"Yo, it's hella late." James says, pulling out his phone. He looks at Marisol, who also had checked her phone. "Think we gotta go now." He says, lightly slapping Marcus's arm to catch his attention.
Marisol looks at the clock. It was ten, which was so crazy. Last time she checked the clock it was four. But time flies when you're having fun, right?
"Aye, I ain't walkin tho."
"I can-"
"Marisol, you know you can't drive at night." Riley says, looking at her. She crosses her arms.
"Yes I can. It isn't that bad."
"What isn't that bad?" James asks, looking at the two. Marisol opens her mouth to speak but Riley cut her off.
"She has night driving anxiety." He says, and she frowns.
"No I don't! I just don't like it. It makes me uncomfortable, not anxious."
"Ain't those the same shit tho?" Marcus asks, and they all look at Marisol. She lets out a frustrated breath.
"I-In a way." She mutters, causing the guys to learn. Riley and Marcus slap hands and she rolls her eyes. "It wasn't that serious."
"You're the smart girl, so when niggas like us out smart you, its an accomplishment." James says, and she huffs.
"I'm not the smart girl." She says, and Marcus shrugs.
"You read more than an average seventeen year old… so you one of the smart girls."
"Whatever. Back to the topic. I can take you guys-"
"Why don't we just stay." Riley says, stretching. "I'm too tired to have to take the wheel for you when you start hyperventilating."
"It happened once!" Marisol says loudly, and Riley laughs.
"Whatever." He says, yawning. "I was planning on staying anyway."
"Y'all not gonna be fucking right?" James asks, and Marisol's eyes widen.
"W-what?" She asks as Marcus pushes James.
"I do not need to hear no shit about this nigga fucking my little sister." He says and James laughs. Riley shrugs.
"Maybe. We'll try to keep it quiet for y'all. Well, I will, I can't say the same for-"
"Riley!" Marisol and Marcus shout, shutting him up. His wicked smirk turns into a laugh and Marisol covers her face.
"I hate you guys." She mutters. "Besides, I think my mother would be really surprised to see a whole bunch of dudes in her house." She crosses her arms. "Riley, you can take them back."
"But-"
"You were giving her a lot of shit for being afraid." Marcus says and James nods, agreeing.
"And I'll be damned if I get the cops called on me because I'm here." James adds. "We should get to know her parents before we start having squad overs."
"Uhm, parent and squad overs?" Marisol asks, and James nods.
"It sounds like we a bunch of little girls when I think of sleep overs. So, squad overs."
Riley shrugs and Marcus laughs. "Aiight then, Young Reezy. Give us two niggas a ride yo."
He looks at Marisol. "You staying here?" He asks and she nods.
"I'll be fine." She says, moving over to kiss him. "I used to live alone for a while, remember?"
"Whatever." He says, giving her several more quick kisses. She pulls away, a small smile on her face.
"Keys are on the key rack." She says and he nods.
"Aiight then sis." Marcus says, holding his arms open. She smiles, getting up and hugging him. "I'll catch you later." He pulls away, giving her a smile. She turns to face James, who was nonchalantly standing there, waiting. She steps toward him and wraps her arms around him, smiling.
"Bye James." She says, and he frees one of his arms and pats her back.
"Bye Mari." He says and she pulls away.
"Bye Riley." She says, as he walks to her.
"I don't get a hug tho?" He asks, smirking. She crosses her arms.
"Nope." She says, causing him wrap his arms tightly around her and lift her up a bit, kissing her. He places her back on the ground and she rolls her eyes.
"Bye Riley." She says again and he smiles.
"Bye bae. I'll be back." He says, and the three guys walk out of the house, Marcus starting a conversation about basketball.
Marisol watches as they walk out, locking the door behind them and sighs. She waits for a second before picking up her phone and reading the message again.
'I wanna talk. I'm outside.'
She should just ignore it. Leave him outside. She should get over this. She was happy with Riley. She shouldn't continue to think of him and have talks. She should be over him. He was a cheater.
But she couldn't help but walk to her sliding door, open the blinds and meet eyes with him. She opens the glass door but left the screen door closed and locked.
"You not finna open the door?" He asks, and she shakes her head.
"No Desmond." She says, just in case he didn't see her shake her head. "I don't even know why I opened the glass."
"Ouch." He says, causing her to roll her eyes.
"What do you want?" She asks, her hand on the handle of the glass door. She planned on closing the door at anytime.
