•͟U͟N͟D͟E͟R͟S͟T͟A͟N͟D͟ ͟c͟a͟r͟t͟i͟u͟z͟i͟•͟

XXI

Kids Turned Out Fine -A$AP Rocky

JORDAN:

TWO HOURS LATER:

East-West Connector: Mableton, Georgia

"So you're going to the game tonight, right?" Rakim asked me.

"Mhmmm," I replied, "I finna see what'll come of it." I had called Rakim to inform him about Symere and I'd interactions today; he wasn't entirely shocked, as he explained that Symere was in a significantly good mood considering he had been jumped in the middle of the hallway not more than six hours prior.

"Ya know, I could sense something was different just from the tone of his voice," Rakim explained, "I guess it's just something I've noticed over time. Sorta like if you just know something is wrong at your house if you've lived there forever, that's exactly how I am with Symere; I've known the child for so long that I can just base assumptions about his day based off of how he sounds."

"Sounds deep." I replied, to which Rakim laughed. Rakim's laugh was really cute, but it was nowhere near as cute as anything with Symere. I thought more of Symere just then.

"So do you really think I have a chance with Sy?" I inquired. Rakim sighed and began: "Jordan, Symere loves you, whether he wishes to admit it or not. Hell, he already has to me, so there's no point in him lying to the rest of the goddamned world. He knows damn well that I'll call his ass out for it, and that me being his proverbial 'father' will not put any sort of limitations on it."

I absorbed his statement and made it good for thought.

"Well, what should I do to make sure he really wants me?" I asked, wanting to give myself the highest possible chances with him. Rakim continued, listing off all sorts of things about Symere, some obvious, like his obsessions with Frank Ocean and Ski Mask The Slump God, others random, like his random cravings for Dairy Queen and Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was enough to work off of though, and I had ideas and plans implanted in my head.

"Aiht thanks Rakim; ion think you have any idea how much I appreciate you G." I thanked him. Rakim laughed again, "Ahhhhhh you welcome Jordan; I gotta go anyways because I'm boutta go pick up Amala and Symere, but talk at the game?"

"Of course, I'll see you there." I said, hanging up the phone as I did. Caleb sneaked back into the room after I hung up with Rakim. I shooed him out for some reason when I got on the phone, which was almost a confusing idea looking back at it, because it's not like he would make any noise or something. However, he complied, and returned as soon as I ceased talking.

"So shit's set for tonight?" he asked, throwing on a Tupac Shakur sweatshirt. "Ih' always been set, it's just ion know if it'll work." I explained.
I put on a black jean jacket with red trim with these really expensive blacked out tight jeans I got for Christmas last year. I was trying to make myself fashionable to catch 'Mere's attention. Who knows? It could've increased my chances or something.

"So you're deadass confident on this shit?" Caleb asked. I nodded my head.

"Pffft, I REALLY ain't lookin' forward to some goddamn complaining if this don't go right." Caleb scoffed.

"It REALLY ain't my decision in the end," I once again explained, "it's his. If he wanna be with Montero, he can be with Montero. If he wanna be with me, he finna be with me. If he wanna be with literally anyone else, he can test his chances with x numbers of people."