Back on my trouble shit, yeah
Ready to run with shit, yeah
Back in the vault...

:Dreezy

RICO

I looked at myself in the mirror. I had on my red Nike jacket with some ripped jeans. My Louis Vuitton belt shined on my waist. I looked in my closet and debated on which shoes to wear.

My white Roshes matched the logo, and the color of my jeans. Jordan gave them to me for my birthday last year. They were custom made. He had Kevin Gates sign them.

Jordan was living lavishly. He knew many celebrities. For his 13th birthday party, Drake performed. I didn't mind being caught up in Jordan's life. He had so many friends. When he died, it was like the rest of the world died. Celebrities mourned more than his friends.

I placed the Roshes back on the floor. I couldn't wear them today. Tonight was going to be very uncomfortable. I can feel it already. I picked up my red Nikes off the floor. I slipped them on and headed out of the door.

Amarah sat on the couch playing on her phone. She didn't even notice I had walked in. I snapped a picture of her. She jumped at the sound of the camera click.

"Rico, ya always takin pictu'as when I look bad."

"Rico,"I mocked her.

She cut her eyes at me. I gave her a bright smile that made her laugh along. She stood up and showed off her outfit. She had on latex khaki pants. They hugged her subtle curves. She had on a print fur coat over her shirt. I could tell she was trying to hide her belly, but honestly I thought it was her best feature. I snapped another picture of her while she was up.

"Ima crush ya phone if ya keep i-"

"Amarah,"I said softly, "I know you don't have my watch on."

She flexed it on her wrist. I took another picture of her. She reached for the phone but I stepped back. If looks could kill, I would've been long gone..

"I wanna hurt ya lanky ass,"She mumbled. She looked me up and down but didn't say anything. She put her hand on her chin and began to process me. "What tha fuck ya got on?"

I flexed my outfit. I didn't usually dress like this. I always wore polos and dress pants. My style was fresh, but classy. This was just fresh.

"You don't like my outfit?"

"This nigga just said outfit...alright Rico let's go. I'm not tryna hurt ya feelings ta'night."

She placed her hand in mine. I led her out of the door. She hummed some song as we walked down the sidewalk. We passed my car, and I felt her yank my arm.

"Aren't we going ta a restaurant with ya mama and daddy?"

I nodded slowly. She scrunched up her face.

"Shouldn't we be gettin in tha ca'e?"

I chuckled, "Armadillo, you don't trust me? We'll be there in less than five minutes."

She looked down at her feet, "These shoes were not made for long walking distances."

I grabbed her waist and picked her up. She shouted as I held her in my arms. I ignored her comments.

"Rico Roberts! If ya don't put me down right na' ima yank ya head off ya fucking neck!"She shouted.

I rolled my eyes. I started to run with her in my arms. She continued to shout nasty, threatening comments at me. I didn't say anything though. I was used to her threats. Honestly I wasn't scared anymore.

We arrived at my house. She looked up in amusement. I put her down as she stopped cussing me out. I looked in the driveway and noticed the cars that lined up. I cursed under my breath.

My sisters were here.

"Rico!"My mama shouted. "My baby is here."

I walked over to the door. Amarah was hot on my heels trailing me. She slipped her hand into mine as we walked into the house.

My mother pulled me in for a hug. The smell of her Chanel perfume lingered in the air. I pulled back and gave her a long stare.

She had on one of her evening gowns. Her dress fitted her body. The top was cut low. It exposed her chest. The diamonds on the top shined in the light. They trailed down to the bottom of her dress. Her Gucci heels sparkled underneath the sheer lining at her feet.

Her face was covered with makeup. She had silver eyeshadow that complimented the diamonds on her dress. Her hair was pulled back into a nice ponytail. It put her diamond earrings on display.

My mother never failed to dress. We could have a small get together, and she would dress to impress. Some days I prayed that she ended up forgetting when my graduation date is. I'd rather not have her show up like she's the one graduating.

"Mama this is my friend Amarah."

Amarah held out her hand for my mother to shake. My mother smiled and shook her hand gently.

