All her life, Rosa was moved from foster home to foster home. She had no parents to speak of that she could remember, and all he had left was a brother. Rosa took a deep breath as entered her new house. Her brother had finally taken her in, and she moved in quickly. He lived in Woodcrest, a typically white neighborhood that she swore she had heard of before. His name was Gin Rummy, and he was a war hero to these people. He and his 'associate' went into the army together and came back from Afghanistan unharmed.
She knew exactly what was going to happen now. Everyone was going to look at her and compare her to him. She didn't want that, but what choice did she have? She had no ties to this place. She rolled her eyes and scoffed. Not even 5 minutes in, and she already hated it. She went upstairs, bypassing her brother and his friend, and put all of her things down in an empty room with a bed. She made this place her room, and she sat on the bed, sighing as she looked out the window.
She turned around to see Rummy and his red haired friend. She knew that she'd heard his name many times throughout the neighborhood, but it always escaped her. This time was no different. They both looked at her, smiling. She scowled at them both.
"What the hell are you two looking at?" she asked.
They looked at each other and laughed loudly.
"Oh man, Rummy she is definitely your little sister! She'll get along with the others real fast!" said the red head.
"I know, right? She wouldn't be my sister if she couldn't!" said Rummy.
The two left her room, making her roll her eyes at them. She sighed. How long would she be here? How long before Rummy kicked her out, she wondered. Would she ever make a friend? She opened her window, looking out at all the suburbia. It only bored her more.
"Heyyyyy!" she heard from down below.
She looked down to see a young girl, about her age, with long wavy reddish hair. She waved up to Rosa, with a smile on her face. She motioned Rosa to come downstairs. Rosa was skeptical of the new girl, but if it was a potential friend, what did she have to lose? She went downstairs, passing by Rummy and Ed again.
She went outside to see the girl, and she held out her hand. Rosa took it, shaking her hand.
"You must be new huh? I'm Angelica. Call me Angel. I'm new too, you know." she said.
"I'm...Rosa."
"Don't talk much? Ah, that's okay. I feel like we could become friends, you know? I haven't really seen any other kids around here, and I was about to explore the neighborhood when I saw you open your window. So, when did you get here?"
"Just now. I...uh...came from a foster home. My brother finally decided to adopt me... and I usually talk, it's just...I don't know what to say...I mean...we just met. But I would love to be...friends." said Rosa.
"You mean that guy that lives here is your brother? Which one, the blond or the crazy red-head?"
"The blond. I just met the red head. His grandfather apparently owns this whole neighborhood."
Angel's mouth dropped as she looked farther into Rosa's house.
"You mean that red head is Ed the III? The Ed the III?!" asked Angel.
"I guess? I don't know...is he famous?" asked Rosa.
"Is he famous? Ed Wuncler owns this whole place! How could you live here and not know him? He's like, the godfather of this place. And, by the way..."
Angel looked Rosa up and down, making her confused. She palmed her ass, and Rosa jumped forward, blushing as she glared at Angel.
"What's the big idea, touching me without permission?!" she asked.
"Oh, I just do that. You'll get used to it quick. But girl...I gotta question. Everything about you is black. You even got an ass! How the hell is that blond guy your brother?"
Rosa looked herself over. She had it all. Black skin, hazel eyes, black hair that she put into a thick braid that went down her back, and her butt was indeed above average size. She shrugged.
"I don't know. He's just my brother. He's always been my brother. We have the same parents, and I've never questioned anything." said Rosa.
"I think it's cool. I'm an only child, and my parents are asses. They always move me from place to place, and I've never been able to make any friends. They told me this time was different. I guess I believe them. I mean, this place is white paradise. They even have their own snitching club."
"A...snitching club?"
"Yeah, they call it the 'neighborhood watch'. I've heard of them before, but I've never actually seen a place have the balls to do it." said Angel.
"Hey Rosa!" called Rummy from inside the house.
Rosa turned to go inside, and Angel followed her in. Rosa looked at her, confused.
"Uh...you don't have to follow me in, you know."
"Sure I do! My parents don't give a shit as long as I don't get arrested, pregnant, or strung out on drugs. Besides, your brother should meet your friend, right?"
Rosa thought about it. Her first friend. Sure, Angel was a little weird, but it seemed that she was after the same goal. Having a friend. She went into the living room, seeing her brother and the red-head in question.
