Heard somebody say I changed
That shit just blew
I'm tired of bitches lyin
Actin like they knew me...

:Dreezy

RICO

Billie Eilish and Khalid blasted from my speakers. I sung along as I slipped on my jeans.

"Rico! Turn that shit down!"My mama yelled.

The door swung open. I hit the pause button on the speaker.

"Why don't you listen to some normal music? Not even your white friends listen to this bullshit Rico."

"Mama, I'm trying to get ready for school. Can you please leave me and my music alone?"

"If Jordan was here we would be turning up, okur?"She said as she imitated a terrible Cardi B.

"Get out of my room."

She shrugged and walked out of the door. I slammed it shut behind her. She was so annoying sometimes. She had this certain mindset that I was supposed to act black. I hated that she thought that.

I pulled my Bulls hoodie over my head. I was stylin today. Today was our first scrimmage and I needed to show out. Junior year is when most baseball players get scouted. I needed to get scouted, so I could be far away from this place I call home. I took a few pictures of myself and decided to post them.

My breakfast consisted of water, and an apple. I never eat heavy in the morning because of workouts. Even though I didn't have to workout today, I still wouldn't over feed myself.

"Have a good day baby. You're father and I will be at your game at 6:30."

"It starts at 5:15 mama,"I mumbled as I slammed the door.

I got into my car and headed to school. Post Malone's Wow filled the silence in my car. I hummed along. I wasn't into rap like that. I hated when Jordan would have me listening to Migos, Drake, NBA youngboy and all of them. Rap was disgusting in my eyes, but I could tolerate it. I pulled into my normal parking lot, and sure enough she was waiting on me.

She held a cup of coffee in her hands. Today her color scheme was red. She had on red leggings, with a red crop too. Her wig was a darker shade of red. I loved how she always had a color scheme. Today just so happened to be my favorite color. I snapped a picture of her to add to the portfolio.

"Can ya stop takin pictu'as of me? Ya gon have tha baby thinkin Ima model."

"I see your showing some skin today..."I said as I took her book bag from her.

She snatched it back, "I can't show skin no mo? I'm su'e I can hold ma own bookbag Ricotta."

"Alright Armadillo. You're coming to the scrimmage today right?"

"Yea' Terrence invited me. I can't stay tha whole time cause I got a docta's appointment at 7."

I sighed, "You know I'm coming right? I can't believe you still scheduled it the day I told you not to schedule it."

She rolled her eyes dramatically, "Last time I checked ya name isn't Andre Harper. Ya not ma da-"

"Bitch I don't care who your friends are. Amarah is my best friend. I'll fuck you up over her, periodt,"A girl shouted in the hallway.

"Amarah doesn't fucking like you! The only reason why she talks to your rat looking ass is because y'all are cousins. I'm her best friend. I've been there for her since middle school. Where were you when everybody was clownin her? You can get the hell out of my face bitch."

"Shit,"Amarah whispered. She walked over to them and held one of the girls. "Janiya, let's go ta class."

"Nah! This bitch always got something slick to say. I'll pop her in her face if she say something else about you."

Amarah looked towards the other girl, "What tha hell is goin on?"

"Tell her Alayah! Tell her how you showed somebody her sex tape. Tell her how it's going around school."

Amarah froze. She didn't say anything. She walked to the other girl, and hit her with a left hook. The girl went sprawling to the floor. A older guy came and held back the other girl. I ran into the situation and grabbed Amarah. She tried to escape my grasp on her.

"Let me go Gerald! On everything I'll kill this hoe!"The girl screamed.

Amarah still remained silent. I pulled her outside to my car. She didn't say anything still. She just sat there staring at the ground.

"Armadillo?" I whispered. "I don't know what's going on b-"

"Shut tha hell up Rico,"She mumbled.

She pulled out her phone and immediately went to Snapchat. My eyes widened as I saw what the girl was talking about. I cringed at the sight.

"Ma own fuckin cousin plottin' against me."

"You just punched your cousin?"

