DOWN BY LAW // WHEN THEY SEE US *DISCONTINUED*

Chapter 15

A little too close for comfort.

He was too friendly.

1991 Queens, NY
Queensbridge

Lyric Jackson

"Aye, I need 3 Sergio Valente jackets," Quan coughed, blowing smoke in my face. The cigarettes he smoked smelled like ass mixed with gasoline. My face wrinkled, I hated cigarettes and I'd always see my uncle with one in his mouth.

"They a hunnid' a piece I need $150, cough it up," I clapped, I should charge him for my transportation to get to the store, me wasting my time, and oh, him smoking in my face, the shit is plain disrespectful. But I had to do it regardless, my mom needed $50 for her power bill. Dejah needed new glasses and Korey's birthday was coming up, I wanted it to be special. His first birthday celebrated out of prison, it needed to be something nice.

"You need to stay outta' trouble," I felt the money being snatched out of my hand, "sorry she ain't boostin' for you Quan, do it yourself," Nasir handed him the money back while Quan walked away muttering some shit under his breath.

I put my hand out while Nasir looked at me crazy.

"I needed that $150, cough it up asshole, you ruining my business"

"You don't have no business, you tryna end up behind bars again? But this time it'll be for something you actually did," He twisted his neck, "you gotta' earn yo' piece like everyone else, by working legally"

"You make it sound easy, you're a rapper, you well known Nasir, like Tupac & N.W.A status," I pressed against him, he didn't understand, "you got more than my family combined, I'm a nobody, I'm a little victim struggling to pick up extra hours at work"

"If you needed money you should've just asked," he tried handing me three hundred dollar bills but I shoved it away. I'd rather be broke than be in debt to someone else.

My pride was bigger.

"You want a reason to deserve it? Spit a freestyle," he said and I chuckled while Dejah ran into my arms. I knew what she wanted, she heard that ice cream man and the corn lady coming inside the complex.

"I don't have any money Dej," I sighed while she rambled on, not hearing what I just say.

"Can I get a sprite with the bugs bunny ice cream? Please?!" She pleaded while Dmirikel jogged towards us in her white shirt and black shorts.

"Aye buy me some chips and a popsicle," she huffed, placing her hands on her knees.

I'm broke!

"We taking requests? Slide me that double fudge, I'll pay you back tomorrow," Monica smiled, thinking she was slick. She never paid me back.

"Y'all some broke hoes," Monica laughed, eating her ice cream.

"No fair who bought you that?" Rose whined, they all popped up from nowhere.

"Kevin bought it for me," she seductively twirled the ice cream around in her hand.

"I'll buy y'all something," Nas shrugged while everyone followed him to the ice cream truck on their own accord.

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Rose Smith

"You better not be tryna' get to Lyric, she has Korey,"  I glared at him in my overalls drinking the Pepsi he bought me.

He'd been awfully nice. A little too nice.

"I'm not, shawty just has potential," he held Dejah's hand, walking her towards Lyric.

"He just bought me ice cream," Dejah smiled while the ice cream was in her hand, dripping. "He even got me some blow pops, you want some?" She pouted banding all of us watermelon flavored blow pops.

"Keep them Dej," Lyric smiled, while Dejah ran off with her friends.

"You better not be hoppin' on those dirty mattresses!"

"I won't!"

"How's you & Yusef?" Monica, Megan, & Dmirikel sat next to me on the bench while Nasir talked to Lyric.

"I was mad at him for a bit, but we chillin' he got this nerdy computer job," I mumbled, his dark ass thought he was ballin' ever since he got some waves & a decent job. I moved in with him but best believe I had my own money.

"You & Lyric good D?" Monica peered at Dmirikel who was drinking her sprite. Monica knew they weren't on good terms. They even got different shifts at work so they wouldn't have to spend time together. When Lyric held grudges, she didn't drop them.

"Nah man, she still pressed about me not telling her I was out. I just ain't wanna bother her with my problems at home or make her worry about me in the outside world"

"Don't let that distract you from the fact that you should've told her," Megan pointed at her, "You know she wanted to know, she cares about you"

"You ain't tell us shit either," I glared at Megan, she knows she could've sent us a letter or talked to us on the phone or even met up with us.

I glanced at Monica who fiddled with her fingers, looking at Lyric and Nasir. Everyone knows she likes Nasir besides Nasir.

"We all know Nasir has a studio up there for her, why don't you tell her Mon-"

"It ain't my priority to tell her anything"

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6 comments?

6 likes?

I'm focusing on the characters now, still romance on the way.

:) ily guys