Run

I should've bitten my tongue

Reverend Henton was done preaching his television sermon, she was now tuning in to the WVUE Fox8 news. I sighed a bit, hopefully she hasn't seen the report on the homicide that happened just yesterday.

I walked over to my mother, quickly catching her attention. I began to speak. "I'm about leave.", I said in a soft like tone.

She took her attention from me and gazed at the television before speaking to me. "Tahari, there was a homicide yesterday.", she said as she fixed her gaze back onto me. "I want you to be careful out there, you hear? And I want you back before dusk.", she said with her heavy accent.

I nodded...

"I'll call you after a while to make sure that you're alright.", she said holding her gaze on me.

I pressed my lips together before speaking. "Alright but I have to get going, Briana is waiting for me.", I said softly.

She nodded. "Oh okay, go ahead and be careful Hari.", she spoke once more with her heavy accent.

I nodded. "Okay, see you later ma", I said as I made my way to the front door. I opened it, walked out and closed it behind me to see Briana standing at the end of the walkway.

As I made my way down the few steps of my porch, I furrowed my eyebrows as I took in her apparel. Her choice of clothing puts me in the mind of a Jezebel. She wore a rather snug midriff shirt, revealing her stomach along with some stone washed jean shorts that hugged her waist as her cheeks slightly hung out the back of them. Now I'm not one to judge one's choice of clothing however the sudden style on her was new to me due to the fact that I've never seen her dressed that way. I mean honestly, who dresses that way to pick up wings? If I didn't know any better I would think that she wanted to pick up attention and in her dismay, I think it will certainly be the unwanted attention but hey to each his own. She can dress as she please.

I fixed my facial expression just as I approached her. "Hello again Bri ", I said greeting her as a soft smile peered onto my face.

She mirrored my smile. "Hey Tahari.", she said as her eyes scanned me from head to toe. "See, nice looks good on you.", she said slyly.

I nodded. "Thank you and you...", I said as I got a better look to examine her skimpy attire. I pressed my lips together before continuing. "You look like you're on your way to a video shoot.", I awkwardly said as I began walking along the sidewalk as she walked beside me.

She smiled. "I know right, I'm feeling myself right now.", she boasted.

I nodded."So um, how are we supposed to be getting to Wing Snack, it's kind of a far walk from here.", I said gazing ahead of me as we continued walking.

Bri shrugged. "I was thinking that we could take the city bus there and back. I mean it's early so we won't have to worry about any old perverted men harassing us.", she stated.

"I don't have any change for the bus, I only have a 20 dollar bill on me.", I said in response to what she said to me.

She shook her head. "No, no, Tahari you're good, I'll pay your bus fare.", she said assuring me.

I smiled. "Thank you Bri, I'll pay you right back once I get change from Wing Snack.", I said to her as we continued our walk.

She chuckled. "Seriously, it's only 2 bucks Tahari, no need.", she said assuring me and in response I shrugged and simply said "Alright then".