I'M GROWN € Grown-ish

Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe

“Where you headed?” Luca asked as he walked into the dorm, immediately noticing his changing roommate

“Uh, some exhibit type thing,” Arlo told him as they put on a random cardigan and joggers, nothing but a tank top underneath,”I think we’re gonna see some animals or some shit, ion know” They mumbled, taking a hit of Luca’s cigarette and moaning from the instant relaxation they felt

“Who’s we?” Luca questioned, taking his cigarette back and taking a hit, only for Arlo to take it right back after. But this wasn’t new for them, the two had gotten into this new groove of life pretty quickly. Sharing weed, clothes, drinks, you name it.

“Zo, Nomi, and Vivi,” Arlo said slowly as they tried to remember who all was coming, and shrugged,”I don’t really know, I barely listen to Zo when she speaks,” they told him causing Luca to chuckle

“So you’re going to the James Baldwin thing,” Luca clarified for both himself and his roommate, causing the latter to nod

“I remember her saying something about a James,” Arlo beamed, pointing at Luca excitedly and clapping their hands,”Is he like a giraffe? I love giraffes,” they asked him, eyes full of excitement

“No, Lo,” Luca shook his head with a chuckle, causing his roommate to frown,”It’s like art not animals,” he revealed

“Ooooh,” Arlo dragged out in realization,”That makes so much more sense. Y’know Zo doesn’t really seem like a big animal person,” they said, and got their shades from their drawer. Ruffling their hair, they finger gunned Luca,”See ya later, Lu”

“See ya,” Luca called after them with a soft smile, shaking his head in amusement

×××

"Oh my god, you reek. How much weed did you smoke?" Zoey asked as she fans in front
of her trying to get rid of the smell of weed coming from Vivek

"Clearly not enough to be at a wack-ass photography show," Vivek jokes, frowning at the photos around the group of friends.

“Coulda shared,” Arlo mumbled, earning a nudge from Zoey who glared at them causing them to raise their hands in mock surrender

"If this is an "experimental art" exhibit, then where are all the dicks?" Nomi asked, scrutinizing the photos as well.

"This is socially conscious photography based on the work of James Baldwin," Zoey explained smugly

“I deadass thought we were gonna see animals before Luca explained this to me,” Arlo told them, earning confused looks,”I would so rather be seeing a giraffe,” they mumbled,rubbing their hands together

"Is it?" Vivek asked, pointing at a photo, "or is just a bunch of sad photos of little black kids holding melting ice cream?"

“Well now I want ice cream,” Arlo stated, crossing their arms

“Well,” Zoey dragged a little, gaining the attention back,”I also saw a couple of sad photos of tiny black hands holding on chain link fences,” she sighed

"You didn't bring us here to look at those. You brought us here to look at that." Nomi said, pointing at Aaron who Arlo had not noticed standing there before.

As soon as Nomi said referring to the photos, but Aaron, and you could almost see the love in Zoey's eyes as she looked at him. Arlo and Vivek rolling their eyes at her obvious ‘love stare’.

“W-wait, what?” Zoey stuttered, laughing awkwardly,”What’s Aaron doing here? Oh my God, I see him everywhere,” she stated as if she had no idea he was going to be there