Chapter 22

Morning, Esined

I barely got sleep and I had to walk to school this morning. My dad had to go into work early and I had no other way, but to walk.

When my dad left, Uncle Don went into his room. I was about to leave so I told him goodbye.

"Wait," He said.

"Yes?" I turned around.

He gave me three envelopes. "Make sure you give them back to me when you get home,"

I hugged him. "Thank you so much," I smiled.

He hugged back before releasing me. "No problem. I'd walk you if I could,"

"It's okay. Love you, Uncle Don,"

"Love you too, Caterpillar. Have a good day," he kissed my forehead and I smiled.

"You too," I left.

I began my journey of walking to school. I stared at the envelopes and smiled to myself. I was excited to read them. I read the envelope, happy to see her handwriting.

To: Esined EvansFrom: Eiram Evans

I knew not to open them in the harsh wind I was in. I knew it'd fly away.

I sighed, looking up and noticing a car slow down next to me.

"Es!" the window was rolled down. I saw Viola and August.

I waved.

"You want a ride?" August asked.

I wasn't sure if I should say yes or keep walking.

"We not tryna kidnap you. We all goin' ta school," he chuckled.

"Sure," I said.

He pulled over and got out the car.

Viola crawled to the backseat.

August came over next to me and opened the passenger door.

I looked at him. "Thank you,"

"No problem," he went to get in the drivers seat. He drove off when we both had our seat belts on. "You usually walk ta school?"

"No," I said. "My dad usually takes me,"

He nodded before focusing back on the road. "Viola,"

"Yeah?"

"Don't you eva crawl ova my shit like dat again,"

They started laughing, but I thought he was serious.

"My bad," she said.

"You in a rush ta get ya school?" he asked me.

"Not really. Why?" I asked.

"We stop and get breakfast every mornin'. You want somethin'?"

"I didn't bring any money. No thank you,"

"I'm payin', love," he said. "I gotchu. Whateva you want, on me,"

"Wow. Thank you," I smiled.

"No problem," he smiled.

I tried not to touch anything in his car, but I was fascinated with everything. From the bobble head on his dashboard to the little things like his door handle. I had never been in such an expensive and flashy car before. I felt so poor being in here simply from the fact that the working door handle impressed me. I wished my dad could afford something like this, but I knew that'd never happen.

August drove to a Coney Island that was a few blocks away from school. We had more than enough time to even sit down and eat before classes started.

We sat in a booth. August sat across from Viola and I.

I observed the menu and immediately went to the cheap side. I was always taught not to go to the expensive side, especially when someone else was paying.

I guess August took notice because he spoke to me quietly, placing his hand over mine. His hand was soft and warm.

"Trust me, I can afford it. Get whateva you want. I don't care about prices,"

"I-I..." I looked at him. "I'm sorry,"

"It's good. You ain't gotta go ta the kids menu," he joked and I laughed.

"Hello. My name is Kevin and I'll be your waiter this morning. Can I start you off with any drinks?" A male approached us with a huge grin on his face.

"Ladies first," August said.

"I'll take a lemonade," Viola said.

"I'll have water," I said, not knowing if the drinks were free or not. He was already buying my food and the least I could do was get complimentary water. Of course he could afford a drink, but honestly, almost three dollars for a drink was ridiculous.

"And for you, sir?" He gave August his attention.

"I'll have a lemonade also,"

"Two lemonades and a water. Are you all ready to order or did you want me to come back with the drinks first?"

"Y'all ready?" August asked us.

Viola nodded and I looked at her.

I often forgot that people weren't raised like me.

"Yes," I said.

Once he took all of our orders, he went to get our drinks and place our orders.

I was looking down at my fingers and heard laughter. I looked up, knowing that laughter from anywhere. I stared at him, not liking what I saw.

"You good?" I heard August ask.

"I'm okay," I said, still staring at my dad.

"Oh, Eric. You're hilarious," The woman laughed, playfully hitting his arm.

He laughed with her as their coffees were brought to them.

August and Viola spoke, but I barely heard them. I was too focused on my dad with this woman.

Was she why he always has to go into work early all of a sudden? Was she the reason why him and mama fought a lot and he made her leave?

They drank their coffee and spoke, nothing important, at least I thought until I heard my and Uncle Don's name.

"What are you going to tell Don?"

