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timesupstory · 6 years ago

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Chapter 4: Eve

“I would like a grande iced coffee with two sugars in it, and an iced white mocha--in a venti.”

“Alright, Elena,” the barista flashes her fake smile--I know she’s sick of me. “That’ll be 11.94.”

I grab a twenty out of my wallet and shove it in her face...sorry. Then she closes her mouth into a half-smile, raising her eyebrows. I can see in her eyes that she isn’t surprised, as much as I’ve been spending my money there all summer. She may be getting jealous now.

“Thank you,” she takes the twenty dollar bill and does whatever with her cash register--I don’t know. “Okay, 8.06 is your change.”

“Cool, thanks,” she hands it over gently.

“You’re welcome, we’ll have it ready in a bit.”

“Alright,” I say while turning right, then I walk over to the counter so I’ll be ready to grab the drinks.

I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket so I snatch it out. It says “1 new message from Elena”--my sister.

Elena: Mom and Dad want to know if you’re spending the night over Tati’s just to be sure.

Right, Tati’s, that’s where I am...allegedly.

Me: No, I’ll be home in an hour

Yeah, it’s gonna be longer than that…

Me: Really, 2 hours at the longest. I’ll probably Uber home or Tati’s parents might give me ride.

Elena: Ok, I’ll let them know so they don’t go crazy.

Me: Thanks, love you!

“Eve, grande iced coffee and venti iced white mocha” “Whats-her-name” sets the drinks on the counter while I jam my phone back in my pocket. I know that’s wrong, I mean, I swore read her nametag a month ago, but I suck at names--especially when it comes to people who don’t care about me.

I strut out the door in my pumps--trying not to fall, but no one can notice that. I head down the sidewalk to the tiny parking lot. I meet up with Jet, gleaming under the street light, setting up his shiny black motorcycle.

“Hey boo, here’s your coffee.”

“Shhhhh! Not so loud, you’ll have me out here looking emo or something.” He sneaks his drink from me like he does with his drugs.

“Relaaax, okay? Everyone drinks coffee--all different kinds of people come here, even thugs...I think.” Come to think of it, it’s mainly white girls like me but whatever.

“Really though, thanks, baby,” He flashes me a cute smile and kisses my cheek. I love his lips on my skin--I don’t even know what it is about them, they’re not even that big.

Jet swings his arm around my shoulder and we stroll out of the parking lot, taking a left towards the ice cream parlor.

“So, thrift store, right?” he’s still staring at me, I’m worried he’ll bump into someone, not looking where he’s going.

“Yep, then we’re getting outta here to go who knows where. I texted Elena saying that I’ll be home in two hours, it probably won’t be that long, but still, just to be safe.”

“Dope,” Jet turns his head while we stop six feet from the glass door opening so I can his amazing side profile.

I see Tati pacing out in all black, like her soul. No shade at all, it’s her thing, she’s my friend and she looks cute. Of course, she notices me.

“Eve! Hey,” Tati rushes to me for a hug.

“Hey, I’m sorry, It’s been a while,” I say as we squeeze each other. I smell Tati’s mint shampoo while I spot her stepbrother and his cute tall dark friend.

“Oh, it’s okay. After we went to Six Flags in June, I started teaching and I was always at the studio.”

“Right! How was teaching the class?” I ask after we let each other go. I totally forgot about the job she was talking about that whole day at Six Flags.

“It was awesome, I hate that I have to cut back on it now ‘cause of school” she complains while rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, that sucks--” we both hate school. “Hey, Al, who’s this?”

“This is Dolph, he’s a friend from school.”

“Eve,” we shake hands.

“Nice to meet you.”

I feel Jet’s arm around my waist, he can’t be getting jealous of Dolph, I hope he doesn’t start anything.

“Hey babe, are these your friends you told me about?” Thank god, he’s keeping it classy.

“Yeah, this is Tati, her stepbrother Al, and his friend, Dolph--I just met him. Guys, this Jet, he’s awesome.”

“She’s right,” Jet smiles and nods. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Tati, Eve talks about you a lot--good things.”

