Safe | Oscar Diaz .

T w e l v e .

Araceli
Sunday

"Came in Santos colors. Is that a warning?" I was startled at the sound of Latrelle's voice. I hadn't heard him walk up.

"Shut up." I smiled at him getting up. "I see you have gifts. Can I take a look at this one?" I said picking up the Hennessy bottle he had in his hand.

"It's all I could find." He shrugged.

"It'll do." I opened the bottle taking a long sip not caring that my throat was burning.

"You gonna be fucked up. And you still gonna drive?" He looked at me disapproving.

"I didn't need much. Just wanted a buzz to numb my thoughts." I said taking another long sip handing him the bottle. "Just been rethinking life lately." I looked away from him wiping a tear from my eye.

"You got time?" He asked me. "We can talk if you want." He motioned towards the pier we used to sit under.

"It's just some shit I can't talk about, and I'm trying to figure out what to do." I began walking with him by my side, "My sister hates me right now because of the claim."

"What else?" He asked as we sat down.

I wiped the tears that had fallen from my face, "I can't tell you the rest. That's my life if I do." I cried softly.

"Hey, you know pops or I wouldn't let them hurt you." He pulled me into a hug, "Why you thinking like that?"

"Because Dre figured it out." I shook my head.

"Figured what out?" He pulled back bringing my eyes to meet his.

I know it seems weird for me to be venting to Latrelle, but I wasn't completely honest with you guys. We were not only close because of Novah, but we had gotten into a routine of hanging out just us two. Everything happened while Spooky was in jail, and I figured I wouldn't even have a chance with my childhood crush. So, when he was in jail I started to hang out with Novah more.

Let's just say we did get feelings involved, and maybe more than the feelings. We tried dating but for me it didn't feel right, so I broke up with him and tried to be friends. But on another note I had completely stopped trying to see Trelle when I saw that Spooky got out.

"Nothing." This was something I couldn't tell him because he was a Prophet. I wiped my eyes quickly getting up, "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything ma."

"Nevermind, I can't. It's too risky." I got up quickly dusting myself off.

"Damn, so what was the point of asking me to come?" He stood up looking at me.

"Because Novah needed to get me her gift. Do you really think she could've came here alone?" I rolled my eyes as I dusted the sand off my ass.

"I'm not talking about the fucking present. I'm talking about us." He got closer to me.

"I already told you. I can't be with you." I looked at him guilt in my eyes, "I didn't ask you to come to hurt you. I asked for you to come because I do miss being able to talk, but it's gotten too hot out here."

He looked at me stunned, "Look, if Q and Dre didn't kill my parents. My dad wouldn't let this happen anyways." I thought back on the time I saw all the bruises on Maya, "That's the worst thing he could find out, so I'll make sure to respect his wishes while he's gone."

With that I walked away and headed towards my car, and dropped the present, the bottle, and my phone in the passenger seat. I sighed as I wiped my face.