He shrugged. "That he can't stay with me anymore,"

"What about your daughter? Esined?" she asked. "I'm not willing to play step mom,"

"Babe, don't even worry about her. Trust me, she doesn't love her old man anyway," he sipped some of his coffee. "It won't be hard to get rid of her. She'd be happy to go," then he mumbled something, causing them both to laugh.

"I don't understand why she's such a bad child. You're a wonderful father, from what you tell me," she sighed and shook her head. "Kids these days,"

"Right," he chuckled. "Kids these days," he repeated. "Can't even live anymore once they come along,"

"I heard that," she agreed.

I felt a tear fall from my eye and more followed. I immediately began to rubbed my eyes.

"What's wrong girl?" Viola asked.

August looked at me, concerned.

"I'm okay. I have horrible allergies," I tried to laugh it off, dabbing under my eyes with a napkin.

"I have to get to work. I'll see you later," The woman smiled.

"Alright," my dad smiled back before they kissed.

She left the restaurant and he finished his coffee before leaving.

Once our food arrived, I pushed my emotions away and ate. August grabbed a napkin before reaching across the table, causing me to flinch.

He frowned before wiping syrup from my chin.

I looked down at his fingers. "Thank you,"

Great, I look like I don't have manners and I must look like a baby to him. I could have got that myself, but that was sweet of him.

"No problem,"

"Awe," Viola smiled.

I could feel my cheeks getting slightly hot. "Viola," I mumbled, embarrassed.

"What? It was cute,"

"Don't do that,"

"Do what?" she asked innocently.

"Brooklyn, leave her alone," August chuckled.

"Fine," she mumbled and pulled out her phone before standing up. "Esined, can you sit next to August?"

"Um, sure," I got up and sat next to August.

"Can y'all smile, like right here?"

"What is you doin'?" August asked her.

"Taking a picture fool,"

"You ain't ask us if we want ta take one," he sipped on his lemonade.

I stared at how his lips formed around his straw.

It was strange to be this close to him.

"Would you guys like to take a picture?" Viola smiled.

"You just took like five of us. I ain't dumb, Brooklyn," he laughed.

"May I ask why you're taking a picture of us?"

She looked at him and he started laughing.

"Why you lookin' at me like I know why you being weird?"

"I wanted pictures of my friends together," she said.

"Oh okay," I said. "Did you want us to smile or something?"

"Yeah, get really close please,"

August and I moved closer together.

"A little closer. August, can you put your arm around her?"

He looked at me for confirmation and I moved closer to him. He put his arm around me and I felt so comfortable being under him. His scent was so amazing and he was warm. Being in his arms made me think about my mama.

I got the same feeling that I got when I was in her arms. I felt safe and it was weird that I felt that way because I don't know August much, but I felt like I could trust him.

I stared up at him.

"Smile," Viola said.

I looked up at the camera and smiled with him.

Viola showed us the picture.

"Send me dat," he said.

"Already sent,"

His arm was still around me and I honestly didn't mind.

He looked at his watch. "We should get goin' now," he removed his arm from around me and I moved out of the booth.

August paid, leaving a fifty dollar bill on the table when our bill had only came up to twenty-eight dollars and eighty cent.

"You aren't going to get your change?" I questioned.

"Nah. It's a tip now," he said.

Why would he leave such a huge tip?

"August likes to give big tips," Viola said.

"That's really nice, but may I ask why?"

"Waiters and waitresses make three-ten an hour plus tips, I figure I'd help them out a little. Three-ten an hour ain't doin' nun for their checks," he held the door open for us.

"That's really sweet of you. And thank you,"

"No problem," he opened the passenger for me again and closed it for me before going to the drivers side. He opened his door and got in. He started the car and drove to school.

I felt uncomfortable in the car because I didn't know any of the music they were playing and it had a lot of curse words.

First I got married to moneyThen I fell in love wit dat dirtyFirst I got married to moneyThen I fell in love wit dat dirtyExtendo, extendo, extendoThe clip got a whole lot of 30I got my clique and they represent thisLike a nigga wearin' jerseys

It blasted through the speakers and I didn't understand the lyrics. I knew what he was saying, but I didn't understand him. I never listened to music like this and I wasn't sure if I liked it. I was used to Jazz and Country music, so this was way out of my element.

"What's this?" I asked.

"Future," Viola said. "You've never heard of him?"

"No,"

"Do you want me ta turn it off?" August asked.

