Suicide Sisters

20

JA'KIYA

By the time we made it to Trio, our group had dwindled to four: Yaze, Zed, Leilani, and me.

The promise of a fun night out had dimmed slightly, but the remaining camaraderie was as bright as the neon lights that adorned the bowling alley's entrance. It was a typical Friday night, but for us, it felt like an adventure waiting to unfold.

The mood shifted when Kd's mom called from the hospital. Her voice was a blend of urgency and concern, and the moment Kd saw the caller ID, he began gathering his belongings.

It was a stark reminder of life's fragility, a jolt back to reality amidst our carefree plans. As he made his exit, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness for him. But life moves on, and so did we.

"Whatchu singing for me?" Zed hummed, wrapping his arms around my body and sniffing my hair. It was a playful gesture that sent a rush of warmth through me, a reminder of his obsession.

"Umm, I don't know," I replied, trying to shake off the lingering heaviness of the moment. "I saw a few good songs on the list. I might go with one of Coco Jones' songs. I don't know if I still want to, though."

"Mmh." With a sudden burst of energy, Zed lifted me off the ground, carrying me around his office for no apparent reason. His hands playfully rubbed over my butt, and I giggled, feeling both embarrassed and cherished.

He had shown me around this place twice already, pointing out hiding spots in case I ever needed one while here, introducing me to the security guards, and now, he was taking time to relax himself before we headed to the bowling lanes.

Yaze and Leilani were waiting for us at our private lanes, and I hoped Mimi would either be there or on her way. I glanced at my phone, but Zed had insisted I leave it behind, claiming it was a distraction.

"Is my ball already at our lane?" I asked, curious about the preparations for our games.

"Mhm," he replied, a grin spreading across his face.

"I want to try a few drinks on the menu..." I ventured, my excitement bubbling over like the fizzy cocktails I envisioned.

"Get whatever you want; I'm not leaving your side," Zed said, nodding as he kissed my forehead, a gesture that felt reassuring. "I got you; your limit is six drinks."

"Kay, let's go!" I exclaimed, the anticipation of the night igniting a spark within me.

But Zed groaned, standing in the center of the room with his face buried in my chest. "You socialized enough; lemme take you home."

"Um, no? Baby, you know we've only been outside the house for three hours, right?" I replied, playfully pushing him away.

"I hate that you want to get out of being introverted. I don't want you to want nobody else," he said, his voice tinged with a protective edge.

"I don't want anyone else, Zeddie," I reassured him, my heart racing. "I do need independence and to gain confidence in myself."

"I know," he sighed, his expression softening. "I'm not gon' stop you. Hurry up so you can stay in the house, though."

His words were a mixture of love and concern, and I understood where he was coming from. Zed was my anchor, the one who kept me grounded, but I also craved the freedom to explore who I was beyond our relationship.

As we made our way to the bowling lanes, I felt a surge of excitement. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, the clattering of bowling pins, and the smell of buttery popcorn. Yaze and Leilani greeted us with wide smiles, their energy infectious.