Pull Up Game Strong
1128 Words
Ava and Jordan’s Home, Los Angeles
April 15th, 2023 — 1:07 PM
A few weeks had passed since the abortion, and physically I’d healed up nicely, but emotionally I was still torn apart. Especially by Austin’s ghosting. No closure, no explanation, just a cold-ass text message. That s**t didn’t sit right with me.
I sat alone on the couch, determined as hell, my laptop open to one of those people-finder websites, feeling like a bootleg FBI agent as I typed in his full name: Austin Lancaster.
His information popped up quickly. My heart sped up as I scribbled his address onto a scrap of paper, adrenaline surging through my veins. El Segundo, close enough to pull up unannounced.
But first, backup.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Marina. If anybody was down for some hood-rat s**t, it was her. The phone barely rang twice before her loud, unmistakable voice filled my ear.
"Girl, whose ass we finna beat? Because b***h, I got all damn day. Just got my full set taken off too, perfect timing, let’s ride!"
Marina. Named after Marina del Rey, California, a place classy as f**k, except Marina herself was far from it. She was ratchet, loud and reckless, but the most loyal friend you could ever have. Just like the tides in the marina she was named after, Marina's temper flowed violently depending on the situation. If s**t went down, best believe Marina would clear a b***h out quicker than an eviction notice. Her knuckles had seen more action than most professional boxers, and she proudly wore those scars like badges of honor.
Within twenty minutes, Marina’s big-ass lifted truck pulled into my driveway, music blasting, windows tinted black like she was the president or something. She hopped out, braids swinging, ready for war in sweatpants, sneakers, and a tank top that showed every damn tattoo she'd earned.
“Come on, Ava,” Marina shouted, popping her gum dramatically. “Let’s take my whip so your ass don’t get clocked. I ain’t scared of no hoes out in El Segundo."
I nodded, hopped in, and we rolled out with all the energy of two women about to f**k some s**t up.
Austin’s House, El Segundo, CA
1:42 PM
We pulled up to a modest, clean home with a neat U-shaped driveway. Marina drove straight up onto his driveway like she paid bills there, threw the truck into park, and snatched a baseball bat from the back seat.
"Whoa," I said nervously, clutching my keys. "Marina, relax we just here to talk."
She rolled her eyes. "Girl, you know damn well I don’t do 'just talking.' Let this white boy try something."
We marched up the steps, adrenaline pumping. I rang the bell, nothing. Austin’s black sports car sat in the driveway, taunting me. I rang again. Still nothing.
"b***h, move," Marina huffed, nudging me aside impatiently. "You gotta knock on a nigga's door like you mean business."
Marina turned her back to the door and donkey-kicked it so hard I thought the hinges would pop. Turning around, she slammed her palm against it repeatedly, shouting, "Wake yo ass up, pumpkin spice !"
Seconds later, Austin opened the door, shirtless, groggy-eyed in pajama pants. He froze in shock.
"Ava?" he stammered, looking between us.
Without waiting, I barged right past him, Marina close behind me.
"Ava, what…how the f**k did you get my address?" he demanded, closing the door quickly.
"I got people in high places, nigga. Answer my question, why the f**k did you block me?"
He shook his head, confused. "Ava, what are you talking about? I never blocked you."
"Really?" I snapped, pulling out my phone. "Then why every time I call, it goes straight to voicemail?"
I dialed his number and showed him. Straight to voicemail.
He frowned, grabbing his phone from the table. His face fell instantly. "s**t…you’re right. How the hell—?"
Marina snatched his phone from him without asking. "Let me see this s**t," she growled, tapping aggressively. "Damn. He ain't lying, Ava. It was his b***h your number was straight-up blocked. Here, fixed it."
Austin looked at Marina warily. "Who’s your friend?"
"My bestie with a short fuse," I warned.
Suddenly, another car pulled into the driveway. Austin’s eyes widened in panic. "f**k! It’s Karoline!"
He frantically moved toward us, "Y’all gotta hide or something."
Marina instantly squared up. "Hide? Naw, nuccka. Yo ass gon' stand on business today. If Ava good enough to f**k, she good enough to be in yo house, period."
Karoline stormed inside heavily pregnant, face twisted in fury. "Who the f**k are these women?"
Marina stepped forward immediately. "Yo worst nightmare, b***h. Who the f**k you think you are, playing in your man's phone? He been knowing Ava way longer than you."
"Marina, chill," I said quickly. "She’s pregnant."
Marina laughed coldly. "Pregnant? I don't give a f**k about her or that lil bastard-ass kid. Ol' trappin'-ass hoe."
Karoline snapped, her face turning ugly. "Get these ignorant n*****s out of my house!"
Marina lunged instantly, "Oh, you bold as hell! Let’s go, mayonnaise monkey! I'm ready for jail food today!"
"Marina!" I shouted, grabbing her waist, holding her back with all my strength. "It's not worth a case!"
"b***h, I'll take a case before I let some wanna be ass colonizer call me that s**t, move Ava!"
I forced her out the front door as Austin screamed furiously at Karoline, "What the f**k is wrong with you? You can't say that s**t!"
Marina laughed loudly from the driveway, sticking out her tongue as I dragged her toward the truck. "Ha! Ha! That’s why Ava f*****g yo man, hoe! Drop that baby and catch me outside, b***h!"
I finally shoved Marina into the car, jumping in myself. Austin slammed his door, but their screaming match echoed down the driveway.
Breathing heavily, Marina suddenly paused, snapping her fingers. "Wait, I seen that b***h before! Ava, that hoe was at Club Lux smoking and drinking pregnant belly and all!"
My heart stopped, eyes wide in shock. "Oh s**t…Austin needs to know this."
The Lake View Hotel Los Angeles, Penthouse Suite 161
Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 — 7:02 AM
"b***h hold up," Keisha cackled, clutching her stomach in laughter. "Marina is my new favorite. I need her number, her i********:, everything."
"Period," Toni agreed, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "She sound like the hood Avenger."
I laughed too, "Marina been ride-or-die since day one. That's my b***h forever."
Camille smiled knowingly. "She reminds me exactly of myself back in the day. Pretty face with an ass-kicking temper."
Latrixa leaned in curiously. "But did you ever tell Austin what Marina saw?"
"Yeah…but let's just say telling Austin started a whole new level of drama."
- Writer
