Nyla (Urban)

Nyla 6

Nyla

Hersheykiss💕: U busy?

I felt the ghost of a smile form on my lips and let him know I was free. I hadn't been to school since Reece was killed, but that hadn't stopped me from thinking about Malakai.

We made plans to meet in Memorial park and I took a quick shower before throwing my hair in a bun. My closet didn't really consist of any thing besides tight dresses and crop tops, but I somehow managed to find a nice striped shirt-dress in the back.

When I walked out King did a double take. "You not going to meet that nigga Castillo, is you?"

I rolled my eyes. "No. Don't be all in my business, I'll be back."

"You don't be dressing this nice for me baby." A slow smirk started to come across his face. "In fact, it's been a while since we've had some fun."

I ignored him and grabbed my purse, heading out of the door. When my cab pulled up to the park, Malakai was the first thing I saw. He was dressed in a button down and a clean crisp pair of jeans. My smile faltered when I realized he was holding a bouquet of flowers. Shit, what if this was some kind of joke?

I kept replaying this in my mind as I walked up to him shyly. The side of his mouth lifted slightly and I realized he was smiling back. I could smell his aftershave and a hint of something else.

"These are for you. You ain't been at school all week, you straight?" He had handed me the flowers.

I was still too caught up in the flowers to realize he had asked me a question. They were various colors of pink and I touched the petals gingerly, as if they would crumple any minute.

"Nyla for real, are you ok?" He was looking concerned now.

I quickly blinked back tears I didn't know I was holding. "Yeah I'm good, thanks. I mean for the flowers." I smiled at him to be even more convincing.

He looked relieved. "Cool. I was thinking we could just walk around. I ain't really plan this out, but it was sort of last minute."

We walked around until we found a vendor selling hotdogs. We found a space between two rocks and sat down. "I was meaning to return your book." My mouth was full as hell, but a bitch was hungry. Maybe for the first time in a week.

"Keep it. Can I ask you something?" He studied me as I ate.

"What's good?"

"How come you don't live with your parents?"

I almost choked my hotdog. "My father was killed when I was really young. My momma's a meth head, I ran away last year to live with Reece."

He didn't even flinch at my bluntness. He also didn't offer his condolences, which made me feel better. I don't know why people say "I'm sorry" as if it's their fault my life ain't worth shit. I don't need anyone's pity.

"I understand." He mumbled. Something told me he really did. Before I could ask, the moment seemed to pass.

I finished my hotdog off and tried to lighten the mood. "Your daddy still pissed off? Man if he wasn't your pops, he'd woulda got it."

Malakai chuckled lowly, causing something to stir in my lower belly. "Shit I forgot to apologize about that, he was way outta line. He just want me to focus on getting a football scholarship." He scrunched his nose.