#but i sat next to a fellow little monster and that dude was dancing in his chair so much whenever lady gaga sang that my own shook

[hiddenworldofmary]

saw “joker: folie à deux” with my parents earlier today and they brought me my new hobonichi for next year and some consolation trinkets 🤍 (i ordered from a local reseller instead of the japanese website due to international shipping costs being astronomical so i got myself some extras to balance the lack of the tricolour pen and little notebook)

[lostinsantacarla]

Devil Went Down to Georgia

(A request by @nyx-daughterofchaos98 A reaction to the song by The Charlie Daniels band. I hope you enjoy it. My apologies for taking so long.)

It was one of those rainy nights when the boys took their patronage to their favorite local bar on the wharf and hung out around a table near the tap, but not far from the old music box. Aside from the arcade, the humans of age liked to gather at this spot in particular, making it quite a loud, but cozy atmosphere as various sports and the like played silently on the overhead TV screens.

The boys blended in very well. Marko and Paul sat across from each other playing a game of Rummy, and Paul was actually winning this hand. Usually it was Marko on top of the lead in scores.  David sat in between them on a stool, putting him a little higher than the two, while Dwayne stood at the bar. The second in command had his eye on a young girl at the other end.

She was pretty, red hair and green eyes and her drink of choice was a cosmopolitan. Very much in her own world, ignoring the bustle around her, the sound of music inside her head surrounded her outside like notes of music on a sheet of paper.

Dwayne knew the song. It had been around awhile, and he knew what it was like not being able to get something like a song on repeat out of your head. Paul understood it too, although when that vampire had a song playing in his head, it was usually on purpose.

He glanced at David, who looked ready to step outside for a smoke, and maneuvered his way to the little music machine that thankfully time hadn’t forgotten. Of course, these days it was free choice, given the fact that everyone had smart phones with the ability to play whatever they wanted to hear. The selections seemed infinite and sure enough, the song was there.  With a slight click of a red button, the dial was flipped and ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ sprang from the speakers.

No one could deny the catchy tune as a fiddle started it off, and a few of the humans in the room looked up in surprise, making it obvious they hadn’t heard it in a while, but welcomed it back into their lives.

Marko was studying his hand, eyes traveling back and forth between it and the pile in front of them, determined to make his next move count when his leg started to dance absently under the table. If there was a devil in the room, it had to be him, though most always declared it was David.

Paul moved up and down on the balls of his feet, waiting almost impatiently for Marko to decide. It was then he realized that Dwayne had been the one to pick the song and while it didn’t surprise him, the choice was mediocre in his opinion.  All music had a ring to it, but this one in particular made him feel like he should have been at a barn dance. He gave Dwayne the look of, ‘what the hell?’ but didn’t say it out loud.

“How can you call yourself a musician, Paul, if you don’t appreciate music overall?” David asked, his tone as always calm and collected. The type of calm you had to be careful about deciphering just in case there was a storm behind it. In this case, he was only giving his fellow comrade a hard time.

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate,” Paul explained. “Just not something I’d pick for myself. Dude, are you gonna go or what?” He reached out and kicked Marko in the shin.

“The fuck, dude?” Marko asked. He’d been listening to the lyrics while contemplating his winning strategy and gave David a look. They were always looking for the next soul to steal as the song proclaimed.

“What made you pick this one?” David asked Dwayne.

Dwayne remained silent but raised his beer and tipped it towards the young lady, who was blushing behind her cocktail.

‘It was on her mind.’ He told the three of them through their mental means of communication.

More lyrics filtered through as Marko finally made a move.

‘Johnny you resin up your bow and play your fiddle hard 'Cause hell's broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals the cards

And if you win, you get this shiny fiddle made of gold But if you lose, the devil gets your soul…’

He threw his hands up, the winner at last and Paul tossed his cards into a disastrous pile on the table.

“Dare me not to jump up on this thing and do a jig,” Marko chuckled, turning to lock eyes with the ‘winner’ of the song of choice for the night.

Paul turned to her as well, as did David and Dwayne, and while their looks were curious, the predator inside was always lurking under the surface. It made them appear menacing even when they weren’t trying to be, and the girl spit out part of her drink.

‘The devil opened up his case and he said, "I'll start this show" And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow

He dragged the bow across the strings, and it made an evil hiss The band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this’

David smiled and stood to take a bow. Paul nodded and started to tap the top of the table, giving up and giving in to the jam. Marko sat back for a moment, aloof and relaxed, a coy smile on his face before getting up to retrieve a shot of whiskey for all four of them. That left Dwayne wide open. The question was, would the lady take his challenge?

‘When the devil finished johnny said "well you're pretty good, old son But sit down in that chair right there and let me show you how it's done”’

To his surprise, she cleaned away the spilled alcohol, sat up straight and raised a hand to get the bartenders attention. Before he’d even made his way halfway, she said very loud and clear, “Four blowjobs for these boys in front here,” and she pointed at each.

Paul, naturally, was the first to lose his shit, a combustion of laughter that left him sweeping most of the cards off the table with his movement alone. No one needed them anymore anyway. “I’ll take one of those any night, sweet cheeks,” he declared. If this were the song that did it, he couldn’t argue it either anymore.

Marko’s grin turned downright seedy. He applauded her and accepted as well, temporarily leaving behind the whiskey. It was a little sweet for his liking, but how could any of them resist a good blow job?

Dwayne was actually laughing and with David’s approval he waved her down to join them as the shots were prepared and set out in front of them.

Thank goodness for alcohol and its stimulant effect on the young lady, making her deny the fact that these four were monsters. Or perhaps she was just in the mood for a good challenge as the song noted and they were four devils that weren’t going to win this showdown.

David at first was reluctant as always to put himself in such a vulnerable state out in public, but he gathered with his gang. Each of them took a seat at the card table, drink in front of them and with their hands behind their backs, they took the shot, tilted their heads up and drank. Boom. The knock of glasses hitting wood rose, as did their faces, whipped cream on their upper lips.  

The young lady got a good laugh as the song was coming to its close.

‘The devil bowed his head 'cause he knew that he'd been beat And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at johnny's feet

Johnny said, "devil, just come on back if you ever want to try again I told you once, you son of a bitch I'm the best that's ever been"’

“You boys wanna go again?” she taunted.

“Come sit down on my lap,” Dwayne invited, patting his knee. “Then we’ll talk.”

In that moment she probably thought she’d beaten the devil, or possibly his four demons, but in reality, she had no idea what she was in for.

[unconsciouscelestial]

More than Fellows

For @adorible Sorry this took longer than I anticipated, I hope you like it

      You had been dreading this week for quite some time. Your horribly racist cousin David was getting married, and your grandparents desperately wanted you to come. He was racist in every which way, monsters, humans, just a right xenophobic asshole. But your grandparents hadn’t seen you in a while, and didn’t have time to visit outside of the wedding. You had agreed originally to go with the idea that your partner at the time would come along, but just two weeks prior you both had called the relationship quits. You sat at your desk, listening to some Type O- while searching dating profiles. You didn’t really want a real date, just someone who would come along as a friend but pretend to be a real date. Then a profile popped up that made you cackle with glee! A scary skeleton monster with sharp teeth. Oh this would really rub David the wrong way, but he wouldn’t really be able to do boo with the family there. Hopefully this skeleton dude would go along with it? You figured honesty was best policy here, all cards on the table. You reached out and messaged them.

[You: Hey. I have a proposal if you’re up for it. You seem like a cool guy, and I need a as-friends date for a (racist) cousins wedding. Really piss him off ya know? You’d have to pretend to actually be my date though, I know it’s kinda cliche but no pressure. ]

The reply was instant.

