Family Lies

Treasure

"Why don't you stop frontin' like you ain't lookin' at me and just say wassup?"

I looked up from the computer to see Nicci, my ex best friend and crush standing across from me. I felt my cheeks go warm and I could only wish I wasn't blushing. "Wassup, Nic? How you?"

She smiled that pretty ass smile of hers and took the seat beside me. "I'm good. It's been a while since I saw you around the halls. Or on the block." I saved the English essay I was working on and signed out of my account. "I moved in with my auntie. Goin' to school is a condition of me stayin' there."

"That's good. You look good." I chuckled quietly. "I look good?"

"You always look good. Why you ask that back like you ain't know?"

I giggled. "You flirtin' with me Nicole?"

She sat back and crossed her arms with that silly smirk on her face. "You surprised?"

"With the way we left off, yeah. I am."

"I ain't like the way it ended either. But you was right, I moved too slow and you moved on. So tell me... your man still around?"

I took a deep sigh. "I don't know... it's complicated."

Nicci laughed. "That's a no." I sucked my teeth before hitting her leg. "Aye. Even if it ain't on no next level shit... you down to kick it sometime? I miss you girl... you got a nigga and forgot I was ya best friend." Flattered, I couldn't help but smile. "Hell yeah we can kick it. I miss you too."

"Cool. You doin' somethin' tonight? I was thinkin' maybe you could come over." I shook my head.

"Tonight's not good. My auntie from out of town is here and Aunt Donna really wants me to meet her. I'm supposed to be home now but she be on my ass about catching up on this homework and I can't focus in that house with all them damn people. So I been comin' to the library to get shit done."

"Well... if you ever wanna study with me at the crib you know you can do that, ight?" I nodded my head slowly. "Sure. Thanks." Nicci stood up and picked up my book bag. "Let me walk you to the bus stop." I turned off the computer and started walking with her. We had just got to the library door when she took my hand in hers and I looked down at our hands. "Don't act like you ain't miss holdin' my hand punk." I rolled my eyes. "You must wanna get beat up callin' me a punk." Nicci laughed. "I'd like to see you try." She held my hand all the way to the bus stop and she even waited for the bus with me. When I saw it coming from two blocks away I realized I wasn't ready to leave Nicci just yet. It had been well over a year since I’d given Nic the time of day. To say I missed her was an understatement. I stood in front of Nic staring up into those pretty hazel eyes wondering if me and her could ever be more than just friends. What me and Aki had going on was cool and fun and casual. But this one here… I don't know… this one was just different. "I know I said I couldn't kick it tonight. But my family's goin' bowling. Wanna come?"

"I don't really got the dough."

I stepped closer and dug my hands in her back pockets. "I gotchu. Don't worry 'bout it."

"This like... a date? Cuz you feelin' on my booty and sendin' me all kinds of mixed signals." I laughed. "Just say you'll come Baby."

"Fuck. Don't start playin' with me Tré."

I wanted to laugh so hard. "You know I call you Baby. Is you gone come with me or what?" I stared up at her watching her bite her lip. "Fasho."

Just then the bus pulled up and we got on and paid and rode it to near the end of the line. When we got off we walked the three blocks to the house and when we got there I could hear Jam crying from outside. I put my key in the door and went in and as soon as she laid eyes on me she ran to jump in my arms.