Chapter 20

    
“Soooo” Zay looked over to Sasha who was silent the entire ride.

After dropping the girls off, Zay was finally pulling up to Sasha’s house after a long quiet ride. All Sasha could think about was her terrible mistake, and her stomach just wound up hurting with each minute that passed by.

  “You can’t tell Lux” she finally spoke, her voice shaky and full of angst.

“Don’t worry, I got you” Zay assured her, “But it’s not me you need to worry about. Girls talk, you should know…you’re kinda a girl”

“This is your fault” Sasha shook her head at Zay and he threw his neck back.

“My fault? I ain’t make you kiss her that was all you. Look, my advice, break up with Lux now”

“Yeah I bet you would say that” Sasha replied putting her eyes into her head.

“Please, I’m over her” Zay half lied and he knew it, “and clearly, you’re not too hot for her either”

“I am…I like her a lot. Even love her I think”

“Welp it’s either your mind or your heart that’s wrong, so choose. And choose quick”

The two shared a look, and Sasha was dreading everything that just took place. But she knew Zay was partly right, she really needed to choose and to do that she had to understand her feelings, which she didn’t.

“Alright bro, I’ll talk to you later” Sasha twisted her mouth and hopped out of the car.

She headed inside, and wasn’t surprised that the downstairs was empty and there was no smell of dinner cooking. With a slight stomach growl she decided to whip something up, and was grateful for the last pieces of lunch meat that her brothers hadn’t gotten to yet.

She made herself a sandwich, and then took a seat at the table to eat it. Words couldn’t express how she felt at the moment, but for one thing she knew she didn’t want to talk to Lux. Only doing so would make her feel even more guilty for her mistake, however she knew she wouldn’t be able to run away from it for too long.

The silence that was causing her to overthink suddenly ended when she heard her phone go off, and she looked down to see Chris calling her. The two hadn’t talked in a while, and it was safe to say after their little argument things were a little awkward between them.

“Hey” Sasha half smiled in the camera, and was happy to see her best friend at the moment.

“Hey” Chris half smiled as well, moving his dreads out of his face as always, “What you up to?”

“Oh nothing…just hating myself” Sasha let out a breath.

“Why? Couldn’t get that perfect layover?”

“You mean lay up?” Sasha raised her brow.

“Yeah that” Chris laughed.

“No…it has something to do with Lux. And it’s really really bad”

“I told you she was a bad influence, what did she do?” Chris asked ready to hear this.

“Well actually, I…kissed someone else”

“Wow”

Sasha rolled her eyes, “Here we go again”

“Sorry, I just didn’t take you for the cheating type” Chris shrugged.

“I didn’t cheat. We just….kissed. For like a second, and she kissed me”

“Yeah” Chris snickered, “That’s cheating Sash. Hate to break it to you”

Sasha dug her head into her hands, and the total thought of her having cheated on Lux made her feel horrible. She knew now what Zay meant when he said be careful, and and she had gone too far with just being friends with Jaz.

“I’m so stupid” Sasha shook her head with tears at the brink of her eyes.

“You’re not stupid Sasha” Chris assured her, “You’re actually like the smartest person I know”

“No I am, I knew that Lux didn’t trust us as friends and I did exactly what she thought I would”

“Sash, don’t go so hard on yourself. This is your first relationship, with a girl at that. Plus, I’m not in Philly but from what I can tell you have your hands full. You’re in this whole new world, trying to figure shit out” Chris reasoned.

“Yeah but Lux has been the best thing to me since I got here, if she finds this out she’ll kill me. Probably literally”

“Most likely literally” Chris noted.

“I’m serious” she pouted, “What do I do?”

“You’re asking the guy who programs computers all day about girl advice….what are you trying to make the situation worse?”

Sasha twisted her mouth and shrugged, and Chris just shook his head and tittered.

“Fine, let me ask you a few questions”

“Sure” Sasha nodded.