[Sans: what do i get outta this?]

Oh. Huh. You hadn’t really thought of that.

[You: I dunno... I mean obviously free food and drink? But what would you want that would make it worth your while?]

You hit send before you realized the implications that could be taken from that. Shit. You hoped that he wouldn’t notice or use that to his advantage. You worried at your bottom lip thinking of something else to offer, when the notification of a response went off.

[Sans: free food & drink is good. I wanna bring my bro too though. He can be 2nd date if ya want]

WHAT?! I mean, that be hilarious as heck, but the gossip to be had for months about you after that...screw it. It’s totally worth it.

[You: you know what? That sounds freakin hilarious and awesome to be honest. Sure. Bring your brother along. Do you guys wanna meet up sometime before the wedding to talk things over or something? It’s in five days]

[Sans: hahaha srsly? You’re killin me. Alright. There’s a band I like comin' to town, quiet little bar though. Wanna go to that?]

[You: sure, heres my number. Txt me the details. xxx-xxxx]

     The two of you texted back and forth for a while, he added his brother to a separate group chat too. His brother Papyrus came across a bit blunt and intense but it was refreshing, and kind of cool. You thought it was a bit odd that Sans called Papyrus Boss, but they shrugged it off and you put it to rest.

     You guys all met up at the bar in the middle of the week, it was good food and drink. There had been some time to discuss plans while eating, and you quite enjoyed the kickass music. Both Sans and Papyrus seemed to have a good time, which made you feel better about the whole thing. You would even say that you could do this again, they were pretty awesome guys to hang out with.

     The morning of the wedding you got ready in excitement. You were wearing a high waisted crimson pantsuit with big black buttons. You had left the jacket open to show the gorgeous black chiffon blouse you wore. It had a high neck with ruffle detail, and a soft crimson rose and faded black leaves pattern. On your feet you had thrown on ankle high flat leather boots, and you had done your makeup and hair just the way you liked. You were pacing around in your foyer, all your doubts starting to creep up on you. What if David decided to say something anyway? These guys were cool, you really didn't want to put them through that. Your thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell, and you grabbed your wallet, phone and keys and answered the door.      Both Sans and Papyrus were waiting for you at the door, and your jaw just about fell off. Papyrus was wearing a black satin suit and dress shirt, the jacket lined with crimson. He had a crimson tie and gloves as well, and his black leather belt was adorned by a gold skull buckle. Sans was wearing black slacks and dress shirt, a crimson vest, and black suspenders. His suspender clasps were little gold bottles of mustard. 

“Ya got a little somethin there...” Sans chuckled, while pointing to your chin. 

You felt your face flush, and you swatted his hand jokingly away from you. “Shuttup I do not.” “YES, WHILE THE STATE OF YOUR SHOCK AT SANS ABILITY TO 'CLEAN UP' IS QUITE AMUSING, I BELIEVE WE MUST BE OFF,” Papyrus pointed out, gesturing toward a black 2021 Chevrolet Camaro. He opened the passenger door for you to slide in the back. You opted to sit behind Sans as you figured Papyrus would need the leg room.

     You arrived at the venue, and after finding parking (Papyrus didn't trust the valet) you walked in with a skeleton on each arm. You found your grandparents and approached them, quietly introducing Sans and Papyrus. Your grandpa just huffed but shook both their hands anyway. Papyrus kissed your grandma's hand however and she almost burst into a fit of giggles, and she winked at you. You all shared a row, another couple sitting on either end. The wedding was okay; the furious look David shot you while he was waiting for his bride, filled you with a sense of justice. After the wedding at the reception you were relieved to find that you were sitting at your grandparents table. There was a moment where the ushers almost didn't let Sans and Papyrus come in, but when you made it explicitly clear that they were your dates you were all let through. Both skeletons went to pull out your chair, but you had pulled out two for them on either side of you. You all grinned sheepishly and sat down. In hindsight you were glad that you were all at an “extra” table so the fact you brought two dates was okay. Just goes to show you how David really felt about you and your accepting grandparents. Supper and speeches went by relatively quick compared to what you've witnessed in the past, and soon it was time to dance. The bride and groom had their dance, and went on to socialize with their guests. Papyrus stood, and offered his hand out to you to dance. You placed your hand in his and he led you out on to the dance floor. Papyrus was an amazing dancer and you told him as much.

“You Aren't So Bad Yourself Y/n” he said softly on the top of your head.

The song ended before you knew it, and you two were interrupted by Sans. The next song was slower, and Sans pulled you in close.

“you look stunnin' tonight y/n, just wanted ya to know,” he hummed in your ear. You were glad your face was in his shoulder, it hid your warm face well. The dance was rudely disrupted by the announcer calling out for the bouquet toss. You got the heck out of dodge and tried to avoid the clamoring group starting to gather. You stood back enough that you hoped you wouldn't get trampled. However, just as the bride tossed the bouquet, Sans playfully pushed you into the group and the flowers fell right onto your head and bounced into your arms. Sans was damn near rolling on the floor, and even Papyrus was covering his mouth attempting to cover up his chuckling. You grinned, and took the opportunity for humour. Clutching the flowers tightly you ran across the dance floor throwing individuals flowers back at the group chasing after you. The bride was laughing so hard she was crying, but David was seeing red. He grabbed the microphone from the announcer and spit furiously into it, “ENOUGH!! Y/N, GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WEDDING AND TAKE YOUR FILTHY HORRIBLE MONSTER SCUM WITH YOU!” 

Your grandparents, quite a few people from both sides and even the bride stared at David in shock. Sans’ eyelights had gone out, and Papyrus looked like he was itching for David to say more. You threw the rest of the bouquet on the floor as hard as you could, dusted yourself off, and stuck both middle fingers up at David. 

“Get wrecked you xenophobic prick” you called out, and pulled your dates out the door with you.

     Sans teleported the three of you to a nearby empty park. After the initial shock of teleportation, the three of you spent the rest of your night chatting away while stargazing and eating a box of petite fours that Sans had nabbed. You got a message from your grandparents at one point, apparently the bride threw the ring at David's face after y'all had left and you grinned. You watched the skeletons bickering for a moment and you felt happy, cozy and warm. Maybe this was going to be more than you bargained for, but you didn't mind one little bit.

[whatevertbbhhb]

Amnesia (Loki x Reader songfic)

Word Count: 2070

This was inspired by the 5sos song “Amnesia”

 Its really badly written angst, I guess

I drove by all the places we used to hand out getting wasted

Y/N slid into the stool next to me.

“Cmon Loki!” She urged “Just one drink!”

“I don't wish to become like my obnoxious, frankly quite rowdy brother.” I mumbled in response, sipping at my water.

She scoffed. “Loki I’m sure that you would be a much more dignified drinker than your brother.”

My expression remained stoic, however, and she took note.  

“Allright then. Suit yourself.”

“Come lady Y/N let us dance.” Thor boomed, appearing by my side and making me cringe. She took his outstretched hand and began to dance with Thor.

I tried to calm myself down. Assure myself that there was nothing between Y/N and Thor, but i couldn't shake my feeling of discomfort. I snatched up a shot from the tray beside me and downed it in one go.

“Y/N” I tapped her shoulder and she turned to face me. Her cheeks were pink and her hair was slightly damp as she squealed and grabbed my arm, pulling me deeper into the crowd.

“Loki stop being so stiff!” she laughed, swinging her hips. As the alcohol began to take its effect, I slowly felt myself begin to let go as well as I placed my hands on her hips and began to dance.

