Sehkani, Karter and Shawn sat in the car in Sehkani's aunts neighborhood in the hood. They were doing a deal with a couple of niggas from the north side, something they hadn't did in awhile, they stopped doing business with people they lived in the same city with, it wasn't safe but Karter convinced Sehkani to fuck with these new niggas.

After talking some Sehkani decided he couldn't be mad at Shawn, Naomi decided to do hoe shit and that was on her. He would never fall out with his bro over a bitch he didn't love for real.

" Where these niggas at?" Sehkani asked, he was growing impatient, they were three minutes late

" Man, I'm not feeling right about this." Shawn said. " how good you know these niggas Karter? ."

"I don't, I just been hearing around that they got some good shit."

Sehkani sighed loudly." Nigga you so fucking dumb!"

"How the fuck I'm dumb?"

Sehkani ignored Karter and started the car before he could move, a gunshot went off and niggas surrounded the car. Shit happened so fast, Sehkani had no time to reach for his gun and neither did his friends because now all three of them had guns to their heads and was being told to get out the car.

"Which one of y'all Sehkani?" A tall dark skinned boy, with about five teardrops beneath his eye asked.

"Why?" Sehkani asked boldly like a gun wasn't to his head. He was pissed off at Karter and at this point didn't even wanna work with him anymore, he was fucking up and stayed on Sehkani about fucking up all the time.

Sehkani wasn't scared, this wasn't the first time he had a gun to his head.

"It must be you." The boy grinned, displaying his all gold grill.

"This some ugly shit." Shawn muttered.

" The fuck kinda name is Sehkani ? " The boy laughed along with his friends. They all seemed young and it was at least six of them.

" What the fuck y'all niggas want man ? " Sehkani asked.

"Sending a message for Caleb, get off the block while you can."

Sehkani sucked his teeth, he knew Caleb was on funny shit and he should've killed him when he had the chance, it wasn't about Aria at all, and Sehkani didn't have a clue on if she was still fucking with him or not but niggas had guns to his head which only meant one thing, Caleb had to go and now it was war.

"And he sent y'all?" Shawn laughed." Send a message back, Ask him could we get a invite to his funeral."

"Ask ya mans why that message ain't to be played with and we gone need that product before we go." The boy who seemed to be the leader motioned for two boys to search through the car.

"So what, y'all just gone let us go?" Karter asked. He was heated too and just because he was soft ain't mean he wasn't no killer, they all were, they all hand bodies on their hands.

"We like to play with our food before we devour it."

"That's some gay shit." Sehkani  laughed.

"Ain't playing with shit over here nigga." Shawn laughed. Here they were, being stuck up and none had fear in their hearts.

"We gone see who gone have the last laugh." They boy smirked, walking away with his friends.

This was a odd encounter and Sehkani just had to confront Karter about it. " You telling me you really ain't know them niggas?" He asked.

"Why you asking me that?" Karter responded defensively.

"I ain't feeling this situation, you never had us in no dumb shit like that, so wassup?"

Shawn stood quietly, he wanted to know what was up too.

" What you saying? I set us up? I'm a snake now?" Karter asked.

"I really pray, for ya well being that you ain't on that type time, especially since I love you like we was born together."

"Nigga is you threatening me? Is it really like that?" Karter was surprised Sehkani even felt like he was doing some snake shit like that.

"That's not a threat ."

Karter nodded " Im out " he simply said. He crossed the street, walking in the opposite direction as them to his car.

Shawn shook his head. " You really think he on shit like that? " he asked

"I don't know man, we gotta watch him." Sehkani replied. He was saying something he thought he would never have to say, about his best friend at that.

******

" HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME " KJ yelled at Tayveon

" KJ-.. I didn't mean it, I'm sorry .. he meant nothing to me "  Tayveon pleaded as KJ threw all his stuff outside in the rain

It took KJ two days to process everything and pull himself out of the depression he was in and now he was waiting for his test results to come back, he only prayed they came back negative. Him and Tayveon never had sex without protection through out their whole relationship and lately they hadn't been having the consent sex they used to because Tayveon had been acting distant and KJ found out why when he told him that he had been cheating on him.

The same way you get em is the same way you lose em.

" After everything I've done for you " KJ yelled throwing his shoes at him " I sacrificed so much for you, I loved you unconditionally and you do this ? Bring this.. disease into our house, I swear to god Tayveon on my niece if I find out you gave me something, I'll kill you myself "

" And how do you think I feel KJ ? " Tayveon replied " I never meant for this to happen.. please don't do this "

" Fuck how you feel " KJ yelled, his eyes watery. He threw the last of Tayveon's outside infront of him. " I never want to see you again and honestly... I hope it was worth it " he said before closing the front door shut leaving Tayveon and his things outside in the rain.

Later on that night

Sehkani, Shawn, Karter and six other niggas from their team all stood across the street from a trap house that the niggas that stuck them up was supposed to be at. It didn't take them long to find out where they hung at.

They were hiding behind cars all wearing body armor in case niggas was lurking around. All of them had Draco Ak47s, guns they was sure these small time niggas ain't get their hands on yet.

"Go head." Sehkani spoke, motioning for Karter and, the niggas who had the best arms to throw the tear gas through the upstairs and downstairs window.

As soon as they did, seconds later niggas was running out the house and none of them made it passed the steps because they all were being shot up and he recognized all of them. Caleb ain't know who he was fucking with, he must've thought since Sehkani hadn't made any moves and stayed in the city with his shit that he wasn't on shit and he was gone show him he wasn't to be fucked with

Once people stopped running out, they stopped shooting and sat their for a few minutes to make sure nobody was trying to sneak out.

Sehkani threw a mini bomb inside, it wouldn't explode too big, it would just kill everybody in reach. When that was done, they started to run the other way.

Once they rounded the block, they got into the car and drove off. It was silent but they all felt a thrill, this was the first time in awhile that they had a block hot because they was laying low.

" Ion' know about y'all but I feel good as fuck." Sehkani said breaking the silence.

"I ain't wanna be the first one to say it." One of his friends said.

"So what's next?" Karter asked.

"Everybody getting shot, any niggas from the north side and running with Caleb getting killed." Sehkani shrugged. He knew he couldn't start some shit like that and not finish.

"What about your sister?" Shawn asked, they definitely confirmed that she was still talking to him and probably had no idea what was going on.

"I'll talk to her but until then, follow her and get that nigga Caleb , I don't care how he die, it gotta be done." Sehkani replied

After chilling with his friend for a minute he went over to his great grandma's house for dinner, he was always over there now after she told the family what she was going through. When he walked in, Big momma was sitting in the living room watching one of those cooking shows.

" Big momma, wassup?" He asked sitting next to her. She didn't look as sick as the doctors tried to make it but he knew she was dying, she had already lost her hair due to chemo but wore wigs to cover it up.

" Hey baby, where you been?" She coughed and then smiled to assure him that she was okay.

"Chilling, trying to get shit my together."

" That's good, how you been holding up with this whole Aaliyah situation? "

" We talked it out.. We good now ." Sehkani replied

Big momma looked at him, he looked happier and she knew Aaliyah was the reason why and she didn't want him to get too happy just to get his feelings hurt again." Don't get too excited.. " she warned " you and that girl didn't work out for a reason but if she makes you happy who am I to get in the way of that, I'm just saying.. don't get your hopes up with her "

" Yeah.. whatever " Sehkani replied brushing her off. " You coming to my graduation tomorrow? " he asked changing the subject

" You know I wouldn't miss that for anything in this world " Big momma smiled, playfully pinching his cheek making him smile

After eating and talking with his great grandmother, Sehkani decided that it was getting late and he should head home. He said his goodbyes and got in the car. He was only fifteen minutes away from his house when a number he didn't recognize popped up on his phone signaling he had an incoming call

" Yooo ' " he answered stopping at a red light

" Sehkani ? " a female voice said

" Who this ? "

" .. My name is Jaliyah " she started " you probably don't remember me but I'm Aaliyah's cousin "

" Oh okay.. wassup' ? " Sehkani asked in a confused tone

" I don't why I'm telling you this but something is telling me that I should.. Aaliyah left for the airport a few minutes ago, i tried to talk her out of it but she wouldn't listen to me.. I just can't let her leave you again without you knowing and not being able to say good bye.. I know you two love each other and I can't let this happen again " Jaliyah replied " Maybe I'm making a mistake, I don't know but.. I just feel like, you atleast get to say goodbye. Her flight leaves soon so if you wanna' see her one last time I suggest you make your way to the airport now "

Sehkani sat there in shock, " Thank you " was all he could say before hanging up.

He didn't even wait for the traffic light to turn green before making a U-turn and heading towards the airport that was only ten minutes away. Sehkani sped towards the airport in his car going past the speed limit, only hoping he didn't get pulled over because he had no time to waste. Luckily god was on his side and he got to the airport with no problems.

" Aye you can't park there " A worker yelled at him when he got out the car and rushed inside the airport

Sehkani ignored the worker and ran inside, he checked a large screen on a wall that had the information he needed to find where Aaliyah was at before she got on the plane. He checked the time and only had about twelve minutes to find her before she left to board the plane.

His heart beat ran fast as he ran through multiple crowds of people and ignored everyone that tried to stop him or got in his way until he got to the boarding area where he knew she would be at with a few police officers and airport security behind him. He didn't see her anywhere and looked around everywhere for her. He saw her walk through a door and tried to follow her

" Aaliyah " he called out

" Excuse me sir do you have a boarding pass ? " a worker asked Sehkani stopping him from going any further

" No.. I just need to talk to someone "

" Sir you cant go back there without a boarding pass " the worker replied, everyone looked at Sehkani like he was crazy

" Aaliyahhh " Sehkani yelled ignoring the lady.

Aaliyah heard the familiar voice but thought nothing of it until he called out for her again. She turned around and walked back out the door she had just walked through. She couldn't believe her eyes, there Sehkani was.

" Sehkani .. what-.. what are you doing here ? " she asked

" Don't go " Sehkani replied looking at her with nothing but sadness in his eyes

" What ? " Aaliyah asked coming closer to him

" Aaliyah please don't go.. I love you " Sehkani admitted " I've loved you all my life, I never stopped loving you and I can't let you get on that plane.. please don't leave me again. I know I fucked up a few times but I can't imagine my life without you in it "

" Sehkani-.. I-..

" Ma'am.. are you getting on this plane ? " the worker asked interrupting their conversation

" Sehkani I have to go.. I'm sorry " Aaliyah said

" No.. you don't, please.. we can work this out. I love you Aaliyah please don't leave me again. "

" I'm sorry.. " Aaliyah replied now trying to fight back her own tears. " I love you Sehkani " she said before walking away and back through the door.

Sehkani felt his heart break all over again, this was his second chance and he felt like he blew it. The love of his life had left him again and it was nothing it could do. He started to cry to himself and walked away. A police officer and two airport security guards had finally caught up to him

" Sir we're going to have to ask you to leave " One of the security guards said

" I'm leaving " Sehkani mumbled walking out the airport with the police officer.

" You okay ? " the officer asked once they reached outside, he could tell something was wrong

" I really thought she'd stay " Sehkani replied trying to fight back the rest of his tears

" Maybe ... it was for the best " The police officer said

Sehkani ignored him and got inside his car and went home. He felt crushed and wanted to do nothing more than sleep the pain away. He felt like he had lost everything again.

The next day

KJ woke up the next day and rushed outside to check his mail box. He flipped through his mail until he got to the envelope he was waiting for. He walked back inside his house and quickly opened it. He read the results and almost cried when he read that all that test came back negative. His prayers had been answered and he had never felt more relieved

KJ looked up " Thank you god " he said lowly with tears in his eyes.

