Rendezvous

Bryce

I roll over in my pillow top mattress and take a look at the clock. I'd been asleep the whole morning and was just getting the strength to get up.

Sitting up on the edge of the bed, I rub my hands over my low fade before yawning and standing. The fireplace is still burning and the news is displayed on my fifty inch flat screen television that's mounted to the wall.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice my cellphone on the nightstand blinking from missed notifications. I decide to check it. I see I have several missed calls from my Godmother Vanessa and decide against calling her back. All she ever want is to chat about the news or the latest episodes of Family Feud and right now I wasn't in the mood.

I slip my feet into my favorite fur lined slippers and adjust my polo boxers before heading towards the bathroom that's adjoined in my bedroom. I flick on the light revealing the granite counter top and waterfall sink. I start the water and began my routine before undressing and stepping into the shower. By the time I'm dressed, I see I still have time to make it to the school to pick up Sophie.

I pull up to Thomas Jefferson High School just as the students were being released for the day. The premises instantly fills with their Maroon Polo shirts and Khaki pants as they rush towards the school buses.

I scan the crowd until I spot her. She's standing next to some boy engaged in a deep conversation. Every now and then she flashes him a flirtatious smile and flips her hair over her shoulder.

When I see him place his hand on her lower back I lean against the horn. Of course she acts as if she doesn't hear it and I do it again. She looks in my direction and rolls her eyes towards the sky.

The two exchange more words before she walks towards the car.

"Bryce," she says annoyed while sliding into the passenger seat.

"Who was that?"

"Don't start," she huffs. "He's a friend."

Taking on the role of the overprotective big brother, I knew I irked her nerves with screening every guy that showed a little interest in her but now wasn't the time for her to be focused on boys. School is more important.

She snaps on her seatbelt and sits back as I pull from the parking lot.

Losing our mother nine years ago to ALS took a toll on the family. At the time Sophia was only six and too young to understand. All she knew was that our mother stopped coming home.

Sophie was fortunate enough to have at least one parent still in her life, her father. Me on the other hand, I was solo dolo. I grew up with just my mother and after losing her, I kind of lost my way. I never knew my father and I preferred to keep it that way.

It wasn't long before I got back on track and needless to say, if it wasn't for my best friend Brian and his Grandmother Vanessa, I wouldn't have had a place to live and I wouldn't be the successful man I am today. I can't say the same for Brian though. He chose to take another path that caused him to be apart of the drug game.

I don't criticize it. We have an understanding. I stay out of his way and he stays out of mine.

"Has Ms. Vanessa called you today?" Sophie asks while glancing at her phone.

She looks intrigued in whatever it is she's staring at.

"Yeah. I forgot to call her back," I say remembering she called again while I was on my way to the school.

I notice that Sophie quickly wipes her eyes and places her phone down. I glance over and see she's staring out of her window.

"What's wrong?"