I thought about our last kiss how it felt the way you tasted

“That up there,” I said, guiding Y/N’s arm to the right angle, is Sirius, and that's Auriga. Right next to that bright star, way to left, is Sagittarius.”

“Wow, you sure do know a lot about stars” she said in awe. Her head was resting on my chest and we were surrounded by a cocoon of blankets up on the roof of Starks tower.

“I used to enjoy spotting constellations with my mother back on Asgard. She taught me all that I know.”

“ You know, I never thought that I could experience love, not after my mother died. Who could love a creature-”

“Loki…” she cut me off  “Don’t speak like that your brother-”

I cut her off “Until I met you. Love, you complete me and I don’t deserve you.”

“Loki, you deserve so much more than me. Don’t ever think for a second that you don’t deserve love; every single person on this planet has a chance for love and redemption, and you seized that chance.”

I tilted her head up so that I could see her eyes. She fluttered them closed and leaned in to place her plump lips on mine. Her hair felt soft as I ran it through my fingers, and her lips tasted like the hot chocolate that she had been drinking.

And even though your friends tell me your doing fine

Are you somewhere feeling lonely even though hes right beside you

“Y/N and Eric make a great team.” Said Tony, strutting into the kitchen with an empty glass in his hand. “I just got off a meeting with Fury and Y/N. It was a good idea teaming them up, the mission is going exactly as planned.”

“What exactly does the mission entail” Clint asked, leaning over the back of the couch to look at Tony. He had just come back from a vacation with his family so he still had to be filled in on certain things.

“Y/N and Eric Eisenhart went to New Mexico. Fury wants to start a S.H.I.E.L.D chapter there, that way we have response teams available faster. Eric is one of the higher ranking S.H.I.E.L.D agents.”

Clint nodded in understanding. “And Y/N was willing to leave everyone here?” Clint asked, surprised. He knew you as a deeply affectionate and caring person who loved her friends, and was shocked that you would pack up and leave everyone so quickly.

Tony looked up from washing the glass to see Loki slip away from the kitchen.

“She asked for the mission” he said in a hushed voice.

“And her and Loki?” Clint questioned, equally quietly, gesturing to the door Loki had just left from.

“She broke up with him. One day, they were happily, quite grossly might I add, in love, and the next she was running out of his room demanding I send her on the farthest possible mission.”

“What did the douche do to her?” Clint growled, cracking his knuckles.

“Slow down there Buckaroo. As far as we know, nothing. I even watched F.R.I.D.A.Y’s recordings and it was her choice. I’m not a big fan of Reindeer Games, but Hell, poor dude doesnt deserve this.

when he says those words that hurt you 

do you read the ones I wrote you?

I sat down on the hotel bed after a long day of looking for real estate for the new S.H.I.E.L.D chapter. As my head hit the pillow, I heard three consecutive bangs on the door.

“Come in” I wearily called, still lying down on the bed. Eric charged in.

“Y/N what are you doing lying down?” he screamed. “We are way behind schedule and you are lying down!”

“Eric, calm down, we are not behind sc- “

“We are!” He cut me off “Just because your Avengers ass can save the world with your own powers doesn't mean the rest of us can. You shouldn't have come on this mission! Just because you wanted to get away from your ex doesn't mean you have to botch up the security of-”

He was cut off as I used my powers to slam him into the hallway. I banged the door shut and let out a choked sob. I never wanted to leave Loki. He was my everything, my life and now, now i can't even talk to him. His father threatened to smite me if I continued seeing his son, and he forced me to never speak to him again. Odin continued by saying that I could not be with his son, or not only my life, but his too would be in danger, and I love Loki too much for that. I collapsed on the bed and snatched up my phone, scrolling to the beginning of my text message history with Loki. Without him, nothing would ever be the same.

Sometimes I start to wonder was it just a lie

If what we had was real how could you be fine?

I slammed the door shut behind me as I entered my room. Yes why did Y/N want to leave everything behind. It was that Eric guy I’m positive. He stole my Y/N and she went with him. So much for everyone deserving love.

Cause I’m not fine at all

I can’t take it. How could she do this to me. “HOW” I screamed. She promised. “YOU PROMISED” I flung my dresser across the room. I smashed my bed and threw objects everywhere. Falling to the ground, I screamed my throat raw.  I am a monster, I guess, so why not act the part.

I remember the day you told me you were leaving

I remember the makeup running down your face

I woke up to see Y/N packing a suitcase.

“You have a mission?” I asked, confused. She sniffled and continued packing. Y/N, what's wrong love?”

“Don't call me that.” She said.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“I said, don't call me love. Your not capable of love.”

“Y/N?” I asked, hurt. “don't say that.”

She stood up, dragging her suitcase behind her and shoved me out of her way. “I can't love a mon-monster” she said and ran out the door.

And the dreams you left behind you didn't need them

Like every single wish we ever made

I locked myself in my room. Y/N, the one person who truly loved me, or so I thought, had called me a monster. Through my tears, I saw a glistening object on the desktop. the promise ring I had given her was lying on the desk, along with every last shred of hope I had that she still loved me.

I wish that I could wake up with amnesia

and forget all of the stupid little things.

Thor barged into the room. “

What did you do to Y/N brother?!” he roared, squeezing me by the shoulders.

“Do you think I asked for this?” I looked up at him with despair. “She just left.”

“He’s right.” Tony said from the door. “Y/N said he didn't do anything.”

“WELL THEN WHY DID SHE LEAVE?” I screamed

“She said she didn't, well she didn't love you anymore.” he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

I went limp in Thor's arms.

“Brother…” he said, “I-”

“DON'T” I screamed.  “JUST LEAVE ME! I JUST WISH I COULD FORGET EVERYTHING”

like the way it felt to fall asleep next to you

And the memories I can never escape

“Whatcha reading?” Y/N asked, resting her head on my shoulder.

“A Midgardian play, this Shakespeare fellow was quite the talented man.”

She fell back on the pillow and wrapped her arms around my waist. “Mmk, just shut the lights when you finish. I wanna cuddle.”

“My darling, you know I always have time to ‘cuddle’ as you call it.”

She smiled as I marked my page and reached over to turn off the lamp.

“Love you” she said as she snuggled her face to my chest. I stroked her hair with one hand and place the other on the small of her back.

“I love you too my darling.”

Cause I’m not fine at all

The pictures that you sent me are still living in my phone,

I’ll admit I like to see them I’ll admit I feel alone

I sat in the rubble that was formerly my room and turned on the device Midgardians so often had their faces glued to; a cell phone. Countless photographs of Y/N were still on my collection of photographs. Her smile was frozen, caught in that moment, a moment of pure joy. Something that she apparently could not experience with me.

And all my friends keep asking why I’m not around

“Brother, I know it is not easy after…”

“Just get on with it”

“Loki you need to come outside.”

“I go on missions with you and your stupid society of Avengers.“

“Loki that's not enough. You need to focus on your own health.”

“How can I without her, Brother?

It hurts to know you’re happy yeah it hurts that you’ve moved on

It’s hard to hear your name when I haven’t seen you in so long.

“Reindeer Games, get down to the briefing room, were having a meeting” Starks voice boomed through the PA system in the tower.

I quickly cast an illusion to hide my wrecked state and made my way downstairs.

“All right now that you’re here we can start” The Black Widow said, standing up as I entered the briefing room. I was in a dazed state as she began droning on about logistics and charts, and I was just about to fall into a doze when I heard her name.

“The new S.H.I.E.L.D chapter is going very well,  Eric and Y/N are…”  And my mind collapsed. My illusion fell away as I ran out of the room.

If today I woke up with you right beside me.

