If Only You Knew

To The Moon

Aniyah's POV

"Keep coming back. Yep, yep, STOP!" I directed Zay and Markell as they carried the heavy couch.

The men let the furniture down and both plopped onto the couch, the exhaustion evident on their faces. Zay wiped his sweaty forehead and Kell dramatically leaned back taking several deep breaths.

"That's sad." Veronica stood in the corner with disappointment dripping from her lips.

She folded her arms as she held her weight on one leg. "Two grown-ass men who act like they're gonna pass out after moving a few pieces of furniture."

"Shidd." Markell spoke up. "It was more than a few pieces. Plus it's hot as fuck in here, V. Where the air at?"

"It's thirty degrees outside and you're asking about some damn air. You sound like your father, just stupid."

I laughed from the small kitchen getting their attention from where they sat in the living room. "What's funny?" Zay stood.

"Your mama clocking tea." I clarified. "Y'all didn't move that much stuff."

He walked up towering over me as he stared down at me, his forehead glistening a bit. "How bout you come move some of this shit then."

"Yea right." I put my hand in his face as I walked away. "I'm a lady."

"What that mean?" Kell snickered. "Women wanna be equal until it's time to do some work."

"Whoever said I wanted to be equal?" I shrugged making Veronica cackle.

"Good one, Mija." She gave me a high five.

I smiled in triumph seeing her so happy. It's been a long road for us to all get to where we are today. I almost lost Zay behind trying to get his mother back into his life and I'd do it again. To me, it was worth it because I could tell he was very happy to have her back.

It was his idea for her to move from the facility because she hadn't relapsed in some time. Once she got a job and proved herself to us, Zay easily gained a new relationship with her. The two went apartment hunting and Zay offered to pay her first month's rent but Veronica refused.

She didn't want anything from her son but his presence... and maybe for him to help her move but that was it. The look of glee on their faces when they interacted made my heart swell. Veronica didn't go a day without thanking me for forcing Zay onto her.

"Oh, y'all think that's funny?" Zay questioned as he licked over his teeth.

"We do. Now go get my bedside table." She instructed while pointing towards the front door.

"Aye no disrespect, Ronnie, but you not my mama. I ain't gotta get shit." Kell spoke, feeling himself as he stood and pulled up his sagging pants.

Her face went from a playful smirk to a serious glare as she made eye contact with him. "You wanna repeat that Markell?" She raised her eyebrow.

They stared at each other for a second before Markell got uncomfortable and let out a fake awkward cough and scratched the back of his neck. "Nah."

"Punk ass." Zay joked as he backhanded his chest. "Let's go."

The two stepped outside as we continued to laugh. Markell always played tough until someone challenged him. For the life of me, I couldn't understand why he was so feared in the streets because he was just a goofy little boy to us. Especially V. In reality, he had a small crush on her so it was almost effortless when she asked him to help her move.

And I couldn't blame him. Veronica was breath-taking before the drugs but since she's gotta sober her features were more prominent. Her thin eyebrows, full rosy cheeks, and small lips that held a permanent pout paired with her beautiful almond eyes would have any man falling under her spell.