𝙉𝙤𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙄𝙧𝙞𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙡𝙨

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I hate Mondays. Usually i'd be waking up early for school but since I just graduated I had to get up for work. Celine's older sister Aya had gotten us both a job at her friends smoothie shop that was 10 minutes away from Parkside. Since it was a smaller shop me and Celine were the only workers and we both got paid 25 dollars a hour due to only working 5 hours each shift. The job and pay was really good in my opinion since we didn't have to do much because the boss was always there helping us out she was real chill.

My shift started at 10 am so I had a hour left to get ready and head off to work. I already did my daily hygiene routine so I put my uniform on which consisted of all black nurse looking slacks, a white shirt with a colorful smoothie logo in the corner with lettering that read "Main Squeeze", and my all black Huaraches work shoes. I fixed up my hair and packed up my work bag with extra clothes, feminine products, and my charger since I was going to Celines house after work.

I didn't have much time to cook me breakfast so I'd just stop at the store next to the smoothie shop. As I walked the hot streets of Parkside even though it was 9:30 in the morning I seen many kids were running up and down the street playing together. I small smile crept upon my face as I watched them play tag I was happy they were able to come outside and have fun without anyone causing trouble so I hoped today would be a regular day out here.

I approached the store which was empty on the outside which was good because I didn't feel like being bothered by anyone.

"Hey Ms.Jackie how are you ?" I waved at the owner as I entered the store.

"Hey pretty girl I'm doing fine thank you for asking." Ms.Jackie said as she finished fixing the chip aisle and made her way back to the counter.

I decided on a croissant and a sweet tea since I wasn't that hungry. I sat my items on the counter waiting to be rung up as I got my money out my wallet.

"You know I've been hearing some things about you and Benny but I'm not sure what's really going on but people been out hearing running they mouth." Ms.Jackie said as she told me the price and bagged up my stuff.

"I don't even know him it was simply us having fun I don't know why everyone's so invested there isn't much to know." I said while rolling my eyes. Mfs was weird nowadays and always snooping in other peoples business.

"Yeah well being who he is many girls are going to hate on the fact that you was dancing on him which is petty and childish but that's Parkside for you. But you be careful and stay out the drama Irie." Ms.Jackie called out as I left out the store to walk down the street to my job.

Once I got to work I notice Celine was helping a few customers so she must've got here when the store first opened. I quickly ate and locked my items up before I headed out to the front to help Celine out with the rest of the customers. Around 2pm me and Celine finally clocked out and was cleaning up the store so we could go home when the door opened as our boss Marley walked in with her small belly bump since she was pregnant and growing.

She stood at 5'11 and had mahogany skin color with a few blemishes on her face from being pregnancy and stressed due to trying to get everything ready for her gender reveal. Marley was thicker than a snicker she had a big round ass that sat up nice and a matching set right on her chest. She had big round hazel eyes and big plump lips that she got injections on because she didn't like her thin ones. Marley was the definition of the it girl she always kept her nails, lashes and hair done in some type of 30 inch wig. She also wore nothing but designer because her man had her spoiled.

"Hey y'all I know y'all getting ready to head home I had to hurry and bring you guys this since I won't be here for the rest of the week." She said while handing us both a envelope with our names on it.

"What is it ? " Celine asked while sipping on her smoothie.

"Well maybe if you both opened up the letters you'll see what's inside." Marley giggled as she took a seat at one of the tables.

Inside the letter was invitation to her gender reveal on Saturday and some money which I was confused on why she gave it to us.

"The guests have to wear all white outfits with accessories the color of what gender you want so I gave you guys some money to find something at the mall." She said while smiling at us.

We both thanked her for her kind gesture because she always looked out for us outside and during work. Marleys baby daddy was in the Stk gang but he was one of the people who turned their dirty money into clean money by opening up multiple businesses so the police wouldn't try to investigate where their money came from. He was the one who opened up her smoothie shop since she wanted to be independent and not depend on him for everything.

"Don't worry about closing up I'll still be here for a couple more hours I need to order some more supplies." Marley said as she walked into the back of the shop.

Me and Celine walked outside from the cool conditioning to the hot 100 degree weather and wearing black didn't make it any better. I noticed a bunch of dudes and females hanging outside of the store I would've crossed the street and avoided them but Celine needed some backwoods and snacks before we got to the house. I stood right at the entrance ignoring the comments some of the people was making when I felt someone tap my shoulder so I turned around and it was Ace smiling at me.

"What you and your friend doing over here it ain't the safest place to be ?" He questioned as he took a look at his surroundings.

"We work at the smoothie shop down the street." I replied while looking at Celine who was paying for her stuff.

"Oh damn that's Marley shop huh ? But Umm y'all need a ride home it's hot asf out here." He asked while staring into my eyes intensely.

"No its fi -" I was quickly cut off by Celine accepting the offer and pulling me towards the car. I just knew her lazy ass wasn't gone walk if we had a ride.

Once we got inside of Ace car Celine gave him the directions to her house and he quickly pressed down on the gas making us both fly up from our seats. I looked over at Ace who was smirking and looking completely unfazed to the sudden movement. We finally made it to her house and before I could open the door he quickly reached over and locked it on my side. Celine protested on letting me out the car so he told her he just needed to talk to me about something for a couple of minutes.

She finally gave up because I did as well so she walked to her porch and took a seat on the bench waiting for me to get out the car. I noticed he had turned his car off and got comfortable since he was now leaning back in his seat sipping on something in a red cup.

"Umm what did you have to talk to me about because I have something to do ?" I asked breaking the silence between us while looking out the window.

"So wassup with you ?" He asked while putting his full attention on me. I knew eye contact was a big thing for him because he kept staring into my face and he was to damn fine to be looking at me like that.

"What you mean ?" I mumbled now playing with my hands to keep my anxiety down. Ace was intimidating as fuck and he look unpredictable.

"My brother Benny asked me to get your number for him whenever I saw you." He said while smirking.

I quickly looked up at him and blushed without even realizing.

"Why couldn't he personally ask me ?" I questioned him.

"He had to lay low for a minute you know he just got out of jail the feds still watching his every move."

"Oh okay well let me see your phone and you can send it to him." I said as I watched him type in his password and hand over the phone.

I put my number in his phone under "Noelle C." then handed him back his phone. We talked a little more about Celine since he wanted me to put him on with her but he was to shy to approach her.

"Alright I'll text you too so you can save my number and if a unknown number text it's most likely Benny unless you giving your number out to hella niggas." He said while laughing and pulling off to lord knows where.

Once I got in the house Celine made me tell her everything from the beginning to the end. She was trying to act nonchalant about the situation but she knew deep down inside she was more then excited Ace wanted to talk to her. We both took a shower then smoked, watched a movie, and took a nap.

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚, 𝙑𝙤𝙩𝙚