Those Who Remain

Nine - Ways of the World

Breezey groaned as the shelter's lights flickered on and pushed her out of her sleep. Like clockwork, 6a rolled around and it was time for her to get to her scheduled programming.

It had been a week since she'd been there. Deciding it was the best option once her egg donor sided with her disgusting brother. It honestly didn't surprise B that she did. Her mother never believed anything she said since she was able to talk. Parading a rainbow of men around her became like a game. B would guess who would come into their home next and predict the outcome. Who would stay longer than a week? Who would abuse her mother? Who would try to abuse her?

It had been the same with her uncle. He'd moved in about a year ago because he'd lost his job. He couldn't stay sober long enough to clock in anywhere else. Their family made it a habit to support the man child and it seemed to be his big sister's turn. He tried to hustle but was horrible at it. B used to laugh at his antics until it wasn't funny anymore. The night he'd come into the bathroom and locked her inside had awakened a beast within her. He'd only done it once because B made sure to inflict as much pain onto him as possible. His failed attempt at penetration wasn't any less traumatizing. B waited months to even mention it to her mother and somehow that ended with her running away to the shelter.

It was why B connected to Yani that day in the store. She'd seen her lift some things before, but that day she got caught, B's instinct to protect her kicked in. She didn't know how she knew that Yani had possibly been molested, she just felt connected to her. It wasn't until she and Cash became friends and she questioned why Cash was entertaining Angel's bed that Cash told her they had nowhere else to go. That she had to keep Yani safe.

Cash's ability to forgo her own safety to protect her sister was enough for B to pledge her loyalty. It was something she wished her own mother did. To see Cash do it for her sister was admirable. And not for nothing, since they'd been friends they both looked out for each other. It felt good for B that someone had her back and only expected that in return. In just a few months of them being friends, B could tell it was a forever thing.

And then there was Davon.

One advantage that B learned from her mother was how to hustle men. B perfected her game on boys her age before moving up to those who possessed more resources. Davon was literally the first guy who hadn't fallen for her bullshit and for reasons unbeknownst to her...B loved it. She loved his confidence. His cool demeanor when everyone else around them was hype. She loved how he didn't talk too much but observed everything. He had a short temper but hardly acted on his emotions. It was amazing to watch his facial expressions as he fought to challenge anything around him or remain cool. B basically loved everything about him except the fact that he acted so nonchalant with her.

She would almost think he wasn't interested if she hadn't learned him so well. B just had to wait on him to make his move.

Once she gathered herself and headed over to Cash's for the day, the object of her quiet obsession answered the door.

"You always here," she said, pushing past him.

"I'm working," he said, closing the door. "What's your excuse?"

B smirked. "I don't need one."

Davon chuckled. "Make yourself useful then."

"How?"

"That spaghetti you made last week was decent."

"Just decent?"

Davon shrugged and B rolled her eyes. She eyed the blunt in his hand and went to reach for it. Davon snatched his arm away before she could get it. B whined.

"All the whining gonna get you caught up, little girl."

B blushed at his tone. "Boy, I'm grown."

"Can't be if you don't recognize a grown man when you see one," he said, smoothly, lightly wrapping his hand around her throat. B licked her lips.