Cruel Summer

Chapter 1

Friday, August 24, 2018

*Clark Atlanta University*

~Ryan~

"Baby, come here! It won't close!" I said as I tried my hardest to zip my pink and brown polka dot suitcase.

"Bae, probably because you putting too much dang stuff in there. I ain't never seen nobody carry five pieces of luggage for a three day trip." My boyfriend of ten months, Caleb, said as he smacked on barbecue Lays chips before putting them down to help me.

Today, my boyfriend and I are on our way to California for my brother's first senior game. I was glad to see my family. I haven't seen them much this summer since I did volunteer work for school.

I attend Clark Atlanta University, but I'm originally from Los Angeles, CA.

"You know I have to carry extra clothes just incase. Plus, it's my brother's first senior game." I said as I playfully hit him before I went into the mirror to put my hair into a ponytail.

"Has your brother picked a school yet? I know he was too excited when they showed his highlight on ESPN that day on that segment about high school seniors in action?"

"Yes, babe. The top schools looking at him are University of Kentucky, Duke University, UCLA, and other schools. My brother is so talented and I'm so happy. He's going places. He loves football, but basketball is his love. He's always dreamed of the NBA, and he's going to make it. I told him that he better give me my Mercedes as soon as he drop that NBA check." I said giggling as I made sure I got most of everything I needed in the bathroom.

"Damn, Bae. If he getting offers like that, he must be good as hell."

"Yes, don't you see those videos my dad records on Facebook?"

"Nah, I actually think he blocked me." Caleb said chuckling.

"No, he didn't. My dad adores you."

"If he adores me so much, why did he show me his gun collection during Christmas?"

"Baby, they used to say my daddy was not the one to mess with back in the day. He's changed over the years." I said as I peeped my head out the bathroom door.

"Ok, maybe we ain't talking about the same guy."

I giggled as my phone started to ring.

"Just the two of us
Building castles in the sky
Just the two of us
You and I"

"Babe, what's that?"

"Oh wait, that's my new ringtone for my dad. That's our favorite song. Hold on!" I said as I quickly answered it.

"Hey da—"

"Baby, show me your face. I'm trying to show you something."

"Why didn't you just FaceTime?"

"This ain't FaceTime? Shit now. This technology shit too progressive. I want my Android." My dad, Derrick Jackson, said as I started laughing.

My dad and I have always been close. I love both of my parents, but my daddy and I have such a special bond. Whenever you saw him, I wasn't too far behind him. He always called my brother and I his living heartbeats. He does so much for us and we are so appreciative of him and our mother. They always made sure we had enough and ten times more.

"Hold on. I'll call and you answer."

"Ok."

I giggled as I laid across the bed and pressed FaceTime.