Like all of this was just some twisted dream

I hold you closer than I ever did before

And you would never slip away and

you would never hear me say

I couldn't take it anymore. I had to see her. I cast an illusion of my lovely Y/N with a shaky hand. I was warned against casting too many illusions; spend too much time with illusions and reality will begin to slip away, but what difference would it make. My reality, my Y/N had already slipped away. Her illusion stood in the middle of the room, her face neutral and still. I slowly approached her and traced the outline of her face.

“Y/N my love- I'm sorry I wasn't good enough.”

Cause I'm not fine at all

No I'm really not fine at all

Tell me this is just a dream

Cause I'm really not fine at all

Does anyone want a part 2?

[psychnerd47]

Monster College Part 2

Rating: G, warnings none. 

Characters: Jackson Jekyll/ Holt Hyde, Invisi-Billy, Deuce Gorgon,  Frankie Stein, and Operetta

Invisi-Billy pulled out his phone, and started to call Abbey.

“Um, hey Abbey, it’s Billy.”

“Why are you calling so early in the morning?” the abominable snowwoman asked abruptly.

“Heath, has an 8:00 class, but he is still asleep, I was wondering if I should awaken him?”

  “You are not his mother, but if you think it’s a good idea?” Abbey added.

 The disappearing boy walked over to Heath’s bed and gave him a slight shove. But Invisi-Billy soon realized that really didn’t think this through, as all of a sudden Heath jolted awake with a head full of fire, triggering the sprinkler in their bedroom. Billy pushed his now soaked, blue-black hair out of his face, he didn’t have time to change he was now going to have to meet Scarah all soaked. Heath sat up, totally unfazed by the large amount of water in the room.

“Oh, look at the time,” Heath said as he jumped out of bed, “I need to get to class”.

 In the meanwhile Holt ran down the hall towards Jackson and Deuce’s room. “I just need to grab my swimsuit, Holt’s headed to the pool!” the blue skinned monster announced. But since subtlety was not one of Holt’s greater talents, as he crashed the door open he awoke Deuce. Deuce who was actually a morning monster, immediately knew what to do after he saw Holt’s presence.   “Hold it there dude,” Deuce called out, “Jackson, has to get to class.” The gorgon boy grabbed Jackson’s headphones and put them on the head of the blue-skinned monster. Instantly turning him back into, nerdy human boy Jackson.

Jackson started to freak out, “Why am I only in a towel? Where are my clothes? I need to get to class.”

 “It’s ok dude, Holt showed up, probably while you were showering.” Deuce said calmly, “I’ll go get your stuff for you and then you can go to class, might save you some embarrassment,” Deuce said in a supportive voice.

“Thanks,” said Jackson sheepishly.

    Invisi-Billy made finally made it to the dying-hall, to meet Scarah. The Banshee girl was sitting at a table waiting for her disappearing boyfriend. “Are you alright?” she asked when she saw how soaked Billy was.

 “Heath had an accident this morning, and he set off the fire sprinkler,” Billy explained.

 “You poor dear,” Scarah said. Since Scarah was telepathic Billy always had to tell the truth, even if it was embarrassing.

       After Jackson got his backpack and clothes back, he started to run to get to class. He didn’t have time to grab breakfast so he just grabbed a Zombie Energy drink, since he didn’t want to fall asleep in class. When Jackson made it to Coding 101 he spotted Ghoulia Yelps. She was a zombie, who also had a prefect GPA in high school and was even valedictorian for their class, so it was not surprising to see that she also bypassed Introduction to Coding. Jackson grabbed a seat next to her.

The coding teacher was a middle age cyborg who looked like he had been working with computers since they first came out. The class was going well until Mr. Cybernik decided to share his favorite music video about coding with the class. Jackson spent that time hiding under his desk with his hands over his ears. The coding class ended with Mr. Cybernik assigning a whole caskets worth of homework.

 Billy went to find his Monster Anatomy and Physiology class, he had written that it was in room 235 of the Stoker Building of Natural History and Science. The disappearing boy spotted room 235. When he walked in he spied some fellow students he recognized from high school: Jinafire Long, Skelita Calaveras, Rochelle Goyle, and Deuce’s mummy girlfriend Cleo de Nile. Invisi-Billy was so glad he would be in a class with people he knew. He found a seat next to Jinafire. “I didn’t realize you were all taking this class,” the invisible boy started, “but I’m greatful.”

The Chinese dragon girl just smiled awkwardly. A pompous looking gargoyle walked into the class room. She was large and wore an expensive looking pink dress. Billy was confused, she didn’t look like the teacher on the My Campus page for his class. He had been expecting a skinny, mad scientist with a long beard.

The gargoyle teacher had a list she was starting to call off for attendance, when she got to Billy she asked him who he was in a voice that sounded like she did not have time for any nonsense. “Um, Invisi-Billy Mann,” the disappearing boy answered.

 “You are not on my list, you are taking Introduction to Monstropolgy aren’t you?” the instructor asked.

 “No,” Billy answered, “I’m supposed to be taking Monster Anatomy and Physiology.”

The gargoyle instructor rolled her eyes, “You supposed to be in room 235 ‘B’, this is room 235 ‘A’”.

Billy blushed, and then started to turn invisible from the embarrassment. The rest of the class watched as what appeared to be a hoodie, jeans, beanie and back pack walked out of the classroom.

Invisi-Billy quietly sneaked into the correct classroom. Luckily for him the professor Dr. Choppenguts had not begun to call attendance yet. The dark-blue haired boy spied Lagoona Blue and Gil Webber, and grabbed a chair next to the beautiful Australian sea monster girl. “Crikey, Billy. You were almost late for class, that is not like you at all,” Lagoona said.

Insvisi-Billy blushed again, “ I accidently went to the wrong class room,”

Gil laughed, “It’s ok, Billy that could happen to anyone. Yesterday I showed up to the wrong dormroom and I thought I was going to have to be roommates with Kieron Valentine instead of Clawd,” the river monster laughed.

Billy smiled, “I would never want to be roommates with Valentine, with his extra Southern Accent, and he’s so uptight you would think his underwear is three sizes too small.”

“That’s really funny,” Gil whisper laughed, “but you know who won’t be laughing? Johnny Spirit. Operetta says that he and Valentine were assigned to be roommates.”

 Johnny Spirit was a Rockabilly Greaser ghost, who played the fiddle and was Operetta’s boyfriend. Operetta was the sassy, high octane Rockabilly daughter of the Phantom of the Opera’s daughter.

Billy laughed again, but then turned to face Doctor Choppenguts who started his lecture about how even though how all monsters are very different, their bodies all function very similarly. Billy started to mentally drift off, he doodled in his notebook, maybe he shouldn’t have followed Mr. Rotter’s advice about being a doctor and followed his dream of being a stage tech.

Frankie Stien, the beautiful and sweet daughter of Frankenstein’s monster and his bride, invited Jackson to an early lunch with her at the campus Ick-Fil-A. Jackson still felt a little awkward with his relationship with Frankie because she had previously broken up with him, when his going back and forth between Jekyll and Hyde had gotten out of control, but he still harbored a crush on her, even if she just saw him as her best friend. “I actually kinda miss having my mom around,” Jackson admitted to Frankie, “she kept me company and helped me to remember the silliest little things I always forget such as clean underwear,” Jackson sighed.

Frankie put her hand on his shoulder, “It will be ok, at least you get to be roommates with two of your best friends. I’m sorry you are feeling discouraged by the ‘Holt’ episode this morning, but don’t give up yet.” The stitched together girl encouraged.  Jackson didn’t say anything a quietly sipped his soda, but the quietness was not going to last.

