Book excerpt: A story of hood life and love. Annette Brooks is an easygoing girl from the hood. She starts nothing she can't finish and never loses the fight. She is known for being a bookworm, so when she finds herself in the middle of a deadly battle, all things hood become a reality. Annette is soon faced with old enemies and new ones, while she struggles to balance school, first love, family, and the demands of the streets. When things don't go as planned, she finds herself in a few fight-or-flight situations. The incidents to follow will change her life forever. Christian James thrives in trouble, but when he sets his sights on Annette, he decides to keep her. He does not know the journey they will have. He didn't plan on loving her, after all, he lived for the streets. Christian feels like she is his peace and with her, anything is possible. Even getting out of the hood. When an attempt to make some easy money goes wrong, and strange incidents around them happen, he realizes he will protect her at all costs. Together, they stand in the face of many enemies. They battle jealousy, temptation, and hate. In the wake of it all, they find comfort in friends that will follow where ever they lead and cross off names on an ever-growing list of foes. While trying to survive, loyalties will be forgotten, and love is a question in their relationship. All the while, all they want is out, but, the streets always call them back. Will they make it out or just accept that It Is what it is.