ASHLEY

9

   "What?" I ask giving him a weird look. Is he really suggesting I drive his car? His car is very nice and therfore looks very expensive. I'm working to get my own car right now. I don't have nearly enough and I probably won't have enough to pay for any damage either.

   "I trust you won't hurt my baby. C'mon don't be scared."

   I roll my eyes. He's clearly trying to tempt me by insulting me. That may have worked when we were kids but we're not kids anymore. "This is a Lamborghini. If I damage something it's going to take me ten lifetimes to fix it. I'm not taking that chance."

   "I trust you." When he says this he looks directly into my eyes and at this point I'm not sure if he's just referencing the car. I stand to the side all awkward as I contemplate driving his car. If he doesn't care if anything happens to it that's on him and if he does then I'll just have to kill him because there's no way I'm going to jail for not paying for the damage after he pleaded with me to drive it.

   "Fine." I say finally giving in. A smile graze his lips and he hops out and throws me the keys. Its just a simple ride I tell myself. Stephanie's is not far. He shows me how to work the gears and at first I nearly drive off the road but eventually I get the hang of it pretty good. I don't go as fast as he usually goes but it's pretty fast for me. Like I said, I'm not trying to wreck his car. A smile stretch over my lips as I roll the windows down and enjoy the feeling of the wind combing through my hair.

   "Whoo hoo! Feels good doesn't it?"

   "This feels amazing. I might have to buy me one of these." I glance over to find Kenneth smiling just as hard as I am. Of course I'm not really considering buying a car like this, maybe in the far away future when I have an amazing job and can afford to treat myself.

   Since I'm having so much fun I decide to take the long way. To be completely honest I don't ever want to get out. This is too much fun. I'm actually sad when I finally pull up at Stephanie's house but nothing lasts forever.

   I turn the car off and hand Kenneth the keys but I don't get out. "When did you get so fun?" He asks me.

   "When I stopped caring about what other people think of me and I realized life is too short," I answer seriously.

   "I'm real sorry about your parents. They were good people. They didn't deserve that."

   "Yeah. No one ever deserves it. Not really."

   He punched me playfully in my arm. He then pulls my sleeve up and rub his stubby fingers over my tattoo. I lean into him more, enjoying the feeling. "I wish I didn't have to leave."

   "So now you had to leave?" I raise an eyebrow in confusion. He only shrugs, a sign that that conversation is over even before it began. He continues to rub my tattoo. "I'm thinking about getting another one. Right under my breast. I don't know what it's going to say yet but I'm definitely getting one. I like yours."

   "Thank you-" Kenneth gets cut off when my phone starts buzzing. I pull it out and open it to find a text from Isaiah. It reads whassup? I'm tryna get to know you better. You want to go out Friday? On a date?

   I bite down on my bottom lip to keep from smiling. I decide to wait to answer him. Its none of Kenneth's business. I grab my bag and open my door. "Goodnight Kenneth." I stick my fist out and we do a little fist bump.

   "Goodnight Bria." He gets out the car the same time as I do and gets in on the drivers side. He waits as I knock on the door. Stephanie answers it with Da'Marcus in her hand and a fresh face and a big shirt. She raise her eyebrows in confusion as she stares out the car. I push her inside and take Da'Marcus from her.

   She follows me upstairs to her room. "What'chu doing here?"

    "I got locked out my house. In probably staying the night. Aunt Jackie will be home by the time Angela gets home. "Who all here?"

   "Gerold and my mom. Erica went out to the store with Ciara and Toni." Ciara and Toni are Stephanie's big sisters. Ciara is a year older and Toni, two. Toni is real cool and nature but I'm pretty convinced Ciara hates my guts and I have to idea why. I thought we were cool and then one day she comes out the blue and started making all these weird remarks. Ever since then I just try to keep my distance. "Don't try to change the subject. Was that..." she leaves the rest of the sentence for me to finish.

   "Yes," I say reluctantly.

   "Oh my gosh. Girl you a mess. He got a nice car though. Who's car is that anyway?"

   "His."

   "You sure he not selling drugs or something?"

   "Yes. His dad probably bought it. They've always been extremely wealthy. Please don't make a big deal out of this. Its not like we're back friends but Kayla seems to think so. She caught us talking, briefly, and she got all upset and stormed out."

   "Eh that sounds messy. Did they have a thing?"

   She acts like they did. I really hope that wasn't the case. No it couldn't have been. Kayla and Kenneth were only friends because of me.