Chapter 16.

Jazmine's POV

Wrong. I was wrong, it didn't blow over. It was now the weekend Huey and I still weren't talking. It's not like I was expecting him to say something but he could have at least been the one to text first this time. It's always me who has to make the effort reach out. All I wanted him to do was try…

Right now Cindy Caesar, Riley, Asia and I were at a small restaurant that we would always hang out at. Of course I felt a little left out because I didn't have no one here with me. Meanwhile they were all boo loving, making me cringe. The fact that I wasn't a third wheel but a fifth, terrible.

"Jazzy why so mizzy?" Cindy asks me.

"Um probably because you didn't tell me this is a double date." I say with a dash of attitude.

"I didn't know it would be a problem since you always come along with us."

"Yeah because you guys beg me. And I don't want to seem jealous but all the time.

"Well I would have figured you bring one of all them guys you been seeing." Caesar gasps. The boys did not need to hear that.

"What guys?"

Riley looks in shock, "Mariah you out here hoeing?" I glare at Cindy. She didn't have to put my business out there well non existent. Ugh I should've never lied, one it gets confusing and it's hard to keep up with. I knew something like this would happen. Seeing all their judgemental looks made me feel bad.

"There were no other guys!" I blurt out. They all looked at me confused.

"I lied, alright!" They stay silent judging me. I can feel it. I grab my stuff and make a bolt for the restaurant door.

"Jaz wait!" I hear Cindy and Asia's voices call after but continue out the door. Seconds later my friends come bursting outside, out of breath.

"Damn you move fast." Asia says out of breath.

Cindy tries to catch her breath as well, "Forreal I couldn't keep up and I'm a whole gym teacher."

"What are you-?"

"Yo tell me your secret, you work out routine, something? Shit you a whole track star round here." Cindy jokes but I wasn't in the joking mood.

"Cindy be serious please for once." Asia scolds.

"I am! She fast as fuck." Asia and I both share disapproving looks for our blonde friend.

"Alright sorry... What do you mean you lied?"

I sigh, "There was no other guy in my apartment, it was… Huey." They exchange a look.

"Before you guys get upset there was a reason I didn't tell you."

"It better be good because you know we have no secrets between us."

"Here's the thing. I love you two so much and that y'all care about and always there for me. But you guys always judge and assume stuff. You two always think you know what's best for me and I appreciate that but that's not always true. And while we're on the topic of secrets I have been hiding a big one.." I take a deep breath getting ready to finally get this off my chest.

"Cairo abused me not once but twice. The second time I was leaving him and he hit me. I haven't seen him since. That's why it was so hard for me after the break up to talk to you guys." When I finish they look at me in astonishment.

"He hi- no. How could he do that?" Asia covers her mouth with her eyes wide.

Cindy's fist ball up in anger, "I'm fucking him up where the fuck he live?"

"Cindy no. He's not worth it. It's not what I want ok."

"How could you just let him get away with it?... How could you not tell us? Me, your best friend. I would have had you back but you just decided to keep all this in." Cindy's voice feels with sadness. I never met to make them feel this way.

"Just let me finish...I never meant to keep this from you two. It was just too painful to talk about and the only person I was able to talk about it with was Huey. He was there for me ready to fight him but respected my wishes. He helped me a lot in ways you guys wouldn't understand. Gave me time to get over it and didn't try to rush a relationship with me, even now because I swore off men. That's why I hate to admit but I like him, I really like him. Although you guys might be nervous after Cairo, Huey is nothing like him… You guys are worried about me getting hurt again I know, but you have to let me find out for myself." I finish finally and a load comes from over me. I don't know how long it's been there but it feels amazing to let it out.

"Wow."

"We had no idea you felt that way. We should have known. I get it, we'll try to be more understanding and less judgemental along the way. I just want you to be happy at the end of the day." That must have been the most serious thing I heard come out of Cindy's mouth ever.

"I second that. Whatever makes you happy. That's all that matters." Asia smiles.

"I know that you mean well but sometimes it could be too much. I'm sorry for lying to you Cindy and Asia. Forgive me?" I hold my arms out for an embrace and they look at me pouting.

Cindy rolls her eyes, "Bitch, get over here." The both of them wrap their arms around me tightly.

"That was beautiful." I look up to see Caesar wiping a fake tear.

Riley sucks his teeth, "Nigga cut the gay shit."

"You heard all that?" We all let go of each other.

"Yup I would say that was real sentimental and all but that's gay. And I'm not no gay ass nigga so." Riley shrugs his shoulders.

Asia walks over to him while rolling her eyes, "Ok Riley we get it."

"Listen Jazzy I just wanted to say this… go for Huey because life's too short. I know he feels the same way about you." Caesar says genuinely. I went to respond but Riley interrupted.

"What this nigga is trying to say is my brother might be gay and a hater but I believe he cares about you… I mean I be seeing you talk shit to him and he wouldn't just let anyone do that."

I hear what Riley was trying to say to help, he just didn't know how to express it correctly.

"Um thanks boys, I appreciate it but I don't know."

"Never will if you don't try." Caesar shrugs.

"Go, go confess your feelings." Asia encourages.