“Aww, really? Thanks, Eve.”

“You know I love you! I gotta steal her for a minute if you guys don’t mind,” I pull her to the bench against the window.

“Oh, please do,” Al jokes.

“Shut up, Al,” Tati shouts while taking a seat on the bench against the window.

and the guys laugh themselves into some small talk--probably about sports or something, guys communicate better than girls--they’re easier to talk to.

“Everything okay?” Tati checks in.

“Yeah, it’s just that my parents think I’m at your place right now having a girl’s night. I’m sorry, I’ve been hanging with Jet so much lately that my parents are acting weird about it--they even gave me this lecture last week. I lied tonight so they won’t go crazy right before school starts.”

“Ooooh…it’s okay,” Tati says slowly while looking down, like she’s still wrapping her head around this.

“I’m just letting you know just in case they get nosy and maybe ask you about tonight, they might see you Friday at orientation.”

“Right, I’ll just play along and say we were watching movies or something.”

“Thank you so much,” I’m so relieved that I breathe out my words. “Love you.”

“Hey, let’s catch up with the guys,” Tati grabs my hand and pulls me off of the bench, “I wanna tell you all something.”

“Um--okay?” I try to keep up in these heels.

“Hey, Dolph? Eve and Jet should join us for your Labor Day party.”

“Yeah,” Dolph nods, “it’s open-invitation so keep spreadin’ the word.”

“Great!” Tati jumps and faces me. “Elena should come too--she’s Eve’s sister.”

“That’d be awesome,” I chime in, “my sister’s an over-achiever, she could use some fun.”

“Also,” Dolph points at me, “remember, it’s an all white party for Labor Day, make sure everyone knows that.”

“Well,” I put my hand on Tati’s shoulder, “that’ll be hard for some of us.”

“I’m good,” Tati shrugs, “black is getting old.”

“Wow,” Al says while popping his eyes, “I was looking forward to you panicking, but okay.”

“Wow,” Tati lowers her voice and raises her shoulders to her ears, “I was lookin’ forward to you panickin’ but okaiii.”

“Nice!” I shout while giving Tati a corny high five. We all burst out laughing--except for Al who freezes up with an awkward smirk and defeat in eyes. “See now, he’s speechless.”

“Man, I love your sister,” Dolph admits and high fives Tati too.

“It was great seeing you,” Tati smiles with her little hand up signaling a “goodbye” and the three back away from the bench.

“Yeah, nice meeting you guys,” Jet throws in.

“Babe,” I tell Jet all hush-hush. “How about we go to the house for some alone time? We can discuss the party too.”

“Good idea,” he agrees and wraps his arms around me, “whatever you want, love.” We make a U-turn and get back to the motorcycle.

Jet opens the front door for me and flips the light switch, letting us see a the cleaning lady’s hard work. We plop down on the beige couch and I slip off my pumps.

“You know I can’t spend the night,” I repeat, “we only have two hours--”

“I remember,” Jet puts his clean finger to my mouth, “don’t worry, I won’t let you let you fall asleep.”

“Thanks, now, this party,” I get down to business while I swing my legs onto Jet’s lap, “they’re gonna be a lot of college kids there, so obviously, we should break out the adderall.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” my man runs his same finger up my cheek, “I’ll reach out to Rex right after I take you home so we can be prepared.”

“Maybe it’s time I start pulling my weight, I can help.”

“Well, just think about it,” he pushes my hair back behind my ear like he loves to do, “if you’re not comfortable yet, I can handle it myself.”

“Okay.”

“Speaking of ‘comfortable,’” It’s time I show you something.

I swing my legs back to the floor and get up, feeling the cold floor. Jet leads me to the laundry room and pulls the door open. He then reaches for the top shelf, slides over the gallon of Clorox and in his other hand, he grabs a gun. It’s a little, bulky black gun, straight out of a crime movie. Of course, my heart skips a beat but I’m not gonna start panicking.

Jet holds the gun out in front of him, still, keeping his distance from me, so I take a step forward and get a good look at it. With the gun in one hand, Jet takes his other one and opens up this little door on the side of it.

