My Sisters’ Keeper {Unlocked}

By Ra’Sheeka Keonique

Meet Ryder, Angela, Torey and Delylah. These four intelligent, brave, beautiful, and witty heroines have been best friends their entire lives. If the title My Sisters' Keeper were people, it'd be this tribe of women… Until, All Hell Breaks Loose, that is. When the tide turns, the besties find themselves on four life-altering journeys, but because the sisters' lives are so Entangled, they embark on their separate journeys together. Their paths take them into the abyss, where things get real dark, real tumultuous and real heinous, real quick. When it ain't all Go best friend -That's My Best Friend- anymore, Ryder, Angela, Torey & Delylah are left infuriated, betrayed, and devastated. Will the girls survive the conflagration, and find their way back to the tribe? Or, will the ferocious waters of love, friendship and sisterhood be just a tad too murky for them to navigate their way home? Most importantly, will they still have a home to go back to?

• Language: English
• Publisher: DOPE VIBEZ ENTERTAINMENT LLC
• Release date: Feb 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201780135

Ra’Sheeka Keonique

Ra'Sheeka Keonique is a writer, artist & businesswoman. The mom of three is from Harvey LA, where her love of music & storytelling developed while she was still writing with fat pencils. When it comes to her art, there’s no separation between writing, music and storytelling. In her world, the art forms simply can’t exist without the other. Whether engulfed in RL Stine's Goosbumps, nodding as The Fresh Prince told her of a nightmare on his street, listening intently to MC Lyte tell the story of Poor Georgie, or diving into the latest by Eric Jerome Dickey, RK could feel the pull of storytelling tugging on her gut. Years later, while watching an episode of Ms. Rhimes's Scandal, RK inspiredly decided to answer the call. Despite housing a chest full of trepidation, in 2017 she made the decision to stop talking herself out of pursuing her passion, then sat down to pen her first novel, Entangled. Journeying down the darkness of an unfamiliar path, RK forged on. In 2019, she published Entangled, followed by My Sisters’ Keeper in 2020. After setting out on her quest, RK learned that the path she’d been on had actually been created just for her, by The Creator; the only light she needed to light her path had been within her all long. Audacious and wiser, RK is no longer afraid to shine her light. She unapologetically blazes her path, relentlessly creates with love and dope vibez. Whether penning a novel, children’s book, song, movie, or freelancing for a magazine, you can count on RK to execute like only she can. Since their original publications, Entangled & My Sisters’ Keeper have been transformed. RK is beaming with pride to announce the release of the 2nd editions, Entangled Reloaded & My Sisters’ Keeper {Unlocked}. These remarkable stories are the first of a plethora to introduce RK's entertainment company, DOPE VIBEZ ENTERTAINMENT. And trust, you're NOT going to want to miss what she cultivates next. Whoever you are, wherever you are, RK invites you to be her guest; immerse yourself into her universe. Get carried away in love, adventure, suspense, humor, and music… You may never want to leave.

Book preview

If love is water,

pour out your love for free.

Love is water,

pour out your love for me.

-Saint Mercedes

{Water}

Dedication

To the being God used to snatch my attention when I was looking everywhere but at Him,

CJ

Thank you for showing me what the love of God feels like, pure, absolute and without conditions. Because now, I have this peculiar appreciation for all of this unconditional love I'm surfing on.

Thank you for showing me just how delicate and precious life is, and how it could all be over in an instant. Most importantly, thank you for your sacrifice. Because without it, I don't get to this place of complete happiness, peace and liberation.

I got your beautiful flowers.

Thank you so much, I absolutely loved them.

May your amazing spirit be a blessing and a light for other beings.

We love you, CJ.

My Sisters’ Keeper {Unlocked}: Side A

Teenage Love Affair

Alicia Keys

Ex-Factor

Lauryn Hill

Skyscrapers

DMX & Bono

Stolen Moments {Live}

Alicia Keys

My Peace

PJ Morton, JoJo & Mr. Talkbox

On & On

Erykah Badu

Theme Music

Fabolous, Jadakiss & Swizz Beatz

Everytime tha Beat Drop

Monica & Dem Franchize Boyz

Hold Me Down

DMX & Alicia Keys

Find Someone Like You

Snoh Aalegra

Summer Reign

Rick Ross & Summer Walker

Everyday {Coolin’}

Swizz Beatz & Eve

Window Seat

Erykah Badu

I Like Dat

T-Pain & Kehlani

I Want You Around

Snoh Aalegra

No Guidance

Chris Brown & Drake

Pedialyte

JoJo

WHOLE LOTTA MONEY {Remix}

BIA & Nicki Minaj

SWV

Summer Walker & NO1-NOAH

Didn’t Cha Know

Erykah Badu

KEYS

Alicia Keys

Come For Me {Unlocked}

Alicia Keys, Khalid & Lucky Daye

As I Am

H.E.R.

