Elevation (Jacob Perez Story)

Chapter 16 | Paris's Big Step

Friday

Maurice and his friends, Darnell, Hakim, and TJ were walking and talking through the halls with the girls Paris, Shaniqua Riya and Terri. Maurice had his arm wrapped round Shaniqua whilst she had his arm round his waist walking in front, with a lollipop in her mouth. Maurice would keep peeping at the rest behind them especially Paris

TJ: "I know y'all ain't ditching us on that one"

Hakim: "Ayo I know all y'all girls would say yes if Paris said yes so just come along bruh"

Riya: "Hakim, we got shit to do. Ain't nobody tryna come to your boys crib to chill"

Terri: "Facts we got better shit to do hunny. Besides y'all are boring"

Darnell: "Yeah that's why you rolling with us right now foo"

Terri: "Darnell, boy shut-up! Ain't nobody talkin to yo dry ass!"

Darnell: "Man whatever, I ain't trippin over you" [As he turns to Paris] but Paris tho... cmon girl. Let's kick it as friends like we used to"

TJ: "It's not like y'all never used to come before. Y'all used to come alla time now y'all just switch up on us like y'all really got better shit to do"

Riya: "TJ, we do got better shit to do!"

Tj: "Dammm, aight! I heard you the first time girl. But we been asking y'all, and y'all come up with a thousand mf excuses. Sup with that"

Hakim: "Ahh TJ man leave em. If they ain't tryna kick it, we'll find some other bitches to chill with and we know where to find em" [He turns to all his boys as they all laugh sharing handshakes]

Paris's POV
I felt so out of place right now, like I shouldn't be here. I was texting while the boys were talking about going over to Maurice's 'crib' to 'kick it'. Now first of all. I don't even have to say cause y'all already know what I'm thinking... Imagine this right, we are walking and Maurice is trying his full well best to get my attention. All there hugging up to my girl, being all flirty and stuff but it's just not getting to me. What's annoying me is as we are all supposed to be walking together he's separating from us like their conversation is any more interesting and then he's giving me these looks like I'm supposed to feel some typa way. No booboo. I ain't desperate. Well at least not for him... just then my phone rings. Vincent's name shows up. I kind of jumped. I left the gang and power walked straight past everybody to a find quieter place to answer the phone

Paris: "Vincent?"

Vincent: "Paris, hey have you seen the messages I sent you?"

Paris: "Sorry I haven't had the time. I've been busy"

Vincent: "Well it's good you answered my call cause now I can tell you in person. I have some paperwork for you to sign. I've been speaking to some people and everything's set for you to come work alongside me. Just need you to sign the paperwork but see I need you to get this done as soon as. Like today if you can"

Paris: "Today? I'm busy... why not tomorrow or another day even?"

Vincent: "Because Paris we don't have that long, besides if you're trying to work with me for the end of the month, the paperwork would've had to be done long before today. But you haven't seen my messages"

Paris: [I sighed] "Send me your address"

Vincent: "No, I've got a better idea. Send me your address. I'll get my driver to come pick you up for 9"

Paris: "9? Vincent, I-..."

Vincent: "Please... I insist. See you soon", [As he hangs up]

I want to do this but this is so sudden. I know I have to sign papers, I know this but he's rushing for this to happen like I don't have other things to do. He left me no choice. I feel like I have no obligation. If I do it I need to make myself clear because if this is how he is going to be with me, demanding then I don't want it. I don't know what it is but my heart just doesn't trust this man. Seriously something just doesn't sit right with me. I'll really have to think about whether Ill go through with this or not