Monica rolled around in her bed, tossing and turning, She could not sleep. It was because of what transpired earlier that night. She sat up in bed and sighed. Why was she so dangerous? She thought. She makes a trip to the bathroom. She was sitting on the toilet, thinking about how she messed up. I gave her all the wrong ideas and created a monster!

Now she will not listen, and she keeps getting in trouble. Monica wiped, flushed, and washed her hands. She goes back into the bedroom. We need to talk about what happened a couple of hours ago. If I had not stepped in, something worse could have occurred; Monica screamed into her hands!

“Ruby,” Monica’s voice shook her awake. “Yea,” Ruby said, rubbing her eyes and sitting up. They were sharing Monica’s bed. “We need to talk,” Monica says. “Talk about what?” Ruby asks yawning. “Les’ take a walk, Ruby, come on.” “Okay fine.” She sucks her teeth. “Damn, what time is it?”. “11:30”, Monica responds, slipping on some white sweatpants. She was already wearing a faded black t-shirt. Ruby’s stomach growls “Whelp, I’m hungry.” “There is leftover Tuna my mom made. You make some sandwiches. I need to get my hoody and grab a bag,” Monica tells Ruby. “Okay, I’ll be quick.” Ruby puts on a small purple shirt that showed her belly button piercing and slipped into some red leggings. She trots downstairs to the kitchen.

While she was downstairs, Monica spent her time cleaning and making the beds. I do not feel like doing this when I come back. That girl is so damn messy! Monica stuffs the matching white hoody into her bag, She turns off the light and makes her way downstairs.

Ruby waits at the opened front door. She puts their food into the bag while it is on Monica’s back. Monica closes the door turning the key to lock it. Ruby pauses, “Monica; you’ll do me a favor?” “What’s the favor?”. “Can you buy me a mild?” She asked, smiling sheepishly at Monica. Monica turns up her nose, “You know you need to leave tobacco alone.” “Yeah, that is true, but for real, can you buy one?” She asked again. “If I was old enough, I would,” Monica says as they cross the street, leaving the house.

They walked down 18th street to the gas station. “Girl I cannot wait until I turn 18, I am going to wild out”! Ruby says, twerking for Monica and laughing. Ruby expressed her emotions excitedly, Monica shakes her head and changes the subject. “How are you doing in math class?” Monica asked.

“Well… it.  I was doing fine until you left!” Ruby snaps back. “Ruby, keep your head in the books. Stop worrying about these dudes,” Monica pleads. The clear sign red glow illuminated the glass double doors of the gas station. As the two approach the store bell chimes.

“Hey, you miss!” The short stumpy bearded man behind the register yells, pointing at Monica’s bag and then at a sign on the wall that read no bags allowed in the store. “Oh, yeah, sorry,” she says, setting her backpack behind the counter. Monica turns around, and ruby is gone. She exhales loudly, rolling her eyes. Ugh, I am so sick of her doing that shit. She walks around an aisle and can hear Ruby talking with someone in the next aisle over. “Ruby,” Monica calls out. “Here, she comes right now.” Monica hears her say as she turns down the aisle. Two men are standing with her. Ruby waves Monica down, “You don't have to buy me a mild anymore,” she says to her. “Travis gave me one,” she said, showing Monica. “What it is shawty?” the dude on the left asks.

“Hi,” I said dryly. “What is Yo name beautiful?” He asks. “Monica,” I said, introducing myself. “This, my boy Trel,” he points to the only one standing with him. Trel nods and walks away. “What are yall doing out this late?” Travis tries to lighten the mood. “Well, we were about to have a talk,” Monica said, grabbing Ruby’s arm. “Oh, word?” Travis seems disappointed. “Yall good for sure?” he asked.

“No, we have everything we need.” Monica was trying to leave. Travis switched his attention to Ruby. “What about you, little mama?” He asks her. “I mean…” she was thinking and blushing. “Some Reese’s, I guess,” she said, smiling at him. “Is that so?” He asked, looking at her. “You look like you do,” he smirked at her. “What is that supposed to mean?” She giggles, “What is that supposed to mean?”. “You look sweet,” he chuckles. Monica zoned out of their conversation because the store clerk raised the volume on the television. There was breaking news on the local broadcasting.