"What do ya not understand by shut tha fuck up? Ion wanna talk ta ya right na',"She threw her phone against the concrete. I watched it talk to the ground and crack. There goes a good phone.

"Ima kill ha'. Ima kill ha fruit loop head ass. Ima fuckin kill that bitch..."She trailed off. "Uncle Phrey fa'give me but ima kill ha. Ima kill ya fuckin child."

"Amarah!"One of the girls came running outside. They hugged as soon as they saw each other. "Gerald wouldn't let me touch her, but I promise we pulling up on that bitch. We'll kill her." The girl turned towards me and smiled.

"I'm Ric-"

"Shut tha hell up Rico! I'm ti'ed of ya fuckin voice nigga!" Amarah shouted at me.

I didn't argue. I just placed my hands in my pockets and began to walk inside. This was not my cup of tea. After all my name is Bennett, and I am surely not in it.

AMARAH

"Amarah you'll be fine. Gerald got her and some of her friends to delete it. I'm not sure how many people have i-"

"Jordan's gonna fuckin kill me."

Janiya sighed, "Jordan can't do anything Mar. It's your reputation I'm worried about."

"Ya don't fuckin unda'stand Niya!" I cried out. "Ya just don't unda'stand."

She pulled me in for a hug, "Let me take you home. I'll have Gerald mark you present."

"Gerald's gonna lose his lil office aide job if we keep it up,"I mumbled through my tears.

"Girl he don't care. I'm not snitching as long as he not snitching."

She walked me to her car. I got in the passengers seat. I was tired from today's events, even though nothing happened.

It was always some shit going on with me. It all started in middle school when Alayah decided to become friends with the popular girls, as most of the school would like to say it. She was hanging out with 8th graders when we were 6th graders. She had a 14 year old boyfriend, who ended up bringing her the best Valentine's Day present known to Man.

I, on the other hand, was left in the blue. She quit speaking to me at school, because most of the older kids thought I was weird. When we would carpool together, she would pull out all her books and wait for me to get out. Then she would get out of the car five to ten minutes later. She hated being seen with me, and it hurt my feelings.

I met Gerald in the seventh grade. He was in my art class. We would play around and make jokes. Gerald was ugly. I never found interest in him, because his prepubescent phase was not his prime. I ended up meeting his twin sister, who became my best friend. It turned into all three of us becoming the best of friends. Gerald always had Niya and I's back. If we ever got into trouble, Gerald kicked ass instead of us. He wasn't scaring looking in the seventh grade, but he was really scary. He got into fights over us regularly, and he always won. People knew not to mess with us because Gerald was not playing.

Alayah ended up breaking up with her, then 9th grade boyfriend. She claimed he was too childish, but she was the childish one. In eighth grade, God finally delivered Gerald's blessing. He grew taller, handsomer, and lord his facial hair was beautiful. I knew him too well as a brother to pull any stunts, but Alayah did not.

She would constantly be all up on him. She started to hang out with Niya and me more. I felt like our cousin bond was building, but we soon realized it was just for Gerald. During our Christmas party, Alayah tried to have sex with Gerald. Gerald was happy, but that was shut down when Janiya found out. She was pissed Alayah had came into our friendship just to fuck with Gerald. I didn't blame her.

I ended up approaching Alayah about the situation. She assured me she didn't try anything with Gerald, and I believed her. The next day I go to school, and sure enough there's a rumor about me. Alayah told her friends the reason Gerald wouldn't have sex with her was because he was getting it from Janiya and I. We soon became known as the 'Family Threesome'. I hated every moment of it.

Janiya was not having it. Gerald couldn't stop her from fighting either. One day after Alayah's cheer practice, Niya took on Alayah, and I took on the rest of her friends. Her friends were not the fighting type, so I had no problem with making them run or knocking them out. Niya and I both got suspended that day for two whole weeks. Daddy wasn't to happy about the situation considering Alayah did it, but he celebrated my first fight. Niya and I had the best two weeks of our lives.