LALA {Unlocked}

Alicia Keys & Swae Lee

Unconditional {Acoustic}

Sinead Harnett

Between Us

dvsn & Snoh Aalegra

Movin.

Kiana Ledé

Roster

Jazmine Sullivan

My Sisters’ Keeper {Unlocked}: Side B

Bed Peace

Jhené Aiko & Childish Gambino

Jill Scott

Alicia Keys & Jill Scott

Nothing To Me

Snoh Aalegra

Back in the Day

Erykah Badu

Can You Blame Me

Kehlani & Lucky Daye

2020 Riots: How Many Times

Trey Songz

Spiral SZN

JoJo

At My Worst

Pink Sweat$ & Kehlani

It’s Okayyy

Swizz Beatz

Blow Your Mind

Styles P

Like Water {Originals}

Alicia Keys

Lift

JoJo

Get Me

Justin Bieber & Kehlani

Again

Kehlani

Tryna Smoke

Jhené Aiko & MicahFoneCheck

Brand New Me

Alicia Keys

Footsteps

Kehlani & Musiq Soulchild

Say So

PJ Morton & JoJo

Gold {Acoustic}

JoJo

You

Snoh Aalegra

Get Away

Kehlani

Billions {Originals}

Alicia Keys

Water

Saint Mercedes

The Impossible

Mariah Carey

Let’s Make Music

SWV

Nat King Cole {Unlocked}

Alicia Keys & Lil Wayne

Girl On Fire {Bluelight Version}

Alicia Keys

Steady Love

India.Arie

Side A

High School

Teenage Love Affair

"B

itch, there go Sean," Angela said with her lips barely moving, as she sat across their school cafeteria table from Delylah, who sat at their table sketching in her drawing pad, as she did most days. Delylah wore earbuds in both ears, but Angela’s outburst cut through Fall Out Boy’s Uma Thurman, and forced her to snatch one of the buds out.

She tuned in to her friends just in time to catch Ryder instinctively turning her entire body around to catch a glimpse of the sexy senior strolling in with his squad. Before she could take him in though, Ryder felt a sharp sting to her thigh where Delylah had pinched her, Ouch! D, what was that for? You know you can’t just go around pinching us like that! We bruise, bruh, Ryder said with her freckled face screwed up, as she tried to rub the sting out of her leg.

Halting her red rimmed glasses from coasting down the bridge of her nose, Torey snorted a quick laugh, from across the table, next to Angela. Don’t make it so obvious, Red, Delylah said to Ryder through clinched teeth. I don’t want him to think anybody’s checking for him.

But, you are checking for him, Torey quipped.

Yeah, but he don’t know that, Delylah defended. Her friends all sang in laughter, until Angela -the brave one- abruptly leaped from the table and headed in Sean’s direction.

Where are you going? Delylah yelped, with more panic in her voice than she intended to express. She instinctively reached out to pull Angela back to the table, but it was no use from across the table. Before Delylah even knew she was reaching for her, Ang was already up on her feet and on the move. She turned back to face her friend with a pointer finger up to her mouth and playfully sang, Shhh! I got this.

Delylah dropped her face in the palms of her hands. Mortification spread across her sandy brown cheeks like goosebumps. Nope. We don’t have time for that, Ryder stated, placing a finger under Delylah’s chin. She tilted her head upright, forcing Delylah’s brown eyes to meet her green eyes. Sean’s going to be looking this way in three seconds, she warned carefully, before perking up. Look cute! A smile forced its way onto Delylah’s face. There you go, Ryder said with a smile of her own.

Torey glanced over in the direction Angela had taken off. She noticed her standing in the center of the group of guys, seamlessly blending into their Clique with the same ease she did her own. Sean and the bulk of his friends were members of the varsity boys basketball team, while Angela and Torey played for the girls’ team. The two teams often practiced after school and travelled together on game days, so they kind of were her second clique.

