LOGIN*JAMIRA*
Once I got into the car, my mind and body felt at ease again. Even a few hours away meant I could finally escape the prison that had become my life. I glanced at Ayana and suddenly remembered how much I loved being around her. She was the carefree, life-of-the-party type who always knew what I needed and how to lift my spirits. Just then, I felt a nudge and snapped back to reality. “Hey, let’s pregame,” she said, handing me a bottle of Hennessy. I reached for the bottle and turned it upside down. I didn’t intend to drink so much. But man did I need it. Within a matter of seconds I began to feel the heat of the liquor coursing through my veins. Next thing I know we’re dancing and screaming One Wish by Ray J, which was my favorite song. Yes I’m a lover girl at heart so it’s only right we blast a little bit of r&b. After riding for what seemed like forty days and forty nights we finally reached our destination. We pulled up to Club Rouse. The hottest club in the city. The building was illuminated with blue and green lights pulsing at the beat of the music, sleek windows , and a line that seemed never ending. As Ayana parked the car she looked at me with something in her eyes that told me she had something to say but didn’t quite know how. “Yana I know you ain’t trying to kiss me.” “Mira! What! No, eww”, she said with utter shock in her voice. What was I supposed to think she parked and started staring. I had to make sure. “Ok good. I don’t think I can go there with you. You suck dick”, I laughed. “Girl go to hell!”, she said just as jovial. “But seriously I wanted to let you know real quick that I invited Keema and Simone.” “What! Why would you invite them?! You know that bitch Keema act weird every time she around and Simone such a buzzkill it’s like going out with my mom or something!” Don’t get me wrong I don’t have an issue with Simone. She means well but it’s like she’s too busy being “mature” she rarely lets loose and enjoys the moment. I can’t even tell you the last time I seen that girl smile. She’s always policing everyone about how much they’ve been drinking, who they’re dancing with, and even creates a buddy system everywhere we go. Well, now that I think about it maybe she’s just looking out. Still she should be having fun too. Keema on the other hand makes my skin crawl. At one point we were cool, but now all she does is cut her eyes at me and says slick shit under her breath. I’ve never understood what her issue was or why she even bothers if she’s just going to be miserable looking like she just smelled somebody’s stale ass twerk wind. “Relax Mira I promise they’re not going to be on that tonight. Besides it’s your day and we’re here to have fun.” Like I said she always knew how to lift my spirits. Just like that I let it go. I don’t know if it was the liquor or the lights but in that moment I felt like maybe it wasn’t so bad. As we got out of the car the other two girls approached surprisingly in a decent mood. “Happy Birthday!”, they both said in unison as they pinned some bills to my dress. Wow I hadn’t expected that. I just knew I was going to have to prepare myself for some kind of foolishness from them, but this was actually quite nice. We took a few pictures together for social media and then headed for the line of the club. Good thing we left when we did because ladies got in free before 11 and we got there around 10. Right on time.*ERIC* After Jamira showed up, I can’t lie, I felt better about all the stuff that’s been going on lately. She stayed a while to talk and help with filing a few things for me. I actually like having her here. She’s really helpful. After going through a few cases and finishing up on two of them, I decided I needed a break. I went to go to Walt’s office. Once I got to the door, Dina, yet again was all in Walt’s face. She was sitting on the armrest of his chair with her hand on his chest. Seriously, what do these two do all day? “Dina, leave!” She hesitated and looked between us before running out of his office. Walt threw his hands up and grunted. “Why?” “Dina’s not worth the distraction.” Walt just stared at me a few seconds before returning back to work. “Hey, so I was wondering how Kacie was settling into her new place?” He paused. “Wouldn’t know anything about it.” “How was she when you helped her move the last of it?” “Fine.” “I called and she tri
