Run It!

Momma...

Ariel POV❤

I can't go home...

I just can't.

Not with a bullet in my arm.

Especially not being able to move it. Plus I don't know where I am...

But what I do know is Ariel needs to think of an excuse before my mother calls the police with worry. So I asked Taymond for a phone. And I'm staying here until I can move without dying.

"So what do you know how to cook?" Riley looked at me from the other side of the island. I could only see the top because of my hair that covered my face.

"Well number one I need a red bandanna and shrimp,flour, seasoning, steak, spinach,butter, corn." I began pacing as he went to get my bandanna leaving me alone to look like an idiot just listing off ingredients.

Riley had a black bandanna. I pushed through the pain and pulled my hair back. A goofy smile was plastered on his face.

"Since I can't move boy you're going to be my arms and legs." I said dragging all the things I needed from the fridge.

We fried the shrimp, we cooked garlic steaks, we boiled the corn, and made spinach.

"I can't believe we made all this!" Riley smiled he stepped back and looked over everything.

"Just a little work and elbow grease." I said with a smile. I cook all the time for my brother's and my mother. Having black parents you have to do what you need to to survive.

"My mother used to cook for us all the time before..."

"Before what?"

"Let's just get everyone a plate ready for dinner."

Riley seemed like he wanted to just drop the subject.

I helped Pee Wee set the table after he found my jacket and shoes and invited everyone to the table.

Everyone sat around the table eagerly except Taymond.

Everyone waited on him to sit down so we could begin eating.

"Something ain't right..." Taymond looked at his plate as if I had friend a rat and sprinkled fur on top.

"What do you mean?" Riley said quite offended.

"Why all of a sudden she want to make dinner?" Taymond sat down and I prayed ignoring his comment.

Pee wee saw me and copied with a grin and began to dig in.

"Ooooohhh myyyyy ggggooooddd!!! This is so good!" Pee Wee said with a mouth full of shrimp and garlic butter.

"You saved my life right?" I said finally answering his question.

He picked at his food.

"So this is my way of saying thank you."

Taymond looked as if he were about to cry.

"I don't want this." He got up and went back to his room and slammed the door.

Pee Wee flinched because of the slam.

I even jumped a bit myself.

"Hey? Don't be sad how about you guys finish eating and I'll go see what's wrong." I said smiling and looking at them. Pee Wee perked up and began eating again.

I'm not even gonna lie his sudden outburst scared me. So walking up to his door made me feel like I was sneaking into a lion den.

I cracked open the door and heard sobs. My heart quivered hearing him try hard to hold them back.

Taymond sat on the bed with a  small framed picture and he was clutching this chain I'd always seen him wear.

"Taymond.." I whispered.

He hid everything and whiped his tears.

"Come in." He slightly growled.

I came in and closed the door behind me. I crawled onto the bed behind him and rubbed his back slowly.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to rub you the wrong way I meant to say thank you." I did the same thing my brother does to my mom when he messes up.

"Nah it wasn't you...it's just... Can I trust you?" Taymond turned around and looked me dead in the eye.

"Yes."

No he can't. That same bullet that hit your shoulder should've hit his skull.

"Ariel... You remember when we were younger and I came to kindergarten crying?"

"Yea and I patted you like a bunny because I didn't know how to stop it. Then at lunch you left early." I giggled and recreated my silly Pat to make him smile.

Taymond chuckled a bit smiled.

And for the first time since I'd met him, I didn't want to throw up.

For the first time since i'd seen him in school I didn't want to run away. This is the first time I'd seen him vulnerable.

He was like an actual person.

"Yea... We found out my mom was sick...with a disease Pee Wee's father had given her." I saw the tears well up in his eye and I rubbed his back slowly.

"Hey I understand... When we lost my father to war it was crazy-" I said Trying to comfort him.

"You won't get it.... Losing your mom is indescribable."

We sat quiet for a while until his pager started buzzing.

Taymond looked down and started getting dressed almost like a robot.

"I might not be back until tomorrow afternoon please take my brother's go school and soccer practice." Taymond said sternly putting on bulletproof vest and sliding on his shirt.

"Yea... I got it." I mumbled shyly.

Taymond nodded and left the room.

I sat on the bed in silence.

What now?