None of the girls were able to hear the conversation, but it didn’t take a super genius -which Torey most definitely was- to figure out that Ang was playing matchmaker. Sean peeked over the shoulder of one of his teammates and smirked, confirming Delylah’s worst nightmare. Angela was ruining her life.

Torey tore through Delylah’s ignominy, So, we’re going to do our best to look as though we’re having a normal conversation, and we don’t even realize Ang is over there talking to Sean, Torey coached. Ryder and Delylah acknowledged their cues, and without any further instructions, the besties relaxed and played it cool. Well, Ryder relaxed, while Delylah did her best to play it cool. She didn’t understand why Angela played so damn much.

Minutes went by before Ang found her way back to her table. She slid her long lanky frame back into her seat as if she had never left. Delylah asked anxiously, What did you say to him?

All I said was I may have knowledge that someone may or may not have a little bit of a crush on him, that’s all, Angela said callously.

Really, Ang? Why didn’t you just go to the office and get them to make an announcement, Delylah likes Sean Melody, so that the entire school knows? Delylah fussed. Angela had embarrassed her; she wanted to punch her.

Delylah, don’t be so dramatic. You could be so extra at times, Angela said nonchalantly, brushing off Delylah’s theatrics.

Ryder chimed in, ignoring her besties' banter as she curiously asked, But, what did he say?

He said, that he may have noticed a girl or two, sitting at this table, that he may sort of have a bit of a crush on, as well, Angela replied, turning her attention to Ryder and Torey. Ryder and Torey began to squeal, while Delylah blushed uncontrollably. I can’t believe you did that, Delylah said, folding into herself.

Uhhh, yes you can, Angela said smugly.

Apologies for changing the subject here ladies, Ryder interjected, But, are we meeting up at your house after school before we head to the mall, Torey?

Yeah, we can get changed there. I was thinking, we could catch a movie after the mall, I really want to see Avengers: Age of Ultron, Torey answered.

You always want to see the movies where things are being blown up and torn up, and the people are being beat up and shot up. Just a few weeks ago, we had to sit through the adrenaline rush of Furious 7. Now, I guess we’re going avenging. You never want to see some funny shit, Delylah snapped, still a little annoyed with Angela.

And since you already know this, why are you stating it as if you’re making a new point? Torey shot back.

OK you two, Angela interrupted. I wouldn’t mind seeing The Avengers, Red? she asked, looking across the table at Ryder.

Ryder shrugged and said, Yeah, that’s fine with me.

Welp! It’s settled then. Sorry my sweet Delylah, but you have been outvoted. After school, we’ll meet up at Torey’s house, change clothes, hit the mall, then the movies. You good with that D? Angela asked as if she hadn’t spent the better part of their lunch period antagonizing the shit out of her.

Although the girls were relatively the same age, Angela had a maturity about her that often emitted mama bear vibez -those, Because I said so, vibez. The other girls didn’t mind it though, even when they were being outvoted. Delylah playfully rolled her eyes before sarcastically responding to Angela, I mean... I guess.

Good! Angela said, satisfied it had all worked out. Suddenly, her shoulders sank a bit before she opened her mouth to say, Can y’all believe we’re going to be graduating in two weeks? That just seems so surreal to me, Her words carried a smidge of angst.

Right, Ryder answered warily, spilling her jitters and leaving them to dance across their table.

Off into the deep end we go, Torey said with a slight shudder before shoving her glasses back up her nose.

But, at least you have Corey to jump into the deep end with. Lucky you, you were born with your very own life partner, Delylah said disquietly.

What are you talking about, weirdo? Angela questioned. The four of us are soulmates. Why are you talking like we’ll never see each other again? Like, suddenly after graduation, we’re going to forget we ever knew each other.

I’m not saying that, Delylah defended, But you have to admit, things are going to be hella different for us. No more after school trips to the mall, or sleepovers at each other’s houses. No more of pretending not to notice the cutie in the letterman jacket as he steps into the school cafeteria. No more of lying to our parents about being at one another’s houses so that we can run off to a party. Literally, life as we know it, is going to change, Delylah said.

I think you mean, no more of having to lie to our parents about being at each other’s houses to sneak out to parties, because we’ll be grown, Angela corrected. Admittedly, things are going to change for us, but you chumps are stuck with me for life, so just get used to that idea, Angela added, hoping to settle the angst she had ignited.

Ang is right, y’all. Our bond won’t just vanish into thin air once some old guy in a robe hands us a piece of paper, Ryder said.

