MARLEY
Marley awoke immediately as her alarm went off, raising her head up and beginning to wipe the crust from her eyes. She checked her phone to see the time of 10am, and smiled at the sweet good morning message from Ron.
It was a bittersweet feeling, because she was used to waking up to him each morning, his burly arms captivating her and causing her to force her way out most times just to use the bathroom; Just to pull her back into his embrace the moment she got back into bed. She really missed that, because being at her mother's house was lonely as hell, her twin bed that sat against the tattered wall not warm or plush like Ron's. It was New Years Eve day, and she was hoping she could get her brother to watch Micah that way she could at least spend one night with her man. She didn't only miss his presence, but his loving too. She was used to getting put to sleep on the regular, and this small stretch was killing her.
She arose from the slim framed bed, and the first thing she did as always was use the bathroom. On the way there she poked her head into Micah's room, and of course he was already up playing Fortnite.
"Do you get any sleep?" She asked, raising her brow.
Micah didn't move his attention from the tv, "Yeah, four hours"
Marley shook her head, "Are you hungry at least?"
"Yes" he nodded.
"I bet"
She smirked and turned back down the hallway, quickly using the bathroom and then heading downstairs to start making breakfast. She began to hear her phone ring, and looking down she spotted Armani's name across her screen. She knew she had to answer, because she had been ducking her good sis for a while.
"Heyyy my baby" she answered as she strolled into the kitchen.
"Bitch don't hey baby me" Armani spat, "How come you haven't called me back?"
"Aren't you out of town with your man? I thought you wanted some alone time" Marley half lied, because she honestly was tryna keep Armani from her drama as well.
"Yeah I am, but I'm ready to come home. Thank God tonight is our last night, all we did was sleep the first day, and watch tv on the second"
"Aww, why?" Marley frowned as she began to take the ingredients out of the fridge, "Are ya'll doing anything tonight?"
"Cause girl I fucking hate it here, it reminds me so much of high school and the old me that I do not know anymore. And yeah, K-Dot says we have to since its our last night....but back to you. Where have you been?"
Marley twisted her mouth, "Girl, long story. I came back to my mom's and I have to take care of my little brother. My baby misses me, that I know"
"Uh yeah I do" Armani shot back.
"Bitch not you, my man" Marley giggled, "He did a popup on me and everything. I know he wants me home but I have to worry about Micah"
"Aww, if I know Ron he's going crazy. You know he like to play bad boy but he soft as hell. Why don't you just take lil man with you, Ron's apartment is big as hell"
"Yeah I know, but ya'll all say how much he doesn't like kids. I don't want to push that on him" Marley sighed.
That was definitely the last thing she wanted to do. Ron was a grown ass man with a lavish life and no kids, he did what he pleased and went and came wherever he wanted to. Having to suddenly watch over a bad ass ten year didn't seem like something he was interested in.
"Ehhh, I think he's evolving" Armani suggested, "He baby sits for Nico sometimes, very rarely but he has. Just ask, you never know ..... oh girl I'm going to call you back this boy is rushing me"
Marley chuckled and told her okay, and the two disconnected their call. Marley began to think about Armani's words, and figured closed mouths didn't get fed after all. However she would need time to work up the nerve to ask, because she didn't like to ask for help and that was a flaw of hers. Deciding to just let the situation fall to the back of her mind, she continued to make breakfast. After doing so, she called down Micah so he could eat at the table.
"I'm going to head to the store, don't answer the door for anybody" She told him as she slipped on her uggs.
He nodded, and she headed out. Marley was stressed, and also bored, so that meant one thing : time to smoke. She knew one of the corner trappers would have bud out in front of the papi store, as they worked diligently in any type of weather. She was thankful that the store wasn't far, and could already see the gang of men from a distance.
"Dimes out, dimes out" one of the men announced once she was in view.
"You got any eighths?" She asked, not trying to buy anything skimp.
"Not on me, but I can call up my mans" the man told her.
