“I don’t want anything.” Last night she was eating like she hadn’t eaten in days and now today she doesn’t want anything.
“At least get some orange juice baby girl.” She allowed the waitress to bring her that, but she was still looking depressed as fuck. Hell, she was starting to bring me down she was so out of it. Realizing this trip might not have been a good idea, I decided to leave after I ate my breakfast. Shit was starting to get weird. The whole time I ate my breakfast, she just sat there and stared into space. Sosa was fucking her head up and I didn’t like it. Once I got home, I was going to let him know he had some decisions to make. If he wanted my connect, he would have to let Auri go. This was not the same girl I had met months ago. Standing up to pay for my food, I opened my wallet and all of my money was gone. Not saying a word, I just handed the waitress my card. Not understanding what would make Auri steal from me, when I had just told her I would give her some money. You would rather somebody think you’re a thief instead of a charity case. Make that shit make sense. Dropping her back off, I hugged her and headed out.
****
I was twenty minutes from the city and I was heading straight to Sosa. He had a decision to make if he wanted my empire. The ringing of my phone broke my thoughts.
“Who is this?”
“Is this Deleon Towns?” Looking down at my phone and not recognizing the number, I responded with caution.
“I’m not going to ask again before I hang up.”
“This is Doctor Ali, your mom was admitted to Christ Hospital about an hour ago. Her breathing was off and she passed out. We have her stable now and she asked us to call you.”
“I’m on the way.” Hanging up, I sped all the way to ninety fifth street. Auri would have to wait. My momma was my everything and just to think she needed me while I was away with another nigga’s girl pissed me off. Praying all the way there, I hoped she was okay.
CHAPTER 16- AURI
Walking through the halls, I felt like my world was spinning and crashing in on me. I needed another fix, but the money I had stolen from Deleon was gone. He never said anything to me, but I think he knew because I hadn’t heard from him since he left. Not really caring, all I wanted was more coke. The drugs the kids have on campus is not as potent as the stuff Sosa gives me and it was causing me to have withdrawals. Using all of my spare money, I bought the product from the kids here once my supply runs out. Barely eating, I could tell it was having an effect on my appearance. Walking in to class, I didn’t want to be here. This day needed to end as quickly as possible, but of course, the time dragged. As soon as the bell rung, I jumped up ready to get out of there and go back to my room.
“Auriana may I speak with you for a moment?” Rolling my eyes, I continued to head out the door. “Auriana, I know you hear me calling you.” Professor Winston was about to get on my nerves, standing in the exact spot that I quit walking, I waited for him to come over and talk to me. “Are you okay? Your grades have been dropping tremendously and you failed your finals. Do you know that is going to affect your GPA?” He was damn near whining.
“I have held the highest GPA since I have been here, I don’t think the last few months is going to determine anything. Are we done?” Looking horrified, he continued to speak as if I wasn’t ready to go.
“I know the pressure of graduating can be a bit tough, but don’t allow everything you worked for to go down the drain. I am going to allow you to retest for your finals, but you need to pull yourself together. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but it needs to stop now.” Snatching the test from his hands, I gave in so I could walk away.
“Fine, I’ll redo the damn test. Are we done?” Turning bright red, he nodded his head at me and went back into his classroom. Pissed that I had to redo the test, I stormed off to my room. All I wanted to do was sleep these pains away. My body was aching something awful and nothing I took made it go away. Jess, was sitting on her bed staring at me.
“Auri, you need to pull it together. Do you see what that stuff is doing to you?” What the hell, is this, lecture Auri day? I wasn’t in the mood for her shit either.
“You are the one that wanted me to party and loosen up. You are the one that wanted me to try it. You are the one that said I was boring and you didn’t like hanging out with me like that. Get the fuck over it.” Standing up off the bed, she walked up to my face.