A lilac-colored skinned girl, with a bright red Victory Roll hair style waltzed over to the two of them, it was Operetta Phantom. “Hey, y’all,” she called out with her smooth, charming Southern accent, “Johnny and I are hosting a big ‘ol  rockin’ shindig tonight, we got permission to use the student union hall, which is just a floor above this here dying hall. So be there or be square,” she laughed.

“That sounds amazing,” Frankie said in awe, “what is going to happen at the party?”

 “Well,” the Rockabilly phantom answered,“ Johnny and I are going to play rockin’ live music for us all to dance too. I’ve even gotten Deuce to help me cook up some of my family’s dang famous gumbo recipe,” she turned to Jackson who looked super uncomfortable about going to a party with hot music, “you are going to come right?”

Jackson grew even more awkward, he jumped to his feet clumsily, “I just remembered,” he started awkwardly, “I really have to go to the bathroom.” suddenly the human boy shot out of the room.

*                       *                                   *

 Jackson sat on the floor of a bathroom stall crying and hoping no one would notice him. Why did people have to keep inviting him to parties, didn’t they understand that he couldn’t come.

From his hiding place Jackson heard someone else walk in, “Hey Jackson dude,”

Jackson recognized the voice to belong to Deuce, “are you alright? Frankie sent me to check on you. She’s concerned.” The Gorgon boy explained, “you need to come out. I know you have been having some setbacks with Holt. But you can’t keep avoiding everything,” Deuce continued, “you really need to get out more often. Frankie and I will look after you, even if you turn to Holt, we won’t let you get out of control,” the snake-haired boy assured his friend.

“Ok,” Jackson answered quietly as he started to leave the bathroom, he hoped that Deuce wouldn’t notice he had been crying.

 Meanwhile, Invisi-Billy sat alone in the dying hall with a very pathetic piece of cafeteria pizza, as he sat in his misery, a certain red-haired Rockabilly phantom waltzed up to him. “Why so glum sugar-plum? I bet ya haven’t heard about my party?”

Tags @queenofworry

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 2, Chapter 4

"This candor I do not condone

It's critical and not alone

The choices here I know I own

So lead on, lead on

Lean in, let me feel your breath on my skin (I know, I know)

Won't be over 'til it's over (touch me, yeah)

Lean in, liquor on your breath I'm tastin' (I know, I know)

Won't be over 'til we're sober (touch me, yeah)…"

Violents – "Equal Powers"

Califia stood back from her classroom window to stare at the decorations she had placed for Halloween. Pumpkins, cute little black cats with red bow ties, friendly looking ghosts carrying bags of candy, and silly dancing skeletons paraded before her eyes. She did a nice job.

Her students were already worked up from the previous week when she told them about all the special activities she had planned for them. Scavenger hunts during recess, mask making for arts and crafts, and a Friday afternoon party combining the sixth-grade class next to hers. She was looking forward to giving the children fun things to participate in. It had been a rough two weeks in the neighborhood.

A teenaged boy had been beaten by the police for refusing to let them stop and frisk him. The sixteen-year-old felt that he was profiled and ran from the cops when they yelled for him to stay put so they could park and accost him. The neighborhood went off and protested in front of the local police station. Nothing was resolved from it. A new cheaply made opioid was flooding the streets and Califia noticed a dramatic absence of some of her students who had parents with addiction problems. On top of that, there were rumors floating around that the family of a young boy that had been in Califia's previous year's class had been taken away in the middle of the night by the Feds. Only it wasn't the Feds according to some accounts, but a secret organization with nefarious ties. Califia didn't know what to believe.

"Looks good," said Leticia, the other sixth-grade teacher next to Califia's room.

"These kids are so hyped for this week, I don't even know if they can focus on classwork," Califia said.

"Here," Leticia said handing her a mug filled with black coffee.

"Thank you," Califia said glancing at her watch. They both had thirty minutes of quiet before the start of their day.

Both women stood side by side sipping their morning brew and staring at the decorations. Leticia moved in closer to Califia. Her voice became a whisper. She spoke in Spanish to Califia.

"I heard that Terrell and his family are in Los Angeles."

"Who told you that?"

"Shhh…I have a friend on the Board of Education who did a little digging. His transcripts were forwarded to L.A."

"Another school?" Califia asked.

Leticia looked around them and moved in closer.

"I don't know if it was a school, but the head honchos were very secretive about it. Very nervous about people looking into it—"

"Which one of you is Califia Stevens?"

Califia and Leticia were startled to see their school Principal and two men in dark suits standing behind them.

"I am," Califia said switching back to English, sizing up the suits and giving her Principal a look of concern.

"Califia, these two men would like to speak with you about Terrell Greenley."

Leticia left Califia and walked into her own classroom as the two suits moved closer to Califia. One suit was a dark-haired white man with glasses and the other was an attractive Asian man with a severe military buzz cut.

"I'll cover for your class until you get back," Principal Johnson said.

"Get back?" Califia quipped, her eyes darting between Principal Johnson and the men.

Califia's boss looked very nervous, her usual no-nonsense expression replaced with worry lines and a pressing of her lips tightly together. Principal Johnson always reminded her of her grandmother when she was dealing with the students and often her staff. Her mahogany face looked deeply troubled.

"This way, Ms. Stevens," Buzzcut said.

Califia followed the men back to the main office where they moved past an office staff that appeared agitated as well as curious. Entering a conference room in the rear of the main office, Califia was directed to take a seat with her back facing the wall. The two suits sat across from her.

"What's this about? Who are you guys?" Califia asked, feeling a little bold and a bit annoyed that she wasn't told she was going to be hemmed up by the Feds so early in the morning.

"No need to be concerned. We are doing a background check on Terrell Greenley and his family. We are not at liberty to give you any details about —" Glasses said.

"Can you at least tell me that he and his family are okay?"

"They are fine," Buzzcut said, giving Califia a cultivated smile meant to ease her unease. It did the opposite. At least she knew the family was alive. She also knew these suits were not the Feds. Something about their demeanor read bad news.

"What do you want to know?" Califia said, leaning back in her chair. She threw her arms across her chest giving a deliberate defensive look. She knew they were trying to invoke the tired good cop/bad cop routine. Buzzcut was not the one to focus on. Glasses was the one who held the big cards in this hand. Califia focused on him.

"How was Terrell in class? Good kid? Troublesome?" Glasses said.

"Great kid. Smart. A little shy. Kept to himself a lot, but he eventually opened up after a few months. He liked to help me in the classroom after school. His parents worked late, so he was a latchkey kid."

The suits listened. Didn't write down or record anything she said. They were probably wired and someone else was recording their conversation.

"Did you notice anything about him that gave you any cause for concern?" Buzzcut asked.

"Like what?"

"Anything that made him stand out?"

"What do you guys really want to know?" Califia said leaning forward. She placed her hands on the conference table. She needed these dudes to be blunt.

"Were his parents attentive to his education? Did they attend parent conferences or open houses?" Buzzcut said, ignoring Califia's question.

"Answer my question first."

"Ms. Stevens, we're not trying to create an adversarial interaction here. We just need some background information to help us assess Terell so we can help him and his family."

"Are they in a witness protection program or something?"

"Something," Glasses finally interjected.

Califia played it close to the vest. She sat back in the chair again.

"His parents worked a lot. It's expensive as fuck to live here nowadays."

Califia waited to see how they would react to her cursing. Nothing.

"They came to one open house event last fall and attended a Kwanzaa presentation in December. They were nice people. Hard-working and proud of their son. Just normal people."

Califia noticed Buzz cut glanced at Glasses when she said the word "normal". It was their tell. Califia decided to act softer in her interaction with the men.

