Friday night Jimmy sat at the card table in Wink's moms basement with Future, Sol, Wink and Bob; a variety of near empty liquor bottles surrounding them. Shea was dancing with Future's sister a few feet away and Jimmy couldn't pull his eyes away from her.
She moved slowly to the beat; her hands above her head exposing the smooth skin of her stomach - eyes closed and mouth moving to the words.
"Yo. You fucking with me right now, Rabbit. All these years we said Shea was off limits just so you could sweep in and tag her?"
Jimmy's eyes narrowed; meeting Future's accusations. "Don't fucking talk about her like that. I ain't tagging nobody."
Future laughed at the thought. He'd given up on any chance of taking Shea out a long time ago because Jimmy wasn't fooling anyone. Anyone with eyes could see he was crazy about that girl but that wasn't going to stop him from busting his balls.
"Well if you're not trying to get Shea I think I'll ask her out, Rabbit. Take her on a nice date somewhere. You said it yourself we're grown men now."
It was Cheddar Bobs turn to get the death glare from Jimmy as Sol and Wink laughed loudly; slapping each other on the back. "Y'all telling jokes?" Shea asked causing the guys to stop and look up at her; taken back by how short her skirt was tonight. She stood before them in a black flowing mini skirt and tight black halter top with a deep v neck exposing her cleavage; her hair falling down her shoulders in soft auburn waves - blue eyes shining.
Jimmy's knuckles were turning white as he watched his brothers nearly salivate as she stood before them. "Your mother let you out of house dressed like that?" Future asked with a smirk pglancing at Jimmy; he looked like his head was about to explode.
"Shit. I got this out of her closet." Shea assured with a laugh; walking around the table as Jimmy sat up in his chair and she sat in his lap - wrapping her arm around his shoulders as her other hand grabbed the shot glass he'd been using and Wink filled it with tequila.
Shea tossed her head back; drinking down the burning liquid as she turned to Jimmy and grinned; leaning back to whisper. "Dance with me?" Jimmy clutched her hip with his free hand; reaching for the shot glass as Wink topped it off and he swallowed it down - nodding towards the makeshift dance floor.
Shea stood from his lap; sliding her hand down his arm as their fingers linked and she moved away from the table. Sol and Wink laughed among themselves as Cheddar Bob watched them leave longingly.
"Unless you got a death wish probably shouldn't mention Shea around him no more." Future muttered to Cheddar; taking another shot as Rabbit walked past the table - eyes glued to Shea's ass.
Once they made it to the open area of the basement where people were moving to the music - the upbeat song changed and Jimmy's eyes went wide. Freak Me by Silk started filling the basement as the couples dancing closed the space between each other and Shea pulled him closer to her; wrapping her around around his neck as his hands grasped her hips.
"I think they're on to us." Shea whispered between them; looking up to meet his blue eyes. "Why you say that?" Jimmy muttered; voice low and raspy with desire as he pulled her closer to his chest. Shea nodded towards the table where their closest friends were sitting - staring at them with conflicted emotions on their faces. Sol, Wink and Future were amused - accepting what was happening while Cheddar Bob looked heartbroken. Jimmy leaned into her so his mouth was against her ear; causing Shea to giggle.
"If Cheddar asks you out I will fucking end him." He whispered; running his hands up her back - never letting his eyes fall from Bob's from across the room. His simple friend turned his attention back to the others and took a needed shot. "Wow, Rabbit. Maybe I want to test my options - not settle down just yet." Shea teased as his mouth moved down below her ear. "I am your options." He assured; teeth grazing her jaw as a gasp escaped her throat. "You don't wanna be responsible for what I'd do to someone that tried to fuck with you, Shea."
Shea giggled; placing her head on his chest as they swayed to the music.
X
"No rapper can rap quite like I can - I'll take a musclebound man and put his face in the sand. Not the last Mafioso, I'm a MC cop! Make you say, "Go LL" and do the Wop. If you think you can out rhyme me, yeah, boy, I bet, 'Cause I ain't met a motherfucker who can do that yet! Trendsetter, I'm better, my rhymes are good
I got a gourmet plate that says "I wish you would", And when battles begin then I gotta join in and before my rhyme is over, you know I'ma win!"