"Good evening Mrs. Roberts. You have a lovely home,"Amarah spoke softly.

I nudged her shoulder. I never heard Amarah speak like that. It surprised me.

"Thank you sweetheart!"

"The red curtains really compliment the white carpet here."

My mother placed her hand over her chest, "Do you really think so? Gabrielle thought I should've went with the grey curtains."

"I believe the red is the perfect fit. It has such a beautiful contrast."

My mother smiled at me, "She's way better than Toni. Where did you pick up this lovely young lady?"

"This i- I mean was Jordan's girlfriend."

"I knew that name rang a bell. Jordan always had you on the tip of his tongue. I swear every conversation we had, he was talking about you."

Amarah giggled, "He was truly something else."

"I don't know how this world is going to go on without him. He was such a light in my darkness...I wish he would've left a greater piece of himself."

I looked over at Amarah. The tears were beginning to cloud her eyes. I reached down and grabbed her hand. She quickly straightened up and smiled.

"He did. I'm-"

"Rico always comes to family functions looking like a typical street thug,"A voice spoke from the living room.

My sister's face appeared from behind the wall. She had a huge smile on her face. A smile grew on my face as she ran to me. I opened my arms for her to hug me.

"Who's this new bitch?"Riley asked.

I laughed, "Riley this is my friend Amarah. Amarah, this is my sister Riley."

Riley looked her up and down. I hit Riley on her shoulder. She straightened up and smiled at her.

"Nice to meet you America."

"Riley,"My mother sternly said. "We're not doing this today."

"I'm just surprised she's black, that's all."

"Rico can talk to whoever he wants."

"And so can I,"Riley mumbled. "I don't know why you have a problem with Derek."

"Little girl don't start this in front of our guest. You and Derek can see y'all asses up out of my house."

"Uh oh,"A voice shouted from the living room. "Someone's made their mommy mad."

AMARAH

Mrs. Roberts began to walk towards the living room. Riley followed after her. Rico grabbed my hand and led me through the luxurious house.

The white carpet was spotless. The material was soft on my bare feet. Rico still had on his shoes, but I couldn't keep my on. For one they hurt, and two this carpet was way to clean.

A dark red couch was positioned in front of the tv. It was accompanied by a few end tables, and fancy end pieces. The tv sat on the mantle. Beside it was a few pictures.

I could clearly tell what pictures were of Rico. One of them was him in a tutu. His sisters stood beside him. The oldest one was unamused, while the other two were laughing.

There was a picture of him with a baseball bat. The bat was obviously too big for him, but he held it in his hands. A bright smile displayed his few missing teeth.

I ran my hand across the picture of him and Jordan. They were sitting in the dugout. Jordan had his arm around Rico's neck, and was playfully punching him. Rico was laughing.

Their smiles were genuine. Their friendship was beautiful. Jordan was the light of Rico's world. Now that's he's gone, who would lead him through the darkness?

"Hmmm,"A voice whispered behind me. "Are you and my brother are a thing?"

I laughed, "That's tha last thing we are. We just friends."

I turned around and looked the woman up and down. Her skin was pale. I could tell she was the older sister. Her blonde hair had a few grey streaks. Her face was beginning to wrinkle. She was skinny as a toothpick. Her clothes were tight on her body. It displayed her body, that had no shape.

"Good, he doesn't need a...hood rat."

"Would ya like ta repeat that?"I clenched my fist so she could clearly see it. "Ion think ya want these pro'lems girlfriend."

"My daddy knows every police officer in this city. If you touch me, they will be here faster then you can say goodbye."

"Ya think I'm sca'ed of tha police? Baby girl ya delusional. Call the police. I'll fuck them up ta."

"You must have me mistaken for one of yo-"

"Amarah! I need your opinion on something!"Mrs. Roberts shouted.

She came over to me and held up two glasses. I laughed. Gabrielle scolded me.

"Should I use the white glasses or the red glasses?"

I smiled, "The white glasses are beautiful. They would go really well with the red furniture."

Gabrielle scoffed loudly, "Fake ass whore."

