Chapter 33

August

There was a knock on my bedroom door.

"Come in," I expected it to be Esined, but it was Mel. "Get out,"

He started laughing. "I ain't know yo girl was stayin' hea now,"

"Yeah, she is,"

"So that's yo girl too now?"

I shrugged. "I won't say yes and I won't say no,"

He chuckled. "My man,"

We did our handshake.

"But listen. We gotta make a quick drop,"

"Dis a regular?"

"Yeah,"

Alright," I got ready ta leave. "Imma check on Es first,"

"Alright. Meet me in da car," he left my room.

I grabbed my wallet before going to Esined's room. I knocked and she told me to come in.

Chay and Viola were in her room, playing in her hair.

"Hey," she smiled.

"Hey. I'm going to the sto'. You want anything?"

"I want-" Viola started.

"I asked Esined," I said.

"I'm telling Mel," she pouted.

"Tell him and imma tell mama where you was last night,"

"You said you weren't gonna tell,"

"Try me if you want to,"

She sucked her teeth.

"A pink lemonade would be nice," Esined said.

"Gotchu. Chay, you want somethin'?"

"Same thing,"

"Anything fa you?" I asked Viola.

"Maybe,"

"I ain't got time fa dis,"

"I want some Sweet Southern Heat Barbecue lays. Thanks,"

"Alright. I'll see y'all when I get back,"

"Thank you," they said.

I left the room and went downstairs.

My mama looked at me. "Whea you goin'?"

"Help Mel and ta the sto'. You want somethin'?"

"Be safe in those streets," she said.

"I will,"

My mama knew about what I did ta get my money and she didn't like it, but she couldn't stop me. It was what helped Mel pay the bills, put food in our stomachs, clothes on our back, and shoes on our feet. It was definitely too late for her ta stop me anyway. She taught us how to hustle and dat was the only way shit could get done around hea. Hustlin' is what got her this big ass house. Hustlin' is what keeps the flow of cash rollin' in and I was gonna get my paper by all means.

"August," she said.

I looked at her.

"I love you. You watch afta Mel and make sure he watches afta you,"

"I love you too, Mama," I said before leavin'. I got in the car wit Mel and we drove off.

We pulled up ta the corna and Mel handed me the weed. She came out of the house and jogged over to the car.

"Hey," she smiled.

"Wassup?"

She handed me two hundred dollars and I gave her what she paid fa. She tucked it in her bra. "Thanks for coming on short notice. Did y'all wanna roll one?"

Why she always tryna smoke wit us? Broad irritatin'.

"Nah. We gotta go," Mel said.

"Alright. I'll see y'all later,"

"See you lata, Tiff," He pulled off. "Irritatin' ass. Always tryna smoke wit somebody. Do she know you ain't supposed ta smoke wit da dealer?,"

"Right," I laughed. "Mane, stop at da corna sto',"

He pulled up to it and I got out.

"You want somethin'?"

"My usual,"

I nodded before goin' into the sto'. I got everything and paid fa it all. I turned around and saw Chantelle.

"Hey," she said.

I kept on walkin', not botherin' ta acknowledge her presence.

"August please," she grabbed my arm.

I counted ta five, ready to snap on her. "Girl, if you don't getcho," I snatched my arm away from her.

"I just wanted to say sorry for your loss. He was such a nice guy,"

"He ain't even like you," I said before leavin'. I got back in the car wit Mel and he looked at me. "What?"

"Dat was dat lil hoe in there?"

"Yeah. Talkin' about my pops was nice. He ain't even like you and he liked everybody,"

"Right," Mel laughed. "Hoes try they best ta talk to you,"

"Last person I wanna talk to is her,"

"Who would wanna talk ta her afta you upgraded ta a girl like Esined anyway?"

"Exactly," I laughed as we did our handshake. "Girl done lost her mind,"

Mel drove home and I went into Esined's room. I gave them their stuff and I left because Mel told me he was about to roll up. We smoked and I'm not gonna lie, I was gone. I was so gone dat I couldn't even get up. I knew I wasn't gonna make it back ta Esined's room.

Esined

I was playing uno with Viola in the den and she looked at me, smiling. She kept on doing that.

"Why do you keep smiling at me?"

