safe wit you

"That's crazy man."

"I know. It felt so real and I absolutely hated every second of it."

Fully clothed with his t-shirt and basketball shorts, I exited the bathroom again and plopped down on his bed.

He shook his head and pulled my legs so that I could be closer to him. I ended up in his arms, my legs over his. His warmth allowed me to feel less tense.

"Im sorry you had to go through that. That nightmare shit is crazy. It really can mess you up." He kisses my forehead softly and holds me tighter in his arms.

"But you know what? It got me thinking.." I looked up at him.

"What you mean?"

"How the hell did that fire occur? What was going on for that to happen? Was there someone else..involved," I gasped, "What if it was planned?"

I continued to look at Melo to see his reaction. A confused look then appeared on his face.

"Ion know, Maya. That kinda seem like a far stretch for that shit to be planned. Maybe Kyle was trynna cook or sum," He shrugged his shoulders, "We all knew Kyle couldn't cook for shit."

I gave him a stank face, "What do you mean a far stretch? Anything could've happened!" I released myself fromhis grasp.

"All I'm saying is maybe you shouldn't just assume some crazy shit. You need to chill for now until further notice. I don't want nothing to happen to you. Aight?" Melo response did not make me happy.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "I wasn't even assuming. I was just thinking of some scenarios of what could've happened. Is it my fault that I want to know what happened to my brother?" I wasn't slow to let him know how I felt.

"I just want them back." I whispered.

A small sigh was released from behind me but I sat still, in the same place on the king sized bed.

"Baby.. look at me." Melo tried to grab my face but he couldn't see it. I was in front of him.

A warm salty tear fell from my eye and started down mycheek. I hated being in this state.

Helpless, vulnerable, and so negative.

I pulled away from his touch and crawled off the bed.

"Where you going? Maya?" I reached for the doorknob.

"I just need some air.. so I can think things over."

I didn't dare face him, instead I pulled the door open and quickly shut it behind me.

But the door that separated us still didn't block out his muffledyells for me.

I ended up sleeping in the guest bedroom. I had to get my shit together.

I tossed for the twentieth time tonight. My phone reflected 4:00am as the time.

I just couldn't sleep.

I didn't mean to blow up in Melo's face but I let my anger out on him anyway. Maybe he was only trying to help the best he could and I understand he doesn't want me to worry about Kyle and Madison but thats my brother and best friend how am I not supposed to worry? But he definitely could have worded hisself differently.

Instead he called me crazy. Kind of.

Part of me felt disappointed that he didn't come looking for me. Maybe he was just tired of me and my bullshit. He probably just wanted a new girlfriend by now. A easier, less difficult one to deal with.

But..I just wanted to be back in his arms once again. I guess that's my fault. I did this.

I just know.. that there was more to the fire story. It was a gut feeling I had to ever since yesterday. and I wasn't gonna let it go.~

"Good morning, lil Kuzma! How'd you sleep?" He flipped the pancake he was making.

"Morning, Lavar. I slept fine thanks."

"Good because here at the estate we have the most prestigious mattresses. You better have slept good!"

I plaster a smile on before looking away. Gelo was no where to be found and neither was Tina. So it was just Lavar and I.

"On a more serious note, how you holding up girl?" I looked up to see Lavar with a concerned look upon his face.

Melo definitely got the most of his father's features rather than Lonzo, and Gelo. Lavar and Melo have the same cheek structure and nose. Like father like son I suppose.

"To be honest, Lavar I've seen better days. I've been restless ever since the incident happened. It's like I don't know what to with myself."

This summer was already off to a terrible start.

Could things get any worse?

Yes. The answer was yes.

"Well, Maya. I always say you gotta get through the rough shit before you get to sit back and enjoy life. How do you think I got here?" He gestures to his house.

And for the first time I let out a genuine laugh.

"You're right. Thanks, Lavar."

He waves me off,"Don't worry about it. You one of us now, so let me know whenever you need one of my famous pep-talks. Their know to change lives!"

Him saying I was "one of them" made me feel warm inside. It felt as if I was being initiated into their family or something. It allowed me to feel a little better.

I shook my head and smiled as he handed me my breakfast before he went back to cooking.

I still felt a little uneasy of what today would bring. Hopefully the doctor would get back to us so I could at least stop stressing a little bit. But I really wanted to look deeper into what caused the fire. I didn't know how to drive nor did I have car so-

My thoughts were interrupted when my boyfriend made his way into the kitchen. I didn't look up from my plate that Lavar gave me, I only saw him through my peripheral vision.

"Morning, Melo Dip!"

"Wassup Big Baller."

Lavar turned around to face his son, "Boy what time you go to bed last night?"

"Not too late." He lied.

"Then why the hell you got them big ass bags under yo eyes?" There was a pause,"Boy don't shrug yo shoulders at me. Give me a direct answer."

"Couldn't sleep."

A pinch of guilt stung my chest as I slowly arose my head from my plate.

Lavar had his back to me as Melo stood in front of him. When my eyes made it to his face, he was already looking at me.

"Don't let it happen again. You got the drew league to get ready for. You don't got time to be on that game all night. You hear?"

"Yes sir."

Once Lavar was done lecturing him, he walked over to me and sat down. I pushed my plate towards him as a peace offering. I wasn't hungry but I knew he was.~

The sun was blazing down on us this Saturday afternoon. You could hear the loud ringing of the June bugs even.

Melo's big t-shirt wasn't helping how hot I was at the moment. In contrast Melo had on a white wife beater as always and some bape basketball shorts.

We walked side my side, making our way down to the basketball court until Melo stopped walking.

"I'm sorry, shawty. I shouldn't have said what I said. I know you going through it right now, I just didn't want you to worry about Kyle and them because you got a lot on yo plate-" I placed my hand on his chest so he could stop talking.

"Melo, its good. I just wanted you to understand where I was coming from.  But I get it, You just want me to be safe and I am. With you." And it was true. I was safe with him.

He gave me a grin. He felt too good about that last part. I might've blew his head up a lil too much. But that was apart of the plan.

Some things are just better kept hidden. I had to do what I needed to do, and if my baby couldn't understand that, I would just have to keep quiet and go solo.

"You know I watched you sleep last night?"

"Melo, what?"

He licked his lips and began to explain,"So I was looking for you right? and I was looking everywhere. Like everywhere, deadass. So when I finally found you in one of the guest rooms I saw you sleeping. You was looking mad cute sleepin peaceful and shit. So I was just watching you for like 20 minutes."

I shoved him playfully,"You a whole creep for that, Melo."

"I can creep on you if I want to. You my girl." My cheeks began to warm up.

"Yaw hear that? This my girl!" I didn't even realize that Melo had pulled out his phone and started recording in instagram.

"Chill Melo, I just woke up." I covered my face and ran away.

"Come back here Mamas! I hate to see you leave but I love to see you go. Sheeshhh."

This nigga stay lookin at my ass. But I couldn't help but laugh.

When he caught up with me, he grabbed my chin and stole a kiss from me.

I let him.

But our moment was short lived when my phone started buzzing from my pocket. I pulled it out and the caller id shocked me.

It was my..Mom?