“Good,” Jet nods and shows me that there aren’t any bullets, “it’s empty. I always like to check so it doesn’t go off by accident.” He closes the little door back and holds the gun with both hands like he’s doing a product demonstration, careful not to point it at me.

“I know this seems crazy, but in this business, we have to take precaution. There’s no telling what some people will do to get their drugs.”

“Do you think we’ll need it at the party?” My eyes meet his.

“No,” Jet shrugs, “college parties aren’t that serious--none of the guys have ever been threatened by someone looking to buy adderall.

“Right,” I shake my head remembering that I should know that already--what kind of college student is gonna kill for drugs? They don’t have it in them.

“We usually just need guns for the streets, clubs, or anything going on here at the house. Now, most girls can’t handle this,” Jet looks back down at the gun, “the other guys talk about their exes, how things were going great until they showed them their guns, and I’ve even seen some girls come and go around here. So, I’m gonna ask you right now, are you down with this?” He looks back up at me so I can look him in his emerald green eyes.

This is an actual gun. Wait, how would I even know that? I’ve never seen a real gun in my life, not in real life anyway, but Jet says it’s a real gun, so it must be real, I mean, he and his boys sell drugs--he said they have to use it sometimes. I should be scared, but I’m not, so what am I waiting for?

“I’m down,” I say calmly to Jet’s serious face.

#eve #chapter 4 #times up story #timesupstory

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timesupstory · 6 years ago

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Chapter 3: Tati

“You almost ready, Tati?”

“Yeah, mom.”

After Lester hangs up, I switch to my packing list. I really am almost ready, just one more thing left.

I drop my phone on my bed and grab my fresh new Vans--still in the box. I’m not going back to the studio until October, so there’s no use in taking my dance bag--I’ll just leave it here at my mom’s house where most of my stuff is. I stuff my Vans into my gray weekender, zip it up and slip my phone in the front pocket so I don’t have to worry about dropping it.

My mom steps in and tries to help me with my bags.

“Mom, it’s okay, I can just take two trips.”

“No, T--I’m starting to feel better, I’m good. Besides, It’s just your backpack.”

“You sure--”

“Yes,” Mom chuckles.

“Okay.”

I lug my weekender right behind Mom--who’s walking way too fast--and we reach the living room. Our doorbell rings while my mom and I set everything on the couch and I rush to the door so Mom doesn’t have to.

“Hey, fam!” Shanice yells, all perky.

Dad, Shanice, and Al mill into the house and we exchange our hugs and hellos. Our love is real. If anything, Mom’s illness has really helped us get along and appreciate each other.

Shanice would hug my mom and I if she wasn’t carrying her famous ziti, so she scurries to the dinner table to put it down, heels clicking.

“Of course, I made the only thing I can cook,” Shanice shouts from the kitchen.

“It’s all good” Mom replies, “see those green beans on the stove? They’re from the frozen foods aisle.”

Al and I head to the kitchen and wash our hands.

“How’s college treating you?” I ask as I turn the oven on to 400 degrees and open the door.

“Not getting any easier, but thank God it’s my last year.” The oven light shines on Al’s face as he heaves the ziti in.

“I’m dreading it: four more years of prison--or even more for me ‘cause I’m slow.”

“Stop--you’ll do great,” Al claps back. “What about you, how’s dance going? You had a summer job teaching, right?”

“It was dope,” I shut the door. “I’m gonna teach again in October but way less because of school. I wish I could be at the dance studio 24/7.”

“That would be too excessive” Al chimes in. “I think you mean you rather spend half the day dancing, and the other half with your big bro.”

Hilarious! I roll my eyes and Shanice’s heels click toward us. She hugs us both from behind with one arm around Al’s shoulder and the other around mine.

“And I know you mean all of us, more so, us three,” Shanice faces Mom and Dad.

“Yeah,” Dad adds as he joins us in the kitchen, “we’re good with you away at school, Al.”

