i. Little One {8}

This one a little long 😭 enjoy tho!!

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Omniscient.

Next Friday,

October 2006.

School 📍

Laanville, Mississippi.

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Sahari watched Cateleya from behind a parked car. Cateleya was searching for her brothers, she found them and they left the school and walked in the direction of their house. The two of them hadn't spoken to each other since Cateleya told her to leave the park. Which was a week ago.

It wasn't like Sahari hadn't tried, but she also knew when she isn't wanted. So she's settled on just watching Cateleya from a distance. That way she still felt connected to her friend.

Ariel calling her a creep started to make its way into her head, but her mind quickly went elsewhere when she heard a loud honk. She saw a familiar car approaching the carpool lane and skipped to it.

"Wassup Little One" "hi beautiful" she blushed and waved after putting on her seatbelt.

"I thought y'all were picking me up from the house?" She asked because she knew her grandmother wanted her out of her uniform.

"We were, but Jayla wanted you to change into something you'll be comfortable in" Juno explained and Jayla looked towards the backseat and smiled. Sahari nodded, not thinking anything of it and looked out the window.

It didn't take her long to doze off as they were on the highway.

Sahari was woken up to Rayven sitting by the other window. It took Sahari a minute to realize that Rayven was real as she slowly scanned the car.

"She's awake" Rayven announced and Juno turned down the radio. "Rise and grind Little One. I got yuh a kids meal" Juno greeted, taking a quick look back as Jayla handed her a small bag with a cheese burger and fries. "Please clean up after yourself, he will have a heart attack otherwise" Jayla teased making Juno smack his lips as Rayven laughed. Sahari nodded and gave her a small smile, her body was taking a minute to fully wake up.

Sahari stretched while smiling at Rayven who was moving to the middle seat to be closer to her.

"I missed you at my sleepover" Rayven admitted "sorry I couldn't come" Sahari replied as she starts to eat her burger. "It's okay. My mommy says we're new friends, so it's going to take time" Rayven sighs. Sahari immediately notices that she used the same wording that Juno did.

"Do you want some of my fries?" Sahari asked "I ate while you were sleep" Rayven responded then grabbed her tiny pink purse. "I got you something" she opened it and Sahari tried not to show too much excitement.

Rayven pulls out two hello kitty bracelets. "I didn't know which color to get you, but mommy said Auntie Jayla said blue" Rayven puts it Sahari's hand. Hello Kitty was wearing a blue outfit and it had blue heart shaped beads. "These could be our friendship bracelets. Do you wanna be my best friend?" Rayven nervously asked.

"Really?" Sarahi asked in disbelief, she must've been dreaming. 'Why would she want to be besties with me?' Sahari thought, she remembered all those kids that were there at her party. Why wouldn't she ask one of them?' Her mind wandered.

"Are you sure?" Sahari asked, eyeing Rayven closely and she could feel Juno looking at her through the rear view mirror.

"I am. I wasn't going to ask at first but my daddy said that I can't just force you" Rayven huffs, loosely folding her arms. Sarahi heard Jayla snicker from the passenger seat making her lips curve upwards.

Sahari slid on the bracelet. "Thank you best fri-" Rayven squeals and pulls her into a tight hug.

🌊🌊🌊🌊

"Where are we?" Sahari asked as all 4 of them got out of the car. "My daddy's gym" Rayven responded, while looking around for said dad in question.

"Nigga should've been here 20 minutes ago" Anthony, Rayven's father and one of Juno's best friend's walked out the gym. Rayven was a mini version of him, from the dark skin and dimples to their walks and how outgoing they were.

"Just cause you drive like you in the fast and furious don't mean I got to nigga" Juno replied as they dapped each other. "Since wifey here I'm not going to expose all to driving secrets. Wadup Sis" Anthony responds as him as him and Jayla side hug. "Hey bro" she greeted as she mugs the side of Juno's head. "What driving secrets nigga?" She asked, hand on hip, brow raised. "Mannn" Juno shook his head and walked away.

"You can change into this" Jayla handed Sahari folded athletic clothes. "Can you come to the bathroom with me?" Sahari asked and Jayla stood, she was just waiting for her to ask. "No Auntie, I'll go" Rayven got up from sitting on her mom's lap and grabbed Sahari's hand. She started to lead her to the bathroom before anyone could object. "Well damn" Jayla sat back down and the group of women shook their heads.

"She is not playing when it comes to her bestie gurrlll" Remi, Rayven's mom made known, smiling. "I'm already knowing" Jayla smiled.

