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"Hi, It's Sam again." She started a new voicemail which was the fifth one in the past two weeks "what's up with you avoiding my calls suddenly? I thought we left off on a good note last time which is why I'm so confused I thought we had something."

'The number you are trying to reach is unavailable at this time, please try your call later.' the operator responded once Sam tried to send out another message to Rondo.

She tossed the phone out of frustration then went back to picking at her fingernails. For once this year she had taken her parents' word and remained inside all day. Off and on she'd be in bed imagining the fun everyone else her age was having this Summer.

Other times she thought about him.

Rondo.

And how, despite everything he had proven to be just another no-good dude from the streets. Her skin started crawling as flashbacks of how she sexed him so soon filled her head. Never again she promised herself.

Even if they were to work things out she knew her circumstances would eventually cause complications. He'd start noticing like her past boyfriends had how she was different. This fact could either fascinate or scare away. Most dude's she dated worshipped her father for their own self-serving reasons. Often times they attempted to imitate him or follow in his footsteps. They assumed being with her only got them in his good graces.

Some obsessed over the idea of being with the plug's kid—getting a chance to bring the 21st century Athena to her knees. Others used it for their own benefit seeing nothing but the dollar signs that came with the territory. While many became foolish enough to feel safe within contact as if the outcome of a big-time drug dealer wasn't common knowledge.

Like the percentages of those who've died and those who've survived were even.

Only a few realized the dangers and avoided it like the plague.

As if locking lips would get them as addicted as the drugs.

Sam had come to the conclusion that Rondo was the latter, but damn did she miss him. It was necessary to forget about him. Everything that happened that night between them was only this heat of the moment type of thing she kept telling herself this. Her being, a rebellious teenager against her parents' strict rules. So she tried forgetting about him.

The feeling of his mouth on her brown skin.

Along with the traces of his fingertips and the depth of his hold.

His cologne scent.

All that went fading into her memories. Days flew by, and he still hadn't reached out to her. After a while, Sam didn't feel as stupid as before which was confirmation enough that she no longer cared.

"Samore!"

"Yeah..." she stepped into the living room where her grandfather sat in his favorite chair watching the evening news.

'The suspect behind the death of 7-years old Mikey Carson was found deceased last night on the southside of Chicago. Witnesses claim they heard several gunshots going off before the body was discovered in an alley just a few blocks away from the vigil that was set in support of the Carson family. We are hoping this new information will bring closure to these supporters and family members.' The news reporter announced.

"Can you pass me the remote?"

Sam glared at him with a look of disbelief since the remote was literally an inch or so away from him on the tv stand.

She went over and got it anyway before handing it to him.

"Will that be all?" She asked in a fake nice tone.

"I got some leftover potato salad in the fridge... can you bring me a plate of that and a spoon?"

Stepping into the kitchen, she got a clean dish from the rack then went to scoop in a thing of the potato salad just like he had asked: "Have you seen my phone?" Sergio questioned once he came downstairs.

Sam shrugged "nope!" and walked off with it in her pocket.

"That doesn't make any type of sense." Her grandfather swore as he took the plate "thank you." he said soon after.

Her eyes drifted to what it was he was talking about on the television. "Investigators have notified us that this is the 8th child murder that has occurred this week in the area." The reporter continued.

"That's crazy," she said which caused Allen to nod in agreement.

"I'm so glad we got out while we still could," he replied.

The phone started to ring, and she quickly rushed away to answer before anyone heard.

TEXT FROM MARQUITA: Girl you missing out fr.

TEXT FROM MARQUITA: Guess who here with a new girl?!

TEXT FROM MARQUITA: Your dude, what's his name again?

TEXT FROM SAM: Rondo.

TEXT FROM MARQUITA: Yh him.

TEXT FROM SAM: Where yall at?

TEXT FROM MARQUITA: Pool party.

Sam asked for the address and it was sent just like that she sped upstairs to shower and get ready to go hang with them. Checking her designer purse, she noticed her wallet was empty. So she tiptoed into her grandparents' room and took $200 from one of their dressers. Now her regular allowances made this look like chump change but it would do for now because as the old saying went something was better than nothing.

She did her makeup in the backseat of a cab with her compact mirror.

When she was halfway there her parent's words of concern had returned making her second think everything all over again.

But it was too late for all that.

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A/N: 3 chapters (chapters 6,7,8) have been updated today please go check them all out and leave feedback, thank you!