That East Side Love

by Lucinda John

  "Diamond you okay?" Star asked.

  "Yeah I'm good."

  "You want to catch bus 36 to Sawgrass? We could shop then eat at the Cheesecake factory for your birthday."

  “Yeah that's cool with me.”

  We were finished getting our nails done and was waiting at the bus stop, when Bobby's Chevy pulled up.

  "Where y'all going birthday girl?" he asked.

  "To the mall."

  "Hop in."

  We walked to the car and got in. Taking my original spot in the front seat, I was glad that Cray wasn't with him. Ever since they got together I forgot what sitting in the front seat felt like. Bobby allowed us to rip and run through the mall at his expense. Star and Sky were like kids in the candy store, as they walked through the mall grabbing clothes from every store. I wasn't big on fashion, so I shopped in Footlocker and LIDS, which was a store that sold fitted hats.

  "Dee you good?" Bobby asked me while stuffing his face with Chicken pasta.

  "I'm straight." Shrugging, I took a small bite of my shrimp taco.

  "I got something for you." He smiled, reaching in his pocket.

  Sitting up, I grabbed the long box from his hand that was wrapped in silk, silver and white wrapping paper. Tearing it open, I smiled down at the watch. He lifted his wrist to show me that it matched his. The card simply read Always and forever; those words meant so much to me.

  "Oooh bitch let me see," Starr said tugging at the box.

  "Yassss bitch that’s hot," she gushed.

  "Thanks Bobby."

  "Anytime homie." Smiling, he went back to stuffing his face.

  His phone started beeping. He pulled it out, gazed through the text and smiled. I bet it was that bitch Cray texting him. I silently pouted. I watched him lick his full, sexy lips before responding.

  "Ladies y'all ready?" He signaled for the bill, pulling out a knot of money.

  "Yes," Star and Sky said in unison.

  I on the other hand was pissed. Just like that, my whole birthday was fucked up. I was really enjoying my time being with Bobby and the two females that instantly became my sisters. Why did I have to love this boy so much? I asked myself, taking a sip of my soda. Rolling my eyes, I got up and walked to the car without speaking to anyone.

  "You okay Dee?" Star asked wrapping her hair with a royal blue scarf.

  I wasn't gay or anything but she was looking real good in her pink boy shorts and matching crop top. I've seen a lot of girls her size and they looked sloppy because they didn't take care of themselves. I personally thought every woman big, small, short, or tall were beautiful to me if you presented yourself well. I loved Sky and Star's confidence; they were a size eighteen and wore it sexy and proud.

  "Nothing," I mumbled.

  "Come on Dee, I thought we were better than that," she stressed.

  "I know but I don't know what to say."

  "Say whatever is on your mind."

  "I love him," I whispered.

  "Who you love?" Sky asked, walking in wearing a sports bra and some tights.

  "Bitch, shut up and listen." Star threw a pillow at her sister.

  They sat on the plush grey carpet in front of me and patiently waited for me to tell them what was on my mind. Taking a deep breath I told them how I was feeling about Bobby. I told them everything from the day I started hustling with Bobby to the day I almost lost my virginity to him. When I was done telling my personal soap opera, their jaws were literally touching the ground. Unbeknownst to me, Brooklyn was in the cut listening to everything I was saying with a huge smile on her face.

  Chapter 9

  Cookie

  "That hoe has to go." I popped my gum listening to Brooklyn tell me what she overheard.

  Never in a million years would I suspect Bobby and Diamond being together. She seemed so manly that I didn't think that Bobby would even go for her. Yeah she was a beautiful girl with the body of a goddess, but she sold drugs and wore baggy pants. She was a complete turn off to most men, so why was Bobby digging her.

  A smile spread across my face when I spotted Bobby and Cray hugged up across the courtyard. Lunch was almost over and Cray's last period was across from mine. I thought of all the ways I would bust her little happy bubble once I told her Bobby wasn't shit. It would break her little bourgeois heart once she found out that her beloved boyfriend was busy loving someone else.

  Karma was a real big bad bitch. I wanted her to know how it feels to have someone you consider a friend, take your man. Bobby was mine and she broke the girl code and decided to fuck with him.

  "I need you to do something for me," I said looking at Brooklyn’s trifling ass.

  I knew about her sucking Bobby's dick for a couple of dollars here and there. I was more so jealous than I was mad. I couldn't even get him to talk to me and she was blessed with the opportunity to suck him off. If I was ever in that position, I would suck his dick so good I’d swallow every ill thought he had of me.

  "What?" she answered.

  "I need you to pick a fight with Diamond. I know she has drugs somewhere hidden in y'all room. I need her to get caught and taken out the way."

  "Uh uh, I saw what she did to you. I ain't tryna go out like that."

  "You tryna be down right?" I asked with a screw face.

  "Yes but..."

  "But nothing, do as I say or you ain't rollin with us point, blank, period."

