Chapter 2
The Hood

I parked the car on the side of the street next to my complex right behind Tasha’s car, as usual. I was especially aware of the group of black people sitting on the stairs leading to the entrance. I looked to the passenger side at Tina then to the backseat at Helena who was looking at her surroundings and not writing in her notebook for once.

I opened my door slowly and they followed suit cautiously. Almost instantly I felt eyes upon us as I led them towards the entrance of my apartment.

As soon as we reached the stairs we were confronted as I knew we would be. "So what side you on Bette?" One of the men asked.

"There is no side Taylor," I responded calmly, "I am not a racist."

"Come on Taylor lay off her will ya," Taylor’s girlfriend Sheila said, "she gets racism from both sides already."

"Thanks Sheila," I said looking back at Tina and Helena who looked quite terrified.

"You’re right," Taylor said moving me out of the way gently, "Bette’s not the enemy here."

"Taylor!" I said as he stood right in front of Tina and Helena, almost towering over them because of his superior size.

They cowered away from him but jumped when they realized two more guys were behind them. I knew this was a bad idea.

"You don’t belong here Crackers!" Taylor spat angrily.

"Taylor," I said grabbing his arm.

"You wanna take all our shit now?" One of the other guys said. I didn’t know him much, but I did know his name was Johnson and his parents were killed in a riot by the white police.

"You don’t belong here, fucking little princesses," the guy next to Johnson named Marquise said.

"How does it feel to not be wanted huh?" Taylor spat angrily.
I gripped his arm tighter but he continued to ignore me.

"Sheila," I pleaded looking at the girl.

"Sorry Bette," Sheila said, "you, I will defend, but not them."

"We don’t fucking want you here, Crackers!" Johnson shouted, "you’re the ones who wanted to be ‘separate but equal!’"

"That’s bullshit Johnson!" I argued trying to get past Taylor who blocked me with his massive shoulder.

When Johnson and Marquise’s girlfriend showed up, I knew there would be trouble.