Ranae

Later

As I packed my clothes, hygiene, and hair products in my black and gold polka dot suitcase, Anthony and I was on the FaceTime. He was doing the same but right now he was smoking a blunt like normal.

      "I can just scoop you ma." He said and I raised a brow at him. "Gotta be there in few hours and you an hour away."

     "Yeah, no. My father is here." I said quickly.

      "And?" He curled his lip up as he hit the blunt. "Fuck can he do? Besides bitch."

      "I don't feel like hearing you and him going back and fourth. Y'all both hot heads with no filter." I rolled my eyes. "He already don't know I'm going."

      "So whatchu think gone happen when he see ya ass walking out with a suitcase?" He chuckled. "Getcha ears ready."

I sighed as I finished packing and zipping the suitcase up. I sat on the bed next to it and picked up my phone to look at him. "That's why I'm waiting until he goes back in the room with my mom."

      "When you gone stop sneaking around wit me?" He said, hitting his blunt. "I wanna be shown off. I wanna feel appreciated." He said making me laugh.

     "Shut up." I said shaking my head as he chuckled. "Whenever y'all can get along."

     "I'm still picking you up so." He said and I smacked my lips.

    "Anthony, no."

   "Nae, yes." He mocked me. "You drive mad slow. We'll miss the flight."

   "I drive the speed limit." I squinted at him, rolling my eyes.

   "Exactly. Slow as shit." He grinned, making me smack my lips.

"Fine. Park a block away like before." I sighed.

"Nope." He said sitting me on the bed to where I she half of him now.

"What you mean no?"

"Feel like being petty. Picking ya ass up in front of the crib." He said and I looked at him like he was crazy. "Park in the drive way, put my high beams on so they can shine through the windows."

"Boy no—"

"Told you I wanna be shown off." He said and I laughed.

     "Can you not? Please don't do that Anthony." I said all seriousness.

"I'll think about it. You ready?" He said as I see him leaving out of what I'm guessing is his house.

"Yeah." I sighed.

"Heard ju. Call you when I'm outside." He said.

"Okay. Bye." I said hanging up.

I tossed my phone on the bed and deeply sighed. I knew I could leave if I wanted to but my dad is just....lord. And I was hoping Anthony don't decide to be on demon time. That'll just piss my dad off more.

Making sure I had everything packed and ready to go one last time. I grabbed my phone and charger placing it in my purse. I then grabbed my suitcase and duffle bag and turned my light off and walked out the room.

Making my way downstairs, I see my dad still talking to Cameron in the kitchen. I cursed under my breath as I sat everything near the door. My heart was pounding out my chest.

I felt I should just tell them I'm going instead of just leaving out the blue. Or them seeing me leaving and throw a fit. Plus, they should trust me enough to go and know that I'm responsible.

So I took a deep breath and made my way into the kitchen. Like clock work, my mom and grandparents came in the kitchen from the backyard.

   "Mama stop it." My mom said sighing as she grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. "I'm serious."

    "Mama stop what?" My grandma looked at her. "You think I don't know why you dropped my babies off so suddenly."

     "It's not what your thinking. Jesus." My mom says walking away from her.

    "Baby ya mama just worried that's all." Gramps said to her.

     "I know that daddy but if I keep telling the both of you everything is fine then that's it. We'll be gone in a week." She threw her hands up, waving them off.

I was confused on what was happening but I didn't have the time to ask. Anthony drives like a bat out of hell and be here in no time so I just needed to get it over with.

I stood at the island and took a deep breath. I looked at all of them and my grandma was staring at me already, making my heart jump.

      "You okay baby?" She asked, walking over to me as I nodded.

     "Yeah." I said nervously.

     "Chile please. What's wrong?" She asked not believing me. Them talking amongst themselves was too loud for my grandma so she sucked her teeth. "Be quiet! I can't hear what's wrong with my grand baby!" She spat to them.

They all looked at me and I cursed to myself. Like why did she have to say that and get there attention so quickly.

