21

21/Ch. 15

Rakim's stepdad does tattoos and I really wanted one. I'm only 15, but I have plans for my future look already.

"What do you want and where?"

"A musical heart. Half of it a treble clef, and the other half is bass." I was pointing to the side of my right breast.

"I know what you're talking about. Everything is ready, but you have to pull off your shirt and bra."

Rakim was right here by me. He helped me position myself and I was careful with pulling my bra off. It's nerve racking to get my first tattoo...and by a 37-year-old man.

I heard the pen buzzed and start to burn my skin. I was holding Rakim's hand to calm me. He has always been there for me.
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"I award Cherelle Luckette and Rakim Phillips a conjunction of $131,000 because of personal injury. Medical costs will be paid for by the suspect's insurance company. Case dismissed."

Court was successful! I can't believe the amount of money we have. We haven't spoken since that night, but I'm predicting all of that is gonna change because he is heading this way.

"Hey, Elle."

"Hey, Rakim."

"You're taking the plane back to Mississippi, tonight?"

Court is in Atlanta because that's where the site of the accident occurred.

"I guess so. New Year's Eve is in 2 days and I know D misses me. I wanna take him out somewhere."

"I miss you."

I gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Come walk me outside."

It's my lucky day. A cab was dropping off it's last customer, so Rakim and I get the back to ourselves.

"Where you've been staying?"

"With Nikki's family."

"Are you gonna come back with me?"

"I don't know. Should I?"

He inched my chin towards him and gave me the most passionate kiss we've shared in a while.

"You're beautiful. I just had to say that."

He's making me blush and shit.

"Thanks."

There was nothing to say the whole ride to the airport.
We were just in time for our flight and were on our way back home.
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On the flight:

"What you've been doing for the last week?" I randomly asked.

"Nothing. What about you?"

"I had some alone time with my siblings."

"What did y'all do?"

"Movies. Talk. Out to eat. Shopping. I spoiled them."

"Oh, but you forgot about me.."

"No. I was thinking of you, too. Since I rather give than receive and you should, too, I was thinking of making me more feminine."

"What?"

"Go farther into WomanHood."

"Sex?"

"I'm not taking 'no' for an answer. I'm ready."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I've been sure for the longest."

"Okay. When?"

"Maybe tomorrow or something. I want to get everything ready for us."

"Shouldn't I do that?"

"I have my own vision of it. I want it as perfect as possible."