“That reminds me,” Shanice lets us go, and puts her hands in front of her breasts, rubbing her fingers together. “Kenny and I have something to tell you all,” she confesses while shooting serious looks to me, Mom and Al.”

“Yeah,” my dad bellows. “We were gonna wait until we sit down for dinner, but we might as well rip off the band-aid now.”

“It’s not bad news...I think,” Shanice looks at her fingers and exhales, “we want a child of our own. We’re not getting any younger, so we’re trying while we still have a chance.”

“Tati, Al, trust me, if this works out, we won’t just make you babysit all the time. This is something Shanice and I want to do ourselves so we’re taking responsibility.”

“The same goes for you, Karena. We’re also not gonna just kick the kids out into the world. They’re still young and they’ll need us.”

“I’m okay with it it” Mom says while shrugging. “Life is too short, I learned that the hard way.”

“Yeah,” I chime in, leaning back against counter. “I’d love to have a little sister--or a brother.”

“I don’t know,” Al shakes his head. “You guys look great and everything, but aren’t you both a little old?”

“Ouch...you don’t think that’s a little harsh?” I screech in shock, Al must be joking.

“I mean just think, Mom. You’re gonna be forty in a month. After the baby learns to walk, you’ll have to run after him, and keep him entertained--won’t it be twice as hard at that age?”

“Okay,” Shanice keeps calm. “Forty isn’t that old. Thank you for your concern, but Kenny and I will be fine, we’ve thought this through and we know what we’re doing.”

Dad lays his hand on Shanice’s shoulder and points to her. “What she said, that pretty much sums it up.”

Beeeeep!

“Finally!” Mom shouts. “The ziti’s nice and hot--let’s dig in.” It’s awesome that Mom is well and has her appetite back.

“I got it,” I grab some pot holders and head to the oven.

#tati #chapter 3 #times up #times up story #timesupstory

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timesupstory · 6 years ago

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Chapter 2: Lester

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hi Les. What you got there?”

Oh yeah, the real reason why I’m here. “I stopped by Elena’s and got the results from her physical. I also got you McDonalds--a Big Mac meal.” It’s a relief that I didn’t leave everything in the car with so much on my mind all summer.

“She’s healthy...as usual and ready for the season.”

“Aw, thanks--dunno what I’d do without you.”

“No problem.” I try to keep myself together while seeing my mom’s beautiful smile--her brown eyes light up and her beaming white teeth. No makeup, no extensions, just great skin and dark hair put back in a ponytail.

I just can’t fake a smile. She may even be faking it and just doing a great job. I’m not really much to be proud of. Mom gives her face a break except for her eyes getting serious.

“Something’s up. Was Eve home? Did she want to talk things over again?”

“No. Elena said she went shopping.”

“Well, it’s been a month now.”

“Yeah, Eve ghosted on me and it sucks. I guess it’s karma.”

“Baby, you did kind of leave her hanging,” Mom admits as she rubs her fingers against her forehead. All my drama must be giving her migraines, and she’s forcing herself to stay strong.

It’s true, I’ve been shady and I guess it’s her turn now, but I can’t keep quiet.

“But she just gave up--I gave up at first, but she won’t give me a second chance. It’s almost like her being all concerned back then was an act...and it’s immature. Elena’s two years younger than her and she still talks to me.”

“Son, you were still getting along good with Elena.” Well, she got me there.

“That’s because Elena’s her sister, so she’s like a sister to me too. I mean, we’ve all known each other a while now so I know Eve doesn’t think I left her for her sister.”

“That never crossed my mind, I know you.” My mom looks like she’s about to cry and I hate it--she puts up with so much, too much. She doesn’t have time for this and I need to let her get back work. I hug her and look over her shoulder at the blank wall.

“Don’t worry about me, Mom. I’m gonna just head back home, call me if you need me.”

“Alright, see you. Thanks again for Elena’s results--and lunch.”

“Merry Christmas! Guess I’m covered!” I point to her with both hands. Yeah, I’m not funny but my mom just giggles because it’s all good as long as the joke’s from me.

“Les, get out of here! Bye!”

There’s the smile you gave me, please don’t be sad.

