Athena Kelly

"This song actually really sucks" I said to Boyd as he paid attention to the road while driving me home. He was blasting Ritz Carlton by Plies.

"Ion take music advice from people that think Young Thug is the GOAT."

"I never said he's the GOAT. I just said he's lit. You have to have a certain level of intellegence to listen to Young Thug" I joked.

Boyd eyed me and started laughing. I just watched him drive and snapchat whenever we got to red lights. "You gotta get on the snap."

"I dont want a snapchat. Why would I document my crappy life? No thanks. Twitter and Instagram is enough" I chuckled.

"I wanna see you on snap though. So I can admire yo fine ass."

I blushed, "Shut up."

"I'm serious."

"You can do that in person" I said to him as he pulled into my apartment complex.

He raised his eyebrows. "Is that so?"

I laughed. "It is very much so."

"I would walk you to the door and shit but i'm 'bout late as fuck for work so I cant. Just text me when you inside" he leaned over and pecked my lips.

"Will do" I got out and he drove off. I made my way upstairs and inside. My dad was napping on the couch.

I walked past him over to Amaru's room to see if she was finally home. She wasnt. Her bed was still the way it was since yesterday. Her tv was off. Nothing seemed to have been touched.

I sighed and made my way into my room. I closed the door and went to sat on my bed but before I could make it, my phone started to vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and answered, "Hello?"

"You forgot 'bout me huh?"  Cato's voice came through.

I thought about it for a second before slapping my forehead. I was supposed to help him with his class today. "I'm so sorry. My mind is all over the place. Can you pick me up from my house?"

"I'm outside already" he said and hung up. We needed to have a talk about him hanging up in my face. It wasnt going to work.

I got up, grabbed my phone and keys, and I was out. I got to the car and went to open the car door but before I could, it flew open nearly hitting me in the process. To my surprise, TJ was sitting in the passenger seat. He and Cato were arguing.

"Nigga get in the back!" Cato yelled at him.

"I was here first. She can sit in the back. Lily like her anyway" TJ argued. They continued bickering. I just stood laughing and watching. Cato started pushing TJ out of the car but he wasnt budging.

"To save you guys a fight, I can sit in the back. Its fine" I said to them.

Cato kissed his teeth. "Get out the fuckin' car bruh" he said to TJ again.

TJ finally stood. "We got beef now Athena" he said and then got in the backseat.

"Yeah Yeah, you'll live TJ" I giggled and sat in the front.

"Nenaaaaa!" Lily yelled.

I smiled and turned around to her. "Hey you!"

"Can you make him stop saying bad words?" she said to me.

"Who him?" I pointed at Cato who looked annoyed.

"Yes!" Lily shouted.

"Stop saying bad words" I said and pushed his head. He shook his head and licked over his lips.

"Tell Lillian, I say what I want and she can fight me if she pressed" he joked.

"Noooo!" she screamed scaring me and nearly making my eardrums explode.

"Whoa! Calm down" I told her.

She covered her mouth. "Sorry."

The whole ride was spent with Lily talking everyone to death as well as TJ and Cato arguing about any and everything. Chase was the most quiet person in the car and that was probably only because he was focused on his phone.

We ended up at Mrs. Grimes' house. Everyone started getting out. I stayed where I was until I noticed Cato was getting out too. "Come on" he chuckled. I got out after him and followed everyone into the house.

Lily grabbed my hand and pulled me away. "Come see my room" I laughed and let her lead me.

"See!" she yelled once we were inside.

I nodded. "Its so pretty! I love it" I smiled at her. Little kids were always so excited to show people things. I thought it was hilarious. She grinned proudly. I noticed everyone in their family seemed to share the same eyes.

"Lilyyy!" I heard Mrs. Grimes yell. Lily grabbed my hand again and dragged me out into the kitchen where Mrs. Grimes was cooking and Cato was sitting at the counter.

"Did you wash your hands so you could eat a snack?" she asked Lily before she looked back and spotted me as well.

"Well look who it is" she smiled at me. "When did you get here?"

"Uhh, I came with them" I stated. She glanced at Cato and back to me.

"Ya'll got somethin' you wanna tell me?" she raised an eyebrow. My eyes widened and I shook my head no.

"She lying. She my girlfriend" Cato said.

My mouth fell agape. "Liar!"

He laughed. Mrs Grimes shook her head at him, "Go get Lily situated. I need to talk to Athena." Cato just stared at her. "You not too grown to get ya behind whooped."

He kissed his teeth and left the kitchen. On his way out he pinched my side. It tickled but I fought off the urge to laugh.

When he was gone, Mrs. Grimes pulled me to where she was. "Please be careful." I looked at her confused. I had no idea what she was talking about. "I know he may look all cute to you and seem all nice but that boy is not one I would suggest you hang around. And I hope you dont plan on pursuing anything with him. He is into some dangerous business. You're too good of a girl for him. He's my grandson but I want to be honest with you."

I tried to pretend I was as shocked as I could be. She didnt know what I had witnessed. She didnt know that I already knew what he was into. "Actually, I have a boyfriend. I'm just helping Cato out with some school work" I assured her. It was true but she didnt seem to believe me.

She nodded slowly and at the same time Cato walked back into the kitchen. "You done trash talkin' me?" he said to her.

"Dont make me bless you. Please dont" Mrs. Grimes said to him. There was obvious tension in the room and at that point I realized they must not really get along.

Cato scoffed and nodded to me. "Lets go."

"Bye" I hugged Mrs. Grimes and followed Cato out of the house to his car. He seemed to have an attitude now but I didnt want to question it. I'd save it for later.

----

"Can I ask you something?" I asked Cato as I sat writing down what he needed me to for his homework.

"Shoot."