  "Man, I ain't no fighter," she huffed.

  "Somebody gon’ break it up. Dang, you act like she gon’ kill you," I laughed.

  "Whatever," she rolled her eyes.

  For the remainder of lunch we sat and went over our plan. This was payback for the pulled tracks, busted lip, black eye, and dislocated shoulder I suffered from her. My wounds were able to heal but hers would be permanent. With any luck they would ship her ass away from the East for good. I was so sick of the butch bitch.

  The bell rang and we got up and blended in with the crowd of teens in search of their last period. We made it to the 1700 building and watched as Bobby kissed Cray and walked off to his next class.

  "How sweet," I gushed, clapping my hands.

  "What do you want Cookie?"

  "Is that how you talk to your friend?" I asked Cray looking her up and down.

  Jealousy ran through my body as I sized her up. She was already fly, but fucking with Bobby she was upgraded to a top-notch bitch. Her Burberry jeans hugged her body, and the burnt orange crop top displayed her diamond belly button ring. Her feet sat pretty in a pair of burnt orange Gucci gladiator sandals and her hair was flawlessly curled, reaching down to her ass. Fish was looking fly.

  "What do you want Cookie? I have a test to take." She flipped her hair over her shoulders displaying a nice diamond ring that was placed on her ring finger.

  "Ohhh, nice ring."

  "Thanks, my boyfriend gave it to me," she smirked.

  “Your boyfriend huh?" I smirked.

  "That’s what I said."

  "Umm, did your boyfriend tell you he almost fucked his best friend?"

  "What?" she asked confused.

  "Answer me this, the night of homecoming dance when you called Bobby did he answer?" I smiled. "Let me answer that for you, no. Why? Because he was in bed with Diamond popping that cherry. Um, you got a ring and she got a matching Rolex. Sounds like y'all sharing that nigga to me," I popped a bubble in her face.

  The look on her face was priceless. Natasha laughed, and we high fived. Cray pulled out her phone texting someone who I assumed was Bobby. Flipping my 30-inch weave, I walked away and entered my last period class with a huge smile on face.

  Chapter 10

  Diamond

  I've been texting Bobby for the last three hours and he wasn't replying nor was he answering the phone. It was nearing my curfew so I finished up selling the last of my rocks and went to the bus stop. I spotted Tommy talking to some chick. Swallowing my pride, I went to ask him of Bobby's whereabouts.

  "Yo Tommy, have you seen Bobby?"
/>   "Nah." He offered me the blunt he was puffing on.

  Taking two big pulls I handed it back to him.

  "You need a ride home?"

  "Nah I'm gucci," I said taking a seat on the bench at the bus stop.

  Bobby: Why would you run your mouth about what happened?

  Me: Huh?

  Bobby: Where you at?

  Me: Waiting on the bus, by the spot.

  Bobby: Chill. I'm OMW.

  Tapping my fingers on my phone, I racked my brains trying to figure out what he was talking about. The bus pulled up in front of me and I waved it off. I was so tied up in my thoughts that I didn't notice Bobby sitting next to me.

  "I just spent the last three hours trying to convince Cray not to leave me."

  "Okay."

  "Why would you tell Cookie of all people what happened between us the night of homecoming?" he sighed.

  "Really? Since when I started fucking with Cookie like that to tell her some shit like that?" I snapped.

  "Cookie went back telling Cray all types of shit, so you had to be running your mouth."

  "I only told Star and Sky, but they don't fuck with Cookie's ass either," I admitted.

  "Why would you run your mouth about us Dee, knowing I'm in a relationship?"

  "Excuse me?" I whipped my head around so that I was facing him. "I am a girl who will discuss her feeling to her friends. How Cookie found out is beyond me but don't come at me with that shit! I ain't force you to get in bed with me, eat my pussy, or to tell me you loved me! You did all that on your own. Did you think of your girlfriend then? No. So get the fuck out my face with all that shit before I take off on your bitch ass," I yelled, jumping up in a fighting stance.

  Just then another bus rolled up. Grabbing my book bag, I mugged Bobby before hopping on the bus. The entire bus ride to the group home I was heated. I couldn't believe Bobby would fix his mouth and spit some fly shit like that to me. I then started to question Sky and Star's loyalty. They were the only ones I opened up to about Bobby.

  I walked inside the group home fuming and liable to fuck some shit up. Flogging my book bag filled with money and weed on the floor, I paced the room. Brooklyn walked in on some funny shit but I ignored her ass.

  "What's wrong with you Diamond?" she smirked.

  "Leave me the fuck alone!" I snapped.

  "What's wrong, Bobby cut you off?" she laughed. "Too bad you didn't get a chance to taste the dick. Mmm, Bobby sure does have some good dick," she taunted me.

  I felt my blood pressure rise as I tried my hardest to keep calm. I was about to walk out of the room and smoke me a joint until her voice had me turning around.

