————————————————
𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬
𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟳:𝟭𝟭 𝗽.𝗺.
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸, 🅽🅴🆆 🆈🅾︎🆁🅺
~𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚞𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎; 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎. ~
-𝚂𝚘𝚙𝚑𝚘𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚜
————————————————
"So you wanna share why you'on wanna visit Zee?" Kel finally asked the question that'd been bothering Zuri. He promised he'd get Semaj to visit before she began physical therapy, which was bound to happen soon since her legs had a bit of response last visit. She said she didn't want anyone around while she went through training, saying it required her and her mental only.
Semaj bounced the basketball from hand to hand, not meeting Kels eyes. They were currently in the gym, Semaj had just finished basketball practice and since Kel wasn't on the track and field team anymore, he decided to watch his friend practice, joining in to annoy the coach every so often.
"Why it gotta be a reason?" Semaj asked, shooting the ball into the net at the three point line. After making it inside the net, the ball boomerang back to Semaj.
"She was in a coma, Maj. You ain't been nea' since you found out the accident happened. Damn straight it's a reason." Kel fussed. He knew Semaj like the back of his hand and vice versa. Kel had came up with a few reasons on why Semaj had been avoiding Zuri but wanted to hear him say it.
"I can't man."
Kel scrunched his face up. "Can't what?"
"See ha' like dat. You know I'on do good wit' dat shit." Semaj finally let out, releasing a breath, returning to doing tricks with the basketball.
Kel didn't reply immediately, knowing what Semaj was referring to. "Semaj, she doin' good. Dat ain't gon happen."
"I know dat, but still don't make it any betta', Kel." At the age 17, Semaj had lost his mom. The day before before his graduation to be exact. She was ill before, diagnosed with breast cancer which was genetically passed down to her. Semaj watched day after day as his mom got sick and what sucked the most was she'd made a promise that she broke.
Semaj and Kel were both hurt. Semajs mother was like a second mom to him, next to his grandmother. Semaj didn't like that his last memory of her was in a hospital. He expected her to stick by her word but she broke that promise. Since then he hated for his loved ones to end up in a situation where it was life or death. He couldn't stand to see them in a state of helplessness. Same as for Zuri.
"Semaj, if you went ta' see Zuri, she good," although Zuri wasn't at her best with her mental state, she was trying to pull through so she could do what Kel said and walk out the doors on her own. "Yo' mom was tired man, you wouldn't want her to fight her entire life. I'm not sayin' you shouldn't be sad about it, but be glad she ain't hea' to endure that pain that you know she was goin' through. Zuri ain't goin' nowhea' man."
Semaj nodded, registering what his friend was saying to him. "I know, but finding out she was in a coma was basically the same thing as sayin' she was dead. I didn't want my last memory of her to be like dat', especially since we ain't all that good right na'."
"You know dat girl is a fighta'," they both chuckled. "But forreal, go see ha'. She said it'd mean a lot."
Semaj bounced the ball a few times before twirling it on his finger. "Yea, I'a go next time you do."
Kel smirked and stood up from the bleachers. "Let's go then." Semaj gave him blank stare causing Kel to bust out laughing.
"I don't want that shit, move." Kel and Semaj heard a voice that wasn't Zuri's.
"Just try it Renae, it ain't dat bad." Zuri chuckled. Kel walked into the room without knocking and was immediately greeted by four other heads surrounding Zuri's bed.
Zuri turned towards the door and slyly smiled at seeing Kels face. He smirked at her, licking his lips.
"Hi." Zuri waved.
"Hi." Kel mocked the same tone of voice causing her to laugh. It soon died down when she seen Semaj standing behind Kel with his hands in his pocket and staring down at the white marble tiles.
"Bear!" Zuri called out to him, the nickname she gave him because he reminded her of a papa bear. Since he jokingly claimed her as his daughter, it was something she picked up on calling him in a playful manner.
Semaj looked up to see Zuri and the girls surrounding her, staring at the two men standing at the door.
Before Semaj could speak, one of the girls spoke up. "Zuri, who these fine ass men?" The girl was light skin with a chubby figure. She was no doubt beautiful. She had finger waves and dark brown eyes with freckles.