“Why do you like Lux?”

“Because….she just gets me. Without even trying, she just knows what I’m going to say. She’s the only person who every really stood up for me and made me want to do it myself. I don’t know….a lot of things” Sasha responded as she fell back into her chair defeated.

“And why do you like this other girl, assuming you do” Chris asked.

Sasha twisted her mouth, and after a few moments she couldn’t think of anything profound to say.

“I mean she’s funny” Sasha shrugged.

“Bruh…” Chris smacked his face.

“What? I mean…she’s cool and we have cool convo but other than that I don’t think I like like her”

“Then why’d you kiss her?”

“Again, she kissed me but….I don’t know why I didn’t move. I guess…I just wanted to try it. Lux is the only girl I ever even been with or anyone, and I think that the fact that someone else liked me besides her was just…different”

“Makes sense…you were tempted. So, what are you going to do now?” Chris asked.

“What do you think I should do?”

Chris bit in the inside of his cheek, and while one part of him wanted to say just be with me, he knew that would never happened so he thought hard on the situation for his friend.

“If you really like her….you have to tell her the truth. Tell her…that you can’t imagine days without her because time would feel like it’s standing still. And that, she means more to you than reruns of your favorite classic show, because she’s just as classic. Mention the times you guys just…talk you know? Like about anything, nothing even and how no one else has the brain capacity to deal with your random shit but her.” Chris smiled in between his words as he looked over Sasha, “And when you apologize, make sure you note how stupid you are, for letting her possibly get away because you’re too coward to love her right. And sure, she can be mad but tell her, life without her just wouldn’t be the same”

Sasha really felt the power in the words, and everything Chris said she felt.

“That’s beautiful Chris” she finally responded wide eyed.

“Really?” Chris smirked.

“Yeah….can you like email that to me or something so I can ~”

“Sasha, really” he laughed, “Just…speak from your heart. Let her know how you feel, and soon”

Sasha frowned but figured Chris was right, she had to be honest and hope Lux would forgive her for the stupid stupid mistake.

She nodded, and before she could respond she began to hear the keys jingle in the doorknob. She peeked her head into the living room, and rolled her eyes to see Joseph coming through the door with a few extra bags besides his brief case.

“I’m going to call you back when I get upstairs” she spoke lowly into the phone, and Chris told her okay.

She disconnected the call, and quickly raised to clean her dishes so she could be up the stairs and out of his way. His footsteps became closer as he made his way to the kitchen, and she sucked her teeth under her breath because she felt out of respect she had to speak but inside it made her cringe completely.

“Where’s your mother?” Joseph spoke first and she was relieved for that.

“Upstairs, sleep I guess”

Joseph grunted as a response, and opened the refrigerator door only to ask another question.
“Where’s the leftovers from dinner?”

“Mom didn’t make dinner” she responded, turning the water off and wiping her hands dry.

“What the hell is going on around this place?” He spat.

His phone began to ring, and in efforts to take it he pulled it out and turned to Sasha.

“Go upstairs, I have a call to take”

Sasha did as he said, however stopped at the top of the step in pure curiosity. When all she could hear was mumbles, she rolled her eyes and turned back to her room because her plan to snoop had failed. Instead she closed herself in her room and began to get ready for her shower.

Which only turned out to be a half hour of thinking as she stood under the water. All she could think of was Lux, and she didn’t understand why she herself would do something so stupid and still had come up with no answer. She wanted to blame it on Zay for being a bad influence, but knew that would only go so far as she was responsible for her own actions.

Her thoughts only became more invasive after hopping out of her shower, and as she laid in silence in attempts to go to sleep all she could do was blink at the ceiling. Her phone rung once more, but this time it was Lux as the familiar ring tone was specifically for her. She scrunched her face, and wanted so badly to ignore it but couldn’t.

“Hello?” She finally answered on the last ring.

“Heyy my Georgia peach” Lux giggled through the phone causing Sasha to half smile.

