Fighting For Us

By Shamia Hudson

She is a college student, who has recently had her heart ripped out of her chest. Not looking for love Nya Johnson and her roommate hit the club where she meets a guy who is willing to do anything to have her, but all odds are against them. Whether it be past relationships, obnoxious family members or just plain drama the couple can't catch a break.

Fighting For Us is a literary romance that follows two individuals who despite all odds want to be together... but they have no idea that their biggest obstacle has yet to come.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shamia Hudson
• Release date: Mar 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781983786747

Shamia Hudson

When she’s not being a loving wife and mother, Shamia Hudson enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys catching up on the latest movies and watching her favorite tv shows. As a child, Shamia often wrote short stories of princesses and finding love. Now as the Author of “Fighting For Us”, she has made her childhood dreams of becoming a writer come true.

Book preview

This book is dedicated to:

Time, Patience and Love

FIGHTING FOR US

Shamia Hudson

Chapter 1

Iam rudely awakened by the vibrations of my cell phone from underneath my pillow. Crap! I didn't mean to fall asleep. I glance at the alarm clock beside my bed as I answer my phone. It's two in the morning.

Yo... I say into the phone trying not to sound like I just woke up.

Dang. It took you long enough. Says the impatient voice on the other end. Somebody could have snatched me up by now. I roll my eyes as I sit up in bed.

Niece don't nobody want yo ass, and trust me, if they did get you, they would bring you back. I joke, smirking into the phone.

Shaniece and I have been best friends since middle school. We were sitting in class one day when she introduced herself and complimented my hair. We’ve been best friends ever since.

And the award for corniest comedian goes to... She claps back. I stick my tongue out knowing she can't see me.

Why are you leaving so late anyway? I ask, secretly wanting to go back to sleep. 

Because he couldn't get enough of aalll of diss. She replies, quoting Tisha Campbell from My Wife and Kids. She sounds a little out of breath as she says it. 

Are you doing the roll? I ask putting my free hand over my eyes and shaking my head. 

I was. She says proudly, But I had to stop because a car was driving past. Can't have people thinking I'm crazy.

No, we wouldn't want that. I laugh.

But I tell you what...the next time Muscles wants to go three rounds he’s going to have to carry me back to my room. 

Muscles isn't the guy’s real name. I think it's Brandon. No, Landon, it's Landon. I get so used to calling people by the names we make up for them that I sometimes forget the names they're born with. It's something we started back in high school. When we were in middle school, Shaniece and I were inseparable. We always had the same class, but in high school we never had class together, so we came up with The Notebook. Throughout the day we would take turns writing in it and pass it back and forth between classes to keep each other up on what was going on during the day. That's when we came up with the idea to make up nicknames for people just in case the notebook ever got into the wrong hands.

That walk back to my room is no joke, she says and interrupts my thoughts.

That's why you have me, I respond. Walking you back is grounds for attachment, if he doesn't want anything serious then there’s no point in him doing little sweet shit like walking you back to your room. I'll be your boyfriend. She sighs.

Yeah. I know. I'm here now. I was just sayin. 

I know what she was saying. She wants him bad. (Like hearts and flowers and candy bad). I start to tell her that if he doesn't insist on walking her back to her dorm, then he’s not worth the effort. But before I can open my mouth to say anything she speaks. 

Well I just did a double- No! A quadruple work out so I'm about to shower and go to bed. Thanks for talking with me Poo. Call me when u get done with class tomorrow.

No problem girl, I tell her. You know I will... You sure you don't want to go out with us tomorrow night? It won't be any fun without you.

Nope I'm good. Not unless you want to drive 30 minutes to come get me. She says quickly.

Ugh! Never mind. Bye! I spit back and immediately hang up the phone. She gets on my nerves. She knows I'm not driving thirty minutes to pick her up, then thirty minutes back so we can go to the club with my roommate and then have to do it again the next day to take her back to school. 

After graduation, Shaniece decided to stay in

Clemmonsville at the local university. I, on the other hand being the oldest and only girl of three kids wanted to get some distance and attend the university thirty minutes down the highway in Maxboro.

If you come and get me. I say out loud in a mocking and very annoying tone. I put my hand over my mouth remembering my roommate on the other side of the room and plug my phone back into the charger. After slipping it underneath my pillow, I lay down my head and drift off into a deep sleep.

