ASHLEY

53

   Kenneth's presence next to mine causes me to tense up. I turn to him with narrow eyes. His best friend, Omar, is right beside him of course. I haven't seen Omar since that night at The party when we first met. I didn't really get the vibe that he liked me all that much. Probably doesn't. "What the hell is your problem Kenneth? Why are you even here?"

   Kenneth reaches out to grab me but I quickly pull away from him. This day was suppose to be fun, for me to get away from him but it would be too much for him to just let me have this one day. "I'm sorry for how things went down between us. You just caught me at the wrong time-"

   "It's always the wrong time with you. Kenneth, you lied to me and what you said...I can't ever forget that. I've been under so much stress lately. I just need a break and I won't have that if you're here," I say in a huff. Sometimes it's not easier said.

   Kenneth looks between me then Isaiah, back to me, then back to Isaiah. "So you think you just gone come back in the picture?" Kenneth spits out, arms crossed over his chest.

   Isaiah cocks his head to the side and his brows knit together in anger. "Bro I think you need to leave. That's what she wants."

   "Listen-" Omar tries to cut in, whether to diffuse the situation or defend his friend I'm not sure because Kenneth starts talking over him.

   "I don't give a fuck about what you have to say homeboy."

   "Bria is the one that wants you to leave," Isaiah says with a smirk as if he somehow gained the uperhand. Kenneth is getting irritated with Isaiah. Its all over his face.

   I glance around the room once. The girls have split apart to do their own thing. The rest of the guest are dirty dancing on the dance floor. Everyone seems to be having a good time. Everyone but me. If these too fight at my party it's going to be so embarrassing. Kayla spent months planning this and of course Kenneth has to find some way to mess it up just like he does everything else in my life.

   A short and bulky guy walks up to us with a smile. A group of guys stand behind him. I breathe a sigh of relief. At least there's someone here to diffuse the situation.

   The short guys clasp his hands together before speaking, "I knew I would see you here Kenneth." Kenneth turns his attention from Isaiah and focus on the bulky guy. Kenneth's eyes become low and his sizes the guy up. "Don't act like you not happy to see me."

   "What are you doing here Mike? This is our territory," Kenneth points a finger between himself and Omar, "you and your crew can get popped just for stepping foot in here. Now I suggest you and your crew get up out of here before we have a problem," Kenneth says calmly.

   I immediately grow alarmed. They obviously know each other and have some history. I know Kenneth sells dope and the way he's talking now leads me to believe he's in a gang. Mike must be from some rival gang or something. My palms become sweaty as I watch the exchange. There's only one way things can go when one gang steps on another's territory. This is not good and it's exactly why I never wanted to have any ties with a gang banger. There's nothing safe about it.

   Mike's smile drops. "So that's how you gone treat me? Especially after you handled my boys?"

   "Those were your guys after me? I should have known. Freaking amatures."

   Mike nods. "Amatures huh?"

   "Yeah"

   Before my brain can register the scene in front of me, Mike pulls up his faded black shirt and takes out a gun, pressing it to Kenneth's forehead. My hands instinctively wrap around his tight biceps, gripping him. Somehow his face remains cold and set as he stares into the barrel of the gun. Not a single moment of displaying shock or fear.