“I’m not from Georgia Lux” she told her with a laugh.

“I know, but I can’t say D.C peach it doesn’t sound right. But anyway, what ya doing?”

“Just got out of the shower, how about you?”

“Mhhh just laying here really. Oh and guess what?” Lux said excitedly.

Sasha connected her brows, “What?”

“Huh? That’s not how guess what goes, you have to guess” Lux giggled once more.

Sasha could tell she was in a bit of a good mood, and that only made things worse on the inside.

“Ummm…you got an A on your biology test you kept stressing about?” Sasha guessed, twirling one of her curly hairs with her finger.

“I wish, but no” Lux answered, “I made a friend today. Like a girl”

“Ouuu, this is definitely news”

“I know right, it was so random. Well, when you ditched me she offered for us to hang out and I said sure. It was actually pretty fun. How was ball with the guys?”

Sasha twisted her mouth, and would much rather talk about what Lux had going on.

“It was ball” she shrugged, “The usual. But lets get back to this friend, what’s her name?”

“Valencia, you know the girl ~”

“Who Shamira said had pack weave?” Sasha finished Lux’s sentence and they shared a laugh.

“Yeah her, but that’s not pack weave trust me I can tell” Lux tittered, “But yeah…you know at first I was a little upset at you for ditching me ~”

“Will you stop saying I ditched you, babe?” Sasha chuckled already feeling bad enough.

Lux playfully sucked her teeth, “Anyway, us hanging out with other people was nice. I’m always with you and I have to start breaking out y’know”

“Well I wouldn’t say all that..I like when we’re together. I want to hang with you”

“I know babe but it’s not the same, I need friends not just my girlfriend and her friends” Lux explained.

“But Zay and the guy is your friends too, you’re free to hang out when us whenever. I don’ want you to feel excluded” Sasha said not necessarily wanting Lux to feel the need to branch out.

“I’m sorry to tell you this boo, but I feel excluded every time ya’ll talk about basketball and I just want to know what’s the next color I should get on my nails” Lux laughed, “But don’t worry I’m not saying all the time, just …sometimes”

Sasha nodded, “Okay…I understand”

“Awww, is my baby jealous?” Lux teased.

“I  wouldn’t say jealous…I just don’t want you to leave me Lux. You’re like the best thing that’s happened to me so far, and I know I don’t deserve you because I’m stupid and I’m easily influenced and I ~”

“Whoa whoa, where is all this coming from?” Lux stopped her, “Babe, stop. First, you’re not stupid. You’re actually like so far from it it’s annoying, and two you are easily influenced but I think it’s cute. You’re funny, and patient, and always honest with me…You’re the best thing that’s happened to me. So with that being said…don’t feel like I’m leaving you because I made one friend. I would never leave….I love you too much”

“You…love me?” Sasha croaked out, eyes wide.

“Yup” Lux answered without hesitation.

Sasha had never heard those words before, or often she should say as her parents never said it, neither did her siblings if you weren’t including baby Joe who was just that…a baby. And maybe a few family members at gatherings but that was just how they all said goodbye, and whenever they said it it didn’t hit her in the chest like when Lux did. It was a definitely a bitter sweet moment, the bitter a little more prominent.

“I love you too Lux” Sasha smirked, “A lot. And I hope you know that”

“I do” Lux yawned, “You let me have your pizza crust at lunch even though it’s your favorite part. That’s love”

“You’re right about that” Sasha laughed.

“But I’ll see you tomorrow okay…I love you”
Sasha bit the inside of her cheek, and although she wanted to say more she knew right now wasn’t the best time.

“I love you too”

The two disconnected the call, and Sasha couldn’t stop the single tear that escaped. As always she threw her covers over her head, and hoped she would at least get some sleep before tomorrow.