      "Whatchu mean mama?" My mom said to her then looked at me. "Some wrong?"

      "Uhh...no." I said hesitantly.

      "Then what is she talking about Ranae." My dad said.

I knew it was now or never so I took a deep breath, calming my nerves. I prepared myself for all their questions and concerns so all I need to do is just be completely honest.

    "I um..." I started nervously while gulping a little. "Umm...I'm going to New York. Tonight."

The look on their faces almost made me want to say I was just playing but the words wouldn't come out.

    "The hell you mean?" My dad say giving me his full attention now, folding his arms.

    "Rodney. Language." Grandma glared at him.

    "What?" My mom says raising a brow. "New York?With who?"

    "Don't matter with who. You not going." My dad say immediately. "Tell Nicole and them you're not going."

    "But I am." I say before he completely dismissed me. "And I'm going with Ghost...not them." I say nibbling on my lips. The look my father gave me made me honestly scared.

    "Awe hell." I hear Cameron murmur, slouching back in his chair.

    "Baby.." my mom shaking her head.

    "Is that the boys name?" My grandma asked.

"Are you crazy? You not going out of state with that nigga." My dad say, making me sigh. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nae that's a bit extreme don't you think? New York? We don't even know the boy nor have we met him yet." My mom says.

"Don't matter. I know him and met him, she not going. So you can sit the keys on the counter and go fill out college applications or some." He said and I frowned at him.

Without hesitation I took the keys out my purse and slapped them on the counter. Typical of him to give then take something back when things don't go his way. Me giving the keys back shocked them as they grew silent.

"Oh really?" My dad says eyeing me. "Really?"

"You can take the car back if you want dad. But I'm still going and he's picking me up. Just wanted to let y'all know instead of just leaving like I was about to."

Hearing what I said, he scoffed. "So you must've thought I was playing when I said...okay...let 'em pull up if he wants."

"Pops chill." Cameron said to him. "She eighteen na."

"The fuck does that mean? Still a child, my child and she hung up on a nigga that have motives and don't give a shit about her." He said texting away on his phone.

"Then let her see for herself. But tryna control her just gone make her leave like she is now." Cameron shook his head. "She not a baby no more pops. Tell'em fall back cause I know you lettin them out there know."

"I ain't doing shit." He said to him. "Giving this nigga yo mama parents house. You don't know who or what he know!" He spat.

Thankful Cameron was defending me, my phone begin ringing and I pulled it out seeing Anthony calling me. I knew he was outside so I didn't answer and just went to grab my luggage.

I knew Anthony wouldn't do anything to harm me or this family, not sure about my dad though and that worries me.

And I figured he wouldn't listen to me, he indeed had his high beams on flashing at the house. I mentally palm my forehead.

I opened the door and see him parked at the edge of the driveway. He got out and leaned on the side of his car, watching us. I also noticed the suv parked on the curbside and knew it was my dad's friends I assume.

The men got out and stood, leaning on the truck as well, staring at Anthony. But he looked unbothered as he leaned on his car. The way my heart was racing and the hair lifted on the back of my neck.

Before I could walk out my dad grabbed my arm and in reflexes I tried snatching away. It for sure wasn't on purpose but he don't know that and this I'm sure pissed him off.

"Rodney!" My mom calls him as he grabs my arm again, making me face him.

"Nevermind." He said the men at the SUV. "You leave with him, don't come back Ranae." He said sternly to me. Anger covering his face, not a single indication of joking. "I'm serious. Don't come back here."

Staring back at him in pure disbelief, my heart sank a bit. I felt the tears burning behind my eyes as I stare at him. Was he seriously serious?

"Pops really?" Cameron said stepping out and looking at him.

"Stay outta this Cameron. All of y'all." He shouted to them as they shouted back. "Go. You grown now. So go." He said releasing my arm. His eyes went behind me to Anthony as mines stayed on him.

I never thought he would go that far. He really kicking me out and telling me not to come back. All because I want to experience life for a change like everyone else.