“Hey, Pops!”

“Les! Hey! How’s the schoolhouse treating Chris?”

“She’s pushing through, doesn’t wanna put off handling all the paperwork and reaching out to all the important people--texting, calling, emails. I don’t know how she does it.”

“Just hoping she’s not working too hard. Kids are the future, and your mom is a grown woman but she still has a life. You still have to take care of yourself, remember that after you turn eighteen, your life is just beginning.” He pauses and looks down at the skillet on the stove, then faces me with those same serious eyes that my Mom gives me. Those two are perfect for each other. “Sorry, how are you doing son? I know you’ve been helping as usual.” Yeah, my dad cut to the chase and asked about my mom, but it doesn’t hurt my feelings. My parents have been great. Dad’s been doting on me all summer with my injuries and my emotions. I can’t always be the center of attention.

“I’m good. It’s still summer and I don’t have anything to do, so you need any help with dinner?”

“Nah, I’m just whipping up some stir-fry, it’s nothing. You still like it right?”

“Are you kidding? You know it. Feel free to go to town with the soy sauce.”

“Yeah, no. I repeat, take care of yourself. Don’t get me started on my lecture.” He just points at me with a smile.

I head down to the hall to home within home--if that’s even a thing ‘cause that’s just what my room is now.

I’m about to take off my jeans--not to sound sexist, but I can be such a girl, no pants when I’m alone and done for the day. That’s probably because I mainly hang with girls, not for the attention--I don’t even look like a player as I stare at the mirror on the wall right now like I do everyday. It just is what it is. There’s Elena, Tati, and Brandi’s a cool person too. There all beautiful and fun to be around, I respect them. There’s just something special about Eve--actually many things that I love blended together, it’s definitely not black-and-white, and now I realize that I fucked up.

Still looking in the mirror, I put my phone down on my desk and hear it buzz. I check and it’s Tati, and it’s a pick-me-up reminding me that I still have some people. First, I thought it was just a useless reminder that I need to disable.

“Hey you, what’s up?”

“Nothing much, dreading the first day of school. I rather be at the dance studio.”

“Hey, come on, what kind of attitude is that? Try not to say that around my mom, she’ll get in her feelings and take it out on all of us.”

“Chill out, I know the rules. Anyways, you know summer’s fun and all but it’s dry now that school’s coming up, and I’m done with the humidity but that’s here nor there. I wanted to let you know that Al’s friend is having this Labor Day party. You should come with me, I wanna go out.”

“Yeah, I’m down,” I clap back aware that parties aren’t really my thing but Tati doesn’t put me in a box, and it’s time I take her up on one of her offers.

“Nice. Just so you know, it’s open invitation so it’s not just a get-together. It’s gonna be a big thing. We’ll leave if it gets to wild. Of course we’re good, we’re not gonna drink, and we’re not touching any kind of drugs. I don’t wanna get arrested.”

“Right, no worries.” We sound like no fun but we both have enough going on.

“It is a week from now, but we have to be prepared. People keep it casual at these parties, but I still wanna look somewhat decent. I know you need to think your clothes through.”

Tati’s crazy, I see she’s got jokes. “Oh, really? What are you trying to say?”

“No shade, I’m just saying. Remember, casual, you don’t have overspend on Men’s Warehouse, then, I don’t have to worry about you reaching for those extra Met Gala looks. You remember what happened last time? Dad’s wedding? You were looking like Willy Wonka--I mean minus the cane and the hat, but still, I can’t have you embarrassing me like that.”

“I learned my lesson. Um, is Eve gonna be there? You invited her, right?” I hated that I had to bring it up, but I gotta face this.

“I haven’t told her about it yet, I’m still figuring out how to go about that…”

“I feel bad for putting you in the middle.”

“No, I love you both, and I don’t wanna leave her out. She could use some fun too.”

“It’s cool,” I’m not gonna make this Tati’s problem, I got myself into this mess.

“I doubt she’ll go, though, she hasn’t been talking to me that much, lately. It’s not just you.”

