BFF

I'll be there

Dave's POV 

I was cruising through the city in my 2019 Benz truck, the bass low, windows cracked just enough to catch some air. On my way to this punk-ass job. I sell cars, sure, but that's just what they think I do. I got other lanes I move in, but I don't talk about that part—especially not to Tia. She already worries about me enough, and I ain't trying to give her more reasons.

Speaking of Tia... let me take y'all back for a second.

It was seventh grade, middle school. I had just touched down in California from Harlem, mad as hell about it. My pops shipped me out here to live with my cousin 'cause he said I was getting into "too much trouble" back home—whatever that meant. I was pissed, outta place, homesick... and then I saw her.

She was this little pretty thing with box braids and a fire behind her eyes. Something about her just stopped me in my tracks. I can't explain it, but it was like the world went quiet for a second. That was it—I was gone.

We clicked instantly. Been locked in ever since. Even now, people swear we together. I mean... we not. She's just my best friend. That's it. Right?

My phone lit up.

Incoming call: BFF.

I answered with a grin.

"Yeah, baby."

Her voice came through the speaker soft and familiar. "Hey, where are you at? I miss you."

"I'm on my way to work, Ma."

"Call off."

"I can't, baby, you know that."

"David," she warned, her tone already shifting, "don't do that. You always call off when I ask."

"I know, but I can't today. He needs me on the lot."

She exhaled sharply. "Are you kidding me, Dave?"

"Listen here," I said, trying not to laugh, "I'll see you as soon as I get off, but you gon' have to kill the attitude."

"Alright, see you later, big head. I love you."

"Love you too, baby."

Call ended.

I smirked and tossed the phone in the passenger seat. That girl got me wrapped around her finger and don't even know it.

I only really keep a small circle—Chris, Izzy, and Jason, but we call him Bully. We all met in high school, and those my day-ones. Real solid.

I pulled into the lot, parked, and sighed. Man, I really didn't feel like being here. Should've listened to Tia and just stayed my ass home.

As soon as I stepped out the truck, here come Bob's goofy ass waddling over.

"You made it in today," he said with that dry sarcasm.

"You see me, don't you?"

Didn't even stop walking. Blew right past him and headed straight for the customer posted near the Escalade. If I gotta be here, I might as well run up this commission.

Twenty cars later—twenty, all straight off the lot—I was floating. Couldn't even be mad about the shift. I was on fire.

On the way out, I swung by In-N-Out and grabbed food for me and Tia. Girl always talks like she don't care what I bring, but she picky as hell, so I know what to get without asking.

Tia's Condo – That Evening

When I finally pulled up, it was already getting dark. I could hear her inside before I even knocked.

"I swear he takin' forever," she said, sounding mad as hell.

Brandy, her homegirl, responded with a laugh, "Girl, that man at work. Leave him alone."

"Girl, shut up, I need him here."

Brandy wasn't letting it go. "I swear y'all can't go a day without seeing each other. It's sick. Just be together already."

Tia replied, "Why I gotta be with him just 'cause I like being around my best friend?"

"Mmhmm," Brandy said. "If that's what y'all call it..."

I couldn't help but smile as I opened the door. "I'm here, baby."

She lit up, damn near flew across the living room, jumped into my arms and kissed my face all over.

"I missed you," she whispered. "I haven't seen you in two days..."

"I know, love. That's my fault. I missed your ass too. Had to get into some legs though."

She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might fall out. Brandy caught it and smirked.

"Is that jealousy I see?" she whispered in Tia's ear.

"Girl, please," Tia muttered, brushing her off.

Brandy grabbed her bag. "Alright, I'm out. Tell that dude Don to hit me if he tryna lose another stack in a dice game."

I chuckled. "Tell his scary ass to stay home if he can't shoot straight."

Brandy laughed as she walked out. "I told him that! I'll see y'all later."

Tia locked the door and turned back to me, sauce packet in hand, eyes narrowed. "What bitch were you with?"

We sat on the couch like nothing just happened.

"You so damn nosey," I said, reaching for a fry. "You don't know her."

"So? I still wanna know."

"Nah," I smirked. "If it ain't serious, I'm not telling you about them."

"Wow. So that's how we playing it?"

She tried to stay mad, but the moment I started rubbing her feet, her whole mood shifted. She melted into the cushions like butter.

We started watching TV, something random playing in the background.

"I got three clients tomorrow," she said. "Faux locs, a sew-in, and a silk press."

Her voice started fading. I heard the cough coming before she even got through the list.

"You getting to it," I said. "Did you take your meds, Cakes?"

She sighed loud, the kind that meant she didn't want to talk about it.

"Dave, don't start, please."

"Nah, you don't start. Where's it at? I'll get it. Stop playin' with this shit."

She didn't fight me. Just pointed upstairs.

I went to grab her medicine from the upstairs bathroom. Same routine since middle school.

She was twelve when they diagnosed her with COPD. It's this lung disease that makes it hard to breathe sometimes. She's good most of the time, as long as she stays on top of her meds and therapy, but I ain't gon' lie—when it flares up, I get scared. Like, real scared.

But she don't know that. I don't let her see that part of me. She already got enough on her plate.

I just stay solid. Handle what I can. Protect her how I know how.

Always have. Always will.Tell me what you think so far.

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Edited 6.14.25