The Preachers Daughter

Chapter Three

"You okay, Rabbit? You haven't talked much all day".

I shrugged at Annie, and popped a french fry in my mouth. I have no idea what she wants me to say. I'm not okay, I probably won't be for a while. I don't know where my mother is. I haven't said two words to my father. And I don't know where my life goes from here. I know what happened last night is all Annie is concerned about right now, but I have no answers for her.

She brought me to the mall to try and cheer me up, but I'm not really in the mood to spend money. I would much rather be locked in my room listening to music; ignoring life completely. Annie would always tell me that she's jealous of how perfect my family is. What perfect family goes through shit like this?

"Can you just talk to me?"

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want me to say?"

"I know you're feeling like shit".

"Great observation, now what?"

"Kill the attitude, okay? I'm just trying to be a good friend".

I was starting to fix my lips to apologize when someone bumped into my chair, damn near knocking my drink over into my food.

"Hey, watch where you're..."

My words escaped my mind and I could no longer open my mouth. 

"My bad, breezy. I wasn't lookin'".

"Well, maybe next time you should", I heard Annie say from beside me. 

I still couldn't talk. It's not often I run into guys, especially guys like him. I was used to the preppy boys at my school and of course the few that attended my church. He wasn't those type of guys though. He was bad, I could tell by DBM clothes he had on and the bandanna hanging out of his pocket. He didn't have a wide build, and he looked young in the face. We had to be around the same age. He smiled at me, showing me a mouth full of braces. He looked so innocent, but I just knew for a fact that he wasn't. And for some reason I was extremely attracted to that.

His friend nudged his arm, breaking him out of the staring contest we were clearly having. He turned to walk away, not before giving me one last glance over his shoulder.

"Do you know him?", I asked Annie.

"Why are you assuming I know him?"

"He's wearing the same color bandanna as the guys that stand in front of your building when I come get you".

"Girl, I don't be paying attention to them joes. I mind my business and keep it going, and you need to do the same".

"And why is that?"

"Niggas like him ain't gon' do shit for girls like you but use you".

"Isn't that all men?"

"That, is not a man. That is a negro from down under".

We shared a laugh and I felt some of the stress I had from earlier fade. 

"So, I know you've never been to a party in your life-"

"I have!"

"Your cousin's birthday party does not count".

I sat back in my chair, defeated. "What's your point?"

"It's this basement fefe not too far from where I stay. I wasn't gonna go but you need a distraction from life".

"Do you even know the person throwing it?"

"One of my brother's friends, hell I don't know. That's not the point. We're going".

"My father would pop a blood vessel if he found out I was at a random basement party".