A month has passed since I started my new school. I've had no more run-ins with Kennedy. I been avoiding both her and my mom as best as I could. But she still tries to lecture me, practically yells at me, and says that she is only trying to look out for me. Briana, April, Ashanti, and I have gotten closer and I am starting to consider them my good friends. Even though everything was good between us, I haven't talked much to Cairo. I do catch him stealing glances at me every now and then. But he always got females around him.

Dashawn calls himself still mad at me, but it's okay because I been talking to this dude for a few weeks now, and I'm supposed to be meeting him soon.

"What we doing tonight? We should watch a scary movie," Briana said.

"I'm down," April said.

"Who gone pop the popcorn, and get the snacks?" Ashanti asked.

"Me and Asha will," Briana said grabbing my hand.

"Ok cool, I'll find a good scary movie."

"I'll help you," April chimed in.

Me and Briana went into her kitchen and she gave me a few bags of popcorn. I popped each of them in the microwave while she arranged chips in a couple of bowls. Briana's phone started ringing so she answered it, putting it on speaker.

"What Brandon," she said.

"What y'all doin?"

"About to watch a few scary movies, why?"

"We on the way back. Y'all want something while we out?"

Briana looked at me and I shrugged.

"Some pizza would be nice," she said

"What kind?"

"Pepperoni and sausage."

"Aight bet."

"Don't start the movie until we get there."

Briana smacked her teeth. "Damn, Brandon y'all ain't invited."

"I'm gettin y'all asses some pizza, y'all better wait, the fuck." I could hear Derek and Cairo in the background laughing.

"The fuck, nigga bye," Briana countered and hung up.

"Damn he think he own shit." I snorted at their banter. It must be nice to have a healthy relationship with your sibling. I wish I could relate. Instead, I got ole spiteful ass Kennedy. I rolled my eyes just thinking about her.

"You good, I know how you feel about other people?"

I shrugged "it's cool. Brandon cool people. Plus he's your brother and this y'all house." I gave her a thumbs up in reassurance. She laughed and we went back to the room with the bowls of popcorn and chips.

"Aye, change of plans, well, not really but we have some company so we moving the party to the basement."

"Why?" Ashanti asked.

"My brother and em wanna watch. My room ain't big enough for all of us, and my parents are sleep so we should go downstairs."

We all grabbed our supplies and some blankets before heading downstairs. We set up the area and everything.

"Anyone want a drink?" Briana asked.

Both Ashanti and April were more than eager for a drink. I didn't too much care to have one so I declined. Not long after, Brandon, Cairo, and Derek showed up. Derek and Ashanti were boo'd up. They were cute together, and to my surprise, they had been a thing for a few years now. They were so different; where Ashanti was loud and bold, Derek was always calm. Brandon had a thing for April, but as far as I knew, they were just talking.

We took our seats. I got all jittery inside at seeing Cairo. He looked good as always, even when he was dressed down in sweats and a hoodie. He looked warm, but instead of taking the seat next to him, I pulled Briana down next to me and left the space open.

Once the movie started, we all tuned in. In all honesty, I hated scary movies with a passion. I basically hid under the blanket the whole time. When the movie was done, we took a small break. I went to pee and after, I decided to get a slice of pizza. Everyone else was probably on their second or third slice.

Before I could sit down, Cairo grabbed me and pulled me down close to him. He looked down at me and I shied away, but he only pulled me back under him.

"Why you runnin?" He chuckled.

"You act like I bite or some shit. You can sit right here next to me."

I looked away from him and took a bite of my pizza. I nervously ate, and before I knew it, I was done. I sat my plate on the floor. Another movie was put on, and I went back to hiding. Cairo laughed at me the few times I jumped just a little too hard.

"Oh hell no!" Ashanti yelled. I shook my head and buried my face in the side of Cairo's chest. He only pulled me closer.

"Y'all chose this shit," Brandon laughed.

When the movie was over, Ashanti, April, and I sighed in relief. Briana had the audacity to try and pull out another movie.

"Let's watch the conjuring."

"NO!!" Both Ashanti and April yelled at the same time.

Our last and final movie was Friday. I had never seen it before, or any movie really. I fought my sleep as long as I could. Cairo was just so warm and he smelled nice, so I gave in.

.....

"Aye bro, what time is it?"

"9:35 am." I felt the rumble of Cairo's chest. My eyes fluttered open.

"If y'all want some breakfast, my mom is cooking," Briana said coming down the stairs. I lifted up off of Cairo and moved my hair from out of my face. I looked down at him, and he was staring straight at me. I completely removed myself from his spread out position on the couch. I don't know when we went from sitting up to laying down, but I was embarrassed. I probably looked a mess. I grabbed my trash from off the floor and followed behind Briana. Everyone was pretty much up now.

While in Briana's room, I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I fixed my big mane of hair before putting it back in a neat pineapple. I then changed into some jeans and a hoodie.

"Hey Briana?"

"Yea, wassup."

"I can't stay for breakfast. Is it okay if I leave early."

"Of course, I would never make you stay if you don't want to." I nodded my head. I didn't mind staying, but I needed to get back home before my mom started blowing up my phone or before Kennedy got suspicious.

I picked up my bag and walked out.

"Where y'all going?" Brandon asked.

"Oh I'm taking Asha home. She can't stay."

"Oh baby, you can't stay?" Brandon and Briana's mom asked me.

"No ma'am, my mom is asking for me."

"Awe well here, take a plate to go." I started to wave her off and tell her no thanks but she had already began to fix me some food. When she was done, I reluctantly took the food from her. She gave me a hug and I told her it was nice to finally meet her. I waved to everyone, except for Cairo. He wasn't there.

Briana and I left the house. We ran into Cairo on our way out. "Where y'all going?" He asked.

"I'm taking Asha home." Cairo looked at me and I smiled lightly before walking around him. He grabbed my hand before I could get too far. I tried my best to ignore the tingles.

"We good?" Every time he asks me this, my answer never changes.

"Yes Cairo, see you on Monday." He bit his lip and I looked away. I scurried over to Briana's car.

"Okay, I see you," she said.

I shook my head and ignored her for the most part.

When I got home, I hurried inside and up to my room. I placed the food on my nightstand. I got settled, took a shower, and started on some homework. After a few hours, my door flew open.

"Mama said where her money."

I took a deep breath and resumed doing my homework. Kennedy stormed up to me and snatched my book from out of my hand. Reflexively, I snatched it right back before my brain could process what I was doing. She scoffed.

"Getting bold, are we." I didn't say anything.

"Where her money?"

"I'll give it to her when she get home."

"She told me to get it from you, now give it or I'll let her know you being a stingy little bitch."

I dug my nails into the palm of my hands. I went to where I kept my moms share of the money, which was different from where I kept my actual stash. The only money there was the money I give my mom every month. I never touch or even go near the big bills out of fear that Kennedy or my mom would somehow catch me and take all of it away. It's the only thing I have. I make it seem like my mom takes all of my money, but she doesn't. Kennedy snatched the money from me and left, slamming my door. I took a few deep breaths before returning to my homework.

I can't wait to get out of here.