Sitting at the table, I quietly ate my food as Mrs. King explained to Makayla and Malia that she used to dance when she was smaller. I wasn't too sure what was the situation, but Makayla seemed speechless. Looking between the three, I could tell that this was a really important moment. I honestly felt out of place.

I returned my focus back to my food. Mrs. King had made vegetable soup with some southern style cornbread. I had to admit that this la meal or whateva was the best I had since I was over here the last time. Mrs. King could cook her ass off.

She really reminded me so much of my mother that it was scary. The food, the hugs, the talks, everything. Malia even displayed some traits of her as well. I wasn't too sure of what that meant though.

"You're quiet, Khari." Makayla spoke up causing me to look up at her.

I smiled briefly. "I'm sorry. I just.. didn't wanna interrupt or nothin'." I shrugged my shoulders, wiping my mouth with the napkin.

"We're done with family affairs for the night." Mrs. King responded as she looked at Malia and Makayla. "I think we've solved our little problems. I'm sorry if you felt uncomfortable." She said, finally placing her eyes on me.

"Not at all, Mrs. K."

"Mrs. K.." She pondered. "I like it."

I could see Malia slightly rolling her eyes causing me to chuckle lowly. Looking at her hand, I noticed she had on a ring with a green stone inside. I figured that it was her favorite color because she wore the color a lot. Plus, her car was green. If I was correct, I'm pretty sure green was the main color in her room.

"So Khari.. I heard that you were in Manhattan these last two days." Mrs. King lifted a brow and I nodded my head. "Did you enjoy it?"

"I think I did. It's crazy in New York."

She nodded her head in agreement. "Very."

"You're from New Orleans right?" Makayla questioned.

I nodded my head. "Born n' raised."

She nodded her head. "I think I want to attend school there at Xavier. Either there or Spelman." Mrs. King looked at Makayla like it was news to her. Malia did the same so I decided to speak up.

"I think those schools are good for you. Especially Spelman with you dancin' and all."

She grinned, mouthing thank you before taking a bite of her cornbread. I nodded in her direction and I could feel Malia burning a hole at me. I turned my gaze to her, challenging her to say something. She only looked down and ate in silence.

"What about Howard, sweetheart?" Mrs. King pursued.

Makayla shook her head. "I'm just not feeling it, mom. I really don't want to be here anymore, plus, Maya and Brian will be in North Carolina which isn't far from Atlanta. It's not like I won't be near family."

Mrs. King nodded her head. "We'll talk about this later."

Malia's phone vibrated on the table causing her mother to look at her. She quickly glanced at it before powering it off. "Sorry." She mumbled.

Mrs. King looked at me. "Khari.. I want you to tell me something."

I took a napkin to clean my hands before sitting back in my seat. "Sure thing Mrs. K. Spit it."

"Are you single?" She blurted out.

"Mom!" Malia shouted.

"What?" She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm just asking a question."

I chuckled lowly. "I'm very much single, Mrs. K."

That answer put a smile on her face for some reason. "You're way too handsome and polite to be single, Khari." Dabbin the sides of her mouth with her napkin, she cleared her throat. "Anyone on your radar?"

Makayla looked up at me expectantly. I glanced at Malia discreetly before clearing my throat. "Yeah, but I think she's occupied."

"Persistence is key, Khari." Makayla responded with a smirk. I was sure she knew who I was speaking of. "A girl just want you to show that she's important to you. Usually, the other guy is not. Or maybe he is and it's too late because he has lost her." Her eyes landed on Malia who couldn't seem to look up.

"Wow.. My baby is smart." Mrs. King chuckled.

Makayla flipped her hair. "I think it runs in the family."

"Malia? What do you think baby?" Mrs. King looked at her.

Malia looked up from her plate with a small smile. "If the girl is worth pursuing then I don't see why he should stop unless the girl really isn't interested." She shrugged her shoulders. "If she's occupied then I'm sure she isn't."

Makayla shook her head. "I wouldn't say that she isn't interested. Maybe she's blind. Listening to her heart may be her downfall."