"Hey. Who's the bitch?" asked Ed.
"Excuse me?" asked Angel.
"You heard me, bitch! I asked who the hell you are! I wasn't bein rude or nuthin! I just generally wanted to know who the fuck was runnin up into my boy's house!"
"Ed, calm down. It's just that new girl who lives around the corner. What was your name again?" asked Rummy a little more politely.
"Angel. I'm Rosa's friend, and I thought I should introduce myself, seeing as I'll be probably visiting often."
"Rosa's friend? I never thought she would have made one so fast."
"Shut-up. I can make friends..." said Rosa.
"Well alright. I'm Gin Rummy, Rosa's brother. Nice to meet you, I guess. Now, if you're new, you don't know the other kids around here, do you?" asked Rummy.
"So there are other kids around here?" asked Angel.
"Sure there are! Riley and his brother...that boy Caesar, Jazmine...and that girl Cindy. Shit, I'm surprised you don't know em. When did you get here again?" asked Ed.
"Give me a break! I only got here a week ago. I haven't seen anybody." said Angel.
"Well, maybe they know a bitch when they see one. They were always smart asses, all of em." said Ed.
"Hey! I'm not a bitch! What are you, stupid?!"
Ed stood up, eyeballing Angel. Angel looked unfazed, as did Rummy. Rosa panicked a little, seeing the gun in Ed's pants.
"What in the hell did you just call me bitch?!"
"S-T-U-P-I-D! Can't you spell?! I guess not!"
"Man, Rummy. You better get this bitch! I'm not finna let her keep dissin me! I don't give a fuck who this bitch thinks she is."
"I'm the 'bitch' whose about to smack the shit outta you if you keep calling me a bitch!" said Angel.
"I wish you would bitch!"
All of a sudden, a swift smack was heard througout the house. Ed face turned about as red as his hair as Angel left a reddening mark on the right side of his face. He jumped at her, but Rummy held him down as he shouted many obscenities and curse words at her. Rosa took Angel upstairs and locked her in her room.
"Why did you have to do that?!" she asked.
"What, slap the stupid out of him? I was only playing around, c'mon. If I really smacked him, he would have done more than just jump at me, believe me." said Angel.
"Well, it didn't seem like you were playing to me. Ed has a gun! You should be more careful!"
"Aww, what? You're worried about me? Well, don't. I'm fine, and that fucker won't lay a hand on me without getting fucked up first."
"But..."
"Hey. The only thing that matters is that your brother was cool with me. That means I'm in! I hope you got an extra blanket, cuz I'm not gonna wanna go anywhere!" said Angel.
She jumped in Rosa's empty bed, relaxing.
"But why? I mean...I'm guessing that you're bored. And I'm guessing that it must have been lonely being here by yourself, but just inviting yourself into someones house isn't really a way to relieve boredom." said Rosa.
"To be honest, I just took a chance. You seem cool enough, and your brother is already cool with me staying here. I promise it won't be as weird as it seems.
Rosa looked at her, still confused, but slightly relieved at the same time. This was her friend, at least thats what she thought. Surely this girl wouldn't just come over and occupy her bed if she wasn't her friend, right?
The last few days were heaven to Rosa. Angel made her laugh, and she held her own against Ed III, who Rosa was convinced was deranged. Angel helped Rosa arrange her things accodringly, and Rummy even found Rosa an extra bed at her and Angels request. Angel was tired of sleeping on the floor.
A week went by, and Angel eventaully had to go home to get more clothes. Just in time too, seeing as Rosa had just about enough of her and Ed's squabbling. She was laying in her bed, reading. She had headphones in her ears, and she was tuning out the whole world. She was listening to her favorite song by Toto.
I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's coming in twelve-thirty flight
Her moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say: "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you-
All of a sudden, she felt a sudden tug in her foot that startled her. It was only Rummy, trying to get her attention. She took her music out.
"What?" said Rosa.
"Is Angel coming back?" asked Rummy.
"Probably. Why does it matter to you? She's my friend."
"Is she? Shit, from the way I've seen things...she invited herself in this house."
"I know you aren't talking. Ed III comes over anytime he wants. And he's fucking deranged. But if Angel comes over, all of a sudden it's a problem."