She screwed up her face, but knew that was her best bet. Sitting up in the house all day she was definitely going to smoke more than twice, so she obliged and told the man to make the call. She decided to buy her wraps while she waited, requesting three packs of wild berry leafs, and exiting the store. Just as the guy promised, his friend came to the rescue with the order of an eighth, however it wasn't exactly the man that Marley was happy to see.
"Mhhph, never mind" she rolled her eyes at the sight of Sage in the familiar BMW.
"Don't be like that, you want your bud right?" Sage smirked, showing the stuffed pack.
"It's cool, you ain't exactly the only weed guy around here. I'll settle for three dimes, before I pay yo ass anything" she said turning to the first man.
She gave him a look, and he was no fool. He didn't know what beef the girl had with his homeboy, but he happily took the trap of three for twenty five.
Marley thanked him and began to walk back up the block, only for Sage to slowly follow her in his car.
"I see you staying back at your mom house now, that nigga let yo ass go huh?" He snickered jealously.
"Ha!" Marley cackled, "You wish"
"Don't matter to me, we've been through this before. You think a nigga gon love you as much as I loved you?"
"So you telling me that you loved me as much as Armani?" She smirked, and Sage scrunched his brows.
"Yeah thats right, my sis told me all about yo begging ass. Let me guess, now that she ain't calling you, you back to plan B?"
"Fuck both of ya'll honestly" he shrugged, definitely salty.
"I bet you wish you could"
Sage just rolled his eyes and sped up, deciding to no longer converse with Marley who was calling him on his shit. Marley was relieved, and hurried in the house just in case he decided to come around the block. Sage was one person she definitely wasn't looking forward to running into on a constant basis as he frequented her neighborhood to sell. She would have to talk to Ron soon, and hopefully she could work up that courage.
ARMANI
"You ready babe?" K-Dot asked stepping into the bathroom as Armani put the last touches on her makeup. Her focus was trained on the mirror as she put the last touches on her falsies and made sure they were secure.
"Just about" she smiled in satisfaction.
"Good, cause I'm starving" he said leaving the bathroom just as fast as he came in.
"Oh what else is new" Armani rolled her eyes.
She gathered her makeup in her bag, and then made her way into her bedroom. It was going on 7pm, and after going out for dinner the couple planned on seeing the fireworks. It was their last day in Jersey, and K-Dot refused to stay in the house, no matter how large it was. Armani reluctantly obliged, and the two had been out all day doing all types of activities to keep busy. After returning to the house to change, they were that quickly heading back out.
"Where we going again?" K-Dot asked as the two hopped in the car.
"Sonny's, they have cheesesteaks" Armani shrugged.
"Really babe, you tryna give me a cheesesteak thats not from Philly?" He snickered.
"Boy, we damn near right next to it. Just come on, before we stay in here"
K-Dot sucked his teeth playfully, popping Armani on her behind as she sauntered out of the room and he followed after. The spot that Armani had in mine was a little ride from her mom's house, however it was close to where the fireworks would be going off. It was definitely a hood spot, and the couple couldn't help but be gazed upon as they rolled up in the beautiful vehicle.
Armani rolled her eyes into her head, as the women in the crowded sit in joint couldn't help but let their eyes follow K-Dot. As always, he wore his hat to the back as it sat perfectly on his head, his golden chains dangling just right over his white tee. He kept his bubble jacket open, showing off his simple outfit with light blue destroyed jeans and his signature buttas. As much as Armani loved them, she wished he switched it up sometimes but he refused. "Its the Philly in me" he would joke, and she would argue that the trend really belonged to New york.
"Hey, can I get two cheese steaks please?" Armani ordered as the couple made their way up to the front.
"Mhh hmm, and what would you like on em?" The cashier asked, her pen hanging from her mouth.
"Extra Fried onions, salt, pepper, ketchup - hook it up" K-Dot jumped in.
"Anything else extra?" The girl semi flirted.
"No" Armani answered harshly, damn near startling the worker.
Deciding to just do her job, she quickly rung up the rest of their order and took the payment from K-Dot.
"Damn baby, and you say I'm jealous" He snickered as the two finally took their seats. Armani playfully scolded him, but had no response as she took a bite into her food. K-Dot just shook his head and laughed as he did the same.
