r.e.m

fisherrr.

"She a savage too, I'm a savage too, it's compatible
She was talkin' practice, had to cut her off, got a badder boo
I ain't chicken tender, if you fuck my brother, I ain't mad at you"

For what felt like the hundredth time, I put my phone to my ear, waiting for Jazelle to pick up. Nothing. The call went straight to voicemail again. She ghosted me yesterday, saying she'd come through in the morning, but here we were, nearly lunchtime, and I hadn't heard from her. Zyra and I had already had breakfast, and she was in her room putting up posters and decorating while I sat in my room, staring at my phone, trying to figure out if I should be worried or just let it go.

I knew she was probably still sleeping. We did have a crazy ass weekend, after all. But something about the silence wasn't sitting right with me. I didn't want to invade her space, but I needed to make sure she was good. I had the keys to her apartment, a small gesture in my mind that meant I was welcome. Still, I didn't want to overstep. What if she thought I was being too clingy?

But damn, I missed her. I just wanted to see my mamas.

I sat there, contemplating whether I should head over. Maybe I was overthinking this. We were together, right? Fuck it, I was going.

I got up and headed to Zyra's room. "Zy, I'm gonna go check on Jaz real quick. I'll be back soon."

She spun around, her fuzzy slippers barely making a sound as she rushed toward me. "Wait! I wanna come too!"

I smiled, shaking my head. "Maybe a little later. I'm just gonna go check on her real quick, make sure she's good. If she's not asleep, I'll come back and get you. Promise."

Zyra pouted, sticking out her bottom lip in that dramatic way she always did when she wasn't getting her way. "But Jazelle promised I could meet Gage today."

"How about this," I said, "If she's asleep, I'll bring Gage over here, and we'll take him for a walk together. Deal?"

She thought about it for a second, then gave a small nod, satisfied with the compromise. "Fine. I'll be in my room putting up my posters. Can you help me with my fairy lights later? I finally figured out where I want them."

"I got you," I said, "Just lock the doors behind me, alright?"

She followed me to the front door, rushing to keep up with my longer strides. "Don't answer the door for anyone. You hear me?" I told her, giving her a serious look. She nodded again, wide-eyed and serious.

I opened the door, stepping out into the hallway. Once I heard the locks click behind me, I made my way across the building to Jazelle's apartment. It wasn't far, two minutes tops, if that. I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out the key she'd given me, feeling the cool metal between my fingers before sliding it into the lock.

The door opened with a soft click, and the familiar smell of her place hit me. Gage was the first thing I saw; his black-and-white coat standing out in the dim light of the living room. The second he saw me, his tail wagged like crazy, and he came bounding over, his little paws sliding across the hardwood floor in excitement.