Chapter 6

“Well, well. I'm starting to believe it's fate.”

I whipped around to see Rodney. His eyes had already trailed down my body. I watched him scan my legs and shifted my weight to the left as I placed a hand on my hip. He darted his eyes up and I blinked at him through my blank stare.

“You got it memorized? Or should I hold this pose and let you get another scan?”

He skipped right pass a smirk as a smile spread clean across his face. A smile that complimented his face structure. Never had I encountered a man that was nothing but handsome to me. I couldn't even toss him off in the category of sexy. He's just... handsome. How that works, I have no idea. Something new to me. Something fascinating to me.

“I'm merely appreciating you.”

I expected a chuckle or something to follow his comment but he held that same smile, as if it was locked in.

“Are you not used to appreciation?”

I laughed and turned to make my way to the register so I could get out of this store.

“Eyes are looking over me all the time, Mr. Rodney. Nothing surprises me anymore.”

“I'm sure eyes are over you all the time but that's not what I asked. A lot of niggas look but how many men take the time to appreciate?”

“Do you always speak like this? How many girls fall for this game you spit? Be honest with me. I won't judge.”

“Game I spit?”

I sat a pack of gum on the counter and grabbed a few now and laters out of the bucket while waiting on the clerk to find his damn way on this end of the counter.

“You mean speak like a grown man and not like a lil ass boy with no manners, education, or enough sense to at least fake enough of the two so that they may appear to be about something?”

He was doing it again. I silently laughed as I watched the clerk finish up with the customer who was taking forever choosing an alternate pack of cigarettes. Bitch, they're all cancer. Hurry up and choose your ticket to a slow death. My eyes derailed down to Rodney's hand that sat the Arizona Tea down next to my candy and gum. I hadn't even noticed I walked off without it. I was just trying to make my move so I can get out of here.

I rolled my eyes dramatically when the customer and the clerk made their way back on our end. I stepped back letting him ring her up so she could move. Bitch didn't even buy a pack. Wasting my time in here trying to get loose cigarettes. I pushed my items up and paused when my flow was interrupted by Rodney's hand reaching pass me to hand money to the clerk.

“And for the record, I never go after girls.” He allowed the clerk to bag my items and toss the change into the bag before he took the bag and placed his hand on my back. “I prefer women.”

He moved around me to get the door. I reached for my bag and he moved his hand in another direction as he released the door again and let his free hand find its way back to my back. I raised my eyebrow and slowed my pace as he attempted to guide me pass my car.

“Alright there, buddy. I'll be going this way.”

I turned toward my car and did a 360 as he made the spin with me, turning me back in the direction he wanted to go. I planted my feet in the ground when a truck pulled around and he reached for the door.

“Okay now. You're getting just a little bit creepy.” I held up my fingers to present him with measurements although my facial expression measured a mile.

“You never got back to me like you said you would. Just have a talk with me.”

“Okay. That's easy. I'll giv-”

“Apart from the phone.”

He gestured for me to climb in the truck.

“All I'm asking for is a little of your time.”

“What are you doing?”

I searched his face for real explanations. Desperately trying to see pass everything and get to the bottom of what was really going on in that mind of his. His eyes pierced into my eyes as he held us in place, standing in front of this door like he really expected me to climb right on in.

“I told you that. Very thing I asked for when we met at the hospital. When we first spoke on the phone. Right this very minute. Just a little of your time.”

Staring into his serious face, I reached for my phone and squinted.

“Well that sounds nice but-”

He licked his lips and looked off to the side before I could even get to the but. I reached up and placed my fingertips on his chin.

“BUT I have some things to handle now. Rain check?”

He pushed the bag into my hand and leaned more towards the door. I tapped his chin before using my finger to pull his gaze my way when he didn't turn his head on his own. Though a new look escaped his eyes, he still put on that same smile.

“Yeah.”