Sahari was surprised when nobody stopped Rayven from going with her to the restroom. 'Weren't they worried I'd corrupt her' she thought. She was starting to realize that these people were different than her grandmother and her church friends. She wasn't a disgusting dyke to Juno, Jayla, and their friends. She was a just a kid, like Rayven.

But the question came up... How long did she have until she was just a dyke to them? How much time did she have until Jayla and Juno would leave her like her mother?

Sahari froze when she heard a knock on her stall "almost ready?" Rayven impatiently asked. "Yeah, coming" Sarahi mumbled. She quickly grabbed the top and put it on but she had to do a double take when she saw the leggings. 'PANTS?' She thought and slowly slid them on like it would savor the new feeling. She had only been allowed to wear them maybe 2 times a year in the cold, any other time it was just a long thick skirt.

She couldn't believe it.

"Venny am I wearing pants?" She walked out of the stall and asked, just to be sure. "Yes, we're matching" Rayven noticed, excited. Sahari looked into the mirror then eyed Rayven and they really were. Sahari's was just wearing navy blue while Rayven's was in hot pink.

Before Sahari could say anything else Rayven looped their arms together and dragged her out of the bathroom. "We're ready" Rayven announced to the adults, excited her best friend was about to see her fight.

Sahari looked around the gym, eyeing all the girls around her age and some that were preteens. Some seriously boxing while some were horse playing with their friends. Sahari didn't know if she should be curious or nervous. She stood next to Juno as Rayven got in the ring with another girl. Rayven cheesed, showing a pink mouth guard and waved at her with a glove. Sahari blushed and waved back.

Sahari didn't know what was about to happen because she hadn't ever seen or heard anything boxing related. Juno had called her two days before and asked if she wanted to defend herself. Well to her it didn't sound like he was asking, but she agreed anyway because Ariel and her friends weren't leaving her alone no time soon.

Sahari's jaw dropped when the unknown girl punched Rayven making her stumble back. The two then threw back to back punches, mainly to the body until Rayven hit the girl in the head and she was backed into the corner. She shielded herself as Rayven continued to hit her.

The mini crowd starts to cheer and Rayven is pulled away and they start the second round. "Do you want to learn to do that?" Juno asked and Sahari doesn't reply, not wanting to disappoint him. She didn't want to learn how to box, just how to protect herself from getting jumped again.

After Rayven won 2 of 3 rounds they did, it was time for Sahari to go up there. She slowly walked, her fingers in a tight fist and stuck to her sides with her head down. All of the adult eyes were followed with pity for the little girl who clearly had no confidence. Sahari could feel their eyes and wanted to run off. She looked back and Juno gave her a thumbs up. "I'm Anthony. I don't believe we've met at this age" He smiled at her and held his hand out.

Sahari shook it and slightly looked up at him. "Sahari" she mumbled "I'm just going to teach you the basic. Is that okay?" He asked and she nodded. "Yes sir" he helped her put on a pair of black gloves. "When I put a block up, you hit it? Okay?" She nods. He raised it and she lightly hit it.

He chuckled "nah sweetheart, you gotta hit it harder than that. Remember you want them to leave you alone, show your strength" "but I don't have any" Sahari mumbled "you do. Try it again" he told her, firm but caring. She did it again and it was a little better than before. "Better. Again" and she did it agin and he smiled. "See you can do it"

They practiced more on her strength then he taught her how to move her body with her fist which she enjoyed. Then they took off the gloves and practiced bare. She then started using both hands to get comfortable just in case she had to use both one day, but her right was her strongest.

"Never put your head down. It might seem safe but you wanna make sure you can always see" Anthony explained. 'Never put my head down' Sahari repeated in her head, hoping she would remember it when the time came.

The next 14 minutes they practiced all different types of ways for her to swing. Sahari and Rayven even tussled a little, which neither child took seriously.

Juno and Jayla were talking among themselves when Sahari skipped to them with a satisfied smile on her face. "Did you see me?" She asked and they smiled at her and Jayla kissed her cheek. "You were amazing" Jayla stated "really?" Sahari blushed "yes, we're so proud of you" Juno agreed. It made Sahari feel a type of happiness that she hadn't felt in years.

The last time she heard someone was proud of her was before everything went wrong at church and she had a part in the church play. "Are you sure?" Sahari asked and the couple made eye contact then nodded in sync.

