Save Me From You

Half An Hour Later.

| Magic in the MM. |

-3 Weeks Later

"Who is it?" Rodney asked.

He let some dude in and they stayed in the living room. I'm at Rodney's place in his room. I've been here all week because he doesn't want me at mine. He takes me to and from wherever I need to be.

I got thirsty so I walked out into the kitchen. The guy that he let in was Sparky's baby brother, Magic.

"Hey, Magic." I smiled.

"What's cracking, Tai?"

"Nothing important."

While I was getting something to drink, I listened to their  conversation, "How much longer we got?" Rodney asked.

"They're checking him out today. If the story adds up, he's out."

"What about D?"

"Can't find him. Everybody saying that he's headed out of the country."

"Naw. I know him. He wouldn't do that. He has too much to just leave the country. Or leave Jersey period."

"Aye, like I said. That's what everybody is saying. I'm not a part of that."

Rodney sighed and things were quiet for a moment. I sat on the counter, sipping my drink.

"Stop eavesdropping." Rodney said coming into the kitchen.

"Stop talking while I'm in here." I said.

"Why are you getting smart?"

"Can't get what you've already got."

He smiled and wrapped his arms around my waist, "What?" I asked. His bit his lip and picked me up, "Dang, girl."

"I'm not heavy!"

"I never said you were."

I sucked my teeth. He must want a kiss from the way he's looking at me, "What? You want a kiss?" I asked.

"Nope."

"Then what?"

"I want you to go back in my room and stay there. Grown folks are talking."

"But Magic is younger than me."

"Like I said, grown folks are talking."

He put me down and I went back in his room. Of course! He keeps leading me on and making me think he wants me, then he does the exact opposite!

A prime example would be last night. He came in the bathroom right when I got out of the shower. I wrapped the towel around me and he pulled me close. Looking down into my eyes, he shoved me out the door!

I guess he was serious when he said he wasn't trying to make me his girl.

~*~

"What?" I answered.

"Miss me?"

I got out of the bed and walked into the living room. I lowered my voice, "No! Why would I miss a rapist?"

"Why wouldn't you?"

"I'm hanging up now."

"Wait, where you at?"

"Don't worry about it."

"I'm going to find out anyway."

"Bye, Kareem."

I hung up, only to have him call again, "Kareem, I'm for real! Leave me alone!"

"Who are you talking to?"

My heart froze for a second as I turned to see Rodney. He was so close behind me. I can't believe I didn't hear him come out of the room.

"None of your concern." I said.

He snatched my phone and looked at the Caller I.D., "Stop calling her." He said before hanging up. He looked back at me, "It's almost five in the morning. What is he doing calling you?"

"I don't know." I shrugged.

"You do know."

I sucked my teeth and went back in the room. Kareem has actually been calling me for a while now. He calls me at different points of the day. Usually Darrius is with him, but I guess not now.

"How long has he been calling you?" Rodney asked.

"Two weeks."

"What does he want?"

"Nothing." He just shook his head.

~*~

"She's just been at your crib?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"That's something she has to tell you."

The familiar voices filled the room as I slept. I'm not totally awake, but I can hear everything that's being said. The tv is on some sports channel, food is being cooked, people are talking, and music is playing in the other room.

"You know I'm going to wake her up, right? I can't just have my girl laying here sleep."

"Not right now. In about a half hour."

No! Wake me up now!

"Why?"

"Cause she's my girl and this is my house."

"She was my girl before you!" The person said with an attitude.

I know one of them is Rodney. He's already clarified it. But who is the other? The voice is so familiar. I could feel myself smiling in my sleep. Rodney called me his girl. He better not start acting fake and switch up on me when I ask about it later!

"Can I please wake her up?"

"No! Leave her alone. As a matter of fact, get out of my room." He sucked his teeth, "Always have to bother people while they're sleep. Gone somewhere with all that!" Rodney mumbled.

I wonder when these fools are going to wake me up. I know it's weird, but I'm in a state of paralysis right now. I can hear and smell everything, but I can't move! I hate when this happens!

"Get from by the door!" Rodney yelled.

This must be some young dude with the way that Rodney is screaming at him.

-Half An Hour Later

"Finally!" The covers were yanked off of me and my leg was given a slap. "Wake your sexy self up and give me a hug!"

Now I know who it is! None other than,

"Sparky!" I screamed jumping on him.

"What's good, baby girl?"

I giggled. Sparky's back! "I'm sorry about Darrius. I dumped him when I found out."

"It's all good. I'm just glad I'm not in prison."

"Ain't that the truth."

"You can put her down now." Rodney said.

"My bad." Sparky put me down and I walked out into the kitchen.

"Sparky wants to know why you're here." Rodney said putting a plate of food in front of me.

"Oh, um." I played with my thumbs. "Someone is going to die if you find out."

"Now I really want to know what happened." He smiled.

"Kareem came to my house a few weeks ago and did something."

"Did what?" He expression turned serious.

"Sex without consent is rape so..." I trailed off.

"And where were you?" He asked Rodney.

"Not here." He sized Sparky.

Sparky put his head in his hands, "I told you to take care of her!" He yelled.

My eyes got wide. I've seen Sparky mad, but now he's just infuriated!

"Boy, she had a better chance when she was still with Darrius! At least he never let anybody get near her!"

Rodney rolled his eyes and sat on the couch. I ate my food, watching everything that went down.

"Man, I didn't know. I wasn't even in the state when it went down." Rodney pleaded his case.

"Then what state were you in? Because last time I recall, I told you to know what's going on with her at all times!"

Rodney looked at me and I gave him a 'sorry' smile, "Is this going to take long?" Rodney asked.

Sparky threw his hands up, "You need to get your boy before I do." He said before leaving.

"That was fun." I smiled.

"Really?" Rodney laughed.

The door opened, "Who told y'all to laugh?" Sparky yelled.

"It was all Rodney." I said with a puppy look. "You know he's weird like that."

He eyed Rodney then finally closed the door, "You're no good."

"Neither are you." I stuck my tongue out.