"This my damn house, she can come back!" Hearing my mom and grandparents calling out and cursing my dad out. "Baby you can come back here!"

My grandma say but I ignored them, still angry in disbelief. I grabbed my suit case and walked to Anthony's car. He grabbed my suitcase and duffel bag for me, placing it in his trunk. I wiped the tears as I went to the passenger side, hopping in.

I hear Anthony hop in, putting the car in drive. "You good?" He ask me as I stared straight ahead at them, my dad staring straight at us. I looked away, out the window.

"C-can we go please?" My voice cracked.

I felt his eyes was still on me for a few seconds before he  pulled out the drive way and drove off. He reached over grabbing my hand, intertwining our fingers as he drove to the air port.

I couldn't even appreciate the cute gesture because my head couldn't wrap around what happened. I was still shocked and hurting. I just couldn't believe he would kick me out for falling for someone he didn't approve of. He didn't like Anthony for no reason to be exact.

Where was I going to go? Where was I going to sleep? I gave the keys back to the car so I couldn't sleep in there. Tears felt from the corners of my eyes but I wiped them away.

"What happened ma?" Anthony asked.

I remained silent, becoming embarrassed of the situation. When I come back, I won't have anywhere to go.

He raised my hand to his mouth, kissing the back of it. "Talk to me Nae. What happened? Why you crying?"

I felt the lump form in my throat as I tried to swallow. I took a deep breath, calming my nerves. "He kicked me out."

"What?" He said.

"He kicked me out Anthony." I raised my voice, covering my face with my hands. "Just like that." I whispered as I wiped my tears again for the third time but they kept coming.

"What am I going to do?" I cried silently.

The car came to a stop on the side of the road and he put the car in park. I felt his eyes on me but I didn't meet them.

"I Gotchu ma. Don't even stress it, Ight?" He said grabbing my hand again. "Look at me."

Sniffling while wiping my nose, struggling to look at him. His handsome face held nothing but sympathy. He wiped the tears from my eyes then held my chin, making me look at him."When you wit me, you gone always be good. Ight?"

I leaned over, wrapping my arms around his torso while laying my head on his chest. "Always. I promise you that." His arm was wrapped around my shoulders, his fingertips softly caressing my arm.

—————————

We arrived at the airport and he parked, hopping out. I did the same, going to the trunk to grab my bag but he beat me to me.

"I got it ma." He said to me as he grabbed both of our suitcases effortlessly.

I followed him as w walked through the airport to our check in counter. We saw the long line at the counter and I hear him curse to himself.

We stood in line for what felt like forever as the line moves. I was on my phone texting the girls in our group chat. I took a few pictures here and there of Anthony, of course when he wasn't looking, and myself and sent it to them. Creating memories for my self mainly.

They made jokes of course, especially Chilli saying to lose my virginity to Anthony in the tiny bathroom in the air had me laughing out loud in this air port. She was a complete mess.

The line was moving again and we followed finally making it to the counter. "Hi, how are you? Can I have your ID and tickets?" The Latina girl at the counter says. I read her name tag and it says Trina. She looked mid twenties to me.

Anthony hands her everything and waited for her to do whatever she had to do on her computer. I noticed how she kept glancing at him, up and down a few times while nibbling on her lip as she typed away on the computer.

She noticed me staring and gave a fake forced smile that quickly disappeared, looking back at the screen. I rolled my eyes shaking my head.

I was already annoyed so she need to just do her damn job and stop making goggly eyes at Anthony in front of me before I smash her head in with my suitcase.

Out of pettiness, I stepped closer to him and grabbed his arm, placing it around my shoulders. I wrapped my arms around his torso, snuggling into him as I looked at her. He put the cherry on top as he kissed my forehead.

"You good?" He asked me and I nodded.

Her frustration showing, she rolled her eyes. "All set." She said quickly holding out our tickets. She gave us our boarding pass and checked in our luggage.

We went to get checked by security and there was a line again. At least it wasn't as slow as the other one. I went to take my stuff off when Anthony stopped me.

