Part 2 of this story will be on that account ]

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𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗞𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶

𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚗 𝚃𝚇 .

❦

Over the next 2 and a half weeks I was in and out of the hospital. I would wake up early and head to the hospital, leave around 12pm, get home and do some clients' lashes, and head back to the hospital if I wasn't tired.

Eli's sister, Iliana, stayed with me for about a week since my apartment was closer to the hospital.We eventually made a group chat with everyone so niggas could know who was going to the hospital and who wasn't. We ain't want his room to be empty, just in case he woke up— which I prayed everyday that he would.

There wasn't really a change in Eli's condition and part of me was starting to lose hope. I couldn't lose Eli. That was literally my other half. Even the thought of Eli dying was enough to make me cry myself to sleep. But everyone would come and check up on me here and there to make sure I kept my head up. But regardless of what they did, I still couldn't shake this bad ass feeling I had.

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Today 3:00pm

Who all at the hospital rn?

Duck ❤️

Aijah, Destini n Rell I think

Okay

Finna be over there later

Rell Slow Ass

Ight

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I clicked out of iMessage and focused my attention back on the road. I listened to Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill while I drove back to my apartment from the grocery store.

Icy as a hockey rink, Philly nigga, I'm flyer

When I bought the Rolls Royce they thought

it was leased

Then I bought that new Ferrari -hater, rest

in peace

Hater, rest in peace, rest in peace to the

parking lot

Phantom so big, can't even fit in the parking

spot

You ain't talkin' bout my niggas, then what

you talkin' "bout?

Gangstas move in silence, nigga, and I don't

talk a lot

Halfway through the song the volume lowered and I looked down at my phone to see that Duck was FaceTiming me. Niggas always wanna call me while i'm listening to music that shit blows me.

Duck ❤️

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲...

"What is it?" I immediately said, answering Duck's FaceTime call.

"Excuse-fuckin-me? Who pissed in yo cereal this morning?" He jerked his head back in the camera and I bussed out laughing.

"Bye Daylon cause you interrupted my music! You know I hate that shit."

"Guh- anyways, you in the car?" Duck asked and I looked down at my phone like he was stupid.

"Naw. I'm in the sky. Why you askin'?"

"Bit- you almost made me call you sum. Where you goin?"

"Might get some dick if i'm feeling fun." I shrugged and he rolled his eyes.

"Girl shut the fuck up and come by the house, I gotta show you sum."

"Aight, give me 30."

"Ight bet." He said and hung up.

I haven't been to Duck & Eli's house since Eli been in the hospital. Mostly cause ian have time but still, being in that house without Duck and Eli doesn't sit right with me.

30 minutes later I pulled into the driveway of the two-story house and recognized Rell, Aijah and Reece's car in the driveway.

Who the fuck is at the hospital with Eli then..?

I got out the car and unplugged my phone from the charger and grabbed my keys. I walked up to the porch and unlocked the front door with the key Duck gave me when they first moved in.

Duck, Eli, and Aijah all had keys to my house and vice versa. But, im gonna take all my keys back 'cause they keep going into my fridge while i'm not home and I got food coming up missing every fuckin' month.

I unlocked the front door and walked in to see everyone spread out through the living room and kitchen like one big ass happy family.

I walked into the living room and greeted everyone. I saw some girl that I didn't recognize sitting right next to Mir. When I said hi to him and he responded, she scowled at me 'cause I guess he was staring at me for too long.

"Say Mari! Yeen miss me?" Eli held his arms out, walking into the living room.

"Mann what the fuck?" I smiled wide and threw my arms around him, embracing him in a hug.

"When did you wake up and when did you get discharged?"

"He woke up yesterday and the doctor checked his vitals and shit. They said he was good to leave, he just needa be 'MoNiTored'" Duck said sarcastically.

"So that's why you told me not to come yesterdayyy." I dragged. "Duh. Slow ass li' girl."