Though he spoke only one word, his voice was different too. Disappointment. I knew that all too well. If no one was familiar with that, I was best friends with it all of my life. As if he had to convince me, he shook his head before stepping back a little. I took the hint and backed away from the door. I walked toward my car and expected to look back and see his truck pulling off or something. Much to my surprise, before I could look over my shoulder good, my attention was snatched by the sound of a hand on my car door. I looked to my right to see him opening my car door.

“Be safe.”

“Thank you.”

I climbed in the car and sunk into my seat as he closed it and turned to walk back to his truck. I took note of how he rode in the back seat of his truck. I wonder if he ever sits shotgun like Montey does. He never sits in the back. I guess he feels powerless in the back when in reality, he had it all wrong. But that's Montey ass. He's always had it all wrong, still has it all wrong, and will forever have the shit all wrong. I shook my head thinking about how this nigga gon hold a meeting without me.

--

“And what are you doing here?”

“My invitation must have gotten lost in route.”

I sat in the swivel chair and spun around to cross my legs. I leaned an arm on the table and looked around at the many faces looking at me.

“Oh, I'm settled in now. Continue.” I blinked as the faces darted towards Montey before darting back at me. “Please?”

Montey shifted in his seat and before I could react, Bo grabbed my arm and roughly yanked me up from my seat.

“I'll handle this.”

“Nigga.” I stared at his tight grip on my arm as he dragged me out of the room. “What the fuck is your prob-”

“Get the fuck out of here.”

He leaned closely to me and spoke just after the door slammed shut behind us.

“I'm a part of thi-”

“Do I have to escort you all the way out of here too?”

He stepped closer to me and gave me a daring look. I licked my lips and shook my head as I chuckled. I glared over to the side before walking back the way I came in.

–

“What the hell you partying for?”

I giggled into my glass before twirling around and falling on my bed.

“Join me.”

“You didn't ask nicely.”

“Join me, please.”

“You didn't answer the question.”

I watched Bo shake his head as he scanned over all the liquor I had lined up around the table.

“I couldn't make up my mind.”

I spoke up but frowned when he started closing the bottles and putting them back into the box that I kicked under the table.

“What are you doing?”

“You've had enough.”

“You don't know that.”

“I always know.”

I frowned more when he made his way towards the refrigerator. I knew what was coming. I turned the glass up to finish what I had left. He turned back around the corner with a bottle of water. I coughed and pulled the glass back before I could spit any back into the glass.

“Girl, you still do this shit?”

I rubbed my chest because of the burning sensation as I recovered the cough. I heard him laugh when I held the glass to my lips again.

“You don't gotta do that shit. I'ma let you finish.”

He opened the water before sitting next to me on the bed.

“Good... because I need it. You were really rough with me.”

I pouted and he laughed louder then held his hand out for the glass. I ignored the gesture and took another sip. He held his hand closer to me.

“You know what it is.”

“What is it?”

I looked over at him and tilted my head.

“You know.”

“And you bruised my arm.”

“And you a damn lie.”

We burst out laughing at the same time.

“You gotta quit playing with this man. We've been going over this for years.”

“And I haven't been caring for years.”

“I gotta constantly cover your ass, Tasha. Help me out here. Nigga already look at your ass stupid. How you think he'll look at me if he know you my sister?”

“The fuck that gotta do with anything?”

“He'll know I'll do anything for your ass. I'm sitting in a good place with him and if he thinks our personal bond will jeopardize my business with him, that shit will knock me down. That's what you want?”

“If you for me, you for me. I don't ever let any thought dare cross my mind about how I'ma be for you.”

“You taking this shit a whole nother route, Tasha.”

He reached over and took the glass out of my hand rather than asking for it again.

“You know I'm for you. Always have been. Even when I didn't know your ass so don't start that shit.”

I bucked my eyes as my vision began to take a journey as the room got blurry and colors brightened.

“You don't have to worry about me.”

“Bullshit. I've been having to worry about your ass since the first day we met.”

