PHAT 3

Chapter One.

13 years later
______________
Ja'Riya

"Get here on time or don't show up at all" my teacher snapped. I rolled my eyes. "Bet" I said turning around walking back out the door. School wasn't my thing. I loved to get that fast money, and school was slow money. I can't wait on a check. I needed to get it now. My pops understood, but my moma wasn't having it. I ain't give a fuck though, I'm a still do me regardless. "Ja'Riya come back here" my teacher yelled down the hallway. I kept waking ignoring her demands. "I'm going to call your parents" she yelled again. "I don't give a fuck" I yelled back to her.

When I stepped outside the cold air smacked my face. It was freezing out. I put my toboggan back on my head and pulled it low. I tucked my skinny hands deep into my sagging jean pockets. I walked through the harsh snow with a pair of polo boots. I posted up at the spot with my boy. "Wassup J" my homie Monte said greeting me. "Smooth" I replied taking a seat at the table. I used to hang around Monte when I was younger. We reunited about four years back. This was the only nigga I fucked with. Honestly, the rest of these niggas Monte fucked with are characters, so I made sure that I kept a close eye on everyone.

At the age of 17, I had a well known name in these streets. If there's money involved I was willing to get it. I'm really money motivated. Monte was already in the drug game. I just eased my way in. He ain't have to teach me shit though. I been selling and bagging way before Monte was. My pops showed me everything, little did my moms know. Monte pops was well known like my pops was years ago. Unlike Monte dad, mines let that life go years ago. "Why you not in school" Monte said not taking his eyes off the card game. "Man that shits a dud" I said. "I remember when I was in high school" Monte said reminiscing. I shook my head no. "Not this shit again" I said laughing. "Save it preacher" I added between laughs. He smacked his lips. "I'm just trying to inform you lil nigga" he said. "Yea yea" I said. I felt my back pocket ringing. "Hold up I'll be back" I said getting up from the table walking towards the back. "Yea" I said through the phone. "Get your ass here now" my moma yelled through the phone hanging up. I smacked my lips. Sometimes she be blowing me. Ever since I told her that I was a lesbian she straight changed. I walked back into the room. "Aye yo Monte I'm out" I said dapping him up. "So soon" he said returning the gesture. "Hell yea" I said avoiding telling him the reason why I'm leaving. "Be safe" he said. "Always" I said walking out the door. I zipped up my designer bubble coat and walked home.

When I got home, it was like my moms felt me coming. Soon as I stepped on the porch she swung the door open. She was dressed in her work scrubs. "Why can't you follow the rules" she said with her hands on her hips. "I do follow the rules, she told me to get out" I shot back. "I'm not about to stay somewhere I'm not wanted" I added. She squinted her eyes. "Wait till your father gets home" she said walking past me. "Don't leave this damn house either and I'm not playing with you little girl" she added leaving out the front door. I rolled my eyes and took my snowy boots off by the door. I took my bubble coat off and made my way up to my room. I let out a breath of relief, and fell back on my bed. I reached in my pocket and pulled out my phone. It was a unsaved number calling. "Yea who this be" I said. "Damn why the attitude" the voice said. I smacked my lips. "I just want to know who this is that's all" I said through the phone. "You don't recognize your girlfriend voice" she said getting upset. "Of course I do I was just playing" I said lien. I had so many bitches in my phone, all them hoes sounded the same. I can't help it though, that's just the player in me. Besides, all they fucking numbers look the same. "Girlfriend" I repeated. This bitch is delusional if she consider herself as my girl. I'm single. "Yes now what you doing right now" she said trying to sound all cute. "Just cooling" I said. "What you must want me to slide through" I added. "You already know" she said giggling. "Bet I'll come through a little later" I said lien. I wasn't about to show up. Her number not even saved. I just wanted her off my phone. "Okay see you boo" she said hanging up. I tossed my phone beside me and tried to shut my eyes.

"J where you at" I heard my pops deep voice say. I shook my head. "Just when I was about to rest" I said under my breath. "In here" I said lifting up. "Why you not in school" he said leaning up against my door eating sun flower seeds. "It's not for me" I simply said. "I understand that, but do it for your moma your our first born we only want the best for you" he said calmly. "Alright pops I'll try" I said lien. "I'm for real J I understand you trying to do your own thing but being hard headed won't get you far at all and I'm telling you this from experience" he said. "So start using your ears girl" he added. "I hear you" I said looking up at him. He nodded and left my room.

I wasn't trying to get all these lectures for the rest of the day. "Monte I'm about to send you my location come pick me up" I said. "I was just about to call you" he said. "Girl and her friends trying to meet up" he added. "Bet" I said hanging up. I opened my closet door and rubbed my hands across the top shelf till I felt some steel. I grabbed it and stuck it in my pants."Pops I'll be back later" I yelled walking out the door. I walked to the end of the drive way and Monte picked me up. "Sup fool" I said to him. "Easy" he said slapping my palm. I laid back in the passenger seat bobbing my head to 50 cent 21 questions, as the warm seat heated my chilled body. Every time I'm in the car with Monte all he plays is them old gangster cuts. I was fucking with it though. "Mira gone be up in there" he said smiling at me. I smiled. I had the biggest crush on Mira. When I started liking her on some more than just a friend type shit. I knew I was gay. "I don't care" I said lien. Monte knew I was head over hills for her.

When we got to the spot Mira car was parked outside. "Told you she was here my guy" Monte said pointing her car out as we walked up to the house. He knocked on the door and I stood back letting him do his thing. "Hey Monte" Jadaya spoke. Her and Monte had a little thing going on. "Hey ma" he said stepping past her. I stepped right in behind him. I wasn't worried about none of these other hoes up in here. "Hey J" Mira said smiling showing her gap. She gave me a warm hug. I returned the love. "Wassup Mira" I said holding back my cheesy smile. She smelled so good, I didn't want to let her go.

I wanted her bad. Little did she know that she was going to be my baby very soon.