Lourdes heaved a heavy sigh when another one of her messages to Nala was left on delivered.

After the explosive fight the night before, Nala was able to somewhat calm down before packing her things and storming out of the house. She said she needed time to herself and she no longer could enjoy herself while staying in the house with Nico. Lourdes and the rest of the girls asked if they wanted them to come back home with her but she said no. Nico left an hour after her, wanting to go home as well.

Everyone was a little shaken by the entire fight because they'd never seen Nico and Nala fight with each other so aggressively. After things calmed down, everyone went back to their rooms and went to sleep, too tired to deal with the aftermath of things. There was stuff broken in the kitchen and living room because of all of the things that were thrown and stuff got knocked out of place.

The girls had tried to check in on Nala to see if she was doing okay, but she wasn't answering their texts. The only reason they knew she'd even gotten home was because they checked her location. Lourdes just wanted to know she was doing alright, but she understood that Nala wanted space.

Lourdes didn't understand why Nico would run back to his ex of all people especially since Nala had already told him that his ex made her uncomfortable. Lourdes also didn't understand why Nala's first instinct was to be violent with Nico and it was a shock to her. She'd never seen Nala act like that and she wasn't really sure what to do. She knew she had to talk to her about it but Nala definitely was not up for talking about the situation at the moment.

"Lo," Rashir's voice brought her out of her thoughts and she looked up to see him waiting for her in the doorway, "You good?"

"I'm good," She said unconvincingly and he straight faced her.

"We both know you not and I'm not leaving the room 'till you tell me why," He shrugged, closing the door and coming to sit next to her on the bed. She sighed again, placing her phone down on the bed and leaning on his shoulder.

"I don't know, I just wanna talk to Nala and make sure she's okay but she's not answering any of my texts. I know she made it home okay because I checked her location but still, I feel like I'm not being there for her," Lourdes began.

"Whatchu mean you not being there for her? You calmed her down yesterday when everything happened and you've listened to her when she told you about the situation. She said she wanted space and that's what y'all are giving her, there's nothing else you can do,"

"Yeah, but still! Whenever I'm upset she will not leave me alone! She's always checking up on me and stuff and I feel like I can't do the same for her because she left. She told us she was fine and that we should stay here but I can't help but feel guilty. We're here having fun and she's back at home probably crying," She sighed.

"First of all, there's no reason you should feel guilty baby. She told y'all to stay here and she needed time alone, so you were respecting her wishes," Rashir started. "And you are checking up on her though. You're texting her and showing her that you care. I think you should just give her space, Nico and Nala have been dating for a long ass time and they ain't never really fought like this before. I'm sure she's just going through a lot and she needs some time to herself. When she'd ready to talk she'll talk to you,"

Lourdes was silent, taking in what he was saying, which was true. She knew the last thing Nala wanted was people breathing down her back every 2 seconds and asking if she was okay or if she needed anything. If they had gone home with her, things would probably be worse.

"You're right, as always," She mumbled.

"I know I am," Rashir shrugged cockily and she chuckled, "But forreal, you'n need to be feeling guilty 'bout anything. You did what you can,"

"I know, I'll just let her know that I'm here if she wants to talk but I'll stop blowing up her phone," She decided, "But still, that whole thing was weird bubs! I can't even take sides because they were both wrong,"

"Yeah, I'on know why Nico went and talked to Skyla. I didn't think they talked anymore," Rashir shook his head, "But Nala was wildin', she wanted to beat that man ass," He chuckled.

"She was scaring me," Lourdes admitted, "But I would be upset too! He was talking to his ex because they're in an argument and then was acting like it wasn't that big of a deal," She smacked her lips, "If you ever think about talking to your ex I will literally shoot you in your sleep," She pointed a threatening finger at him and he laughed.

"I'on got no ex to talk to bae," He held his hands up in a surrendering motion.

"Mhm," She still side-eyed him and he laughed harder.

