Unfazed

Twenty-Three

YBN Nahmir's Bounce Out With That lowly blared from my phone speaker as I was ducked off under the bleachers. My blunt bounced in between my lips as I rapped the song. Footsteps approached and I immediately lowered my music and contemplated an excuse to tell the authority.

"No need to hide the blunt. I just want you to break bread," a deep familiar voice said.

"You must have some nerve! What the hell are you even doing here?," I asked sparking my blunt once more. He chuckled rubbing his hands over his waves.

"I figured I'd find you here. Plus, I smelled that bomb ass loud," Rodney explained taking the blunt out my hand and turning up my music. I playfully rolled my eyes.

"So you were looking for me?," I teased flipping the wavy textured hair over my shoulder. He nodded slow passing the blunt my way.

"Hell yeah! Look, I'm having a party Friday. I want you to come through, you feel me? It's going to some good food, some liquor, some high-grade trees," he listed.

"And bring some girlies. You got that friend, right? Taylor?," he continued, taking the blunt away from me.

"Nah, her and I aren't on the best of terms. We haven't talked in a week," I mumbled looking down. I'm used to us getting in altercations and petty conversations but this time one's feelings were involved. I understood Taylor was hurt but how much time did she need?

"Word? Man, y'all were like Thelma and Louis. Y'all better get something together before the party. It's going to be live and I don't want no catfight!" He licked his lips and bit them. Goodness! Pretty pink lips were just my fucking weakness.

"Whatever, you know parties aren't my thing. I'm a 'stay at home' type of shorty," I replied after taking the roach and throwing it across the field. It's crazy how we were enemies a few months ago now we were becoming the best of friends.

"Well I know one thing, I better see you at that party. Just don't go bouncing that ass on someone's boyfriend," he commented spraying Old Spice all over his clothes.

"I might bounce it on you," I flirted changing from my white bandanna hoodie to black Wu-Tang Clan hoodie. "Let me go. I don't want Miracle to check me about being with her man," I teased bending over to put my clothes in my duffel bag. He sucked his teeth, grabbing my bag and putting it over his shoulder.

"Ya'Know I don't deal with her ass anymore so, I'm going to need you to stop trying me," he responded holding my waist. My body tensed up but relaxed as soon I smelled his cologne.

I opened my mouth to say something but instead he told me, "Relax, I got you."

The walk seemed treacherous, as we had to duck and dodge the teachers that approached us. The bell rung and an abundance of students poured into the hallways. We then started to blend in.

I made it my duty to steer past Julian. He was walking the opposite direction of us and he slowed down as soon as he saw us. He clenched his jaws, clenching and unclenching his fists.

"Oh hey Julian! Didn't see you there," I remarked with a wink. He chuckled, rubbing his nose with his thumb.

"Keep my name out ya mouth." That's all he said before closing his locker and walking away. He made sure to bump my shoulder extra hard.

"Stupid," I muttered as we steered our way to my locker. Rodney gave me a kiss on the forehead and a pat on the back before he went his way.

Cory was leaned up near my locker and I took notice that he cut his coily hair and his beard grew out.