Playing With Fire

t w e n t y - s i x

•🌺 26 🌺•

"You good?" Damitri asked looking over at Arnell.

"I'm fine." She replied with her eyes still glued to the window.

"Nells..."

"I'm fine, Meech." She repeated. She crossed her arms and shook her head.

He parked on the side of her house. Arnell was confused as of why August's car was in the driveway. He must have got off of work early.

"I'll catch you later." He said.

"Yeah." She said closing the door.

She walked up the path to the house and rummaged through her purse to find her key. As soon as she put her key in the lock, it opened before she even twisted it. She looked up at August who seemed pissed.

He pushed Arnell aside to get passed her. He shook his head as he watched Damitri drive off.

"Get inside."He said slightly raising his voice.

When she got inside, she saw Anthony, Jay, and Maggie looking at her like she was fucked.

"Come back here so I can talk to you." August said walking towards the back.

Arnell sighed and followed him.

"Why did you lie about where you were?" He asked.

"You really want me to answer that?" She said.

He looked up and blew air out of his mouth. He was trying to keep calm, but Arnell was trying his patience.

"Nell, you lied 'cause you knew you were wrong." He told her. "What you doin' hangin' out wit that nigga anyway?" August asked.

Arnell shrugged.

"That ain't an answer." He told her.

Arnell looked down at the floor.

"Look, you eighteen. You gone do what the hell you want whether I like it or not. But at least you can be honest with me."

She nodded her head.

"Go." He sighed pointing at the door.

Arnell walked out of the laundry room. She thought it was going to be ten times worse but she knew August wasn't like that.

"Sorry, Nell." Maggie apologized. "Anthony and Jay were chillin' here and invited me over. I wouldn't have come if I knew I was gonna get you in trouble."

"It's fine, Maggie." Arnell told her.

She couldn't blame Maggie at all. It was all on Arnell. She walked into the kitchen to grab a water.

"Wassup, Arnell?" Anthony said playing with a Rubik's cube.

Arnell rolled her eyes and pushed passed Anthony.

"What's wrong wit you?" He asked.

"Nothin', Ant." She scoffed.