The First

.15.

After a couple of days of sleeping over at Monse and Jamal's after my mama went to work, I had convinced Jamal to let me sleep in my own home. 

My first evening home was so peaceful I finally had peace.

I blasted my music and threw myself on the bed. 

I could have sworn I heard gunshots so I got out of bed and looked out the living room window. Latrelle was on the floor as some other guy in a green hoodie ran off. 

Part of me wanted to leave him out there but I knew it wasn't the right thing to do. 

I immediately put sneakers on and stepped outside and walked to him. 

He was holding his shoulder in pain.

"Yo. If you're gonna bleed, go bleed in front of your own house" I said. 

He looked up with pain in his eyes. 

I sighed and extended my hand to help him up. 

"Come with me." I said.

We walked into my house and I got him a towel to cover his wound.

"Let me call the ambulance" i said.

"No. I can't go to the hospital." Latrelle quickly said. 

"Latelle, you just got shot. You need to see a doctor." I replied.

"I can't. I just can't go" he replied.

I sighed and took him to my room. 

"Sit and take your shirt off" I said.

I helped him take it off and looked at his wound.

"Okay you're lucky that the bullet is right there. I can try to take it out for you but I'm not a doctor. I can't guarantee it's going to go well" I said.

He looked up at me and for the first time I noticed how cute he was. He had nice eyelashes and cute eyes.  

"Go for it. Anything is better than a hospital." He replied while still maintaining eye contact. 

"Why don't you want to go? If you don't mind me asking" i questioned. 

"I just don't. I don't want them to find out my mama ain't really around." He admitted. 

"How about we go together. I'll cover for you. I just want to make sure you're taken care of." I replied. 

Latrelle smiled at me and nodded his head. 

"Alright I'll go" he said. 

"Good. There's a clinic around here. Let me get an uber" i said.

The uber pulled up and took us to the clinic. 

"Why are you doing this for me" latrelle asked.

I looked at him and sighed.

"I really don't know Latrelle. I should have left you outside for what you forced me to do. But that's not my style" i replied. 

We finally got to the clinic and we got out the car. 

As soon as we walked in I told him to take a seat while I spoke to a nurse. 

I went to the front desk and told them that Latrelle had gotten shot by accident and needed immediate care. 

The gave me the forms and took him in to be seen. 

I followed him and kept him company while they took care of his bullet wound. 

"So sir. How'd this accident happen. Where was your mom" the doctor asked. 

"Sorry hes still in shock. He was at his friends and his friend found a gun and was messing around. His mom is at work right now. She works night shifts" i replied.

"Oh and dont worry, the police were called and took the gun that was found and I notified his mother about the incident." I added. 

"Okay and who are you" the doctor politely asked. 

"I'm his cousin Tasha. Ive been staying with him and my aunt while my mama is in a business trip" i answered. 

"Well you've answered all my questions. Im almost done with your cousin here. He's lucky the bullet didn't go too far or else nerve damage would have occurred. Just a couple of stitches and he can be released." The doctor said. 

Latrelle looked almost scared as the doctor got the needle ready for stitches. 

I walked over and grabbed his hand.

"It'll be fine" i said.

"As long as you here, I know it will" he whispered. 

After Latrelle got his stitches, we took an uber home. 

"So you gonna tell me why someone from your own crew shot you" i asked. 

He sat there in silence and then finally spoke.

"You." He quietly said. 

"Me. What the fuck you mean?" I asked. 

"My boy wanted to get at you. I told him I piped and he wanted next. Cause we pass around bitches throughout the gang." Latrelle answered. 

I looked at him and immediately felt the same butterflies in my stomach as I felt with Jamal. 

"Thanks." I replied while quickly looking away. 

We finally got back to my house.

"Thanks Tasha. I appreciate what you did for me. It means a lot." Latrelle said while hiding his smile.

"It was nothing. Thank you for sticking up for me. That means a lot. And by the way… I know the feeling of your mom not being around a lot. So if you ever need a safe place to kick it actually be a kid, just come thru. Low key though. I don't want any of your boys knowing where I live" i said. 

Latrelle stepped up to me and softly kissed me. 

I felt sparks all throughout my body. 

"I'm sorry I couldn't help myself. Thank you. I owe you. So I guess ill see you around" he said while walking away.

I ran inside and immediately called Monse and told her what happened. She warned me to be careful with Latrelle and to avoid telling Jamal about him kissing me. 

I took her advice and messaged Jamal a kissy face emoji and went to sleep.