My name is Maliyah but they call me Liyah. I was born September 23,1999. I was born in Chicago along with my mother. My neighborhood was South Chicago. I went to school and etc. that stuff was no biggie. I didn't have any sister nor friends.. I'd always sit outside and observe my surrounds. Until it got bad out and mama made me stay inside. People stole, robbed and killed people from where I'm from. The struggle is real. Welcome to a Hood Love.
The year is 2010 I'm ten years old right now. Just sitting out the porch as my mama cooked inside. I started recognizing this boy. He'd be outside almost every morning playing some music. It was some good type of music like some hood type of music. I was feeling it though. I had on some ripped joggers, my slides and a regular shirt I cut up. So I got up and walked across the street mama wouldn't mind I guess.
"Aye what's that you playing"? I asked him. "All I do is win Dj- Khalid". He told me. I chuckled a bit .. "that's nice". I told him. "You like it". He asked me. Mind you we're both just some ten year olds but living in this neighborhood you learn how to grow up faster. "Yea". I told him. "My names Zaire but call me Z". He told me. "liyah the foods done". My mama called. Surprised she ain't fuss at me. "My names maliyah don't wear it out". I told him jogging back across the street.
We sat down at the breakfast table as my mama had the radio playing.. she then stopped it and looked at me.. "Soo who's the little boy". She asked me. "Mama his name is Zaire but he said call him Z". I told her. "I won't be calling him nun". She said laughing.
"So you got you a lil friend now you ain't gotta be cooped up in this house with me". She said. "Yea I guess you can say that". I told her.
The next morning.
My mama had cooked before she left for work. So I ate that and looked out the window and noticed Z outside. "Hey". I said walking over there. "Hey let me get you a chair". He said going into his backyard to get me a chair. "Thanks". I told him and he nodded. He had turned his music up and I was digging everything he was playing . "So when you was born"? He asked me. "September 23,1999". I told him. "What about you"? I asked him. "January 11,2000". He said told me. I nodded as he handed me some to drink.
"Why you do this everyday"? I asked him looking at him. He then turned his music down. "Takes some stuff of my mind". He told me. But me being older than him I still ain't understand well I did a bit. But his story was different from mine. He then turned the music back up as we both sat and watched a few police cars ride by we just looked at each other. "That's everyday in the neighborhood of South Chicago". We both said laughing.
TO. BE. CONTINUED.
