O2.
Chris
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Groaning, I pushed the 'OFF' button on my alarm clock. I stared aimlessly at the ceiling, trying to decide what it was that I wanted to do today. It's not like I could call some friends up and chill. I live the life of a loner. There's no explanation for it, I just like to keep to myself. I fear judgement and that's what people who meet me typically do.
I got out of the bed and waltzed to the bathroom. After completing my daily morning routine of brushing and washing, I made my way downstairs. I was scanning the kitchen for some breakfast when my cell phone blared. Glancing at the brightly lit screen, I noticed it was my probation officer, Rick. This nigga.
"Hello?" I grumbled, balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder.
"Chris, how you doin' man?" he chuckled into the phone. I sucked my teeth and took out the box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch from the cupboard.
"Same way as yesterday. Fine. Stop callin' me all the damn time." I retorted.
"Come on, it's my job. If you hadn't gotten in trouble with the law, we wouldn't be in this predicament. You think I like havin' to call you everyday to see what you doin'? No, I got my own life." he snarled.
"Aight, man. Whatever." I muttered, hanging up on him. I chuckled at how his face probably looked right now. Priceless. Rubbing my hand down my chiseled abs, I opened the fridge and grabbed the milk. After making my big ass bowl of cereal, I went to the living room to watch 'Dr. Oz.'
In the middle of Dr. Oz talking about arsenic in apple juice, my phone went off yet again. I groaned and reached forward to get it from the coffee table. Once I saw who it was, I answered it and placed it to my ear.
"Yo, Chris!" he shouted, making me remove the phone from my ear.
"Michael, chill with that shit. You always loud for no reason." I grumbled. Michael is a cousin of mine on my dad's side. I never got to meet my dad but my mother made sure that I met my entire family.
"It's Tyga. Anyway nigga, you tryna chill?" he asked.
"Depends. Where you wanna go?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow. Me and Michael's, I mean Tyga's, idea of fun has two totally different connotations. He'd rather go to the strip club while I'd rather go somewhere quiet and serene like a library.
"Shit, the mall. Somewhere with people because yo' lonely ass always goin' somewhere where other lonely people go. Who goes to museums and art exhibits still?" he chuckled, making my jaw clench.
"Listen, Mike, stop criticizin' my hobbies. I don't like people like that, man. I prefer to be on my own. It's a miracle that I'm talkin' to yo ass." I gritted, sitting up on the couch.
"Aight, chill. I ain't mean to say that shit. Forreal tho, let's go to the mall. You need to start branchin' out a little. You might meet me somebody." he advised. I can hear the smile in his tone. I knew I would never hear the end of this if I didn't go.
"Fine, Mike. If I get uncomfortable, we leavin', man. You got that?" I asked.
"Okay, just be ready when I get there." he instructed before blatantly hanging up the phone. Sighing, I went upstairs to get dressed. I hope this little outing goes accordingly.
Maree
"Ma, I'm going to the mall with Jael." I shouted from my bedroom. Jael is my best and only friend. I don't socialize with other people for the simple fact that I don't care for them. If they're not judging me before they get to know me, then they're trying to reap the benefits of being affiliated with me.
"It's 'May I go to the mall with Jael?' I told you about that, Ree. Just be back by seven." she ordered before walking downstairs. Rolling my eyes, I put on my last article of clothing before going out the front door when I heard a horn.
"Hey, Jae." I greeted once I hopped in her car. She nodded and took a deep inhale from her neatly rolled blunt. She extended the blunt towards me, offering me a puff. I pushed it away and rolled down the window. I'm a drug free girl and it's going to stay that way. Living in California and trying to avoid drugs is like putting cheese in front of a mouse and telling them not to eat it; it's fucking inevitable.
"What you need from the mall?" she asked lowly. Her red eyes laid so low that you would think her vision was bleary. I don't know how she was capable of driving with the weed affecting her like that.
"Nothin'. I just wanted to get out the crib." I shrugged, glancing at her. She nodded slowly and chuckled at absolutely nothing. Shaking my head, I prayed that we got to the mall accident free.
— Time skip —
The ride here was filled with me having mini panic attacks. This bitch was speeding, running lights, and anything else illegal. I don't how she got her license. Fortunately, we arrived at the mall in one piece and it was packed. That slightly aggravated me for the simple fact that I wanted to shop in peace. I guess that's what I get for thinking a mall wouldn't be packed on a Saturday.
"Come on, Ree." Jael mumbled, opening her car door. I did the same and stepped out. Jael flicked her roach on the concrete ground before walking next to me. I mugged her and scrunched up my face.