“Don’t catch an attitude with me. I asked you to turn up with me one day, not turn into a fucking junky. Look at yourself.” Snatching my face towards the mirror, she made me take a look at what I already knew. I looked a mess. “This is not my friend, I don’t know who this person is. You are failing in your classes, you don’t eat, and your ass is around here stealing. Get your shit together before you fuck around and lose everything.” Turning back towards her, I stood my ground.
“If you could have just accepted me for who I was, then we wouldn’t be here. Now, either give me some money for another hit, or get the fuck out of my face with your hypocritical bullshit.” Looking at me as if she wanted to beat my ass, she walked out the room and slammed the door. Laying on my bed, all I could do was cry. I didn’t want to be this person, but the drug controlled my body. All I needed was Sosa anyway. He would take care of me and I didn’t have to work or go to school. He was my everything and he held the key to my next fix. I couldn’t wait until the weekend.
****
Graduation was finally here and I couldn’t be happier. I was so ready to get the fuck out of here and go live my life how I saw fit. Tired of everyone lecturing me and telling me what they think I should do, I kept my phone powered off and stayed to myself. The only person I wanted to talk to was Sosa. The thought of him gave me a high so strong, I damn near didn’t need the drugs. He was the only person I cared about coming to my graduation. The rest of them could stay the fuck at home, especially if they were going to start that nagging shit. Looking in the mirror, I realized I could have dressed up. At this point, I didn’t care what anybody else had to say and I was ready to get out of this school. Wearing jeans, a fitted t shirt, and some Jordans Sosa bought me, I walked out of the room ready for this day to be over. As soon as I walked in the gym, my teachers looked at me disgusted and I didn’t care. Grabbing my cap and gown, I put it on and sat on stage in front of the whole school. Looking in the crowds, I spotted my family, Sosa, and Deleon. Why the fuck was he here. Rolling my eyes at him, I prayed he didn’t ask me for the money back that I had stolen. After giving my Valedictorian speech, the graduation was over. I got my diploma and ripped my robe off fast as shit.
“Auri, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Looking over, this girl named KB was standing there with her hands on her hips. She was cool, but I have no idea where her attitude was coming from.
“What do you mean?”
“You acting like a whole hoe right now and it’s not cool. All year we had to hear from everyone how we had to do better to be like you and now I see you and I hate that I ever put your ass on a pedestal. You look like shit and your attitude is worse.” Walking up on her, I got pissed.
“Who the fuck do you think you are talking to? I don’t give a fuck about what you think.”
“And that’s your problem. You should give a fuck because your “real friends” allowing you to walk around and look stupid. Like I said, get your shit together before you fuck up.” As she walked off I heard her saying my bitch ass can’t even curse right why I’m trying to be tough. Shaking the shit off, I approached my family to give out fake hugs. All I really wanted was Sosa. My daddy and my mother looked sad instead of happy, and Deleon had a look of pity on his face. Not wanting to hear or deal with any of their shit, I walked straight to Sosa and hugged him.
“Hey baby, are you ready to go.” Knowing it wasn’t cool to ignore my family, I didn’t want to be around all of them judging me.
“Yeah, let’s get out of here. I got something for you too.” As we walked off, I could hear my dad calling my name. Turning around,
I answered even though I didn’t want to.
“What dad?”
“You gone act like you don’t see us here?” It was a whisper, but his tone was very firm. “Have you lost your mind? Don’t make me…”
“Don’t make you what? What the fuck are you going to do?” Sosa cut off my dead and snapped.
“Auri, are you going to stand there and let him talk to me like that?” My daddy looked hurt.
“You are a grown man, if you stood there and allowed yourself to get punked by another man that’s on you. Since you all seem to have a problem with me and my man, we are leaving.” Trying to walk off again, someone grabbed my arm. Turning around it was Deleon.
“I don’t know what happened to the Auri I met, but I hope she comes back soon. Here.” He handed me a bag and walked off to go talk to my dad. Sosa grabbed my hand and we got the fuck out of there. My life was about to change and I couldn’t wait. I was finally with the love of my life and things could only go up from here.
