No Better Heaven Than You.

Graduation👩🏽‍🎓👨🏽‍🎓

Nique

Laugher filled the living room of King & I's apartment, as we listened to music and decorated our caps for graduation. The sun was out, and beaming, the room filled with the smell of freshly cooked burgers and ordered ribs. Carmen cooked corn bread, Chris & Tray focused on the koolaid and the rest of us finished our caps.

"I can't believe this is really happening." Mariah sighed, stretching her arms over her head.

"I can, I've been waiting for this moment since fourth grade." Airi grumbled, making me grin. She couldn't stand school for as long as I could remember. I understand it though, kids were cruel to her. She was slightly overweight as a young girl, and didn't dress like the in crowd. Sometimes I think the only reason I survived, was because of dance. I made so many friends in dance, I was good at it and I stayed fit because of it. I never judged Airi though, her body and her black was beautiful to me. She was truly a good friend. A best friend.

"I'm just happy to be done with this school shit for awhile. My family and I are visiting my family in Puerto Rico and I can't wait!" Laughing again, when she attempted to dance I turned my attention to Airi. She told Carmen and I how rocky things had been between her and Tray. He and Chanel broke up last month, and for awhile he was down about it. But he's been going out and enjoying his life, especially after Chanel posted up with another guy in Minnesota. She was like a tag on to me, someone to be kind to just because she was dating my friend. She was never really our friend in my eyes. Only thing I worry about now.

Is how Tray will react to her coming back in town tomorrow.

"Well. I'm stuffed and sleepy, so I'm going to go ahead and head home now."

"Yeah it's late we gotta go, c'mon Corey!"

"Mmchtt! Maine you see me over here eating. Wait!" Shaking my head when they started arguing, I noticed Tray pulling Airi off to the side and into our spare bedroom. When I looked around no one but Chris noticed it. I wonder if he knew something we didn't.
•••
Tray

"You wanna come over tonight?" Watching the way she shifted uncontrollably, I felt my confidence drop alittle.

"Why....no. I just." Taking a look at me, she reached for my hand.

"I'll come over the day after graduation okay?" Before I could reply, Chris started banging on the door.

"Lemme nigga! This Banana crew, not Trairi!"

"Man this nigga." Rolling my eyes I pushed the door open, sighing when she took that chance to get away from me. I messed up for not understanding her feelings that day and now she's extremely emotionally unavailable to me.

"Tray, I think you should... just leave her alone." Feeling my face scrunch up in agitation, I looked at him sideways.

"And whose Daddy are you nigga?" Smacking his lips, he stabbed his finger in my face.

"Nobody's nigga. But who do you think picks up the pieces everytime you break them huh? You know Airi likes you nigga-"

"Duh nigga and I like her to-"

"Ugh tray why you so damn slow!? Damn! Airi is in love with you. There's a difference. You see her as friend but she sees you as different. Do you really think...no. Did you really think , that those feelings would disappear or what y'all did wouldn't be a reality anymore? JUST because you didn't break things off with Chanel? Airi still has to live with that guilt and gain nothing from it but the back of yo big ass head. Tighten up nigga, she's getting tired of you. " I was honestly at a loss for words, all I could do was shut my mouth and walk out behind him with what little pride I had left. Only King , Nique and Mariah remained in the living room but she was ready to go and I drove. So with that we left in preparation of the next day.
•••
Chanel