"Well, that's Kel and that's Semaj." Zuri said pointing at the two. Kel gave them a head nod, walking over to place a kiss on Zuri's forehead causing her to smile and Semaj just waved.
"Y'all this is Renae, her twin Janice, and Brittany and Bernice." Zuri introduced the girls. Janice looked a little like Renae, except she was a little darker and taller. She too sported finger waves but hers were brown while Renaes were blonde.
Brittnay was slim, standing at about 5"9. Like Zuri, she had baby features which made her look 15. Bernice was all curves and had a chubby face and short coils. She seemed to be the girly one out the bunch with her long nails, face full of makeup and a beige tartan cami body on dress that hugged her curvy frame with white Birkenstock sandals, while the other girls were either in jeans or sweats.
A series of "Wassup." "Hey's" went around.
"These the girls you met in Brooklyn?" All eyes went on Kel who stood by Zuri's bed, staring down at her. She looked up and nodded her head, butterflies forming in her stomach for no reason. Kel could tell she was becoming flustered and fought the urge to lean down and kiss her just because she was so cute.
He looked back up at the girls who were all minding their business. "Mm." Zuri chuckled knowing he was trying not to say something slick. He was jealous that she had other friends. That she knew.
Zuri's eyes landed back on Semaj who was leaning against the wall, staring around the room in a daze. She was glad he'd finally came to visit.
"Could y'all leave, I wanna talk to my brother." Zuri announced.
"Kickin' us out. Wow, Zuri." Renae said and Zuri waved her off with a smile. Kel admired how happy she'd been. He really thought the entire time she'd be depressed and sad, but being around friends really helped her to stay positive.
"We'll come back tomorrow, and the next day and the next day and the—you know how it is." Brittany said. Zuri chuckled and hugged them before they left the room.
"Ight, you hungry? Imma go ta' chick-fil-a." Kel said. She looked up at him and became excited at food, her appetite still being the same as always.
"Yesss! I'm hungry, this hospital has some nasty ass food." She pouted, pointing to the tray that sat on the side table. She'd tried to get Renae to eat some of the brown glob that was on it.
Kel chuckled and nodded his head. "Ok, gimme kiss." He mumbled, leaning his head down. At the sound of that, Semaj snapped his head in their direction with shock.
Zuri stared in his eyes before leaning up to meet his lips, intertwining them, moving with care and affection. She pulled away, him kissing her bottom lip as it naturally stuck out in a pout.
"Gooo, I'm hungry." She whined as he just stared down at her. He chuckled and finally left the room, not without giving Semaj a pointed look.
As soon as the door closed, silence took over. Zuri pulled at the fabric on the cover and Semaj stared up at the ceiling.
"I u-uhm... how are you?" Zuri decided to asked.
"How am I? I should be askin' you dat." He chuckled nervously and Zuri smiled. "You straight?"
"Yeaaaa." She tilted her head side to side. "Come closer, Bear. Actin' like I'm gon' hurt you."
He chuckled and stalked towards her, standing on the side of the hospital bed. He looked her over and took in a deep breath. Both her legs were in a weird looking cast, a few bruises were on her scattered all over her dark bronze skin. It also looked to be a ring around her neck.
"My neck was fractured. I had a cast on when I was in a coma, got it removed a few days after I woke up." She said, seeing he was staring at her neck. He slowly nodded. "Seriously, are you ok?"
Semaj released a hard sigh and ran his hand down his face. "Yeah, I just can't stand hospitals."
Zuri slowly nodded her head. "Me either, it would've been nice ta' see you here when I woke up though.... that sounded really selfish."
"Nah, I'm...ion really wanna get into it." Semaj pulled at his plaits that he needed Zuri to redo. She had braided his hair a few months ago and she was the only one he'd let touch his hair since she did it with care.
Zuri looked around the room before patting the space on the bed, Semaj chuckled. "Come sit, talk ta' mama."
A chill went through Semaj at the familiarity of Zuri's words. He couldn't help but think back on the worst days of his young adulthood.