"I'm just happy that you left,"

"Me too," I sighed. "I'm kind of scared that he'll find me,"

"And if he does, we won't let him hurt you,"

"That's good to know," I said. "I'm glad to have a friend who I can relate to like you,"

"Girls like us need to help each other out and stick together, you know? If you ever need advice or anything, I got you,"

"I got you too,"

"You lowkey do sound like Whitley,"

I frowned and put down my cards. "I don't want to play anymore,"

"I'm sorry," she laughed. "Her voice doesn't sound bad after a while. Your voice isn't annoying either,"

I laughed and picked up the cards.

"It's too quiet. I need some music," she stood up and plugged her phone up to the speakers. She started playing music.

Could it be you calling me down?My foolish heart turns at the starsAll that I am is all that you seeYou don't need nobody else, and you're putting this all on me, forgive meThere's a time and a place for all thisThis is not the place for all thisIs there a reason why you're saying all this?And can we talk about it later?I've gotta right my wrongsWith you is where I belongYou've been down from the go, recognition is what you wantAnd it's something that I should know

She came back over to me and sat down. We continued playing Uno.

"What was that song?" I asked as it went off.

"Right My Wrongs by Bryson Tiller,"

"I like it,"

August and Mel had came downstairs and sat on the couch.

I looked at August confused before continuing to play Uno with Viola.

"I wanna play," August said.

"Me too," Mel said.

"When we finish," Viola mumbled. "Draw four," she laughed.

I took four cards and she put down another draw four card. I looked at her and took another four. She put down another draw four and I put down my hand.

"If you make me draw another four cards, I'm gonna flip this table," I threatened. "Cheater,"

They all started laughing.

"I ain't cheating. My hand just nice. Draw two," she dropped a draw two card on me after stating that the color was yellow now.

"Viola," I glared.

"You said don't drop another draw four,"

I put my cards face down. "I'm not playing anymore,"

"Don't be a sore loser,"

"You're cheating. It's not fair," I folded my arms.

"Fine, we'll start over. Cry baby,"

"I'm not a cry baby,"

"Come on Nola and Mel," Viola said, shuffling and dealing out the cards.

"I can't move," August said before they started laughing.

I helped him sit up and he sat besides me on the carpet.

He lifted up his cards and chuckled. "I'm about ta get y'all asses so fast,"

"Stop it," I nudge him.

He looked at me with low eyes. "What'd I do?" he whispered.

Mel started laughing.

"You're cursing,"

"Sorry,"

We began to play our game of uno and August ended up winning quickly. We played more and he

"I'm hungry," August said randomly.

"Go get something to eat,"

"Come wit me,"

I stood up and went to the kitchen with August.

"You know how ta cook?"

"I can cook a little bit," I shrugged.

"You tryna cook fa me?"

"What do you want?"

"Spaghetti,"

"Who can't make spaghetti?" I laughed. "Just tell me where everything is and I got you,"

He showed me where everything was and I got it prepared. I washed my hands and began to cook.

August sat on the stool and watched me.

"You okay?" I asked him.

"Huh?"

"You okay?" I repeated.

"Yeah. Why you ask?"

"Your eyes are really red and low. Like they're barely open,"

"I'm just tired baybeh," he chuckled, putting his head down.

"You must be really tired," I seasoned the meat.

"Yup," he kept on laughing.

"You're extra silly when you're sleepy," I laughed.

"I am?"

"Yeah,"

He took out his phone, aiming it at me.

"Chill," I turned away.

"Show 'em dat pretty face. Swea' nothin' betta than a pretty girl cookin' fa you when you hungry," he chuckled.

"Go away, August," I laughed, covering my face.

"No," he stop recording me.

"What are you putting that on?"

"Instagram,"

"I want an Instagram,"

"You too young fa it. You can barely use it,"

"August," I began to laugh. "Don't be rude,"

"I'm messin' wit you," he smiled and stood up, walking over to me. "Goodness. It smells so good,"

"Thank you,"

He put his chin on my shoulder and his right arm around my waist.

"What are you doing?"

"Chillin',"

I laughed at his nonchalant tone. "You're a little close,"

"Is it makin' you uncomfortable?"

"No," I said honestly.

If it was, I would have moved.

"Cool," he took out his phone. He put on the front facing camera on us. He pressed the record button and I looked down. "Baybeh, look up,"

"I'm cooking," I said.