"No. I kinda like it,"

He pulled up to the school and went to his parking spot.

I began to open my door and he spoke.

"Can I talk ta you fa a minute?" he asked. "We got ten minutes,"

"Sure,"

Viola sat in the backseat and he looked back at her.

"What?" she asked.

"Get out?"

"Ohhh! My bad," she laughed and opened her door. "See y'all in class," she smiled before leaving and walking towards the school.

I was quiet. I didn't know what he was about to say to me and it made me nervous.

"You alright?" he asked.

"I'm okay. You alright?"

"I'll be okay when you tell me why you started cryin' at the restaurant," he gave me direct eye contact.

"I told you, I have allergies," I mumbled.

"You are the worst liar I've eva met,"

I frowned. "It was just something I saw. I'm okay now. I really am," I tried to assure him.

He sighed. "I won't pressure you ta talk about it wit me. I just wanted ta make sure you were okay. I don't like seein' people sad. Especially not a beautiful girl like you,"

I looked at him. "Beautiful?"

He nodded. "You don't think so?"

"No,"

"Why not?"

"I don't know. I just don't see it,"

"What? You ain't got no mirrors at home?" he joked before chuckling and I laughed a little. "I see it, love. Trust me I do,"

"Thank you," I picked at my nails.

"You know I'm hea if you eva need someone ta talk to, right?"

"Yeah. Thanks for being nice to me and taking me out for breakfast,"

"No problem at all," he gave me a smile.

I stared at him, admiring his face before looking at the time. "I think we should go into school now," I grabbed my backpack and got out of the car.

He got out of the car too, walking besides me. "Can I ask you somethin' else?"

He sure did have a lot of questions, but I didn't mind answering some of them.

"Go ahead,"

"Are you datin' anyone?"

"No. Are you dating anyone?"

"Nope," He opened the door for me.

"Thank you," I said and we went through security.

We ended up walking next to each other again.

"Would you like ta-" August stopped himself and cleared his throat. He rubbed his fingertips against his palms. "Um,"

"You okay?"

"I-I'm alright," he mumbled. "Would you like ta go on a date wit me?" he blurted.

I looked at him. "Huh?" I asked even though I heard him clearly. I was making sure I hadn't mixed up his words.

Was he actually asking me on a date? I never been asked on one before.

"A date? You know? You and me?" he asked. "Maybe the movies or anywhere you wanna go,"

"I can't," I frowned. "I'm not allowed to go on dates. I'm sorry,"

I noticed he looked a little down after I turned down his offer.

"It's alright," he mumbled. "It was worth a shot," he tried to cheer himself up.

"If it makes you feel any better, I definitely would have loved to go on a date with you," I smiled.

"Really?"

"Yes,"

He gave me a small smile. "That's good ta know,"

The first bell rang and we went to our classes.

I couldn't help but feel guilty. My emotions were now mixed and I didn't know how I felt. I liked how nice both Keenon and August were to me, but it was a feeling I got from August more than I did Keenon.

I got the feeling of safety around August. Like he'd never hurt me intentionally, let alone at all.

Of course, Keenon gave me butterflies, but I wasn't too sure about him after I began to consider what Uncle Don said to me. I know that him cheating on his previous girlfriend made me cautious. Also it was something else that made me not want to be seriously involved with him. He moved too fast and when I'm around him, I can't help but to think of when Viola told me that she didn't like him, but never told me why. I felt like there was more to it than what he told me.

If I had known August had an interest in me, I probably would have been around him more. I know for a fact that my small liking for him since the first day of school probably would have turned into a crush if it wasn't for my fear of Chantelle.

I honestly didn't know how to feel about this. All I could hope was that if I were to end up taking serious interest in one of them, it'd be the one who has good intentions.

-Hiii. How are y'all? I hope all is going great with y'all.

Before anyone asks, my day was nice and thank you for asking.

Questions:

How do y'all feel about Esined?

How do y'all feel about August?

How do y'all feel about Eric and this mistress of his? (Try not to say y'all ready for his character to die lmfaoo)

Should Esined go on the date anyway?

Are y'all ready to find out what the letters from Eiram say?

How are y'all feeling about this book? I'm trying to speed things up.

I always ask that because I'm insecure about my writing and I just want to make sure it satisfies y'all. I never feel like it's good enough.

Anyway, comments & votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo.