Ranae

Few weeks later

School was finally over and I was headed to get my bag out my locker. I was so happy to go but that went out the window when I remembered I have work right after. I closed and locked my locker and begin walking downstairs to the first floor.

Nothing happened these past few weeks except my dad continuing to be on my ass about the littlest things. So was my mom but luckily she laid off me a for awhile. So most of the time I'll be with Anthony or the girls.

Even though I still kind of felt some type of way about him still talking to Monica about her baby, I had to mind my business. He told me that they taking the test after the baby's born.

After the big fight at the community park, I haven't seen Candice here at all. I see Jared sometimes and those times he'll be staring or trying to talk to me. And from what I heard there was a video of the whole thing but I haven't seen nothing yet.

Anthony was barely talking to me and would be too busy to talk or hang out. But today he apologized and said he was gonna pick me up.

     "Naeeee." Someone shouted, making me turn around. It was my girls.

     "You riding with us home or your man picking you up?" Chilli smirked, making me blush.

     "He's picking me up Chilli." I chuckled, shaking my head.

      "Okayyy. You got work don't you?" Chrissy asked and I nodded.

        "Awww we wanted to hang like a dangalang." Chilli pouted. "Well we'll walk you to your man." She looped her arm through mines and we all begin walking. We stood by the doors that lead to the main area and sat here waiting.

        "We need to plan a girls night out. It's been awhile." Nicole said.

         "No, what we need to do is plan your birthday party." She said all happy. "Any plans and ideas?"

I shrugged not really knowing. I never went anywhere on my birthday because I didn't have anyone to hang with during those years. The family of course gave me wishes and got me things. I'm happy they're here now because maybe we can do something.

      "I told you she wasn't thinking about no damn birthday." Chrissy chuckled.

       "Nae, you turning eighteen! We doing something! And we gone make sure you look bomb as well while doing it." She smiled proudly, making me laugh.

"Y'all know I'm not too big about about it. Everything gone be closed and everyone gone be home, eating. So what's the point."

"Girl it's Chicago, since when isn't anyone out and shit ain't open?" Chilli raised a brow.

"It's a holiday girl." Nicole chuckled.

"And your point? You know folks gonna be out and about." She opened the bag of Cheetos and begin eating them.

I begin to think about if I was to do something for my birthday, what would it be? Having a party is out of the picture and if I do have one, it's mostly gonna be family and my parents close friends. I wouldn't be able to invite people I want. Even though I don't know many people but still.

    "Ooo! We should get an Airbnb and throw you a little party." Chrissy suggested. The other two agreed, nodding they heads.

"Yess Nae." Chilli Agreed, geeked.

"Okay." I simply said. I was down for it since I never did that before. I've seen plenty of people on Instagram Renting out those. But the thing is, I don't know anyone else but them. "Who gone come?" I giggled. "Y'all the only people I hang with."

         "Well we don't need a lot of people. The boys know a lot of people so I'm sure they'll tell them to come." Chilli stated.

We all nodded in agreement. We made it outside where it was started to get packed with other students. I giggled, seeing his car in front of the bottom steps, blocking the school buses.

       "Who he think he is girl." Chilli raised a brow. I laughed, giving them hugs.

      "Talk to y'all later."

       "Okay, have a fun at work. See you at the house." They said as they waved to Anthony and he honk his horn. They walked off to their cars as I walked to his.

The window rolled down revealing his high ass face. I tried opening the door but it didn't budge. "Are you gonna unlock the door?"

         "What's the password?" He smirked.

I sucked my teeth. "Open the door."

           "Nah." He chuckled.

           "Open sesames."

           "Nope." A smirk creeped onto his face, making me roll my eyes.

          "Give me a hint." I sighed, trying not to smile.

          "Nah." He said lighting his blunt.

           "Please." I smiled.

"See, that wasn't hard." He smirked. "Now can a nigga get a reward for teaching you manners?" He said, leaning over to me with his lips puckered a little.

I smacked my lips, letting out a laugh. "Boy."

I buckled my seatbelt and got on my phone. I still felt his eyes on me, waiting and I couldn't help but laugh as I see him in the same position. "You're so extra."

I leaned over, pecking his lips once and pulled away but he stopped me, grabbing my chin, pulling me back. He deepened it as he kissed me softly, tugging at my bottom lip. Our tongues met and instantly fell in sync fighting for dominance but he won.

He pulled away and I couldn't take the heat that was burning in my cheeks. He put the car in drive and pulled off.

He took off towards my job that was ten minutes away. He insisted on picking me up and dropping me off everywhere even though I said I was fine with taking the bus.

      "How you feeling mamas?" He spoke, breaking the silence. He lit another blunt then toss the lighter in the cup holder.

     "I'm good, just tired. How about you?"

     "Coolin'." He responds and I nod. "My moms wants you to come to the family reunion."

     "Oh. Do you want me to come?"

He smacked his lips, glancing at me then back at the road. "Nahhh, I wantchu to come. It's gone be in Harlem though."

I wide eyed him. "I doubt yo peoples would let you go. Especially with me."

"You know they not." I sighed.

"But you'll be legal by then." He glanced, smirking at me and I smiled a little.

"I'll still be required to follow their rules since I live there." I rolled my eyes. "Good thing I started looking at apartments."

"You can have my place. The one I took you to."

My brow raised as I looked at him. "Your place? Why would you want to do that?"

"Cause I mean, ion be there. You know know it as a safe house so. I can put it in your name and get you a key made. Take you to pick out new furniture an allat."

That sounded like a good idea but I wasn't sure. I know my parents would flip out, especially knowing that Anthony gave me an entire house. I mean I been planned to get a place anyways but not so soon. I want to at least let my birthday come around and graduate first before I leave.

"I'll think about it. Thank you though." I smiled.

"I gotchu. Always."

I was blushing so hard, I had to look out the window to hide it. What guy gives you an entire house? Free? He is definitely something different. But then again I don't really like hand outs because I like getting and doing things myself. Like this is a whole house he's wants to give me and we ain't even official yet.

He pulled up to the mall and parked in front of the doors. He always did this and I didn't like it cause this where literally everyone stands, talking and smoking. I got out, grabbing my bag, and closing the car door. He got out as well and walked over to me, standing in front of me.

"I'll see you in a lil bit." He said hugging me. He kissed the top of my forehead, letting me go. I'm getting use to his sweetness.

"Ok. Be safe."

"Always." He said getting in his car.

I knew he wasn't going to drive away until I was in the building. I waved, walking in and he honked, driving off. I headed towards Charlotte Russe, passing the food court. It was packed like normal of course.

Walking there, the halls and stores was even packed. I sighed, already tired cause I know Charlotte Russe is filled with people but a bag is a bag so.

         I was here for a good hour or so and I was placing the clothes on hangers, hanging them back on the rack. We had a good amount of returns to put away so I wanted to get through that quick. I hummed along to song playing games by Summer Walker while I work.

The loud laughter of a group of people got my attention and I see them walking in. Three guys and two girls. "Yoo I'm not tryna be in hea in all day, so hurry up." One of them said loud.

        "Boy hush." One of the girls said.

Please don't make a mess. Please don't make a mess. I thought to myself. I just picked up all the shoes and clothes people threw in different places and on the floor. I'm not lazy but I'm lazy.

I went back to listening to the music and placing the clothes on the racks. I started to become nervous since I had to walk by them to put these shirts and pants on the shelves they're near.

I took a deep breath and made my way over and one of them was blocking the shelf. "Excuse me." I said.

They stopped talking and looked at me. One of them, a light skin one, looked me up and down, moving out the way. "My fault." He said.

I gave a weak smile, putting the clothes on the table neatly. A big whiff of his cologne hit me as he jumped to sit on the table in front of me. He licked his lips, smiling.

It was quiet and it became awkward as hell as they watched me work. I didn't like the uncomfortableness so I spoke up. "Can I help y'all with something?"

         "Yo number yeah." He smiled brightly. "Since you asking, You fine as hell." He said bluntly.

I was taking back, blushing hard. He was indeed fine as well but I knew who my mind was set on already.

The others laughed, shaking they head. "You know Kayla gone beat yo ass when she come over here." He sucked his teeth, waving him off.

      "I have a boyfriend." I laughed.

"Baby I ain't worried about him, I'll beat his ass." He said and I chuckled. His friends was dying laughing at him but I thought it was cute.

I walked back to the back room and grabbed more clothes from the racks to put out. I walked back out and the guy was waiting, still smiling. "I'm dead ass though. Fuck wit me."

        "After what your friend said, you obviously have a girlfriend." I raised a brow. "And she next door trying on clothes." I chuckled.

        "That's not my girl baby, you is." He smiled and shook my head, rolling my eyes.

I walked around him, going back to putting the clothes on the tables and racks. My co-worker Jenise came from the back and was taking care of people at the registers and I was happy. Happy because I didn't have to do it. The store was starting to pick up again and I was not happy about that.

I felt someone's presence behind so I turned around. This boy just doesn't give up I see. "Nahhh, ion give up that easily." He smiled.

       "I said I have a boyfriend."

        "Ight, lemme be yo side nigga then."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud at that. Is this what men have come to? "I'm good." I shook my head.

His friends whistled loud, grabbing our attention. He pointed towards the dressing room and the girls was walking out. They came our way and I looked back towards the guy but he vanished.

I looked around not seeing him and I laughed, going back to work. I checked my phone for the time and I had five minutes until my lunch break. But now I was already finished with returns so I was just straightening up, making everything neat.

    "Ranae, I need you on the register really quickly." I nodded, sighing. I walked over, passing the line of people and went behind the desk.

The same group was waiting and I grabbed their stuff, scanning it. They was loud, laughing and talking about who knows. The girls was leaning on the counter, in conversation as I continued to scan the millions of items they had.

The same boy that was trying to talk to me came back into the store, joining his friends again. The guys started laughing hard and I couldn't help but chuckle with, shaking my head.

       "What's funny?" One of the girls said, looking between the boys and me. They told her nothing, becoming quiet, snickering a little.

     "Um those pants was five dollars, why does it say twenty?" The other girl asked with her face scrunched up.

I looked for a clearance tag or sticker on the item and didn't find it. The regular price was $19.89 and it even says it is in the system. Which means either she lying or it was put in the wrong spot. Which wouldn't make sense because I just organize everything over there.

      "I'm sorry, it's not. These pants aren't on sale."

"Whatchu mean it's not on sale? It was on a rack for five." She mugged me, raising her voice.

      "It was probably placed there by another customer so I'm sorry for that. The real price is $19.89. Do you still want them or not?"

The guys they was with started laughing out loud. I didn't find this funny just annoying. It's either you have the money for them or you don't but don't try to finesse. I mean you can see on the screen the actual price when I scan them.

       "Yeah I fucking want them but I'm not paying that. They was on clearance but you ringing them up for twenty. Im not no fucking goofy." The girl snapped. The boys was still laughing and snickering at them.

So at this point I'm over it and I wasn't about to argue with this girl. I grabbed the walkie and paged the manager Laura, who's in the back office, to come to the register. I instantly see Laura walking over as the girls knocked the case of lips gloss and eye liners onto the floor and walked out.

I rolled my eyes, walking from behind the counter. "What happened?" She asked.

      "They got mad because the pants they wanted wasn't the price they thought. They heard me call you, knocked the stuff over, and left." I explained.

She sighed, bending down to pick up the gloss and eye liners. "Figures. I'm sure they knew, just want to get them for a lower price."

       "Yeah but I'm going on my lunch." I said and she nodded, putting the gloss and liners back on the counter.

        "I'll let Jenise know."

I said okay and went to clock out for lunch. I get an hour since I don't get off until nine-thirty tonight. I walked to the food court and it was still packed. With  mostly high schoolers and college students. Most of the tables was occupied except the ones I always sit at and I was happy.

I got in line at Buffalo Wild Wings and ordered me a southern chicken sandwich lunch combo with a water. I payed for my food and went to sit at the booth, and begin eating. I got on my phone and scrolled through my social media's while listening to music.

In my peripheral vision, I see more people coming in by boat loads. I glanced up to see because I'm weird like that and I watch my surroundings now. In walks the last person I think I would see here and he takes notice of me quick. I sighed, continuing to eat my food. The universe loves trying me.

He walks over and sits down in the seat in front of me. I thought he was our dad for a second when he walked in but I know he wouldn't dare cut his beard so. "Wassup Nae." He greeted me.

"What?" I sighed, glaring at him. "I'm at work."

He chuckled. "Just wanted to check up on you."

I smacked my lips, rolling my eyes. "Or did dad send you? And how did you know I work here?

"Nahhh. He didn't. And I have my ways."

"Like what? Mama telling you?" I raised a brow.

He let out a laugh. "Yup. You know she's source of any information."

I finished my food and took a swig of my water. I really didn't have anything to say to him. Everything is different now. It does still makes me sad about what he did but I have to move on from it.

"Yep." I mumbled. "What do you want?"

"Look, You wouldn't have understood anything if I told you right then and there. You was thirteen."

"Ight. I'm two weeks away from eighteen." I finished my water. "Why did you leave?"

He stared back at me but then looked else where. I wasn't going to make him tell me anything I'll leave it alone like I've been doing. But he can't expect me to talk to him like everything is the same or good when it's not.

       "I got into something minor. Pops not how he use to be. I know people still think he in the game but he's not."

       "Okay so..."

       "An old head that pops use to work with is gunning for him. Trying take what he has even though he's not moving shit anymore." He spoke lowly. "But dad still had loyal connection and people."

      "And how do you know that? And what does it have to do with you?"

      "Because that night I left, I didn't exactly leave on purpose. I literally had no choice or I was dead right then and there." He finished and I frowned.

I never thought of Cameron being mixed up in all of this. Like our parents dreaded for us to be involved in things like this so they always kept us away. So him telling me that he had to leave or die just didn't make sense to me.

"What were you doing? Where were you at in the middle of the night?"

His phones ringed and he looked at him and frowned, sighing. "We'll talk about it later. I gotta dip."

"Whatever." I sighed, standing up. My lunch break was over anyways in five minutes so I was about to go use the bathroom. If he wants to procrastinate then that's fine but it's not going to be with me.

He stood up, stopping me. "I'm dead ass Nae. I figure I owe you that much. You and mama."

The look on his face was serious. I don't have any plans with the girls or Anthony so I'm free to talk whenever he actually ready. "Okay."

I noticed someone walking toward us and I looked seeing that it's Jared. My heart dropped a bit because it caught me off guard. But then I rolled my eyes, instantly becoming annoyed. Imma let him come over here and embarrass himself. Cameron don't know of him and vice versa so this about to be funny.

       "You want me to come get you?" Cameron asked.

        "Who you?" Jared butted in, standing a foot away from me. I mentally palmed my face, sitting down.

Cameron looked at him so crazy with the most meanest mug ever. "Nigga who the fuck is you?" He stepped in front of me.

       "That don't matter. Why you in her face?" Jared spoke, raising a brow.

        "It does matter cause you walking up on her crazy." Cameron looked at him up and down. "You needa back the fuck up, real talk."