Sehkani woke up a little late and had almost 100 missed calls from friends and family. he wasn't excited about graduating at all but he knew he had to fake a smile for them. He got out of bed and did his morning routine before leaving. He slipped a small black box that held the engagement ring he was going to give Aaliyah three years ago in his pocket so he could feel like she was there with him at his graduation even though she wasn't.

Almost three hours later he was in the packed out arena at his graduation ceremony waiting for them to call his name so he could walk across the stage.

" Sehkani Carter Wright " the speaker said, signaling him to walk across the stage and receive his doctor's degree.

A small smile spread across his face as he walked across the stage while all his family and friends yelled and cheered him on. Everyone was so proud of him and he felt like he had accomplished something great, all his dreams were coming true and everything in his life was falling in place perfectly but still, he felt like he was missing something.

He took his degree from a lady and smiled for a picture before looking over at his family and friends with a huge smile on his face. He started to walk off the stage and someone caught his eye.

There Aaliyah was, just like she promised, sitting front row at his graduation with a smirk on her face, clapping for him. Sehkani couldn't believe it, he quickly rushed off the stage and walked over to where she was sitting at. She leaned over the rail and they held hands

" You got off the plane " Sehkani said

" I got off the plane " Aaliyah smiled with tears in her eyes " a promise is a promise " she said

An hour later when graduation was over Sehkani walked out of the arena to where his family and friends were waiting. He quickly found them and rushed over to them, Aaliyah ran up to him and met him in the middle. Sehkani picked her up and spun her around making her laugh. She looked down at him and gave him multiple kisses, smiling in between. She didn't even know how happy she had made him. He put her down and his family and friends walked up to them

" I'm proud of you " Kasuan said pulling Sehkani in for a hug

Kasuan let him go and Adryian walked up to him " Congratulations baby.. you did it " she smiled before giving him a hug and giving him a gift bag from Gucci that had graduation themed balloons connected to it.

" Proud of you bro " Karter smiled

" Thank you " Sehkani said to everybody

Deon walked up to Sehkani and dapped him up before giving him a small gift bag from a designer store. " Congratulations " he smiled

" Thanks man " Sehkani replied

Deon walked over and stood next to Kasuan, after they had talked some Kasuan had realized that it was a small misunderstanding and that Deon didn't mean any harm and they were back good.

a few minutes later Deon started to leave to get something out his car and Adryian followed him outside, lying to Kasuan, telling him that she was going to the restroom.

once outside, Adryian called out for him " Deon " she yelled. He turned around and walked up to her

" Are you okay ? " he asked noticing that she looked like she was about to cry

" No " Adryian admitted " Deon.. I never meant for anything of this to happen "

" I don't regret anything " Deon replied

" I don't either-

" But you're married and I know now that.. Kasuan isn't going anywhere, so it's best if we just stay away from each other like you said " he said " I just want you to be happy Adryian "

" You make me happy Deon " Adryian admitted " .. I love you "

Deon sat there in shock, he didn't believe she felt the same way but he knew they'd never work so he had to push her away. Adryian had been sick without him, in such little time Deon had become her bestfriend, he made her happy, he made her feel beautiful and special, he understood her and she loved him, it was no point in fighting it.

He let out a deep breath and slowly pulled Adryian in for a hug. " I love you too.." he admitted letting her cry on his chest.

A few minutes later they walked back into the building and back with the group just in time for Sehkani to do the unthinkable. He got everyone's attention and held Aaliyah's hand.

" Aaliyah.. our friendship, our relationship means more to me than words can express. I've loved you ever since I was in highschool.. you're my first love, I've seen you grow into this beautiful woman " Sehkani said " I'm crazy in love with you Aaliyah, I let you go once and I won't let you go again " he added before getting on one knee catching everybody off guard but Kasuan because he already knew

Aaliyah gasped and covered her mouth with her free hand. Naomi walked up to the group with a bouquet of roses in hand hoping to get back on good terms with Sehkani and was crushed to see him on one knee in-front of Aaliyah. She quickly turned away before anyone could see her and rushed out the building, throwing the flowers away in the trash before walking out.

Sehkani pulled the black box from his dress pants and opened it, he looked up at Aaliyah " Aaliyah