Alayah and her friends had to go to school though. Alayah was fucked up from head to toe. I was happy she didn't get suspended. I wanted people to see how dirty she is. My uncle PJ said Alayah deserved it. Alayah never got along with my uncle PJ. Before my Uncle Phrey passed, Alayah was a sweet little girl. She changed when he died, and everyone knows it.

My mother tries to keep Alayah in check. That means that every friend outing I have, Alayah is tagging along. Alayah and Niya promised to keep their composure. I refused to speak to Alayah. Niya spoke to her when she had something smart to say. Gerald didn't even glance her way, because she was always showing out for him.

Jordan never paid her any attention. There was times Alayah flirted with him, but he never spoke to her. Jordan was never fond Alayah or Terrence, Alayah's imaginary lover. Jordan loved Niya and Gerald though. Gerald and Jordan played basketball in the winter together. They were like brothers.

"Mar, you want to come home with me or stay at your house?"Niya asked snapping me out of my reminiscing.

"I wanna go home."

"I wanna go homeeee-ooommeee,"She sung.

"Okay keep it up and you'll look like Sandy too."

She giggled. I got out of the car and waved bye to her. She pulled off. I let myself inside of the house, and was immediately faced with our raggedy ass dog.

"Move pilot! Damn ya always in ma fuckin face."

He bit my leg. I kicked him across the room, and he flew. He landed on the couch, but he got back up. He ran towards me. I sprinted upstairs and shut my room door. I could hear him scratching up my door, but it was nothing new. He hated me. He knew I wasn't supposed to be home so early.

My phone buzzed on my bed. I already knew who it was.

From: Ricotta 🧀
Received at 8:30 am

Hey are you okay? I haven't heard from you all day. I just wanted to make sure everything was alright.

From: Ricotta 🧀
Received at 8:35 am

You probably went home which is understandable. If you want me to bring you lunch during commons I can. I can skip fourth and say I'm working out or something. Just let me know before then.

I laughed. The past week with Rico has been interesting. He treated me like no one else has ever. It's worrisome cause I don't know if it because of the baby, or because he feels entitled too.

To: Ricotta 🧀
Delivered at 8:46 am

I'm good nigga. I'll see ya lata at tha game. Bye

I rolled over into my bed. I needed sleep, and I could hear it calling my name.

RICO

"Mr. Roberts, please put the phone down. I will not tell you again."

"I'm sorry,"I whispered as I slid my phone under my leg.

"In a bag Mr. Roberts..."

"Man do you pay the bill? I think not. If I want my phone out I will have it out,"I thought to myself.

I placed my phone inside of my book bag pocket. Terrence leaned in beside me. He was smiling real hard.

"You must be getting some pu-say today. Toni finally letting you hit huh?"

"Terrence man, can you back up a little. No I'm not having sex. I told you I'm waiting until I find somebody worth my time."

"All pussy is worth your time. Especially Toni fine ass. You better hit brother before I do."

"You need to learn to respect women,"I mumbled under my breath.

"Nah my nigga I'm just saying. Toni obviously want some dick. That little fingering shit you been doing for her isn't making her happy. You better give her some dick before she sta-"

"Mr. Wates? Do you have something to add to my lesson on average atomic mass?" The teacher asked him.

Terrence stood up, "Actually I do." He cleared his throat, "Ladies how would you feel if your man wasn't giving you no dick? Would you lea-"

"Mr. Wates!"The teacher shouted. "That is enough!"

"Oh Johnny, you never let me finish a sentence. As I was saying ladies, what would yo-"

"To the office right this second!"Dr. Johnson shouted.

Terrence looked confused, "Oh Johnny baby, I have a game today. I can't be getting in trouble because you asking me questions. I added to your lesson on whatever chemistry bullshit we learning."

"Terrence I will not put up with your gimmicks today."

