ARE YOU DOWN
Chapter 5 : The Morning After
Riqo Point Of View
I pulled up to Juicy's place around midnight, tired but still wired from that bullshit with Kiara. Soon as I stepped inside, the smell of vanilla and somethin' sweet hit me. She was loungin' on the couch in some tiny-ass shorts and a tank top, her legs curled up under her.
Her eyes flicked to me, soft at first, but then she caught the look on my face. "What's wrong with you?"
I sat down next to her, runnin' a hand down my face. "Just a long-ass night."
She side-eyed me but ain't push it. "You hungry?"
"Nah."
She shrugged, turnin' back to her phone. The TV was on, but neither of us was really watchin'. It was just comfortable silence, the kinda peace I wasn't tryna lose.
I let my head fall back against the couch, my body finally relaxin'. Just as I started to breathe easy, my phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
I frowned, unlockin' my phone. Soon as I saw the picture, my whole body went still.
It was me.
Me and Kiara.
The angle was perfect, like it was taken by somebody sittin' right across from us. Kiara was leaned up on me, smilin' like we was locked in. My face was unreadable, but it ain't matter. The damage was done.
I felt Juicy shift next to me, her curiosity peekin'. "Who's that?"
I went to lock my phone, but I was a second too late.
Her eyes caught the screen, and all that softness in her face disappeared.
The silence was heavy.
Then—
"What the fuck is this, Riqo?!"
I exhaled through my nose, already knowin' where this was goin'. "It ain't what it looks like."
She snatched my phone out my hand, her eyes blazin'. "Nah, it look like you and some bitch all cozy in a booth while I'm sittin' here lookin' stupid!"
I leaned forward, tryna keep my voice even. "Juicy, listen to me—"
"Nah, fuck that!" She jumped up, her hands flyin' as she talked. "You really got me out here lookin' dumb, huh? You just like every other nigga. I shoulda known!"
I stood up too, my patience wearin' thin. "You don't even know the story—"
"I don't need no story, Riqo! The picture says it all!"
She shoved my phone at my chest, her breathing heavy. "Get out."
I clenched my jaw. "Juicy—"
"GET. OUT."
I stared at her, my hands flexin' at my sides. I wanted to explain, wanted to tell her Kiara was just bein' messy, but I knew she wasn't gon' hear me right now.
So I did the one thing I hated doin'.
I walked out.