*JAMIRA* Ayana and I talked and laughed as she recounted the events from her date and everything that happened afterwards. That girl still hadn’t changed. “Okay, but why didn’t you call me? I would’ve picked you up.” “Girl you too busy playing house with that man all up in your business.” “You see where that got me.” We both laughed. “Speaking of that, how’s the baby?” “He’s fine. I’m just ready for him to come already.” “Just hang in there girl.” I smiled. It’s amazing how a simple phrase can make you feel better than you did before. Even though I was happy to be talking to Ayana, my mind stayed on Eric. Ever since Kacie left he’s been down in the dumps. I thought if I surprised him at work, he’d feel at least a little better. Then Walt was acting strange like he didn’t want to be bothered. Eric would never say it, but I could tell he felt that the whole interaction was…off. “Hello, hello?” Her voice pulled me away from my thoughts. For a moment I’d fo
*ERIC* The move was not only bittersweet, but it made the condo feel bigger in a way I hadn’t imagined possible. The commotion in the morning, the laughter, even the routine I’d gotten accustomed to were all nonexistent now. I sat on the couch watching the game when Jamira came and sat next to me. She took my hand into hers and looked at me for a while before speaking. “You know we should do something nice for Kacie.” I nodded my head not fully processing what she was saying. She didn’t press the issue. I’m glad she didn’t. She just motioned for me to lift my legs up and started massaging my feet. That did more than I expected, actually. It was like most of the tension that had been building over the months was finally starting to ease. The rest of it melted away when I got in the shower. The water ran down my body and took my troubles with it. When I got out I found Jamira had already fallen asleep. I slid in next to her, not trying to wake her up. That night
*AYANA* “Ayana, if you don’t go back in the house and change, we’re not going anywhere.” “What’s wrong with it?” “If I show you what’s wrong with it, we’ll never make it out.” I rolled my eyes at him. Whose dad is this man? For the record, it’s nothing but a little cleavage. Sometimes the titty is the outfit. I thought it was cute. I stepped out in a denim mini skirt with a corset top and a nice pair of heels. I will admit that top was a size or two too small, but that’s because I wanted that lift. Jeremy didn’t appreciate it. He’s always thinking these thirsty dudes are looking at me. I keep telling him that’s none of his concern. He just keeps insisting on telling me to change my clothes. I went inside and found a cute bodycon dress that stopped mid-thigh. It was red with black straps. I paired it with a black leather jacket and my black chunky heels. When I stepped outside, he smirked and gave his ‘nod of approval’. He opened my door and helped me into my seat. “
*CHRIS* The next day, I went into work with dinner still on my mind. I never knew my mom was in such a state. She seemed perfectly fine when she came to visit me at the hospital. She even helped me around the room during my recovery. I hadn’t known she’d been lying. Neither did I know that she lied to my dad too. I wondered what else they weren’t telling me since I left last night. That unsettling flutter in my stomach hadn’t left either. It’s safe to say I didn’t sleep. Between me trying to find Mira and worrying about my mom, I might be on the verge of losing my mind myself. I didn’t talk to my dad about it because it was already late, so I ended up leaving, but I intended to talk to him about it today. The morning rush came early, and we were all busy trying to get everyone in and out. It wasn’t until around one o’clock that I was able to get enough breathing room to go address things. I went down the hall and knocked on his door. “Come in.” I walked in and sa
*CHRIS* For weeks I’ve been working to escape my own thoughts of Jamira. She really thinks I’m going to just lay down and accept the fact that she wants to leave? She has life all fucked up. The last time we spoke I made sure to let her know this wasn’t over. I intend to show her exactly what I mean. I’d been riding past her school looking for her for a week just to finally call and find out she doesn’t even work there anymore. That made my mission to find her harder, but not impossible. The following week I rode around and when I went to get some gas, I just so happened to catch her bald-headed ass friend Ayana. I made sure she didn’t notice me by sliding a little down in my seat when she exited the car. She was with a medium-built, medium-brown man with dreads and just a few inches taller than her. I wanted to throw my shoe at the back of her head. It took all of ten minutes for them to come out and get in the car. I waited another five minutes before I left. I