"Keep ya stuff on ma. I got shit on me and plus he a homie." Anthony said as we was next to walk through.

He placed our luggage on the belt as he grabbed my hand guiding me through the metal detector. Nothing went off and I grew confused examining it.

"Sup G." I hear someone say. I noticed a light skinned guy with ombre dreads in a black and white security uniform with a metal detector in hand.

"Yoo." Anthony dapped him up.

"Good to see you man. Y'all have a safe flight." He said to us as we walked through.

"You too, 'preciate it." Anthony nodded to him.

I was confused but didn't feel like asking questions right now. It'll have to wait until we get there. We walked to the gate and showed our boarding passes and was good to go.

This was my first time on a flight and it's in first class. He let me get the window seat which I was grateful for as I sat down. He placed his and my duffle bag in the locker above us and then sat down next to me.

I was now nervous as everything came at me randomly. I was about to meet his family for the first time. My first time flying over cities, my first one away from home.

He grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. "Relax mamas."

"I am." I lied.

"Sweatin' ya edges off ma." He said touching them and I move his hand.

"Hush. I'm not. I—" I cut off sighing.

The announcement that we were about to takeoff sent my anxiety to roof. I looked out the window and soon noticed the plane moving. It accelerated until I felt it lift off the ground. I didn't take my eyes off the ground until it disappeared.

A flight attendant came by asking did we want anything and we ordered only water. After she bring it back, she disappeared to the back.

I looked at Anthony and he was leaned back wit his eyes closed. It's like he can sleep anywhere anytime. I took my phone out and begin recording him, giggling to myself.

      "Chill." I hear him say. He opened one eye, looking at me.

Turning the camera to the window, I took a few good pictures, smiling to myself at them. I flipped the camera on me and examined myself and he was right about my edges.

They wasn't sweated out completely but they wasn't perfect like they was. I sucked my teeth, flipping the camera back around and recorded out the window.

Looking through magazines, trying to pass the time, I decided to just take a little nap like Anthony. I grabbed our cover and snuggled into his warmth.

Few Hours Later In New York

The flight here went by smoothly for my first time. Anthony on the other hand, have flown a lot of places for business he says. His advice was to pop a melatonin to sleep through it even though it wasn't a long flight. I declined of course.

As we walked to the truck he got waiting for us, he placed our suitcases and bags inside the trunk. I couldn't stop looking around at everything.

"Mamas." Anthony called and I looked at him, holding the door open for me.

I hopped in, buckling up as he jogged around to the driver side and hopped in. He pulled out the garage and continued to our hotel I'm guessing.

It was low key freezing here, nearly below thirty but coming from one cold city to the next, it felt no different to me.

But other then that, it was so beautiful here. Driving down the streets of New York was breath taking. So many people here, piled on the streets, regardless of the cold. It wasn't snowing yet but there was frost covering everything indicating how cold it was. People already had on coats, scarfs and beanies.

The lights here was just beautiful. They was so bright at night just like Chicago. I wondered why he would move from here. What was it like for him here in Harlem. What was his reason for leaving?

As we came to a red light I looked over at him. His thick brows knitted together while he's leaned back, elbow resting on the arm rest while rubbing his fingers through his beard. He was staring out the window at everything as well.

My phone vibrated taking me from the site of him, I glanced down at it. Seeing the text from my mom made my heart jump. Her asking was I okay and did I make it here safe, warmed my heart a bit. Was it crazy how I didn't expect it from my father?

Sending her a quick, yes, I put my phone back in my lap. I looked back out the window and the light turned green. Half an hour later, we pulled up to a hotel Comfort Inn and he parked in front of the doors.

He hopped out, closing the door and waited against the car for the cars coming in to pass. He crossed the drive way and headed inside the hotel lobby to the desk. I watched him through the glass as he conversed with the guy behind the desk.

He reached into his pocket pulling something out and handing it to the guy. I don't think my eyes can get any more