Today was the day of Sehkani and Aaliyah's baby shower and everyone couldn't be more excited. With everything that had been going on, they needed a little party to bring back some joy into their lives. The party was at Adryian and Kasuan's house and they had it decorated beautifully. The main colors and decorations around the house were light pink, gold and olive green. Adryian's mom and aunt had made plenty of food for everyone and of course Keyarri went out and got the cake and cupcakes and other sweet treats. They really went all out.

Aaliyah got ready in Sehkani's room, Adryian had paid for everything for her and she was appreciative. Her hair was in its natural curly state, her make up was done in a natural look and she was wearing an off the shoulder white long sleeve dress that showed off her baby bump well. Sehkani only wore a plain white polo t-shirt, black distressed skinny jeans and a pair of Jordan's.

Aaliyah had-had an attitude all day though because she had went through Sehkani's phone the night before and saw he was texting other females. She stood in his mirror adding the last finishing touches to her hair

" You ready ? " Sehkani asked coming into his room. She was taking forever and his family was asking for her.

" I'm not going " She mumbled

" You not what ? " He asked in a confused tone " Yo' Aaliyah stop playing and come on damn.. everybody want to see you "

" Tell then I'm not coming, Ima' have my own baby shower without you "

" Aaliyah real shit today not the day to be playing.. my folks spent all this money on us now you talking bout some you not going. Stop fucking playing with me and come on "

" No you stop fucking playing with me" Aaliyah replied, she threw her brush towards Sehkani's head and he quickly ducked " You always texting these dirty ass hoes, embarrassing me and shit what the fuck "

" Yo' you stilllll tripping bout that shit, come on Liyah I told you she don't mean shit to me " Sehkani replied

" You don't mean shit to me either " she mumbled

Sehkani walked up close to her and she looked up at him, they made eye contact  " Look, I'm sorry okay.. ima' do better I promise but can we please put this bullshit to the side and have a good day.. we can fight tomorrow " he said

Aaliyah rolled her eyes, she couldn't even stay mad at him. She moved past him and headed out the room and he smiled. He closed his bedroom door and they walked downstairs to where everyone was.

Sehkani walked down the stairs behind her and Aaliyah walked away to the kitchen. Devin stopped him at the bottom of the stairs " What's wrong with her ? " he asked

" You know how females get, she always tripping bout' some other shit " Sehkani shrugged

" You know what I told you " Devin said, they looked at each other and grinned

" You never know a female for real until you put a baby in her " they both said in unison before laughing and dapping each other up. Sehkani walked away and ran into Karter, they stopped and looked at each other both in shock.

" Wassup' ? " Sehkani said

" Congratulations on the baby " Karter said, he passed him a small pink gift bag and Sehkani took it " I know it ain't much but I wanted to get her something "

" iight.. we appreciate that " Sehkani replied.

He started to walk away and Karter stopped him " Wait " he said. Sehkani turned around and looked at him. " I'm sorry about.. everything man, you my brother and I love you.. I don't wanna' beef with you " Karter admitted. He felt bad about everything and really missed Sehkani being his friend

" I thought you said we'd never be brothers "

" You know I ain't mean that shit, you my brother for life " Karter replied making Sehkani smile just a bit. " So we good ? " he asked

" Yeah nigga we good " Sehkani replied with a smile on his face, dapping him up. He knew they'd be right back sooner or later.

An hour later Aaliyah and Sehkani sat in the living room opening gifts in-front of everyone. Aaliyah was annoyed again, her feet were hurting and so was her back and of course Sehkani was getting on her nerves. She sat in her seat rubbing her belly giving a resting bitch face.

Most of the gifts they had received were from Sehkani's family. Sehkani passed Aaliyah a big bag from Gucci from Jayda, to her surprise it was a GG black supreme diaper bag which wasn't even the most expensive thing she had gotten yet. She really didn't understand why his family went all out the way they did " Thank you so much " Aaliyah said to Jayda.

She excused herself for a minute to use the restroom and her mom stopped her. She pulled her away to a private area " You know you can't take these things they're giving you right ? " her mom said

Aaliyah raised an eyebrow " Why not? " She asked in a confused tone

" Because they're trying to buy you .. don't you see ? " Her mom said " you know that boy is nothing but trouble and as soon as you get comfortable, he's just going to leave "

" He's not even like that " Aaliyah replied, attitude laced in her voice

Her mom didn't approve of Sehkani at all and felt like he was nothing but trouble, Aaliyah thought it would put a strain on their relationship but Sehkani didn't really care too much

" You'll see " her mom replied " And don't come crying to me when your stuck raising that baby on your own "

Aaliyah ignored her and went ahead to the restroom, she didn't feel like arguing with her mom today.

