Lifestyle

[3] "Can we at least get a name, sweetheart?"

"Man where the fuck Rod at bruh?"
Darnell inhaled the blunt he was smoking and exhaled through his nose. Rodney had been gone for an hour now.
"Man ion know, but you know it's a party tonight at Chino's place."
"Oh hell yea. Let's hit that bitch up. All the fine hoes be there."
"Hoes?! You better sit down before Ebony bust a cap in that ass."
"Man ian studyin her. Let's bounce."
:
"Dad, can I please go to Layla's house. I promised her I would help her study for the ACT."
"I don't know Essence, it's going on 6 o clock."
Essence stopped herself from rolling her eyes. "Sooo, I can spend the night!"
Joseph raised an eyebrow at his daughter. "Is it ok with her parents?"
"You know it always is."
"Very well,but be back tomorrow by 12. We're having a big luncheon tomorrow and I want you present."
"Thank you daddy!" Essence rushed over and kissed her father on the cheek.
She already had her bag packed for the night. She wasn't going to Layla's, she had booked a hotel for the night. It wouldn't be the first time little miss Essence had done such. She was a sheltered child and wanted nothing more than freedom. She happily drove to the Holiday Inn close to where she was headed tonight, and that was to a house party hosted by Chino.
***
"Party bitches!"
"Ayeee!"
Essence greeted her best friend Monica. Monica was a dark skin beauty from the hood. Nobody fucked with her and that's why she was Essence's kind of girl. They met at work. Monica lives in some projects on the west side of town,and as far as Monica knows, she thinks Essence lives in some apartments near midtown.
"Girl this party is jumpin!"
"Yes! And that brotha over there been staring at me all night." Monica licked her lips at the tall, slim mocha man from across the room.
"Girlllll he is fine. I think he's coming over!"
"Hello ladies." The guy said smiling down at them.
"Hey." They beamed.
"Yal enjoying the party?"
"Oh it's nice. I love the home."
"Thank you. I tried, but I think it's missing one thing."
"And what's that?" Monica was in action. She was batting her eyes, biting her lip, and was giving him the eye.
He lowered his head so the girls could hear him better but most of his attention was on Monica. "A woman's touch."
His deep voice sent shivers down the girls spines. "Mind if I give you a tour?" He asked Monica.
"Sure." She looked to Essence. "You straight?"
"Yea, I'm good."
"Ma, ian gon leave you lonely." Ole dude looked over his shoulder and nodded his head.
A guy about the same size as him came over. He was brown skin with visual tattoos on his arms, neck, and chest. "This my friend Chase."
"Wassup lil mama."
"Hi."
Before Essence could look back at her friend, she and the guy had disappeared from view. Now she was stuck here with this rather attractive guy to entertain her.
"You want a drink?" He asked.
"Uh, sure."
:
Jamal walked in the door first. The smell of weed hit his nose instantly. This was gonna be one of those nights where he had to drive with the windows down on the way home.
Darnell came in right behind him. He saw people doing lines of cocaine, there were drunks spilling liquor. This place was a mess, but they had just arrived so he figured they'll stay awhile.
Jamal quickly spotted a fine little dark skin that he could manipulate into giving him head. "Aye bruh, imma catch you later."
Darnell gave him a simple nod of the head. Once Jamal was gone Darnell decided to head to the bar. He grabbed himself a beer and sat down next to a fine lil light skin shawty. She was too busy goin off on ole dude she was with, so Darnell tuned into their conversation.
"Look nigga, ian no hoe you can just fuck one night and then let go."
"Then what you here for? That's all the bitches up in here do."
This earned a chuckle from Darnell. He recognized the males voice as a guy named Chase. He knew him from making drops, and smoking weed together a few times. Chase was a clown, but when it came to women, he heard he was straight savage. Especially when he's had one, too many.
"Fuck you. I'm out of here." The girl tried to walk away, but Chase grabbed her by her arm and snatched her back up.
"Bitch you ain't goin nowhere." He said through gritted teeth. "I told my boy I was gonna keep you company and I'm gonna bust me a nut tonight. Whether you like it or not."
Darnell jumped from his seat after hearing this. He hated niggas that put their hands on females and he damn sure wasn't about to let Chase do anything to her.
"Ayo my man!" Darnell said getting Chase attention.
"Wass-" POW.
Darnell popped his ass right in the mouth.
"Man what the fuck!" Chase jumped up and snatched a gun from his waist and pointed it at Darnell.
Screams were heard from the crowd and people began to scatter. This caught Jamal's attention. He became heated and panicked at the fact that there was a gun pointed at his best friend's face. Jamal pushed through the crowd and stepped in between Darnell and the gun.