"They were a sweet family. Are they really okay? Can you let Terrell know that his friends and I miss him very much?"

"Thank you, Ms. Stevens. You've helped us out a lot," Buzzcut said standing and buttoning up his suit jacket. Glasses stood and Califia eased out of her chair slowly.

"So that's it?" Califia asked focusing hard on their body language.

"That's it," Glasses said giving her a false smile.

"Bet," Califia said walking out of the conference room. She walked into the staff restroom and locked the door behind her. She stood in front of the bathroom mirror and stared at herself to get back in focus. Those clowns were not the Feds. They were not part of any legit government agency. They knew Terrell was not normal. Califia even knew Terrell was not "normal".

Everything she said about the boy was true, except Terrell was an unusual child. There was something different about him. Not overt, but everyone could tell that the slender boy with the big eyes and warm smile was unique.

Califia first noticed it when he arrived in her class a week after the term started. She had been having a horrible headache that didn't disappear even after six hundred milligrams of ibuprofen. She was introducing the class to her new charge and the pain in her head was throbbing like a monster, but Terrell had reached out and rubbed her hand and the pain had ceased. Instantly. She remembered staring at his small hand patting hers and feeling comfortable and…safe.

She had dismissed it as a fluke until she began noticing Terrell's ability to make people feel good. If a fellow student was having a temper tantrum or an argument on the playground and Terrell happened upon them, the problem and anger disappeared. When Califia's teaching assistant was suffering from bad congestion and blocked nasal passages, Terrell asked her for help with a math problem and simply touched the assistant's hand and the problem vanished. Not gradual. Instant.

A healer.

That's what he was. And Califia kept her mouth shut. She'd read stories online and heard whisperings in the streets about people appearing in places with special abilities. A lot were coming from poor communities. Poor communities of color. Many were disappearing. Just like the Greenleys.

Terrell was a little Black boy with a gift, and Califia wasn't about to let on to any secret NGO that she knew the child was a special target. Black people had enough problems surviving as regular humans, let alone being extraordinary.

She surprised herself by not freaking out when she became aware of what Terrell could do. She just had a private chat with him to keep his "skills" a secret. She said the same thing to his parents when they did speak in private at the one and only open house they attended.

The Greenley's were a simple working poor family. Just like everyone else in their neighborhood, they hustled for the basics and lived paycheck to paycheck. Mr. Greenley worked at a recycling plant and Mrs. Greenley did hair in her home, getting paid under the table to make ends meet. Califia was upfront with them and advised them to remind Terrell to keep things to himself. They thanked her for her understanding, and Califia kept her eye on him at school and kept him close afterschool.

But somehow, someone noticed and snitched. A month ago, word was out that the Greenley's had disappeared. No forwarding address, no word of warning or anything. One minute they were in the neighborhood, the next, they were gone. They didn't even take their belongings from their apartment. The landlord had a yard sale after a month had gone by and no one came to collect their things.

Califia was aware that the school was being watched. Several of her students had reported to her about dark SUV's with tinted windows being seen parked near the school and the park. She herself had caught a glimpse of these vehicles cruising through the area during recess. Maybe Terrell wasn't the only one. She hadn't noticed any other children with gifts. Perhaps they were better trained to conceal their abilities. She hoped so.

Leaving the staff restroom, Califia felt the eyes of the office staff watching her as she left to return to her classroom. She caught a glimpse of the two suits climbing into a dark tinted sedan and leaving the school parking lot.

Back in her classroom, Principal Johnson was leading Califia's students in a game of times table Olympics.

"All done," Califia said trying to sound cheerful. Principal Johnson's face still looked grim. She had to know that Terrell was different. The woman nodded and handed over the class to Califia's capable hands.

When her day had ended, Califia straightened up her desk and made sure her copy order in the office was on track to be ready in the morning. Their school was so poor and stingy with supplies that every piece of paper copied had to be approved before the copy room staff could print anything. Most times she copied things at home on her own printer. But this order was for the craft activity she planned, and she needed a few hundred sheets done in color. Color ink was expensive as hell.

She was going to walk home since she lived close by and didn't need to ferry anything back with her. Her classroom assistant had gotten through test paper grading and collating math folders for the next day, so for once, Califia had a teacher homework-free night.

She threw on her winter coat and adjusted the collar. Stepping off the school property after switching from heels to sneakers, she waved goodbye to some staff and students and trudged down the sidewalk. She noticed a car following her, a late-model Camry. She turned around to see who was driving when the car stopped. She felt anger rising up in her. Did these fools never quit? They already questioned her—

"Hey, sexy!"

Cedric stepped out from the car and swept her up in his arms.

"What are you doing here?" she said as he put her back down on the sidewalk.

"Had a couple of free days and wanted to see you."

"You were going to see me next month."

"I can't wait for Thanksgiving."

"Albert know you out here?"

"None of his business."

"I'm keeping my mouth shut then," she said holding onto Cedric's hand.

"Your other dude around the next few days?"

"Scott?"

"Oh, so Scott must be a new one. I was talking about the mechanic."

Califia made a face and Cedric pulled her towards his car.

"Are you hungry or anything? I can take you to get something to eat."

"Thank you, yes!"

She skipped over to the passenger side of his car and noticed a dark blue SUV across the street from them. She couldn't make out the driver, but she felt her lips curl into an angry snarl. These suits didn't quit. Were they going to follow her around now? She made a move to cross the street and confront them, but Cedric threw his arms around her and kissed her up against his rental car.

"I missed you," he said.

"You better had," she said.

Califia, Cedric, and Albert had been seeing each other for over a year now. Strange to think a year had passed since she re-connected with them. Also, a whole year and more since her reunion with N'Jobu. Stranger still to think that she and N'Jobu had actually stayed in contact with one another. An occasional email from him. Or a text. He kept his messages cryptic because of his status, but at least she knew how he was doing and he could keep up with her. It felt nice to have him in her life on that level. She even sent him a picture of her classroom students from the beginning of the year. He sent her a recent picture of T'Challa and himself in a pool.

There was no mention of marriage or Zinzi, and Califia didn't bother to ask. It was enough to know he was well and she kept it at that.

She glanced over at the SUV as she wrapped her arms around Cedric's neck. Fuck those people.

"Let's go," Cedric said opening up her passenger door. She hopped in and felt her cell vibrate in her purse.

A picture of her cousin Michelle popped up on her phone.

"Hey cuz," Califia said as Cedric pulled away from the curb.

"Yo, Auntie K is on one. She said there's a barber over in the cut that looks like ole boy from your college."

"Who?"

She could hear her cousin mumbling something in the background of the phone, and her Aunt Kendra mumbling something back.

"Hold on a second, Cali," Kendra said.

Califia's phone buzzed again and when she looked down at it, Kendra had sent her a text.

"What's this?" Califia asked.

"Look at it, is that him?"

Califia swiped the screen of her cell and a picture popped up. Drizzy's Kuts. A popular barbershop. The spot she used to go to until her barber moved to Richmond and she had to follow him there.

There was a blurry shot of a man clipping hair.

"I'm supposed to know who that is?" Califia said staring at the picture.

"See I knew that wasn't him," Michelle said to Kendra in the background.

"I don't know who that is. Bad picture," Califia said shoving the phone back up to her ear. She heard a shuffling of hands and then Aunt Kendra was on the phone.

"That African dude works there," Aunt Kendra said.

"Who?"

"That dude you brought to Thanksgiving. The African. He works at Drizzy's."

"Lemme call you back," she said swiping back to the photo again.

Staring at the photo, she tried to make out the blurred image. Dark skin. But a lot of dudes that worked at Drizzy's had dark skin. It was a side profile, but someone else was walking past the figure obscuring the features.