After talking to Eli for a lil' bit I headed to the kitchen, which was right behind the living room, where Tasia and Destini were talking.

"Yea so basically I think my English teacher fucking onnat girl." Destini shrugged as I walked into the kitchen and jerked my head back.

"What the fuck?" Tasia retorted and I stared at Destini in disbelief. Her English teacher like 40+ years old with three kids.. I would know because I had him when I was in high school..

"How you know that?"

"So we had this lil' exam the other day, and mind you it's a state exam, so you can't retake it. So ole girl walks up to his desk and tells him that she got like a 40/100 on the test-"

"In English? Oh she slow." Tasia butted in

and I bussed out laughing.

"No literally. I understand if it was math or something but English? Hoe you speak the language!"

"Chile! That isn't even the worst part! So she tells

him her score or whatever and while she's talking to him, she keep leaning on the desk trynna perk her lil' mosquito bite titties up and she wasn't being discreet

about it at all. So you wanna know what my English teacher said?"

"What?"

"He told her ass to, and I quote, "Stay after school and we can talk about extra credit" like nigga extra credit for a STATE exam? They're definitely hunching."

"Girllla, that doesn't mean they're fuckin." Tasia waved her off.

"She literally told this nigga, "Oh We'Re gOnNa dO mOrE tHaN tAlK." and walked back to her desk smirking. You can't tell me they don't be fucking."

"What's his name?" Tasia asked.

Girl know damn well she's not gon' know this mans name. My good sis went to a private school

"Mr. Almafi."

"Ohhhh, I knew I had that niggaa! They're definitely fucking 'cause when I was a senior, there was a rumor going around that the nigga would boost yo grade if you popped a titty." I said and Destini's mouth fell open.

Tasis shook her head in disgust, "The way y'all talkin' about that school.. I wouldn't be surprised if the janitors were sex offenders." She said and Des started laughing.

I briefly looked out to the living room and almost immediately made eye contact with Samiron who was already staring dead at me with those hazelnut brown eyes while ole girl was seated right on his lap. I looked away and glanced back at him and he was still looking at me.

Staring problem???

"How old is that teacher?" Tasia asked scrunching up her face and snapping me out of Samiron's stare.

"He's like 40 and he got like 5 kids." Destini replied and I shook my head.

"Nah, he got 3. I remember 'cause he would never stop talking 'bout those fucking demon seeds."

"He's not afraid of getting arrested? It's giving R Kelly right now.." Tasia mumbled.

"Last I heard his wife cheated on him and those kids ain't even his forreal. He prolly don't got nun to live for anymore that's why he doesn't care what he does." Des shook her head.

"This is off topic but who is ole girl?" I asked them, gesturing my head over at the girl who was mugging

the fuck outta me, still sitting on Mir's lap.

I mean I'm not gonna lie, she was a cute lil' brownskin girl and she had on a blonde wig with crimps going all the way past her butt from what it looked like. Her frontal look a little expired and crispy but whatever, maybe that's the look she was going for.

"Ion know, she was here when I walked in." Tasia shrugged. Reece walked into the kitchen, mushing Destini's head and I pulled him aside.

"Who that is?" I asked him, pointing to the girl on accident.

He swatted my hand down."Who? Milan ?"

"Mir's girl?" I raised my eyebrows. I honestly don't give a fuck if she's his girl or not, I just need her to stop staring. That's literally one of my biggest pet peeves. I can't stand someone staring at me dead in my face with the meanest mug like I killed their dog or sum. I don't even know her..

"Nah, he just call her around when he need a li' sum sum." Reece laughed, "Oh here, I forgot." He pulled some swishers out of his pocket and gave it to me.

"Love it here." I cheesed. He shook his head and sat up on the counter. I started rolling while Tasia, Reece, and Destini kept talking about her pedophile English teacher.

