NOBODY

Chapter 2 // One of Many Betrayals

Shelly Smith ~ POV

"Wake up! Wake up, you stupid bitch!"

The words slammed into me like a brick, jolting me upright in my bed. My chest heaved as my mother's shrill voice cut through the hazy remnants of sleep. The room was dim, save for the weak glow of the streetlights filtering through the blinds.

"Oh my God, Ma... What the hell?" I stammered, my heart racing. My voice cracked, thick with sleep.

"Look, bitch, I need you to make my money NOW!" she hissed, her voice dripping venom. Her shadow loomed in the doorway, her eyes wild and sharp like a predator closing in on its prey.

"Ma, chill! I have company!" I whispered fiercely, trying to keep the shame out of my tone. My cheeks burned, though I wasn't sure if it was anger or embarrassment. "You can't just barge in here acting crazy. Go lay down. Rest or something, please."

Her laugh was dry and humorless, like the sound of shattering glass. "No, bitch! I ain't going nowhere until you do what I tell you to do!" She stepped further into the room, her anger radiating like heat waves.

Before I could respond, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. The door creaked open further as Danielle and Aaliyah appeared, their faces tight with alarm.

"What's going on in here?" Danielle demanded, her voice firm. She crossed her arms and glanced between me and my mother like she was ready to throw hands.

"You okay, Jada?" Aaliyah asked softly, her wide eyes darting nervously toward Shelly.

I held up a trembling hand to calm them. "Yes, I'm fine. Let me handle this, please—"

But Shelly was already on the attack. "Who the fuck are these little bitches in my house?!" she spat, her eyes narrowing like a hawk spotting prey.

"Ma, they're my friends! Chill out—"

"Friends?!" She barked out a laugh. "You know what, you heffa? I'm your mother, and you're gonna do what the fuck I tell you to do. Either you get out there and sell that body of yours or get the hell outta my house! You're worthless!"

Her words hit me like a sledgehammer. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me, my chest tightening as pain clawed its way to the surface.

"Fuck you!" I shouted, my voice breaking. My hands shook as I started yanking clothes out of the dresser. "I stayed here to help you, to stop you from spiraling, but you don't care! You just want to use me! You're disgusting, Ma!"

"You think you're better than me?" she sneered, stepping closer. Her eyes burned with malice. "You ain't shit. You'll come crawling back, just like always."

I couldn't take it anymore. Tears blurred my vision as I whirled around, nearly collapsing into Danielle's arms.

"We're done here," Danielle said coldly, glaring at Shelly. "Aaliyah, grab some of her stuff. Jada's coming with me."

"Bet," Aaliyah muttered, already pulling my clothes from the dresser.

"You're not leaving with my shit, bitch!" Shelly shrieked, lunging toward us. "Drop those bags! Everything in this house is mine!"