"You sure you wanna do this baby?" Rashir asked her as she bounced on his lap nervously. Everyone was bored sitting at the house so they decided to go out and find something to do on the boardwalk. Somehow, Gianna had convinced the girls to get matching tattoos at a random shop. Aaliyah took a lot more convincing than Lourdes, since she didn't have any tattoos on her body, but when Gianna started begging, she caved.

Lourdes didn't mind getting the tattoo, she already had multiple but it was the pain that scared her. She usually put on numbing cream but since this was spontaneous, she hadn't. They were getting three hearts on their arm, and a different heart was filled in on each of them. They tried to choose a spot that wouldn't be too painful, but Lourdes was still nervous.

"Yes I'm sure," She insisted, "I just don't like the pain,"

"You getting a baby tat, it's not gon' be that bad," Rashir said while rubbing her thigh, "You can hold my hand if you want," He cheesed and she laughed.

"How long this gon' take?" Mateo asked.

"Like 45 minutes," Gianna shrugged, "The design isn't that complicated and we're all getting it at the same time,"

"Does it hurt a lot?" Aaliyah nervously rubbed up and down her arms.

"Not even! You guys are being so dramatic," Gianna gestured to Aaliyah and Lourdes, "If Nala were here, she'd call you both pussies,"

"Nala damn near has a whole sleeve, I only have like 3," Lourdes whined. She had a spine tattoo, one behind her ear, and one under her right breast. They were all pretty small except for her spine tattoo.

"Y'all ready?" One of the tattoo artist named Earl came from his station to come get them.

"Yup!" Gianna said excitedly, scampering over to the station. Everyone got up and made their way over to the three different stations. Earl pointed Lourdes and Rashir in the direction of a girl that didn't look much older than them who was setting up at a station a couple feet away from Aaliyah's.

"Hi! I'm Camille," Her artist waved enthusiastically.

"I'm Lourdes," She smiled and waved back. Rashir simply stayed silent from behind her.

"Great to meet you! Earl already showed me the design but where did you want it?" She asked. Lourdes showed her exactly where she wanted it and Camille nodded, telling her to have a seat.

"Um, is it okay if I sit on his lap? Or do I have to sit on the chair," She asked sheepishly and Camille laughed.

"Whatever you're comfortable with, love. I'm gonna get something from the back real quick but I'll be back in a second and we'll start," She said before walking away. Rashir sat on the chair but happily pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

"Why she flirting wit' you," Rashir grumbled and Lourdes burst out laughing, "Ain't shit funny, she calling you love and shit,"

"You are the most dramatic person I have ever met," She shook her head but he just sucked his teeth. They sat in silence for a little while she traced the tattoos on his arms with her finger. "Why don't you get one?" Lourdes wandered aloud.

"I have more than enough," Rashir chuckled, "And I'on wanna cheat on my artist,"

She hummed in agreement and continued tracing the roses on his arm while they waited for Camille to come back.

"Do you wanna get anything else?" She asked and he smirked.

"Yo' name,"

"You said that way too calmly sir," She chuckled.

While she thought he was joking, he was being dead serious. While most people would say they hadn't been dating that long, Rashir genuinely didn't see himself with anyone else. She was the one he wanted to settle down and raise kids with. Lourdes balanced him out and brought out the best in him and he loved it.

"Okay I'm back! You ready?" Camille asked and Lourdes nodded.

"They're sooo cute!" Gianna cooed as they all took pictures of the tattoo's. They came out amazing and they were all obsessed. The process wasn't long at all and it barely hurt for Lourdes.

"I know! I feel like getting another one," Aaliyah said excitedly.

"Okay Ms. Daredevil, you've had enough fun for the day," Mateo joked, pulling her away from the tattoo shop.

"Look how cute bubs!" Lourdes cheesed, practically shoving her arm in his face.

"It's cute baby," He chuckled at her obvious excitement. They took a couple more pictures of their tattoos before they all decided they were hungry and wanted to get something to eat. They decided to get a seafood boil since they were on the beach and they knew they could get something good. The girls were too busy chatting about their tattoos to notice that they'd completely left the boys behind.

"They too excited about those tiny ass tattoos," Jaden joked.

"For real," Mateo agreed, "And Aaliyah talm' bout 'Let's get another one' like girl you must be out yo' damn mind," He shook his head while the boys laughed.

