Keeping Secrets

Wrong Move

After dinner and hanging with Tre's mom everyone went home. Brenda offered to watch Jania for the night that way Nia didn't have a scapegoat. And she would have to tell Malike.

(At Nia's....)

Malike: Babe you good? You been quiet all night.

Nia: We need to talk.

Malike: Okay.

Nia: You know how lately I've been acting different. ( He nodded, turning his body to face her.) Well... it's because of my mother. When we were little me and Nicole were raped every night. My mother couldn't make enough money on her own to keep us in the place we lived in; so she sold my body to grown ass men every fucking night. I was only seven years old. I can still remember this one guy who came to the house looking for my dad, but at the time he was overseas. And because he couldn't get a hold of my dad; my stupid bitch of a mother traded my body as the ass holes payment. So when we turned fifteen me and Nikki ran away. Too much had happened in one month. Like honestly I couldn't take it; my daddy died, her brother was killed, my little sister was taken away from me, and my older brother joined the gang scene. I....

(She stopped. There was more but that's all she could get out before all the pain really set in. Malike held her tight and didn't let her go.)

Malike: There is nothing I can do or say that could even begin to comfort you, to fix what's happened. I'm sorry. I really don't know what to say; except I'm here for you.

Nia: Thank you. And you don't have to say anything. Everything's going to be okay. Everything is always.... okay.

Malike: I know, and it'll get better when you tell me the rest. The part that's had you so on edge lately.

Nia: She's trying to come for me and I'm scared. She's capable of a lot more than you think.

Malike: I'm going to be here. I don't give a fuck about what she thinks she can do. Let anyone come with the thought in their head to hurt you and let's just see how far they get before the bullet reaches their ass.

Nia: Bae I love you, but don't...

Malike: I wouldn't even finish that sentence. We both know I'm not gone listen. It's my job to keep my baby safe and happy. So if I gotta put a bullet in a nigga or a bitch ass so be it.

With that they went to sleep. The next morning Malike woke up to an empty bed. He went down stairs to see that Nia had been busy working on her projects again. A few months before she had stopped and basically gave up after the stuff with Darrel. Malike gave her hope and motivation to become somebody. He sat on the steps watching her run around covered in paint. She didn't realize he was there for a good fifteen minutes.

Malike: Somebody was busy.

Nia: Malike, you fuckin scared me.

Malike: My bad. I was just coming down to ask you if you wanted to head to the studio after your boxing class?

Nia: Yeah that's fine. Make sure you go pick up Jania. I don't want Ms. Brenda thinking we tryna use her as a babysitting service.

Malike: What you talking about? We'll be lucky if she don't kidnapp her. (Laughing) I'ma go get her though. Alright get dressed and I'll see you when you get home.

Nia: Okay baby love you. Bye (blowing him a kiss).

Malike: I don't think so. Bring your ass back here. (With Nia leaning against his chest looking up at him.) Is that how you give me a kiss?

Nia: Does daddy want a kiss?

Malike: Did you just call me daddy? (Nia nods her head.) Fuck a kiss. You know what I want now.

Nia: Bae no, cause I'ma be late. Bae come on chill with all that rubbing, you know how I get.

Malike:(Holding her at the waist, while kissing her neck.) Exactly.

He picked her up and carried her up the stairs. Ignoring the paint she had all over her clothes; that was now on his. While kissing the whole time; Malike kicked open the door and sat Nia on the bed. As she slowly leans back he kisses down her body. After taking off her tank top and shorts, Malike kissed Nia passionately. Then he went to her dresser and grabbed her some clothes.

Malike: I'm bout to give you a choice. We can either go right now and you be a little late to your lesson. Or we can wait and I would just have to pick up Jania a little later.

Nia pulled Malike by his shirt. Leaning over her they kissed passionately again. After a few minutes of this "Trust me it's not over." Nia smiles. She took her car and Malike took his. They said their "I love you's" and went to their destinations. At the boxing organization, Nia looked for Nikki, she didn't call or text. It took Niaomi less than ten minutes to get mad, worried, and scared all at the same time. When she went for the door her teacher pulled her back. He told her he knew where Nikki was. He lead her to a room in the back where she did find her best friend. Nikki was chained to an old boxing ring and had bruises all over her body. Her mouth was taped but her eyes were screaming. And they were screaming the words: run, get the fuck out now. Nia tried to run. Before she could even move, her teacher stepped in front of the door. She closed her eyes, then there was a loud bang. Loud screaming came from the main part of the building. Nia opened her eyes her former teacher was face down on the ground. Without the time to check his pulse she turned around to unchain her best friend. She threw everything around looking for the keys, but she didn't have the chance to grab them. One of her mother's workers appeared in the doorway and Nia and Nikki were gone.