You Before Me [dave east]

| eight

Xiomara;

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Zo." The receptionist, Stephanie, says just as I'm about to walk out of the building. She throws me a fake smile and wiggles her fingers as she waves.

"See you tomorrow." I force a smile and leave work, heading to the bus stop.

I already know nobody at the building likes me but Stephanie never fails to make it obvious. Everybody thinks I got my job because of my looks but so what if I did.

I get the bus home and walk up my street, heading inside the house. There's no sign of Alonzo which makes me roll my eyes. I decide I've had enough of him never being home and wander into his room in search of something to confront him with.

I don't see his backpack anywhere but I do find a shoe box hidden behind some other boxes in the top shelf corner of his closet. Running my tongue over my teeth in annoyance, I set the box down on the bed and open it up, seeing a whole lot of cash.

"What the fuck." I say under my breath. This thirteen year old kid got more cash saved up than me, seeing as I spend my checks on bills as soon as I get them and use the little I have left for groceries and Alonzo. I got money saved up but it ain't free to spend since I'm saving towards a little place out of the hood. I wanna live in one of those modern apartment complexes with a pool outside.

I roll my eyes, snatching the box off the bed, walking into my room with it. As soon as he gets home and walks in through the door, I might just throw a slipper at him because of how mad I am.

Once I change out of my work clothes, I walk into the kitchen so I can start cooking. It's like an every weekday routine—go to work, get home, cook, sleep, repeat. The only time I really get to myself is the weekends but it's starting not to feel like enough.

I'm starting to feel like what I need is a boyfriend or at least somebody to spice up my everyday life. Attempting to seduce Dave clearly wasn't the right way to go about it though. The party happened 4 days ago and I still can't get over how embarrassing it ended.

I get done cooking just as Alonzo walks into the house out of breath and sweating. "Hello?" I say and roll my eyes when he doesn't say anything to me. Instead, he heads straight for the fridge.

He takes out the orange juice, pouring some into a glass. "So we just ignoring each other now? Alonzo, what the hell is wrong with you? You changing."

"No I ain't." He says, about to take one of the tacos I just made so I smack his hand out the way.

"You not eating until we talk. You know I always find out everything so let's save each other some time and you tell me what you've been up to."

"What are you talking about?" He says, furrowing his eyebrows at me which makes me sigh. He's turned into the worst liar.

I start hearing sirens outside and heavy banging on the door making me frown. "Wait here." I tell Alonzo, heading over to the door to check the peephole. I look over my shoulder at him only to find that he already disappeared from the kitchen.

I look through the peephole, seeing an officer standing there so I hesitantly unlock the door. I only open it enough for him to see my face.

"Can I help you, officer?" I ask as he tries looking into the house through the gap.

"We looking for a kid, about fourteen years old. He got caught up in a chase and we're led to believe he lives right around here." He looks at me like he can tell I'm about to lie right through my teeth.