CHAPTER 17- SOSA
I was finally that nigga. Deleon moms was sick and he needed to focus on getting her better. Low key, I think it was him realizing Auri had changed and wasn’t going anywhere that made him let go. Two days after the graduation, he gave me the connect and I haven’t really heard from him since. That was cool with me, I was ready to knock that nigga out. He was starting to do too much, but he out the way now and I can do me. Auri ass was in love and hooked, but on today she will graduate. Her coke habit is too expensive and it was starting to put a dent in my pockets. She finally woke up and I knew the first thing she would be asking for is a hit.
“Hey baby.” Leaning in to kiss me, I knew what was coming next. “You got something for me?”
“Yeah, come here I want to show you something. Do you trust me?” Still having that innocent look on her face, she nodded. “Okay, I got you and I will never steer you wrong.” Pulling out a baggie and a pipe, I removed the crack rock I had saved just for her. This shit was just as potent, but cheaper. Placing the rock in the pipe, I took my lighter out and lit it. Putting it straight to her lips, she looked at me for reassurance. All I could do was nod my head, I wasn’t taking a hit of that shit. As soon as she inhaled, her eyes got big as shit. I knew the shit was running all through her body. After this hit, I knew there was no coming back for her. Our connect was the shit and our drugs were top notch. I knew what crack could do to a person first hand. My momma was strung out on this shit and she would do anything to get it. She used to beg me to let her give my friends blow jobs for money, but I couldn’t do it. After fucking with Courtney, I wish I had of, at least I could have controlled the situation. My momma died from Aids because she didn’t care about being careful. Had I been the nigga I was today, I would have made sure my momma was being safe and I could have got paid top dollar for it. My momma wasn’t always on drugs. I remember her being clean. She was so pretty and fun, we did everything together. She made sure I had everything, until she started messing with this nigga named Greg. She was so in love with him and at first, everything was great. He only came around on the weekends, but when he did he took us everywhere. My momma was so happy and in love. One night, I heard them arguing, he told her that he had a wife and she was starting to get suspicious of all the weekend trips. This would be his last visit. My mom was on the floor crying and begging this man to stay. He kicked her off him and walked out the door. He never came back around after that. At first, I thought my mom was just depressed. She started losing weight and then all of the notices started coming. The lights would be cut off, and then the gas, next thing you know we had an eviction notice. That’s when I started hustling. I loved my mom with my whole being and if she couldn’t take care of us, I would. No matter what I did though, all she cared about was the drugs. Once she passed away I was put in a foster home. I didn’t need to hustle anymore, but my life was pure hell living there. Greg took my mom away from me and I hated his ass with a passion for it. I vowed to find his ass one day, he had no idea what I had in store for him. Looking at Auri, she jumped her ass up and started cleaning. Laughing because I knew it was the drugs, I called Delow and decided to test out my theory.
“Hey nigga you ready to get even with me?”
“What the fuck are you talking about my nigga?”
“You were pissed at me for fucking your girl, I was just wondering if you wanted to fuck mine.” There was silence for a moment and then he responded.
“Nigga my girl was legit, your bitch over there cracked out like pookie. The fuck am I getting out of this shit?”
“Nigga you helping me out. I’m trying to see if I can gone head and proceed with my plans. I need to test it on somebody.”
“Aight damn, I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Bet, I’m going to leave and I want to see if she will bite.” Hanging up, I felt good about my life. Everything was falling into plan and I owed it all to Auri.
“Baby, go get in the shower, when I get back I need some of my pussy.”
“Wait, you’re about to leave? Are you going to leave me a hit for when I start to come down?” That’s all her ass cared about now days.
