𝕮𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 、❛ 𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐙.❜
⠀⠀⠀*⠀⁰⁰⁴ THE FIERY, RED GLOW OF THE SETTING SUN lit up the skyline of Parkhill, reflecting off the many buildings and creating a dazzling view. Resting casually against the stair hall wall was Cliff, a Philly blunt held loosely between his fingers. His droopy-eyed gaze was faraway as if he were in a world of his own.
" Yo, Shotgun, pass that shit, God. You been hogging it for too long," D-Lover, a tall and lanky figure with a light caramel complexion and a crisp fade, spoke up, his eyes firmly fixed on the blunt in Cliff's hand.
His eyes rolled in annoyance as a scornful click of his teeth echoed, and he muttered in an indifferent tone, "Chill nigga, here," extending his hand and offering the blunt to his partner, who responded with lightning-quick reflexes, grabbing it away with ease.
D-Lover inhaled deeply from the joint, his eyes shining with bliss as smoke rose from his mouth. He passed it to Raekwon, who was sitting across from him, his hand reaching out eagerly towards the joint. Raekwon took it with his fingers, bringing it to his lips and exhaling a cloud of smoke, as if in a trance.
Clifford, D-Lover, Raekwon, and the crew, perched on the crumbling steps, Jane's lettuce scenting the air. Amidst their thoughts, yellow smoke twisted from embers, cocooning them in a cozy haze. Here was their sanctuary - steps, spliffs, forties, and freestyle lyrics - a brief respite from the world's cruelty.
Cliff took a swig from his St. Ides, when the creak of the door grabbed his attention. His heart jumped and his eyes widened in awe as a stunning sight entered his vision. A gorgeous goddess, with her melanin glistening like the sun on a summer's day, balanced what seemed to be a week's worth of groceries in her arms.
She was sporting a 2 Live Crew shirt that was a bit oversized, but it only made her look more fly. Khaki cargos hugged her curves, while the Cherry red J's on her feet elevated her style. Micro braids cascading down her back, with a golden hoop dangling from her nose.
Tre'ona, the girl from 3B, was the whole package. Clifford drank in her cocoa-colored skin, every swell and curve of her body a divine composition. She had been a vision in his dreams since the first time his eyes had seen her. He tried to engage in conversation with her since she moved in- to no avail. Every time he had a chance to express himself, his nerves got the best of him and the words seemed to just vanish. Before he knew it, she had already gone to attend other duties.
"Yo, yo, yo, peep this nigga over here, son. He's drooling over shorty like a hungry dog," Raekwon teased, nudging D-Lover in the ribs. They both glanced at Clifford, sitting at the end of the steps, eyes glued to Tre'ona as she passed by. He looked hypnotized, oblivious to everything around him.
"Yo, son, he lookin' like he finna bug out his eyeballs." He been on her tail for mad long, when he gon' realize she ain't feelin' him?" D-Love said, makin' the whole stoop crack up.
Clifford rolled his eyes skyward, the whites of his eyes shown momentarily, "Aight, aight, y'all got jokes, but watch, she'll be rockin' with me soon, believe that," he said brushing them off. She glided closer, seeing to struggle from the weight of the bags. Cliff stepped up and reached out his hand, flashing a pearly smile.
"Lemme take that off your hands, shorty" he offered. She hesitated, unsure at first, but exhaustion won out as she nodded weakly, allowing him to take some of the burden from her shoulders.
"Thanks," she murmured.
His tongue darted out against his lip, as he slowly appraised her figure, the bags of groceries nestled between his arm and ribcage. "It's all good, ma," he cooed, displaying his set of pearly whites.
She smirked, turning abruptly. The boys on the stoop cleared a path for her as she gracefully ascended the steps, calling out a few words to them as she passed.
Cliff followed, his low 93' Air Trainers thumping against the steps in sync with hers. He felt a tug on his Levi's hem and glanced down to see D-Lover mouthing "simp ass," while the others stifled their laughter.
He just rolled his eyes and shot them a middle finger before hustling to catch up with Tre'ona. She let out a sigh of relief when they finally reached her door. Fishing out her keys, she slid them into the lock, turning the knob with a squeak. A wave of warmth greeted her as she stepped inside, feeling the coziness of her own space.
Turning to the tall dude who had lent a hand, she smiled sweetly. "I really appreciate it... umm, Shotgun?" she paused, her mind drawing a blank on his name.
He grinned back, finding her adorable. "Just call me Cliff," he replied, brushing off the forgotten name.
"Okay, Cliff. Thank you so much. I don't know what I would've done if you weren't there to help me with these bags," she exclaimed, inviting him inside.
He followed her inside, his eyes wide with curiosity. He couldn't help but notice how cozy and personal her place was. Every wall adorned with photos of her people, all smiles and joy. A wooden crate packed with old-school records and a CD rack filled with her favorite jams caught his eye, nestled in the corner next to a dope sound system. In the living room, a massive Sony TV blasted "Good Times" reruns, setting the mood.
He put the bags on the kitchen counter. "Damn, girl, you got a nice crib! "
"Thanks," she replied, focused on unpacking groceries, sliding them into cabinets and the fridge. Cliff shifted his weight, still scanning the room. Clearing his throat, he searched for something to say. "So, uh, what kinda music you got in that crate over there?" He nodded toward the corner, a smirk playing at his lips.
