HIM.

Tell.

Excuse any mistakes. Enjoy.

I could feel the light peeking through my curtain across my face, I wanted to just roll over and go back to sleep but I could heard water running.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Kehlani says stepping away from the sink holding her toothbrush.

"No, no I was just waking up. What time is it?" I asked throwing the blanket off of me and jumping to the floor.

"Like 2."

"What? I slept that long?"

"Yep, I didn't wanna wake you, you seemed pretty tired."

"I guess so." I said more to myself than her as I walked to our bathroom.

I used the bathroom then washed my hands and brushed my teeth before cleaning my face.

I leaned on the counter looking over at Kehlani as she climbed into her bed. Memories of last night started to hit me and I felt my chest tighten all over again. I leaned my head back against the wall behind me and tried to relax but I kept seeing his face, looking down at me, remorseful.

"Look at me." I heard Kehlani say now standing in front of me holding my shoulders.

"I'm sorry, I just-"

"Anxiety?"

"Yes." I said looking down to my feet. embarrassed.

"Me too." She said in a softer more comforting tone.

"Last night was just... I haven't had an episode in a while." I replied thinking back to a few months ago.

"You don't have to talk about it."

"No, I want you to know. I need to let it out." I said stepping out her embrace to walk to my bed.

She stood at the foot before I motioned for her to come up and sit with me. She climbed in my bed and leaned against the wall. I took a deep breath and started from the beginning.

2 years earlier

"No invite?" My brother asked walking into the kitchen in a T-shirt and Nike sweats and slides.

"To where? an empty ass kitchen?" I replied still looking down into my phone.

"I ain't even gonna ask. Come on." He said walking out signaling for me to follow.

We left the house and headed out to his car in the driveway. He drove an '07 Impala, it was all black with the darkest tints legal. My mom always resented him for not going to college, he was turning 20 soon and still wasn't ready to get a real job. I honestly just worried about him doing what he did.

"Get whatever you want." He said as we walked into ''Moochies' this local food spot that had the best breakfast in town.

I nodded as we walked to the counter and waited to be helped.

"Yo Jace. What's good nigga?" A voice said from behind us.

One thing about Jace was he hated people calling his name out in public he didn't know or couldn't see. It all came with his occupation, he was really careful and aware of his associations and surroundings.

"Oh shit. Wassup Biggie, where you been at?" He said softening up his expression once he realized who he was.

"Got picked up man, on some gun shit. I'm good though. What's up?" Biggie said as they slapped hands and pulled one another into a short hug.