Rudderless (Urban)

Chapter 8

Caleb

"You trust me?" I asked placing my hand on her thigh.

"You tryna kill me?" She threw my hand off her thigh.

I chuckled. "Naw, finna take you to a special place." I said. She looked at me and gave a small smile. "I trust you. For now." She said looking out through the window.

I couldn't stop glancing at her as I drove the car. She looked so fine and I really don't see her with her hair down that much and her outfit was on point. I was a little worried that she'd back out of tonight. We passed the Health Center and seen people struggling with mental problems on the sidewalk. I was sent into flashbacks as I drove past there and ignored it because the memories it was bringing back.

"I almost forgot! What happened with you and Jade?" She curiously asked looking at me. I knew someone had to tell her because the people in Monroe talk bout everythang.

"Nun" I said trying to not talk bout it.

"You sure?" She checked.

"Ya" I said low. We dropped the conversation and the car was silent for a while.

"Whea you plan on goin after here?" I asked trying to make some talk.

"I don't know yet. But, I know it's gonna be far from this place." She replied twirling her hair.

"I hear ya" I said.

"What about you?" She asked looking at me.

"I'm not goin to college." I said straight out.

"Why?" She was still looking at me.

"Can't answer that" I slowly said.

"Why? she asked.

"You might judge me." I said looking at her for a split second and turning back to the road.

"I won't. Promise." She said placing her hand on mines. I felt a rush of energy for a moment. I wanted to tell her every part of me and all of me.

"I won't fit in with all them smart folks who really wanna make somethin of they life."I gulped. She didn't say anything and her eyes widened a little.

"That's stupid as fuck" She said.

"You promised" I reminded.

"Oh, yeah. But, come on you can change your life around. Make something better of it" She explained.

"Not that easy for me, shawty" I said as we pulled up to the parking lot.

"JJ's Outbacks?" She looked outside the window trying to read the sign. "This is your special place?" She asked confused.

"It's a special reason behind why it is. And they make a mean ass mac and cheese." I joked as I pulled the key out of the ignition and unlocked the doors.

The smell of soul food filled our nose as we walked in. The place was medium sized and had a ordering station right in middle and some seating booths around. The place brought back memories and my focus was on the booth next to the window far in the corner.

A lady greeted us both and asked us we what wanted. I looked at Tavia and she hinted that I should order first.

"Yeah, can I get a philly, fries, and a sprite."She nodded and flipped to the next page in her notepad and looked at Tavia.

"Umm... I'll just have a small sandwich. I just had dinner" She calmly said. The lady placed her pen in her brown hair that was pulled together into a messy up-do. I paid for the food and led her to the booth in the back.