"You thought you could hide from me?" Oscar asked. Candice backed into the couch and stumbled around trying to keep her distance. Oscar followed her not missing a beat.
"I told you to leave me alone...why can't you do that?" She cried. When she not...
"I'm shocked you're visiting me and nice necklace," Latrelle said. They were seated in the detention hall. Guards stood at each corner of the grey walls. Latrelle sat slouched in the small metal chair. His hair was back in cornrows and he sported a dull grey uniform. Candice cleared her throat and twisted the chain in her fingers. A small ring sat on the chain dangling around her collar bone. "Thanks and me too...how is it in here for you?" Candice asked. Latrelle scoffed. "Everyone knows who I am so they don't mess with me. They also know who Craig is so I'm straight," Latrelle beamed. Candice wanted to smack the smile off his face. "What about School? What are your plans?" She asked and Latrelle gave her a 'are you serious?' Look. "I don't know man, I'll be getting out soon...but look, what about you? Are you still writing?" This shocked Candice. She wasn't expecting that from Latrelle. "Not recently," Candice frowned. She should get back to writing that one story. "Times up," a guard came over and grabbed Latrelle up. Candice blinked away tears as she watched her brother resist thrashing around. He wasn't the little big headed kid following her around to the corner store anymore.
3:45pm
Candice raced around the neighborhood like a chicken with its head cut off. Home was too far away and Ruby's house was the only one near by. "Ruby!" She yelled knocking on the door. Jamal answered and Candice pushed herself inside. Everyone was here except Cesar. Prayer candles were gathered in the center of the dinning room table. Candice slipped off her shoes and sat down at a chair. "Hey girlie, what are you doing here?" Olivia smiled giving her a side hug. "I couldn't make it all the way home so I stopped here," she looked around the table and noticed Jasmine. "Hey gurl," Candice perched her hand under her chin and wiggled her fingers. Jasmine did the same. "We were just finishing up our game... Candice who would you smash, marry or kill?" Ruby asked. Candice thought it over. Smash, marry, or kill? "C'mon, I'm like reaching 18, that would be considered statutory rape," Candice said. "It's just a game," Jamal said. "Alright, I would just be in one big polygamous relationship with everyone," she said. "Aw, come on that's no fun!" Jasmine whined. "You kissed Cesar?" Monse shouted randomly. Everyone froze. Candice took this time to go into the kitchen. The front door swung open and Cesar raced in. Monse whipped around. "You kissed Olivia?" Candice looked around the wall and raised an eyebrow. Ain't nobody gonna tell me Monse and Cesar aren't messing with each other. Candice walked back out to see what was going on. "And y'all wanted to kill me," Jasmine said crossing her arms. Candice leaned against the wall and the Ruby's bedroom door swung open.
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Candice felt a pair of eyes fall on the side of her face. She looked over her shoulder and her legs nearly gave out. Oscar was walking out of the bathroom in a black shirt, shorts, and long socks. She felt the phantom of his arms around her body and cringed. He didn't notice her so she put her head down and sat back down in her chair. "You knew!" Ruby and Monse shouted at Jamal. Jamal looked over at Candice who was ducking at the end of the table. "C'mon Candice back me up!" Jamal yelled. Oscar looked over the same time Candice gave Jamal the death glare. "Candice, let me talk to you for a minute," Oscar said smoothly and yet with an edge of bass. "How do you know Candice?" Cesar asked. Oscar gave a small chuckle. "I don't." That sent a twinge of hurt through her chest. Oscar began walking over and Candice stood up and stepped around the table. The closer Oscar came the further Candice moved away. "Can we just go please?" Cesar said. It caught Candice off guard. Oscar reached down her shirt and popped off her necklace. "Give it back," Candice shouted. "No, it's mine now," Oscar walked out but stopped in the archway, "If you want it come find me and get it." Candice stood with her fists balled. It's my necklace Oscar you can't do this to me. She shook her head slightly and Oscar shrugged his shoulders. Hot tears ran down her face and the pain of her nails digging into her skin didn't help. "Oh my god, was that like your favorite necklace or an heirloom?" Ruby asked gently. Candice ran outside and over to the old red car where they were climbing in. She rushed over to the drivers side and grabbed Oscar by the arm before he got in. "Give it back, right now!" She said through gritted teeth. Oscar pressed up against her sending her backpedaling. "You didn't visit me in jail," he said lowly. "I-I...how could I Oscar without us being figured out?" Candice whispered harshly. Oscar shook his head and raised the necklace up. Candice eyed the initials pendant dangling from it, "C.E.O." "Imma hold onto this until you decide to come around." With that Oscar jumped into the car and sped off. Monse and Olivia ran over. "I'm going home ok?" Candice managed before sobbing. "We'll buy you a new necklace Candice," Olivia said embracing Candice. "Yeah and don't worry about Oscar he's a dick!" Monse shouted. Candice gently pushed them away and started her trek home.
