Trapped Between A Thug And A Boss

Trapped Between A Thug And A Boss Pt. 1

Please be advised Autumn Cheree is a published author and her work can be found on Amazon. Copyright info is listed below.

DISCLAIMER & COPYRIGHT INFO

Copyright © 2017 A.Cheree Presents

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.
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Prelude
December 23rd, 1999

"Thanks Aunt Nor I really love it," Amil said trying to force a smile as she looked down at her brand-new special edition Cabbage Patch doll. It was bittersweet because although she was happy to get the doll at the top of her list, she felt crushed inside that she couldn't be with her mom. She and her family were all gathered in the living room. Amil was sitting Indian style in front of the Christmas tree. Her baby doll looked so pretty, she didn't even want to take it out of the box. The purple and white gown the doll came with was lit. It had pretty brown, coco skin with long beautiful curls that cascaded beneath the white and purple crown sitting on her head. Amil decided to name her Dream. As much as she begged her mom for that very same doll, she never dreamed that on Christmas Eve her mom wouldn't be there to hand it to her herself. Even though she was heartsick that her mom had just passed away from cancer, Amil was still grateful she was blessed enough to spend the seven years with her that she did. 
Aunt Nor looked at her niece through saddened eyes and said, "I know nothing can ever replace your mom being here baby but just know your family has your back. When you do go down North Carolina with your grandmother, I want you to remain the respectful young lady that your mother raised you to be. You will make your mother very proud." She felt a chill crawl up her spine at the mention of Amil's mom. She still didn't feel comfortable referring to her as deceased.
"But why can't I just wait on my daddy to come home? I don't even know anybody in North Carolina. I just want to stay here with y'all," Amil whined with scrunched eyebrows.
"If you could stay with me baby you know I would keep you, but the lifestyle I live just wouldn't allow it. You know your father has gone away and he won't be home for eleven more years baby we talked about this already." It broke Aunt Nor's soul to see her favorite niece in the position she was in. Her heart was broke in two as she looked down into Amil's heavy-hearted eyes. Amil's mother had just died and her pops was serving a fifteen-year sentence, upstate on a drug charge, in which he only had four years served. Although it was a hard pill to swallow for everyone, Aunt Nor still had to remain strong for everybody. "Now stop all the fussing Amileon. We are doing what's best for you. We want you to live the best life possible and Grandma Stacy can provide that for you."
"She can always come stay with me and my mama," Russia giggled as she skipped into the room. Back then they were best friends and in the fourth grade. Being that Amil would be leaving for North Carolina the day after New Year's, Amil just wanted to be around the people she loved the most before she left. "Oolllll, you got the new special edition
Cabbage Patch doll we were talking about Amil?" Russia's eyes bucked at her besties new doll and her veins flushed with envy.
"Yeah, my Aunt Nor bought me it but I'm not gonna open it." 
Russia frowned and stared at Amil. "You're so weird." She looked at Russia in disbelief because if that were her new baby doll, she would've ripped it open at first sight.
"Gimmie it. I'll open it." Russia snatched Dream from between Amil's legs and started to tear at the box.
"Give me my doll back! I'm saving it," Amil hollered as she rose from the floor but Russia ignored her boo-hooing and ripped Dream off the cardboard backing. When she saw tears building in Amil's eyes, she tossed the baby doll back at her feet.
"Here. It's just a stupid doll," Russia teased. She shrugged her shoulders and ran to the kitchen.
Amil didn't say anything. She just quietly sat back down on the floor staring at Dream resting her face in her palm wishing her mom was the one who handed it to her. Russia lowkey knew that's why Amil didn't want to open her gift. They both begged their parents for that same exact doll. Even though it was a sad time for Amil with losing her mom over the holidays, Russia didn't give a fuck. All she cared about was being better than Amil and how she wanted Dream for herself.
"Oops."
Drops of red Faygo pop splashed all over Dream's dress and Amil burst into tears. It was messed up too because the doll's dress was white. Russia stood over Amil with an ill ass smirk as she watched her friend's heart break in two. 
"Amileon baby, don't cry Aunty can get the stains out baby... Wait... Where are you going?" Aunt Nor called out to her niece but Amil didn't answer her. She broke out the living room and disappeared into the hallway. Amil slammed the door behind her leaving everyone ice-grilling Russia. They saw the whole hater shit from the door and told her it was time for her to go home. Nobody knew why Russia was so damn jealous of Amil. She couldn't even put her own hater emotions to the side for her so-called friend at a time that Amil needed her the most. When you're that young and hating, it's something that doesn't just go away or change. If Amil remained friends with Russia the hate was only going to grow with time.
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