“I don’t have anymore. I’m gone try and get some while I’m out.” Looking like she had an attitude, she went and took her shower. Using that as my exit, I left out the door. Sitting in my car, I waited until Delow pulled up and told him to go knock on the door. Giving him five minutes, I went around back and eased in the back door. I could hear them talking, but I had to move closer to make out what they were saying.
“He gone and you want this bag, so what you gone do for it.” Delow ass didn’t have no damn game. She wasn’t gone go for that shit.
“What do you mean what am I going to do?” She damn near whined it out.
“I just came off the block, ain’t no more out there. When he gets back he won’t have shit and your ass gone be jonesing. So, if you want this bag, you have to show me how much.” She got quiet and I waited to see if she was gone go off on his ass. When I didn’t hear her respond at all, I peeked around the corner to see what was going on. Delow had pulled his dick out and was caressing it. She got down on her knees and took him in her mouth. She was going to work for that bag. My girl was sucking his dick so good, my shit got brick hard. Wanting to go knock her ass out for giving in that easy, but I calmed down remembering the plan. Delow was moaning and screaming like a bitch. Nigga thought I was playing when I said she was turned out. I trained the fuck out her ass for this reason right here. She was going to make me a fortune.
“Bend over, I want some of that pussy.” Delow ass wasn’t worried about her being a junky now. Grabbing a condom, he slid in and the nigga was acting like he was about to cum right then. Walking closer to the room, I pulled out my phone and took pictures just in case I ever needed them. Making sure to get the crack in the pic, I decided to let the nigga nut before I interrupted this shit. This nigga didn’t last longer than five minutes and I was glad. They had a nigga sitting here feeling like a perv watching they ass. As soon as he got his last grunt out, I spoke up.
“This what the fuck you do when I’m not home?” She jumped up looking terrified.
“Baby I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Tears were flowing from her eyes.
“You didn’t mean to suck his dick and then bend over and let him hit? I’m confused on how the fuck that’s an accident.” I looked at Delow letting him know it was his turn. We couldn’t make it look like a set up.
“Nigga, I came over here looking for you and she was asking for a bag. You know I’m not giving shit up free, so I made the bitch work for it.” He gave me the ammo I needed.
“So that’s what you doing? You out here fucking niggas for a hit? Well that’s what your ass gone be doing from now on. Every hit your ass get you gone work for it.”
“What you mean work for it?”
“Exactly what you were just doing. You gone fuck whoever I tell you to fuck and work off your debt and if you try to leave and
go elsewhere, I got pictures. No job will ever hire you and I’ll make sure nobody in the city supply you with anything. You want to be a hoe and fuck for a bag then let’s get paid for it. Save your nigga some money.” Looking over at Delow this nigga was just standing there with his shit hanging.
“Nigga you can put your dick up and get the fuck out my shit now.” Laughing, he fixed his self and walked out.
“Baby I don’t want to have sex with nobody else.” Whining was not going to get her out of this shit.
“But you already did, all I’m asking is you do it to make it easier for us. If you love me like you say you do, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Do you love me Auri?”
“Yes, I do.” She admitted while dropping her head.
“Then help me help you. All you will have to do is what you did today. Not only will you get your hit, but we will get paid.” Knowing she really didn’t want to do it, but what choice did she have. I had her stuck in between a pipe and a hard place.
“Okay.” Getting excited, this shit was going easier than I thought. She didn’t have a back bone in her body.
“You will start going with me to the trap from now on. That’s where we will do business. You will never fuck another nigga in this house again. Do you understand?” Shaking her head yes, I reached in my pocket and gave her the crack. As she flamed up, I hit my weed. She was so amped about getting the bag, she didn’t even realize that Delow had played her. He told her ass when I came back I wouldn’t have a bag for her. The funny thing is, she knew I was a damn drug dealer. Why the fuck wouldn’t I have my own supply. She was so busy trying to get high she wasn’t even thinking. As smart as she was, these drugs had her dumb than a mother fucker.
Addicted to His Pain: A Standalone Novel Page 6