Soon enough, Saturday came around. And I was preparing to have the house to myself after I eventually texted Xavier back last night and cancelled on him. He wasn't happy about it but I just wasn't in the mood, plus this morning my period decided to grace me so it's a good thing I cancelled. I've been dealing with cramps whilst stressing about what I'm gonna do with the files I stole, they've been sitting in my draws since yesterday. I don't even know if West gave back the keys, what if he told his dad what I was up to..... what if they checked the cameras. Fuck sake, why do I only regret my choices afterwards.
My thoughts are disrupted when I hear a knock on the front door, it was continuous so I did eventually have to get out of my bed and head all the way downstairs which was annoying. Whoever it is seems to have known the pin to get through the gate, all my questions were answered when I opened the door. I fold my arms, "Here to shout at me some more?"
"Well hello to you too"
I just look at him
Xavier sighs, "Come on Ree I hate when we argue"
Still I don't say anything, I know I was in the wrong but I'm upset and worried by what I've seen and I'm in so much pain as we speak. My boyfriend lifts up the paper bag in his hand as a peace offering.
I do love chipotle
I open the door a little wider and he walks in, "You gon stop me from hugging you or what?"
I shrug but Xavier lifts me up into one anyway, "Don't be petty"
I eventually hug him bag, burying my face into his neck as I try not to cry. Very off topic but I love how he smells, I could tell he was wearing the Givenchy cologne that I bought him for his birthday last year.
"You on your period?", He asks softly
I nod into his neck and he kisses my head, "Let's eat. You'll feel better"
I hold his hand as we go upstairs to my room, I'm actually happy that he didn't listen to me and came over anyway. I could use the company.
"I hate when you're mad at me", I murmur as we cuddle on my bed
He strokes my skin, "I just don't want you doing things that could put you in danger. Not even if it's for me"
I lift up my head, "Would you do anything for me?"
"Ree-
"Answer the question"
Xavier sighs, "Yes"
"Even if it meant getting into trouble?"
"Yes"
"So why are you so surprised that I'd do the same for you?"
"I still don't want you involved in this"
"I want you alive-
"And I want you alive. You think Treyvon would even hesitate to shoot a gun? Look baby I know that this worries you but I'm telling you it'll all be fine ok? And one of the reasons I love being with you is because you take my mind off all that shit so can we not talk about it"
"That was cute"
"Amariah"
"Alright fine I'll drop it" I give in before picking up the bag of food
"I do have a question though"
"What is it", I give him his order before taking mine out the bag
"How'd you find the house?"
"Pfft, what like he's subtle? I saw him stroll right out of there when my dad was driving us home"
"Ok well how'd you know what he looks like", My boyfriend says suspiciously
"I know a lot of things", I reply innocently
He narrows his eyes
"I asked Indiah"
"Hmm alright. What'd you think"
"He doesn't look intimidating at all, but maybe that's because I haven't heard him speak. He looks short too"
He chuckles, "Nah he's tall trust me"
"He don't pay his mamas bills?"
"I was surprised about the eviction notice, he's cold but not that cold. He usually gives her money"
I eat a forkful of my chipotle with pleasure, "This is the medicine I needed"
Xavier wipes sour cream away from the side of my mouth with amusement, "That's how I know you eating good"
I pat my stomach, "Always"
He then looks past me, "That's gotta change"
"What does", I turn back
He was looking at my photo wall
Zay shakes his head with disapproval, "Not one picture of me in sight. Too much of Indiah"
I laugh, "I'll frame a picture of us you big baby"
"Good"
"Oh yeah, I told my mom about us"
"What'd she say?", He asks wearily
"You're good don't worry, she finds it cute but she wishes I told her sooner. And she's probably gonna wanna talk to you"
"Yeah that's cool, we'll gossip bout you"
"Oh please"
I didn't actually tell her that he was coming round so I hope she's not back before then....
