The Spark

True Colors

After the party last night I dropped my sister off at our parents and everyone else at the girl's place. Since Angelo was gone I got to smoke in the house until I got tired and passed out. I aired out the downstairs and lit all types of candles to get the smell out so that Z wouldn't know. I got to sleep in and made my way to pick Z up midafternoon. Heaven let me and I sat on the stairs at waiting for my niece to make it down. I heard footsteps behind me and assumed it was Z. I looked up and saw Mercedes leaning on my shoulder instead. She was really funny and I took a liking to her because she reminded me of her brother when we were kids. "Can I help you?" I smiled at her.

   "Can I spend the night?" She smiled back hugging me from behind.

   "If your mom says yes, I have no problem with that." I answered laughing.

   "Mom, can I spend the night at Roman's with Zariah?" She yelled making me wince.

   "Girl, what have I told you about all of that damn yelling in my house?" She came in from the living room. "Are you sure you can handle the two of them? They are a lot of work. A lot of energy in those small bodies." Ms. Sadie came down the stairs also.

   "Yes ma'am, I'll just do them how you used to do Dre and me." I laughed.

   "We used to slip melatonin in your sodas at dinner. I rather you not drug them." Mr. Rick came downstairs also. "Is all of your homework done Mercedes?" He asked.

   "Yes sir, so I can spend the night?" She got excited.

   "Yes you can." Ms. Sadie laughed.

   "Where's Dre?" I asked because he usually appeared once I got here.

   "I'm right here." He walked into his house in the same clothes from the party and I raised my eyebrow. "Hey friend!"

   "Well look at that. Did you spend the night out son?" Mr. Rick asked.

   "Yes sir, I fell asleep at Leo's." He lied and looked at me.

   "Alright, Sadie let's go sit in the yard it's a beautiful day." Mr. Rick and Ms. Sadie reminded me a lot of my parents. They loved each other so much and it showed from the moment they walked into the house. Sometimes they would even go out on double dates. Dre always said that we'd do that one day, but I doubt that. I've never been in a relationship and I wouldn't start now. Dre came and sat next to me. "How was Leo's?" I grinned.

   "It was phenomenal as always. Janae is really pretty you know." He randomly added.

   "Did Leo stay with Leena?" I asked ignoring that remark.

   "Yes, he did. I see what you did there." Dre laughed.

   "What did I do?" I shrugged.

   "We saw Bobby this morning too. I thought him and Gianni were gone."

   "Bobby usually leaves before Gianni so he can be back for the weekend. Where did you see him?" I questioned.

   "At their dorm, he was eating breakfast with Janae. You have a crush on your brother's girlfriend? That's wild even for you." Dre looked confused.

   "That's not his girlfriend. They're just friends. He's seeing another one of their friends I guess. Did you see her? I didn't see another girl last night." I questioned.

   "No, I didn't. She might have been in another room. She's even prettier in shorts and a T-shirt than dressed up. She made breakfast and looked so natural." I knew what he was doing.

   "You want to hang out with me and the girls?" I changed the subject.

   "No, I'm going to go sleep. Christina may be little, but damn that woman took my soul last night. Leo said the same thing about Leena." He said quietly to me. "I bet Janae could snatch yours too." He hummed