"Maji, stop comin' in hea' wit dat frown. I'm gon' be good." His mom, Nora, said. Semaj always came to visit his mom after school since visiting hours weren't open in the morning. And everyday, he couldn't help but feel sad and happy at the same time.
"Sorry ma'. I just...hate seein' you like dis."
Nora stared at her son with guilt. She knew that the cancer was winning at the moment but she had to stay optimistic for her sons sake. She didn't need him worrying about her while he was dealing with school. Little did she know she was setting him up for disaster.
"Come sit," Nora waved her son over and he gladly made his way to her hospital bed and took a seat at her side. "Let's talk, I feel like I ain't heard about school in a minute. How's Ezekiel doing?"
Semaj looked over his mother trying to find any sign of sickness or pain, but she looked as if she was ready to run a marathon. Despite the hair loss, she didn't look sick. For a 38 year old, she look like she was in her late 20's at least. But her voice, her voice spoke tiredness. She was tired and he knew that.
"Schools Ight, just ready ta' graduate. Kel wanna move ta' New York since his brotha' live thea'," He paused not knowing if he wanted to say what he'd been planning for some time.
"Gon' head an' say what you wanna say." Nora urged.
Semaj took a deep breath before blurting it out, "I think Imma go ta' school up Thea'. I got a 2-year academic scholarship at Columbia university and a 4-year scholarship fa' basketball. I think I'm take the basketball scholarship but my mind fully on becomin' an astronomer."
Semaj avoided eye contact for awhile, not knowing how his mom would react. Nora on the other hand stared at her son with adoration. She knew her son was smart and she didn't want him to limit his abilities and opportunities for her sake.
"Semaj, look at me." She gripped his chin and brought his face to look at her. "I want you to do what's best fa' you. Don't stick around cause'a me. You've always talked about leavin' home ta' explore the rest of the world and what's beyond it and I want you ta' do that. You hea' me?"
Semaj teared up and fought hard to not shed a tear but the smile that spread on his mommas face broke that, pouring out all his sadness. Nora frowned and brought him in for a bone crushing hug.
"Let it out baby, I'm hea'. I can't wait ta' watch you walk that stage and become the best damn scientist I know."
Saddest part, she never got to watch him walk the stage. Breaking the promise she made to him.
"Semaj," Zuri called out to him when she saw him standing in the same spot, crying. "Bear, come here."
Hearing that nickname pulled him out of his thoughts. Zuri sat up with all her strength, staring at him with her arms open and looked as if she was about to cry herself. Semaj slowly walked over to her and let her wrapp her arms around him as best she could. As soon as she did, Semaj completely broke down.
"Let it out, I'm hea' fa' you." Zuri said and Semaj couldn't help but wrap his arms around her and tighten the hold. Everything about this moment spoke familiarity. He couldn't help but feel this is what he needed.
"Wanna talk about it?" Zuri whispered after a few minutes of them just sitting and staring into space. Semaj let out a shaky breath.
"My mama, she had breast cancer. We didn't even get that much time ta'getha' cause the doctors had caught it too late. It was my senior yea', a few days be'foe my graduation, whea' I went to visit my moms, just ta' make sho' she was well enough to see me walk that damn stage. We always talked about it, every moment we had while she was in the hospital, it was nothin' but encouragement and assurance that she'd be thea'.
The day before the graduation, found out she passed. Didn't even wanna go cause it was supposed to be our day. How could I do somethin' we planned ta'getha'? It took a lot of convincin' from Kel and his grandma, letting me know I'd only be disappointing her if I didn't go...." Semaj trailed off, shaking his head. Till this day he felt guilty for walking that stage and his mom didn't even get to see him. He felt even more guilty for moving to New York, something he was hesitant about doing until Nora convinced him it was a good idea.
"Semaj, I'm sure she's proud of you. She wouldn't want you to put your life on hold for her. You say you walking the stage was something she wanted for the both of you and you did that, she wasn't there physically but she was there spiritually. Look at you now, senior year of college. You made it so far."
Semaj slowly nodded his head. It was still a lot to take it, but he knew what she meant.
