Who Knew

26

I went for my Sunday jog. My mind needed a break from all the thinking and worrying I was doing. On the way back, I stopped by a smoothie place that was close to my home. When I entered, I saw Richard ahead of me in the line. There were two people between us. I contemplated if I wanted to say something to him. Seeing him walk out of his parents' house was unexpected. I wanted to know how he was doing. But remembering that he didn't like me deterred me from saying anything. I just stayed in my spot in line.

When I made it to the counter, I ordered a berry smoothie. I sighed when I sat down and sipped my drink. This place reminded of Devin since he suggested that I drink smoothies after a workout. I became lost in my thoughts until a shadow appeared in front of me. I looked up to see Richard's frame standing over me. He sat down across from me in the booth I occupied.

"Hey Richard," I spoke.

"Hey." I noted that these were the first words he said to me in awhile. He said not one word to me when I visited them. There was a lack of interaction between us. I also noticed the sadness in his tone and face. I could tell that he wasn't doing well.

"What's going on? How is everything at home?" I was curious about what happened after he left.

He shook his head. "Not good. Currently, I'm not at home if that's even considered my home anymore."

"Why not?"

He took a long sip from his smoothie. He blew out a breath. "They kicked me out. They took Naiya's side."

My ears had to hear that wrong. Everything about that was wrong. Richard did nothing wrong in that moment. He may have irritated me and gave all of us a hard time. But everything that happened at the gas station and forward was all Naiya's doing. His actions were justified. Richard let Naiya get away with hitting him once, but he couldn't the second time. It was only right that he reacted the way he did. It wasn't like he hit her.

"That's horrible. Did you explain what happened at the gas station?"

"Yeah but they wasn't listening. They were too focused on me walking out and felt disrespected."

"Nick didn't say nothing to Naiya about her actions?"

"No. They said I had to go, and I should have talked about it like an adult."

Richard ran a hand through his hair. By the bags under his eyes and unshaven hair, he stressed over the situation.

"Where are you staying?"

"With my uncle. He actually understood where I was coming from."

"I'm glad someone heard you out. What Naiya did was inappropriate. But she got upset when Ranea and I told her that. That's why she was eager for us to leave."

"I guess they worked out their situation now."

"What do you mean?"

"Heard Ranea and Naiya are on good terms."

I couldn't believe it. I thought their relationship was destroyed. Ranea felt exactly how I did. Since Devin was now her boyfriend, it made sense for her to be wary of Naiya. She acted like she would break up with her boyfriend for Devin if she could. There was no way Ranea made amends with Naiya before me. She openly flirted with Devin. She needed to be threatened by Naiya more than she was by me. All she had to do was hear me out.

"Oh yeah. You and Ranea still fighting?"

I snapped my head up to him. "How did you know?"

"Chase told me. Ranea visited again. Her and Naiya were talking. They mentioned you. Ranea told her you two were having issues."

"Yeah we are," I confirmed.

"I hope it works out."

"Me too. Is Chase still at home?"

"Yeah. He told me would leave. But I was against it. So we just meet up and play basketball as usual."

I admired how close Richard and Chase were. They had an unbreakable bond. It was no surprise that Chase would leave home to stand by his brother.

"Enough about all that. I came over here to say that I was wrong for how I treated you. I never honestly gave you a chance because of the assumption that were annoying just like Naiya. But you never did anything to me. For that, I'm sorry."

As Richard told me this, I felt the sincerity of his words. This was a side of him I never seen. I appreciated him for owning up to the way he treated me and apologizing for it.

"Just to let you know. I didn't agree with how your parents handled that. It made me change my perspective of everything. Also, I am nothing like Naiya. I would never act that way if I have a boyfriend."

"I believe you. So how about a truce?" He extended his arm across the table. I took it to make the truce official.

"Next time you come. We can talk."

I shook my head. "Oh no. I won't be going back there."

"Don't blame you. Well maybe Chase and I can come here, and we can all hang out."

I smiled. "Sure that's cool."

After I left the smoothie cafe, this encouraged me to go see Ranea. With all the drama, I was tired of us fighting. It wasn't worth it anymore. If I can make up with Richard and she can with Naiya, then we should be able to reconcile as well. I asked my dad if he could take me to her home. On the ride over there, I crossed my fingers wishing that we could put our differences aside.

I tapped on the door and stood back a few feet remembering how she reacted the last the time we spoke. I didn't know if Chelsea influenced her to act that way toward me or if it was all her. Just in case, I made some space, so that nothing caught me by surprise. However, she didn't answer the door. Naiya did.

Her look of distaste at seeing me told me that all the bad blood was still there. "What do you want?" she asked.

"I came here for Ranea, but I guess she is busy. I will come back some other time."

"As you see I'm here, Ranea has no interest in talking to you. I heard you almost got beat up, so I don't even know why you are showing your face around here."

"Nobody laid a hand on me. Nobody is going to lay a hand on me and get away with it. Believe that."

She extended her hand out too close to my face. "Those lies don't work on me either. I suggest you this doorstep now."

I slapped her hand of my face. "I'm not a man like Richard. You make any threats or even think about slapping me, I won't hesistate to slam both of my fists into your face."

"Ladies, what is going on? Miesha, why are standing outside?" Ms. Hans popped up with a bag in her hand.

"I wanted to visit Ranea, but I see now is not a good time." I sent my most digusted look toward Naiya's way.

"It's no problem. Naiya let Miesha in."

"No really. I think I should allow Ranea to get her time in with Naiya. I will see you later Ms. Hans."

Before she covinced me to come in anymore, I waved her goodbye. My dad asked me what happened, and I told him Ranea didn't want any company. Maybe she wanted some more space from anyway.