It couldn't be N'Jobu. In Oakland? Working in a barbershop? He didn't even know that area. Had never been there. His time here had been selective and covert. He didn't know the hood like that.

"Everything okay?" Cedric asked.

"Yeah, my cousin was just checking on something. She thought a friend of ours was back in town. It's not him."

"Where do you want to eat?"

"Anywhere?" she said glancing back at the photo.

Their early dinner together was pleasant. A Mediterranean restaurant with great baklava for dessert. When Cedric went to the restroom after paying, Califia looked at the photo her cousin sent one more time. Curiosity killed the cat, and the gnawing curiosity in her gut was making her antsy. The last email she received from him was over a month old. No word of him coming back. Why would he? Her Aunt was mistaken.

"Ready?" Cedric asked.

Califia walked in front of him as they left the restaurant.

"I'm staying at the Doubletree."

"You know you can stay at my place," Califia said.

"I know, but I thought you might like a little mini-vacation. I can drop you off at work and pick you up. I'm here for three days. There's a whirlpool jacuzzi bath in my room."

"Nice."

"Shall we go to your place first and pick up some things, or do you want to stay tomorrow night?"

"Tomorrow," she said quickly. Cedric glanced at her then set his eyes back on the road.

"Okay," he said.

"Could you drive me over to my cousin's first?" she said.

"Sure."

Califia gave him directions. But not to her cousin's.

She had him park around the corner from a busy street.

"I'll be right back. Need to grab something from my cousin real fast."

"I'll be here," Cedric said.

Califia made her way towards the corner. When she was out of Cedric's vision, she ran down another block and headed towards another street.

She spotted the shop. Drizzy's Kuts. It was busy and bright and her eyes tried to track the goings-on inside from across the street and behind a light pole. A man with a long grey t-shirt and a gold chain around his neck was lining up a chubby dude in a middle chair. Califia found herself moving in closer to look.

Damn.

Damn.

Damn.

Before she knew it, she was stalking into the shop and staring at him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she said.

The busy shop kept moving along, but many of the men watched her as she stomped her way up to N'Jobu.

Clippers in his hand sitting above his client's scalp, N'Jobu stared at her, his eyes registering surprise, but his demeanor remained poised and under control. The beard was gone and the goatee was back in place. His own hair was lined up crisp, and his clothes were fashionably hood chic.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

Califia felt her neck lean back. What the fuck? He had no accent. He sounded just like a regular East Bay brotha annoyed at being bothered on the job.

"You heard what I said. What the hell are you doing here?"

Her own voice was starting to sound shaky. She glanced around the shop and saw the curious eyes checking her out and also hoping to catch some drama.

"Yo, JoJo, take that outside," said a hefty man clipping the beard of another customer in the back.

"Give me a minute, bruh," N'Jobu said to his customer as he turned off his clippers and placed them on a counter. He grabbed Califia by her arm and pulled her outside.

She felt stunned and unable to think clearly looking at him again in person. He guided her around the corner from the shop.

"What is going on? How are you here?"

"Can we talk about it later?" he asked, still accent-free. His whole demeanor was so different…so regular and yet not regular.

"You couldn't tell me you were coming back?"

He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a brass business card holder. He opened it and handed her his card. She read it.

"Joseph Stevens?" she read out loud.

"I'll explain everything to you later. I gotta get back to my customer."

She felt her body reacting to the sound of his voice.

"You got me really fucked up right now, N'Jobu—"

"Joseph…JoJo around here."

He placed his card case back in his pocket. She noticed that he still had his black and silver ring on. But no wedding band.

"N'Jo….Joseph—"

He leaned in and kissed her on her cheek. He smelled so damn good, she felt her eyes close when his lips touched her cheek.

"Later, okay?"

She watched him jog back around the corner. She stared at his business card. Her legs felt wobbly. She started walking in the direction of her townhouse but remembered she had driven over with Cedric.

She scrambled back towards where she left Cedric shoving N'Jobu's card into her coat pocket. Her thoughts were all over the place. One minute she's being questioned by men in black, next she's swept up by a long-distance lover, and now N'Jobu was back in Oakland.

How?

The hours at Drizzy's were long but fruitful.

Four months he had been in Oakland and three of those months had been proving his worth to Nate Robinson, the owner of Drizzy's. N'Jobu had his entire backstory worked out. He had been born and raised in Oakland but moved to Richmond in junior high. Got into some trouble and had to leave the state for a couple of years. A death in his family had him returning to his roots and he was trying to start brand new. He had the East Bay accent down cold. All he had to do was present his fake barber's license and cut a few heads to show his skills and he was in. His clientele doubled in the first month of work once word on the street hit about the new brotha who was handling the middle chair at Drizzy's.

He had an apartment in a rundown building and he made sure to get a dark Chevy Blazer that was a few years old to fit into his new lifestyle. He even had a girlfriend. Sort of.

Tonya was a young woman he met at a block party thrown by Nate at a neighborhood park. She worked for the city and was an easy way for him to get acclimated to his new surroundings. She really liked him and he liked her a lot. He thought a regular friendship could develop, but after a couple of months, he had needs, and they got along well enough. He had to get himself settled before he could even think about approaching Califia. He was still getting used to being out of Wakanda. Still getting used to the idea of being a War Dog outside of his country.

He planned to wait another month before seeking out Califia, but he almost lost his façade when she marched into the barbershop with hands on her hips demanding to know why he was there. He had no idea how she found out. He did his best to stay low key and away from her regular haunts. But Oakland was Oakland. Word of newbies got around it seemed.

Her hair was a little longer. She had it in a short twist out with faded sides. Her nose ring was replaced with a tiny blue nose stud. He couldn't see much of her body in her long winter coat, but she looked great. He felt his lips tingle when he kissed her cheek, and he heard an unmistakable sigh coming from her lips when he touched her skin.

Returning to his customer, some of the patrons cracked smiles at him as he finished his work. Ivan, the barber across from him teased him a bit.

"Tonya know about that one?"

N'Jobu played it off by just smiling. He hadn't spoken to Tonya in a few days. Their relationship was cooling. She wanted to take things further with him and he was trying to break off with her as painlessly as possible. His War Dog training taught him that people had to be expendable once their usefulness was over. She made him look legitimate to the community. She had an ex that came around her way from time to time, but N'Jobu knew she did it only to try and rile him up. She was a pretty woman who could get whomever she wanted, so he wasn't worried too much about a blow up when he left her. He just had to time it right. Most of the guys in the shop urged him to drop her because she was after a husband and baby asap. They told him to watch his condoms. In N'Jobu's mind, the only woman he was having a baby with was the one who stormed into his job and stared him down not caring who was watching.

A baby.

When he returned to Wakanda, it was all he could think about. Getting away from the palace. Getting back to her. And yes, putting a baby back inside of her. It would be a sensitive topic to broach with her, but he was determined.

His War Dog assignment was to start at seven years and then go year to year after that. His job was to become entrenched in the community and to find out several things: Keep tabs on the pulse of Black Americans in Northern California. Report any factual evidence that a certain agency they were spying on globally was removing Americans with strange abilities. Keep tabs on an up-and-coming politician who had connections to another political figure they were watching in D.C. who could possibly cause Wakanda problems in the U.N. The latter issue had N'Jobu communicating with another War Dog in Washington on a weekly basis.

Being a barber allowed N'Jobu to be in the heart of the community and the flexibility to move around when he needed. His clientele list was high and he was popular at the shop, so the fact that he was bringing in more money for the owner allowed him to hook up his own schedule as needed. And Nate liked him a lot.