"You reek of weed, fam." I groaned, fanning the air around us. She only laughed before draping her arm around me.
"That's because I smoke that good shit." she chuckled. When we walked in the mall, heads snapped in our direction. Here we go with this shit. These were looks of awe from the boys and jealousy from the girls. I simply avoided eye contact with them and went on my shopping adventure.
Jael and I both have a love for clothes. I would say her love for fashion was more pronounced than mine since she wanted to thrive in that field. Me on the other hand, I just loved dressing up. Sketching and all that other shit is a waste of my time.
"This shirt is dope. I can prolly cut it up and have some off the shoulder shit workin'. Whatchu think?" she asked, licking her lips.
"Sure, Jae." I said, continuing my hunt through the clothing racks of H&M. I found this cute royal blue shirt and some simple gray skinny jeans before finishing my shop in here. Jael and I paid for our items and went on to the next store. I know we bout to shop til' we drop.
Chris
"How about a snapback?" Mike asked, holding a New Orleans Hornets hat. I observed it a little before shaking my head. It's one thing for him to bring me out of my comfort zone, but it's another thing for him to try and change my style. I don't particularly believe in the flashy look. Flaunting around your valuables makes you look insecure about your flaws, in my opinion.
"Listen, I don't really want to be here anymore. Just take me home." I stated before stuffing my hands in the pockets of my jeans. A look of disappointment washed across his face but I didn't really care. It was pointless for me to have been out here anyway.
"Let's just stop by the Converse store, then we can go, aight?" he sighed. Nodding, I did a 36O and bumped into someone behind me. He was a young guy, had to be about nineteen, I wanna say.
"Watch where the fuck you goin'." he gritted. My eyebrows knitted together as I stared at this nigga. I ain't gon' have no child disrespecting me like that.
"Nigga, you saw me standin' here. So watch where the fuck you goin'." I growled, getting in his face. His dumb ass group of friends instigated the argument by filling stupid comments in his ear.
"Don't get fucked up outchea. Take ya square ass home." he chuckled, looking me up and down. Mike had finally reappeared with his bags in tow. Never once did I break eye contact with this punk ass nigga as we exited the store.
"You don't know what the fuck I'm capable of. I suggest you watch who you approach, bitch." I growled before walking past him. When we walked out the store, I felt Mike staring a hole into the side of my head.
"What, Michael?" I asked, looking straight ahead.
"Tyga! And whatchu mean? You makin' threats and shit. Chill that shit out, brah. You don't need to catch a case out here. They lock niggas up for any—"
A cold liquid was being spilled on the back of my head and down my neck. I didn't even have to turn around to know that it was that stupid ass kid. My fists balled firmly at my sides and my jaw flexed. 'Relax, Chris. Don't do nothing stupid.' I coached myself.
"Who's the bitch now?" he laughed with the rest of his group. When I glanced around the mall, people were snickering and pointing at me. This is exactly why I stayed to myself. To avoid this fucking humiliation. Mike stared at me, begging me with his eyes to let it go.
"Ain't got nothing to say now, huh? YOU watch who the fuck you approach, bitch ass nigga." he growled.
"Tamir, stop it! You're such a fuckin' jerk!" a female's voice shouted from behind his clique. When she came into view, I realized it was Maree, "You're so fuckin' immature, I swear!"
"Mind your business, Maree. This is between me and him. Unless you wanted some dick, then you don't need to speak." he chuckled before biting his bottom lip. In a flash, her fist went flying across his cheek. His head swung to the right before he held his injury. By this time, it was a full blown audience.
"Come correct when you talk to me. You wanna throw drinks like a little ass girl? Well, take a punch like a muthafuckin' man!" she roared. He had a permanent scowl on his face as he stared at her small frame.
"Ree, you gon' regret that shit." he gritted before walking away. She waved him off and walked towards me.
"You okay, Chris?" she asked in a sweet voice. Is this the same girl that just literally punched some dude in the jaw?
"Y-yeah. It's all good. You good?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. She chuckled and placed her hand on her hip.
"I'm fine. Little advice; don't let these people get to you. Especially Tamir's bitch ass. You're better than that." she smiled. A smile found its' way onto my face. Even though I was still pissed and my shirt was drenched with soda, she managed to make me smile.
"You're right. Thanks." I replied.
"Well, see you around, Chris." she grinned before walking away with her friend. Once she was out of view, Mike nudged me and smirked.
"Who was that? She bad, man! You better bag." he laughed.
"She's too young for me, Mike. She's my neighbor anyhow." I chuckled, shaking my head.
"Whatever, man. Age ain't nothin' but a number." Mike laughed, playfully pushing me. He's right; she might be young but she's perfect.