New Native Land (The Blossoming)

Chapter 19 (The Choice)

We were on the bus discussing what just happened to me and how I feel like an idiot for even letting it get this far. "Yo, you cannot let Chuck go there. They're cliques already beefing over territory. Adding you is just another factor that's going to cause a lot of bullshit. You need to choose which nigga you want so that no one can say they were fighting over a woman, especially not over you because let's face it you're not looking too good in the hood right now." Drew explained and I sighed.

          "I didn't even know Chuck was caught up in this life. I thought he was a good guy." I complained to Drew. "That's how well he covers up his shit." Drew said kinda proudly which made me hit him and he apologized quickly. "Girl, and here I thought Chuck was a good one. My plan is still up, we can find you a new dude and keep him a secret." She advised and I nodded "Yeah, yeah, that's a good idea. Let's do that." I said agreeing with Draya.

          "Too late. Ahm is already claiming her and Chuck is too. It's not going to end well." Drew said grimly, Draya and I looked at him with a mugged "Why you gotta be so negative? I don't want anyone." I said and he laughed "So if you could only save one person from a burning building would it be Ahm or Chuck?" Drew joked and I said "I'd save myself." I joked back and we all laughed.

          "Damn, that's fucked up, you don't need neither one of them." He told me and I giggled to myself. "Aye, don't worry about it too much." Drew said to me and I sighed out loud, easier said than done. "See y'all tomorrow." I told them and they waved me off as I got off the bus.

          I took a step and then paused, I hoped that word hadn't gotten to Ahm yet, I didn't want him fighting over me and vice versa because that's wack. I continued walking and turned the corner. I looked down for some reason, of course I'm trying not to bring any attention to myself and kept walking.

          "What is wrong with you?" I looked up and saw Scrap looking concerned for the most part and so was the rest of the crew. "You okay?" Shad asked me and finally Ahm asked "Someone bother you?" I thought about how to answer these questions "I'm tired. I'm good. No." I pointed to the person I was answering the questions to.

          None of them looked convinced. "You sure?" Ahm asked me like he wanted me to tell him something and I nodded confusingly yes. "How was school? What did you learn?" Ahm asked me and I breathed out in relief, "It was fine and I didn't learn anything." I said my usual answer. He twisted his mouth disappointed. "You found me a snow bunny?" Scrap asked. Ahm and I both made the same face at him. Scrap looked taken back "Damn, you ain't have to do me like that. You're not a couple, you don't have to give me the same death glare and shit." I rolled my eyes at him.

          I turned my attention back on Ahm "I think I need to talk to you." His eyebrow perked up and he asked "You do?" Trying to make sure I was sure I had something to discuss with him. I thought about it some more, ultimately deciding to give up the idea "Uh, never mind." I pouted and quickly tried to change my face. I began to walk away but he grabbed me gently and pulled me back in front of him.

          "You can't leave now that I know something is bothering you." He pressed on gently. I rolled my eyes involuntarily and he poked my forehead and said "What are you rolling your eyes for?" I laughed a bit and he took my face and he turned it slightly and poked my dimples "These cute." I blushed just a bit.

          "What's going on?" He asked me again. I sighed and hesitated trying to figured out how to do this, "Are you my boyfriend?" I blurted out, almost horrified that I asked. Ahm's whole demeanor became soft and amused; I never seen this side of him before. He smiled at me and stated proudly, "For sure. You knew this already, that's what was bothering you?" He meant it I could tell. I sighed sort of relieved, "Yeah." He let out an amused snort.

          "Why did you tell Scrap I don't have any street knowledge?" I changed the subject while sort of pouted, "Cause you don't have none." He reached and pushed my arm playfully. I scoffed feigning offense, "I was a force to be reckoned with. People were scared of me." He let out a thunderous laugh I know he was trying to suppress. It truly was a sight for sore eyes. His eyes danced and just seeing this smile on his face was refreshing. "The way you even said that let me know, you can't be serious." He teased me. My mouth dropped in surprise.

          "I really did strike fear into people's hearts." I tried to convince him but he just looked at me like I was cute, "People were scared of yo family, not you. Just because you ran around like a badass, might've beat up someone once or twice does not mean you ran the streets. And since you talking like you have all this 'street knowledge', I'm starting to get real concerned about you. I might have to walk with you everywhere around the hood because someone might try to fuck you up." He joked. I can't believe he didn't believe me. Like, he was truly mocking me right now.

          I found myself pouting again and I breathed out frustrated, "Whatever. I'm changed anyway." I concluded my debate explaining my reform. "Yeah, I see." He teased me once again, looking me up and down. I just glared at him. "Fix yo face." He playfully said while dragging a finger under my chin softly. It made me blush, which he saw and was about to comment on but I interrupted him, "I'm going home." His smile started to disappear, "Always leavin yo boyfriend." His tone was one I've never seen from him. I brushed it off and shrugged explaining, "I gotta get home. My dad will think something happened to me."

          "Nothing's going to happen to you." His voice was sincere, as if he knew I was worried about something happening to me again, it was comforting. "Well, my dad doesn't know that." I responded, "I could go tell him. Maybe that way I can spend more time with you, since you my girl and all." He tried to convince me. I smiled and raked my hand through my hair to brush the hair falling on my face. "Baby steps." I teased, turning on my heels, walking away. "I'm a grown man." His voice full of humor. I continued to walk pass him and shook my head. "Love watching you walk away." I laughed and blushed still walking back to the car.

          Cecil saw me and smiled, "You keep coming later and later. Is everything okay?" I nodded. "I talk to the people in the neighborhood sometimes." I explained my tardiness to him and he frowned, "No, boys trying to talk to you right. I'll go handle them if they are." Cecil sounded like my dad. "Of course." I answered honestly but in a joking way. "I'm going to start picking you up from school again." I laughed again. "I have a boyfriend, so I don't worry about those other guy's Ce's. No worries." I said to him and his eyebrow hitched up.

          "Which one of these, dusty, crusty, musty, ugly little boys out here think they're worthy to be your boyfriend?" I continued giggling at Cecil's reaction. "You probably already know him. His name is Ahmed." I told him. I knew he would go back and tell my dad about this talk, it was all in a plan I put into action.

          "Well, tell Mr. Ahmed that your Uncle Cecil don't play and at any moment I'll strike anyone down just for you." His voice genuine and full of love. I nodded, "I'll relay that message Ce's." I assured him and he continued on to the house.