Chapter Two

"You think you're slick."

"What Nadi?" I sighed, knowing she was about to spew some bullshit.

It was Saturday afternoon and the mall was booming as we sat in the food court wrapped up in girl talk. After the night I had I figured a little retail therapy would do me good.

"A little birdie told me Smoke gave you a ride last night."

"Yes and your point?" I took a sip from my frosted lemonade as I indulged in a little people watching.

"You sure that's all he gave you sis?" She wiggled her eyebrows together.

"Yes I'm sure, I barely spoke to that man Nadi." I slightly stretched the truth. Words were exchanged - yes, but they didn't need to know that.

"Wait, you mean to tell me you were in the car with your self proclaimed 'everything' and you ain't say shit to him? Girllllll you better than me." She shook her head in disbelief.

"Nadi get out her face, don't nobody want Smoke's trifling ass." Kam interjected.

"Sis needs some dick, that's all I'm saying." I choked slightly at her bluntness.

"Here you go with this shit." Kam chuckled in amusement.

"What! It's true, she gets grumpy when her little cooch hasn't been touched."

"So she needs to go fuck Smoke of all people?"

"Thank you Kam! Clearly this heifer has completely lost her mind." I flicked Nadi's forehead as I discarded my trash.

"Show my guy what he gave up. Show out, do a few tricks bitch." She twerked wildly in her seat.

"What about Gio?"

"What about him? That ain't her nigga." Nadi rolled her eyes in disdain.

"Don't listen to this hoe Sage." Kam shook her head in amusement. You could always count on Nadi to shake the table.

"Trust me I won't be taking any advice from this chicken head. Besides ain't nobody thinking about Smoke and his patchy ass beard." I stood pushing in my chair, ready to shop.

"Whateva, you was staring at that patchy ass beard all last night sis, now lets go, I'm ready to spend Daddy's money." Nadia smiled brightly holding her father's black card.

I couldn't go anywhere without Nadia or Kamryn attached to my hip, we were made for each other.

Snaggle toothed and wide eyed, Nadia Taylor and I met in kindergarten when she declared us twins as we both dawned the same yellow and pink romper. Immediately we became glued to the hip, sharing a love for cookies and cream ice cream and Winnie the Pooh. We remained a duo until 11th grade came around and the new girl from Philly moved into town. Kamryn Cooper was the yin to our yang. While Nadi was loud and flamboyant, Kam was calm and reserved, and I simply found myself in the middle. We complimented each other well I'd say. At the end of our senior year we all committed to Clark Atlanta University. Nadia received a full ride on a track scholarship and decided to major in Athletic Training while Kamryn took on Broadcast Journalism in hopes of one day having her own talk show. As for me, Psychology was my calling as I planned to open my own practice dedicated to adhering to troubled children and teens. We were on our black girl magic shit and with one more semester of our senior year left and grad school quickly approaching, I'd say we were pretty fucking poppin.

"Can we please go to Footlocker? The new Prestos just released and I need that blush color way in my life." Nadia stressed as we walked shop by shop.

"Yeah, Santi has been on my ass about getting him some Adidas joggers anyway." I agreed, remembering I told my little brother I would buy him a pair if he behaved in school.

"That little boy is so spoiled."

"I can't help it, that's my baby." I laughed as we stepped foot into Footlocker.

"You like this?" I held up a canary yellow Chamipon sweatshirt, placing it to my body.

"It's cute, it'll look good on your skin too boo." Nadi nodded her head in approval.

"Well damn, all that talking done spoke up ya mans." Kam snickered nodding behind us.

Low and behold there sat the devil himself.
Dressed casually in a white Gucci t-shirt and grey sweatpants, his focus was on a pair of Special Field Olive Green Air Force One's as he sat on a bench behind us.

"Hey Sage, I found the Adidas pants you wanted!" Nadia yelled catching everyone's attention, including Smoke's.

This bitch.

I've never wanted to slap someone as much as I did Nadia right now. She truly believed Smoke and I were meant to be together despite him practically breaking my heart 4 years ago. As my best friend she always took my side, but not without playing devil's advocate. Smoke was her god-brother after all.

"Oh hey brother, didn't see you over there." Nadia waved to him, a mischievous smile plastered on to her face.

"Wassup sis, hey K." He chuckled to himself before nodding to my best friends.

"You're fucking aggy." I punched her in the chest.

"Look Kam I see my prestos in the kid section." Nadi smiled as she dragged Kamryn off.

Continuing to lace his shoes I noticed the growing smirk placed on his lips as I made my way toward him.

"Smoke." I stood in front of him as he sat, that stupid smirk still on his face.

"Pooh." He smiled looking up at me, his bottom row gleaming of gold.

"Oh no, those privileges have been revoked, I don't know you like that sir." I scoffed at the sound of my childhood nickname, Poohbear which he shortened to Pooh when we began dating.

