𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐬

𝐕𝐈 - 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐚, 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲, & ... 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐢𝐭?

⚠️ Disclaimer: Maji is a character of coincidence AND of my imagination. Cam'ron is also a character nearly not at all relating to the real Cam'ron. Make what you will of them, but they are essential to the story and aren't meant to insult or mock anyone.

⚠️ ⚠️ Trigger Warning: Suicide is a present but brief theme in this chapter. You can skip the paragraph that begins with "For sure, Mama was different..." and continue where it says "Mama always been fragile...". I don't add these things for shock value; that's the way the story goes, so I'll always let y'all know about any surprises.

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Fuck bitches, get money

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January 18, '01

Maji's POV

I leaned against the fence enclosing our school yard as I counted out a few twenties and ones over and over again. Some people chew gum. Twiddle their thumbs. Pace. All 'em is fixtures for them to find some peace of mind. I count money. That's just what I do. I was at $342 before my hands were shadowed by the group of bitches who stood before me.

Mmcht.

I shoved my money back into my Juicy Couture sweater pockets and wrapped my right hand around my Mace. I looked up at the bitch in front of me. Of course, it was Heaven and her clique.

Now, you might not know me and you damn sure don't know Heaven; a bit of a backstory seems to be in order here.

Heaven and myself had been best friends at the start of the school year. I mean, we were both 15, both pretty, and both divas. That's about as best friends as juniors can get.

We ran the whole school and all it's bitches until Joseph came along. He was none more than a halfway drug dealin' hoe ass bum. I say halfway drug dealer cuz he was the type to take your money and give you no drugs.

Anyway, Heaven fell head over heels in love wit' his dumbass. "He got a goatee," she'd said, cheesing too damn hard for me. They started going out a month after he came to school, but I knew it was only of matter of time wit' a nigga like Joseph. He already had a whole lotta side hoes and was part of this lil' gang of Latinos, mainly Dominicans, up in the Heights where he lived.

They were crazy up there. Fucking savages. I thought my people were bad, until I went up there one day and saw muhfuckas walking around wit' machetes. Joseph had dropped out by then, coming to the school building a few times a week to pick Heaven up and talk to his friends. And steal some crackhead's last $20.

I was outside of an old building waiting for some girl who'd wash and blow my hair cheaper than the salon around the corner to my home when José came two-steppin' down the stairs. I turned away when I saw him looking at me and prayed for Maria or whatever to buzz me in before he approached me, whistling.

"Aye, flaca, tírame un hueso," he told me. I must've looked confused, cuz he said, "I said throw me a bone, 'tcho skinny ass."

I rolled my eyes before catching the door after him. He grabbed my wrist and got really close, saying, "Whassup, mamí?," before Maria came downstairs. I pulled away from him and moved towards her before glancing back to see him wink at me. Looking back ahead of me, I saw a suspicious Maria eying me curiously.

Fast forward a few days later, right in the cafeteria, and Heaven was pullin' my hair from behind and slappin' me before my reflexes kicked in. Of course, I beat her ass in the end; she'd never been the fighter between the two of us but it was cute or whatevs.