The Games You Play : A Hood Love Story

Loren (3)

August 5th

Waking up on the first day of school reminded me how much I fucking hated waking up at 5:30.

"Why in the fuck is your alarm so early?" Where did he even come from and why is he annoying me? "We live way closer to this school. It's down the street and it's a straight shot in the car."

"Because, dumbo." I started. "If I wanna get a nice long shower and make a full breakfast, I have to wake up early."

"Okay. Well can you wake up at seven please?" He started walking toward my bed as I got up. He almost tripped over a box. He had completely unpacked and I hadn't yet. He slumped down on my bed and got under my covers.

"Angelo, why are you in my bed?"

"Because, I don't feel like going back to my room. Too far of a walk and you not getting back in this damn bed anyways." I rolled my eyes and waked down the hall to the bathroom. "Seven, ma!"

"I know!" I walked to the bathroom, look at myself in the mirror, and took a deep breath. "It'll be fine." I said to myself. I was obviously trying to convince myself of something I didn't believe. Unfortunately, even though I grew up black, I never really lived in a neighborhood like this and I do not know the ins and outs of the hood. All I know is be in the house by 10. 10:30 at the latest otherwise Daddy will beat my ass. I turned on the shower, got in, and just stood there for a few minutes. When I got out, It was almost 6:30 and I had some time before waking my brother up. So I took my time getting ready. I snuck in my room being careful to not wake my brother up. I went back into the bathroom to get dressed, brush my teeth, wash my face, and do my hair.

I had on a pair of black leggings, one of my brother's black hoodies i shrunk in the dryer, a jean jacket, and some air force one's. It's basic, I know. But I didn't wanna do too much on the first day.

"Angelo! Wake that ass up!" I laughed. He walked into the bathroom and pushed me out the way to the other side of our double sink. Our rooms were on either side of the bathroom we shared.

"Why would you do that?!"

"Oh shut up."

"Breakfast is ready, babygirl!" Daddy yelled from downstairs. I knew I smelled bacon. But daddy never makes me breakfast. I'm always the one making breakfast.

"Damn pops, no breakfast for me?" Angelo yelled down the stairs.

"You don't even eat breakfast, man. You eat one singular apple." We laughed so hard in the bathroom it could have woken up the whole neighborhood. "Now tell your sister to come get her breakfast!" I ran down the stairs with my North Face backpack.

"I'm right here, Daddy." I sat down on the island in the kitchen waiting on him to serve me a plate. He made his way to the fridge, then I saw him look down at my shoes. "Shit. No shoes on the carpet Daddy my bad. I was just in a rush."

"All good baby. How you feeling about the first day?" We heard the shower turn on upstairs. Shortly after, Migos played through Angelo's speaker.

"Dad it's 7:15 in the-"

"Leave that boy alone, he's fine." He said laughing.

"Well, anyways, I'm a little nervous but I'll be fine. I mean I met 2 girls and I met some of Angelo's friends. So I should have a few people to talk to at the least."

"That's good baby." I scrolled through my phone for about 15 minutes while he finished making me the speacial syrup to go on the pancakes. He handed me my plate. My favorite! Pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs. He sat next to me and took a deep breath. "Listen. You know I used to be a street nigga. I know these streets better than anybody. You be careful, I won't let anybody hurt you. Not again."