"Calm down with all that language. I ain't say all that. All I was tryna tell you was to watch yourself. Ed's a fool I've known since highschool. You've only known this Angel girl for a week and all of a sudden, she's moving in here."
"She's lonely. She's an only child, plus her parents don't give a shit about her. Excuse her for seeing a person she wanted to be friends with, and going for it."
"Would you calm down? I ain't tellin ya ya have to quit talkin to her."
"Then what the hell are you saying?" asked Rosa.
"First of all, I'm tellin you to watch your tone. I'm still in charge of you, whether you like it or not. It wasn't my first choice to have you here, but I damn sure am gonna make sure you taken care of."
"Listen Gin. I know you don't want me. But you're all I got, unfourtunately. If I had a choice, I wouldn't be here either. So we may as well get along until I turn 18. And trust me, that day could not get here any faster." stated Rosa, who got up from her bed, offended.
"Oh, come on Rosa...that's not what I meant..." started Rummy.
Rosa shook her head, throwing her book at his head. It hit her bed with a thud, barely missing his head. He ducked anyway, calling out to his younger sister. She ignored him, going outside. She meant to sit on the porch and wait for Angel, but she ran into her and another girl who was knocking at her door. She had tanned skin, and lighter colored hair in an afro puff. She smiled sweetly at Rosa, and extended her hand out to her.
"Hey Rosa. I was on my way back over, when I ran into this girl! She's one of the others that Ed was talking about...I think she said her name was..." started Angel.
"Jazmine. Jazmine DuBois. You must be the other new girl. It's nice to meet you. Your name is Rosa, right?" said Jazmine.
"It is. You know the others in this neighborhood?" said Rosa.
"I'm dating one, if that's what you mean."
"Um no? I was asking if you know the others..."
"Oh. Whatever. I can introduce you guys if you want. We don't usually hang around here, but I've seen you and Angel hanging around here, so I thought maybe you'd be cool." said Jazmine.
"Yeah! So, she's gonna take us to meet the others!" said Angel excitedly.
Rosa shrugged and followed the two out of her house. Jazmine smiled at Rosa.
"So, when did you get here? Angel was telling me she got here 2 weeks ago." asked Jazmine.
"I got here last week. My brother's been here forever though. He just recently got that house over there just because I was coming." said Rosa.
"You mean Rummy? That's why he bought that house? That's your brother? My parent's were trying to convince me that there were new people in that house. Well, my parents and I live next door to you. You'll both meet them soon enough. My dad loves new neighbors."
"My parents hate meeting new people. It's a miracle that they found each other. I swear, they'd be happy for their whole entire lives if they stayed in the house all day and didn't talk to anyone but each other." said Angel.
"Are your parent's really that bad?" asked Rosa.
"Why do you think I go to your house?"
"That's what you two have been doing? Staying at Rosa's? Why didn't you come out and try and find us yourself?" asked Jazmine.
"We were gonna, after I checked in with my parents. We were getting bored. And I'm sure that Rosa was done with hearing me argue with Ed the III." said Angel.
"More than done." said Rosa.
"Oh, are you guys going to our highschool after the summer? Are you guys even our age?" asked Jazmine.
"I'm 16 years old. Junior in highschool." said Rosa.
"Yeah, so am I. What about y'all?" asked Angel.
"I'm a junior too. So are Huey and Caesar. Riley's freshman though. And Cindy's a sophomore."
Jazmine walked them up to a hill, where the others were sitting against the tree. There was a boy with a very big afro, reading a very thick book. There was a boy there with dreadlocks, playing on his phone. There was a boy with cornrows, leaning up against a white girl with blonde hair.
"Hey guys. I brought the new girls. Angel and Rosa." said Jazmine.
The boy with the corn rows was the first one to stand up and look at them. He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Man, why the hell you bring these bitches here?! They don't look like they could hang! Ain't chu Rummy's sister? " asked the boy.
"I am. What about it?" asked Rosa.
"Im sorry...rewind that for a second. What did you just call us?" asked Angel.
"Angel, we don't need any problems..."
"Apparently one of these bitches is deaf too. I called you a bitch. What the fuck you gon do about it?" he asked.
Before they all knew it, Angel had the small boy in a headlock, choking the life out of him. The afro and dread head looked up at them. The afro boy sighed and shook his head. The dread head got up and pried the boy out of her strong grip. The blonde stood up too, facing Angel.
