New Native Land (The Next Step) (Book II)

Chapter 29 (New Jams Old Heart)

I was jamming to some music with Draya when Drew and PB walked up to us. "Yo, we've been trying to find you two!" Drew said to us. "That's funny, we weren't trying to find you." I joked. Draya and I high fived each other.

"Yo boyfriend instructed me to find you and to not show my face to him until I did." Drew said to me desperately. "What does he want?" I asked him and he shrugged, "I don't know, but please, go find out." I smacked my lips and looked at Draya. "What do you think?" I asked her and she pretended like she was thinking "Hell no!" She shouted and I high fived her again "Exactly what I was thinking!" I said.

"I hope your ducking skills are superior!" I told Drew and we walked away leaving him flabbergasted.

"Hey, we're about to switch it up real quick! I'm about to play this new Geto Boys!" The DJ called out and I stopped and looked at the booth and Draya stopped with me. "What?" She asked and I said "They're about to play the Geto Boys!" I said in utter shock, I didn't even think that they knew who that was here in New York.

"Minds Playing Tricks On Me." I said. "Minds Playing Tricks On Me." The DJ repeated after me and I was ecstatic! "You know them?" Draya asked and I nodded "They're from Houston!" I said to her and she smiled "Houston done made it to New York!" She shouted and I celebrated as the music began to play and I sung with it word for word, and Draya hyping me up as I did!

"You better rep your city!" Draya kept me going. I was so hype! And then Bushwick Bill's verse came up!

"This year Halloween fell on the weekend. Me and Geto Boys were trick or treatin'. Robbin' lil kids for bags, til an omen got behind our ass. So we speeded up the pace took a look back and he was right before our face! He be in for a squabble no doubt! So I swung and hit the nigga in his mouth. He was goin down we figured, but this wasn't no ordinary nigga! He stood about six or seven feet. Now that's the nigga I be seeing in my sleep. So we triple teamed on em. Droppin' those muthafuckin' bees on em! The more I swung the more blood flew, then he disappeared and my boys disappeared too. Then I felt just like a feign. It wasn't even close to Halloween. It was dark as fuck on the street, my hands were all bloody from punching on the concrete. Got damn homie. My mind was playing tricks on me."

I finished and there were people who were applauding me and giving me dab for knowing the music, "Aye, shout out to home girl out there for being on top of her music!" The DJ shouted me out and I humbly accepted his compliment.

"Yo, you're mad dope! I didn't know you listened to hip-hop like that!" Draya complimented "I like it." I said to her and she smiled "You're too cool." She said and I beamed "I know." I said and we high fived each other.

I was sitting down on a rooftop chilling and so was Draya we were waiting on the fireworks to start. "Today has been full of adventure." I said and she nodded. "Love ducking and dodging with you the best." She said and I laughed. "This was pretty fun; glad I came out." I said to her and she smiled. "I'm glad too, thought I was going to have to go alone." I laughed, "You have PB and the guys." She sighed, "Will he ever like me back?"

I smacked my lips, "He already does. But he's a guy and he has to make it harder for you. It's in their blood." I told her and she laughed. "I'll remember that."

The fireworks started and they were amazing! I was in awe! I loved it every little bit of it. I'm glad that instead of being mad and letting stuff get to me I let it go and I actually enjoyed today. It was my first fourth of July in New York and I can honestly say it was awesome, and I loved every moment of it.

"Knew we'd find you here." I heard Caz's voice and he walked out to the roof top with Drew and PB as well. I looked back up and kept watching the fireworks show.

When it ended I was satisfied. "We going to the after party?" PB asked and I was confused, "After party?"

We were at the after party and Just Got Paid by Johnny Kemp was blasting. I was dancing and partying with my friends, this was definitely a jumping party. Guys were dancing and showing their moves, girls were doing their own moves and there were people getting close and getting their groove on.

I was dancing on Caz he was having a good time, I looked over and I saw Draya dancing on Drew and PB found some random girl to get his dance in. It was so fun! I just had so much fun! I never smiled so much in my life.

The DJ changed the song to Motown Philly by Boys II Men, and it got jumping again! This new Jack Swing RnB was it and I was in heaven! Any and every song was hype and jumping! This is how I'm supposed to be living, with no cares in the world and just partying with people my age and living it up!

Soon another song finally came on and I took the time to get a breath because it was very hot in here and dry. I sighed and leaned on the wall. "You enjoying the party?" Draya asked and I nodded. "This is bumping." I said excitedly and she grinned, "Once again, I dragged you out the house and you enjoyed yourself. You should trust me with your life now." She joked and I smiled, "Bet."

I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned and saw the right hand man of Cooley standing behind me. I looked at him confused and I looked behind him to see where Cooley was, but he wasn't there. I looked back up at him and he had this unconcerned look on his face, it was almost that of annoyance. "Cooley wanna see you." He said and motioned up. I looked up and saw Cooley sitting in what appeared to be a VIP area type of thing. I scoffed, "Why didn't he come himself?" I asked and Cooley's right hand man smirked, "I said the exact same thing. Names Jason, but most just call me Jas." I nodded.

"I don't think it's a good idea." I told Jas and he gave me trusting eyes "He ain't on no bullshit. I'll let you take my life if he tries something." He assured me which confused me some more because why would he go to that extent. I grabbed Draya's hands and we started walking to the VIP.

When I got up there Cooley was smiling at me and it appeared genuine. Jas went and sat down and I was standing there staring Cooley down. "We meet again." He said and I rolled my eyes, "You owe me something." I said to him confidently. He was taken back "I do?" He questioned and I nodded "Yeah, you do." I said smartly back. "Well, what is it? I always repay my debts." I crossed my arms and took a stance, "You owe me an apology." His face changed to confusion then realization.

He stood up and smiled, "You are so very right. I apologize whole heartily Ms. Smith. I had no right to make business personal, I apologize for our first phone conversation and I apologize for today's actions. You didn't deserve to be called out your name." He finished and I could actually tell he was being genuine.

I nodded and said, "Thank you." I turned to leave with Draya who looked at me with pride because I stood my ground in front of my boyfriend's enemies. "Wait!" Cooley yelled and I stopped and turned around and raised an eyebrow. "I saw you out there dancing. I was impressed." I tilted my head trying to find out what he was getting at.

Catching on my confusion, he gave me the most genuine smile he could, "You caught my interest. I don't want anything to happen to you, so don't worry anymore." I made a weird face at him. I turned and started walking with Draya in tow. "What was that?" She asked me and I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know, but I hear 2 Live Crew, let's jam!" We ran to the dance floor and I once again started throwing ass!