21

21/Ch. 25

*The Next Day After School*

Hakeem told me that he left the door unlocked for me. I went into his apartment and took a shower. Even though it's 5:34, I got dressed like it's past bedtime. The rest of the time, I occupied myself on Tumblr until he came through the door.

I heard him coming towards the bedroom at 7:55.

"Hey, Hakeem!"

I hopped up into his arms, trying to help him forget his recent situation.

"I'm really not in the mood."

My smile dropped and I backed away from him, sitting back onto the bed.

"What happened today?"

"We just talked. She and I agree to keep the baby."

"She?"

"Kilani."

"Gonna give details?"

"She's 18 and was a virgin the night we had sex. She says that I'm the only person she done anything with."

"And you trust her?"

"She doesn't know alot about protection. That was her first night getting out like that."

"But you're 23...you don't know how to use a condom?"

"Didn't you hear me the other day?! I was fucked up!"

"You don't have to catch an attitude."

"You're asking for it!"

I rolled my eyes and went to lay down on the living room couch. A few minutes later, he came in with no shirt on and he changed into gym shorts.

"You know I don't mean any of that yelling."

"It doesn't matter anyway. Nothing matters."

"Get up and come to the bed."

"*Sighs* I'm fine here."

He picked me up bridal style and carried me back to the room.

"I'm sorry, Baby. I won't spazz out anymore."

He laid me down and got next to me.

"Any more news?"

"I'm moving into a 2 bedroom apartment. She coming with me."

"No, she's not."

"How the fuck you gonna tell me what happens?"

"Because it's not gonna."

"*Chuckles* You're a real piece of work."

"And don't cuss at me anymore. I'm serious right now."

"Whatever."

I scooted away from him, but he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer.

"This is how close we'll always be. You're still gonna be mines. Forever. I love you, Cherelle."

"That's all you have to say? Y'all aren't getting married?"

"Damn. That's what I meant to tell you."

I hopped up so damn quick.

"What?!"

"*Laughs *Calm down. I'm joking."

"Don't fucking joke like that, shit!"

"Lay back down with me."

"No. That would be cheating."

"Elle, lay down."

"Do you choose her over me?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"Answer it."

"That's rhetorical."

"To you it is, what's the damn answer?"

"Whatever you want it to be."

"That's all I had to hear."

I grabbed my stuff and was about to start down the hall.

"ELLE! Don't go out that front door!"

I snapped around.

"OR WHAT?! WHAT'S THE POINT OF ME KEEP TRYING IF I'M GONNA FAIL AT THE END?! GO WITH KILANI! WE'RE DONE WITH!"

I turned back around and kept walking.

He jogged up behind me and held my arms down to my sides.

"Didn't you hear me earlier? I love YOU!"

"If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, it's yours forever."

"I'm not letting you go anywhere. That's stupid."

I turned around to face him.

"Just fuck it! Matter of fact, that's how it was with that girl! You let her go, and now she's back! I'm not third wheeling in SHIT! I wish the fu--"

"CALM DOWN!" His voice sounded assertive and in control...exactly how I like it.
"YOU NEED TO CHILL OUT! NO MUTHAFUCKING LIE!"

I stared at him in disbelief. This is the first time that his anger was directly channeled at me.

"Put those fucking bags down and actually TALK to me instead of catching your annoying ass attitude problems!"

"I'm not about to stay--"

"Did you hear a question? I TOLD you what to do."

I dropped everything I was holding and was walking my way to the bedroom when he snatched my arm.

"Like I said before, I love you, but you need to know how to talk to me. Understand me?"

I place my left hand on his cheek and kissed his lips. They looked like they were begging for my attention.

"Entiendo completamente." (I completely understand.)