"You betta raise up off my man!" she exclaimed.
"You better tell yo 'man' to mind his damn manners!" fired Angel.
The blonde scoffed and picked up the boy, them walking back down the hill. Jazmine sighed and sat next to the afro boy. The dread head extended his hand out to the girls. Angel rolled her eyes, but Rosa smiled and took it.
"Hey. I'm Micheal. Caesar in these streets. Don't mind Riley and Cindy. They just real ignorant. You don't need to hang out with them anyway. We're the cool ones." said Caesar.
"I'm Rosa. Rosa Rummy. Nice to meet you." said Rosa.
"So, you are Rummy's sister. Are you a mindless ignorant hell raiser too?" asked the afro boy from his book.
"No? I thought my brother was a hero to everyone. I thought I was the only one who thought him and his...friend were stupid."
He skeptically looked at Rosa, stood up, and extended his hand as well. Rosa took it.
"Huey. Huey Freeman. All bullshit aside, it is nice to see some more color in this neighborhood." he said.
"Freeman...I've heard that name before..."
"I'm sorry?"
"Oh, it's nothing...it's just...I can't shake the feeling that I may have met you before..."
"I don't think so. I would have remembered meeting another seemingly intelligent black person in this place."
Micheal smirked and winked at Angel. She scoffed and looked at him skeptically.
"And just what the hell are you smirking at?" asked Angel.
"Hey, calm down girl. I ain't Riley. There ain't no beef here." said Caesar.
"I got a name."
"Yeah? And I'm starting to see why Riley kept calling you by it."
"What did you say?!"
Angel and Caesar continued their squabbling, all the while Jazmine and Rosa were witnessing it. Huey continued reading. Rosa glanced at his book and smiled.
"That's a good book. I finished it last summer, and theres a book similar to it that I would recommend." said Rosa.
Huey looked from the book hopefully.
"You've read this?"
"Of course. I love to read. To be honest, if it hadn't been for Angel, I'd be inside. Most likely reading."
"Where did you say you were from?" he asked.
"I didn't, but I was born in Chicago. I had to start moving when I was 5."
Huey looked at her shocked.
"We came from Chicago too. Me and my brother. I never thought..."
"So, Angel! Where are you from?" interupted Jazmine, who was cluching onto Huey and glaring at Rosa.
Rosa looked confused as to why Jazmine was being so rude, but then it hit her. Huey must have been the one she's dating. Rosa rolled her eyes as she realized that Jazmine was just being jealous. Angel scoffed at Jazmine's question.
"I'm from Brooklyn. Shit, can't you tell?" asked Angel.
Caesar looked at her in disbelief.
"There's no way someone like you came from Brooklyn. That's got to be a joke." said Caesar.
"Uhm, no the fuck it isn't. Now, what would have been a joke is you telling me you're from Brooklyn." said Angel.
"I am from Brooklyn. Born and raised girl, what the hell you mean?!"
Angel looked at him skeptically, but extended her hand out to him. He took it questionally.
"Look, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. Anyone that comes from Brooklyn ain't never been bad. So let's start over. I'm Angelica. But call me Angel, or I'll whup yo ass." said Angel.
"You backwards as hell girl. But I dig it. Caesar, as you know. Nice to meet you, Angel. I mean, you and Rosa seem cool as hell to me."
"Thanks, but niether me nor Rosa need approval from any of you, but to be honest, you all seem to be pretty cool yourselves."
"Nice you meet you too Angel. I thought Caesar would never meet another person from his hometown. It's all he used to annoy us about as kids." said Huey.
"Man, shut up Huey. I wasn't that bad. I mean Brooklyn always has to represent Brooklyn. It's a fact of life." said Caesar.
"He ain't never lied about that one. It was almost passed as a law when I left." said Angel.
"Angel, stop making shit up." said Rosa.
"I'm not! I'm so serious! It was almost passed, expect anyone who didn't live in Brooklyn would be annoyed."
"Somehow, I believe it." said Huey.
"Well, don't we have things to do Huey? I mean, school starts next week, and we still have to...prepare for it." said Jazmine.
"Oh yeah! Huey, she's right. We got shit to do, but uh...yeah, nice meeting y'all. And stay up, Brooklyn. I'll definitely be seeing you around." said Caesar.
