What happens when a suicidal twenty-two year old meets someone who pushes her to be more than her grief. In return she teaches him how to be patient and a better person overall.
"Talk to me"
"There's nothing to say, I'm fine"
Zed stared at her bla...
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JA'KIYA
The sun cast a golden hue over the neighborhood as we arrived at Leilani's house, the familiar warmth of friendship filling the air. Zed, my blue eyed man and a constant presence in my life, was supposed to drop me off and carry on with his day. But as fate would have it, his separation anxiety held him captive.
The couch was spacious, yet somehow, he insisted I sit on his lap, a territory that felt both suffocating and oddly comforting.
"Zedadiah, if you don't move and leave me alone—" I warned, half-heartedly, knowing full well that my threats held little weight against his stubbornness.
"Your threats don't mean shit, Phat" he retorted, his finger looping through my belt loop, tugging me closer until I was firmly anchored in his embrace. "You're already getting your way, don't pick with me."
With a sigh, I resigned myself to the situation. "You were supposed to drop me off, not stay."
"I'm where I need to be" he replied, a hint of defiance in his tone.
Before I could respond, Leilani stormed into the room, her presence commanding immediate attention. "Oh my God, tell that fuck nigga to leave." she shot at Zed, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. "He fucks with our plans enough as is. He's on your ass more than yo pants."
"Shut the fuck up, real shit" Zed shot back, sizing her up with a glare.
"Cut it out, the both of you" I interjected, feeling the tension build. Glancing between them, I shifted to meet Zed's gaze, the warmth of his blue eyes softening within the moment. "Go home, Zeddie. I will call when I'm ready to leave."
"Hate that stupid hoe" he muttered, smacking his lips in frustration, his head falling back against the couch in exasperation.
"Stop that" I said, holding both sides of his face, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on his lips. "You've got some work things to catch up on; how about you go take care of those while you wait?"
"How about I disregard all that shit and just stay with my girl?" he countered, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Fuck no" Leilani exclaimed, her voice laced with mock disgust.
"Leilani, you're not helping" I shot back, trying to maintain some semblance of peace.
"I hate that dumbass girl" Zed sighed, resting his chin on my shoulder, his hands finding their way to my stomach, rubbing soothing circles as if to calm the brewing storm.
"I'm going to pop the both of you; stop disrespecting each other. It puts me in an awkward position, and I feel really uncomfortable" I declared, my voice firm yet laced with a hint of humor.
Neither Leilani nor Zed had anything to say, but just as the tension threatened to escalate, Zed's phone rang, breaking the stillness.
He glanced at the caller ID, letting out a resigned sigh before leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on my cheek.