"So proud and we were wondering if you maybe wanted to spend the night and have a movie night with us?" Jayla asked and Juno could tell she was nervous so he wrapped his arm around her waist and rubbed her side.

"Are you sure? Because you can't take it back" Sahari asked, but before the couple could reply she squealed and jumped to wrap her arms around their necks. Juno chuckled and Jayla released the breath she was holding. "wait did y'all ask my Nona?" Sahari pulled away and asked "yes, we called before we picked you up" Jayla replied and that put the smile back on Sahari's face before it dropped a little.

"Did she tell y'all about my-" Sahari got closer "nightmares" she whispered. "She did and I'm prepared to kick Juno out the bed so we can snuggle all night" "hol on that was not apart of the plan" Juno joked "oh hush you big baby" Jayla teased and Sahari giggled. "Oh you find that funny?" Juno smiked "mhm" Sahari smiled and Juno started ticking her.

Before they left the gym Sahari asked if Rayven could also sleep over, but Rayven's mom said no because Rayven had track practice in the morning. Seeing the disappointment in the girls, she agreed that Rayven could go watch movies, but would be picked up later in the night which was better than nothing so the girls were satisfied and raced to the car.

All four of them were now at the house eating burgers and fries that the girls asked Jayla to make.

"I can't believe Snow White is your favorite princess. She's so boring" Rayven shook her head while dipping her fry. "She talks to animals and I like the short people" Sahari shrugged, taking a bite into her burger. "So does Cinderalla. Do you not wanna get saved by a prince?" Rayven asked confused "uh no?" Then the 8 and 10 year old side eyed each other. "Y'all are too cute" Jayla chuckled.

"Aunty Jayla did Uncle Juno save you?" Rayven asked and everyone's eyes went on Jayla. "He did and I'm thankful for it every day. But I think I saved him too. He's my reason to live and die" Jayla replied and Juno blushed and kissed her cheek, neck then squeezed the thigh he was already rubbing circles on. "That's so sweet" Rayven was in awe, she's loved love the moment she knew could understand what it was.

"I want Care Bears to save me" Sahari announced nonchalantly as she stuffed 4 fries into her mouth. "Oh I have so much to teach you" Rayven playfully replied and Jayla laughed. "Eat yah food guh" Jayla shook her head while Juno sat there with a smile.

After finishing their food the girls went into the backyard to play. They found random things to play with or sing and chant, it was Sahari's first time in a while just having fun without downplaying herself. They were back in the house when the street lights came on. "Y'all are going to take shower, we'll make a root beer's float and then pick out some movies. Got it?" "Got it" both girls nodded at Jayla.

"I wish my friend Cateleya could be here, she loves root beer floats" Sahari's mumbled to Rayven. "Why can't she?" "She's mad at me" Sahari replied, trying not to pout. "Who could be mad at you best frann? You're the best" Sahari looked down and blushed. Sahari thought Rayven was just so outspoken and she loved it.

"I tried to give her money to buy girl clothes" Sahari explained and Rayven hummed. Before she could reply Jayla called her name from the bathroom. "I'll be back" Rayven gave her a smile before she skipped down the hall.

Sahari sat on the couch and sighed. She missed her grandmother already. She was also surprised her grandmother let her stay over.

"Having fun?" Juno asked as he sat next to her, sitting his cup on the coffe table. "Mhm. I think Venny might really want to my best friend" Sahari smiled softly. Juno chuckled at her saying that because did she not already accept the request? "I think so too Little One. Is she your only friend?" He asked.

"Yes. Well...Kinda. Her name is Cateleya" Sahari grabbed the throw pillow and started fidgeting with it. "Did she do something?" He asked even though he already heard what she told Rayven. "No. It was all me. I just wanted her to wear girl clothes, but it made her sad and now she hates me" Sahari explained, feeling herself about to cry.

"Have you asked yourself why you tried to force her to dress like a girl?" Juno asked "so she can go to heaven" Sahari mumbled. "I'm not accusing you and you're not in trouble. I just want you to learn what you did and fix it" Juno made known as he noticed her closing up. He was trying to gain her trust, not only teach her.

"Who told you that you won't go to heaven if you wear pants every known and then?" He asked, already knowing the answer. "My Nona" "exactly not God nor the devil. Your grandma deserves respect, but she is not God" 'no matter how much she thinks she is' he thought.

That woman hadn't changed at all in the last 10 years he hadn't seen her, she might've even got worse. Just a menace who wants to control everything.

"Are you saying she's wrong?" Sahari curiously asked, and Juno hesitantly nodded. "It's not about being right or wrong. It's about minding your business. That might sound mean, but it's the truth" Juno answered then took a sip of his water.

"But I wanted to help her" Sahari pouted and sniffed "I get that and I'm sure when she's older she will too, but right now her feelings are hurt. She probably things you want to change her" "I don't... I- I think she's cool. I didn't meant to hurt her" "I know you didn't Little One" Juno pulled her into his side and rubbed her arm.

Sahari was just a kid and had already been through so much. The pressure and the paranoia of going to heaven or hell was starting to eat at her, just like Juno saw it do to her mother. He unfortunately couldn't save her mother, but he was going to everything he could to save Sahari.

"Do you like being friends with Cateleya?" He asked and she nodded while she wiped her face. "She's the only girl at school that talks and plays with me" "then you'll apologize" "and say what?" Sahari asked, her apologies were always to her grandmother, she didn't know how to apologize to anyone else.

"You'll say that you'll start minding your business and that her wearing boys clothes doesn't change how much you like being her friend" "what if she doesn't forgive me?" Sahari asked even though the thought made her stomach start feeling funny. "Then it isn't about you anymore Little One. You did your job, don't force it or rush her" he told her, but a part of him also felt like he was talking to himself also.

"Can you help me with my apology?" She asked and he nodded, loving the idea.

"Before Jayla comes back I wanna talk about something else" Juno told her and she got a little nervous, but for some reason she could tell he was too.

"You're not going to hell because you like the color blue or you want to wear jeans" he simply told her and smiled as he sense her curiosity. "God created the sky right?" Sahari nodded "he created everything" she agreed. "Exactly so why would he punish you for liking the color he made the sky? If he didn't want you to like the color blue then you wouldn't" Juno tried to explain in a way her child brain could understand.

"So I can like the color blue even though it was made for boys?" Sahari asked, liking the new information. "Yes and blue wasn't made for boys Little One, they used to wear pink all the time before you were born" "Really?" Sahari's jaw dropped "yes" "that's- wow" Sahari sat in shock.

"I'm telling you this so you can learn to stop being ashamed of yourself" Juno expressed. "Ashamed? What's that?" "It means when you don't act or like something because you're scared to be embarrassed. Or in your case it would be you're scared of being bullied or not going to heaven" he explained. "So I should stop hiding that I hate princess movies and rather watch Cars 100 times over?" She mumbled, a part of her relived she could finally say it. "Exactly that. There's nothing wrong with not liking princesses" 'there's none that looks like you anyway' he thought.

"There's nothing wrong with me for liking that stuff?" Sahari asked as she noticed Juno didn't talk about it with the same disgust her grandmother did. "Nope" "not even me wanting the new PlayStation for my birthday?" She asked. She heard all the boys in her class talking about it and she wanted it so bad, but she knew her grandmother would never allow it nor could afford it. None of that stopped her from wanting it or daydreaming about it though.

"Definitely not. You can buy all sorts of games for it, not just the ones boys usually play" "really?" Sahari asked in disbelief, believing her head would explode from all she was learning. "Yes Little One" he chuckled at her face. "That's so cool" she sighed, satisfied that some girl out there will get it. Juno smiled at her as he thought of where he was going to get her birthday present.

"I used to be like you Sahari, ashamed and hiding myself and it sucked" Juno told her, sighing. "Is that why you changed your name?" Sahari asked and he looked taken back "my Nona almost called you a different name the other night" Sahari explained.

"Oh well yes, it is" Juno replied, deciding to be truthful. "You didn't like your old name?" Sahari asked "I didn't like the old me. It wasn't who I was. I was forced to be someone who hurt a lot of people" 'your mother included' he wanted to say, but knew better. He promised to tell her when she was older. She's just a baby right now.

"Well do you like the new you?" Sahari asked, happy he was now himself now. "I do. I'm not perfect, but I don't hide anymore and one day you won't either" Juno replied. Sahari didn't know why, but it eased a part of her. "You'll be able to like the color in peace" "really?" She lowly asked, not believing it. "Really Little One. I promise" "pinky" "pinky" their pinky's connect and Juno kissed her forehead.

For the first time in Sahari's life she felt love from a man and she never wanted the feeling to leave.

The way I shortened this makes me a little sad but it was just too damn long 😭 on the bright side we're almost to Teenage Sahari so 😁😁🤭 bye y'all :)

03/22/24