 “BREAKING NEWS! ACTIVE INVESTIGATION GOING ON RIGHT NOW INVOLVING A HOME INVASION AND ROBBERY ON 23^RD STREET. POLICE SAY ONE MAN WAS INJURED AND IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION THE OTHER HOMEOWNER IS OKAY BUT TERRIFIED.”

 A crime happened in our neighborhood right on our block.

“WE ARE LIVE ON THE SCENE WHERE DRUGS AND A BODY WAS FOUND THIS IS A GRAPHIC SCENE STAY WITH US FOR LIVE FOOTAGE HERE.” Bodies were discovered. The police are looking for the suspects. Monica interrupts the conversation that Ruby and the guy were having. “Ruby, it’s time to go, look.” She was flirting so hard; she was not listening. I slammed my hand on the shelf near us. She finally snaps out of it.

“Ooh, the police,” Ruby points to the two officers walking up to the store. Monica spots them. “Oh, nope, see its time to go.” The way they pulled into this gas station means something is going down! She grabbed Ruby by her arm and snatched her down the aisle.

“We are going home,” Monica said, dragging her. She stopped by the register and grabbed their bag off the floor. “Good night beautiful I hope I see you again.” Trel was standing near her bag the whole time. He waved and smiled. How long was he standing there? Monica thought in her head. While she dragged Ruby outside and almost bumped one police officer. “We have to get home; it’s past curfew Ruby.”

 “Why are you always messing stuff up?!” Ruby pops off. “Whatchu’ mean?” Monica sucked her teeth at her. “You know! You keep stepping on me!” Ruby is yelling. “I‘m trying to keep yo’ stupid ass safe Ruby!”, Monica retorts. “I don’t need you too!” “ You always tryna be somebody mama Monica, damn!” “Well, Yes, you need somebody to babysit you, Ruby, you really fucking do!” Monica was reaching her limit.

“Bitch, please, you only a couple of years older than me STOP actin’ all big.” Ruby scoffs. “ Shit, I might as well be 10 years older compared to your childish, reckless ass. You’re a  fucking danger to yourself!” Monica snapped. “Let. Me. live.” “My. Life.” Ruby dismisses her by putting a hand into Monica’sface. Before she could respond again, Monica hears shouting. “Yo, Monica!” Monica turns around to see Trel hanging out the passenger window of a 2008 Cadillac. Travis drove up on the opposite side of the street.

Ruby shot a huge smile and dashed across the street. “Hey!” She said, smiling at Travis, stopping at the driver window. -He is so sexy- she mouthed to Monica as she walked up to them. “Hey, sweetness,” he said, smiling at her. “Where are yall going?” Trel finally spoke up. “Nowhere… really” ruby blurted out! “Yeah, but we should be getting home; it is late.” “Some people just were killed in our neighborhood,” I said. ruby turned around and looked at me. “Man, don't worry about that; we stay strapped,” Travis said, hugging her and showing his gun. “Thanks, boo. I feel so safe with you!” She smiled.

You don’t even know these people, Monica thought to herself. “Hey,” Monica said, waving a Trel. “What’s up,” he said, nodding his head. “Where were yall going?” Ruby asked them. “Nowhere shit, we were just trying to kick it.” “Ooh, I am down,” Ruby said. “Get in the back, Trel,” Ruby said, pulling on the door.

Monica walked up to the car and climbed into the back with Trel. “I was worried I was not going to see you again,” Trel said to Monica. “Awe that is cute,” Ruby said, listening. Monica smirked a little. “Do Yall smoke, Or do Yall drink?” “What yall like to do?” Travis asked, driving. “I like to do whatever,” Ruby said.

Monica bit her tongue; she had to stop trying to control her, but it was so hard. She was almost raped today. She keeps telling Monica she needs to loosen up, but Monica is the only one keeping them alive.