I watched as the two exchange stares, seemingly talking to each other with their eyes. Malia tore her eyes away first, getting up and excusing herself from the table. Mrs. King got up to follow her, but I stopped her.

"I got it, Mrs. K." She nodded her head as I followed Malia in the back. I walked down the hall trying to see where she had disappeared to. Looking into each room, there was no one in there. The last room, the door was closed, but it wasn't locked. I turned the knob, opening the door. The room was spotless, but I noticed another door that led to the outdoors.

Opening that door, I noticed Malia leaning on the rails of the balcony. She stared into space and I wasn't sure she heard me. "I just need some time alone, Khari." She said, answering my thoughts.

I closed the door behind me, not giving her the alone time she thought she needed. For some reason, consoling came easy with her. Like, I didn't really think hard about it. It came naturally like I was supposed to do it. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong."

She was silent for a while, before she spoke up. "Is that girl me?" She asked softly.

I was confused for a moment, until I realized what she was referring to. "Yeah."

She turned to look at me with her arms folded. "The girl really isn't interested."

I shook my head, not believing her. I wasn't for no girl playing hard to get because she didn't wanna believe her true feelings. That shit only happened in books. I didn't have time for it. "Stop lyin." I said simply.

She was taken aback by me accusing her of lying. She started to say something, but couldn't find the words. I took notice on how her skin glowed perfectly in the dark. The moon was really shining bright on her. I bet night time was her favorite time of the day.

"Why are you staring?" She mumbled.

"When perfection is in your presence, you have to cherish it." I said, flicking my gaze back to her eyes. My compliment radiated off of her as her cheeks turned a rosey red. The feelings were there. Duane was just in the way. "I ain't neva felt this way befo. Give me a chance, Lia." I said getting close to her.

I could see her heart racing out of her chest. She tried to back away, but the rail stopped her. I got close enough to where our nose were touching. "But, Dua—"

"I don't care about him."

"Well, I do. I can't do him like that." She said, moving out of my grasp. "We're really trying to work things out."

I looked at her for a little while before shaking my head. "You're scared."

Her nose scrunched up in offense. "Scared of what, Khari?"

"You're scared to try us out because it's new to you. Duane is your comfort zone and you know that if me and you was to try this out.. You'd forget that nigga completely. He tested the waters so why can't you?"

"We can't do this because you don't know the first thing about love." She retorted. I can't lie like that didn't hurt because it did. Matter of fact, that shit stung. It was a foreign feelin. Recognizing what she just said, an apologetic expression formed on her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean— that came out wrong."

"You right." I nodded my head. "But, you the first person that made me wanna know more about it. I wanna know what love is. Teach me. Teach me how to love you, Malia." Hugging her body, she looked away. "I'm willing to learn. I just need...you."

She didn't say anything which was not a good sign for me. Here I was begging this girl.. I didn't know what had came over me. Is this what love is? If so, then oh well. I will continue shooting until I'm out of shots. Even then, I'm not sure if I would stop.

I walked back to her, turning her to me. She didn't protest so I leaned in crashing my lips onto hers. It had to be the sweetest thing I'd ever tasted in my life. They fit perfectly on mine. They were delicate, soft, hungry.. It felt like she'd been waiting on a real kiss all her life.

She latched her arms around my neck as our mouthes danced. A soft moan escaped her lips which gave me enough time to slide my tongue in. It was greatly appreciated because she sucked the life out of it. I was almost sure if we didn't stop, I was gonna get kicked out for making love to Mrs. K's daughter.

I pulled away causing her to whine like a little baby. I smirked at her actions because I knew she enjoyed it as much as I did. She opened her eyes which contained so much lust and love. I wondered what was going through her mind because I knew what was flowing through her heart. The same heartbeat as mine.

She got out of her trance and rushed back inside the house. Touching my lip, I smiled the first real genuine smile of my life. I looked up at the sky. "This what love feels like when I get to know you huh?" I mumbled before going back in myself.

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