He grins and I hold his chin as I give him a kiss, "Just don't tell your dad yet cause then I can't come into your room without suspicions"
"Goes the same for you"
I giggle a little, "Yeah ok"
"Can I try something with your hair?", I then ask
"You can do whatever you want"
He took it out of the style it was in a couple days ago and it's just been out, I can't even remember the last time I braided his hair but I thank God that I can. I wanna do stitch braids with a zigzag parting, it'd suit him.
"Your hair just keeps on growing", I run my fingers through it as he continues eating
"It's my baby"
I roll my eyes "Trust me, we know"
He doesn't ever wanna cut it
Xavier is half Trini and half Haitian so his hair definitely grows nicely, and since he always has protective styles it grows fast.
As we're eating I just can't stop thinking about those files, I need to do something about it or better yet say something. Maybe instead of taking matters into my own hands and making things worse I should just give it to him, but all I know is I can't keep secrets from him.
"Babe"
"Hm?"
I bite my bottom lip nervously and he stops eating, giving me a look. "What did you do"
"It's not-....ok I did something but let me talk"
"Amariah", He says calmly
"Promise you'll let me talk"
"Talk"
the attitude is kind of hot not gonna lie
"So I didn't listen to you and I actually went to the station with my dad yesterday"
He frowns, "You-
"Ok wait no I didn't tell him, he was just going so I took the opportunity and went with him. Then I went into the clerks office so I could try find some shit-
"You did what"
"I'm not done, and you can shout at me and be mad at me or whatever but Zay the same way you wanna protect me is the same way I wanna protect you-
"But why the fuck would you break into the clerks office? Do you know how much trouble you can get into for that shit?" He scoffs
"I'm sorry but it's really hard for me to keep explaining the story when you're turning me on with your anger"
Xavier deadpans me but I'm being for real
"Look anyway the point is there were no files on Treyvon, he's like a ghost. But I think he's building a case for if you ever try to turn on him"
He frowns, "What'd you mean"
I open one of my drawers before picking up the two files and Xavier raises his eyebrows, "You stole a file-
"Not just a file. Yours.... and Malik's" I sit besides him as I give them both to him
Xavier opens his first before scanning his eyes over the contents inside, "What the fuck" He mutters
I sigh
He then opens Malik's before frowning at it, "He's tryna frame Malik for Lance's murder"
"Lance?"
"Yeah some client that Treyvon killed, Malik had nothing to do with it", His brows furrow even further as he continues to read everything the file has to say about his brother
"Look you can get mad at me as much as you want but I couldn't just sit there and not do anything"
Xavier kisses my hand with appreciation, "Look I love that you wanna protect me and I'm thankful you got these files but please don't do that again. You're the one thing I can't lose and you staying out of this is the best help you can give me"
Well when he puts it like that....
I sigh, "Yeah... I know"
"Come here", He puts his arm around me and I lie against him as we look at the file
"What are you gonna do", I murmur
"I gotta tell Malik"
I look up at him, "And Indiah"
"Mmm-
"Come on it's not fair, I can't hide it from her"
"Might have to, she'll tell our dad"
"But you never know, let me be the one to tell her"
He doesn't reply for a moment, "Alright fine"
â¢INDIAHâ¢
"We gotta finish studying"
"You always liked it when I did this"
I smile a little as Archie kisses my neck softly, he's right I do love when he kisses that certain spot. I hum in content as I hold onto his hair, "Ok yeah you're right. We can spare like five minutes"
His hand does a little exploring underneath the comforter and I giggle..... yes this white boy has me giggling, I couldn't believe it myself but here we are. I really like him.
"Mhm, figured you'd say that"
As we start making out an incessant ringing interrupts us, I thought that it was coming from his phone but it was in fact coming from mine. "Ignore it" I murmur into his mouth
Archie pulls away and I frown, "Hey-
"It's Amariah"
"Oh in that case give it to me" I sit against the headboard and Archie gives me my phone
I answer my best friends FaceTime call and pretty soon it connects, "Hey"
"Hey can you come over?"