______

The next evening, at about ten till seven, I take a break from writing my psychology paper to ask my roommate what time we are leaving.

I guess we can go to the clock tower at around nine. It’s free before eleven. We can take the shuttle, so we don't have to worry about who will drive if we both drink.

Lucky for us, the clock tower is right next to our dorm. It’s located in the center of campus, which is why it is a pick-up spot for the campus shuttle.

Ok good. I say. I have time to finish my paper.

No you don't. She snaps. I'm about to start getting ready now.

Yeah, but the difference between you and me is that you have to put on a whole new face to go out. I only need a little lip gloss and some sparkly stuff to put over my eyes and I'll be good to go. 

I smile up at her and she makes a face back at me because she knows I'm right. I’m not into wearing a lot of make-up. I feel like it’s too much work to put on foundation and all that other stuff. I like to keep things simple.

Two hours later my paper is done, and Jess and I are both dressed and ready to go. We look good. I am wearing my little black dress that fits tightly to what little curves I have, and my thigh high stripper boots. My shoulder length hair is pulled back into a bun and my outfit is accented with purple earrings, a purple necklace, and purple bangles. My face is simple. I'm wearing lip gloss, silver sparkly eye shadow and I even went all out and added eye liner to make my slanted cat eyes pop.

Jess really went all out. I'm talking foundation, eye shadow, eye liner, lip stick, lashes you name it. She's wearing a red dress that slightly hangs off her shoulders and hugs her in all the right places. Small gold hoop earrings with the matching necklace and some sexy gold pumps. Her super short hair is curled just tight enough to give her a few inches of length.

Hey girl. I say to her as she turns to face me What's yo name?

Shut up. She smiles and waves me off as we head out the door.

Aye girl, get back here. I call out as I lock the door. We both laugh as we make our way outside.

We only stand at the clock tower for a couple of minutes before the shuttle comes to pick us up. When we arrive at Club Excape we get in the long line outside the door.

The line moves quickly and soon enough, we are being scanned with a wand by security and walking inside. As we walk in the club, I see it is already packed and I can feel the music in my chest. We quickly find a spot to sit down for a while observing everyone dancing, drinking and talking.

We chat among ourselves until we hear the song Get Loose play through the speakers. As the song plays everyone rushes to the dance floor. As much as I want to join them, I decide against it because I'm pretty sure I know what song the DJ will play next, and I want to be ready because that's my jam.

I'm going to get a drink! I shout over the music. 

Jess nods her head and stands to go with me. As we finish our second shot the song changes and Too Short is instructing the crowd to put a hump in your back and shake your rump. I scream with joy, ecstatic that I was right about the next song. Grabbing Jess's hand, I make my way to the dance floor and began to move.

About three songs after we hit the floor a guy comes up and starts to dance behind Jess. I wait for the light to hit his face and as soon as I give her the thumbs up I feel a guy behind me. Looking at Jess I wait for the thumbs up before I give him the works, but she just looks at me and smiles as she continues to dance. 

Damn! Where is Shaniece when I need her? Not here, I think to myself. Oh well here goes nothing. 

I start to move, swinging my hips left then right and back left again and to my surprise mystery man is keeping up. Yes! I love a guy who can dance. It’s a major turn on. I began to grind against him, and he grinds right back. We continue to dance together for the remainder of the song. 

The next song starts to play.

Deciding I can no longer take the anticipation I turn to face mystery man as I continue to dance so I can get a good look at his face. He looks a hot mess! His clothes are two sizes too big, and his grey sweatpants clash with his neon green polo shirt. I'm guessing he decided not to comb his hair before he came out because it's all curled up into medium sized peas on top his head.

I thought people were supposed to dress to impress when they come to the club.

His eyes are spaced too far apart and he's giving me this goofy ass smile displaying a huge gap between his two front teeth. 

I immediately stop dancing and as I do he pulls me closer to him. I push him away and fan myself with my hand as if to say I'm too hot. He leans in towards my ear and ask me for my phone number.

No thank you. I say giving him an apologetic smile and head over towards the bar. I’m sure he’s somebody’s type, but he is not mine. 

Before I can make it to the bar I am stopped by a much taller and cuter guy, from what I can make out in the dim light.

Come find me during the next song. I shout fanning myself. I really need some water. A few songs later I am still sitting at the bar finishing up my second cup of water. I can't believe Jess let me dance with that midget. We really have to talk when we get back to the room. 