--

I squeezed my eyes tight at my best attempt to not break down right here right now. I leaned forward and rested my forehead on Lady's tummy. She still smelled of milk and honey. I rubbed her tummy as I leaned back to look over her again. Seeing the dirt on her fur, I immediately wanted to bathe her again. I knew it was crazy but I couldn't handle seeing how low that nigga had to stoop. This was no accident. He'd purposely gotten her dirty just to make matters worse. I looked over her face that appeared she was in a deep sleep. My tears began to fall as my hand glided across her tummy that wasn't moving up and down.

Taking in a deep breath, I couldn't restrain from frowning as I shot my head up to look at the face that was staring at me. I tried to shoot daggers through the middle of his eyes as he burned a hole through me.

“What the fuck are you looking at?!”

My breathing became irregular as I got more upset than I already was. To add to my anger, he gave no reaction. He still stood there. He still stared. He still was getting on my fucking nerves. I roughly wiped at the tears on my face and pushed myself up from the lawn. I backed up and swiftly turned to run into the house. Stomping right into my uncles bedroom, I angrily snatched the bedspread right off of his bed.

“You punk bitch!”

I balled it up in my arms as I dragged it down the hall and back towards the front door. I kicked the door open and yanked the spread behind me as I rushed over to Lady. I fell to my knees once again and tried to block out my aching heart at the sight of her laid across the grass lifeless. I spread the bedspread across the grass and crawled over to Lady.

“I just bathed you.” I choked on my words as I tugged at her head to lift it. I dropped my head and released a sob as the drool dripped out of her mouth. “Oh, God.”

I looked up to the sky and blinked back the tears that were blinding my vision before returning to my task. I shifted on the ground and leaned more into her body then attempted to lift her again. I ignored the feel of her tongue resting on my arm as I tugged her head higher and slipped my arm under her front legs. My heart jumped and ready to attack in the defense of my best friend, I shot my head up so quickly that my neck popped.

Moving quickly than I could possibly do on my own, he tossed the lifeless body of the full grown pit in his arms and jumped to his knees to support the weight. I moved back a little and rushed to my feet to stand to the side of him. I held my hands underneath Lady's head so that it wasn't dangling free putting her in any discomfort. I took quick little steps to keep up with him as he took a couple of wide steps forward onto the bedspread. He slowly inched down towards the bedspread and with much respect, gently laid Lady in the middle.

I sat next to her and moved her head around to make her as comfortable as possible. I knocked the spread back before rubbing her fur down. Ignoring those same eyes that were once across the street but now hovering over me, I crawled backwards until I was no longer on the spread. I folded the spread halfway towards her before doing the same to the other three corners. I grabbed the first folded side and moved closer to her then placed it over her. Taking my cue, that nosy ass boy picked up a corner and did the same.

My eyes landed on his hand as it brushed against mine. I scanned up his arm and for a split second, everything froze as we met eyes and locked in on each other. He nodded and we both turned to grab the other two corners of the spread. He stood over Lady while holding his end as I rolled my end into a pillow and tucked it underneath her head. When I backed up, he tossed the spread over her then let me fix it to my liking.

“What's her name?”

I patted her head and glided my hand across her face.

“What happened to her?”

“You never deserved any of this.” I whispered to her while rubbing her chin.

“Well do you know where you're going to tak-”

“Lady was poisoned! And do I look like I have somewhere to take her?!”

I snapped on him while glaring right through him sending a warning to cease his stupid ass questions. He slipped his hands in his pockets and shrugged as if he wasn't bothered by my attitude like he was used to it or something. Staring down at Lady, for the first time since discovering her laying out in the yard like she was nothing, I pondered that million dollar question he was asking. After being swarmed around by silence for a couple of minutes, he took a step back. Swallowing my pride, I yelled out at him to stop him from going away.

“Do you know a number?!”

He paused and turned back in my direction. I darted my eyes down towards the ground.

“Do you know a number to call for someone to pick her up? You know? Aren't there people who pick up deceased animals?”

“They don't pick up pets. That's the owner's responsibility. The city will only come for a stray that's been sitting around too long and getting complaints or something.”

My heart dropped. I had absolutely no idea of what else I could do.

“Can you help me move her?”

“Where?”

“I don't know. Out of the sun?”

–

“Hey.”

