To Be Announced ⟡ All American

012

D A R N E L L H A Y E S
📍CRENSHAW, CALIFORNIA

I was finally out of the no speaking- avoiding situation with Spencer and I'm admitting it was mostly my fault. Can't help but fall for somebody like Kia- she's pretty amazing and I can vouch for that, he can vouch for that.

"Hey man, what's up?" Spencer and I hugged, a slight nod toward Dylan who sat in the brown round table we eat dinner together every Sunday- it was a mandatory routine for Miss Grace. I lived alone and she saw it as an opportunity for me to have family, especially after losing Corey.

"Just droppin' by seeing how y'all are doing" But that wasn't all why I was here for. Sage gave me a clear signal last week but there is no doubt, still awkwardness going around. A big reason is I'm dating his ex but  I feel there's more to it. I'm here to take the boys out to see my life since I've seen Spencer's Beverly life and Dylan's always along for the ride. A little switch.

Unlike Spence, I have my own crib- it ain't that much but I'm getting by. My mom wasn't okay with me branching out but she worked it out, sends me some money for me to get by BUT, the thing about being helped out by former NFL players is that they take you in, treat you like your own son and give you a monthly allowance. I refused at first but Mr. Carter insisted since he brought me out here, the only thing I had to do was run every play and win a bunch of games to be state champs. It's a work in progress.

"Since when could you afford a Mercedes?" Dylan pointed out, Spencer laughed and I did too because he's right.

"You know, Mrs. Carter let me borrow her whip for the day" I shrugged. She let me borrow it since I'll be showing them around and hanging out, I got my license a couple months ago but cars were just too expensive for me so busses were always the answer if the Carter's couldn't give me a lift which is getting inconvenient for them and I feel bad about it. They're already doing so much for me.

"This whole car is worth more than our house" Dylan seemed so amused with the car, he sat right in the middle quickly buckling himself, hands on both shoulders of the seat. He excitedly looked at the windshield and waited for me to put the gear in drive.

"Man, this car is worth more than the three of us combined" I insisted, it's the truth and it's all jokes at the same time, I'm trying to make the best of today and maybe repair a few cracks down the road. A light hearted joke is always a great start to slightly awkward situations.

Our first stop was the  ice cream shop Sage first showed me, she says it's her favorite and I've learned to love it too, but not as much as she does. At first I was incredibly was doubtful about it since I'm not much of a sweets type of guy, but I've been convinced. Sage always proves me wrong- I stay finding more things about myself that I didn't know I had in me.

"So where we going now?" Dylan asked, we just finished watching a movie, Dylan hadn't been out like this in a while since everyone in the house was so busy dealing with their own things. He tells me about the things he'd want to do but can't because everybody is always 'hustling for a better life,' in his words of course. I feel for the guy, it's hard to pursue your passions when there are other important things, but Dylan shouldn't be thinking about any of that, he's too young.

Spencer and I looked at each other, starting to from a smile and then laughter filled the theater as we headed out to the parking lot. Dylan still had some left over candy he wanted to keep, overflowing out of the pocket of his hoodie.