There you are. I turn to see tall dark and cutie from before, standing behind me. He really is nice looking. He has a fresh cut, long lashes and a muscular build. Not football muscular though. Maybe basketball or some other sport, where the body frame isn't as wide. His teeth aren't bad either. They're not perfect but at least you can't kick a field goal through them, and he has a gorgeous smile. 

Excuse me? I ask snapping back to reality. 

You told me to come find you. He says smoothly. I believe you owe me a dance.

Is that right? I ask looking at him directly through his long lashes. As soon as the words escape my mouth the lights in the club come on. For a moment I am taken aback. He looks so much better in the light. Maybe next time. I smirk as I hop down off the bar stool and head towards the door where I see Jess waiting. 

The weekend goes by fairly smooth, especially since I've already finished my paper. Sunday evening, I make a call to my mom who is busy chasing after my younger brothers and preparing them for the school week ahead. After a very brief conversation with her I call Shaniece and tell her about the club Friday night and how Jess let me grind all over a troll. 

It’s not funny! I shout at Shaniece into the phone looking across the room at Jess with narrowed eyes. Then the fool had the nerve to ask for my number. Apparently, that puts the icing on the cake for Shaniece and she proceeds to laugh even harder.

And that is why you don't step out without your partner in crime. Shaniece says.

I roll my eyes at her statement. It's not like I didn't ask her to come.

What did she have to say for herself? She asks. 

She didn't know. I say mocking Jess’s innocent voice But she does now. I quickly add. I smile up at Jess as she takes a moment to look up from her laptop to give me the side eye.

The next morning, I get out of bed at a quarter past nine. Within 20 minutes I am showered and dressed in my red lace bra and matching panties, jeans and flip flops. Looking down at my toes I realize it's been almost two weeks since I had a pedicure. I make a mental note to go to the salon tomorrow after class. I then apply a small amount of lip gloss, check my reflection in the mirror, grab my lightweight jacket and head out the door to class.

Lucky for me it feels marvelous outside and I'm not too cold seeing as how I'm not wearing a shirt underneath my jacket. I don't like wearing clothes. If it were up to me everyone would be allowed to walk around free and naked but apparently society frowns upon it so, a pair of jeans and a jacket over my undies will have to do. I walk into the psychology building and enter room 103 taking a seat on the third row. 

Class starts at ten o’clock on the dot. After everyone turns in their paper, we discuss Pavlov and his salivating dogs and how we as humans are conditioned to do certain things as children. I get a high off this stuff. I chose to be a psych major because I find it interesting and somewhat entertaining to learn why people do the things they do, say the things they say, and are the way they are. My mom used to foster children, and I as well as my two younger brothers are adopted. None of us have the same parents. But my brothers were both born cocaine positive and premature which has major effects on the brain. As they grew older behaviors and disabilities began to show and I have been hooked on the brain and how it works ever since.

We will not have class on Wednesday and Friday because I will be out of town. But there will be another paper due on Monday and a test. The class groans and I am ripped away from my thoughts.

I know. Professor Clark says You all are my favorite too! Everything you need including the study guide is online. If need be, I can be reached via e-mail... Now go! She says waving her hands towards the door.

Well, there goes my high. I grab my notebook and disappointingly exit the building. As I am walking back to my room, I hear someone call out from up ahead.

Aye! I'm not sure if they are talking to me, but I don't bother to look around because my name is not Aye. As I approach a group of guys one of them calls out.

There goes the girl from the club who doesn't dance. 

I look over to see the cutie with the lashes from Friday night grinning at me.

You still owe me a dance. He says with a cocky smile on his face. 

The guys standing with him are now looking at me with smiles on their faces. I narrow my eyes at him and continue to walk towards my dorm. I hope he doesn't think he's going to get that dance now. Who does he think he is calling me out like that?

Ugh. Men! I say out loud as I shake my head.

Seeing as how today is Monday, I have nothing but time to relax when I get back to my room. Monday's, Wednesday's, and Fridays are my easy days. I only have one class at ten in the morning. Tuesday's and Thursday's, on the other hand are hell. I have back-to-back classes all day.

While I sit and wait on Jess to finish up with her classes, I go through my assignments making sure I have everything ready for my busy day tomorrow. Once Jess makes it to our room we head across campus to the cafe' to grab some