"Fo sho, Caesar." said Angel.
Rosa looked at them stupidly as Angel and Caesar shook hands happily. Jazmine was already down the hill, and Angel and Caesar were on their way too. Rosa went to go too, when her wrist was caught back by Huey.
"Listen Rosa. I want to apologize for my girlfriend. She has this...annyoing tendency to be jealous around other girls." said Huey.
"I've dealt with jealousy before. It's not new to me, and you don't have to apologize for her. Despite this, it was nice to meet you, Huey. You seem pretty interesting. I can tell you have a good taste in reading" said Rosa.
"Yeah, you seem pretty interesting too. Listen, I hang here almost everyday. Without everyone else. I mean, they don't always come. If you show up here, I wouldn't mind. Welcome to the neighborhood. I do have one more question though."
"What is it?"
"Who on earth told you that Ed and Rummy were war heroes? Everyone knows that they're idiots."
"The guy who owns this place. Ed's grandfather."
"Do me a favor, and never believe anything he says. He's the white supremacist in this place."
"Supremacist? So you're pro-black huh? That's really cool."
"You acutally care about the cause?" asked Huey.
"Well, yeah. Any black person should. I mean, this is suburbia. We're sitting ducks in a sea of white. If I had the chance, I'd go back to Chicago." said Rosa.
"Heh...me too. That's all me and my brother talk about. Don't mind him by the way, he's not as dumb as he acts. He's just a bunch of wasted talent."
"Who, Riley? I'm not worried about him either. A few months at that white highschool should fix him, right?"
"You'd think so. But if I know him, he'll be proud of the fact that all the white people 'fear' us. Seeing as it's been that way since we moved here, theres no telling him differently."
"Really? It's that bad here? Great. Another reason to hate this place."
"My grandad always said that we'd all find reasons why we were happy to have moved here. But he's an old fool sometimes. Sometimes, I don't believe he believes the stuff that comes out of his mouth."
"Maybe he's right. Maybe we should optimistic about this place. Rummy's all I got, so maybe I should hold out for him. He didn't have to take me after all."
"You do what you want. I will forever hate this place. I've been here since I was 10, and not one good thing has ever happened to me, my family, or even Caesar and Jazmine. This place is worse than prison. " said Huey bitterly.
"If you say so, Huey. You know, I hate it here too. Probably not as much as you, but if I make one phone call, I can be onto the next foster home if I wanted out."
"It's not that easy for me. My family's all I got. Well, anyway...I'll be going now. My girlfriend was right, I have some stuff to take care of before school starts." said Huey.
Huey walked down the hill, Rosa right behind him. Angel was wating for her on the bottom. She nodded her head at Huey, him doing the same as he walked past her. Angel wrapped an arm around Rosa.
"Girl, what the hell took you so long? Were you up there talking to Huey? Is he really that interesting, cuz he seems boring as fuck to me. But then again, I wouldn't be able to tell shit, seeing as his girlfriend kept his ass on lock." said Angel.
"I was up there talking to Huey. He's actually very interesting. He's pro-black, and he reads." said Rosa.
"Interesting. For a nerd." chuckled Angel.
Angel and Rosa began walking home together, Rosa grumbling at Angel. Huey wasn't that much of a nerd. And if she found him interesting, what did that make her?
"So, what do you think about the others?" asked Rosa, changing the subject.
"Well, obviously Cindy and Riley are fucking kids. Jazmine seemed cool, but that jealousy is not cute. Huey just seems boring, but maybe that's because I didn't really hear him say anything cool. The only dude I could hang with is Caesar."
"Is it because he's from Brooklyn?"
"Damn right it is. Brooklyn hangs out with Brooklyn. But other than that, he's kinda cool."
"I couldn't tell, what with you arguing with him through most of it."
"Girl, havent you realized that that's how I make friends?! Me and Ed III are tight! Hell, we fight everyday!" said Angel.
"So then, what does that make me? We almost never fight."
"That just makes us really good friends. I mean, just because that's how I make friends, doens't mean I don't know how to do it the normal way. Silly girl."
"You fooled the hell outa me Angel...anyway, did you ever get your stuf from your parents house?"
"Oh, shit. Nope. Jazmine cornered me on my way in, so nope. I'll be right back then." said Angel.