"I know. Just say hey,"

"Hi whatever he's posting this on. Tell him to stop recording me y'all,"

"Alright, Whitley. Gimme a kiss on da cheek and I'a leave you alone,"

"Starve," I mumbled, turning away from him.

He started laughing. "Y'all see how she do me?"

"Because he's rude," I laughed.

"Whateva. Messin' wit you until I get my kiss,"

I leaned back and kissed his cheek. "Now get away from me," I smiled.

He sucked his teeth and stop recording. "You meana than I thought,"

"Because I'm picking up on your rudeness,"

"When do you eva see me bein' mean?"

"You're mean to Viola,"

"No I'm not,"

"I think you hurt her feelings,"

"She doesn't have those,"

"Everyone has feelings. Can you be nicer to her please?"

"I just be playin' wit her, but yeah,"

"Thank you,"

"Mhm,"

I finished cooking and made our plates. I made sure there was plenty enough for everyone. I stared at August as he took his first bite.

"Do you like it?"

He nodded, eating fast. I had never seen anyone eat that fast.

"You okay?"

He nodded before stuffing his face more.

"It's that good?"

"Yeah. Why you ain't eating?"

"I'm going to," I said as I took my pink lemonade out of the fridge. I opened it and began to drink.

"Gimme some,"

"Get your own," I turned away.

"I want yours,"

"There's plenty of juice in the fridge,"

He pouted. "Please?"

I gave him my drink and he put his lips on it. I looked at him in shock.

Not only did he put his lips on my drink, but he drink it halfway. Then he had the nerve to hand it back to me.

"What?" he asked when I would t accept it.

"You done lost your marbles,"

He began to laugh. "My what?"

"Your marbles. Keep the drink,"

"I thought you wanted it,"

"That was until you put your lips on it and drunk it halfway,"

"I'm sorry,"

"It's fine,"

"You don't drink after people?"

"No. It's disgusting,"

"I don't wash back,"

"Still nasty," I looked at him.

"Stop lookin' at me like dat,"

"Nope,"

"Why not?"

"I'm gonna stare at and bother you just as much as you did to me while I was cooking,"

"Go ahead. I'll enjoy all of the attention from you," he laughed.

"Better yet, I'll ignore you," I smiled and at some food. I saved the rest for later.

"Don't do dat,"

I stayed silent and left the kitchen.

"Esined," he said. "Esined,"

I kept on walking and went to my room.

Not even seconds later, August was hot on my heels.

I took off running up the stairs and he chased me. I laughed, slamming the door into his face as I made it into my room.

"Esined, I'm sorry," he said through the door. "Let me iiin," he whined.

After a while of him whining, I finally let him in.

He went straight over to my bed and I closed the door.

"Who do you think you are?" I asked.

"August," he smiled.

"You think you can just sit on people's beds?"

"Yup," he pulled me down next to him.

"Your mama said she doesn't want you in here like that,"

"No, she said we can't sleep togetha. She ain't say I couldn't come in hea and talk ta you befo' you getcho beauty sleep,"

"Well, I'm saying it,"

"Why?"

"Because I respect your mama and I don't want her to think anything is going on in this room," I stood up and pulled him towards the door. "Besides, it's late and I'm tired,"

"Even though I don't like dat you puttin' me out, I can respect it. And I like dat you respect my mama,"

I opened the door and he stood on the other side. "Thank you for respecting it,"

"Mhm. Goodnight beautiful. Get ya rest,"

"Goodnight. Get your rest too,"

He wrapped his arms around me and I hugged him back. He pulled away and looked at me. He leaned down and kissed my forehead before going to his room.

I smiled to myself before stepping back and closing my door.

I got ready for bed and turned out the lights. I got in bed, but I didn't go to sleep. I stayed up, worrying about the possibilities of my dad finding me and what he'd do when he did.

-Hi. Just wanted to give y'all a quick update. It's not much, but it's kind of a filler, I guess.

How are y'all doing?

Y'all probably like "Shia updated three times... something wrong"

Nah fam, ideas just flowing lmao. It'd be great if I could do a fourth, but I got 2 essays to turn in. Hmm. I might make it happen anyway.

We'll see.

Excuse typos tho.

Comments & Votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo.