Chapter 13

"Mom. I'm leaving now"

"That's your ride outside?"

"Yes maam. It's safe, i promise"

"I see that car picking you up quite often" she says in more of a persuading 'tell me more' voice.

"It's nobody for real"

"I wasn't born yesterday Nana. I wanna meet this mystery woman that's making you happy. You've been glowing lately"

Making me happy.

"I'll keep that in mind" I say then kiss her forehead and then head out the door.

"Hey Charlie" i say speaking first to the person in the car as Ty was outside opening the door for me.

"Well hello to you too" Ty says closing the doors behind her.

"My mom wants to meet you. 'The mystery woman who's making me happy' " i say copying my mom.

"So i make you happy?"

"You're getting off track"

"Not really"

"Yes i was talking about how she wants to meet the mys-!"

"So let's do it" she interrupts excitedly.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I'm down" she agrees.

"Ok. I can set something up"

"Cool".

We stare off out the windows in silence for a while.

"So i make you happy?" She asks breaking the silence.

"Uh Ty'Elle"

"Autumn. So yes?" She exaggerates pulling me into her.

"No" i joke looking away but getting comfortable in her arms, heads against her chest.

We ride in silence again.

"You smell good" I compliment her.

"You broke the silence this time"

"Cause you do"

"I know"

I shrug. Arrogance is her.

"You look pretty" she fiddles with my blue flannel.

"You too. I like your pants. Where'd you get them?"

"You want me to get you some?"

"No. I can get them myself" I enlighten her and sit up straight.

"Where we going?"

"Quit asking questions"

I shrug again and relax in the seat. Confidence. That's her.

A few minutes later, we arrive to this building that could be a skyscraper downtown Charlotte.

"You gonna tell me what we doing?"

"Can you wait til we get there?"

"Fine".

She opened the car door on her side and i opened the one of my side and got out.

"Aumani!" She shouted.

"What I do?"

"I was finna open the door for you"

"I can open my door"

"I'm sure you can. And hold it but I'm gonna do it when you with me OK?"

"Sure" i say knowing I'm going to hold and open the door for myself if not us both.

"Anything else?"

"And don't walk out into the street like that"

"Yes ma'am"

She grabbed my hand and i gripped hers back before letting go and realizing we were in public.

She got the hint but crumpled it and threw her arm over my shoulder and we walked closer to the building and abruptly stopped.

"Why we stop?"

"We here!"

"Where exactly?"

"Downtown. You said you wanted to go dow-"

"Downtown one day" I interrupted and finished the sentence.

"Why do you remember so much?" I blush

"Why not?"

I interlocked her arm with mines and we walked down the strip.

"What we doing first-?"

I got cut off by Ty' Elle snatching my arm and leading me into a building.

"I don't know about you but I haven't ate since breakfast. Even if you did, we eating again before we go"

The building smells really really good I don't even care about being seen in public with her.

I lied.

This lady waitress, about ye- high, ginger hair and eyebrows and a lip piercing eyes lit up when she saw Ty' Elle. I let go of her hand.

"Follow me" she said and started walking down a hall that led to a brown wooden empty room with tables.

"Ty you rented out this booth?"

"You said no buildings" she threw her hand up in surrender.

"Uh whatever" I kissed her cheek and sat down and she sat on the other side.

"What you got a taste for?"

"I'll get what you get" I shrug.

"So if I order clams and lobster, you gonna get it?"

"No" I exclaim in disgust.

"OK then" she sassed and handed me a menu.

I snatched it playfully and read it looking for something to eat.

"You girlies ready to eat?" An older white lady asked.

"Yes ma'am. I'll have..."

I studied the menu still as Ty'Elle ordered.

"And for you?"

"I'll just have the shrimp and chicken Alfredo"

Ty' Elle kissed her teeth as the lady walked away.

"What too much?"

"Too boring. And quit playing. You know I got you".

I rolled my eyes.

"What's boring about shrimp and chicken Alfredo?"

"Quit rolling them eyes Autumn"

"Ok. I'm sorry" I apologize sensing an attitude and grabbing her hand.

"And everyone always eats that" she finishes and grabs my hand back.

We hold hands for a while before the waitress arrives with our drinks.

"Here's your pink lemonade and your Arnold Palmer" she describes sitting down the drinks.

"What's up with you? I feel like we never talk about you" I ask Ty sparking up a conversation.

"We always talk about me"

"So why don't i know your real name?"

"You do know"

"I'm talking about your middle"

"You gotta find that out just like i found yours out"

"Ty' Elle" i semi- demanded.

"Autumn"

"You look pretty"

"You do too"

Breaking the staring contest, I excuse myself to the "bathroom".

"Hey" I say getting the waiter's attention.

"Hi. I'm sorry the foods taking too long!" She worked frantically.

"No no. You're good. I just wanted to pay the bill"

"But.. you guys haven't ate yet" she said confused.

"I know. If I don't pay now, I'll never get to pay. Just let me pay?"

She shrugs and I hand her a $100 bill and a $50.

"Whatever's left, leave it for your tip" I wink and walk away.

"You good?" Ty asks as I approach the table.

"Yeah. I just had to fix myself"

She bit her lip and I cocked my head at her.

"You're so cocky" I tell her about herself.

The waitress came back and we enjoyed our food.

"Which way first?" I ask Ty as we step into the cool autumn air.

"It's up to you" she replies.

I spin in a circle observing the scene. The tall building towering over me, stairs leading to anywhere and everywhere and the people boarding the train.

"Let's follow the stairs" i choose.

She shrugs and follows me, grabbing my waist.

An adventure awaits and I'm excited.

"I. Am. Exhausted" i express to Ty' Elle adjusting my body in the seat.

"Me too. Who knew your little legs could move so fast?" She agrees shutting the car door.

I shrug.

"You never move that fast"

"I just be needing motivation"

"You hungry?"

"No. Not really. You?"

She shook her head but her facial expressions said otherwise.

"What you wanna eat?" I ask her.

"I'm not hungry. And I'll not telling you nothing hardheaded".

"Girl you act like a nigga can't pay for you"

"Cause you don't pull out no cards while I'm around"

"I used cash" I say sassily being smart.

"Or cash" Ty' Elle rebutted

"You're so pretty when you get mad, you know that?"

"Quit it autumn. I'm for real"

"Me too.. come here"

Ty reluctantly scooted to me and leaned close.

My lips parted slowly.

But not to kiss.

"SIKE" I say swerving my head and pushing her head back giggling.

Seeing her rejected reaction made me laugh harder.

She grabbed my arms and pinned them down bringing her face to mines.

"Okay okay Ty" I laugh even harder moving my face away from hers.

"Uhn uhnt" she mumbled trying to get closer to me as we sled down in the seats like kids.

After seconds of struggling, I finally give in.

Ty who was straddled on top of me moved her face to mine.

I turned my head flat against the seat giving her access to my cheek.

She pecked my cheek and down my jaw.

"Ty" I moan.

When she got to my neck, I laid there allowing her to do. She kissed my neck lightly before adding pressure, making the light kisses deeper.

"Mm. Ty' Elle"

She flicked her tongue softly against my neck and sucked it.

Completely giving in, I throw my arms around her neck but she stops sucking and pushes my arms off and sits up and I do as well mugging her.

"What?" She retorts smartly.

I roll my eyes.

She chuckles lightly and scoots over to whisper in my ear.

"You coming over tonight?"

"No I can't. I already told ma I was coming home. Plus I got work tomorrow"

"Work?"

"Yeah. I got the job"

"Well what time you get off?"

"Why? You gonna come pick me up and bring me lunch?"

"Just let me know the times" she shrugs like that was her doings all along.

"I'm playing"

"I'm not" she shrugged in all seriousness.

I look out the window reminiscing on what happened a few minutes ago.

"See you tomorrow right?" Ty asks as she opens the car door.

"See you tomorrow" I assure her.

I kiss her cheek and thank her for the night and head inside.