*****
Friday night

The past two weeks Aria and Caleb had been talking and tonight they were going on a first date finally. Caleb hadn't made what they had official yet but Aria liked him so much, she waited for him. She had spent the whole day after school getting ready-They were supposed to be catching a movie and going to dinner after. Aria had even went to the mall and gotten a cute outfit for the date. She caught an Uber to the movie theater since her parents were in Miami and Sehkani was at work. She left the house around 7:30 and went on her way. Aria sat in the back of the Uber with her headphones in. A text from her mom appeared on her phone

Mom : Have a fun first date, call me when you get home tonight and tell me all about it 😘

She smiled to herself. The Uber driver pulled up in front of the theater, Aria thanked him before she got out of the car and walked up to the ticket booth. She looked around and didn't see Caleb anywhere, she shot him a text

Hey where are you ?

Thirty minutes went by and still no text back or call from Caleb, she thought he was just stuck in traffic so she went ahead and bought their tickets and waited. She sent him another text

Hey, I went ahead and bought our tickets for the 9:00 movie, where are you ?

More time went by and it was now almost 9:00. After texting him for the fourth time and calling twice with no answer she had finally come to terms with the fact that he had stood her up. She wanted to cry but she didn't because she was out in public. Her phone was on 6% so she started to order an Uber home.

Karter walked out of the theater holding a bucket of popcorn and laughing with a girl he was with. He noticed Aria was standing by the curb with a sad look on her face and called out for her " Aria ?" She turned around and was surprised to see him. Her eyes began to get watery, she felt so embarrassed. " You okay ?" He asked coming closer to her

" Yeah ?" She lied, trying not to make eye contact.

" Who you here with ? " he asked

" I was supposed to be catching a movie with Caleb but he's not answering the phone " She replied

" You need a ride home? " Karter asked, she looked up at him and nodded her head yes. " iight come on " he said, they started to walk to his car. Karter opened the car door and let Aria sit in the back before turning to his date

" Who is she ? " she asked with a stank look on her face

" She's like family and I'll do anything for family " he said " I know this ain't how you expected for this night to end but I'll make it up to you, iight?"

" You better " she said before getting in the passenger seat. They rode in silence with the low music playing.

" Sorry for interrupting you guys date " Aria mumbled looking out the window

Karter's date, Cynn turned around in her seat and looked at her, she thought Aria was so pretty and always heard good things about her, she didn't remind her of Sehkani at all. " You're okay girl, we were heading home anyways "

" Okay " Aria replied, Cynn turned back around and they rode in silence all the way to her house. Karter parked in front of Cynn's house and they said their goodbyes before she got out the car and walked inside her house. Karter turned around and looked at Aria

" You gone stay back there or you gone come up here ? "

She turned and looked at him for a second before slowly getting out her seat and out the car and sitting in the passenger's seat. He flashed a small smile at her before pulling off and heading towards her house. Minutes went by and they rode in silence.

" Can we stop and get food somewhere, I'm starving " Aria asker looking over at Karter as he drove, he looked and smelt so good to her. She always had a small crush on him but he was like family so she could never talk to him on that level

" Where you wanna' eat at ? " he asked

" Waffle House " Aria replied. A few minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of a Waffle House by Aria's house. It had started to rain heavily outside, they ran inside with their jackets over their head's trying their hardest to not get wet. It wasn't that packed, just a few people here and there. Aria followed Karter to a booth in the corner by a window.  ' At your best ' by Aaliyah played in the small restaurant.

" Do you two know what y'all want to eat ? " A young looking darkskin girl with long individual braids asked, she looked tired and ready to leave.

" Can I get an all star meal, eggs scrambled with cheese, bacon and a orange juice" Karter asked

" And for you ? " she asked looking at Aria

" The Texas bacon cheesesteak melt and a coke "

" Is that all ?" She asked after writing their orders down, they both nodded their heads yes and she walked away. They sat their in silence for a moment as the music played softly. The waitress came back and gave them their drinks

" So you talk to  Caleb? I thought he had a girlfriend " Karter said sticking a straw in his drink and taking a sip

" I don't know " she mumbled, shrugging her shoulders. She looked out the window, it was raining worse now

Karter shook his head to himself " I don't even know why you waste your time with that nigga, He's a clown and you a clown for entertaining him "

" Oh shut up " Ari laughed looking at him making him laugh

He laughed " I'm serious, you deserve better "

" So help me find better "

" If you want me to be honest, I'm the best you could ever have " Karter smirked, he leaned back against the seat with his arms over it

" You're so corny " Aria blushed playfully rolling her eyes. They sat there in silence again for a minute. The waiter brought their food to them and they began to eat

" I've always wanted you Aria, I just never said nothing cause you like my family " Karter admitted " You different from these other females, you got goals and shit. You don't be on no hoe shit, you really just be chilling... You smart and you got something going for yourself. Any nigga would be lucky to have you "

" Thank you " Aria said giving him a small smile, she couldn't believe he was saying all this. The feelings were mutual, she always had a small crush on him but never said anything because she thought he would never talk to her and her brother and parents would never allow it.

" But I ain't stressing it or tryna' put pressure on you right now cause i know you fucking with Caleb, we got time though. You'll be mine one day " Karter replied, they both smiled at each other before continuing to eat. When they left, He dropped her off at home and waited until she walked in the house before pulling off, he had his mind set that she would be his one day.