Ciara Wright
Florida, Tallahassee
We were in the house getting ready-well, technically, they were done getting ready. I was still in my room putting my hair up.
"Ma, you done yet?" DD asked, looking at me through the mirror while he was laid back on my bed.
I glanced at him through the reflection. "Almost done-okay, let's go downstairs."
We were going to the beach today, 'cause this whole week had been straight up crazy. With all the drama with my mom, our dad figured we needed a break. And honestly? He was right. Oh, and my mom? Yeah, she wasn't coming. I wasn't feeling her right now, and I wasn't about to pretend like I was.
When we got downstairs, everybody was already waiting.
"Y'all finally done?" Dad asked, arms crossed.
"Right, y'all took too long," Ddot chimed in, shaking his head.
"Ciara was the one takin' forever," DD said, looking right at me.
I gave him a look. "Boy, shut up."
"Alright, let's roll," Michael (our dad) said, grabbing the car keys.
As we all piled into the car, the energy was already better. Notti sat next to me, scrolling through his phone.
"You good, Ci?" he asked, nudging me.
I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder for a second. "I'm straight. Just tryna clear my head."
He nodded, then smirked. "Bet. Then we turning up today."
The drive to the beach was nothing but good vibes-music blasting, wind blowing, and everybody just vibing. Naiya and Zaza were fighting over the aux, Kamari and Brianna were whispering and giggling in their own little world, and Ddot and Notti were hyping up whatever drill song was playing.
DD had his arm around me, fingers tracing circles on my thigh. "You sure you straight, ma?" he asked low, only for me to hear.
I looked at him and nodded. "Yeah, just ready to forget everything for a lil' bit."
He kissed my forehead, making me smile. "Then that's what we finna do."
When we pulled up, the sun was setting just right, making the ocean glow with pinks and oranges. It was the type of scenery that made you feel like everything was gonna be okay.
"Aye, y'all tryna race to the water?" Kamari grinned, already pulling his shirt off.
"Nigga, you slow as hell," Ddot laughed.
"Bet money then!" Kamari shot back.
Before I could say anything, DD scooped me up. "You ridin' with me," he smirked before taking off running.
"DD! Put me down!" I laughed, hitting his shoulder.
"Too late now, ma!" He ran straight into the water with me in his arms, and when the cold hit, I screamed.
Everybody else was right behind us, splashing and wrestling in the waves. Naiya and Zaza were trying to dunk each other, Notti and Ddot were hyping each other up, and Brianna was dodging like her life depended on it.
DD finally put me down, but not before pulling me close. "See? You laughin' now."
I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling. "Whatever."
"Just admit it, I make everything better," he smirked, his hands still on my waist.
I bit my lip, giving him a playful side-eye. "You aight or whateva."