What Red said, Torey chimed in. D and I may have played in the sandbox together, but the four of us have gone through puberty together, and lived to tell about it, she said titteringly. And yes, I have my brother, but that’s different. This, is different.

Torey’s eyes dropped to the center of their table as she considered her next words. We’ve spent every day since the sixth grade together, she started before returning her gaze back to her friends. I love y’all in real life, and that won’t just go away, as Red so eloquently stated, once some old guy in a robe hands us a piece of paper.

Y’all right. I guess I’m just scared, nervous. I don’t know what to expect on the other side of these walls. School has been our lives, our only real responsibility for as long as we could remember. Yeah, we do have some liberties, but life is pretty much laid out for us. All we have to do is follow the yellow brick road. But once we graduate, I feel like we’ll be on our own, Delylah admitted.

You’ll never be on your own, D. Like I said, you’re stuck with me, chump, Angela said, winking reassuringly at her friend.

Ooh! I got an idea! Ryder yelped, as if a switch were just flipped ON in her brain. Grinning like the Joker, Ryder said, Matching tattoos.

Angela smiled in agreement, while panic splashed across Torey’s face. Our mamas are going to kill us before life has a chance to, she said.

Stop being so paranoid, T. Ang is 18. I mean, technically, she’s already an adult. You and Corey’ll be 18 soon, and Red and I won’t be far behind you two. Once we’re officially adults, our mamas won’t have a say, Delylah added confidently.

OK, but you’re going to be the one to take the lead on that and tell them, Torey shot back.

Tell who what? Torey’s twin brother Corey said right on cue, as he slid into the empty seat next to Angela, sandwiching her between he and his sister.

How our mamas won’t have a say in the matter of the tattoos we’re getting, Angela said casually.

Corey’s face winced as if he’d vividly remembered something painful, and strongly advised against that idea. Yeah... OK. If y’all say so, he chirped.

That’s what I’m trying to tell them! Torey said.

Man, they can’t be the boss of us forever. Man up, Torey, live a little, Angela said.

I didn’t say I wasn’t going to do it, I’m just saying. Since, clearly, you and D don’t have a problem with a potential ass whooping, you two should be the ones to take the lead on this one, that’s all. Now, are you going to man up, Ang? Torey quipped.

Angela scoffed, I’ll tell ‘em, she replied as if it were no big deal.

Ryder released the silent sigh of relief she wasn’t aware she’d been holding on to. Something about Torey’s mention of their mamas, made her reconsider her matching tattoos idea whether suddenly.

Ryder’s mom, Addison, slipped out of their house one morning before she, her father Liam and her brother Logan had awakened when Ryder was just five years old; leaving her and Logan motherless, until Delylah’s mom Olivia -The Judge-, Angela’s mom Zahra -Mama Z- and Torey’s mom Tasha melted into the role. The group of women, whom the girls affectionately referred to as the mamas, refilled a space in Ryder’s life she didn’t think anyone had the power to fill but her mom.

Although Ryder and her brother stuck out like rainbows amongst the chocolate mamas, with their peaches and cream skin tone, thick red hair and emerald green eyes, the mamas treated them as their own. They couldn’t love Ryder and Logan more if they tried. They didn’t leave Liam out of the mix either.

When Addison left, she took a huge part of him as well, almost crippling him. In her absence, he threw himself into his kids and his work. He did his best to move on, but he never quite got around to filling that space in his life. So, the mamas pitched in where they could.

Collectively, the mamas prayed over them like DMX, checked-in and made sure the trio had home cooked meals, clean laundry, a place for Ryder and Logan to go on the days their father worked late, and an ass whooping when they stepped out of line; just as they would Angela, Delylah, Torey and Corey.

Speaking of, Man, y’all wild. Let me know how that works out for y’all, Corey interjected.

Whatever boy. What are you doing at our table anyway? Ryder asked.

Corey was cool when he said, You know I had to come see what the four musketeers were up to.

Lies! You just had to come see what D was up to, Ryder teased.

Shut up, Red, Corey said sneering at Ryder. You always think you know. He then casually turned his attention to Delylah, But yo, D, what are you getting into after school today? he asked slyly.

Why are you so concerned about what I’m doing? Delylah questioned, with just the slightest neck role. Whatever I’m doing, it won’t be with you, she shot.

Aw girl, quit playing. Stop acting like you’re not checking for me, because I know you are, Corey shot back confidently.