  "What the fuck did you say?" I asked getting in her face.

  "I overheard you telling the twins how you felt about Bobby; too bad he chose her over you. Get over it."

  "So you told Cookie?"

  "I sure did with your fake ass. You knew she was feeling Bobby, but you tried to fuck him anyways, nasty ass hoe."

  Seeing red, I charged her and began fucking her ass up. She started screaming as I dragged her across the room by her hair, until we were in the middle of the floor. Tossing her down, I straddled her and began raining blows down on her face.

  "Dumb bitch," I yelled out.

  "Help me somebody, help me, please," she cried out as I began banging her head in the ground.

  All the hurt Bobby caused me, built up and I was taking it all out on her.

  "That's enough," Ms. Shell said snatching me off of the pathetic bitch.

  Blood was all over my shirt and knuckles.

  "Diamond, what the fuck," Ms. Shell snapped tossing me to the side, reaching down to make sure Brooklyn was okay.

  "Go in my office now!" she yelled at me.

  My chest was still heaving up and down as I paced Ms. Shell's medium sized office. I focused on the pictures on her wall to try to calm me down. Tears flooded my eyes as I spotted a picture of her, her husband and kids. Why couldn't I have that perfect family? Why did my mother have to be such a dumb ass bitch? I didn't even know who my father was because of her. I slid down on the floor and cried out all of my hate and frustrations.

  I heard the door open and close and I felt hands wrap around me. The smell of Chanel perfume tickled my nose as a pair of warm hands started rubbing my back in attempt to soothe me. We sat on the floor in silence until a knock on the door interrupted us.

  "One moment please," Ms. Shell called out. "Diamond?" she said turning to me.

  "Brooklyn told me you jumped on her because she threatened to tell me that you were dealing drugs, is that true?" she asked in a calm voice.

  "What? Wait, no."

  "Before you lie to me I have cops searching your things now."

  "Oh my God," I cried out.

  The amount of drugs and money I had was enough to put me away for a long time. I was only sixteen and I could possibly be facing jail time. Why was my life so fucked up? I couldn't catch a fucking break even if one was thrown at me!

  "Diamond baby, when I open up this door I don't know what's going to happen to you, but I want to let you know this is not the end. Whatever demons you're battling I want you to give them all to God. God has the ability to turn everything around for you only if you trust in him to do so," she said as she began softly praying to me.

  She gave me one last hug then opened the door where three officers stood, ready to haul me off to jail.

  "Diamond, you are under the arrest for drug trafficking. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense," the officer said slapping cuffs around my wrist.

  I held my head down in embarrassment, as I walked down the hallway with officers escorting me out. Sky and Star had tears in their eyes while Brooklyn wore a smirk that I wanted to stomp off her face.

  "I'll take her in," Captain Pete called out.

  I wondered why Captain Pete ended up on every scene I was linked to. Shrugging it off, the officer sat me in the back of his Charger and slammed the door shut. I looked up and saw Bobby staring in my face wearing a look of concern. I didn't want him to see the tears that threatened to fall, so I put my head down.

  "Diamond, what did you get yourself into?" Captain Pete said as he drove away.

  (Silence)

  I wasn't really in the mood to speak, so I just sat there with my head hung allowing my tears to fall.

  "I'm going to do my best to help you," he said.

  "Why?" I choked out.

  "You remind me so much of my daughter," he said looking at me through the visor.

  When we made it to the police station, I was fingerprinted and my mug shot was taken. The guards searched me, lead me to the shower and handed me an ugly tan jump suit to change into. I sat in a cold room with my hands handcuffed to a table, and waited for someone to walk in.

  Captain Pete walked in followed by a lady dressed in a grey pants suit. She pushed her glasses down over her eyes, sat her briefcase down and took a seat in front of me. She popped a piece of peppermint candy in her mouth, cleared her throat and then spoke.

  "Diamond, Captain Pete called in a favor for you so I am here to negotiate. You have two options. You can tell us who you are working for and walk away scot-free or you can take a plea bargain. You will plead guilty and serve two years in a juvenile facility."

  "I take the plea." I didn't want to get Bobby or his uncle into any trouble, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.

  "Loyalty," she smiled pulling out paperwork for me to sign.

  She went over everything and explained to me what taking the fall for this crime meant. She also went on to say that I was lucky some of the evidence magically disappeared, that was why I was able to get such a minor charge and plea. After signing two years of my life away, I waited for the guards to escort me to my cage.<
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  Chapter 11

  Zoe

  "Tanpri, pa tounen nan Amerik ak lakòz plis pwoblèm," (Please do not go back to America and cause more problems) my grandmother said as I packed my things.

  The bus was scheduled to pick me up and take me to the airport in ten minutes. I was ready to touch down and cause hell. I heard since the death of my father and my deportation, that Bobby and his uncle was running my block. I don't know what the fuck these yanks (Americans) had going on, but that shit wasn't going to fly with me.