"Nigga first of all shouldn't you be retired by now? You've been working here since 1894 when the school was built. It's really starting to show with them lines in yo forehead. I know somebody who can shoot a lil Botox up there and you'll be looking good Dr. Johnson. All the ladies gon want yo good retirement!"Terrence joked. Dr. Johnson fumed. Everyone in the class was laughing. "Second of all how you gon teach us on a chalkboard? It is the 21st century. All my other teachers got whiteboards and you using this dusty dirty ass shit. Every time you start writing dust starting flying. The girl in the front be like 'Lawd my wig'. I be saying the same thing too. I know you not paying $150 for this Brazilian Johnny."

"Get the fuck out of my classroom Mr. Wates!"

Terrence turned around and looked at me. I pulled on his pant leg, but that didn't stop him.

"Did he just...?"He turned around and looked at someone else. "I know he didn't...oh no sir. You will be hearing from my lawyers, AKA my parents. You not gon cuss at me and think you can get away with it,"Terrence shouted as he walked out of the classroom.

I held my head in embarrassment. He is the closest thing I have to a friend, and he was making my life look pretty pathetic. I pulled my phone back out and saw Amarah's text message.

From: Armadillo
Received at 9:15 AM

Ya can come ta tha docta's app. they pushed it back to 8.

"Mr. Roberts to the office now! I will not let your cellphone distract the rest of class."

I shrugged and got up. He was honestly annoying me. Terrence made this class fun, and now since he wasn't here it was boring. I walked out of the classroom and into the hallway. I would have to find Coach. He would let me be excused.

AMARAH

The stadium was dimly lit. I looked onto the field for Rico, but I couldn't see him. Terrence was standing there waving to Niya. Terrence was a ladies man. He really liked all of the ladies, and Niya entertained him sometimes.

"I brought you cheese fries,"Gerald spoke as he handed me the fries. "I brought you sour patch kids."

Niya snatched the sour patch kids and immediately began eating them. I laughed and stole two. She dug her fingers into my fries and stole some. Gerald sipped out of my cup and handed it too Niya.

"I know all of y'all not up here sharing germs like that,"Eli spoke.

I squealed. I jumped up to give him a hug. He placed a kiss on my forehead and sat beside me.

"What's up man?"Gerald said as he dapped up Eli.

"I just got back from marching band practice. I was bout to skip this game, but decided to come so I could see my two favorite people,"He pulled Niya and I in for hugs.

"Boy I know you not touching all over me!"Niya shouted.

"Ew Eli ya stink."

He wrapped me in his arms so I could embrace his funk. I laughed and pushed him away. Eli has been a close friend since freshman year. Back in the day when I used to play trumpet, I met Eli. We were the two trouble makers in band. I remember we broke a tuba once. My mama beat my ass, but it was worth it.

"Gerald how you do on that AP exam?"

"Man that shit was hard!"

"I'm saying brotha! They ain't have to give us all of them questions."

Niya screamed as a liquid flew into the air. I turned around and looked at the girl who held a bucket above Niya's head.

"Oh silly me! There goes my drink,"The girl laughed.

"Bitch!"I shouted. "Fuck is you doing wasting water on people?"

"Look it's Alayah's homeless cousin."

Niya yanked the girl and she went rolling down the bleachers. Her friends watched in fear, and then quickly ran to help her. Niya mumbled something under her breath. Gerald gave her his jacket, and Eli handed her a new shirt.

"Who even is that?"I whispered to Eli.

"Some bitch named Toni. I just know her cause she's trying to be homecoming queen."

"We're not e'en a month inta school yet..."

"We're at a baseball scrimmage in the scorching hot sun. Please don't tell me it's too early for anything Mar."

"Try some dumb shit like that again bitch! I'll break yo fucking ass like I did your best friend. Y'all gon be looking homeless when I'm done. Ole wannabe Vicky from Timmy Turner ass bitch ass hoe!"Niya shouted.

She pulled the wet shirt off of her body to reveal her nice figure. Gerald immediately covered her with his jacket, and I slapped her thighs.

"Niya! We're in public."