“Elena said she’s been acting strange. She wasn’t home. Maybe she knew that I was coming over, but I didn’t ask.”

“Alright, well, hang in there. We better rest up and get ourselves together this weekend before we’re on lockdown. I’m not referring to your mom, she’s been nice to me.”

I crack a smile again. “It’s all good, take care.”

#lester #chapter 1 #times up #times up story #timesupstory

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timesupstory · 6 years ago

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Chapter 1: Brandi

Boom! Boom! Boom!

My heart jumps when I hear the pounding on the door. I had just opened my door to head out of my room, but after hearing that banging noise, I slam the door closed and lean on it.

My mom’s heels click against the floor and I hear the door squeak like she just cracked it open. I guess this visitor isn’t welcome.

“What are you doing here? You can’t just show up at my house,” my mom almost whispers. I can’t hear everything--they’re so quiet.

“You know exactly why I’m here. You owe me.”

“We can handle this outside, okay? I’ll meet you down the block in ten minutes.”

“Yeah, just have my money.”

“You’ll get it, okay? Just go, you can’t be here.”

I hear the door shut and Mom’s heels click louder towards my room so I run over to my bed and start digging in my gym bag so I look like I wasn’t listening in on her and that guy.

“Baby, I’m heading out, alright?” Lucky for me, Mom just talks to me from the other side of my door.

“Okay, I’m leaving in a bit too.”

“I’ll see you B, tell Lana I said hi.”

“I will.”

-------------

The door screeches as it swings open, I’m close enough to the lobby to hear it. I pull my goggles off against my swim cap to see who’s here because I’m hearing pretty hard footsteps towards me. Could it be that guy that came to our house this morning? He might be after me too so I turn around with my fists balled up.

“Mom?” I’m relieved that it’s only little Lester toting some paper. “Oh hey, Brandi. Sorry!” He jerks his head away from me, I guess he doesn’t want look at me in my suit and seem like a pervert.

“Hi, Lester, what’s up?”

“Have you seen my mom?” he asks while glancing down the hall.

“Yeah she’s in her office.”

“Cool, thanks.” He heads across the bleachers to the office.

“No problem, good to see you!”

“Yeah, same!”

I hustle to the bleachers for my gym bag and my phone rings. I unzip the front pocket and see Lana on the Caller ID.

“Hey! Did you get your classes set?”

“Yeah.” I’m standing outside the library now, it’s already open, so I can just hang out there while you get ready.

“Cool, I’ll meet you there in thirty minutes.”

“Everything okay? You sound like you’re breathing heavy.”

“I’m good, I’ve just been swimming really fast.”

“Right, Aquagirl--I should know that by now” Lana checks herself, calling me by my favorite nickname.

“See you in a bit.”

“Bye, girl.”

I lied, it’s not the swimming. I did the cool down from the exercise like I was trained to do many years ago when I got into the sport. Then, I floated underwater for a few seconds to gather myself but that was no help. Maybe holding my breath under water that long wasn’t a good idea, but it usually helps me chill.

I’ve been on edge since my mom left for work. She was acting weird. My heartrate picked up when I started my car and peeped my mom talking to that scary guy.

I’m gonna shake this though, with a quick warm shower--just dip in the public bathroom, strip down except for my jelly sides, ignore the the dirt on the walls, wash up, get out, and moisturize. I’ll be just as fast as I am in the pool.

Lester’s chat with his mom slows me up. The door to the office is cracked and I can hear them from the showers. I just can’t mind my own business today. I’m eavesdropping while I peel of my suit, almost forgetting to step back into my slides.

It seems like one of them could get fed up and go off any minute, but they’re both keeping calm. They probably don’t want to make a scene for nosy people like me. Then again, they’re probably tired of arguing. Gossip spread through school about Lester’s accident, and he’s probably been through a lot.

“Baby, you did kind of leave her hanging,” Coach Chris chimes in, she’s a good role model, so civil but tough at the same time.

Okay, that cheap white clock’s ticking. I gotta stop being nosy and freshen up.

#brandi #chapter 1 #times up #times up story #timesupstory

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