OMARI

30: YANDI

Laurie turned fully towards them, looking down at the box in Omari's hands.

"Wassup, big sis," Omari  greeted.

Laurie said nothing, glancing at Yandi.
"You're not going to say anything?" He asked.

"Is this why you had called him earlier this week?" Laurie asked.
"Answer me!"

"Ay, Laurie tone it down," Omari spoke.
"You shut the fuck up," Laurie hissed, pointing at him. "You always knew how I felt about being around my people, Omari. You knew! But you decided to disregard what I constantly tell you and fuck around with Yandi?!"

"And?" Omari asked.
"Are you seriously asking me that?! You are so insensitive, Omari. You're stubborn and you're selfish, so selfish!"
"How am I selfish bruh? What because I suddenly found love that just so happens to be with Yandi?" He questioned, pointing to himself.

Laurie scoffed, "Love? You call this love? God, you're dumber than I thought," Laurie laughed, "What do you know about love besides sleeping around with anything that moves! Omari, get your head out your ass; there is no love that you can ever find especially not this-!"

"Laurie please stop," Yandi cut in.
"Oh you're siding with him? Has he fucked you already into thinking he's mature for you?" Laurie asked condescendingly . "I can't believe you're this gullible, Yandi. As if Justin ruining your life was not enough, you decide to get with Omari? Are you out of your mind?!" She yelled.

"Do not bring Justin up, Laurie. Don't," Yandi snapped.
"I have a reason to!" Laurie clapped back. "You don't know Omari, I do! You haven't lived with Omari, I have! What makes you think being with my younger brother solves whatever midlife crisis you have going on?!"

"Midlife crisis..." Yandi laughed.
"Clearly! What do you even see in him?!"
"I see someone who makes me happy, Laurie. And maybe it's not ideal to you, but honestly... I didn't think this is what would come out of meeting Omari, and I am happy-"
"You sound like a child, Yandi. This is exactly what happened with Justin and hear it from me, its only a matter of time before Omari behaves the same way!"

"Dude, don't you fucking compare me to Justin," Omari spoke up.

"You are a boy trapped in a man's body! And you behave as loose minded as Justin, I know you two!" she waved him off.

"You know what, Laurie, that's enough. You don't show up here unannounced and start yelling at us like you have something to prove. You're not going to dirt my name and shame Yandi, you're too grown for that. So be civil, act right and if you don't have anything else respectful to say, leave," Omari said in a calm yet commanding voice, looking directly into her eyes.

"Mum and dad will hear of this," she responded, holding his gaze.
"And they will hear it from me. Leave," he gritted his teeth.

Laurie laughed to herself, looking at the both of them. "Fine."

She walked up to Yandi and stopped. "You're going to regret whatever bull shit this is you have going on."
And with that she walked off.

Yandi exhaled softly, feeling the lump in her throat and the pain in her chest. She tried taking slow breaths, her heart thumping hard.

Omari wrapped her in his arms, "I'm here baby, it's okay."

Yandi melted into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She expected Laurie to be mad, but she was not prepared for the way Laurie expressed her outrage. It was unlike Laurie, or at least for her.

"You ready to go inside?" He asked in a small voice as her sobbing began to quiet down.
"Yeah," she answered, pulling away and looking up at him.
He wiped her tears and smiled at her, cupping her face in his large hand.
"We'll be alright, mama," he assured her, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Come on."