She laughed loudly and pulled Eli's shirt over her head, "Bitch the last thing I'm worried about is these wack ass hoes. Yeah Toni I'll take that lil skinny ass nigga you like. He already be up in my messages!"

Eli shrugged. That was his way of telling me he didn't know who Toni was with. The name was ringing a bell but I didn't know who she was. This was the first time I ever heard of her.

"Toni's dating number thirty-two. His name is Rico,"Gerald whispered in my ear. "He was best friends with Jordan. Jordan tried to hook them up but realized it would never work."

My jaw dropped, "Rico? Rico, Rico?"

"You know him or something?"Eli asked.

"I see him around sometimes..."I mumbled.

The game started. Everyone was head over heels for everything going on. They had Jordan's faces on signs, and his named inked in the field. He made me sick to my stomach, but I know it was hurting Rico more. The game ended with a score of 17-14. Rico's team won, and Terrence's team lost. Terrence was still walking around like he was talking the man.

Everyone began to leave. Eli and Niya offered me rides home, but I knew I had to wait for Rico. I stood by his car as the parking lot emptied. He came out of the gate with Toni in his arms.

"She did this to me!"Toni ranted. She showed him her bruised face. "You don't care?"

"Toni of course I care! I'm just saying you shouldn't be instigating fights."

"I didn't do-"Her eyes darted towards me. "Who are you? Why are you waiting by my man's car?"

"Don't start na' shit with me ta'day. I already hooked ya friend, and I'll hook ya in a hot second bitch. Ya can have a black eye ta match that pretty lil bruise baybeh."

"Rico! What the hell is going on?"She shouted in his face.

Rico forcefully grabbed her by her arms, "Toni I'm not doing this with you today. Go home and we'll talk later."

He let her go and she smiled. She strutted away with her friends behind her. I rolled my eyes. He opened his car door and I got in the passenger seat.

"Sorry about that. Usually I have her under control but today was just something..."

"Why didn't ya tell me ya used ta talk ta Niya?"

He started the car, "We went on one date Armadillo. It wasn't anything serious. I barely know her."

"Okay so why ya ain't tell me? When she came ta get me ta'day ya left like ya was scared or somethin. What's up with that?"

He hit his fist on the steering wheel, "We went on one fucking date Amarah!"

I jumped from his outburst, "Okay damn. What's wrong with ya?"

He didn't respond. He pulled out of the parking lot and drove to the doctors office. The ride was silent and scary. Usually Rico does all of the talking, but it seems like something put him off edge.

We arrived at the doctors office. He opened my car door and followed me inside. Since I had a late appointment, no one was really here. They got me set up in the office. This was my first appointment and I was waiting

"I'm sorry Amarah...I saw all Jordan's signs and posters today. It all feels so surreal. My best friend wasn't here to play baseball today, and it's scary."

I placed my hand on his shoulder, "It's goin ta be fine. I know ya having a hard time adjusting, because I am too. Remember what ya said about tha baby? Jordan is hea',"I placed his hand on my stomach. "He's right hea' Rico."

A soft knock hit the door. It opened and in walked a doctor. I smiled, as he smiled at me.

"Good evening Ms. Harper."

"Hi!"

"Today we're just going to check on the baby. You're chart says you haven't been to an appointment. I'll just tell you the first and last appointment is always the most exciting." He rubbed a cold jelly on my stomach. "Alright I don't want to keep you late. Let's listen to the heartbeat and see your little monster."

The image of the ultrasound appeared across the screen. I smiled at the scene. Rico grasped my hand as he looked.

"Would you like to know the gender?"The doctor asked.

"Isn't it kind of early?"

"Well from the looks of it you're about 3 months pregnant. I know you may not look like it on the outside, which is normal for most teenaged pregnancies. You're body has to adjust while it's already trying to adjust even more. Don't worry you'll puff out real soon Ms. Harper."

I turned to Rico, "Do ya want ta kna?"

"I'm good with waiting."

The heartbeat started to play loudly throughout the room. Tears streamed down my eyes and I smiled. Rico cheesed from the side of the room.

"Our silence..."