Mrs. Roberts cheesed. She was extremely happy. She placed the red glasses on the mantle piece.

"I see it now! You're such designer! You do much better than any of my daughters could ever."

"Luckily I'm not that," Gabrielle mumbled.

Mrs. Roberts face instantly turned grim, "Girl don't act in front of the company. I'll beat your ass. Daughter or not, belts love everybody."

"I can't believe my daddy married this ghetto bitch!"Gabrielle shouted.

She stomped off leaving Mrs. Roberts and I alone. I held my laugh in the best I could, but it just escaped. I could not believe Rico was related to that. At the same time I could believe it. Rico listened to Billie Eilish for goodness sake.

Mrs. Roberts began to laugh with me. I could tell she was amused by the situation.

"The only thing I don't like about my husband's past. He had her from a previous marriage. As you can tell she is a spoiled white girl."

"I'm sorry ya gotta deal with that,"I joked. "I mean you."

"Rico already told me you had an accent. You know the boy can't hold water. You don't have to act all proper in front of me. The last thing I am is proper."

"Thank ya. It's very hard ta keep ma composu'e like this."

She chuckled, "That's the last thing you have to do around me girl. I'm from Houston. I lost my accent at a young age, but it comes out sometimes."

"I'm tha exact opposite. Ma accent goes away when I'm mad or frustrated."

Rico appeared behind his mother. He gave me a thumbs up and a smile.

"The food is ready. Riley is hungry, and she wants to eat now."

"That girl is always hungry! I can't believe she still shaped like a stick."

RICO

Amarah's shaking rattled the table. I placed my hand on her thigh, and she calmed down. I could tell she was nervous around my family. Mama was very fond of her, but my siblings didn't seem to be.

Riley tapped her finger on the table while she stared at Amarah. Her face was grim, and her tapping was scary. Gabrielle just stared at Amarah. I could tell she was studying her features. Gabrielle tended to run people off just by doing that.

"Gabrielle how's my grandson doing?"My father broke the silence.

Gabrielle twirled her fork on her plate, "He's doing great...Maybe you'll have another grandchild to check up on in a few months."

"You're pregnant?"The family all said at once.

She laughed, "No! I'm just saying Rico brings this...hoe in her-"

"I'm really tryin ma hardest ta not jump ova this table,"Amarah mumbled.

"You're going to turn my brother into a thug. I worked very hard to make him presentable. Then he comes in here with this street outfit!"

"I didn't dress Rico. Rico grown. He put on whateva he wanna put on. Ion control him."

"Listen Rico,"Gabrielle turned towards me. "Do you want to be seventeen with a baby? I don't think so. Go call Toni and get her over h-"

"I can do whatever I want to fucking do Gabby,"I shouted from anger. "I'm tired of everybody having a say so in my life except me! I can't wait until the baby comes so I can give it free will. I'm going to raise someone how they should be raised."

Everyone's mouths dropped. Gabrielle had a wide smile on her face. I grabbed my phone and Amarah's hand.

"Is she pregnant son?"

"Why would you fucking care? You only care about whatever hoe you're working with. You leave for two to three months at a time and act like shit didn't happen! I know about your newborn dude. I know about all of it."

"Newborn?"Mama shouted. "What the hell is he talking about?"

"I asked you a question Richard. Is that young lady pregnant?"

"It's not his kid,"Amarah whispered.

Riley laughed loudly, "So you're playing step daddy?"

"Jordan's kid deserves the fucking best. Jordan was the best, and now he's gone. I'm the closest thing this kid is going to get to Jordan besides it's mother."

I began to walk out of the house. Amarah ran after me. I didn't say anything because I was pissed. My family was all over the place, and I hated it.

Amarah pulled me in for hug. I stopped and hugged her back. Tears began to run from my eyes. She rubbed my back softly.

"It's going ta work out. It always works out fa tha best."

"I miss him so much Armadillo,"I cried. "You just don't understand."

"Hey, it's gon work out. Just give it some time Ricotta," She whispered. "Oh and tha next time ya call ma child an it we gonna fight."