one night stand.

six

Amber took an adventure outside and took her car wherever the night took her and that was a corner store close to the house. Specifically Ralph's, The corner store that's been open since her parents were kids. She scanned the aisles just browsing for whatever came to her mind. Something sweet like sour gummy candy or something salty like salt and vinegar chips. As she reached for a snack, She heard a familiar voice. Amber peeked her head between the shelves and caught a glimpse of someone sporting a black and red jersey with black denim jeans and black cat jordans. A rough voice spoke as she listened.

"Give me the vanilla Backwoods for the night, Keep the change." the voice ordered as he stood in front of the counter moving side to side on one leg.

Amber knew that limp! It belonged to Daniel Washington, He had obtained the limp when he had injured himself during a game years ago. She gasped while watching him turn around to walk the aisles, Amber darted and ended up in the liquor section of the shop. She noticed from the frozen tinted window he had the same young face but with a thicker beard and blinged out in chains. The door swung open uncovering her hiding spot and giving her up to Daniel.

"Amber?" He blurted as he dropped the chips in his hands.

She squinted her eyes and tilted her head to the side as she let him stand there trying to see if he was correct or not.

"Daniel! I didn't know you still lived around here." Amber exclaimed as she picked up his chips from the ground and shoved them into his arms.

"I haven't left since you broke up with me." Daniel muttered as he grinded his teeth together and watched Amber remove herself from the fridge.

"Really? I'm sorry, You know we had our problems and I couldn't let them continue." She spoke nervously. "Fuck it, Daniel. How have you been?"

Amber closed the freezer door and marched to her car. Before she could open the door, She felt a tug on her arm. She took a look and it was Daniel holding onto her arm.

"Wait, What are you doing here?" He mumbled.

She snatched her arm from him and gestured for him to continue speaking.

"The relationship wasn't what I wanted to talk about but I can explain." Daniel elaborated. "I had football mainly on my mind, Stuff going on at home, and just worried about my own future and where it would take off.

"Why didn't you tell me any of this? I could've helped." Amber spat.

Daniel rubbed his jaw and bit the inside of his cheek as he seen Amber standing with her arms thrown in the air, Her face was displayed absent as she looked in Daniel's eyes and unable to speak. The two sat in silence leaned against her car and admiring the night sky while the fluorescent lights inside the store shined on their faces. Amber played with the thread of her jacket and listened to the cicadas call in the dead of night. The silence was soon ruined by a noir pick-up truck booming loud rap from their speakers and a male singing along with the lyrics.

The two glanced over and were greeted to Laurent being the mystery driver in the truck. Amber's jaw dropped to the floor while Daniel took the opportunity to dap him up and pull him into a hug. She didn't realize the two knew each other or even thought about each other's existence.

"How do you two know each other?" She interrupted.

"I've known him since I was kid, You messed with both of us and ain't know that?" Daniel added.

"Still dumb as shit, Just like I remember." Laurent agreed. "Little mama, What you been up to these days?"

How she hated his smart ass mouth, But at times he knew how to use that mouth. Amber kept her arms folded, tight lipped, and her nostrils flared. Just witnessing him stand there with that joint in his fingers made her mad. She couldn't stand his ass but damn could he provide sexually.

"I've been fine, Can't say the same about you." She sneered with her eyes locked on his.

Throwing his arms in defeat, He nodded and took a drag from his joint. Laurent didn't know she had it in her to speak on him, He thought she'd stay quiet like she used to when they were together. He liked this new version of her, Someone who stood on business and wasn't down for the bullshit he liked to pull on women. Daniel laughed as he watched the two interact with each other. He was surprised by the quickness of her mouth and the answer she chose for him.

"Damn, You ain't had to do me like that. I thought we was cool." Laurent argued.

"Laurent Zim, Do not piss me off this late at night." Amber warned.

Laurent made that stupid face she hated and laughed as she stood there with a grim look on her face and her fists turning white. Nigga would never take anything serious if you made him or asked him too. It's like he was a child stuck in a grown man's body, The main reason why Amber left his ass to rot in that cell.

He took his joint and slumped into the store leaving them back to two. Daniel enjoyed him a show as he was caught munching on cheddar Ruffles and smiling at Amber being pissed. Being upset, She slapped the chips out his hand and hid into her car. Amber flashed the headlights at him to make him get off her car so she could go home. She exited the parking lot and watched as cars passed her by and low R&B music played on her radio station. Lucky for her, The DJ had chosen to play Jill Scott for the night. She bopped her head as the wind blew through her hair and the smell of her perfume filled her nose. Talking to those two gave her a headache, If she had sat there anymore she'd eventually bite her own ears off and stand there deaf.