Zay blasted G19’s say slide as he attempted to finish his homework for class in the morning. He didn’t know why Mr. Reyes insisted on giving them so much homework, but in order to graduate he had to suck it up and do it. He was grateful that Sasha had been tutoring him because he was actually understanding the subject more, and it took him a quick twenty minutes to answer the questions rather just staring at them in confusion.

He was finally on the last question, and as he filled it out a loud banging came at his door. Knowing exactly who it was on account that he lived with one person, he turned his music down and opened the door expecting to see his father but was greeted with his aunt Kelly instead.

“Hey Auntie! What are you doing here?” He exclaimed, opening his arms for a hug.

“Ain’t no hey auntie me!” She playfully scolded him, “Why haven’t you called me?”

“Just been busy, you know school and ball” he shrugged uneasily.

“Mhhh hmmm, where’s your dad?”

Zay gave his aunt a knowing look, and she rolled her eyes as she took a seat at the edge of his bed.

“That man cannot leave you in here alone for days at a time like this” Kelly insisted.

“Why not?” Zay laughed, “It’s cool with me”

“Yeah I bet it is cool with you” She slit her eyes, “What eighteen year old boy doesn’t want a big ass house to himself?”

Zay shrugged, but was smart enough to not reveal the things he did when his dad was gone. He knew that his aunt was cool, however adults were only understanding up until they disagreed with something and then they shut the whole thing down. He didn’t take his aunt as the tattle tale type, but he also wouldn’t take the chances.

“So, what’s this?” She asked, moving her burgundy hair onto one side and pointing to the sheet on his desk.

“Homework” he answered, putting the final period and letting out a breath of relief.

“Let Auntie see” Kelly teased, and he jokingly rolled his eyes as she handed her the paper.

She looked it over and nodded her head as if to say she was impressed.

“Last time I talked to you, you said you we’re failing his class. I see you got ya shit in order” she commented.

“Yup, I got a tutor and she’s pretty good” Zay nodded, smiling as he thought back to Sasha.

Kelly bashfully smiled, “Ouuu she? Do I smell girlfriend coming?”

“Nah, it’s not like that. She’s just my friend”

“So why can’t she be your girlfriend?”

“Because she has a girlfriend” Zay chuckled and Kelly’s brows raised.

“Ohhh, got cha…sorry” she tittered, “Auntie has just never seen you with anyone. Are you gay?”

“What! Hell no!” Zay barked, looking at his aunt like she was crazy.

“Sheesh just a question, homosexuals are people too Isaiah” Kelly said trying to clean up her words.
And while she honestly didn’t think her nephew was gay she was just curious as to why he never had a girl around. Unbeknownst to her he always had a girl around, it was just never the same one.

In his mind he was too young to be in a relationship, and it was clear that he was a big hit with the girls and there was enough for him to go around. That was one of the main reasons why he didn’t understand why Sasha insisted on being with Lux when girls were always asking him to put the word in for them, unfortunately she always said no. As much as he liked both of his friends, he didn’t think love was for teenagers at all and they should leave that to the old people.

“I know, I’m just not one of them” he assured her, “And anyway, I was just with a girl today. But I don’t really like girlfriends”

“Mhhh….you have detachment issues” Kelly nodded and Zay rolled his eyes because she always tried to read him, “Here, give me your hands”

“Not this again” Zay sucked his teeth.

“Hands” Kelly insisted.

Zay hovered his hands over hers, and resisted to roll his eyes as she tried to pick up his vibes. Kelly insisted that she could read a person’s aura or what they were going through, and there was never a time she didn’t ask to read Zay’s.

“Your energy…it’s crowded” She spoke lowly with her eyes closed, “And it’s weak”

“What does that mean?” Zay raised his brow.

“That those around you aren’t necessarily providing any benefit…I also see a girl”

“Okay keep going”

Kelly smirked through her reading but kept going, “She’s a light, dim but it’s there. And soon, you will two will connect”

“Okay Auntie, I like that one. Do another one” Zay boasted as his aunt came out of her trance.

