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Heaven Ann-Marie James
Marie/Annie/Suki
I thanked the people who moved my things into my new flat and paid them. It was mid-January and I was so glad to have moved out of my old flat. I grabbed the last of the boxes and moved towards the door tapping the fob so I could enter the building. I press the lift button and wait. As the door opens a tall brown skin/dark-skinned man wearing a Ralph Lauren tracksuit and some new balance steps out and makes his way to leave. He has tattoos crawling up his neck and down his hand. I start packing my boxes onto the lift slightly struggling.
'You good yeah?' asks the man just about to step out of the building, his voice is deep and raspy it makes my tummy jolt with nerves.
' fine thanks,' I say giving him a soft smile while still struggling to move the boxes. He leaves I spend a good 5 minutes trying to move this one box and at this point, I want to cry. The man walks back in and I feel extremely embarrassed. He doesn't see me at first but when he moves towards the lift he sees me and give me a look that gives mixed feelings of annoyance and amusement.
He grabs the box and moves it into the lift holding it effortlessly stepping in after him I give him a sheepish smile. He stares at me waiting for me to press the button. I press the button that says 16 and shyly move back to where I was standing.
It's a 40-second ride so I decided to make a convo.
'Thanks for helping me,' I say glancing at him.
He hums.
His partings are so clean he takes good care of his braids.
'My name is Suki' I say
He gives me an amused smile and glances at me.
His earring is so shiny, is it real?
'What's your name.'
'Nowan'
'Is that your real name?' I say looking at him weirdly, trying not to be judgemental.
'Nah, but neither is Suki'
I smile, flipping my hair over my shoulders.
DING.
The lift stops and I pick up the boxes and lead him towards my flat. I pull out my pink keys and open the door. 'You can leave it on the island' I say going to place my boxes down.
'Thanks so much,' I say turning to him. He's leaning on my island looking at me. He nods. 'Do you want some water or something,' I say slightly pulling up my corset.
He's about to answer him his phone rings, he pulls his iPhone 15 out and looks at the screen frowning. 'Nah, thanks though, I have to get going.' He says making his way to the door.
'Bye Nowan,' I say opening the door for him
'Love,'
I close the door behind him. I sigh, smelling the air his cologne smells expensive as hell.
-Time skip-
'Do that one' says Neriah
'Ugh I'm tired of kitchen stove man' sighs Leira
Yaseen and Neriah pay her no mind and start rapping.
' Roll this dope, smoke, and toke
Southside of the water, ain't a joke I chop green then I'm letting it go My nigga put faith in a kitchen stove If it ain't 'bout bread, don't call my phone If it ain't 'bout progress, leave me alone I done it with gang and I done it alone Niggas know my ting, bu-bu-bad to the bone'
They make hand gestures in Leiras face and I laugh at them, packing away my cutlery. My friends came over to help me pack but this is what they're doing now. The bell rings. 'You man, someone get the food.' says Jahreem from the 1st half bathroom.
'How about you get it?!' shouts Zara from the guest bedroom.
'I'm getting it,' I say opening the door, but it isn't our food.
It's Nowan.
'Where's the food man, I'm famished.' says Jahreem walking towards me rubbing his stomach. Everyone laughs hearing his use of vocabulary.
Me and Nowan stare at each other for a minute.
'I left my-'
'NOWAN?!' says Jahreem pushing me aside to say hi to him. He leans against my doorframe like it's his house. 'Oh-wow ok' I say.
Nowan laughs, it's not a lot just a little.
'Wait, Annie you know him?'
'I mean i just met him like 2 hours ago-'
'She couldn't move a box.'
Jahreem bursts out laughing and I give Nowan a dirty look- he laughs at .
'Annie, can Nowan come in and chill with us?' says Jahreem.
I shrug, 'Yeah, I don't mind'
'Nah, I can't just left my keys here.'
I walk back into the kitchen hearing them converse and look at the black Bugatti car keys sitting on my island- how didn't I see that?
I pick it up and walk back to them, purposely making an obnoxious sound with my slippers.
' Orphan Annie shut up before I hit you with dem slippers.' says Jahreem making an annoyed face.
'Enemy of progress.'
'Ok, that's why that bald spot is still there.' he says walking away.
'Kmt.' I say turning back to Nowan.
'Your keys,' I say handing them to him.
', love.' He turns around and walks away I close my door locking it.
'me and Neriah had some soul food today, you man i swear if you was thereeee' said Leira showing them photos of dem eating
'don't nobody care, I been fasting astaghfirullah' said Yaseen flipping her off.
'Haterrr' said Neirah playing did u see by Jhus.
'Das your hairdresser not me babes not me, them partingggsss.'
The silence was loud. Jahreem burst out laughing.
'That's darkk' Zara said laughing.
'Like your breath,' said Jahreem.
Yaseen high fives him and they both start cackling.
The bell rings Neriah and Yaseen start arguing along with Zara and Jahreem.
I open the door looking at the delivery guy.
'Oh hi, you ordered this?'
'yes, thank you.' I say taking the food and paying . As i'm about to close the door he speaks.
'Uhm could I get your number?'
I look him up and down, I don't judge occupations butt....
'Sure.'
I give him a number. 'Names Zach by the way.'
'Sure my name Marie.' I give him a tight smile and close the door.
I set the wingstop bag on the counter and everyone comes to get their food.
'Alr, alr says you with those dead skin cells in your hair.' said Zara.