As soon as I lit the blunt Eli called me into the living room where Aijah, Mir, Rell, Eli, Duck and 'Milan' were sitting. I walked in and they all turned their attention towards me and Eli. I guess we were being loud.

"Pass it here Mari!" He stuck his hand out for my blunt and I swatted it away.

"Don't pass that shit to him Mari, he ain' even supposed to be down here while niggas are smoking." Duck interrupted while Eli sucked his teeth and looked at him with a you really had to say that? look on his face.

"Oh wait, you right." I nodded and walked towards the front door to go outside and smoke. As I was walking out I looked over and Milan was still mugging the fuck out of me.

"Can I help you miss?" I furrowed my eyebrows, tilting my head to the side with one hand on the door knob. The attitude was clear in my voice and she could tell I wasn't holding my tongue anymore.

"Girl who the fu-" She started talking but I opened the door and closed it behind me not giving her a chance to finish.

Right plan, wrong bitch.

I stood outside my car smoking and scrolling through Instagram until Aijah and Rell came out arguing about whatever it was this time. They always seem like they're down each other's throats but I'm convinced it's just foreplay 'cause Aijah doesn't waste her breath on anyone— she'll just fight.

"Hey bestieee." Her high ass dragged as she came down the porch with Rell behind her and hugged me.

"I want a hug too Mari." Rell pinched his eyebrows together, acting hurt. "Better yet, bring yo fine ass over here and give me a kiss."

"Nigga! Please." I put my hand up. Me, Rell, and Aijah stood outside my car passing the blunt and talking for a bit. When we were done I got some perfume out of the console of my Benz and practically bathed myself in it 'cause I hate walking around smelling like straight weed.

We walked back inside and when Milan's eyes landed on mine she rolled her eyes and looked away. I just waved her off because I honestly don't know what the fuck the problem is. Some females wanna have a problem with you so bad and get mad when you don't feed into it.

I walked right passed her and sat down at the dining table to charge my phone. I was considering scrolling through my phone while it was charging but my momma done told me too many stories about

people's hands gettin blown up while doing that. Shit, I didn't believe her ass at first but now i'm scared so I'm treading lightly.

"Say Mari." Mir walked over to the table I was seated at.

"Yea?"

"Lemme get yo keys right quick."

I jerked my head back and looked up at him, "I think the fuck not.."

He sucked his teeth, "Yo car blocking everyone else car and I gotta dip right quick." He said as he towered over me and looked down at me with his hooded brown eyes.

Jesus take the wheel.

"Where you gon' go ?" I asked him and he looked at me crazy.

"You ain't my momma."

"Um you're driving my car right? How do I know you're not hinna drive my shit off a cliff?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Mar- aight if you so worried come with me then."

"Nigga where." I emphasized.

"I gotta pick sum up from my homeboy right quick, come on." He said. I rolled my eyes and got up, grabbing my keys off the table in front of me.

"Where you goin' Samiron?" Milan stopped him as we were walking out the front door, wrapping her arms around his torso.

Not this bitch lord.

"Mmcht, I gotta get sum from my homeboy." He said, unwrapping her arms from around his waist and leaving her looking stupid. Fucking mbarrassing.

She mugged me and I mugged her stupid ass back. "Why she gotta go with you?" She asked with an attitude.

"'Cause im using her car, duh." Mir looked at her like she was dumb.

"Mm." She hummed looking me up and down. She obviously wasn't satisfied with Mir's answer but by the looks of it, she won't protest what he says 'cause she probably knows he'll spaz on her right now, in front of the whole house.

"Look at me like that again and im gonna be the last thing you look at girly." I pointed at her and walked out of the front door before she could respond.

I got in the passengers seat and waited for Mir to come out. A few seconds later he walked out of the house and got in the driver's seat. I handed

him the keys.

He looked at me and chuckled. "You got problems dawg." He shook his head, putting his seatbelt on and adjusting the seat.

"Um I definitely don't, she's the one that's been mugging me since I stepped foot in that house."

