I met Cairo's mom. She wanted to talk but she was so busy hosting that she couldn't even stay still for longer then five minutes. Cairo said his father was working and couldn't make it. He didn't seem too ate up about it so I didn't respond.

Cairo mama decided to throw this party for Cairo, Derek, and Brandon because all three of them have known each other since they were in diapers. They grew up together and have always went to the same schools until now. Now that they are out of high school, they are going their separate ways. The way Cairo mama talked about it, it's like a bittersweet moment for everyone that grew up watching the trio.

After our little talk, Cairo was called away by relatives that also wanted their chance to speak to him. I kept stealing glances at him as he mingled with everyone. I stayed by Briana and laughed as her and Ashanti joined a crowed of people and started dancing. They all did the same dance, but I didn't know what it was. I still wouldn't have joined if I did.

When it was time to eat, they blessed the food and cut the cake. I couldn't eat. I was scared that I would get sick, so I mostly stayed away from the food. Sometimes any smell can trigger the sickness; it's not always food, but most of the time it is.

I busied myself with helping to clean up the kitchen. Cairo's mama insisted that she didn't need help, but I didn't have anything else to do. There was no food around since everything was already in the backyard. Not to mention, everyone was either in the backyard or the front.

"What are your plans for school?" She asked me. I decided to be honest.

"I am going to a community college by my house. It's a safer option for me."

"Cairo told me about you. How you worked so hard in school, jumping from job to class work. You even graduated a year earlier, am I right?"

"Yes ma'am. I worked hard, too hard. I regret putting myself through all of that because I still ended up stuck here," I said fanning my eyes. She stopped and looked at me.

"Why are you crying?" She asked softly.

I choked on my words, "because it was all for nothing."

"It was all for nothing, all of it. I-I...I was too hopeful. I accounted for all of the odds, all of them except one. I would still have my hopes and dreams if it wasn't for that one stupid mistake." I clamp my mouth shut at the spiteful words I just spewed. I furiously wiped at my eyes.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?"

I don't even want to deny it so I nod my head yes. She curses.

"I had everything figured out. A 4.6 gpa, but I'm stuck here," my voice cracked.

"How far along are you?"

"Almost four months," I whisper.

"It's not Cairo's," I blurt out with wide eyes.

"I know," was all she said.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked me.

"I can't. It's too much." I continued cleaning. I didn't say anything else. Not long after, Cairo comes into the kitchen.

"What wrong?" He could probably feel the tension.

"Nothing Cairo. Help me take out the trash." Cairo's eyes lingered on me before he did as he was told and took out two heavy bags filled with trash.

I took the opportunity to go clean myself up in the bathroom. I knocked on it and a tiny voice responded from on the other side. It was a child.

"I'm pooping," they yelled at the top of their voice.

"Do you need help?" I asked.

"No, I'm a big girl. Big girls don't need help."

I smiled a little and headed back towards the kitchen. Cairo and his mom still weren't back. I rounded the corner to the backyard when I saw Brandon. "Whatchu doing in here by yourself?"

"I was going to the bathroom but the one down the hall is occupied."

"Oh, there's one upstairs, the third door on the right. You want me to show you."

"No no, thanks though." I headed upstairs and found the bathroom. I peed again and then I gave myself a small speech. I admired my hair, which was still intact. My eyes were kinda puffy, but there was nothing I could do about that. I shut off the light and walked into the hallway. The picture frames that I didn't notice at first caught my attention right away. The walls were littered with pictures of Cairo and his family. There was one that stood out the most. It was a family picture. All of them were dressed nicely. Cairo looked really young, maybe eight or nine. There was another boy standing right next to him. They would have looked nearly identical if it wasn't for the obvious age gap. The other boy looked like he was fourteen or fifteen. My eyes roamed up to his parents. They both looked good together—their smiles lighting up the whole picture.

"I was ten, my brother fifteen." I almost jumped out of my skin.

"My bad," he said touching my shoulder.

I turned to him. "I'm sorry for snooping. This portrait just caught my attention." He just shrugged.

I admired the picture again before he spoke up. "I hate this picture," he frowned. My head snapped towards him.

"Why? I think it's beautiful."

"Any picture can seem beautiful until you hear its backstory." He took one last glance before casually walking off. I followed silently behind him even though we weren't heading back down stairs. He opened a door and walked in. I looked around the room. When our eyes met, his whole mood changed.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Damn, it was a jaw dropping smile.

"You know you have a natural beauty, something not many girls have these days."

"Stop," I tried not to smile.

"I'm serious. And see what just a bit of confidence can do. You are glowing." His eyes ate me all the way up and I couldn't take it. I turned to leave when he grabbed me and shut the door.

"Why you always tryna run away?" His voice fanned the back of my neck and I shivered. He ran his nose along the column of my neck and tingles shot all the way down to my core. I bit my lip to stifle a moan. He feathered soft kisses on my neck and I melted into him. I abruptly grabbed his arms when they went to snake around my stomach. Instead, I turned to him, but before I could say anything, he claimed my lips. I kissed him back.

I stood on my tippy toes and wrapped my arms around his neck. He lifted me up by my thighs and sat me down on the nearest surface. I gasped at the sudden movement and his tongue invaded my mouth. I used one hand to shield my stomach as my dress started ridding up my thighs.

He sucked on my tongue and drew my bottom lip into his mouth. When he let it go, he stared down at me.

"Relax," he whispered. I wrapped both of my arms around his neck again and pulled him closer. He pushed my legs further a part and I could feel just how hard he was.

"I want you," he said between breaths. I slightly pulled away and he took the opportunity to suck on the sensitive skin of my neck. I should stop this, I really should stop this. I don't deserve his affection. I am pregnant with another nigga's baby. This is wrong.

Cue the water works. Fuck, I was such a cry baby. Cairo pulled all the way back and released me. I clamped my legs shut and looked everywhere else but at him.

"What did I do," he exhaled loudly.

"Nothing."

"Why you always pushing me away?"

"I don't deserve your kindness or attention. I am nothing but a burden." He went to touch me when I pulled away.

"Nothing can happen between us," I said.

"Why is that?"

I fiddled with my hands, not sure how to tell him, or if I should. Maybe it would be better if I did so we can stop this back and forth.

"Because I'm pregnant with another nigga's baby. I have no hopes and dreams anymore. But, you...y-you're going off to college in a few days. I—"

I was cut off by the door being yanked open. It ricocheted off of the door stopper and nearly closed from the force. I jumped off of the dresser and chased after him. He was already half way down the stairs.

"Cairo!" I yelled after him. I ran down the stairs and cringed. I shouldn't be getting so worked up. I've already been told it's not good for the baby. I knew Cairo wasn't going to be happy, but I didn't think he would react like this. A crowd had gathered back in the house.

"Asha, what's going on."

"Hold on," I said barely acknowledging Briana.

Cairo!" He stopped.

"You fooled the fuck out of me."

"What does that mean?" The question came out weak. He took one look at me and the look of disgust and disappointment was written all over his face. He looked at my stomach for the longest time and shook his head before jumping in his car and speeding off.

I just stood there dumbfounded. For some reason, that felt like the last time we would see each other, or the last time we would ever be good.