On The Block // Jamie

03

It was evening time and I was out with Jordan. We were walking down the road and exchanging quiet conversation. "You hungry?" He asked me, as we walked past a place called the No.1 Caff.

I hesitated, "Nah, not really," I lied, "Could go for a coffee, though," I told him. Lately, Jordan had been making comments about my weight and I didn't want to say anything that would make him make more comments.

"Say nothin'," He said, opening the door and going inside. I followed behind him and we found a table. He ordered himself some food and I got a coffee.

The caff was proper empty, due to the time. There was a man in an orange high vis jacket sat alone reading a newspaper and having a coffee and there was a second man who wore a wearing a black bomber jacket, he was speaking on the phone and had a coffee in front of him.

"What, you tryna come round tonight?" Jordan asked, as he shovelled food into his mouth.

I gulped down some of my drink before speaking, "Tonight? Nah, I need to do Abue- Nan's insulin and shit," I told him, quickly changing my words. He kissed his teeth and dropped his fork, looking away and then slouching down a little. "I'm sorry, babe, I'll stay over next time," I apologised.

"Next time? When the fuck is next time? You never stay round no more, Femi, always with your fucking Nan," He said, quietly but aggressively.

The man in the black bomber must've heard what Jordan was saying and turned around. I glanced over at the and he seemed concerned, I just subtly shook my head and he turned back around.  

"Oi, are you listening?" He asked, clicking his fingers in my face. I jumped a little and turned my attention back to him as I'd zoned out.

"Huh?" I said and he slammed his hand on the table, making me jump again and making the other two people in the caff look over. "Jordan, man, chill," I whispered, but he was pissed.

"Don't chat to me like that," He said, aggressively, "Ay, you know what, fuck this," He said, getting up and pulling his coat on.

"Jordan, I said I'm sorry, fam," I said and he looked back at me with anger.

He kissed his teeth, "I ain't your 'fam,' " He said, "Fuck you, bitch," He said and walked out the caff. I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

The man in the black bomber turned around again, "Yo, you alright?" He asked, and nodded in response. He glanced at me again and turned back around.

I just stayed sat down and drank my coffee. I checked my purse and luckily I had enough cash to pay for Jordan's food as he just took off. I looked up as the door of the caff opened. I watched as Jamie walked in wearing a blue, North Face puffer. He glanced at me briefly before going to sit with the man in the bomber jacket.

The two seemed to be having a pretty heated discussion. I could hardly hear them but from the swearing and the threats which I could just about make out, it didn't sound good and I got filled with concern.

Then another man came into the caff, he was wearing a green cost and was gripping this blonde woman's arm tightly. The woman wore a trench coat and a crossbody. She looked nervous as fuck. I watched as Jamie got up, gave me another quick glance and then left the caff with the blonde woman.

I don't know what just happened and to be honest, I didn't really wanna know. But I wanted to find out. I needed to know if Jamie was safe. The man in the green coat looked over at the man in the bomber jacket. I got up and made my way over to the counter to pay.

Bomber jacket stopped me on the way, "Here," He said, and put some money in my hand. I opened my mouth to speak but he didn't let me, "Don't mention it, use it to pay for your boyfriends meal," He said and I smiled.