Trap Queen.

13♛

                                               C H A P T E R - 1 3

     “I know, Reggie. I’m just lost for words. I’ve been through way too much bullshit, you don’t even understand. I just feel like nothing worse can happen to me right now.” I don’t even remember the last time I’ve cried. But, today, I feel like I can just let it all out. I’ve killed people, ruined folks’ lives and it seems like it’s just coming back to bite me in the ass. I didn’t believe in that “karma” bullshit until now. It made sense.

     “It’s alright, Egypt. Think of it as yo’ momma being in a safer place out of Compton. She’ll be in heaven with all the angels. . .” Reggie says to me. His voice sounds sweet. I ain’t never hear him like that before, he usually acted too tough.

     “But she won’t be here with me, though! I can’t imagine life without my momma. She’s my everything and she provides me. Without her, I don’t even know where I’d be at right now. She—”

     “Shut the fuck up already, Egypt!” Reggie exclaimed. “I know you devastated and whatnot, but you need to realize that people die every fucking day. You ain’t lost your momma yet, so enjoy the time you got with her. . shit. What did you expect? For her to be with you forever? That’s not how it works. So you just gotta live life.” 

      I remained silent.

     “Now, I don’t like to see any female cry, so pull yourself together and everything will be just fine. Do you understand me?” Reggie questioned me. I didn’t respond to him.

      “Do you?!” Reggie yelled. 

     “Yes, nigga damn!” I screamed back. Reggie unwrapped his arms from around me and sat back in his chair, looking up into the ceiling. It was completely silent in the room now, and all I could do is think. Think about how many people die everyday in California. How many people lose things close to heart. Hell yeah, I seen it happen to almost everyone I associated with. But, it happening to me? It was hard to imagine until it was actually finna happen.

      “Are you hungry?” Reggie asks me. I nod my head no. I couldn’t see myself eating for a few days, weeks even.

     “Come with me anyway,” Reggie commands. He stands up, and offers to take my hand. I let him take it, even though I didn’t really even want to come. I knew he would make sure I did. “We need to talk about something important.” Reggie’s voice was serious, so I knew he was.

      Now it was pitch black outside. I hop in Reggie’s ride—an Escalade. Probably not even his. I put my seatbelt on, and slump back in the seat. I felt like shit right now. I couldn’t barely even stay awake it seemed like, and it was like I was damn near dead myself. I didn’t like this feeling at all.

      Reggie eases onto the road, and the car is silent. The music ain’t even playing. I like it this way—it gives me even more time to think to myself. Reggie ain’t bothering me, and I ain’t gotta listen to drill music about niggas dealing drugs and killing people. My favorite kind of silence.

      All of a sudden, Reggie pulls over. I don’t know why he does. He rolls down his tinted-black windows. I ain’t got a clue what’s going on. A black dude with a hoodie on puts his head into the window.

      “Reggie, you betta lay low! They sending niggas out on yo’ ass. You better be real careful!” The guy warns. I don’t know what he’s talking about.

      “Man, fuck them niggas! I ain’t scared of ‘em. They ain’t about to do shit to me,” Reggie guarantees. “They know I stay strapped.” A smirk is planted on Reggie’s face. I don’t know what he did to cause even more beef than he already had. Reggie always getting himself into trouble. He ain’t never safe.

     “I heard there’s gonna be more than one of them, so don’t be sure of yo’ self. Aye, who’s that shorty you got with you? You cuffin’ bitches now?” The dude asked. He bites his lips while he’s looking at me, and I feel like he just raped me. I just shook my head at let Reggie answer his question.

      “Naw man, she like a lul’ sista to me,” Reggie explains. I don’t know why, but I smile a little bit. I ain’t never seen Reggie like that before, but the thought of us dating was weird but funny at the same time. “But, I know you got my back, right?” Reggie asks the guy.

      “‘Sho ‘nuff.” The dude replies. He must not be from here.

      Reggie eases back onto the road. “Who was that?” I asked. I wasn’t trying to be nosy. . . I just wanted to know.

      “Homeboy of mine. Why you wanted to know?” Reggie smirks.

      “I’m just wondering. What was he talking about anyway? If you in some bullshit, I don’t want to be involved.” I made it known. Reggie knew I had his back no matter what, but I didn’t want to kill anyone anymore. My mom was about to die and I couldn’t bring myself to do it right now.

      “Wow. . . what the fuck? I thought you’d have my back, regardless if I was in some bullshit right now or not. You already knew that there was going to be some bullshit going on when we killed Dante for Serena, and I’m taking the blame, practically. Just sit back and relax. We gonna be all good,” Reggie assured. I sighed deeply cuz I ain’t believe a word that came out of his mouth.

      “Aight, Reggie. I just want us to be safe.”

      We pulled into Fatburger, the classic restaurant. We both got out of the car to go inside and order. I didn’t want anything, like I said before, so I let Reggie order. The waitress was taking a while to serve him, so I sat down outside of the restaurant while Reggie ordered. I had too much on my mind right now.

      Damn. What the hell is Reggie doin’? For about five minutes, I surveyed the parking lot. Everything was quiet. I could smell some food out here, too. It seemed like everything was relaxed. Then, all of a sudden, it seemed like things started to move in slow motion. I saw a black Yukon pull up to the scene, and about five niggas popped out. They all was heading towards the restaurant.

      One of them had a gun in they hand, and they was headed straight inside. I had enough time to get in and warn Reggie for both of us to get the hell out of there. So, I tried to. I ran into the store and screamed. “Reggie!” I exclaimed. I ran towards him as fast as I could and tried to push him, so he’d at least fall to the ground and miss the shot. 

     I didn’t know if he did or not.

       All I heard was gunshots exploding. 

      I couldn’t see anything. I didn’t know if Reggie was okay.