"I'm sorry fa' not comin' up hea'. I hate hospitals, one minute you sittin' hea' talkin' ta' a muhfucka', next they just gone." Zuri frowned at his words.
"I'm good, Bear. Promise."
"You paralyzed, right?" He asked looking in her eyes and she slowly nodded her head.
"But that doesn't mean anything. I've recently learned that I can't make this stop me. I have a life to get back to, so I'm starting with myself. Learning to accept the fact that it'll take time. I promise I'm fine."
Semaj smiled and held his hand out, Zuri chuckled and did their handshake. They spent the next half hour chatting about random things, Semaj even let Zuri know that he was thinking about shadowing an astronomer in Boston. Semaj had an obsession with outter space and always dreamed about studying it, which is why he chose to be a science major.
They were goofing around when a thought randomly came to Semaj.
"You and Kel," Semaj smirked, stopping Zuri's laughter. "When dat happen?"
She looked to the side, trying to stop the smile. Zuri didn't even know the feelings for Kel were there until he kissed her. Sure she thought he was atttractive but she never thought she liked him in that way. She did get attached to him rather fast but that was something Zuri always had a problem with, which is why she didn't let people get close to her. Plus, Kel never showed any signs of him liking her, then again she wouldn't know what those signs would look like.
"Kel...snuck up on me. I — I really don't know what to say other than I like him. A lot." Zuri's eyes widened, but her face contorted into an expression of happiness.
Semaj smiled at the giddy expression, happy for his little sister. "Cheesin' an' shit." They both burst into laughter.
"What we laughin' at?" The sound of Kels voice broke their fit of laughter and they quickly sobered up. They turned towards the door to see Kel with chick-fil-a bags in his hand.
Zuri blushed for no reason whatsoever and Semaj playfully rolled his eyes. Zuri was becoming soft and he could tell.
"Nothin' bitch." Semaj mugged Kel.
Kel chuckled. "Fuck you—move." Kel pushed Semaj off the bed and he was about to retaliate until Zuri sent him a glare knowing they'd go back and forth. Kel threw a smirk at him and turned back to Zuri.
"You straight?" He asked looking her over, something he did everytime he walked into her room. She smiled big and nodded her head, Kel chuckled and leaned down to kiss her forehead after giving her the food.
"Fuckin' ugly." Semaj mumbled as he sat on the couch in the room. Kel turned and flicked him off. "I'm convinced yo' ass really wanna fuck me."
Zuri's eyes widened and she covered her mouth trying not to laugh. "Oh, so dat's funny?" Kel raised his eyebrow.
"Gay ass." Semaj continued to throw slick remarks and Zuri couldn't hold in her laughter, tears pouring from her eyes at the face Kel made.
Kel looked at Semaj, mugging him. "Bitch, quit playin'. Uglass luh boy." In all honesty, Kel was glad Semaj was here. He'd got Zuri to start laughing which is something he needed to hear from her.
"Fuck up, bobbled headed ass. Fuck on talm bout somebody ugly, you seen yo'self?"
"Semaj, stop while you ahead." Kel laughed, knowing if the two continued they'd never stop.
"Whew, y'all are too funny. I love y'all, man." Zuri said and her eyes widened at what she said. Semaj and Kel looked over at her with two different expressions.
"Awe, I love you too. Witcho uglass. You and that nigga deserve each otha'. Two ugly people. A damn shame." Semaj said but Zuri nor Kel were listening. Kel stared down at Zuri with a smirk since she was avoiding his gaze.
He gently grabbed her jaw and directed her attention back into him, licking his lips. "I love you too, mama."
Zuri didn't even get to comprehend what he'd said before he placed his lips onto hers.
{A/N}
Some of y'all won't even read the authors note but if you do, just know that them saying "I love you" isn't in a romantic way. If y'all pay attention, you'll know they've been friends since March. 7 months. They have a strong attachment to each other so them saying this three words was bond to happen.
Zuri isn't all that open or accustomed to love since she doesn't know what that feels like so that's why she was surprised she said it...
Stay tuned
2/19/21