Conflict Reloaded

Chapter 19: New Best Friend

(Malia)

"A'ight, what about Laquanaviasha and Shawnadaleladette?"

I threw a fry at him and laughed. "No! Hell no!"

He picked the fry up and stuffed it in his mouth. I'm happy that he eats good now. Hell, he almost eats more than me!

"Fine. How about umm, Malina...and uhhh."

"And Jaylil."

He gave me a look before taking a sip from his drink.

"Nah. And... Umm.. Shh, Isabelle. Baby Lina and Baby Izzy."

He stood up and cleaned off the table. He put the dishes in the sink then started washing them.

"I don't know Jay. I want one of the names close to mine and one close to your name too."

"That would be so much easier to do if you were having a boy and a girl."

"True. Well, we have time to come up with something."

He looked back at me then continued to tend to the dishes.

Jahlil is the perfect boyfriend. I was so stupid for cheating on him, but that won't happen again. I refuse to put him through that again.

We've been spending a lot of time together. As we should.

"Hey kids!"

I didn't mean for my jaw to drop, but when I saw Janelle I had no control over that.

"He- Oooo." Jahlil kinda flinched up and step back which made me want to burst out laughing. Janelle has some super long black and Auburn weave in her hair, arched eyebrows, and pointy rainbow colored french tip finger nails.

"What son, don't you like my new look? Gigi hooked it up!"

I love Janelle a lot, but that hair? Those nails? Her hair looks nice, just too long. Her nails look too kiddish. Then again, why would a kid be getting acrylic nails? Ugh, I don't know. They get cellphones at four nowadays, I'm sure they get manicures too.

"Oh did she know?" He cleared his throat then gave his mom a big hug then kissed her cheek. "You look nice with which ever look you decide to wear."

"Aww, thank you son! If you need me I'll be upstairs."

Jahlil sat beside me and shook his head.

"Uh, anywho someone has a birthday coming up."

"Who? Her? Yeah I know. I'm getting her thirty-six roses and a bracelet."

I started to laugh because for my birthday he got me seventeen roses and a necklace with my birthstone on it.

"What? Girl I figure if you liked it she would too. I mean, jewelry and flowers are a girls best friend right?"

"I don't think that's the expression, but it doesn't matter because you are my best friend."

He didn't respond. Instead, he stared at the table. Why must he do this to me? One minute he's all joking and silly, next while he's all quiet and down. He's mine no matter what. I

"What's wrong Jahlil?"

"I don't know. I just have a feeling that my mom might be...she's going through a change. An unhealthy one. I think she might have a problem."

(Janelle)

"Ahhh." I sniffed hard and rubbed my nose. This is so wrong, but it feels so right.

I straightened another line of coke then leaned down.

"Ma!" My son knocked on my door. I threw my blanket over my bed then went to my door and open it.

"Hey Ma. Umm, I'ma take Mali home. Do you want to go?"

"No son."

"Oh. Well do you need anything while I'm gone?" I smiled at him.and shook my head. He said goodbye then left.

Good, time to have a bedroom party. Alone. I'm all alone. Everyone around me has someone, but I don't. I'm used to being the one left all alone. Even my son left me alone.

Doesn't matter, I have some company. My favorite type of candy. My new best friend!