I squinted when I thought I heard something.

“Hey!”

I blinked and stared harder at the darkness coming from the direction of my window. Slowly pushing my covers back, I got up and stared harder at the window. I inched closer, waiting to determine whether I was really hearing something or if I was going crazy.

“Yo! Lil Lady!”

“K, that I definitely hear.”

I moved quickly to the window and slowly inched my finger through the blinds. I pushed one down trying not to show much evidence of my presence. Peeking out, I scanned around full of suspicion until he moved around within view. I saw him checking his surroundings before leaning toward the window again.

“Lil La-”

I yanked the blinds down and he paused. He pushed up off of the bricks and waited. I stared at him staring back at me until he held his arms out as if questioning the hold up. I nodded then rushed toward my closet to grab a pair of jogging pants. I hopped on one foot while putting on my sock and leaned against the wall to put on the other. Walking over to the window, I peeked out to see him gone. I sat at the foot of my bed and put on my shoes before snatching my jacket off my chair as I headed out of my room.

Looking over my shoulder, I checked to see if anyone was awake. Backtracking to look into my uncle's room, I frowned when he wasn't there. Not really caring, I turned my focus to putting on my jacket. I paused near the living room to take in the time on the clock.

“The fuck? It's nearly 2am.”

I frowned while unlocking the door and stepping out. I stood on the porch and yanked my hood on my head then slid my hands into my pocket to shield from the late night breeze. I jumped out of fear when he appeared out of nowhere to right before my eyes in a split second. His hands immediately tugged at the end of my jacket. Our eyes met as he zipped me up.

“Get the back door open.”

I looked pass him after he nodded his head toward the car then walked off. I looked over to see him walking over where we sat the basket that cradled Lady's lifeless body. He reappeared with what once was a laundry basket and I hurriedly made my way across the yard and to the car that was parked a couple of houses down.

“Why didn't you park closer to the house?”

I questioned without looking back because I heard his footsteps close behind. I opened the back door and stepped out of the way. Looking over the car, I raised an eyebrow at how nice the car was.

“Is this your car?”

I looked over to see him leaning over the basket.

“Are you sniffing her? What the fuck?”

“She hasn't started smelling funny yet. She smells sweet. Kinda like... honey?”

“Honey and milk. It's a body wash scent. Get away from her.”

I pushed him back and closed the door.

“Wait. You put body wash on a dog?”

I yanked open the passenger side door and climbed in without answering him.

–

I lifted my arms and stretched.

“Take a seat.”

I moved my shoulders around before lifting the shovel.

“Go ahead.” He said again while taking the shovel out of my hand. “Have a seat.”

I backed away just as he tossed the shovel to the side. I removed the gloves while I watched him finish off shoveling the dirt onto the grave we made for Lady. A grave. At least she has a grave. A small smile crept onto my face as I got lost in my thoughts.

“You good Lil Lady?”

I snapped out of my trance at the sound of his voice. I looked over the completed grave. He was pulling off his gloves that were much more filthier than mine because he had done most of the work, only allowing me to help out when I demanded to be hands on for MY pet.

“You keep rubbing your neck.”

He pointed out my actions that I was unaware of until now.

“I just feel a little... locked up I guess.”

“Need to pop your neck?”

“I already did. It's my back.”

“Lemme see.”

I watched him look over himself as if he was checking his clothes. He walked around me and swiftly reached around me to hold my arms up.

“Assume the position.”

“What?”

I laughed at him speaking it in such a serious tone.

“Just do it.”

I laughed more as I raised my arms and locked my fingers behind my head. My smile faded when he guided my hands down to my neck and without warning, locked his arms around mine. His hands applied pressure to my hands and I went to object but remained silent out of shock as my feet left the ground. I bucked my eyes as my body dangled in the air.

“Boy-”

He leaned back causing my body to bend backward and fall against his. He bounced me one time and I heard a small crack.

“Ow.”

I kicked my foot out ready to fight his ass when he bounced me again but harder and a series of pops sounded off. Besides the awkward position, my back felt good.