“Boy” she laughed flagging him, “One reading per visit. Just take what I told you and look out for her”

“Yeah okay, I won’t hold my breath. Girls at my school are like vultures”

“And what are you?” Kelly raised her brow as she stood up from his bed.

“An unproblematic Black king” he smiled.

“Ha!” She cackled, “I like the confidence”

“Thanks…so are you about to be out?”

“I think I’ll wait around for your father for a little while longer, we have to talk”

Zay nodded, and watched as his aunt stepped out of the room to make a call. As she headed downstairs he figured it was okay to shut his door back again, and plopped back onto his bed as he thought about her reading.

He never really believed them, although sometimes they were weirdly correct when it came to his life and how he was feeling. He definitely felt crowded, like all his life was filled with being busy whether it was school, basketball or just socialization period. He began to wonder who this lightly dimmed girl was, and if she was real would she be the one to make him think differently.

Leaning back on his bed he began to scroll through instagram. He liked a few pics from friends and family members, and then smirked when he came across Valencia’s post.

He admired how pretty she was, and had to admit she was definitely top five in school. However for some reason he just couldn’t get with the whole innocent thing.

Deciding to give it another shot he searched for her name in his call log, and twisted his mouth as he waited for her to answer.

“Hello?” She finally picked up the phone, her voice small and sweet.

“Hey…wassup. You miss me?” He smirked only to hear her scoff, “Yikes I’m guessing that’s a no”

“Do you miss me…from I don’t know earlier in the gym when you totally ignored me?”

“I didn’t ignore you, Valencia. I honestly thought you didn’t want to talk to me”

“Welp you got one thing right” she giggled and he frowned.

“Why you always busting my balls huh? I’m just calling and trying to be nice” he smirked, “Last time we left off a little…rocky”

“Sorry you’re right”

“I am? I mean, yeah sorry about that. We can try again another time…like maybe tonight?” Zay asked taking a long shot.

“Mhhh nice try” Valencia laughed.

“Thought I’d take a whack at it” he shrugged, “So, what you up to?”

Grabbing the basketball off his floor he began to lightly throw it up into the air as he waited on her response.

“Oh Nothing, just watching tv. How about you?”

“Chilling, what you watching? Love and Hip Hop or whatever girls watch”

“Funny, and no Bates Motel”

“Aw really I used to love that show. Too bad he killed ~”

“DON’T tell me” Valencia shouted and Zay moved the phone from his ear.

“Fine, I won’t tell you. But you’re not going to like it just know that”

“Ugh, thanks now I can’t watch the rest of the show” Valencia sucked her teeth.

“Why not? I didn’t say what happened”

“Yeah but if I don’t like what happens I’m not going to watch the rest of it”

“Seriously? You’re one of those people” Zay laughed, “The type that spazz out when shit doesn’t go their way?”

“Yup” she giggled.

“Now I know not to make you mad”

“You better not”

Zay smirked, and as he threw the ball up once more he replied, “I’ll try my best not to”

The two continued to talk back and forth, and to Zay’s surprise the conversation was flowing effortlessly. And while at first it was supposed to be a quick convo, hours passed and before Zay knew it they were up all night on the phone talking about any and everything. Eventually the two fell asleep on both ends, and Zay’s 7am alarm clock went off only moments before he dozed off. As always he ignored it, only to wake up much later.

“Shit” he groaned.

He knew if he didn’t get on a hussle he would be late to class, and he couldn’t miss first period again. Still, he couldn’t help but smile to himself when he thought about him and Valencia’s conversation. Maybe his Aunt was onto something after all.

After a long agonizing night of no sleep, Sasha finally found it in her to drag herself to school although she was dreading it. Class would began in a little, but she was spending an unnecessarily long time at her locker as she honestly didn’t even want to go because then she would have to face Lux. Talking to her was one thing, but Sasha knew the moment she saw her face that guilt would rush over her.

