You Deserve

47

Marli

"Chay stop brushing my hair so hard." I groaned as I sat helplessly on the floor.

"Well T.T I gotta get these naps!" She exclaimed.

"T.T don't got naps, she got curls!" Kay defended as she sat on my lap while playing on my phone.

"That's right baby." I cooed.

August was too busy to talk to me today and I missed my second family so I decided to come hang with the girls and Mama Shelia. Being around them is like being around him in a way, especially Kay. That girl has so much of her uncle in her it's ridiculous.

"Ouch! Okay Chay that's enough." I stated taking the brush from her hand.

I moved Kay off of my lap and maneuvered my way over to the living room mirror to see what Chay had done to my head.

"What in God's name did you do to my hair..." I whispered in disbelief.

You would've thought I had gotten electrocuted for the past 20 minutes, I was beyond afro level.

"Chile what the hell happened to your hair?" Mama Shelia gasped as she entered the room.

"Your grandchild, that's what happened." I huffed snapping a picture to send to August later.

I pulled my hair up into a bun and sat next to Chay on the couch.

"Mar I'm having a lil get together tonight and I need you to run to the store and pick up some crawfish, potatoes, and corn for me. Some sausage too. I already placed the order for the crawfish, they'll be ready in about 2 hours."

"Grandma can I please go with T.T.?" Kay whined, hugging on Mama Shelia's leg.

"Stop all that whining girl, you gotta ask T.T."

I laughed as Kay looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Yeah, come on babygirl. Chay, Noonie y'all wanna come?"

"Yes!" They squealed in unison rushing to put on their shoes.

"Alright now y'all behave for T.T. you hear?"

"Yes ma'am." They assured kissing her goodbye.

"I'll call if I need something else."

"Yes master." I joked as we walked out of the door.

At the store

"What about this Noonie?" I questioned holding up a deep blue maxi dress.

I decided to take the girls shopping for a little bit before I went to pick up Mama Shelia's order. We'd been in Forever21 literally forever picking out clothes that I'm sure they did not need. Aug, Mama Shelia, and Chandra are going to kill me.

"That look like Uncle Aug's suit." Chay snickered.

I chuckled watching Noonie giving her the death glare.

"I think it looks sexy!" Kay exclaimed.

"Kay what you know about sexy?" I questioned raising a brow.

These girls are too smart for their own good and we all know where they get it from.

"Uncle Aug, he always say that you're sexy when he talks to Uncle Boobie. He says, 'Mmm my baby is so sexy, and that a-'."

"Alright Kay that's enough. Y'all don't repeat anything your uncle says, he's a bad boy with a bad mouth." I instructed trying not to laugh.

"Yes ma'am." They stated in unison.

"Alright y'all come on, let's find something else."

I made sure the girls grabbed each other's hand before turning around, only to violently bump into someone causing me to fall.

"Oh I'm so sorry! Let me help you." The woman exclaimed.

"It's okay I got it." I assured.

Denying my request she helped me up anyways. Brushing myself off I finally looked up to see the face of my helper... Lani.

"Oh... Marli. H-hey, I'm sorry for that I wasn't looking." She stuttered.

"Hey Ms.Lani!" The girls chirped.

"Hey babies." She cooed reaching out for them.

I stepped in front of them sending her a warning look. I couldn't even speak as I felt myself grow infuriated. She's got some nerve, standing in my presence like it's okay. It's far from okay and if the girls weren't here I'd have some gruesome words for little Miss Lani. The only form of communication I was able to project was the angry glare radiating from my eyes.

"Look Marli I'm-" she began trying to reach for my arm.

"Don't touch me." I spat backing up a little.

"If you don't mind we have somewhere to be so I would appreciate it if you'd move out of the way."

She let out a frustrated sigh before running her hands through her hair.

"I just want to say I'm sorry. I understand if you don't accept it but I just need to tell you how sorry I am for what happened."

I shook my head as I directed the girls in front of me and walked away. I don't have time for this bullshit. I try to forget about the situation but things like this make it impossible. It's just one thing after the other. Seeing her brought back so much pain and anger. I just can't seem to get a break.

Lani

I groaned watching Marli walk away. All I want to do is to make things right, especially with August. He was my bestfriend, we grew up together and did practically everything together. It's not fair for all of this guilt and blame to be put on me. Yes, I played a huge role in this but it isn't all my fault and I shouldn't be treated like it is. I never meant for this to happen. The only way I can win his friendship back is to make things right with her first but that's practically impossible. This chick hates my guts and I don't blame her, I'd hate me too. If I could just get her to talk to me I could try to explain how bad I feel an how sorry I am.

"Baby you alright?" My boyfriend questioned coming up behind me and snaking his arms around my waist.

"Yeah I'm fine." I mumbled forcing a smile.

"Who were you talking to?"

"No one just a friend, you ready to go?"

He nodded his head before pecking my lips. He entangled his fingers in mine as we walked towards the exit.

"You got everything you need?"

"Yeah." I mumbled.

"Look baby I'm sorry about-"

"Drop it." I warned.

We walked back to the car in silence and all I could think about was how I had gotten myself into this nightmare. I lost the person that meant the most to me and I don't know how to get him back. Whatever I have to do I'm willing to do it, I can't continue to live in this newfound hell on earth. I sluggishly got into the car and sunk back into my seat. He sighed before turning the car off to face me.

"Baby I'm sorry, please forgive me. I never meant for it to happen okay? Just please forgive me." He spoke, gently directing my face towards his.

I looked into his eyes seeing nothing but sincerity and had no choice but to forgive him. He gently covered my lips with his as I ran my hand along his chest.

"I love you Lani." He mumbled against my lips.

My heart ached knowing those words meant nothing to me. They would never mean anything unless they were coming from August. I quickly shook my depressing thoughts to respond to his antagonizing words, for if I didn't there would be pure hell tonight.

"I love you too Titus..."