I darted my eyes around in awe, never experiencing something so weird before. He stepped around me and looked into my face.

“Feel better?”

“Better than ever actually.”

“Ready to head back?”

“How will I know where she is?”

“It's a fresh grave.”

“No. It won't always be like this.”

“Third tree from the log over there.”

“No! We have to mark it.”

“Well we'll figure something out.”

He folded his arms across his chest and stared down at the fresh grave that stood out from the rest of the soil in the middle of the woods.

“You can maybe get one of those rocks that people decorate their gardens with. You know? It can pass for a tombstone.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah.”

“Will it be big like a tombstone?”

“Damn, Lil Lady. Haven't you ever watched those stupid house decorating shows or something with your mama? We can use a landscape stone as a matter of fact.”

“What's that?”

“You know, it's sort of like a big rock that-”

“What's a mama?”

“Oh.” He spoke in a hushed tone as he realized his misunderstanding of my question. “Sorry.”

“I'm not. I kind of got over that.”

I folded my arms and remained staring at Lady's grave.

“And my name is Tasha.”

“I was sort of getting used to Lil Lady.”

“It's been getting on my damn nerves.”

He chuckled and held out a hand.

“Bo.”

“That doesn't sound like anything that's on a birth certificate.”

“And Tasha sounds short.”

I stared at his hand that was still holding its ground as he replied to me with the same smart ass tone I spoke in. I bit the corner of my lip for a second.

“Latasha.”

“Kyle.”

I looked over at him with a big grin on my face. He shook his head then laughed when my giggles finally escaped through my grin. He went to lower his hand but I caught it.

“Evelyn.”

I gripped his hand tighter and shook it. I looked forward after confusion flooded his face.

“Evelyn Latasha Richardson.”

He gripped my hand and returned the shake.

“Kyle Aiden Curtis.”

I laughed at his name again, more intrigued by his whole name.

“Your mama was siddity, huh?”

“What's a mama?”

He smirked and we released our hands at the same time.

“Yeah. I feel you on that.”

“So tell me something.”

“Like?”

“I don't know. Something bout you.”

“Why don't you tell me something about you. You go off into woods a lot?”

“I don't know. Maybe I do.”

“You can be some thirst bucket who tricked me into coming out here so you can force your way with me then leave me for dead.”

“You can be some psychopath who tricked me into a situation that leads us out here so you can force your way on me then leave ME for dead.”

“You're a weirdo.”

“Yup. I was thinking the same about you. In the middle of the woods having conversation like we're at the beach under the stars. Two weirdos. Guess this makes us partners now.”

“Says who?”

“Says the guy with the car.”

“How do I even know it's your car?”

“All you need to know is that you want to get back home.”

“You got a slick mouth. Let me drive back.” I held my hand out, purposely holding it right in front of his pocket.

“Can you drive?”

“We can find out.”

“Hell nah.”

–

“Bo.” I whined while climbing over his legs. “Get up.”

He pushed my leg as I rolled over his body. He went to roll over in the bed when I caught his shirt. He was supposed to be entertaining me yet here he was laid out going to sleep. Nigga need to get up and drink with me. If only he knew my plans to flee this place. Sleep would be the last thing on his mind right now. Doesn't seem like a bad place really but I can't. I come here to lay low and and end up caught up in someone's mixed up world. This was not a place to settle down. I really have no choice but to leave. And that's what I've been telling myself all day... and I still hadn't convinced myself yet.

“Come on.” I punched him. “Pop my back.”

“Pop it your damn self.”

“Seriously. It's bothering me.”

“No, it's not.”

“You're a jerk!”

I slapped his arm before snatching up my phone. I checked the charge before removing it from the charger and climbing over Bo again.

“Damn, girl. You can't walk around?”

“Nigga, you in my shit. You better shut up.” I spit at him as I fell back on my pillow.

 “YOU better shut up.”

“Nah, you better shut up before I kick your ass.”

“Your drunk ass can't even walk around the bed. Now shut up while I'm tryna sleep.”

