Lion's Pride

Chapter 10

D . a . n . i . e . l . l . e

"YOU GOT ME FUCKED UP JAH'EIM," I SAY BEFORE nearing the passenger side door as he goes for the drivers.

"Whatever, Danielle." It was as if he had forgotten something as he forcefully throws my red bottom heels in the back seat. I nearly yell at him but what he does next cuts my words short.

"I think it's time to slap somebody son again," I remind him with a menacing tone just as Jah'eim proceeds to open the passenger side of his car for me to climb into. The small act of kindness coming from him made me smile on the inside wider than I could have on the out. The coolness of the interior leather seats meet my rear end, giving immediate comfort and assurance. Jah'eim closes the door for me and walks casually back over to the drivers side of the car. I watch as he opens the door and climbs in, key fob in hand. He sets it to the side before pressing his foot on the brake, pushing a button for the car to be completely on. The remote start must have been like an idle thing as now the car was fully functioning.

"I'll be honest, I won't smack you back and when you smacked me that one time I deserved it," He puts the car into drive, pulling out of the parking lot and onto the main road where many other cars were holding up traffic. I look over at him as he drove and admired his features. The way he would ever so slightly perk his eyebrow and stare ahead more concentrated than anyone, had me intrigued. Jah'eims left hand grips the steering wheel gently while the veins in his arm showed visibly. His right arm rested inside of his lap as his whole body seemed to completely relax. It was something about a man driving that had always made me feel some type of way. With that thought, I shift in my seat before replying.

"I know you won't, 'cause I promise you we can strait up fight. Regardless of gender rules and all that other stuff. Me and my brother use to fight all the time." I smart talk back, a smirk playing on my face. Jah'eim turns to me, laughing lowly.

"You ain't let me finish what I was saying for one," he puts up a firm finger, raising his pointy eyebrows.

"Well... I guess you can finish what you were saying." I proceed to let him have the speaking floor, not saying a word with the wave of my hand in a dramatic way.

"I won't necessarily smack you across the face, but I will smack you." He threatens, a sheepish look on his face as he averts his attention back to the now open road once again. He flicked a switch to turn on his flashing turn signal, making a left onto another long street. I take a minute to think about what or whom he was talking to. Jah most definitely wasn't about to smack my neck like all them vines they have these days so, I sat and thought about some more before it finally clicked.

"Boy, what you not 'bout to do is smack me on my ass, you pervert." I roll my eyes, not even the least bit amused.

"What do I look like just smacking you across the face? A woman beater. That ain't me Danielle and as far as you and this wanting to fight shit, girl I will pick yo' little ass up and do sumn unimaginable ta' you. Try me." Jah makes a face that tells me he isn't playing no games about what he has said. Visions of him slugging me over his strong shoulders replay over and over in my mind. Thinking of him tossing me around in the air and onto a bed play next, leaving me to quickly rush the thoughts out of my head before they got too heated and made the atmosphere tense.

"Whatever," I pop my lips as I roll my neck in a playful way and stare out of the window. It was now finally night time and the sun had gradually set. The color of the sky had turned into a pretty powder like purple and baby blue that only happens on an ending hot, summer day such as this one. I had fun today believe it or not. Jah'eim is a very intellectual person and I had bypassed those qualities by the both of us being disrespectful all those times. He was a nice man, a very nice one at that.