Shea stood in a small circle of people; Sol and Cheddar to her left as she rapped a verse of "I'm Bad" by LL Cool J. Once she was finished everyone whooped and cheered for her as she glanced over at Jimmy who was back at the table watching her intently. He smiled and nodded his head as she looked at him for approval.
"Yo. You really like her?" Future muttered; holding a shot glass full of Bacardi in his fingers. Jimmy finally broke away from Shea's eyes and looked up at his friend. This wasn't some stupid crush like Cheddar Bob or Sol. "I love her, Fut. Like since the day I met her…"
"Well you better not hurt her. I hear she's got three bad ass brothers in the three one three that'll take you out if you do." Future added with a grin; referring to himself, Sol and Cheddar Bob as he drank the alcohol down quickly.
"Yo, who the fuck is that?" Cheddar Bob asked; moving to the window as bright headlights lit up the dark space. The partygoers slowly stopped what they were doing; smoking - drinking, laughing rapping until eventually you could hear a pin drop in the basement.
"Fuck, that's my mom's yo. We gotta get this shit cleaned up!" Wink yelled; leaping to his feet as he began gathering liquor bottles in his arms. Everyone in the basement started running for the steps - piling out of the house as quickly as they'd came. You did not want to have to sit through one of Wink's moms lectures. The devout Christian woman wasn't someone you messed with with. "Yo you said your moms was out of town!" Future yelled trying his best to help Wink clean up the mess they'd made.
"Man just hurry up!"
Jimmy leaned back in his chair and laughed; scanning the room for Shea who was standing by the basement door waving him over. If they were smart they'd leave with the crowd - avoiding the ass chewing Future and Wink we're sure to get. He stood to his feet and slipped out of the house behind Shea - taking off across the lawn as Wink's moms screaming filled the streets.
X
Shea laughed loudly; holding onto Jimmy's shirt for support as they stumbled across 8 mile and back to the trailer park. "Fut and Wink are gonna be pissed that we left." She added; smiling up at her company as he wrapped an arm around her - nearly having to drag her across the railroad tracks.
"Fuck 'em they would have left our asses too." Jimmy assured; leaning against an abandoned building once they were safely away from the tracks and on their side of the street. Shea smiled up at him; nodding her head slowly.
"You're right."
"You look so fuckin' beautiful tonight…" He muttered suddenly; pulling her into his chest as he ran his fingers down her arms. "Everybody in that room was staring at you. It was driving me fucking crazy."
"They can look but they can't touch." Shea assured softly as Jimmy moved his head down to kiss her - causing a groan to escape her as he turned and pressed her back against the rough brick of the long gone gas station. "Only me?" He asked; barely pulling away from her as she leaned her head back onto the brick and nodded. "Only you."
Jimmy kissed her again; darkness surrounding them as he pressed himself into her body - clutching her hips roughly. They stayed like this until their lungs burned for needed air and he finally pulled away; searching her eyes before kissing her again.
Shea maneuvered herself around without breaking their kiss until her panties were bunched up in the palm of her hand and Jimmy moved his mouth down to her exposed neck.
"Put your legs around me…" He whispered, his voice breaking with desire as she did as she was told and he held her up against the building - pulling his sweats down as he grasped his dick and pressed himself against her soaked center - another loud moan escaping her lips as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders; digging her nails into his back as he thrust inside of her deeply. Shea groaned as he held her up against the wall and fucked her until she was nearly screaming; placing her hand over her mouth as he moved in and out of her quickly.
"Fuck, Shea… you feel so fucking good…" Jimmy groaned against her neck as he felt her tighten around his dick - nearly causing his legs to give out as his own orgasm washed over him; making him palm the wall behind her as he found his release. Shea kept her arms around him; riding out the high she'd experienced as their eyes finally met. "Only me?" He asked again.
"Only you."