Tre'ona smiled as she put up a cereal box in the pantry, her head popping up when she heard Cliff's question. "Oh, I'm into everything. But mostly the classics. Funk, soul, Motown, jazz, hip hop. You know, the good stuff." She shrugged, her voice casual. Her eyes brightened as she continued, "My folks had used to play a lot of those records growing up and I now I to listen to them all the time. Music has always been a big part of my life." She stopped what she was doing, gesturing towards the wooden crate. "You wanna take a look?"
Cliff nodded, not needing to be asked twice. His long strides carried him quickly to the crate, his hands quickly snatching up the iconic Marvin Gaye "What's Going On" vinyl. The glossy cover reflecting in the light, and Cliff couldn't help but admire the intricate artwork. "Yo, this is classic!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
Tre'ona watched him, a small smile playing on her lips. She was used to people being amazed by the records, but Cliff's enthusiasm was contagious. "Yup! I've got all the classics," she said, coming up to stand next to him. She pointed to the top shelf, where a few more albums were stacked."See, there's Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, The Jackson 5, and of course, all the Motown greats."
She paused, her finger tracing the album's spine. "It really takes me back to my childhood days. It's like I'm there again, listening to the same music with my family. It's special, you know?" She looked away, her eyes scanning the room as if the memories were playing out before her. Cliff smiled, appreciating the way Tre'ona spoke of her passion for music. He glanced up at her face, taking in her thick brows and her plump lips. She was ethereal.
She walked over to the record player and put the vinyl on the spinning wheel, the sound of the needle skimming across the grooves of Marvin Gaye's 'Mercy, Mercy, Me' filling the room. She laughed, her head bobbing to the beat as the song started to play.
"You wanna dance?" she asked, swaying her hips. With a grin, he stepped closer and clasped her hands in his own, feeling his heart race as her soft skin grazed his fingertips.
He gazed deep into her hazel irises, her pearly smile lighting up the room. He felt as if he had stepped into a dream, where Marvin Gaye's soulful music was the only sound that mattered. He pulled her closer, his hands on her petite waist, and they moved in perfect harmony to the graceful beat of the song. He felt a rush of emotions, as if the universe was revealing its secrets to him. This was the moment of a lifetime, and he wanted it to last forever.
As they danced, they became lost in the moment, the song melting into the background like a whisper. She looked up into his eyes, her gaze lingering as if it was an invitation. He leaned in closer, the gap between them closing until their mouths met in a soft, exploratory kiss.
Tre'ona's arms wrapped around his neck, holding him close like she never wanted to let go. He felt her warmth against him, her hair tickling his face. She let out a contented sigh, and for a moment, Cliff thought he'd found his paradise. But then, ever so slowly, she pulled away.
Tre'ona let out a shaky breath, her eyes searching his. She shifted her feet backward, her arms folding across her chest as if to protect her heart. "I-I shouldnt have done that," she said softly, her voice barely louder than the song. She mumbled out her apology, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips before her gaze skittered away from him, her eyes searching the window as if she were looking for a way out.
He exhaled, dejection settling in his chest. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words stuck to the roof of his mouth. He settled for a mute nod, understanding her desire for gradualness. He took a step back, granting her the space to breathe, and took a deep breath himself. He reminded himself that they had all the time in the world to explore their connection, and this was just the start.
Cliff's caramel-colored hand leisurely ran through his thick and curly fro, his lips parting as he wetted them with his tongue. He straightened his dark grey and navy blue colorblock polo hoodie before clearing his throat, his voice coming out low and raspy. "It's all good... no need to rush. We can take it slow, nah'mean?"
Tre'ona's eyes traced the ground as she nodded, her lips upturning slightly in a small smile. She absently scratched the back of her arm, her long, creamy nails lightly tracing the smooth skin.
Cliff sighed, feeling the weight of the moment. He glanced away, his eyes lingering on the clock. "Um," he said, his voice hoarse as he cleared his throat. "It's getting late. and I gotta get going, I know my boys are waitin' on me..."
He stepped back, his hands sliding into the pockets of his hoodie. Rocking back on his heels, his gaze darted from Tre'ona's face to the floor. His eyes softening, a sad smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Maybe we can catch up again soon?"
Tre'ona nodded, her lips curling into a shy smile. "Yeah," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "That'd be nice." She reached into her purse, withdrawing a pen and a scrap of paper. She scribbled down her number hastily and held it out to him.
"Here," she said, her voice a bit louder.
"Call me anytime." He took the paper reverently, his eyes widening in surprise and delight. He carefully folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket. He grinned, taking a few steps back.
"Aight," he rumbled, his voice low and gruff. He spun away, the soles of his sneakers squeaking on the floor as he made his way to the door.
Tre'ona watched him go, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. She stood there, rooted to the spot, watching as Cliff descended the steps. He glanced back once, their eyes meeting for a fleeting moment before he rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.
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ⵌAUTHORS NOTE 💻・⸝⸝﹒₊˚﹕﹒❛ something that has been circling around in my brain for quite a while, ignore any grammatical errors, and tell me if y'all fw it 🙏🏾❤️-P. ❜