Davonyé
Harmony sits with me, Carr, Demus, Kairon, and Niro at lunch. I see Demus eyeing up Harmony and realise it’s only a matter of time before he tries something with her. She’s just his type; exotic looking, long legs, and confident. He likes girls he thinks he can tame, but even I think he’ll have his work cut out with that one.
Harmony ain’t anything like Ariella—in looks or personality. She’s loud and a little self-centred. I swear she thinks the world revolves around her. You can tell she’s an only child.
I look to my right and watch Carisse and Harmony laughing at something on Carisse’s phone. I wanna text Ariella; I've done well to last this long. I wanted to message her as soon as I got up this morning when I saw that she never replied to the one I sent her last night.
I pull out my cell. I miss you staring holes in my back, I text her. Today has been boring as fuck without her to cop looks at.
She comes online and the message ticks change to blue, but she doesn't reply. I text my mom back instead, to give me a distraction.
Yeah, I'm still coming this weekend. What time are Clarisha and Tinashe flying in?
Mom asked me to come home for the weekend so we can have family time. At first, I wasn’t really on it, but maybe some time away from here will clear my head from all this shit I'm in. It will also be good to see my sisters. I ain’t seen them in a minute. They both live in Alaska. They moved there a couple years back. Married and everything, and they’re only in their twenties. They both fell for brothers and all of a sudden got up and left. Fuck knows why they live in Alaska. That place is cold as fuck. Even colder than here.
My cell vibrates. Ariella...
What you doin’ tonight?
I stare at the screen for a second. Does she actually wanna see me for once?
Don’t get your hopes up, nigga…
Why? I text back.
I was gonna ask you over for dinner, she replies.
Dinner? Shit, I gotta work tonight…
I’m working 2nyt, but I can come over after classes. Can you do lunch instead?
She types... Yeah. My parents are gonna be here tho. You mind?
She wants me to meet her parents?
Hell nawww.
I start typing a message backing out, but then I change my mind cuz I need answers, and the only way I'm gonna get them is to spend time with her and the people that know her.
That’s cool. Should I bring anything?
Just yourself. What time you coming?
Classes finish at 1. I got work at six. I wish I could skip out, but Carisse would find out, and I’ve skipped enough classes already.
Come straight over. Is there anything you don't like to eat?
Nah, whatever is good.
Ok. Call me when you're 10 mins from the gas station by Harmony’s. I'll come get you.
Kl.
“You okay, baby?” I hear Carr ask.
I look up from my cell and see her staring at me from across the table.
“Yeah, just work. I'm on a late tonight, remember?”
She nods her head. “I know,” she says before coming over to sit on my lap.
“I might go in early, see if I can get off earlier?” I suggest. Even if I did—which I’m not—there ain’t no way my bullshit manager is gonna let me go home early. That muthafucka is mean.
“Alright, well, I was actually gonna stay at Harmony’s tonight cuz I knew you was working late. I can cancel it, though,” she whispers in my ear.
She wanna fuck.
I hold her around her waist. “Nah, don't cancel your plans. I dunno if it’s a definite, yet.”
“Alright.” She sighs, making me feel bad. “I guess I'll see you after class tomorrow then?”
“Yeah, I’ll cook,” I say, trying to make her feel better.
“Don’t forget the dessert,” she whispers, and then she kisses me.
I still ain't feeling it, but I put the effort in. Harmony’s staring at us when Carisse gets off my lap. She smiles at Carr, but then gives me a weird look that makes me uncomfortable before she bites her lip and looks away.
What the fuck was that about?
***
My last class of the day drags like fuck. I keep thinkin’ about seeing Ariella and meeting her damn parents. We ain't even seeing each other, and Ariella knows I'm still with Carisse, so what the fuck is she tryna do? This shit is spirallin’ out of control, but I ain’t doin’ a damn thing to stop it. I don’t even feel like I can anyway.
And now I've got Harmony throwing looks at me like she knows something I don't. I don't like that shit.
I turn my head and catch her staring at me, again. It makes me wanna get up and leave class, but I can't even do that cuz she'll tell Carisse. Those two seem to be inseparable right now, so I need to be careful.
Or just end things with Carisse.
I can’t even believe I’m thinkin’ that shit. She's gonna kill my ass, but since I kissed Ariella, I just ain't feeling her like I used to. It's like the love I thought I had for her has disappeared overnight. Shit is crazy.
And then there’s the fact that I live with her and most of our classes are together. I'm worried about Ariella, too. I don't wanna make school hell for her either.
But I got a feeling shit is about to go down either way. I just don't know who's gonna be the one to kick it off.
Finally, the bell rings. I'm grateful as fuck to be done for the day. I catch up my things but then Harmony appears next to me.
“Heard from Ariella by any chance?”
Fuck.
“What? No. And why would I? She ain't my cousin.”
She crosses her arms as she slowly smiles. “I ain't heard from her either, and you've both been acting different since my party. You feeling her, ain't you?”
Ariella wouldn’t have told her, would she?
Nahhh…
“I don't know what you're talkin’ about,” I lie like fuck.
She smirks. “If what I'm thinkin’ is right, you should just end it with Carisse now. Because there ain't no going back now that you've found each other,” she says as if it’s a warning.
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
She shrugs. “It ain't my place.” And then she mumbles something as she walks away.
Something that sounds like, welcome to the family.