Woke

12.)

Kiara:

"Kiara Taraji Washington, where the hell have you been, young lady?!"

I squeezed my eyes shut as I mentally cursed myself out. I turned to face my mom, who was sitting at the counter with her phone in her hand. She looked a lot more drained than usual, but that didn't mask the anger that she radiated.

It was just after 4am. Chris had to wake me up, because my phone had been going off like crazy. I had dozens of missed calls and messages from my mom. He quickly helped me gather my things and walked me over to my house. Without even thinking about it, I pressed a kiss on his lips as a thank you. I knew at a later time, I'd have to take time to sit and reflect on what was going on with me. I was feeling... different around Chris and I didn't know what to do about it.

"Momma, I'm so sorry. I can explain."

"You damn well better try!" She snapped. "Because I've been trying to reach you for the past two hours! I was thinking the absolute worst! Do you know how worried sick I was, with your car being here but you not?! Where were you, and speak fast because I'm about a second away from gettin' my belt on you."

"I fell asleep at Chris' house."

Her eyebrows furrowed for a second as she tried to remember who Chris was. Then they widened. "Christiano Marks, our neighbor. The sweet little boy you claimed to hate? Did y'all... oh my word, on a school night, Kiara?"

"Momma, no!" I felt my face heat up. "We didn't have sex. Devon, Tiana, Monica and I had went over to his place to eat and watch a movie as celebration."

"Celebrate what?"

"That the girls and I made the cheer squad and the boys made the starting lineup. I had fallen asleep. Chris told me he had tried to wake me when the others left, but I wouldn't get up. I guess he fell asleep too, or he would've helped me get back way earlier. I'm really sorry; it was completely my fault."

My mom stared at me for what felt like a long time. I felt myself growing antsy under her gaze. She finally sighed, standing up and stretching. "Kiara, I hate to use the past against you, but you know better than to be out so late and not at least tell me where you are. After last time... I can't risk anything else happening to you. Consequences will have to happen. I need to be up in a few hours for an important meeting. I'm coming home early, though, so I want you to come straight here after practice to help me prepare dinner. You can invite one person. We'll talk about punishments later."

I nodded. "Yes ma'am."

***********************

"Goodness, Kiki!" Tiana exclaimed. "4am? Do you have a death wish?"

I shook my head, as we walked down the hallway. "Honestly, if it hadn't been for Chris I wouldn't have gotten home 'til way later. My mom was worried sick."

"I'm sure she was." Monica said. "Did you thank Chris?"

I felt my cheeks heat up, remembering the kiss we shared. "In a way..."

We'd reached my locker as my friends continued to stare at me in confusion. I knew they were waiting on me to elaborate, but I didn't.

"Watchu mean 'in a way?'" Tiana finally asked. "Did y'all kiss or something?"

When I didn't answer, they gasped. "Girl!" Monica exclaimed. "You two kissed this morning?"

"Sis, I knew it! You're catchin' feelings!"

"I..." I wanted to deny it, but it didn't feel right. I put my combination in and opened the locker. "It was just a quick peck."

"You can't even get the lie out, girl." Monica teased. "I can't believe y'all kissed! I'm so hype."