I'm coming sheesh!" I said grabbing my car keys and heading out the door as well.

Mariah POV

I sat in class bored out of my mind, tapping my pencil on my notebook every now and then. I looked over and saw Darrell staring me down from his seat. I gave a slight smile, then looked away, and noticed a slight smirk from him.

Darrell was one of the thugs, one of the sexy ones in fact, but it's not like anything was gonna happen.

Class ended and it was now lunch, which meant that I would get to see my babies, Aliyah and Tia, that's if they showed up today. Sage and Haven had different lunch periods. On my way to my locker, someone grabbed my hand.

I turned around and saw Darrell. "Mariah, whea you goin?"

"My locker.." I said sarcastically giving a small chuckle.

He kept a straight face and I awkwardly looked away and proceeded to get my things.

I felt him wrap his arms around my waist. "I want you." he whispered in my ear.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. You betta chill wit all'at, you can't have me." I said back, pushing him off of me.

I shut my locker and headed to my lunch block.

"Haha.. heck nah. I ain't one of yo hoes." I said under my breath as I strutted confidently in the hallways.