"Go get yo man bitch." I look at my friends who both nod their heads, shooing me away. I'm going to take their advice.

"Alright then I'm going."

"Good luck… you going to need it with him." Riley cackles nudging Caesar, who rolls his eyes.

"Waitt one more hug." My friends and I embrace.

"Awww let me get in on this." Caesar wraps his arms around us making us move a little, and giggle. He was such a clown.

"That's gay."

"Oh come one Riley there's room for you." Riley looks at me disgusted when I stick my arm out for him to join in on the affection. He looks at me skeptical but obliges. Joining the group hug with a scowl and his arms at his sides.

"Yo if you need me to beat Cairo ass I will. Been waiting to crack that light bright nigga since middle school."

"That won't be necessary your brother already offered...but aw thanks for the gesture." I smile.

"Alright enough of this gay shit." Riley and all of us let go of each other, "Huey would kill me if he knew I was hugging up on his girl."

"Not his girl yet."

"You about to be." Cindy chimes in.

"Hopefully...well bye guys." I wave and start to walk away.

"Aye Mariah don't be a bitch neither." Riley calls out then followed by a smack.

"Oww what was that for?"

"Don't call her that." Asia yells at him as I walk to my car.

"Mann she knows what I meant." I did know what he meant. I wasn't going to punk out and not tell Huey how I feel. I would make sure he knew.


On the way to Huey's house I feel so anxious, the thought of turning back around crosses my mind a few times. But I manage to continue there anyways. I arrive in front of his building, I sit in my car convincing myself that it wont be that bad. I get out of my car and slowly but surely make it to his building's elevator. My palms feel sweaty, I take a deep breath and when I go to knock on the door it opens revealing a girl giggling looking behind her. I step back a little, crossing my arms. She doesn't see me but Huey does, he doesn't make distinct facial expressions but he looks like he knows he's been caught.

"Bye Huey." She catches him off guard by kissing him. A lingering one at that, I want to shrink as far as possible but also my blood boils. 'He let her do that shit on purpose.' I didn't actually think go mess with other females. The girl (very young) looking might I add, almost bumps into me.

"Oopsie sorry Miss." Ms?! I look at her crazy as she walks away. How old is this girl? This was comical.

Once I can't see her and I'm sure the young lady is out of earshot. I get ready to spazz on Huey but he speaks first.

"Dubois. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He smirks cheekily. Asshole. And Dubois? What happened to Jaz or Jazmine? Oh was big mad. Petty. I could be that way as well. We were back on a last name basis, bet.

"Didn't take you for one to be into little girls Freeman."

"She's 19." He scowls.

I raise my eyebrow, "You sure? She looks younger than that."

Huey rolls his eyes, "I'm sure."

"I'm just saying… wouldn't want you to catch a case or anything." I fight a grin when I see the annoyed look his face.

He sighs, "Jazmine, what did you come here for? I hope not to argue."

"To talk… but I see you're busy with other females." Once I started being petty it was kind of hard to stop.

"And you're seeing other dudes so what's the problem?" Huey leans against his door frame shrugging. I know something was bothering him so why was he acting so nonchalant. I really couldn't stand that about him sometimes.

"My problem is you, Huey. That you believe I'm seeing other guys when I'm not. Then you're running around literally fucking anything that walks. I just don't understand it, honestly." I find myself getting riled up.

"Why are you so upset? We're not even dating, remember?" Huey reiterates my words from the other day and I swear I would take it back if I can.

I frown, "Huey… I-I didn't mean to-" Huey interrupts me before I can explain,

"Nah, you made it pretty clear that we're not together. So why show up here mad that I'm with another girl?" Oohh he was getting me heated. He needed to get over himself. I knew coming here was a horrible idea.

"If you would just let me finish, you asshole. I came here to tell you how I figure out what this is between us because this friends with benefits thing, yup I can't do it anymore. You are giving me mixed signals one day I think you want me other days I don't know. You never tell me how you feel. We never had a talk about it. I probably never told you this I mean if it's not already obvious I care about you and I really like you… but actions speak louder than words. You made something clear for me, you don't feel the same way at all." I feel my voice crack, I wasn't going to shed a tear in front of him. I just needed to get out of here.

Huey's face softens, "Jaz." Now he wanted to be nice. I stay there with a questioning look on my face as his lips parted to say something but nothing came out.

I waited for a response but got nothing, "Yeah that's what I thought."

"Jaz. please I-." No it was too late for him to try. After I sit there and put my heart on the line he has nothing to say. Nope I was done.

"Stop. Only my close friends can call me that. Goodbye Huey." I turn away from and run away to my car. It serves me right thinking he was different, that this time would be different. Men we're all the same. Leading you on, no commitment. I really need to stop going down this same tired path. I'm going to focus on myself, that's it. That's all.


A/N: Now Jazmine, baby... how many times have you said you gon focus on yourself? I mean...hey do you. Loll nah fr Do you think Jazmine's serious this time? Think she's finally done with Huey? The world may never know. Okay let me stop lmao. Keep Reading to find out. Review! Ya lowkey dry in the reviews but dat's cool ig.

Reply to RabbitMelody: Don't worry Cairo's time will come. Thanks for the feedback!