The two girls separated and Angel went into her house. Rosa went into her house to see Ed and Rummy waiting for her. Towering over her. She glared at both of them.
"And just where the hell did you go? You and Angel out there starting trouble? That's the last thing I need." said Rummy.
"All I did was go out there and meet the others! I didn't start anything! I swear you only want to yell at me!"
"Ay, calm down on her Rummy man. You already done heard the story from Riley. And we both know him, he probably riled up Angel on accident." said Ed.
"Riley...but he's a kid! How do you two know Riley?"
"We've been hanging out with Riley for 6 years now. Way before you got here. Don't you think we knew these things!?" said Rummy.
"Rummy...that's stupid! You've been hanging out with him since he was 8! But that doesn't even matter. Get the hell outta my way. I'm going into my room, and don't bother me until Angel gets here."
"Damn, she coming back again?! She stay over here, I swear." said Ed.
"And? Doe's it matter to you? Nope. You don't live here, and you 'stay over here' too." said Rosa as she bulldozed past the two of them.
"Damn, man. What's wrong with yo sister?"
"Man...she think I hate her...I didn't exactly tell her I didn't neither..."
"Well damn Rummy! Why you do that!? Just last week, you couldn't wait ta see homegirl! And now you havin her think that shit?!"
"I know man...shit...I didn't mean for it to come out that way...I mean..I told her that it wasn't my first choice to have her here. I mean...I love her...lord knows I do...that girl is the only family I got. I know that. But you and I both know that I ain't the type to be takin care of no lil kids." said Rummy.
"Man, Rosa ain't lil. She about as grown as she wanna be. She just like you Rummy. You'll see. I mean, I got my lil sis...she somethin else, but I'll be damned before I let just anyone touch her." said Ed.
"Yeah, but that's different Ed. The whole neighborhood done touched her." joked Rummy.
"Man, fuck you. I go outta my way to help you out for this shit?"
"Man calm down Ed, you an I both know I was only playin."
Rummy and Ed laughed at each other as they hugged, like they usually did. Riley came out from the living room, having seen the whole thing.
"Ya'll niggas are gay." he stated, like he usually did when it came to those two.
They broke the hug, Rummy ruffling Riley's head.
"Man, shut up Riley. I need you to do me a favor."
"What? Get along wit yo sister? Shit...iunno 'bout that one Rummy...she seem like a nerd to me. The type my brother would hang wid'. Plus, I can't promise I won't try to hit. I mean she do got a ass..." started Riley, who got smacked over the head by Rummy.
"Man, I don't wanna hear none of that shit. If you smash on my sister, of even try to, I'ma beat yo lil ass! Don't think we forgot about what you did to Ed's sister." said Rummy.
"Hey, I'm a playa. I cain't help me if they ask for it, or in Ed sister's case, just straight take it. I'm Reezy. Riley Escobar, and I ain't neva been one to say no to these hoes."
Riley smiled cockily as Ed and Rummy laughed at him.
"Man, and it's because of that shit that you gone fuck around and have a damn kid, or even worse, an STD!" said Rummy.
"Nah, I don't believe that. Riley stays strapped, we both know dat! There ain't nothin wrong with chasin around skirts Rummy! Shit, that was our whole 2 years of highschool together, and we still didn't pass that shit!" said Ed.
Riley smirked at them arguing over this. Those two always did argue over pointless shit. It was like they may as well get married already! Riley snuck past them, up the stairs to Rosa's room where she was reading.
"Ay...so...wassup?" he started out.
Rosa out her book down and glared at him.
"You! What the hell are you doing in my room?!" she asked.
"Tryna get some ass, what it look like?" he replied sarcastically.
"Cute. I'm assuming Rummy told you to come up here?"
"Chil girl. I'm tryna introduce myself. I guess Rummy think I was bein too mean to ya when we was at da hill."
"And how would he have found out about that I wonder. You weren't mean. Ignorant, hell yes. But honestly, I've been intimidated by dogs fiercer than you."
"What you tryna say?! I'ma punk?! Damn, that's kinda cold girl. I was tryna come up here so we could squash all dat shit."
"For what? Cuz my brother told you to?"
"Nah. Well, yeah. But maybe I shouldn't...you know...judge you yet. Shit, for all I know, you a coldhearted gangsta like my girl C-Murph." said Riley.