Monica was in deep thought I did step back and watched her walk upstairs with that dude I did not stop her. Monica gave ruby the chance to do it herself, but again she had to save her.

It’s my fault I should have ever taught her how to play the game. She was raw talent. She did it so well. She had guys eating out her hands and buying her stuff. I should not have taught her how to use her body as a weapon Monica had to because ruby was so insecure. Monica only showed her what she had. Ugh! Monica screamed in her head. They were up there for a while, and Monica really trusted her! Monica thought she was smart; she walked up the stairs to investigate but the look on her face when he touched her. What did she think was going to happen?

She kept talking that talk, walking around wearing thongs and clothes that showed off too much — telling dudes that she was a freak and she could do many nasty things. Monica did not show her that She just became that person. She did not care about her own life doing careless things.

He reached his hands in her pants. She freaked out. She was all alone; she did not even know him. If Monica did not walk up there, he was about to shut the door, but Monica grabbed it. Monica’s head hurt if she was a second too late, it was over for her.

“Monica! You hear me”. Trel asked, tapping Monica. “Are you okay?” he asked her. Monica jumped at his touch. “I am sorry, just a lot on my mind,” she said, coming back to. “Oh yeah, I feel you.” “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked her, “No, it is all right?” Monica said. “So, what’s up, then you single?” He asked. “Yeah,” she told him. “You are beautiful,” he said, smirking at Monica. “Thank you.” She Said not fully engaging in conversation.

Monica watched out the window as we drove around. Monica was not sure if Travis having a gun was a good thing or a bad thing. Monica just knew that she was going to try it rubies way; she was going to chill and have a good time. She clenched her fist, trying not to be controlling. “Yo, Slow down,” Travis said, talking to ruby. “What were they doing up there?”

“Why are you so silent, Monica, are you not interested in me,” he asked. No, sorry, it is not that “I just have a lot on my mind,” Monica replied. “I’m interested in you,” he said. “If you need to talk, we can talk.” “Man pass the bottle,” Trel yelled upfront. Travis turned the music down. “Bro, pass the bottle!” Trel said, sitting up.

“Yo, Ruby, give my bro the bottle,” he said, trying to take it. “No!” She said tipsily. Monica’s alarms were going off. Ruby acts even dumber when she is drunk. “I am hot,” Ruby slurred allowed. “Travis turned on the ac.” The car instantly got cold. “Come here!” Trel said, reaching his hands out for Monica. “I am good no offense,” she said, throwing her hands up.

Monica sat there cold. “Here, man,” he said, giving his jacket to Monica. “Thank you,” I said, feeling warm. “You smell good,” Monica said, smelling his coat. She freaked out when she realized that she said it aloud Trel was only 23. Travis was 24, which Monica did not like because ruby was only 16 turning 17. Monica was 17 at the time.

Monica moved away. She transferred to another school.

After she graduated, she ran back to her. Monica’s parents helped her get her own apartment, which was not too far from her. When she came back, she did not recognize what she saw.

Ruby had changed. Ruby embraced who she was Monica was so proud Until Monica noticed, that ruby had changed completely. After Ruby came to live with Monica for the summer, Monica saw what ruby became. What Monica thought was embracing was far from it; she was on a destructive past. It’s my fault, so I have to fix it.

It was nice back here with Trel. Monica was going to take this hoody home. She wasn't interested in getting to know him. He did not talk much, but when he did, his words held value. He was smart and dropped a lot of wisdom.

 Travis, on the other hand just kept talking Monica could hear him talking to ruby while the songs changed. Monica knew more about him, than Trel.
“So… Trel, you got a gun too”. Monica asked him. “Yeah, but I do not pull it out unless I plan to use it,” he said. What he said was both comforting and scary at the same time.

Monica laid her head back, relaxing. Then her stomach growled loudly. “Damn!” Trel said, laughing. She never heard him laugh; it was cute because his voice cracked, and his teeth weren’t perfect.

Monica had to eat something her stomach was eating itself. She picked up the backpack off the floor and dug into it. Monica reached around for a sandwich. She grabbed the sandwich bag and froze once she saw what it was.