"Pfft, she's on my time" Archie interrupts
"Oh. Hey Archie" She says amused
"Is it urgent?", I ask
"Yeah, kinda"
"Boooo-
"Boo you"
"You ok?", I ask wearily
Amariah doesn't look upset but I am a little worried because she said it's urgent, that can only mean I'm getting bad news. "Yeah...."
"Alright I'll be there in twenty minutes"
"Alright later"
I turn to Archie apologetically once the calls over, "Sorry I've gotta go"
He pouts and I kiss him, "I'll make it up to you" I say softly
"Just come with me to my game next week"
"But I'm already gonna be there..." I say confused
"Not as head of the cheer team, as my girlfriend"
I raise my eyebrows, "Girlfriend?"
We've never actually used that term
"Mhm"
I don't reply for a moment, "Could you drop me to Amariah's?"
"Indi come on I'm serious. I know you have trust issues but you know I want you and I know you want me. Be my girlfriend"
It just seems like a huge step, but if there's any guy who's been very reassuring then it's Archie. Hes wanted me since forever and to be honest I'm surprised he still does because I've blown him off so much, I don't think I have any reason to doubt him.
"Yes", I say softly
"Yes?"
"I'll be your girlfriend"
Archie grins before rolling us over and I let out a sound of surprise before he kisses me, "Perfect"
I laugh a little, "Alright come on"
It was kind of cute how happy he was, I was happy too
The drive to Amariah's house wasn't a long one, Archie dropped off at the gate and then I kissed him goodbye. He mentioned he was going to see West anyway.
I unlock the front door before entering my best friend's house, I expected aunt Dakota and uncle Treyton to be home but I guess not. I'm hearing a few voices..... well only two actually.
My brothers
I frown as I enter the front room, Xavier's sat on a chair and Amariah's stood behind him fixing a parting (that's when I notice all her hair tools out). She's almost done actually, shes done five stitch braids and is about to do one more. And then Malik's here.... I don't know why he's here at all.
But speaking of, hes just looked away from the window and at me. "Who the fuck was that?"
"Why were you watching me you weirdo"
"Why you not answering my question-
"Her white ass boyfriend", Xavier snorts
Amariah flicks him and he frowns, "Ow"
"Yeah it was meant to hurt"
"You aint even allowed a boyfriend", Malik says
"Why cause you said so?", I say amused
Amariah pauses, "Wait is it boyfriend now?"
"Yup"
"I knew it why didn't you tell me"
"I would've I just didn't think these idiots would be here", I defend
"Neither did I, I try to avoid Malik at all costs"
"Oh please", He replies
"Ok so what's the emergency"
"They're in deep shit", She says as she tilts Xavier's head against her
Malik snorts, "Aren't you the one that broke into the clerks office?...-
I scoff, "You did what?"
"Ok and I could've left your file but I didn't so be nice"
He nudges Xavier's arm, "At least you know she'd do anything for you cause that shits crazy-
"What are you guys talking about" I say annoyed
"Treyvon's building a case against them and he's gonna try to frame Malik for murder. Before you ask, yes I did a few illegal things to get those files but I can't go back now"
I frown at Xavier, "Wait a minute.... you're still doing shit for him"
"I been trying to stop but it's not easy Indi. I got stitches now"
I feel sick
"He stabbed you?", I ask quietly
"Yeah", My brother replies softly
"We have to tell daddy-
Malik kisses his teeth "See I told you, you should've kept your mouth shut"
"Oh so you wanted to keep this from me?-
"Yeah because all you wanna do is tell pops as if that'll make anything better, you're too soft-
"So caring about my brothers is being soft? You're such a dick"
"Me not telling pops is me protecting him-
"He's not the one who needs protecting!" I snap
Amariah's face softens
"Look I thought about it too but I wanna find another way", Xavier says to me
"There isn't another way, and the fact that you've dragged Amariah into this is fucked up-
"We didn't but ok" Malik replies
"Shut up. I'm not talking to you"
"Toughen up, we're both fine now"
"Stop you're gonna make her cry-
He turns to Zay with annoyance "I keep telling you she's too soft, now watch her go tell mom"
"Shut up Malik she's not soft, you both keep getting hurt what'd you want her to do" Amariah says with irritation
"You're both soft how about that, and with the way that you're moving it's gonna be you who ends up dead. Nobody asked for your help-
"Chill", Xavier says annoyed
And then all of a sudden there was a shift in mood, if Amariah wasn't hurt by his words before then she sure is now. Matter of fact she's pissed.
"Fuck you. You're the reason Xavier's involved in this shit in the first place so you know what I hope you do get framed because prison is exactly where you need to be. Nobody'll care"
He pretends to be hurt and touches his heart, "Well look who grew a back bone-
â¢AMARIAHâ¢
Malik's cut off by the sound of a hand connecting with his cheek, I sure as hell wish it was mine but it wasn't. It was Indiah's.
"Don't fucking put your hands on me", He grabs her hand and she looks at him with tear filled eyes
"Let them kill you, see if I care"
This time he for real had a look of hurt as she pulled away but that look was covered up quickly.
"Stay" I tell her softly
She sits back on the couch wordlessly whilst sniffing and Malik sits on the other end, I'd prefer it if he left.
It was silent for a moment as we all did our own thing, Indiah just went on her phone as she waited for me to finish Xavier's hair and Malik was still looking at his file. As I'm finishing up, Xavier places a gentle hand on my waist.
"Thank you for your help"
I shrug a you're welcome and he kisses my hand before letting me continue, I don't regret what I did for him. But I regret doing it for Malik too because it's clear he doesn't care about what happens to himself.
Once I'm done I hand Xavier the mirror and he looks at his hair impressed, he's feeling himself I can tell. I didn't tell him what style I was gonna do, I just told him to wait until the end. "Shit you did your thing with this one"
I smile a little and he kisses me, "No I'm serious you did"
"Well I don't know why we're surprised"
"Good point. Thank you", Zay replies as he gets up
"You're welcome"
"Hey", Malik interrupts as his arm goes around me
"What"
He gestures to the files, "If they were in the office then they're on the system. Someone's most likely going to investigate"
"I don't think investigators have seen it yet, it's just a fail safe. The clerk probably does him favours"
All this talk that they're having is giving me a headache
"Regardless we still need to get it off the system"
"Why do you make ideas when you don't have a solution"
"Weston", Indiah murmurs
I frown
"Who?", Malik says confused
She ignores him and comes over to me, "West. He's a hacker"
"Really?"
Indiah nods
"Isn't there anyone else?"
"I wish, but he's the best of the best"
so he must've got rid of the footage of me at the station, thank God. I was stressing
"Who's West?", Xavier asks
"He's in our social studies class" I reply
"Can you trust him?"
I don't reply for a moment
"Yeah, I can"
"Are you sure", Indiah asks me
"He saw me in the clerks office and got rid of the footage from their cameras. I'm sure"
"Think you can get him to get rid of the files?", My boyfriend asks
I nod
He sighs, "Alright. But if he says no then you drop it"
"Mari.... don't do anything else after that", Indiah pleads with me
"I won't", I promise
Malik eventually gets up, "What happens if you can't persuade your friend-
"I can and I will. But whether I ask him to get rid of yours or not is the real question-
"She's kidding", Xavier chips in
"Try me"
Malik rolls his eyes, "What do you want"
"An apology", I say simply
"A what?"
Indiah snorts, "Good luck getting that out of him"
"Yup, you want your file gone then you apologise"
"No"
"Nigga..... it's two words" His brother gestures
I'm happy he's on my side
We all wait and Malik glares at me, "This is ridiculous-
"Wow. A simple apology and you can't even do it"
He doesn't say anything for a moment
"I'm sorry"
"For?"
"Don't push it"
"It's your life on the line not mine" I remind him
He sniffs, "For saying your help wasn't needed and for calling you soft" He eventually finishes