"Ight ma, chill out." He backed out of the driveway.

"Is that yo girl?" I asked him. She has to be his girl cause there's just no way she's getting buck with females who are around him and they're not even together.

"Naw, the fuck?" He scrunched up his face and looked at me like I was supposed to know that. I rolled my eyes and got on my phone.

This nigga driving MY car and catchin' an attitude, must be out of yo damn mind.

"Watchu rolling your eyes for?" He glanced at me then back at the road. I looked at him and rolled my eyes again.

"Say son- aight Mari." He shook his head.

"If you really want me to drive us off a cliff it could be arranged." I stared at him blankly then back down at my phone.

Does he realize if he drives us of a cliff he's

gonna die too-

Okay.

The more we drove the more I started recognizing my surroundings. We were in my old neighborhood, deep in the hood. I haven't been here in years and it looks even worse now than it did a few years ago. The familiarity of the corner stores, bus stops, and run-down apartment buildings were making me nostalgic.

A few minutes later we pulled up to his homeboy house and there were like five niggas on the porch smoking.

"You comin' in?" He asked me as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

"No? Why would I go in?" I squinted my eyes at him. I mean, I didn't want to come in the first place..

"I was trynna be nice to yo ass, but now you don't have a choice, come on." He nudged me and got out, not even giving me a chance to protest. I huffed and rolled my eyes, finally getting out of the car.

We walked up the lawn of a run-down, one-story house where niggas were sitting in patio chairs on the porch smoking and chopping it up. Mir dapped up all the niggas while I stood there looking fucking stupid with my arms crossed across my chest and my phone in my hands. I briefly glanced around the porch and noticed all the niggas eyeing me.

#uncomfy

"Waddam Mir." A darkskun boy said as he stepped through the front door and onto the porch. He dapped Mir up then looked me up and down . "This

you?" He nodded his head towards me.

Mir looked back at me and smirked, "Nah."

Did this nigga really jus-

"Shit if that's the case, lemme get those digits."

"Aye shorty, C'mere. Lemme holla atchu real quick!"

"Shitt, I'll stop fucking my babymomma for you, lemme get that number."

"Nah, I got a nigga" I lied. Lied like shit.

"..and it ain't Mir." I made sure to add, making the niggas laugh at Mir who only rolled his eyes.

Mir finally got a few stacks of money from one of the boys. He counted it in front of them and dapped him up. We eventually got back into the car with me in the passengers seat and him in the drivers seat.

"Mir why the fuck would you say that? You knew those niggas were gonna try ta talk to me! That's so awkward." I frowned while he started my Benz.

"So? That's punishment. Catch an attitude again." I rolled my eyes.

"I'm hungry." I told him, looking at him while

he drove. He was leaning back in the sear with one arm flexed forward on the steering wheel and the other rubbing his chin hairs.

"Okay?" He shrugged.

"So, find a drive thru nigga." I said in an obvious tone, making him suck his teeth.

"The fuck.." I mumbled, getting on my phone.

"Come on, speak up Mari." He cupped his ear and side eyed me. I looked at him and shook my head, averting my attention back down at my phone.

"Oh ight then." He nodded, pulling into Chick

Fil A.

Thought he ate that..

Mir pulled into a parking spot and we got out. As soon as we walked to the counter the cashier started batting her eyelashes at Mir who wasn't paying her no mind. She even went as far as unbuttoning two of the too buttons of her red Polo to try and show some cleavage.

"Heyyy, what can I get you?" She cheesed and I rolled my eyes. I just want my food. Like honestly.

Mir chuckled at her attempted flirting. He gave her his order and back up and let me order.

"Your total is $22.40" She said and I pulled out my card.

"Aye son, don't pay for my shit." Mir stepped up to the counter and tried to block me.

'"Too late." I shrugged taking my card back from the cashier and fake smiling at him. He sucked his teeth.