If I Fall |NEW|

5. Signs pt 2

"Happy Birthday to you!" Family and friends sang around the dining table. When the song was over everyone applauded, "Make a wish Mecca." My mom smiled at my brother. He closed his eyes and took a second to blow out the single-lit candle.

"Woooo!" Everybody cheered. "Okay, we're going to cut the cake if anyone wants any, if not we can move on to gifts." My mom was acting like Mecca was turning 12.

"I want cake." His long-time friend Jr spoke up making the other guys do the same.

I stepped out when my phone started to ring, "Hey girl." I answered. "What's the move?" Sasha asked making me frown. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Nothing, what you doing girl?" She asked. "It's Mecca's birthday so we invited his friends and some of our family over, but I'm leaving in about two hours," I informed her.

"Let me guess Amir sneaky ass picking you up." She sounded annoyed. "Actually yes, and let that old stuff go. If I'm over it you can get over it too." She was still stuck in the restaurant situation from two weeks ago.

"Whatever, where y'all going?" She asked. "I'm not sure, he asked if I wanted to hang and I said yeah."

"Chile I guess. Well, I was going to stop by but you're busy so I'll catch you tomorrow?" She asked. I frowned, "I won't be leaving until 10, it's 8." I said. "I know, see you tomorrow." She hung up.

I looked at my phone in confusion, then shrugged putting it in my back pocket.

The doorbell rung, "I got it." I announced.

I opened the door, "Just in time huh? They're about to open gifts in just a moment. " I took note of the small gift bag in his hand. It was Nate. "I guess so." He walked in.

"Just sit it on the kitchen island," I instructed.

"You look dressed up more than usual?" He raised a brow, giving me a quick up and down. "Yeah, I'm going somewhere after this," I said.

"Finally getting that excitement you've been waiting on?" He joked. "Some like that, I've been talking to Amir for a month and some change," I said. His face screwed a bit, "Amir?— Amir my cousin?" He questioned.

"Yeah."

He threw his neck back and squinted, "Huh?"

"What?" I asked.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose before chuckling, "When did this happen?"

"At your get-together."

"I'm not in the business of telling people what they should or shouldn't be doing, but you can do way better than Amir. I promise you." He said. I placed my hand on his shoulder, "What I told you last time, I'm a big girl -" "I can handle myself." We said in unison.

He gave me a look of concern but instead of saying what he was thinking he just settled with saying, "Okay." Which I was grateful for. I was tired of everyone trying to tell me what I should and shouldn't be doing.

After they cut the cake and opened gifts, my brother and his friends went to the backyard to swim and listen to some music. A few young girls showed up in their bikinis. "Wow, these little girls are grown, didn't even try to cover up a little." My mom whispered as she watched them head to the backyard.

"It's a pool party, lighten up," I said before walking away.

Bing!

I looked down and saw a message from Amir that read outside.

My parents already knew I had plans so I didn't bother telling anyone I was leaving. I walked out the door while everyone was occupied with conversation.