X
"Yo. My moms taking my grandma to see her brother in the hospital in Ohio next Friday - graduation party at my crib!" Sol announced to the lunch table as he slapped hands with Future then Jimmy. "She knows about it too so we ain't gotta worry about no bullshit like what happened at Wink's." He added with a laugh causing Wink to glare at him.
"It's gonna be lit!" Cheddar Bob declared; glancing up as Shea entered the lunch room - grabbing a French fry off his plate as she smiled at Jimmy and slid into his lap. "What's going to be lit?"
"Sol's throwing a graduation party for the broke kids who can't afford caps and gowns." Jimmy muttered; running his hand down Shea's back as she shifted on his lap. "So everybody at this table?" She asked with a laugh; "Shit. Our broke ass parents - the whole schools gonna be there." Sol assured; wandering off into the cafeteria to spread the word about his party.
X
Shea pushed the ladies room door open and stepped inside; surprised to see Jeanine standing in front of the mirror with tears in her eyes.
"You alright?" She asked softly; as the girl tried to wipe away the smeared mascara from her face. "What do you care?" Jeanine snapped; glaring as Shea grabbed some toilet paper and handed it to her - studying her for a moment as she took the tissue and began wiping the makeup away.
Shea continued on to the bathroom stall; doing her business quickly and re-emerging to wash her hands beside Jeanie - keeping her eyes cast downward.
"I'm pregnant and my piece of shit boyfriend dumped me when he found out. Then my parents kicked me out of the house when I told them - so I'm having a really shitty day."
She's dried her hands; finally meeting Jeanie's sad eyes. "Shit. I'm sorry. What are you going to do?" She never thought she'd see the day when someone else's life was more fucked up than hers. Especially Jeanine Scott's. "I've got some money saved up. I guess I'll try to get my own place. I really have no idea."
The bell rang; causing a sigh to escape her as she glanced in the mirror one last time. "Please don't say anything to anyone."
"Yeah. Of course. Good luck, Jeanine. I'm sure it will all work out."
The girls glanced at each other before emerging from the bathroom to go their separate ways. "Thanks Shea. You're the last person I expected to care."
Shea forced a smile and turned towards her neck class as Jeanine went back to her locker; a wicked smile on her face.
X
"Hey. You didn't come back at lunch?" Jimmy muttered; meeting up with Shea at her locker that evening. "Sorry. Some weird shit happened in the bathroom with Jeanine then the bell rang. I didn't want to get caught in the hall."
"Yo! Shea!"
They both looked up as a tall, lanky guy with cornrows and dark brown eyes jogged towards them. "Oh. Hey Marcus. What's up?"
"You forgot your notebook."
Jimmy glanced between the two; seeing red as Marcus handed Shea a blue notebook - his fingers touching hers slightly at the exchange.
"Yo! Keep your fucking hands off of her!" Jimmy snapped; shoving Marcus into the lockers as Shea's eyes went wide. "I was just giving her notebook back, dog. Chill the fuck out!"
"Why the fuck did he have your notebook?" Jimmy demanded; glaring at Shea who was completely lost. "You're kidding, right? I left it in the fucking classroom Rabbit. What the fuck?"
Marcus straightened himself and narrowed his eyes at Jimmy. "You need some anger management, yo. Psycho Elvis lookin' motherfucker." He growled; glancing over at Shea as she mouthed sorry and he disappeared back the way he came from. "What the fuck, Rabbit? He was just giving me my shit."
"Bullshit. He was trying to get up on you. Fucking asshole. How the fuck do you know him anyway?"
Shea's eyes went wide. "He's in my science class!" She snapped; slamming her locker door as she stormed off down the hallway to leave. "Yo! Alright! I'm sorry, okay? I just don't want none of these wanna be gang bangers fucking with you. You belong to me."
Shea pushed open the door; turning to glare at her oldest friend. "I don't belong to anyone! I'm not your fucking property, B! What the fuck is your deal?"
"Yo I'm just saying you're my girl. Ain't nobody gonna disrespect you."