"Look, I'm sorry." He says. "I didn't mean to call you a hoe or anything like that. I was just angry."
"Ok."
He looks at her then looks around. "A-are you going to accept my-"
"No." She crosses her arms. "You're going to think that I forgive you for everything, and that we are cool again. Then you are going to stir up trouble and try to break me and Riley up." At the sound of Riley's name, Desmond tenses, balling up his fists. "Yes Desmond, I am with Riley Jordan Freeman. And I love him. There is absolutely nothing you can do to change that."
"You are just saying that." Desmond says, looking at her. "I know what happened. I know exactly what happened because that nigga tells people everything." Marisol bites the inside of her cheek, trying not to look phased by his words.
She wouldn't let him get the satisfaction of her anger or her worry.
"That nigga just decided to spring it on you. He forced you into this shit."
"He did not force me into anything!" Marisol says, her voice slightly louder than it should have been. "I could say no and end this anytime I want to."
"Can you really? I know this nigga. He's just as manipulative as I am. Do you really think that if you wanted to end shit he'd let you?"
"Yes. Desmond, you forget I've known him for six years and-"
"Which is a shame because you don't know shit about him. You think you do because he knows everything about you but you don't know how he's like when he's with niggas like me. Cause I didn't let you know I was fucking with him while me and you were together. Because I didn't want the idea of your best friend Riley be destroyed right in front of your face."
"I know everything about Riley, ok? And even if I don't, I'm better off with someone who would fight for me to stay instead of cheating on me."
"Ok ok. I cheated. It's a mistake. Everyone has mistakes. I know plenty mistakes you've done, but have I left you for them?"
"But cheating is one mistake that could be prevented! Did you ever think that I would find out? If not by Riley, then by someone else? Eventually, that shit would've caught up with you!"
"Did you just say sh-"
"Yes! I said shit! Ugh! Fuck!" Marisol runs a hand through her hair, turning her back on the door. She takes a deep breath and turns to face him again. "You know. You are right. Riley did just spring everything on me. And it may not seem like it was one hundred percent consensual, but it is. It is because I realized, that not only is this for his happiness, but its for mine. He helped me take my mind of off you because I was too busy constantly thinking about him. About what he would want to do today. About what position he wanted to fuck me in. About his lips, his face, the way his hands feel. If I should start taking birth control to feel his di-"
"I get it." Desmond says through his clenched teeth. Hearing her say shit like that would make anyone angry. Even those new friends she had.
"Whatever." She says, smiling. "After a while, after my thoughts shifted away from you and to him, I never thought of you again. When he finally became my man, not only in my eyes but everyone elses, I never looked back. And I never will. So thanks Des. Thanks for cheating on me and helping me see better." She places her hand on the handle of the glass door, sliding it closed.
"Wait! Marisol, please." He says, moving closer to the door. She stops, raising her eyebrows. "Marisol, please. Please." He presses his hand on the screen door. "I love you." He mutters, his voice quiet and broken.
"I loved you too." She whispers, closing her eyes and shaking her head. "It's over Desmond." She finishes sternly, closing the door. He watches, eyes wide and she locks it and moves her blinds to cover his face.
"Aye." Riley says, and she jumps, turning to face him.
"H-how long have you been there?" She asks, trying to calm down as he walks closer to her. He smirks.
"Are you really thinking about taking birth control?" He asks, taking her into his arms. She bites down on her lip, frowning.
"No." She sternly says, pulling away. "You should have said something when you came back! Then I could've closed the door quicker."
"Well, I wanted to hear what the nigga had to say about me." He says, laughing. "A manipulative nigga who forced you into a relationship." Riley shakes his head. "I don't force my girls into anything. Maybe a little gentle nudging, but never full out force." He says as she wraps her arms around him, placing her head on his chest. He embraces her and the two stand there, slightly swaying. "Aye Marisol?"
"Hmm?" She hums, smiling at how warm he is.
"I love you."
"I love you too Riley." She says, smiling as he kisses her temple. He moves down slightly.
"You openly talking about my dick makes me wanna fuck you." He whispers and she rolls her eyes.
"I bet me talking about anything makes you want to fuck me." She pulls away. "But if you want something…" She says, backing away slowly. He raises his eyebrow, standing in place. "You're gonna have to find it." She says, running off. He frowns and takes off after her.
"This house is too damn big for all this? You could just fit into any corner and I won't be able to find you, and Imma have to sleep alone!" He calls out, looking around.