Undead

13; divided

Chris
Today was a big day for me.

In the car, I played Fall Out Boy's music. Their Save Rock & Roll album was one of my favorites. I kept the windows up and the air conditioning on; it was hot outside, and the sun was relentless.

We were meeting at my foster parents' house so we could go together. But I went straight home to shower and get dressed. I chose a white button-up, some black slacks, and a nice pair of loose-fitting shoes for the ceremony. I opted to roll the sleeves up to my elbows, and let the top two buttons remain undone. My curls were growing out too, so the entire look satisfied me. With a gold watch on my wrist and some cologne, I was out the door in under twenty minutes.

Driving really wasn't that complicated with my foot in the state it was in. Fortunately, it was my left foot, and my right foot was still able to handle the pedals. My crutches were resting against the passenger seat. Getting out of the car was a different story. I couldn't put any weight on my ankle, so I had to swing my other foot out first. I felt weird doing it that way, but I didn't want to have to depend on someone to drive me around.

"Aye yo, we gotta hit the road," I called out, carrying myself through the foyer. "Let's go! I don't wanna be late."

"Damn," Akila was the first to appear, and it was the first time I had seen the outfit she was wearing - and vice versa. Her eyes traveled down the length of my frame, then back up to meet my eyes, biting her lip with her brows raised. "You look good."

I felt heat rush to my cheeks under her intense gaze, but I felt the same way because she looked amazing. She chose a Luis Antonio jumpsuit with Tom Ford heels; an outfit I bought her for her birthday. I nodded my head backwards to tell her to come closer. "Get your fine ass over here, baby. Where'd you get this?" I teased her by plucking her strap on her shoulder.

"Oh I don't know, some handsome yellow guy bought it for me for my birthday, I never got his name." Her fingers found their way to my neck, and her eyes darkened as she brought her lips to mine, holding my bottom lip hostage. "I should really find a way to thank him."

I maneuvered my weight onto my crutches and caught her ass in my palms, bringing her hips closer to me. "I think I got an idea of how you can thank that funny lookin' nigga."

Her smirk blushed red. "Did you leave these buttons open for me?"

"Nah, there's this lil fine piece of ass that's goin' tonight, I'm tryna get her digits. You think she'll like this?"

"Watch them jokes, Brown," she cut her eyes at me, but pecked my lips again. "We've been waiting for you, actually. Momma is doing Leah's hair."

"Cool, Leah and My can ride with us. Mijo can ride with the parents, I guess."

Her smile faltered at the pain behind my words. Or maybe it was bitterness. Either way, there was weight to my words. "Maybe you should talk to him."

I let her body go. "What am I supposed to say? I ain't the one who turned my back on him. I ain't heard from the nigga in months. If he wants to talk, he knows exactly where to find me. I'll be in the car."

I didn't wait for her, or my mother to finish with Maleah's hair; I was ready to go and get this shit over with. I wasn't in the mood anymore, and I damn sure wasn't in the mood to accept my certificate for completing the rehabilitation program.

Akila exited through the front door, holding Maleah's hand, and Mylen bringing up the rear. He was dressed in a nice button up and some khakis. They climbed into the back seat, and Akila sat in the front seat. I turned the key, the engine purred to life, and I put the car in reverse. "Text Momma for me and tell her we're leaving now. I gotta get there early, and you can save some seats."