“Ain't nobody scared of your ass, Bo. You harmless ass runt.”

I reached over to run my hand along his face and he swiped at my hand.

“Move, girl. You been getting on a nigga nerves since day one.”

“And you ain't went nowhere yet. We're in love.”

I threw my body over on him and giggled when he pushed me away.

“Fine. I'm calling the love of my life now anyway.”

I reached over and smacked his ass. Flinching and blinking like crazy, I scooted like a mad woman trying to quickly get away from his hand that raised high and I already knew what was to come when it impacted with my leg. I yelped when I fell back off of the bed and landed on my backside.

“Owwww.”

I pouted while rolling over in slow motion. Not sure if I was actually in slow motion or if my drunken mind appeared in this state.

“Hey.” I tried to offer a smile through my hushed tone when I heard his voice that was very much alert. “You sound wide awake.”

“I am awake.”

“I thought I would be interrupting your sleep at this time of night.”

“Morning.” He corrected before continuing. “And yet you still called.”

“Well maybe I needed to hear your voice.” I playfully cooed into the phone. I sat up in time enough to see Bo slamming a pillow on his head as if I was really disturbing him. Well I was and I knew it. He was seriously trying to sleep and for the pass hour, I did everything my mind could think of to fuck with him. He's a bore to me now.

“You're in a good mood.”

I knew Rodney made a statement but it rolled off of his tongue like a question. I giggled while making my way to the bathroom, only bumping the chair and one wall.

“Yeah. You slipped a little something in my tea.”

“Or maybe you slipped a whole lot of something in your tea yourself. That's what it sounds like to me.”

“Maybe I did. What's your excuse? Why are you up?”

“Maybe I got stuff on my mind.”

“Aw, poor baby. Just can't get me out of it. You need mommy to come over and cuddle with you so you can fall asleep?”

He laughed and politely swerved my invitation to a flirt spree.

“This is the easiest it's ever been to speak to you. You always like to play when you've been drinking?”

“What do you mean?”

I went from playful to defensive in a split second.

“I'm just surprised that YOU called ME.”

“Whatever.” He was just as boring to me right now as Bo was because just like him, he wasn't letting me have my way. “Send the time and place to my phone. Alright?”

“What?”

“You said you wanted a little of my time.”

“Oh. I finally get to take you out to dinner?”

“I thought you were a grown man.”

“I am a grown man."

"You don't sound like one right now?"

"How much am I supposed to take this serious when a girl shot me down twice but all of a sudden call me in a drunken state now on another page?”

This nigga was taking shots at me.

“Now I'm a girl?”

“Look Tasha, if you hadn't caught on, I'm not one for the gam-”

“There's plenty of numbers I could have dialed and it didn't have to be yours.”

I hung up before he could say another word. Maybe I'm being dramatic about this. Maybe it's the liquor that's making me take offense to his words. Or maybe it's simply Tasha not liking the truth being served to her. I ignored the call that was coming in and leaned back against the tub. When did I end up on the floor, in this short amount of time, I don't even remember. My ass should be asleep. I answered the phone when his call came through not long after the first ignored call.

“What?”

“Am I meant to believe you'll show up?”

“I'm saying I will.”

It was quiet for a minute as we listened to each other breathe and when that got old we listened to each others backgrounds.

“I'm just gonna go to sleep.”

“I'll send you the time and place.”

I hung up without giving him a proper goodnight. Staring at the bathroom door, I scolded myself. Why must you fight against everything? Even when it feels like it's something right. That's the problem. It feels right. He makes it feel right. No matter how much I try to deny it, I enjoy it. I enjoy him. He's right. There's a difference between boys and men. He's a man that can be so right in my life right now. And it's back to this. How can I allow myself to do this with him when I'm all wrong? I don't know how to take anything for what it is. All I know is fight. All I've ever had to do was put up a fight. Fight is in me. Even when it's something right... all I'll ever do is fight it.

–

I spun around to the heavy steps coming from the side of the house. Two cops came rushing around the corner and immediately put all focus on me. One began scanning the yard as the other dropped his guard when he realized it was me.