Shea threw her hands up in the air; storming off towards Future and Bob who were waiting on them at the end of the sideways just like every day for the past four years. "Yo, you good?" Future asked as Shea stomped past them. "Man. I knew this shit was going to happen. I told you not to fuck up our crew, Jimmy!" He yelled; glaring at his friend.
"Just, give me a minute." Jimmy snapped; jogging to catch up with Shea. He grabbed her arm to stop her - turning her to face him. "I'm sorry - alright? I flipped out on that guy and he was just returning your book or whatever. I'm sorry." He assured as she huffed; crossing her arms over her chest. "Come on, Shea. Don't be mad? I'll make it up to you." He whispered; running his hands over her arms as she finally took in a breath and sighed. "Stop being a psycho. I'm with you - alright? It's always going to be you Jimmy."
"I know. I'm sorry."
Shea let him pull her into his chest as he hugged her; Future and Cheddar stood watching them from a safe distance.
X
"Man, who the fuck are you?" Jimmy yelled; his voice echoing through the cafeteria as Shea looked up from her conversation with one of her social studies classmates. Their senior paper was due by Friday and they were going over the last of their notes with each other. The guy, Devonte, narrowed his eyes and met Jimmy's.
"You know this clown?" He asked as Shea signed and closed her eyes so she wouldn't see Jimmy jerk the scrawny kid up from his seat at their lunch table and throw him across the room like a rag doll. "Yo, Rabbit - they was just going over boring ass class work. We've been sitting right here with them the whole time." Future assured as Jimmy glared at them.
"I don't need a fucking babysitter or a bodyguard! I can talk to whoever I want! Y'all aren't my damn keepers!" Shea snapped; standing from the lunch table quickly. "Yo, Shea. I'm just telling him y'all was cool."
"Yeah. She'd never cheat on you, Rabbit." Cheddar added causing Jimmy to snap again. "Stay the fuck out of this Bob. Fuck!" By the time he got done yelling at Cheddar Shea was halfway across the cafeteria - never looking back. "Yo, man. You really buggin' over Shea. She don't give a fuck about none of these other dudes. It's just you." Future tried; only to have Jimmy turn and storm off to find Shea.
X
He found her pacing the basketball courts a few minute later; fuming mad.
"What the hell, Jimmy? You gonna beat up every guy in the whole school?"
"Shea…"
"No! I let you get by with that shit yesterday but this is ridiculous! You don't trust me?"
Jimmy tried to close the space between them but she backed away; holding her hand out between them. "I trust you. I don't trust these fucking shit heads who are trying to get with you."
"We were going over history notes! Oh my god!"
Jimmy ran a hand over his face; trying to move to her again. "I'm sorry - alright? I don't want you finding someone better than me." He finally confessed causing her arms to fall at her sides. "What?"
"I'm a fucking loser - living with my mom; no job - freezing up at the battles. Any other dude at this school is better for you than me."
Shea sighed; shaking her head. "Jimmy. I love you but you are really fucking tripping."
"I know - I'm sorry!" He assured; reaching for her hand only to have her pull it away. "Shea. Don't do this."
"Im not doing anything, Rabbit - you're just driving me crazy with this jealousy shit. I'm going home with Marlena after school to get ready for Sol's party tonight - if that's cool with you." She snapped; rolling her eyes. "Yeah, of course. We'll just meet you there."
"Yeah. I'll see you there." Jimmy watched her turn on her heels and leave him standing alone on the court; rubbing a hand over his face as he groaned. He was fucking shit up with her already and they'd barely been together a month.
"Motherfucker." Jimmy growled; turning as Future, Iz Sol and Bob made their way to him. "This is why we had the pact dog. You can't be lovers and friends. There's a line you cross that's hard to balance." DJ Iz assured causing Jimmy to roll his eyes. "Man, shut the fuck up with that hippy shit. Jimmy - you fuckin' up, man. Simple as that. You gonna let this jealousy shit eat at you and fuck everything up with Shea. She's a good girl - she ain't gonna fuck you over."
"I know. Fuck, I know."