"So, what's your new years resolution?" He asked.
"Well~"
"Is that Rocky Balboa in the flesh? Damn, I thought hell would freeze over before I saw you again girl"
The grimace on Armani's face was undeniable as she witnessed the group of men approach her table, one in particular that put an uneasy feeling in her stomach. She hated that she was well known in Camden, because every where she went she was likely to run into someone that either knew her or knew of her. That was the main reason she refused to leave the comfort of her mother's home for days only to be dragged out and now faced with her worst nightmare.
K-Dot glanced over his shoulder, his mean mug causing the men to keep a smart distance.
"Nah, that ain't Rocky" he shook his head, grilling the dark skin man.
"Look like her to me, what up girl? Cat got ya tongue?"
"I'm sorry, you must have me confused with someone else" Armani looked back down at her food, following K-Dot's lead. While usually Armani was sharp with her tongue, K-Dot immediately noticed the uncomfortable shift in her body as she failed to even look the man in the eye.
"My fault" the man stretched his cheek devilishly.
"It's cool, just keep it pushing" K-Dot responded, simply.
Armani continued to stay silent, as the man analyzed her emotionless expression. He knew for sure that she remembered him, same way he not only remembered, but missed the feel of her bow shaped lips, or the way she sucked in the bottom one when she was nervous. Like now. It was safe to say he was envious of K-Dot, because the girl in front of him definitely wasn't Rocky; It was clear that Armani was different, even by the roundness of her hips as she sat in the red plastic chair, her thighs busting through the denim jeans, causing him to want to stare at her opening. Or, maybe her presence alone that felt enticing just to be around.
The thought the next time he ever saw her he would get his chance to make it right, however it seemed as though he was too late. And by the energy her new man was giving off, he knew it was better to continue the conversation another place.
"You ready to go?" Armani asked, once who she knew as Deek disappeared from their table.
"Naw, finish your food" K-Dot suggested, "Relax"
"I am relaxed" she lied, "I just...want to get a good spot to see the fireworks"
K-Dot nodded, although he knew better. He figured he wouldn't force his girl to be anywhere she felt uncomfortable, even for reasons he hadn't figured out yet. He definitely didn't want to be moved on account of anyone's else presence, however this time he let his ego subside.
"Alright, let's go" he gave in, beginning to grab their things. She was relieved he didn't put up a fight, and was relived to finally make her exit from the stare fest. K-Dot slid into the drivers seat and Armani did on the opposite side, her hands full with their leftovers.
"So" K-Dot started, "You know I don't force you to tell me stuff, you can do it when you're ready. But I want to know what's up been up with you since we've been here"
"What do you mean? Besides people who think they know me, that keep talking to me? They knew the old me"
"So whose the old you? I want to know" K-Dot said pushing the subject.
Armani rolled her eyes, "Why? What will that do for you?"
He honestly didn't know, but that didn't stop him from still trying to figure her out.
"How can I protect you, if I don't know what from?"
"Theres nothing to protect me from Kay, I'm fine" Armani stood her ground.
Hearing the irritation in her voice, he decided to let the situation go for now. Silence took over the car, and K-Dot put a little more umph on the gas in order to get them to their destination faster. K-Dot just wanted to enjoy a nice weekend away with his girl, however he was seeing his chances on having a good time on their last day was slim to none. Armani on the other hand knew she was acting distant, but she couldn't help it. Seeing Deek was the very thing she hoped to avoid while in Camden, however luck was never on her side. She hated the way his eyes traced her, as if he wasn't the reason everything in her life was a continuous curse.
"I didn't mean to upset you" K-Dot said finally breaking the silence they had been experiencing for thirty minutes. They were now on the small strip waiting for the fireworks to start, and after their conversation in the car neither had spoken yet. As bad as K-Dot wanted to know, he knew Armani would never tell him as long as he acted like he had the right to know her business.
Armani smirked, and let her head rest on his shoulder.
"You didn't upset me. I know I've been acting different, it's just this place"
"Well, next time we come we don't have to stay so close" he suggested, "We can get a hotel or something"
Armani nodded, and she hated the way he could create a solution for everything in seconds. However she loved his effort to protect her from demons he knew nothing about.
