Locust Lane

Chapter 11

After sitting in Centennial park until it closed, we rode around Atlanta more. We drove around for a while, but then I got the sudden urge to stop at a gas station and get us slushies. I just really wanted one because I hadn't had one in a long time.

As we sat in the parking lot, we made small talk. Even though he seems like a closed book, I decided to switch up the conversation.

"Amir, tell me a secret of yours that nobody knows."

He looked over at me oddly. I caught him off guard. When he wouldn't say anything, I spoke up.

"Umm, when I was twelve, people believed that I snapped. They thought I harmed myself, so I had to go through psychiatric evaluations. I had to stay in a mental hospital for kids for a while."

"Someone you loved probably did whatever it was to you." He didn't even look at me when he said that. He just circled his finger around the hole in his top.

"How do you figure that?"

He shrugged then put his cup down, not looking at me once.

"You know... sometimes you can love a person deeply, but they may not give a single fuck about you. A family member of mine tried to kill me right before my thirteenth birthday. Not only did he damn near beat me to death, but he shot me. If that bullet was a few inches higher, it would have pierced my heart."

My jaw dropped and I placed my hand on my chest. How could anyone be so cruel to do that to their own family member? No matter how angry I get with them, I couldn't imagine killing them. Not even Shaniqua's fake ass. Sure I would beat her ass if given the chance, but I wouldn't make her stare up at a gun.

"What did you do to make him do that?! And why have you kept that a secret? He deserves to pay for what he did."

He smirked, finally looking over at me.

"He is a powerful man. I wouldn't dare tell the feds what he did to me. Even if they took him to jail, I would be as good as dead. Nobody should know. I'm not even sure what made me tell you."

As expected, his attention returned to the darkness in front of us.

"For what it's worth, I'm glad whoever it was failed."

Although he has a bit of a mean streak in him, I can tell he's a good guy. He's just been through a lot more than the common person. But then again, what is a common person anymore?

"I'm not sure that I am Saraji."

I placed my hand on his, which gained me his attention again.

"You're just going through a rough patch for now. One day when you're completely content with life, you'll be glad about it. It'll happen. You just have to push through the not so good days."

He shut his eyes for a moment then he slowly opened them while exhaling.

"It's getting pretty late. I think it's time to head back now."

I nodded in agreeance. He started the car and left the gas station. I soaked up Atlanta's scenery one more time as we rode back towards the Interstate.

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By the time Amir pulled up in my parent's driveway, it was after two in the morning.

"So tell me, did you have a good time?" I asked him as I retrieved my phone. Of course I missed a bunch of texts from Jason. A few texts were from Tori and Chelle too.

"I did. And I'm surprised at that." He rubbed his chin. "I'd be a liar if I said I haven't grown to be an introvert. I don't get out much. If I wasn't at work or at home, then I was spending time with my s... Derrick."