Going Under

Chapter 8

"So where do you want to get something to eat from?" Puncho rubbed his chin and kept his eyes on the road.

"It doesn't matter. You're driving." Mahogany shrugged.

"I'm asking you." Puncho glanced at Mahogany. She glanced out of the window.

"Steak-n-shake." Mahogany answered. She had been craving it for so long.

"Aight." He nodded and held the steering wheel steady.

Mahogany hoped and prayed that no one saw her get in the car with him or even riding with him. She didn't want something so small to blow up out of proportion. If word got back to Nachelle that her cousin was cruising around with her man all hell wasn't going to be hell to pay.

Mahogany bit down on her bottom lip and stared out of the window.

"Why you quiet ma?" He turned down the radio volume.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Something. Don't sit here all mute and shit." He glanced at the face of his Rolex then turned his attention back to the road. "You know what I'll start the conversation. So what's ya lil boyfriend name?"

Puncho was the type of man that never left home half stepping. He was always fresh from head to toe, no matter what the occasion was. His southern dope boy swag was his signature. Females would always flock to him with no hesitation. His gray eyes put the icing on the cake. Mahogany found him cute but she had boundaries.

"I don't have one and if I did he wouldn't be a lil boy." Mahogany, smirked.

"Ok that's what's up. No need to snap on me ma." He furrowed his eyebrows and rubbed his chin.

Mahogany rolled her eyes. She wasn't interested in conversation she was interested in the Steak -n- Sheake she was about to consume.

There wasn't anymore buses running so he was the last resort aunty Ann was in for the night.

He drove into Steak-n-Shake's parking lot, going over a few bumps and pot holes.

To Mahogany was surprised that he found a parking spot. She hoped that he planned on getting out alone to order the food. She couldn't be caught dead with him. Even though they were on a different side of town she still didn't want to take that risk of being seen with him.

"I'm not getting out." Mahogany stated raising her eyebrows.

"Why not?" he put the car in park and turned his attention to her.

"Why couldn't you just go through the drive thru?" Mahogany questioned. "I ain't tryna be seen with you."

"Whoa... first off if you was seen with me no one would even think much of the situation. Don't take this shit personal but you don't look like nothing I'll be caught in traffic with." He grinned and pressed the button to turn off his car.

"Excuse me?" Mahogany tilted her head in shock.

"Shidd, I'm just sayin'," he shrugged. "Nobody will think much of it."

"Um and what do you mean by that?" Mahogany questioned with one hundred percent stank in her voice. Mahogany's blood was now boiling. She was all the way ticked off.

"Exactly what I said." He opened the door and stepped out of the car.

His remark made Mahogany feel lower than low. She wanted to melt in the leather seat. Her self-esteem was already low. Her mind began to race. She began to question her dark pigmentation and the scar left on her arm from when she was little. Mahogany didn't want him but she thought just maybe he found her attractive. She now assumed that maybe the flowers and gifts was just a friendly gesture.