Powder Blu by Brandi Johnson Page B

was telling me while I was locked up. I didn’t know why it was but niggas in the joint heard shit way before most niggas on the streets. I had already heard the one about Blu out here fucking everything moving and out here making dumb money selling dope, but I didn’t believe it ’cause niggas was always making up shit, but Nikki just confirmed it was true. She then went on and told me about some nigga named Black from Trinidad who was trying to take over Chicago. I heard his name mentioned a few times in the walls, but I didn’t know he was trying to replace me. The more Nikki talked about Black, and how much money he was clocking, the madder I got. I couldn’t believe a nigga had enough heart to come and try to take over my city. Chicago belonged to Budz! There was no way I was about to let this shit go down! This nigga was gon’ pay, either with his money or his life; either way was okay with me. After not being able to listen to any more, I stood up.
    â€œWhere you ’bouta go?” Nikki asked, desperately, standing up as well.
    â€œI’m ’bouta go handle some business. I’ll be back later on,” I said, heading to the door.
    â€œYou promise?”
    â€œYeah, I got chu.” I chuckled.
    â€œI’ll be waitin’,” Nikki said, grabbing me by my shirt and pulling me into her, pressing her lips against mines.
    I smiled and shook my head before heading out the door. I jumped in my Lexus IS 350 and peeled off. I was on a straight mission. I had to get my people on the trail of this nigga Black so I could let him know who the real boss was.

Chapter 8
    Finding My Own Way
    I hurried home from the corner store; I had just got word that Budz was out of jail. News sure traveled fast because according to the nigga who worked at the corner store he ain’t even been out two hours and the news was all over the city. I was happy as hell. I rushed through the front door and as usual the house was packed, niggas was everywhere.
    â€œGuess who in the basement shootin’ dice?” Sierra hurried over to me with a smile and asked.
    â€œWho?” I asked, smiling as well, praying she said Budz.
    â€œBudz,” she answered.
    â€œSo, I’m over Budz,” I said, pretending not to be happy.
    â€œWhatever, bitch.” Sierra laughed.
    â€œWhat he lookin’ like?” I asked.
    â€œGirrrrrl, that nigga big as fuck! He musta been workin’ out while he was locked up,” Sierra replied, getting me fired up down below.
    â€œI’m ’bouta go down there,” I said, nervously. “I need to get a quick buzz first.”
    â€œFor what?” Sierra asked, confused.
    â€œTo calm my fuckin’ nerves,” I answered as I walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. I pulled out a Redd’s Apple Ale and took it to the head.
    â€œDamn, bitch, you faced that shit.” Sierra laughed.
    â€œWhere Nik at?” I asked, before letting out a loud, manly belch.
    â€œEwwww, you nasty.” Sierra laughed. “She down in the basement.”
    â€œYou comin’ wit’ me?” I asked Sierra.
    â€œNope, I’m ’bouta go back in the living room and smoke up these niggas’ weed. Nik down there so you’ll be cool.”
    â€œA’iiiight, fuck it, I’ma big girl,” I said. I flattened my hair with my hand, straightened up my clothes and headed down the basement stairs. When I got to the bottom of the stairs I turned up my face as if something smelled. The sight of Cordell turned my stomach, but when I laid eyes on Budz who was kneeling down shooting dice, my frown quickly turned into a smile.
    â€œWassup, Blu?” Cordell smiled, making Budz turn around to look at me.
    He took a double take and smiled. He must have noticed how much I’d grown into a young woman. He smiled widely, stood up and walked over to me. I instantly got wet as he made his way over to me. He looked good