Never Let Me Go

Pride

I've come to the realization that gathering all of our friends together will always end in disaster.

We went to L.A.?

Fights.

Game night?

Fights.

We had a celebration dinner?

The fight of fights.

I still can't believe all that went down.

Mostly, I can't believe Maya and Derrick breaking up literally less than 24 hours of her pouring out her heart to him. Although, I can kind of understand his side of things. Maya should have never left with Colton. Point Blank. At the same time, Derrick didn't even really give Maya a chance to explain. He won't even speak to her now. She and Kay think he's being unreasonable. I think he's really just hurt behind everything.

"Earth to Ari," I'm broken out of my thoughts by Kay looking at me with frustration. I take a moment to study her. She's apparently almost a month along in her pregnancy and already I can see a little weight gain in her face. Her hips are widening and, like I've pointed out before, she's got that damn glow. Dios, what the hell is Kaydence going to do with a damn baby? "I know you're off in ten, but damn, you could at least help a pregnant bitch out with some of these tables."

I laugh, "My bad girl. You know how my ADD kicks in at the worse damn times."

"Lord, Imma miss Maya." She jokes. Now that Maya is done with school and it's summer, her schedule has freed up. She's switched to working nights as she now has a paid internship at this prestige fashion agency.

"True that," I agree. "Whatcha need me to do?"

"You can..." she trails off as her eyes land on something behind me. "Take care of Chris while." She smirks, and I turn around to see Chris walking in with someone who's on the phone with his back toward me.

I roll my eyes, "You owe me."

"Yeah yeah," she waves off my comment. "Now get your fat ass over there and make that money."

I laugh, walking over to the entrance, "Welcome to Hooters, my name is Aria, and I'll be your hostess for..." I trail off, turning to look at the clock. "-the next eight minutes or so. Will you be dining in or taking out?"

Chris laughs, "Damn girl, acting like you don't know a nigga?" He pretends to be hurt. "I see how it is."

"Shut the fuck up Chris," I chuckle, motioning to his friend who's still facing away from me. "Party of two or naw?"

"He's coming. Just a business call." Chris shrugs. "And we're dining in Miss..." his eyes roam around my chest for my name tag. "Aria."

"You aggy as hell, I swear." I shake my head, turning around to look for a table. "Follow me."

Considering Chris and I have to work together, sometimes teaching a studio full of children, we realized we had to be cordial with one another. It was awkward at first. But we got through it and now we're honestly cool again. He cracks his jokes and sexual innuendos occasionally, but that's as far as it goes. He knows not to try anything seeing that I'll rip his ass a new one and Colin will kill him.

After I get him seated at a table, I take his order, and head to the kitchen to get his drink before coming back to give it to him.

"You know, I should really come and see you at work more often." Chris winks, taking a swig of his coke. "The uniform suits you."

"Flirt all you want, ya' cheap ass still isn't using my discount." I smile sweetly.

He sucks his teeth, "You really need to work on that attitude. I demand to see the manager."