Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

53❤️

Evie

I sat quietly as Rah drove us back to campus. "You okay?" Rah asked. I looked his way. "Claire's pregnant," I said. "Damn." He said. "How did your parents take it?" He asked. "They were calm considering they were teen parents too," I said. "My thing is they see their daughter every day and didn't know she was pregnant. That is not okay." I mumbled to myself. "What do you mean?" Rah asked. "I love my parents, but they have dropped the ball as parents. How do you miss that your daughter is pregnant?" I asked. "Do your parents know about the time you snuck out with Javaughn?" He asked. My eyes wiped over to him. "Or the times you threw parties at their place. What about when you told your people you were going to Galveston with Chelle and her sister and you really went to Nola?" He asked. "Rah," I said. "I'm not trying to air you out. I'm just saying kids are sneaky. They probably didn't notice because Claire didn't want them to. Don't be too harsh with them on this one. A lot has been going on for them too." He said grabbing my hand. I sighed.

"Fuck that. As parents, they should at least try to be present. They dropped the ball in so many areas. I wouldn't be surprised if they missed something that happened with the twins." I said with an eye roll. "You want the truth?" he asked. "What?" I asked. "You have every right to feel upset. I'm not taking that from you, but your parents are not just your parents. They were their own people before they had you. They are human and humans fuck up." He said. "Parents fuck. Especially with their oldest." He said. "They didn't just fuck they were completely oblivious or willfully obtuse," I said. "There isn't a manual about how to raise a child. You do the best you can and hope that you raise decent humans. And from the woman, I know your parents raise an amazing woman." He said. I looked at him unable to respond. The things he was saying made sense, but I just couldn't get past it. "Can you just take me home?" I asked. He sighed.

Another hour on the road and we were heading home. He grabbed my bag and trailed me as we headed up to my apartment. I stood in the doorway looking anywhere but at him. He grabbed my jaw making me look him in the eyes. "I understand your emotions are still raw and you're feeling everything, so when you're ready to talk call me." He said. He leaned in kissing my forehead before sitting my bag just inside the door.

--

It was Monday morning, and I was waiting for iced coffee when someone came up draping their arm over my shoulder. "What's up, baby?" I turned to see Freddie. "If you don't get your stank breath out my face," I said. "I know you didn't. And my breath doesn't stink with your funky ass." He said making me laugh. "I'm surprised you're up this early," I said. "I had to turn some work in, so Maurice dropped me off." He said. "You two are too cute." I cooed seeing him get all shy and smiley. "That's my boo." He said. I chuckled. "Hey, hoes." We turned to see Chelle walking up. "Baby I was about to 2-piece your shit," Freddie said. I chuckled shaking my head. "Must we partake in violence this early?" She asked. "Girl all I heard was someone calling me a hoe. Y'all know I'll rock a bitch jaw for calling me out my name," he said. I pointed at him. "Fax, especially on this campus," I said.

After they got their drinks, we found a quiet spot and began to catch and do some work. "So how was everyone's weekend?" Freddie asked. I scratched my head sipping my coffee. I looked up seeing them both staring at me. I sighed. "All I will say is that I told my family and Jacques how I felt about them, and I got a much need stress reliever from Rah," I said with a shy smile. "Ooo you nasty," Chelle said. "I thought you were walking a little funny. Good for you mama." Freddie said raising his glass. I chuckled. "Des told me you that shit out though," Chelle said. I shrugged. "It needed to be done. I feel better and everybody knows where we stand." I said. "Good. I'm tired of people playing with you." Freddie said. "Period pooh," I said. "Honestly, I feel so much better. And my grandfathers are home everything just seems to be coming together." I smiled.