"Shit, you used to know me real well." He bit his bottom lip, scanning my body from head to toe.

"Keyword - used to, a lot has changed since then."

"I see that." He smirked, his 6'5 frame now towering over me. "Did you need something though mama?"

"No." I answered quickly.

I imagined future encounters with Smoke to consist of ignoring his presence, allowing him to feel how I felt after all those texts and phone calls went unanswered. But, as he stood before me I found myself at a loss for words, unable to speak.

"I ain't seen you this nervous since I took you to your junior prom girl." He laughed as he began to walk towards the counter and nodded for me to follow behind him.

"This all you getting?" He nodded toward the Champion sweatshirt and Adidas joggers in my hands.

"Yeah, something light." I shrugged to myself.

"Something light." He mocked me before placing everything on the counter.

"What are you doing?" I asked watching the cashier ring up his things along with mine.

"Don't even worry about it Sage."

The last thing I wanted was for him to buy me anything. We weren't friends and I didn't need him thinking that all was well between us. Time had passed yes, but seeing him again after all these years opened old wounds that I was sure healed. I was a bitter bitch to say the least, but could you blame me?

"You don't have to do that Smoke." I reached for my items only for him to push my hands away.

"It's nothing Sage, honestly."

"Smoke I'm serious, I don't need you doing anything for me."

"Just say thank you Pooh." He smiled lightly as he handed me my things before exiting Footlocker.

"Soooo" Kamryn questioned walking up, Nadia behind her.

"I hate you."

"Wait, what did I do? That was all Nadi!" Kam laughed nervously while Nadia tried her hardest to avoid eye contact with me.

"Guilty by association hoe!"

"Ugh, can y'all just talk and make up! Please!" Nadi sighed dramatically as if she was dealing with such a huge burden.

"It's not that simple Nadia and you know it!" I stormed out and headed towards my car.
As my thoughts ran rampant I couldn't gather how I got to this place. A place of insecurity and uncertainty. I was eight months away from graduating college, I was content with my current relationship status, and just when I thought I was finally over my high school sweetheart, the universe worked it's magic and threw me a curveball for the century.

After getting myself together I made my way home and immediately hopped into the shower. The nearly scalding water always seemed to relax me, creating a sense of comfort. Erykah Badu's sweet voice filled the bathroom and seemed to drown out all of my worries. This shower allowed me to be worry free, even if it was just for a moment.

Hopping out I lathered my body with my mom's homemade shea butter and sweet almond oil pomade and threw on an oversized sweatshirt and boy shorts. Now that I was in bed my only concern was binge watching Stranger Things.

Halfway through season two a knock sounded against my door. It could only be so many people and I wasn't in the mood to deal with either of them.

"Sa, can I come in?" Nadia's soft voice sung from behind my bedroom door.

"Sage please, I want to apologize." I heard her sigh to herself while I debated on ignoring her efforts.

I guess I could hear her out. It was simple, if I didn't like what she had to say I could easily close the door and go on about my business.

Leaving my bed I opened the door and stood awaiting her apology.

"I was out of line and for that I apologize." She spoke sincerely as her plump lips began to form a pout.

"I'll never understand what you went through with Smoke and I'm sorry for trying to force him on you, knowing the history. It's just that I remember how so in love you guys used to be. I just wanted that for you again, to see you genuinely happy. But, I promise I'll stop plotting, scouts honor."

"I forgive you. You just have to understand that him being back is going to take some time for me to get used to Nadia. I don't need him being shoved down my throat. I'm sure we'll have a chance to sit and talk and I'll finally have some closure, but for now I'd really just like to have the support of my best friend, not his god sister."

"I'm sorry sissy!" She jumped into my arms, embracing me into a hug.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, try that shit again and I'm throwing bleach on all your shit." I pushed her off of me.

"Ok no, that's talking it a little too far hoe." She scoffed and pushed me out the doorway, making herself comfortable in my bed.

"Get out of my bed girl."

"Cuddle with me." She smiled innocently as she scooted her body closer to mine.

"You're annoying like shit." I rolled my eyes, aware she would be here for awhile.

"You love me like shit." She countered biting my cheek.

"Wow, cuddle session without me I see." I looked up to see Kamryn with her arms crossed.

"She invited her damn self, I'd much rather be cuddled up with your thick ass." I winked at her before she happily nestled herself between the two of us.

It was a little after 2 AM before everyone retired to their rooms for the night. Today left me worn out and tired and I could slowly feel myself drifting off to sleep. I was almost there before I was interrupted by a vibration beneath my pillow.

Unlocking my phone I began to stare at the unfamiliar number in my messages.

(212) 764-5835: I know I'm the last person you want to hear from, but maybe we can link up and finally put everything on the table. Let me know when you're free Pooh.

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Nadia (22) & Kamryn (23)