So instead, she spent the last few moments before the bell rung cleaning out her locker in order to give her more time to avoid her obvious problem.

Unfortunately for her, Lux was closer than she thought just as she turned the hallway with Valencia, the two talking as they held onto their black plastic bags of snacks that was mandatory before coming to school.

“Mhhhh hey sexy can I buy you a pepsi?” Lux joked falling back onto the locker next to Sasha’s.

Sasha glanced up, and although her heart was now in full drive she had to play it cool.

“If you buy me a Sprite, I’ll bite” she winked.

“Oop” Lux giggled, just before leaning over and giving her a peck.

She went to back away but Sasha pulled her in closer, as for some reason she felt she should savor it now.

“Yuck, love” Valencia joked, sticking her finger in her mouth.

The two finally separated, and Lux had to admit she was pleasantly surprised.

“Sorry” Sasha snickered, “Valencia right?”

“Yup and no need to be sorry, Lux is a lucky girl. I’m jelly, but you two are adorbs. See you at lunch Lux?”

“Yup, see you later girl” Lux waved.

Valencia headed off to class, leaving the couple alone in the hallway just as the bell rung.

“So someone missed me” Lux smirked as the two also started their journey to African American Lit.

“I always miss you” Sasha assured her, “Here, let me hold your books”

“You sure? Class is only around the corner babe ~”

“It’s fine, I got it” Sasha insisted, taking the books from Lux’s hand and the bag of snacks while she was at it.

“I’m watching you with my snacks” Lux playfully slit her eyes.

“Did you get me anything?”

“Yeah those nasty ass twislers you like”

Sasha began to dig into the bag, and pulling out the pack of twislers she stuck one in her mouth.

“Oof, real sexy” Lux joked.

Sasha winked and they shared a laugh, and as they turned the corner Lux accidentally bumped into someone.

The person dramatically flew back, and both Sasha and Lux rolled their eyes simultaneously.

“Oh, my bad. Didn’t see you there” Jaz shrugged.
“That’s fine” Lux smirked, “Just watch out next time”

Jaz rolled her eyes, and before the couple could walk away she turned her attention towards Sasha.

“Hey, yesterday was fun” she giggled, waving innocently and walking away, “See ya’ll later”

Sasha’s heart dropped, and in that moment she never disliked a person more. It was clear that everything was just a game to Jaz, and from kissing her to taunting her about it, at this point she was just getting off on torturing her.

“What does she mean, yesterday was fun?” Lux hissed as the two picked up their feet once more, “What the fuck happened yesterday”

“Nothing babe, her and her friends just showed up to the park and watched us play. That was it” Sasha lied effortlessly, and she had Lux to thank for that.

“Oh…stay away from her. She’s like a roach, you know they don’t die unless you squish them” Lux snickered.

Sasha threw her arms over Lux’s shoulders, and the two finished the short route to class. She laughed at Lux’s joke, but inside her heart was thumping so loud she could hear it in her ears.

Just deciding to let it go for now, she entered the classroom and took her assigned seat. As she did so her phone buzzed, and she looked down at her phone too see Jaz’s message.

Nothing to tell, right?

Sasha rolled her eyes and quickly deleted the message, and knew today was going to be a long day.

   
                                🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

       “I can’t wait until college man, I’ma have all the bitches in my dorm” Josh boasted over the lunch table, “TU here I come”

“Man yo ass gonna be at Community if you fail another test” B sucked his teeth, “And I’m going to Clark. What about you Zay?”

Zay let out a loud yawn and for once he was actually quiet as he sat and ate his lunch.

“Bro” B tapped him to get his attention.

“Huh? Oh my fault what did you say?”

“He asked what college you’re going to” Sasha snickered and Zay shrugged.

“I don’t know man, I applied to whatever my dad told me. Kutztown, West Chester, Bloomsburg”

“I’m thinking IUP” Sasha added.

