Page 95 of The Ninth
When we stepped inside, anger stepped in beside me. I felt tricked or lied to. Did she even take me to The Ninth? Why are there so many fucking people in here? I’ma slip away to the bathroom or backyard. That’s when I’ll call Duke to come get me.
“You done drinking?” Pink asked.
“Heavily? Fuck yes!”
She laughed while grabbing my arm, pulling me further into the party.
Despite being able to think a bit clearer, I was unsure if I could take care of myself. If a fight broke out or we had to run? I was fucking doomed. Pink and I found ourselves in the corner of the room, lighting a backwood and passing it.
“So, when did you meet your man?” she asked casually.
“My second day here! I’ve kind of been stuck on him since.”
“I’ve never seen him before, so that’s a good thing!” We both laughed. “Chicago niggas can be so weird, G. But there’s still some coo, laid back ones. Seems like you and your cousin got the last ones. Well, your cousin got the last two.”
“You know Juan and K3?”
“Both of them are known in the streets. We know of them but don’t know them, if that makes sense. Juan wasn’t popping until after K3 left. But K3? He’s always been known as the one not to fuck with. Juan don’t got shit on him.”
“Really?! Juan looks good and he seems rich as fuck.”
“Both true. But everything Juan is, K3 is times ten. If he ever gets out, you’ll see.”
“Where does your nigga fall?”
She cackled, “Top five for sure. He’s annoying as fuck though. But....we’re bound together. So I do me from time to time but that’s my man. Not husband material though, so one day after I save enough from The Ninth? I’ll get the fuck on.”
“Heard you.”
I cackled as she talked about life after The Ninth and Chicago. She plans to go somewhere like Minnesota and churn butter. She’ll get baptized and become a Bible thumper. It seemed The Ninth was a temporary dream for everyone. Someday, we’ll all move on. And then the next batch will come, searching for a chance. Anything can happen in The Ninth. Love, betrayal, laughter, family, heartbreak. We love it there.
A girl came by with a tray of shots. Without thinking, Pink and I took three a piece. She kissed Pink right on the lips before walking away.
Just as I started to lean back against the wall, it started feeling like I was floating. Panicking, I tried to grab onto anything. Everything. Just to catch myself. My blinks were long. One minute I was watching the room and the next everything was black for a solid ten seconds. I looked at Pink. She didn’t look good either.
“Let’s go somewhere else!” she shouted in my ear.
I nodded my head quickly as she pulled me through the crowd. I fought the drowsiness I’ve been feeling since the lounge. The need to get more sleep. To close my eyes. I have to get ahold of Duke first. If I go to sleep, I may not wake back up until tomorrow some time. This is not a place where I want to fall asleep at.
As we headed to a basement door, someone grabbed my arm. I turned and it was Snow. Although I smiled, she didn’t return it. She looked at me for a moment and then at Pink.
“Mariah, what are you doing?” Snow asked.
“We’re fucked up. I’m taking her to the basement so she can chill and call her man.”
“Why can’t she come to the porch or the back deck? Don’t take her down there. This is too close to the club and people we know.”
“Is there a fucking problem?!”
“YES! THAT’S WHAT I’M TRYING TO GET YOU TO UNDERSTAND. IF YOU WANT TO GO DOWN THERE AND CHILL, FINE BUT GO WITH SOMEONE ELSE!”
I was still rocking back and forth, blacking in and out. My mind couldn’t comprehend Snow’s problem or why they were arguing in the first place. Once Pink stepped up to her, looking like they would fight, I snatched her back.
“Just come on! I’m ready to sit down!” I yelled.
Pink grabbed my wrist, pulling me into the basement stairway. “Shut that door,” she said angrily. When I looked back before shutting the door, Snow stood with her arms crossed while on the phone. I shut it softly before stomping drunkenly down the steps.
The room was huge and filled with a large sectional and bar from the parts I could see. It was dark as fuck despite a projector that lit up some of the wall opposite of the couch. I felt in front of me as we made our way to the stools. She went to the fridge, getting us both water bottles. I opened mine immediately, grateful to hear the crack of the seal. More grateful to down it.