"I'll tell you" she blurted out, "But...after we get back to Philly"
K-Dot told her okay, and kept his cool even though he was glad to finally see a breakthrough. He just wanted her to confide in him, and to trust him enough to know he would never judge her.
"You want something to snack on?" He asked, still a little peckish after eating.
"Yeah, you can get me whatever" she agreed.
"Alright, don't move. These lines long as hell"
Even in the cold weather there were a few food trucks lined up against the streets in efforts to make a few bucks from the gathering crowd. K-Dot stood up from the step Armani and him occupied, and made his way towards a random snack truck. He had a taste for something sweet, and was so focused on what he would choose from that he didn't see the gang of men following him.
"So, tell me" Deek chuckled, approaching the man he didn't know anything about, "How is it?"
"It's great" K-Dot smirked, continuing to keep his focus on the snacks.
Deek laughed out loud, and he was shocked that the man played along to his game.
"I bet, I taught her everything she knows" he shrugged.
K-Dot snickered and ran his fingers through his beard, "What you want, a reward? I'on know wassup with you Camden folk, ya'll just talk to people you don't know?"
"Me personally, nah?" Deek shook his head, "Not unless that person has something that belongs to me"
"Lil homie I ain't got shit of yours. You speaking in riddle niggas, just say what you gotta say" K-Dot said getting frustrated.
"I'on know what's up with you and Rocky but that been my girl since high school. Now that she's back in Camden ~"
"Sorry to burst your bubble bro, but she ain't back in Camden. And even if she was, she wouldn't be worried about no broke ass high school sweat heart"
"Nigga you got a lot of talk for this to not be yo hood"
"I was gon say to the same to you, you stepping to me about a girl you had how many years ago? My hood or not, you can see me anytime"
With that, K-Dot finally managed to grab his snacks and drinks, next dismissing himself from the cart. He didn't know what was up with bull, but clearly he was just another jealous nigga.
"It's cool, I was just tryna get'er back for the team anyway" Deek shouted after him, still trying to win this round, "She down for whatever, always has been, always will be"
K-Dot clinched his jaw, and decided to ignore the man behind him. If not, he'd have to drop everything in his hands to knock him out. He decided it wasn't worth it, because that would just furthermore ruin his night. He wasn't going to argue with a man who was clearly envious of something he would never had again, and he already dealt with that when it came to Sage. Another one who just wouldn't let it go. Trying to shake off the conversation, K-Dot returned to to the spot that Armani sat still waiting.
"That took a while" Armani smiled, happy to see him back because she was getting bored.
"Got held up, you didn't tell me that people from Camden were so friendly"
Armani laughed as she took the chips and soda from his hands, "Thats because they aren't"
"Well then I guess I'm just popular" K-Dot raised one shoulder, next planting a kiss on her lips.
Just in time, the fireworks began. K-Dot took that opportunity to get his heart rate back to normal, as although he was calm and cool, he was definitely running off adrenaline on the inside. Everything in him wanted to fight the man that continued to make sly comments about his girl. However he learned the best tip from Armani, and that was to never let anyone see you sweat.
"So, you never told me your new years resolution" K-Dot told her, as the time began to get closer to midnight.
His arm held her in a tight embrace and her scent couldn't help but escape into to his nose with each pleasant breath.
"Hmmm...I don't know. Keep my head on straight, continue to work, don't mess things up with you" she tittered painfully.
"You mean get rid of me before the summer time" he joked.
"Never" Armani responded sweetly, "but what's yours?"
"To grow my business. And like you said, don't mess this up. So many things can get in the way, we just have to trust each other"
Armani nodded, and hoped that her revealing the true reason she didn't want to stay in Camden wouldn't cause K-Dot to look at her differently. While it was her past, it wasn't pretty; and the Armani she was with when she was with K-Dot wasn't the "Rocky" that everyone called her. But sometimes, secrets had a way of bringing you back down the road of your past. That, she didn't want. On the other hand K-Dot believed he was prepared to love her through anything, but he would soon find out what 'anything' entailed.