Page 17 of Bruised Hearts

“You remember my friend, don’t you?”

“Yes. Staff meeting, ten minutes.” Mila gave a stern look, walked out, and I turned towards Ariyah. We both fell out laughing in astonishment.

“Nigga, what the fuck?”

“Mila run a strict program around here. You think I’m included in that meeting?” I noticed how she was okay with being included, but I prayed it didn’t become too much.

“Hell yeah. If you don’t show up, she will never fuck with you. So, you better bring yo ass.”

“Do you think I should change my clothes? What if your parents see me as some-…” I walked over to her fast causing her words to halt. Placing my mouth on hers, I kissed her until I felt her relax.

“Quit overthinking it. I’ve been grown for a long time. They don’t care about what I do. Now, let’s go before Mila come back up here. She don’t play about her time.” Ariyah ran her hand over her hair and tugged on my shirt before following me down the stairs.

One brick at a time.

“Glad you could join us, your majesty. Take a seat.” My parents were the only ones in attendance, so I assumed nana was keeping the younger kids. They were snickering under their breath at Mila, but I was praying she didn’t embarrass me any further.

“I’m sorry,” I said as I took a seat. My apology caused everyone to laugh harder, but I wasn’t about to fuck with her.

“Your contriteness is duly noted. Now that I have everyone here, I would like to discuss an issue. I’ll fill GiGi in on the logistics once we are done. Daddy, you will drop me off when we are done. Okay?”

“Yes, Jam.” I could see Ariyah shifting in her seat, and I prayed she wasn’t about to run. Turning to look at her, I was amused and pleased to see she was moving because she was fighting back her laughter.

“I like Timmy, and he likes me back.” I looked at my parents who seemed to be just as shocked as me.

“So, you called this meeting to tell us you like some lil nigga?”

“Landon, you put the um in dumb. I brought you here because I would like to go on a date. I’ve never been on one and I would like you all to help me. Mommy, you will do makeup. You don’t have a job, so daddy I will take your money for the date. Ariyah, I would like you to dress me. You may like boys sometimes, but you seem to like girls sometimes as well and I want to dress like that.” My moms looked horrified, but pops finally jumped up and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. It looked like a mixture of anger and shock.

“Are you saying you like girls, Jam?” She rolled her eyes at pops and had the nerve to look frustrated.

“No, I think she’s trying to say I dress tomboyish. Not too girly, but not to boyish. I get it, Mila. I can help you.” Ariyah smiled at Jam, but that only pissed pops off more.

“You’re not helping her because she’s not going on a date. Jam, we talked about this. Your condition makes you unique, and people will try and take advantage of that. Even if that wasn’t the case, I still wouldn’t allow you to date. Do you know what lil boys your age after?” Ariyah looked hurt, but she didn’t respond. She allowed him to go at Jam.

“Popcorn and hopefully a soda to wash it down. That’s what you get at the movies, dad.” This time, I tried to scuffle down my laugh.

“Is this meeting over? I need to get to the gym.”

“We can reconvene at another time, but we will discuss this again. Thank you all for your time.” We all stood up, and when I saw Ariyah approaching Mila, I pulled pops to the side.

“Don’t do that again. I know you don’t want me with shorty, but that’s not your decision to make. If I recall, I didn’t want you with moms.”

“That was different and you know it?”

“I don’t want to discuss this while she is here, but we will reconvene at a later time. Maybe when Jam holds another meeting about giving up her popcorn.” I knew that was going to piss him off, so I laughed as I walked back towards Ariyah.

“You ready?” She looked at Mila first and once she gave the okay, Ariyah nodded and followed me upstairs. One Brick at a time…

Nigga came from nothing, but still they gone hate. Whole life left me scarred, only the real can relate. And I come straight out them trenches in the field every day. Young nigga out that bottom use my tears to motivate. So much came with this money and this fame, but I can’t complain. I came from walking through the rain; prayed for better days, and now a nigga rich off pain.

- Rod Wave

Round 4 Breaker vs Landon

12- Ariyah “Nova” Stevens

Grabbing my phone, I listened to make sure Landon was in the shower before I called Charly. I had no idea what I was doing here, and I was acting completely out of character. Dialing her number, I waited for her to answer. She picked up sounding like her normal bubbly self.