Playing With Fire

f i v e

•🌺 5 🌺•

Arnell waited at an empty picnic table for her bus. She had been riding it for three weeks now since Anthony's car still wasn't fixed.

She watched as the buses rode around the bus loop. She eyed every bus making sure she didn't miss hers.

Arnell had her music on full blast making sure she blocked out any distractions.

"Damn girl, you gone go deaf." Jay stated while pulling one earphone out.

She paused her music and turned his direction.

"Why you not at practice?"

"I hurt my ankle so coach lemme go home." He replied.

Arnell nodded her head at his reply. It made sense because Jay was always getting hurt. He was like the Derrick Rose of Clark High School.

"Why yo' sister go to Louisiana?" Jay asked.

"Thomas ugly ass had a warrant, so he went down there to get it right."

"Oh, word? Damn, April needa dump his bum ass." Jay replied.

Arnell saw Jada making her way to the table they were at. She was still salty from when she left her with Damitri on Saturday.

"Hey girl!"

Arnell rolled her eyes and continued her conversation with Jay.

"Eww, what's with the attitude??" Jada asked. "You still big mad over that shit that went down on Saturday??"

"You left me with Damitri, Jada! You telling me how dangerous his ass is and you leave me with him!" Arnell fumed.

"What?! You was with Damitri?!" Jay interjected.

Even Jay knew that that was a problem. Like everyone else, Jay had heard many stories about Damitri and none of them were good.

Arnell shook off his comment.

"It's fine. He just gave me a ride home." Arnell assured.

"You got in his car?!" Jada asked sounding shocked.

"Yeah," Arnell answered. "I guess you'd know that if you wouldn't have left me."

"Wait." Jay said trying to understand. "You were in the car with Mercedes' brother?! What did he say about the fight?"

"He didn't care." Arnell shrugged.

"Damn, did you tell Ant?"

"...No. And don't y'all go telling him. Especially you, Jada." She hissed shooting a glance at Jada.

Arnell knew Jada was the main one she had to worry about. She word always run her mouth to Anthony for the hell of it. Just so she could say she held a conversation with him. Jada didn't care what she was talking about, as long as she was talking to Anthony.

The table grew quiet. Jay and Jada were probably thinking of more questions to flood Arnell with.

"Aw shit, my bus here," Jay said getting up. "Seeya later, Nell." Jay hugged Arnell and then quickly limped towards his bus.

Arnell cracked a little smile. She thought Jay had lied about his ankle to get out of practice, but he really was hurt.

An awkward silence fell now that only Jada and Arnell was at the table.