QUEENPIN.

mask

jaleah's perspective.

I put my feet up on the dashboard as I aimlessly scroll through Instagram. Izzy sits beside me, smoking, which I dislike, but it's not my body nor is it my car. He's listening to his typical rap music, and although I don't really care to be here, he really wanted me to come out with him.

We basically spent the entire day together. I got a massage, that he paid for, this morning, then he helped me pack up my sister's room, we had lunch, and he took me to get some more stuff for my dorm. I really do enjoy spending time with him, but I just can't seem to let my guard all the way down for him.

He's the total opposite of me, even now when I'm being more 'out there'. I don't smoke, drink, or party, I'm still a virgin and I'm very reserved. I just feel like he's going to get bored with me and move on after I've already fell in love. I have never been in a relationship so all of this is just so scary for me. I wish my sister was here so I could talk to her. Or I wish I could talk to Tory.

"What's wrong?" Israel asks me.

"Nothing." I quickly respond.

"You were thinking about something. Wassup? You can talk to me."

"Okay but I don't want you to laugh at me or anything."

"Ok."

"It's just like we're complete opposites. Like what if I catch strong feelings and you don't want me cause I don't wanna have sex or something?"

"Relax." Israel intertwines his fingers with mine. "Even if we don't work out, we'll always be cool and I'll always be here for you. And sex is not everything. I would hope that one day we would eventually get to that stage but it's not everything. Stop overthinking."

"That's easier said than done." I dismiss the conversation, feeling dumb for even bringing it up in the first place. "So what are you about to do?"

"I really gotta make some moves. You wanna ride?"

"I gotta work early tomorrow." I say, preparing to gather my things so I can go back in the house.

"Okay, wait a second. I want you to listen to something real quick before you go."

"Ok."

He goes through his phone and pulls up a song and begins to play it. It's a rap song, with a nice beat and what I think is Izzy rapping over it. I bop my head to it, trying to get into the song even though it's not my type of music. Don't get me wrong, I like other music besides gospel. I just don't like rap.

The song ends after about 3 minutes and he asks, "So? Did you like it?"

"That was you?! You have talent, Izzy. You can really rap."

"Thank you baby." He responds, almost blushing. "You should come to the studio with me one day. I'm really gonna start taking this rap shit serious soon."

"I'll definitely come and support you."

"Thank you." He smiles. "Okay, I know you gotta get to bed so I'll set you free now." He jokes. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." I lean in and give him a peck on the lips. "I'll talk to you tomorrow." I say before getting out of the car.

—

israel's perspective.

I watch and make sure Jaleah gets in the house before pulling off. I really do like her, and like spending time with her, but in all honesty, in order for us to work out I'm going to have to do me. I wanna have sex and do stuff that Jaleah isn't particularly interested in and I respect that as long as she can respect that I have needs and wants.

I mean technically, I'm single. I can talk to and have sex with and do whatever I want with whoever I want without any repercussions. As soon as me and Jaleah make shit official though, all these other hoes getting cut off.

I dial one of my shawty's phone number and she picks up almost immediately. "Look who decided to call me."

I roll my eyes. "Kendra don't start ya shit. Whatchu doin?"

"Nothing, I'm chillin. What you bout to come over?"

"Yeah. I'll be there in about 10 minutes."

"Ok."

I hang up on her and take the short trip to her house. I've known Kendra for a couple of months so far and she cool. To me, we just friends with benefits but I'm dreading the day that she asks what are we or wants me to be her boyfriend. She's just not girlfriend material to me.

I like fucking her though. She freaky, she do whatever I ask of her and she don't fuss too much when I go days or weeks without calling. She got jokes too. Just not entirely my type.

I finally get to her house and park a little ways down the street. I take the short walk to her house and knock on the front door. She opens it, in a silk robe, and pulls me into a hug. I kick the front door closed and throw my keys and phone on the table beside her front door.

"You smell good." I tell her.

"Thank you." She smiles. "Where you been?" She asks me. She walks me over to the couch. "You want some water or soda?"

"Nah I'm good." I respond. "But I been chillin, workin, busy." I could tell something was off with her. "Wassup with you though?"

"Nothing much. You wanna watch something?"

She hands me the remote. I put on Netflix and put on some random show because we not going to be paying attention to it anyway. I lean over and start kissing her on her neck, which leads us to much, much more...