Devil

-9-

-Esla-

I have to admit. I'm a little curious about Malybu's new best friend. I wasn't jealous or anything; I knew that Maly was a good person and I only hoped that her new best friend would be even better than me. But shit, I was nosy!

My mom pulled up to the dark apartment complex and I hopped out. "I don't have nothing to wear-

"I'll bring it back by. Don't do anything stupid while you're over here. Remember what's going on," my mother warned. I shut my door and she slowly started pulling off. I was walking towards the building when my mom honked her horn. I looked back and stopped.

"And tell Ms. Mills I said 'hello' if she's there!"

I nodded and headed further into the complex. I walked quickly because it was dark out and I didn't need anyone recognizing me. I finally made it to Maly's door and text her that I was outside. I glanced around me, aware of every little detail and moving thing.

Someone quickly came around the corner and I nearly shitted myself.

"Chill, chill. I was just out taking a smoke, I know Malybu," a brown skinned stud with low eye lids assured me. "I'm Coco." She knocked on the door hard and a half naked Maly opened the door. She looked tipsy, and her hair was disheveled. "What, Coco? You know I'm tryna get ready before Esla come over."

"She here," Coco moved out of the way so that my old best friend could see. She held her arms over her bra and blushed, looking surprised. "Sorry you had to see me like this. Me and Coco was just doing some shit. Come inside."

Malybu let me in and Coco and I followed. "Fell free to sit anywhere. My mama out right now," Maly told me. "Coco, come in here real quick."

Coco walked past me, the smell of cigarettes and weed wafting off of her. The whole apartment smelled like it, and I could already feel my throat growing irritated. I swear I could feel my pores getting all nasty too. Coco and Maly went into a back room while I awkwardly sat on the edge of the couch. I have to admit, I was still a little nosy, so I listened in. Coco seemed like an interesting character and I didn't want her leading Malybu in the wrong direction.

"...while she here make sure you don't be all touchy feely, Coenna."

"Ion be doin nunadat."

"Yeah you do!" Maly hissed. "I'm cool wit allat, cause I do that shit too, but Esla will probably be uncomfortable with that. No flirting, no touchy stuff, and don't mention my mama."

"You really think she gon snitch about what happened?"

I frowned, my heart kicking up by a beat. What happened to Ms. Mills? "I don't wanna chance it, and I don't want her involved in all this mess. Go clean up yourself, you smell gross."

"Whatever."

"Mhm, ima whatever in yo pussy," I heard Malybu say, a smirk in her voice. I stopped listening so hard and busied myself on my phone when I heard someone entering the living room a few minutes later.

"Hey, Esla," Malybu gave me a tiny wave.

I looked up, shutting my phone off with a smile at my old friend. "It's been too long, bruh. I'm sorry I haven't been in contact with you like that," I said. Maly came over and hugged me tight. "It's ight, that was bad on both of our ends, but all that matters is that we here now."

She curiously studied me, "What happened with your dad?"

"He got shot," I sighed, seeming to take in that truth all over again. "Damn," Maly commented, surprised. "I'm really sorry. Mr. Lavigne is a good man. Is he...still here?"