Despite the work he was doing for Wakanda, the only thing that he rested easy in was that he would get back to his woman. She was going to have a ton of questions, and concerns, and doubts about him. But he would be honest about everything with her. Tell her he was a spy. If she didn't want him anymore, he had no fear that she would tell anyone about who he was. He prayed she wasn't too far gone for him to come back to her. His love never wavered, and when her hands went to her hips, his eyes swept her fingers. From what he could tell, she was still free. No rings. Just hopefully the one he remembered being between her legs.

N'Jobu parked his car in a guest spot near Califia's townhouse. Lucky for him her place wasn't part of a gated community. The townhomes were a small, brand-new planned community created to help low-income residents own their first home.

Months earlier N'Jobu had followed her from work to her home just so he could know where to find her when the time was right. Unfortunately, the time came sooner than he had planned, so it was best to get it over with and see where the chips fell between them. His heart felt jumpy and his nerves were a little erratic with the thought of seeing her again. Their meeting in D.C. was imprinted on his brain and he didn't know how intense this next meet-up would be. He just wanted to be honest with her. Be a part of her life again for as long as he could. He wanted to build something with her, and being a War Dog gave him the time to do it. He had the next day off, so he hoped to be with her into the night and the next day too.

Her tan and cream-colored townhouse was the last one in a far back corner facing a vine-covered fence. It was private and quiet. N'Jobu made sure no one was around before he slipped out of his car and made his way to her place. Each townhome had a wooden fence to enclose on a small patio, so N'Jobu felt comfortable rounding the side of her place. Her lights were on and he could hear music playing softly. He was about to knock on her door when he heard more than one voice inside.

He eased down low and scurried around the side of the townhouse hidden by the patio fence and the darkness outside. Peeking his eyes over the top of the enclosure he could see her living room through the large window. She didn't have her blinds closed, and he wished to Bast she did because his eyes were not prepared to see her on the couch with a man.

Both naked.

The dark brown-skinned man was settled behind Califia, one hand holding her leg up and the other gripping her breast as he thrust his cock inside of her. Califia had her eyes closed and her lips were twisted up. What N'Jobu thought was music playing was noise from her tv set. Her window was open, and he could hear their groans and grunts through the screen.

N'Jobu ducked down low and felt his body grow hot with jealous need. His limbs felt tight and he fought against banging on her door and throttling her lover. He did not need to see this. Not now. Not when his mind was full of getting back with her and having something real…having a family.

Bent low near her fence, N'Jobu inhaled hard and fast. He had to hold it together. She was simply living her life. He could still hear the sounds of their lovemaking….no, fucking. They were simply fucking.

"Get it, baby…" Califia purred.

N'Jobu felt his stomach clench with a sour churning.

"Yeah, bitch, take this dick…"

Leave. Just leave. He tried to make his legs move to give her the privacy she deserved, but his ears heard this man call her a bitch. He was the only one who could call her that.

N'Jobu raised himself up to peer at the two of them again. They were still in the same position and N'Jobu wasn't sure if the man was wearing a condom or not. She better not let other dudes cum inside of her raw. His blood pressure rose, but he could not stop watching them. Especially her. The guy was pounding her and N'Jobu's eyes were on her clit. It looked like she still had his ring on. Yes. It was still there and her fingers were now fondling her clit. He felt his own dick thump in his pants. This woman had him whipped. Another man was fucking the shit out of her and he was getting a hard-on watching her.

What he was not about to do was watch another cock cum inside of her. He wrenched his eyes away from them and scurried back to his car. He was turned on and also livid as he sat behind the wheel of his Blazer. The man's face was full of ecstasy. Digging out his woman, fondling her breasts, playing with her clit and the ring. Fuck.

The only thing he could do was watch her townhouse and wait for the dude to leave before he stepped to her.

An hour went by.

Then another.

Soon it was midnight.

N'Jobu sat in his Blazer seething. Dude was sleeping with her. Would probably fuck her again in the morning.

He checked his cell phone to see if she even tried to call him after he gave her his business card.

Nothing-

Movement.

N'Jobu's eyes caught sight of the man leaving Califia's townhouse. He walked past N'Jobu's car without seeing him and stepped into a Camry parked in another guest spot. N'Jobu watched the man leave and then he stayed seated inside the Blazer thinking.

Should he go to her now? His mind only flashed to her writhing on the couch.

No. He would wait until tomorrow and approach her. He would go ballistic if he saw her now and she smelled of some other man. And he was feeling a little pissy. He wanted to be inside of her quite frankly. He also wanted to spank the shit out of her for making him hard while being on some other niggas dick. He shook his head. He was even thinking in the language of his surroundings. It was what it was. He was now a hood brotha and his feelings were developing in that way. He couldn't unsee what he just saw, so he was going to have to deal with it and move on.

He drove back to his apartment and showered, his body tense from what he saw and heard. He felt agitated, but once he crawled into his bed and the warm covers caressed his skin, his mood shifted to a better place. He was just drifting off to sleep when his cell buzzed on his nightstand. It was a number he didn't recognize.

"Hello?" he answered, his voice sounding heavy and wanting.

"N'Jobu."

"Califia."

He sat up and turned on his bedside lamp.

"I know it's late—"

"It's okay. I was barely asleep."

"It feels weird talking to you and you sound like this. I like it though."

"I need to see you. Tomorrow. We have a lot to talk about."

"I can't tomorrow—"

"Why not?"

He knew why not. He wanted to hear her reason. Would she lie?

"I'm seeing someone. He just flew in from Atlanta and he's only here for a few days—"

"I just need a few hours, Califia—"

"When he leaves, we can—"

"No. Tomorrow-"

"Whatchu mean 'no'?"

"We have to talk tomorrow. I can't wait a few days. I need to see you."

"You've been here awhile, N'Jobu. You had plenty of time to see me. You're going to have to wait until he's gone—"

"I'll come over now then—"

"No. You don't dictate when you can see me—"

"Is he still over there?"

Shit.

N'Jobu closed his eyes hoping she overlooked his slip up.

"Hold up—"

"Califia—"

"Nah, hold the fuck up. Still over here? What does that mean? Were you here? Spying on me?"

"I came by—"

"When?"

Why was she always so confrontational? Why was she so protective of this other dude and her time with him? His agitation bubbled up.

"I saw you fucking him on your couch, okay? Happy now?"

"You are unbelievable," she snapped.

"Trust me, I wasn't trying to see that. I just came over to talk to you—"

"How did you even know where I lived…never mind, clearly you have some sort of weird agenda. Watching me fuck Cedric on my own couch like some raggedy ass peeping Tom."

"I said I wasn't trying to see that. I was going to knock on your door, but I heard voices, and I just wanted to check to see if it was safe for me to come in—"

"It's my fucking house, why would you not feel safe?"

"I had to be careful!"

"Who are you yelling at?"

"I'm not trying to yell—"

"You're acting pissed because I'm fucking a dude I want to fuck in my own house. Really?"

His hands were itching to turn her over and lay her ass out. She was getting out of pocket with her tone, and it was ticking him off in the worst way.

"You're wearing my fucking ring."

"And?"

He stretched his neck from side to side to let it pop.

"Don't make me come over there—"

"And do what, nigga?"

"I'm your man—"

"Correction, you once were, but now you're not…goodnight,…Prince N'Jobu."

She hung up.

N'Jobu jumped out of his bed and grabbed his pants and a shirt. He fumbled around for his car keys once he was fully dressed.

He hoped ole boy Cedric enjoyed his moment with Califia that night because it sure as shit was going to be his last time with her. Ever.

Chapter 5 HERE.