A Quiet Place

5.

Kha'Mazi Noelle Carter

After a long day of school with stank ass teenagers, I was finally on my way home. Carson was talking about basketball the whole time. I was listening but I was also texting Blake.

Blake: You still comin over?

Maz: Ye, it will prolly be around 7 or sum

Blake: OK dis my address, lmk when you on your way
Blake: *************

I heart her message.

"They talm bout some 'Nah you can't guard Josiah' the glaze bro?" He says, a little angrily.

I shake my head. He pulls into the yard and I sign, "At this point 1v1 the nigga."

He nods, "Shii that's what I'm gon have to do. I'ma get them to tell him to set it up cus I'm not reaching out to the nigga. That's fan behavior." He mugs while unlocking the door.

I quietly chuckle and make my way to Grace's room. I knock and go inside when I hear 'Come in'.

I sign, "Can I go to Blake's house after dinner?"

She nods, "You can but don't be too grown."

I mentally roll my eyes, girl I'm turning 18 next weekend but pop off.

I sign, "Ok."

"Also do you want to do anything for your birthday next weekend?" She asked, looking up from her laptop.

I immediately shake my head no, "No, I don't have many good memories from that day."

She hums, "Okay then, send me a list of what you want. Oh, and tell Carson the same- and he better not say no damn scat pack."

I quietly chuckled and nod. I make my way to my room and text Carson what Grace said. After, I grab my speaker and take my shower. When I get out I put on my essential sweatpants, a white compression shirt, and foam runners.

I make my way downstairs to check on dinner. Grace turns around when she hears my footsteps, "Before you take another step, go get your brother and tell him that the food is done for me please."

I nod, turn back around, and make my way upstairs. I go in his room and just stare at him.

He mugs me, "What nigga? Starin and shit."

I mug him back and nod my head back, telling him to cmon. He gets up and trails behind me all the way to the kitchen. When we make it to the kitchen Grace tells us to fix our plates. When I was done eating, I went upstairs to get my essentials hoodie and put it on. I go back downstairs and wave at them.

When I get to my car, I check the time and Text Blake. It's 6:58.

Maz: Im omw... Im gettin snacks you want sum?

Blake: YESSS can I get trolis, takis, and a blue powerade?

Maz: Igh, I gotchu
Maz: Ima lyk when Im outside

Blake likes my message and I back out of the driveway. I go to the gas station for our snacks and to fill my tank up. I put her address into the GPS. I pull into her driveway and text her.

Maz: Outside

Blake hearts it. I wait for her to open the door while on Instagram. When I hear a door open, I look up. I see Blake so I grab the bag and get out. When I get closer I see that she's in a sports bra and short basketball shorts with her boxers peaking from the top and bottom.

Lord, I almost said something. Woulda been a miracle.

I brace myself for a hug.

She leans into me and gives me a hug, "Heyy Maz."

I nod and wave. She takes my hand and leads me to her room. Her room was pretty basic and modern but had a comfy vibe to it. She had LED lights around her bed- way different from my room- but I like it.

She looks at, "You like it?"

I nod with a small smile.

"Coo, my snacks?" She said with a goofy smile.

I quietly chuckle and pass her the bag.

She hugs me again, "Thank youu."

I nod and sit at her desk. I see she has a Ps5 and point at it.

"Wanna play?"

I nod.

"Turn it on and pass me a controller."

I do as told.

"good girl." She mumbled quietly.

I smile and look the other way.

Anyways.

I grab a controller and go to 2k.

"Oh Im finna kill yo ahh." She said dusting her hands off, getting excited.

We play for a cool 45 minutes before moving to her bed. We are currently laying on our stomachs, while looking at her phone on TikTok.

She paused the video and looked at me, "Teach me sign language."

I get my phone and type, 'It's gonna take more than 1 lesson to learn ASL'

She rolls her eyes, "Well duh I know that, teach me some right now though."

I sit up and lift my hands- telling her to sit up too. I type, 'What do you want to learn?"

She thinks, "My name"

I nod and point to my lips- telling her to read them. She nods.

I mouth, "B" I put my hand up and tuck the thumb to my palm.

She copies my movement and nod.

I mouth, "L" I put my pointing finger and thumb out, leaving the rest down.

She copies and nod.

I mouth, "A' I put my fist up and put my thumb on the side

She tries and nods. I lean forward and fix where her thumb is, she nods once again.

I mouth, "K" I put up a peace sign, slant it a little, and put my thumb in between.

She copies and nod.

And lastly I mouth, "E" I put up a fist and put my thumb under.

She does it wrong so I fix it. I nod at her- telling her to try. She tries and gets it on her first try.

She hops out the bed and trips out, "Ayeee I jus learned sign languageee."

I nod with a smile.

She sits back down, "Thank you."

We settle back on our stomachs and watch Netflix. After 2 movies I tell her I have to go. She frowns a little before nodding. She walks me downstairs to the door.

She hugs me, "I had fun, see you tomorrow?"

I smile a little and nod.

"Okay Bye Maz." She waves and closes her door.

I walk to my car and drive back home. I go in my room and check my phone.

Blake: Made it home safe?

I smile and reply.

Maz: I did, thanks for asking

Blake: Ofc, goodnight Maz

Maz: Goodnightt

Blake hearts my message and I get ready to go to sleep.