"And they just left our asses in the damn dust! Why they so far ahead," Rashir complained, watching them get farther away from them.

Meanwhile, Lourdes was up ahead, busy checking her phone to notice a guy staring straight at her. He was standing with his friends who were doing nothing but watching girls walk by.

"Excuse me!" He yelled to get her attention but she didn't notice, "Aye! Excuse me! You'n hear me calling you?" He said a little louder and walked towards her. When she didn't stop he reached out and grabbed her arm, making her look up in alarm.

The girls stopped walking and turned around in annoyance to the man that towered over her. He wasn't as tall as Rashir, but Lourdes was short so he was still tall to her. He reeked of weed to the point where it was making her gag and she took a step back from him to take a deep breath.

"What's yo' name beautiful?" He asked and she rolled her eyes.

"I have a boyfriend," She said simply, before beginning to turn back around and continue walking. He scoffed, reaching out to grab her arm again. He was squeezing tight and she knew it would leave a bruise on her arm.

"Let go of me!" She swatted at his arm but he wasn't letting go.

"She said let go of her nigga! Back up," Gianna yelled at him but he sucked his teeth at her.

"Shut up bitch, ain't nobody was talkin' to you,"

The boys were still farther back so they couldn't see what was going on but as they got closer they heard the girls yelling and were on alert. When they approached the scene, Rashir saw Lourdes being held by a random guy and immediately saw red. He rushed over to them while Mateo and Jaden went over to Aaliyah and Gianna who were arguing with the guy's friends that had randomly showed up.

Rashir shoved the guy to the ground and began punching him while Mateo and Jaden shoved the guys back. Lourdes eyes widened at the scene and huffed, looking down at her arm which had a hand print shaped bruise that was beginning to develop.

It literally seemed like she couldn't catch a break.

She focused her attention on Rashir who was beating the guy bloody and pinched the bridge of her nose, knowing he wouldn't be able to calm down anytime soon.

"Rashir!" She yelled but he ignored her, continuing to punch him, "Rashir!" She tried again but he ignored her again. "Rashir Amaad Martin! Get off of him!" She demanded. She rolled her eyes, yelling for Mateo or Jaden to help her. "Can y'all get him please," She asked and they nodded, going in to pull Rashir off of him. While they struggled a bit, they lifted him off of the poor guy who was almost unconscious.

"No means no bitch ass nigga! Keep yo' hand off my fuckin' girlfriend!" He shouted as they dragged him away from the scene, making the people on the boardwalk stop to see the commotion.

"What is in the air on this vacation man," Gianna shook her head and Lourdes laughed. It seemed like at every turn there was something happening.

"Literally," Lourdes sighed.

"Lemme see yo' arm," Rashir told Lourdes as they talked in the kitchen. They'd gotten home from the restaurant a while ago and they were just talking in the kitchen. She was seated on the counter while he was grabbing a drink from the fridge.

She held her arm out and he grabbed it gently, inspecting the bruise. She saw that it was making him mad all over again and pulled her arm back so he couldn't see it anymore.

"It's not even that bad, it doesn't hurt anymore," She tried to tell him but he was still annoyed. "C'mere," She reached out for him and he stepped in between her legs so she could grab his face, "I'm fine, you don't need to be mad anymore,"

"He put his hands–"

"I know but I'm fine now, and I'm sure he knows not to do it again by the way you beat him," She tried to joke but he wasn't having it. "Hey," She brought his face upwards, "Gimme a kiss,"

He leaned in and kissed her gently making her smile. He pulled her more towards him and grabbed her waist while she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling them together.

Before anything could escalate, footsteps and a shriek interrupted them and they pulled apart quickly.

"Oh my god! My eyes!" Gianna yelled and her hands flew to her eyes. Aaliyah was behind her and laughed, shaking her head.

"On the counter? Really?"

"We weren't even doing anything!" Lourdes whined but Aaliyah just side eyed them.

***
heyyyy! just a filler for now. i honestly don't even know how long this book is gonna be atp 😭