“Someone come through here?”

“What?”

“Young. Brown jeans. Striped shirt.”

I shook my head and glanced around the yard.

“Ma'am, I think you should get inside.”

“Is he dangerous?”

“Ma'am.”

“O-okay. I'm going.”

I moved towards the side door and held the doorknob. The cop stared at me in a rush and I twisted the doorknob and rushed into the door. He looked around before he rushed to the fence to get to the next yard to catch up with the other cop who didn't waste time standing here. I watched him hop over the fence and race across the yard. When he disappeared, I cracked the door open and peeked out to scope out the scene. I quickly pushed it open and Bo dashed from behind the untamed bushes and dived for the doorway. He collided with me and we crashed to the floor and froze in place as the door slammed shut. I lifted my head to look upside his face as his eyes remained glued to the door. I looked over at the door then chuckled as I dropped my head to the floor.

“So... it wasn't your car.” I put emphasis on the word wasn't before chuckling more when he looked down at me. He rolled his eyes before rolling off of me and laying next to me. We looked over at each other then burst out in laughter. I sat up and reached up to lock the door.

“Am I dangerous?”

I laughed at him referring to my question to the cop.

“Hell, I don't know your ass.”

“Interesting. Anyone at home?”

“No.”

“Interesting.”

I turned to follow his voice that was no longer coming from the floor but by the door that led out of the garage.

“Hey.” I called out to him as he disappeared into the house. I rushed across the garage that was the neglected part of the house. I pulled the door up behind me and frowned at the empty hall. Bo stepped out into the hall looking for his next doorway.

“Boy.”

I pushed away from the door and sped down the hall to catch up with him as he walked into another door. I bumped into him and bounced off of his body. He shook his head and pointed his thumb over his shoulder.

“Whoever room that is, is a slob.”

He laughed as he backed me up into the hallway and nonchalantly continued nosing around my house.

“You know, you get comfortable really fucking quick.”

“You know, you have a real potty mouth.”

My heart damn near came up my throat as he turned into my bedroom. I rushed behind him and damn near stepped over his heels as I raced into the room to push around him. He chuckled as I rushed to my chest and pushed my underwear drawer closed and dashed over to my bed to fix up my spread. I turned to see him step into my closet.

“Hey!”

I rushed over to my closet and grabbed his arm as he reached to touch my clothes. I yanked him out and leaned against my door as I closed it.

“Yo, I expected you to be more of a material girl. I don't know. Kind of a spoiled brat with too much shit that you don't need.”

I turned around embarrassed at my bare room and still not over the fact that he saw my wardrobe that wasn't much at all.

“I guess it's because of your attitude.”

“Well maybe you shouldn't be too quick to judge someone! I'm glad you see the truth now. I can barely get shit that I do need!” I spoke out of anger that bloomed from my embarrassment as I snatched my binder out of his hand and placed it back where he picked it up from.

“Sorry.”

“You should leave now.”

“I really am sor-”

“Leave!”

I looked away from his face that showed that he was genuine. That apologetic look rubbed me the wrong way. He wasn't sorry for crossing the line. He pitied me. I don't need anyone's fucking pity. He lifted his arm and I snatched away and looked at him crazy.

“I thought we were friends?”

“I don't have friends. I don't have anyone.”

“I used to think that... up until a few days ago. Guess we got each other now. Huh, Sour Patch?”

I snatched my bedspread over my binder before looking at him again. He just stood there leaning against the door like I didn't tell him to get the fuck out.

“Are you fucking deaf all of a sudden?! Get out!”

I stormed across the room but before I could make it to the door, he had turned and walked off. I turned the corner and saw him standing in the living room window looking out.

“Get out. I don't give a fuck if they catch you. I hope they do. Sit in a fucking cell on a hard mattress and freeze when the cold bounces off of the floor and the walls.”

I snatched open the front door and pointed out his path to follow. He shook his head and walked out of the door. He went to turn around but I slammed the door before he could fix his mouth to say anything.

–

Why do you fight everything, Tasha?