Boy bye. Ain’t nobody worried about you. I mean you’re a lil cute, or whatever, but you’re like a brother to me. I’m not trying to go there with you, Delylah offered.

Man, ain’t nobody trying to be your damn brother. I already got a sister, Corey spat.

And, I’m a little nauseous from this conversation, Torey said, interrupting Corey and Delylah’s Back and Forth with an hyperbolic act of vomiting. Those two could keep that game of Ping Pong up all day; who had time for that? Can we go now? I have to stop at my locker and grab my Math book before my next class, Torey continued -and by Math book, she meant her advanced placement Calculus Math book.

Definitely, I’m over this conversation. See you later, brother, Delylah jabbed with a smirk, petting the top of Corey’s head before walking off with her girls.

After school

I knew you were checking for me, Corey stated, wearing a confident smile on his face, as he met up with Delylah who’d begun walking the pathway that led to his front door at the same moment he had.

Corey. I done told you, I’on like you like that, bruh. And, you act like I’m not at your house just as much as I'm at my own. I’ve been coming to your house almost every day since The Judge allowed me to leave the front yard, so don’t flatter yourself. Today’s no different, my G. I’m here to see Torey, Delylah informed.

"Yeah, OK. That’s what your mouth say, but I know you feel all this undeniable chemistry Between Us. I know one thing though, you better act fast, because I’m honestly not sure how much longer I’ll be able to keep the girls off me. They on me, D, and I don’t want you to miss your chance. I’m really trying to help you out, if you think about it," Corey said coaxingly.

Ew. I’ll take my chances, Delylah said, rolling her eyes as she sped up her pace, attempting to put some distance between she and Corey.

She strolled right into the house, not even bothering to knock. Before her first step touched the floor, Delylah was smacked with the scent of freshly baked apple pies. She knew that meant the twins’ mama, Tasha, was in the kitchen doing what she loved, and what Delylah loved for her to do.

Ever since they were little kids, Tasha was always cooking and baking something that would leave the scent of something decadent and delicious wafting throughout the entire house. Delylah had been secretly waiting to see what goodies Tasha would have for them ever since the girls had decided to go to Torey’s house after school. So, instead of heading up to Torey’s room, where she was sure her friends were awaiting her arrival, Delylah made her way to the kitchen.

Hey Moms, she greeted Tasha with the widest grin as she crossed the room to hug her. Delylah was grateful for the pies that had the twins’ house smelling like Heaven on a Tuesday, but she was more eager to see Tasha.

Tasha had a way of making all of the kids feel like they were her favorite, despite the fact that she’d only given birth to two of them. That hadn’t stopped Tasha from doting over each of them the same. She loved those kids, and those kids loved her.

Hey my baby! How are you doing? Did you have a good day at school today? Tasha asked cheerfully. She was always elated to see her kids.

She always has a good day whenever she gets to see me, ma, Corey said vaingloriously, as he entered the kitchen with their dog CJ cuffed under one of his arms.

Boy shush! Why are you always inserting yourself in conversations that don’t concern you, and insist on making them about you? I believe she was talking to me, Delylah shot, rolling her eyes at Corey from across the room. I swear, your solipsism is unmatched, she said before returning her attention back to Tasha and said politely, I’m great, actually.

Delylah denied the grin that tried to force her lips to spread across her face in elation before saying, But I’ll be doing even better once I get a slice of this pie in my mouth. Delylah fought off the urge to dance at the mere mention of Tasha’s sweet apple pie.

Well, let me see what I can do about that, Tasha responded with a smile. Corey Anthony, leave that girl alone. I know she’s cute and all, but she don’t want you son, Tasha continued. D smiled broadly as she sat her backpack down, allowing it to rest against the island that dwelled in the center of the modest kitchen. She pulled out one of the stools and made herself at home.

That’s how it is, ma? You picking sides now? It’s OK. I have to go changed and grab my camera before Logan gets here to pick me up anyway. Come on CJ, we don’t have to take this, Corey said, feigning hurt feelings, while petting the top of the small dog’s head. He could be so dramatic when he wanted.

Well here, take this with you, Tasha said handing her son a slice of pie, causing Corey to spin around like The Temptations and reach back for plate outstretched to him. Dramatic as he was, even Corey knew when to turn it off, and put some respect on his mama’s pie. I will take this though, Corey said quickly, easing the saucer from his mama’s hand. He pecked her cheek with a grin, Thanks ma, Corey said before turning for his room.

Tasha