Rosa looked at skeptically, but put out her fist. Riley pounded it with a cocky smirk on his face.
"Fine. So, you're Huey's brother huh?" asked Rosa.
"Yeah, but I ain't a gay ass hater like that nigga."
"Doesn't he have a girlfriend?"
"Yeah, but that sho don't make him not gay. Just like me holdin down C-Murph don't mean I'm not checkin you out right now."
Maybe Rosa didn't hear him correctly, but she could have sworn Riley just tried to flirt with her. Before she could even respond, he was pulled out by Rummy, who closed her door.
"He wasn't bothering you was he? He's a lil boy. Puts his dick in everything these days. He didn't try and smash did he?" asked Rummy.
"No Gin. Why are you even in here?"
"I just wanted to say sorry...for you know...sounding like I ain't want you here. That's not what I was tryna say."
"It's fine Gin. Just get out. Did Angel come or not?"
"Yeah, she here. But we talkin right now. Rosa, you know I love you, don't you?"
"Of course I know that. And I love you. You're my brother, even when you annoy the shit out of me. Trust me, I had many reasons to hate you, but I'm not going to. You mean to me to than that. You just don't know it."
Rummy nodded, and let Angel back in. she had a big duffel bag full of things. She smiled sweetly at Rosa.
"Hey. Why the hell is Riley here?" asked Angel.
"Apparently he hangs out with Ed and Rummy." said Rosa.
"What?! But he's way younger than us! They so damn childish! Talking about hanging around with little kids."
"Apparently they've been hanging out with Riley since he was 8."
"What the fuck?! Really? Were they really that bored with their lives?"
"I can't possibly describe to you what my brother was thinking. Ed neither. More Ed than Rummy."
Angel shook her head and laid down in the bed that she was given. She had turned off the light, seeing as she and Rosa preferred the dark.
"Hey Rosa?" asked Angel.
"What?"
"What was your life? Like before this bullshit place?"
"Oh, that. Foster homes, I guess. Nothing really interesing to talk about there."
"What, no one foster home kept you? That's fucked. Were you bad?"
"Kind of. I made it known that I didn't want to be there. There was one person who kept me, but I don't want to talk about her..."
"Aww, why not?"
"I haven't seen her since I was 10. She vanished. It broke my heart. Maybe one day I'll talk about her...but I haven't even told Gin about it. As if I would tell him anything anyway..."
"Why not? He's your brother, he takes care of you. He's nice enough to me." shrugged Angel.
"He wasn't always like this. In fact, to me, he's a dissappointment. He broke his promise to me, and the fact that just suddenly decided to take me in doesn't help him at all." said Rosa.
"Damn, why are you so mad at him? The fact that he eventaully brought you here to us should mean something right?"
"It don't mean shit to me. When we were little...we lost our parents...to a car crash. We had to go foster care when I was 5 and he was 15...I was so scared...I didn't want to go...he promised me...he promised that we wouldn't be separated for very long. 3 years at the most."
"You mean till his 18th birthday? That makes sense. He would have been able to legally adopt you by then. So, what happened then?"
"He...never came. I remember the first time I ever waited for him. I was 8, and the day before I was so excited because I thought he was coming to get me. He knew where I was. We always sent each other letters, so I knew he knew..."
"Damn...that's fucked up. I'm sorry girl...why didn't he come?"
"He never told me. All I knew is that I waited 11 extra years, and then all of a sudden, he was there. He found me, and adopted me on the spot. Then he arranged for me to fly over here, and here I am." said Rosa.
"So you never asked him what happened?" asked Angel.
"No. I don't want to know. It'll probably be just a lame ass excuse, and I don't need it. He let me down, that's all I know."
"That's cold. Rosa, maybe he's wating for you to ask him. Now, ain't no one saying you have to right now, but I think in the future, you should ask him. His answer might be a little different than what you were expecting."
Rosa sighed and rolled her eyes. She didn't want to believe her, but maybe she was right. Rummy maybe have had a good reason for leaving. A reason she didn't want to hear until she was ready. She turned her back to Angel, her doing the same.
She fell asleep, her last thought being curious about Huey. What could they possibly need to do before school? Maybe they liked to study early?
Boy, was she in for a suprise.