𝐓𝐘𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓 | 𝐍𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐎

seven

The small Italian man pulled our suitcases out of the trunk of the Uber and rolled them onto the sidewalk. There had been a very long silence the entire ride, with everything going on.

Kentrell and I hadn't been talking too much due to the fact that it always ended in an argument. The plane ride was the only time we honestly had interacted in the past couple of days.

"You know this our fault right?" I coldly said rolling my suitcase into the house. He paused and let out a deep sigh before responding.

"The fuck you talking about Horace? How is any of this our fault."

"We were stupid thinking we could ever escape this lifestyle and now the people we love are suffering the consequences." I opened my suitcase staring at the picture of me and my mom sitting on top.

Kentrell locked the door and walked over to me. "This isn't our fault. It's just the consequences of being in the street." I simply nodded at his reassurance and walked up stairs and toward the bedroom.

We had booked an Airbnb to stay for a while, unsure of how long we'd need to be here. Both of us talked to our moms and while they seem to be okay and in good spirits, it's no coincidence that the same shit happened to the both of them.

That was clearly a message. If we don't figure out from who, there's no telling what the next message might be.

Kentrell's mom was discharged yesterday and we had already seen her before getting to the house, but my mom was still being monitored as she suffered a bit of amnesia after hitting her head when she got shot.

Luckily, the bullets in both were able to be removed with minimal risk.

I was broken out of my thoughts by my phone ringing. As I expected, it was the hospital calling.

"Hello?"

"Hey baby, how are you?" My mom's soft voice spoke.

"I'm alright. We just got to the house, about to unpack some stuff and come see you."

"Horace you know how I feel about you seeing me in here. Just wait until I'm out. The doctor said I should be clear to go in the next couple of days since my amnesia is mild."

I held the phone without saying anything, trying to find any words to change the topic. She must've caught on because she quickly shifted gears.

"I'm just needing them to let me out so I can make my baby his favorite food. I hope since you've went off to college you're not too good for my good ole spaghetti." I let out a chuckle thinking about how I used to beg her to cook it every weekend when I was a kid.

"No ma, I'll never grow out of that." I smiled for the first time in a while as she let out a loud laugh.

"The one thing I like about being in here is they keep you fed! I hear the dinner cart coming now. I'll talk to you tomorrow bub, okay?"

"Alright ma. I love you."

"I love you too. Go get some rest."

I hung the phone up and turned the TV on. I had been thinking about who could've did some shit like this and my mind went to only one person.

Lamont.

Lamont was the nigga who was wrapped up in both sides of the gangs down here. Weird, right?

He'd go back and forth but he's the only person I could think of that had an issue with both me and Kentrell.

"Stop overthinking shit." Kentrell said, waving his hand in front of my face to get my attention.

"I'm bout to doordash some takeout. You want sum?" He asked, lying on the bed.

I nodded and went through the menu adding what I wanted into his cart in silence. He placed the order and we ended up watching TV for a while before I broke the silence.

"You sleeping in the other room right?" I asked, trying to see what his response would be.

"Why would I do that when there's enough room in the bed for both of us?" He chuckled and turned his attention back to the TV.

I had been taking out my anger about the situation on him and I realized how unfair that was. It made me feel super guilty because after every argument, he was still trying to be there for me.

"Trell, I'm sorry bout how I been acting. I just don't know how to control my anger or where to direct it."

He sat up and turned towards me. "Look, I understand completely. You just gotta realize I'm going through the same shit as you so go easy on me." I just nodded and flashed him a smile.

•••

After eating, there was pretty much nothing for me to do besides sleep. I wouldn't be able to go on that side of town till a couple of days and it was too late for me to talk to my mom. Kentrell had already passed out sleep earlier and was so exhausted from the flight, he didn't even eat his food.

I crawled into the bed and grabbed the blanket, pulling it over me.

Kentrell began to snake his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "Is it okay if I hold you while I sleep?" He asked whispering into my ear.

I thought for a moment before turning around to face him. He opened his eyes and began to move his arms away, silently apologizing.

"No no, you can." I assured him. This time I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head onto his chest.

"Horace, Imma find them niggas that did this and we gon get this shit settled." He tightened his grip on me and motioned my head up to look into his eyes.

"You really think so?" I asked trying to sound hopeful when really I was the complete opposite.

He placed a gentle kiss onto my nose and forehead.

"I know so."

He went silent before speaking for what would be the last time before we both fell asleep.

"Imma get them even if I gotta die behind it."

.

A/N

I know I promised y'all a chapter weeks ago but life been too crazy!! This was a shorter chapter but life has calmed down so regular updates should be put out every couple days!!!