Kari

23.

"So when is the wedding?" I teased Rya and Bryson we were all currently at the mall shopping including Jireh he decided to tag along it was crazy how open I became with new people

I couldn't explain the change that was happening within me but it was foreign "Shut up" Rya laughed as Bryson stood there with his arm around Rya's waist smirking

"Uh uh you better stop whatever you thinkin" Rya sternly pointed to Bryson, Me and Jireh laughed at the two

"I thought y'all only came here for makeup" Jireh shook his head as we walked into American Eagle "We did but we already here so why not window shop" Rya shrugged Jireh smacked his lips

"Aht you knew what is was when you said yes to coming with us to the mall don't act surprised nigga" I gathered Jireh quick niggas always complained but would be the first ones to agree to go somewhere

"Whatever man" Jireh waved me off sitting at a open bench next to the entrance of the store I wondered off to look for some mom jeans I need some more pairs mine were getting worn out

As I browsed the different selection of jeans I heard Rya's voice but she didn't sound happy I looked over to my left seeing her going back and fourth with a woman she was a lot skinnier than her Bryson stood close behind her

Jireh was still invested in his phone not even noticing the slight yelling going on between the two

I dropped the jeans in my hand walking over to the group "You okay?" I looked at Rya before looking at the woman "Yeah" Rya nodded crossing her arms below her chest I analyzed the woman's face realizing how similar her and Rya looked

"Can we have dinner sometime this week while I'm still in town?" The woman asked Rya I shifted my eyes to her I could see her trying to fight back the tears that were trying so hard to come out

"I would love that mommy I really would" My eyes widen once mommy fell out her mouth I never met Rya's parents or family at that she cut most of them off they were too toxic for her especially her mother

"But I can't" Rya finished the woman's face fell sad "I just want to apologize to you about everything baby" The woman took a closer step to Rya, Rya took a step back running into Bryson he grabbed her hand she squeezed it tight

Rya shook her head her eyes watering "No I can't" Rya's breathing got heavy her chest falling up and down Jireh finally took a look up from his phone seeing a hyperventilating Rya he took a longer look at the group seeing a unknown woman and Bryson holding the meanest mug

Kari was standing there with a look that could kill Jireh finally stood up walking over to the group Kari locked eyes with him Jireh was beginning to open his mouth Kari quickly shook her head Jireh closed his mouth shifting his eyes to Rya

"I just— I can't even look at you right now with having a breakdown" Rya spoke her breathing interrupting the flow of her words "I understand um take my number?" The woman held a sympathetic look before digging in her purse to pull out her phone

The woman held out her phone Rya looked down at the phone just staring Bryson bent down to her ear whispering something in her ear Rya nodded he grabbed the phone from the woman's hand she smiled small looking down

Bryson typed in the woman's phone before handing it back to her "I'm Bryson" He held out his hand to shake the woman's hand she shook it "I'm her boyfriend" He further introduced himself "Michelle"

"Nice meeting you but Rya really ain't feelin all of this" Bryson went on taking over the conversation allowing his girlfriend to mentally check out Michelle looked at her daughter opening her mouth "Look I don't wanna disrespect my girl's moms but respectfully leave" Bryson spoke firmly holding intense eye contact with Michelle