“Now that’s the move” Josh said pointing to her, “I might just apply to that one”

“You okay bro, let me guess 5am practice” Sasha asked turning to Zay who was yawning once more.

“Nah, I was up all night on the phone” he said shaking the tiredness off.

“Damn an all nighter? I haven’t done that in a minute. Who was it?” Josh asked curious.

Zay looked up from his meal, and seeing Valencia and Lux headed their way a smile spread across his face.

“Her” he nodded and the group turned their heads to see the girls headed their way.

Sasha twisted her mouth because she wasn’t expecting Lux to skip class and come to her lunch that day, and she wasn’t exactly in the mood to have her stomach in a knot the entire time.

“Ya’ll staring bout hard as fuck” Lux laughed as she climbed her legs over and into the seat.

“Lookin at that big ass head” B joked, and she flipped him off.

Valencia climbed into the seat as well, and Zay moved her closer to him.

“Well don’t you look tired” she teased.

“Yeah, cause of somebody” he smirked, looking over her. He could smell her sweet scent from her body spray and even her hair smelled good as she wore it in a long fishtail braid, and he liked how her hair looked pushed back.

“I like your hair” Zay complimented her.

“Really?” She smiled, and the table raised their brows at the exchange.

Not because Zay didn’t flirt on the regular, but because for once he was saying a genuine compliment instead of being sexual or just a creep.

“Yeah really” Zay nodded, “You hungry? You need me to buy you anything?”

“Yeah she is” Lux jumped in and Valencia widened her eyes.

“Here you go” Zay rolled his eyes.

“Babe, let them do their thing” Sasha chuckled, “What are you doing here, don’t you have art this period?”

“Yeah but I wanted to see you, and Vee wanted to see Zay so it worked out” she shrugged, “Plus there was a sub”

“Oh…okay” Sasha replied slightly awkward.

“Why that, do you not want me to be here?” Lux asked and Sasha shook her head.

“Nah, nah I was just asking”

Lux twisted her mouth but decided to let it go, and the group continued to eat their food and talk amongst themselves.

Zay shared his tray with Valencia who didn’t want a whole lunch to herself, but still felt pretty peckish and as the two ate and talked Lux smiled to herself to see her new friend clicking with the guy she liked.

At first she was worried because Zay could be an asshole and when Valencia admitted that she liked him, she wanted to tell the girl to run. But seeing them now, she had to admit that Zay was doing a good job.

“Hey Zay, ya’ll going to the courts today?” Ciera asked approaching the table.

Zay raised his brow, and with a slight snicker he dismissed her.

“Nah, we probably won’t go” Josh answered for him.

“Thanks but I asked him, what are you too good to answer me?” Ciera scoffed.

“Clearly he doesn’t want to talk to you” Lux intervened.

Ciera gave Lux a once over, and instead of responding she looked over to Sasha and began to laugh.

“Girl…I would worry about your own if I was you”

“Same to you sweetie, and he ain’t yours” Lux smirked, although she was definitely curious about her remark.

The girl just rolled her eyes and walked away, and Lux let out a breath.

“What is it with everyone trying me today?”

“Your ass is crazy, that’s all” Zay chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, “Ya’ll tryna hang after school?”

“Nah not today” Sasha answered, knowing yesterday was enough.

“You sure babe, I don’t mind if you go” Lux shrugged, as she was trying this whole independent thing out.

Zay and Sasha shared a look, and Sasha shook her head, “No it’s okay. I want to see your new place anyway”

“Ouuuu new place. Do I hear ~”

“No, you don’t hear a party” Lux said cutting Zay off.
The table laughed and just that fast the energy was reset. Sasha was relieved, however she knew that the longer she held onto her secret the longer those who knew held a power over her.

And as much as she didn’t want to tell Lux about her mistake, she knew that she had to; Because if she heard it from anyone else, it would probably be over for good. She made a note to talk to her later, and could just pray that it went well.