The Love I Missed

Chapter 38

7 weeks later...

Zaijah,

"Ion know why i'm here, I can't even drink" I pursed my lips and folded my arms.

"For moral support" Kaliah cheered with Renata before downing a shot. Red and Eli was with us too but they were sitting down smoking and talking.

Kalin came out of jail 3 weeks ago but sadly my man is still in that dump. Ever since Kaliah hanged up on him they ain't talk at all and Mel has been basically living with Kalin since he got out. Because of the lack of communication, their daughter is growing up in a broken home.

I walked to the dance floor and moved my body to the music until I was stopped by a cute lightskin man.

"Waddam shawty, you pretty as fuck!"
"Thanks my man tells me the same" I smiled up at him.
"Wait Zaijah?"
"Do I know you?"

"Yea, you used to be in my middle school classes. It's Jermone"
"Jermone? It's been so long" he pulled me into a hug.

"Damn ma, how you been" we walked over and sat down at a booth.
"I've been okay, you?"
"More than" he laughed and I flinched. His laugh was so deep. "Let me order you a drink"

"I can't drink" I pursed my lips to the side.
"Aight, I ain't gon' ask why cause that's personal"
I nodded in agreement.

Eli was glaring at me as he blew out smoke and I felt chills run down my body. I broke eye contact and focused my attention on Jerome, I didn't understand why he was so angry.

"Remember when miss called the police on Jaiden because he kept trying to beat on her" I threw my head back laughing.

"That nigga's still a menace, he has 2 baby mommas now, a kid with each. I see him from time to time but he always doing hoodrat shit and cause trouble around the neighbourhood"

"Somethings never change" I shrugged and he nodded.
"Update me on you" he took a sip of his drink
"Well I'm engaged and I have a son. Me and Kaliah are still best friends but Romaia was a bitch so she got dropped"

"Romaia? Romaia Smith?"
"Yea, she tried to get with my man so I cut her off" I rolled my eyes.

"She died time ago. I went to her funeral and I was shocked when I didn't see you or Kaliah there cause I thought y'all were friends"

"She's dead!?" I thought for a bit. "I didn't know she was dead, how the hell did she die!?"

"They found her and some other girl called Cheryl, burnt in a dumpster in the projects near Tblock. If it weren't for their wigs, they wouldn't have been recognised"

My mouth dropped agape and I looked at him with wide eyes. "Tblock? What was they doing down there?"

"Block party"
I took a couple deep breaths
"Ayo Zai you good?" He shook my arm.

"I'll be okay, I gotta go" I stood up and he followed behind me then stopped me in my tracks.

"Naw what's wrong"
"I just found out my ex-friend is dead and you asking me what's wrong? Have some decorum!" I mugged him then he pulled me into a hug.

"Chill ma, let me get yo number so we can meet up another time"
"Fine" I sighed and we exchanged numbers before he left.

I turned to look at Red and Eli and they both looked at me as if I was crazy. I shrugged it off and walked back over to Liah & Renata.
"Kaliah I just bumped into Jermone"
"Really? Where he at? Mane that was my nigga"
"Romaia's dead"

I walked over to Red and Eli not wanting to hear Liah's response and they looked at me as I sat next to them.
"Wassup wit' y'all, glaring at me for what"
Eli scoffed and Red threw his head back laughing.