Girlfriend: Sophomore year (REMASTERD)

12

Ski
"I fucking hate you, Jahseh."
She ran off, tears still streaking her face, leaving Jah standing there like a ghost of himself.

"Jah, vro—yo—"
Before I could get the rest out, I hit the ground, pain exploding through my jaw.

"This your fault, man! This all y'all fault!" he shouted, hands trembling, eyes red. "I could've finally had her back by my side... and y'all fucked it up."

"News flash, nigga!" I yelled, holding my mouth, anger flaring. "You the one who suggested we fuck them in the first place! You the fuckin' prick, not us!"
I turned away, walking off, but paused to glance back at him.

He looked... broken. Completely lost.

"I gotta let her go, huh?"
A single tear slipped down his cheek, and as much as I wanted to stay mad, I couldn't. Seeing him like that cut deep.

I walked back, pulled him in, and hugged him. His chest heaved as he cried into me.
"You know what, Jahseh? I think it's time we stop runnin' from who we really are. Let's bring 'XXXTENTACION' and 'Ski Mask the Slump God' to life."

I grinned. It took him a second, but then he nodded.

"...Let's do it."

⸻

Robyn
Me and Lani were at her next appointment, finally about to find out the baby's gender. Jah's been in the studio heavy with Ski lately—and honestly? I'm good with it. After Kehlani told me everything that happened the night I found her crying in the parking lot, I was glad he wasn't around.

"Okay, moms, look right there," the nurse said, pointing to the monitor.

I squinted, then gasped. Something that looked like a little finger popped up on the screen.

"It's a boy!" Kehlani squealed, already tearing up. "I knew it. I told you!"

But then the nurse squinted closer and smiled.
"And... looks like he's got a brother, too."

"Huh?!" we both said in unison, eyes wide.

"I'm having twins?" Kehlani asked, barely breathing.
"Two boys," the nurse confirmed, chuckling gently as he helped her sit up and started explaining how to care for herself and the babies.

Twins. Two boys. I knew Jah was gonna be hype when he found out.
I should've been happy too—but something felt off. This isn't how I pictured things. I'm grateful, I swear I am, but this just... ain't what I imagined when I thought of having a family with my girl.

⸻

"Awww, twinnnnnsss yessss!" Hayley screamed over FaceTime. She was the first person I called—well, her and Auntie.

"I still can't believe I'm having twin boys," I said, rubbing my stomach.

"Girl, you need to come down here and stay for a while. Please."

"I'm already transferring to your school, period," she grinned. "I need to be there for this. Soooo how did Jah take the news?"

I rolled my eyes at the sound of his name.

"Ooop—girl, what happened?" she asked, smirking like she already knew the drama was thick.

"It's a long story. Just know I don't care about what he got going on anymore. I'm focused on my babies... and my baby."

"Well, as long as he's there for the kids, that's all that matters, right?" she said sweetly. I nodded, giving a small smile.

Yeah, I'm mad at Jah for cheating, but I won't lie—I miss him. I miss the nights when he'd talk to the babies with me and Robyn like it was just us, building a future. But now? We barely speak. He lives in the studio with Ski, and I just... I let it be.

"Well, you sound busy, so I'mma let you go. Love you, boo! Kiss them boys for me!" she said, then hung up.

I sat there, staring at the blank screen.

Damn, I thought.
I wish I never found out about Jah cheating.
Not 'cause I care about him like that anymore...
But because now everything feels broken.
I just want things back to how they used to be.

Robyn
It was late. The moonlight spilled through the blinds and cast silver stripes across Kehlani's belly. She was lying on her side, one hand under her head, the other gently cradling the curve of her stomach. I sat beside her on the bed, just watching—watching her breathe, watching the way her lips parted when she was deep in thought, watching the weight of everything she carried... both literally and emotionally.

"You okay?" I asked quietly, brushing a lock of hair from her face.

She nodded, but it wasn't convincing.

"You don't have to lie to me," I added, fingers softly grazing over the fabric of her oversized shirt.

Kehlani turned her head toward me, her eyes glossy. "I'm scared, Ro."

I leaned down, resting my forehead against hers. "Of what?"

"Everything. Being a mom. Doing this alone. Losing myself in the process. I was supposed to bring a baby into a home full of love... not confusion and heartbreak."

I swallowed hard, trying not to let her words cut too deep. "You're not alone. I know I'm not the father, and I never tried to be—but I'm here. You don't have to ask me. You don't have to beg for support. I got you. And I got them."

Her chin quivered. "I know you do... I just—"

"You miss him," I whispered.

She broke. Tears spilled fast and silent down her face. "I hate him for what he did, but I still feel him in everything. Every kick, every craving, every dream I have at night... and I hate that he still lives in me like that."

I cupped her face, thumbs brushing her cheeks. "You're allowed to feel both things at once. Anger and love. Pain and hope. You're human, Keh."

She closed her eyes, leaning into my touch. "You make it easier, Ro. Just being here... makes me feel like I can breathe again."

"I'm not going anywhere," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

A soft silence followed. The kind of quiet where nothing has to be said to be felt. She shifted a little, pulling my hand to rest on her stomach.

"They kicked when you said that," she smiled weakly.

"Smart boys," I smiled back. "They know who the real one is."

Kehlani laughed through the tears, and for a second, the weight lifted. I laid down beside her, one hand still on her belly, the other holding hers tight.

"You and me against the world, huh?" I murmured.

"No," she whispered back. "Us and them. Against everything."