"When did you figure out you had this?" I

said in reference to his dysgraphia.

He took a pause from scrolling on his laptop. "Prolly like third grade" he answered.

I nodded. "Is that why you left our school?" I always wondered why he just disappeared.

"Nah."

"Why did you leave?"

"Why?" he questioned.

"Just curious. I made a friend that didnt come back the next school year" I joked.

He smirked. "Curiosity killed the cat."

"Well the cat can die happily satisfied from having it's questions answered."

"Got taken away from my mama 'cause she got addicted and had to go live wit' my grandma" he answered and went back to what he was doing.

"Oh" I mumbled and continued writing but couldnt help myself from asking more. "Do you talk to her?"

"Who?" he looked confused.

"Your mom."

"I mean, yeah. She still my mama. She just..." he shrugged as if he couldnt come up with a word.

"Is she still battling it?"

"Yeah, she in rehab right now" he murmured. I nodded. He looked to be uncomfortable with my questions so I decided to let that be the last one.

"Sorry" I chuckled nervously. I didnt want him to be irritated with me or anything.

"You good. We done. You ready to go?" he asked me. I felt bad because I felt as if I had ruined his mood.

"Yeah" I sat his things down and grabbed my phone from the table. As we were leaving I decided to check my notifications. My heart jumped when I seen that Amaru had finally texted me back. I opened the message thread and frowned after I read what she had sent me.

Amaru: Please stop calling and texting me. I'm fine Nena, I promise.

She wanted me to be fine with her just disappearing and not responding to anybody. I understand her and our parents werent on the best terms but just leaving and not saying anything wasn't a smart move.

I inwardly sighed and tried to put aside my worry as I

got in the car with Cato. He wasnt speaking like he usually would be. I think my questions had bothered him. At this point I kind of didnt care anymore. I was way too worried about my sister.

Cato Willis

After droppin' Athena home, I had to go take care of some shit. I really wasnt trynna be rude to her but she had hit a sensitive topic and a nigga wasnt trynna discuss that shit.

I showed up at Sonnie's club where he told me to meet him. I parked and headed straight the the door cause it was always open unless he had some crazy shit goin' on. It was dark inside besides the colorful lights and some strobe lights. Two of the strippers that worked there was up on poles practicin' I guess. I aint really fuck with strip clubs or strippers.

I walked past a few niggas that I aint know and headed to the back and upstairs where the office was.

When I walked in, Sonnie was sittin' at a table wit' a few other niggas we knew. Swiss, who was his cousin. Tommi, who owned the club with him. And Rico, who worked for Jeron and him.

"You always late as fuck" Swiss said like he was mad or some shit.

"What that gotta do wit'chu? Hop off my dick" I said to him and sat down at the table. Sonnie laughed. Nigga thought everything was funny. I glanced at him and shook my head before noticin' somebody sittin' behind him. It was Athena sister.

She looked paranoid as shit and she was shook up. I aint wanna make assumptions but I knew Sonnell had did somethin' to her.

It wasnt my business though.

"What we here for?" Rico asked.

"Everybody got some shit to take care of" Sonnie said.

"You couldn't call us or some shit?" Swiss said to him. This nigga been showin' mad attitude since I walked in.

"Shut the fuck up" Tommi said.

"Anyway, C, that first drop needa get handled tonight. I set the shit up already. Just make sure it get done. Rico, go wit'em. Swiss, me and you gotta handle some other shit later" Sonnie said to each of us.

I was irritated as fuck now. This nigga really coulda just called us on the phone. I coulda saved time.

"I got'chall here for another reason too. Kim found me a few girls. I wanna know what y'all think 'bout 'em" he motioned for Kim who I aint even see to go get 'em I guess. Kim was the girl that kept shit in order at the club for him and Tommi when they wasnt here.

I stood up from my seat. "I'ma go" I told everybody. I wasnt trynna stay for this shit. Why the fuck would I wanna help pick out females for this nigga and his daddy to pimp out?

"Hol' on. Sit'cho ass back down bruh" Sonnell said. I sucked my teeth and against my better judgement, sat back down. Four girls walked in after Kim.

All of 'em basically looked the same. Two was short and lightskinned with tattoos. One was tall and brownskinned, with no tattoos. And the last one was tall and spanish lookin' with no tattoos. All of 'em had the same hairstyle and thick ass eyelashes. They all looked like some instagram thots if you asked me. Prolly was where Kim found 'em.

Sonnell, Tommi, Swiss, Rico, and Kim started talkin' 'bout who they think would pull the most money and shit. While they was talking, I glanced over at Athena sister who was lookin' uncomfortable as fuck. She glanced at me and down at the floor.

"Cato, who you feelin'?" Tommi asked me.

I shrugged. "Nobody." The spanish girl eyes got wide like she was offended.

"Nann' one?" Sonnie questioned me. I shook my head no. He smirked and stood up. "Come wit' me." I sucked my teeth and followed him out into the hallway. I leaned against the wall and waited for what he had to say.

"This why you gotta get me shawty" he said to me.

"Bruh I told you she aint gone be down wit' this shit." He was stuck on gettin' Athena here. Shit was not 'bout to happen.

"Listen, either you convince her to or I do and my way aint gone be nice."

My jaw clenched cause this nigga was really pushin' it. "If she say no, she say no."

"What she not gone do is tell me no" he laughed like the shit was funny. I just gave him a blank stare. "Aye but forreal doe, I showed her to Jeron. He fuckin' wit' it and he ain't gon' take no for an answer. So handle that or i'ma have to" he said and walked back into the room.

My mind was racing like shit. I ain't know what the fuck to do. I aint wanna be the nigga to put Athena in this shit personally but I also aint want Jeron to do something fucked up like kidnap her ass.

Shit was all bad.