Love in New York [Under Construction].

XIV.

August 2nd

 Atlanta, Georgia

Tears rolled down my cheek as I viewed my father laying peacefully in his casket. He looked like he was just sleeping, however, as much as I wished he was sleeping, he wasn't. And he would never wake up. "Daddy, I'm so sorry for everything I did.." I whispered, "I love you so much and I didn't mean to make you worry about me so  much but I promise I'll do everything to make you proud" I finished. I walked past my mother to hug my two brothers. "I'll see you two later." "Okay, take care of our sister" Michael told Adam. Adam nodded. "I won't let anything happen to her" he promised. My 'mom' shook her head at him. 

We walked out of the viewing room to go find my cousin, Star, who had came to pick us up. She was standing over near the door, waiting for us. Her outfit proved to be way too revealing due to the amount of looks that were cast her way. I made my way over saying hi to a few family members and friends, Adam trailing closely behind. Finally, I made my way over to her. "'Bout time you showed up" she said, popping her gum loudly. A few more glances got cast at us.

"Hey, Adam" she smirked. She licked her glossy lips as she looked him up and down. I frowned, crossing my arms. "Hi, you must be Star?" he asked. She grinned, nodding her head. "Cool, now that you both have met each other, can we go?" Star rolled her eyes at me. "Sure." She turned on her heel, switching hard as she walked to her car; her waist length weave swinging with her hips. She unlocked the doors. "Adam, you can sit up here, I think Aaliyah is still too short to sit in the front seat" she smirked, getting into the drivers seat. I angrily got into the back seat. She started up the car, pulling out of the funeral home. "So, Adam, how do you like Atlanta so far?" she asked. "It's pretty nice" he answered. "Aaliyah and you must have a good time in New York all alone" she winked, resting her hand on his thigh. "We have a good time here in Atlanta too." I puffed heavily. "Everything alright back there, 'liyah?" she asked. "Just perfect" I snapped.

We pulled into my Aunt Jaquita's driveway, who is Star's mom. I quickly hopped out the car, my black wedges clicking on the concrete as I walked. The smell of food hit my nose, and I could hear voices and loud music in the backyard. I went inside the house to the room where Adam and I were staying. "Aaliyah?" Adam called gently. I didn't answer. I took my phone and plugged the charger into it. Adam came into the room. "Aaliyah, aren't you coming back outside?" I frowned. "I don't know Adam. I don't want my to see my boyfriend being rubbed up by my cousin, and him just sitting there taking it." "Aaliyah, is that what this is about?" I turned away from him. "You know I don't have any feelings for her." I didn't reply. He went over and sat on the bed. "Come here." I walked slowly over to him, and he pulled me onto to his lap. "You're the only girl I love, no one will never take your place." "I think I'm just a little stressed." He rubbed my back. "It's alright." "Aaliyah!" Star called, walking in the room. She looked at me, jealousy in her eyes. "Everyone is waiting for you outside." I stood up, Adam intertwining our fingers. "Okay, okay."

I walked outside to the backyard. Children ran around the grass patched yard, while the older men sat at the table playing cards, the women of course were standing around gossiping. "We thought you'd never come outside!" my Uncle Leroy exclaimed, coming over to hug me. I let go Adam's hand to hug my family members. "Aren't you going to introduce Adam?" Star asked, annoyed. I wanted to claw her eyes out. "Everyone this is my boyfriend, Adam Rodriguez" I started, all my ghetto cousins started whispering, "please don't scare him to much." They all laughed. "Come get y'all a plate, you must be hungry" my Aunt Vanessa insisted. Adam and I went over and got us a plate, piling food onto it. Boy, did I miss this southern cooking! Sweet potato pie, fried chicken, collards, etc. My mouth watered at the sight. Old tunes played softly through the speakers set up around the yard. Adam and I sat down at a table, I dug in eating like it was my last meal. "Más despacio, Aaliyah!(Slow down!)" I giggled at him. "Adam you forgot I'm not fluent in spanish." "I said slow down, I don't want you to choke." I laughed at him, and he realized what he said and chuckled along. I got up and went to the cooler, pulling out two bottles of ice cold water.

I went back to the table where my cousins were now crowded around Adam like IHOP on National Pancake Day. "How do you say 'shit' in spanish?" one of the younger ones asked. "Why don't you watch your language? I snapped. She popped her teeth and rolled her eyes. I sat next to Adam. "Was it hard to hop the border when you came here?" my seventeen year old cousin, Keaja asked. "Keaja!" I snapped. "It's alright" Adam reassured. He turned back towards the girl. "I'm not from Mexico, I'm from the Bronx, neither my parents, nor, my grandparents had to 'hop the border' when they came here." She sat down, nothing left for her to say. Maybe all the stupid questions were finished and done with now. "So, y'all have sex yet?" another cousin asked. Adam blushed, uncontrollably. "What are you all talking about over here?" a new female voice asked. It was my favorite lunch lady from elementary school, she was like a mom to me. "Mrs. Irvin!" I squealed jumping up to hug her. I bear hugged her, almost knocking her down. "You sure are excited to see me" she said, smiling. "Who is this gentleman?" she asked referring to Adam. "I'm Adam Rodriguez, Aaliyah's boyfriend." She pulled Adam into a hug. "You're the boy that Aaliyah was telling me so much about! It's so nice to meet you too!" she smiled. I led her away from the crowd. "We have a lot to talk about" I started.