"Chase, what you doin cuz?!"
"Ask that fuck nigga! He came and punched my ass over this bitch!"
"You don't put yo hands on no female homeboy." Darnell sneered.
Jamal knew how Darnell felt about men disrespecting women. "Man put the gun down." Jamal said to Chase.
Chase mugged him, but slowly lowered his gun. "Get the fuck out my cousin house."
"Gladly." Darnell grabbed the girl by her hand and lead her out the party.
"What you doin man?!" Jamal said walking behind them.
Darnell didn't say anything. He just opened the back door for her. She slid in the back seat without a word. Jamal shook his head at his friend and climbed into the passenger seat. Darnell cranked the car and pulled off heading to Jamal's house.
Jamal looked at the girl in the rear view mirror. "You must be some kind of fine for him to defend you the way he did."
The girl just blushed. Darnell gripped the steering wheel tighter and let out a sigh. "Can we at least get a name, sweetheart?"
"Essence."
"Nice."
"Thank you."
"What the fuck was you doing with a nigga like Chase?!" Jamal suddenly exploded.
Essence was taken back by his sudden burst of anger. "Well I- I uh."
"You could have gotten my brother killed!"
"Jamal." Darnell cut his eyes at Jamal. "Chill out. I'm fine."
"That's not the point bruh."
"I got it." Darnell said cutting him off. Jamal stared at him before shaking his head and resting in his seat.
***
Darnell had finally pulled up to Jamal's house and let him out. Jamal slammed his door shut when he got out the car. Darnell kissed his teeth. He knew Jamal was mad at him, but was too tired to deal with him right now. Tonight had been a long night.
"Get out."
"What?! I don't know where I am! You took me! I can't just get out here!"
"Get out, and get in the front."
Essence shaped her mouth in a O shape and followed his instructions. She buckled up and rested her hands on her lap.
"Where am I taking you?"
"The Holiday Inn, on Peachtree St."
Darnell shook his head. "Ion feel comfortable dropping you off at a hotel. Where do you live ma?"
"My things are there."
"Ok. We'll get em and then I'll take you home."
"No." Essence semi shouted. Darnell looked at her with wide eyes. She sighed. "Please, I can't go home."
"Why not?"
Essence was freaking out on the inside. She didn't know this boy. She couldn't bring herself to tell him she lied to get out the house. That would make her look so childish. She nervously bit her lip and came up with a quick lie.
"My moma strung out on drugs, and I've never met my daddy."
Darnell blinked twice before pulling off, heading towards the hotel. Essence was finally able to breathe out the lump that had formed in her chest. She's gotten to be a good liar. It wasn't a good thing, and she knew one day her lies would catch up to her, but until then she's gonna enjoy the ride.
This particular ride was killing her though. It was awkward and silent. "Can I at least get your name?" She said breaking the silence.
"Darnell."
"Well I'm Essence."
"I know."
She sulked in her seat. She figured he wasn't a people person or probably thought she was a slut or a hoe of the night because she was hanging with Chase.
"You know you never answered my brother's question."
Essence raised her eyebrows at him. She was surprised he actually started a conversation with her. "I was there with my friend."
He looked at her so she would press further. "She left with Chino and Chino thought it would be a good idea for Chase to keep me company while they 'toured the house'." Essence made sure to make air quotes when she said 'toured the house'. She knew they probably fucked. Her friend got it in.
Darnell nodded his head and took a right at the light. "You're staying with me tonight."
"What?! No! Did you not hear me at the party?! I'm not a one night stand kind of bitch."
"Who said I wanna fuck you? Nobody. So shut cha lil ass up."
Essence stared at him with her mouth wide open. She had never been talked to that way and she was honestly very offended. Guys always flocked towards her, but Darnell was a whole different kind of dude. "And stop calling yoself a bitch. I hate when females do that."
She blinked a few times before responding. "What about your parents?"
"I don't know em."
"So where do you live?"
"In some condos, not too far from here. We're gonna go get yo stuff and then you staying with me."
"Why?"
"I told you ion feel comfortable dropping you off at a hotel."
"You don't even know me."
"I can get to know you."
Essence saw no way of her winning this and all she wanted was to be able to stay in her hotel room tonight. "I already paid for the room."
"I'll pay you back."
Essence didn't realize they had made it until he parked and turned to fully look at her. "Darnell I don't need a babysitter. I can take care of myself."
"That wasn't executed tonight."
She sighed of frustration. "Will you just leave me alone!"
"Fine." Darnell unlocked the door and gestured for her to get out.
She was shocked at his now sudden act of rudeness. She got out the car but ducked her head back down and gave him a smug look.
"Asswhole."