"Man, let's go get some booze for my party. You going in this time Iz, with your grandpa lookin' ass." Sol laughed as the boys followed him to his car. Future put his arm around Jimmy's shoulder and gave him a shake. "Just be chill with Shea. She's still one of us."
Jimmy just nodded; ducking his head down as he got in Sol's car.
X
"Ten freaky girls!"
"Yo why the fuck does he keep saying that shit?" Jimmy muttered; looking down into the half empty bottle of vodka he'd been nursing all night. It was nearly eleven and there was no sign of Shea at this party - he couldn't help but worry that Marcus or Devonte was keeping her from him. "Yo, you seen Shea yet?"
"No, dog. You asking me that shit every two minutes. We ain't seen her."
"She said she was coming with Marlena."
"You tell me that every five minute too. Shut the fuck up and drink. She'll be here when she gets here." Future muttered; shaking his head and taking a drink of his own bottle. "Imma go look for her." Jimmy declared; standing from the couch on shaky legs. He'd drank way too much in a short amount of time trying to drown out the thoughts of Shea being pissed at him.
She was his best friend. She couldn't be pissed at him. He loved her more than anything in this world - he had to make this shit right with her.
"Hey Jimmy."
He turned slowly; focusing on the two Jeanine's he saw before him - causing him to laugh.
"Hey. You seen Shea?"
"Yeah. I think in here." Jeanine whispered; reaching to take his hand as she guided him into an empty bedroom a few feet away. Jimmy sat his bottle of vodka down on the dresser and fell back on the bed as Jeanine advanced on top of him quickly; holding her at arms length as he tried to focus in the dark. "Shea?"
"Yeah, baby."
He pulled her forward quickly; crashing his mouth to hers as he kissed her - forcing his tongue into her mouth as his hands roamed her body. This wasn't right - Shea was soft in all the right places and smelled like vanilla; this girl was bony and tasted like cigarettes. Jimmy tried to pull away from Jeanine as she leaned further into him and straddled his hips; pulling her shirt off quickly as he lost the battle in his uninhabited state of mind and allowed her to continue kissing him.
Suddenly the bedroom light flicked on; breaking them apart as Jimmy squinted his eyes from the harsh light and sat up on his elbows.
"Oh shit. Sorry! I'm looking for…"
Shea felt her heart fall into her stomach at the sight before her. Jimmy and Jeanine of all people on the messy bed - half dressed and making out without a care in the world.
"You've got to be kidding me." Shea muttered; turning to leave the room as quickly as she'd came; barely hearing Jeanine cries of protest and Jimmy dumped her in the floor and took off towards the hallway - stopping at the threshold with wide eyes as he suddenly vomited everywhere.
X
"Shea. My man's been drinking for hours waiting on you to show up. That bitch put some kind of voodoo shit on him or something." Future tried; only to cause more sobs to escape Shea's throat as she buried her head in her hands. "Fuck that, Future. Jimmy can drink with the best of us - he knew what the fuck he was doing."
"Yo. Rabbit's in here throwing up all over my moms silk rug. Come get your boy." Sol yelled from the front door causing Shea to sigh and wipe the tears from her cheeks. Future stood with her as she ascended up the porch steps and back into the house; glaring at Jeanine as she slipped past them and out the door. "Fuck her. Go check on Rabbit. You know I can't fuck with no throwing up shit." He muttered as Shea moved down the hall where Jimmy was on his knees dry heaving into the fancy rug Sol's dad had brought home from his trip to Africa.
Sol's parents were pretty easy going but this would not go without consequences. "Come on let's get to the toilet." Shea whispered; kneeling down in front of Jimmy as he looked up at her with wide; sad eyes. "I'm sorry I threw you in the floor." He muttered; as she placed an arm around his chest and helped him to his feet. "That wasn't me, B."
"What? Yes it was - in the bedroom. Why do you taste like cigarettes?"
Shea signed; opening the bathroom door and helping him inside. Once he saw the toilet he heaved again; falling into the floor to try and make it to his destination. Shea sat on the edge of the bathtub and placed her hand on his back; trying to comfort him as he spilled a bottle of vodka into the toilet.
X