13:
1196 Words
"You live all by yourself?" She asks as she helps me wash up and I nod.
"I do."
"Really? Why?"
"Why not?"
She seems to have more questions but she holds them back.
"Give me a second let me grab something, and I'll walk you home."
"Oh no it's okay–"
"Notice I didn't ask a question," I reply sternly, disappearing upstairs to grab her a coat.
I return downstairs, half expecting her to be gone but thankfully she's in the same spot I left her. I hand her the covering and she smiles softly.
"Thanks."
Locking my door, I follow her out of my driveway and onto the streets.
"So Kinsé, how old are you?"
"I turned 21 last week."
"Oh, a December born huh?"
"Yes sir," she replies playfully. "How about you?"
"I turned 23 in September."
"You're quite old."
"Save it youngin',"
She grins at me before turning back to the streets and I can't help but hold a smile of my own.
"How come I ain't seen you around here before?"
"I'm usually inside more than I'm outside." She replies quietly.
"Well . . . so am I but I think people know I live here."
"Dude, have you seen your house? I mean it's kinda hard not to notice."
Can't argue with that.
"You know, I saw you a while back." I immediately perked up, excited that she had actually seen me. That probably means that shawty was in fact, interested.
"Yea? Where at?"
"Don't play dumb," She rolls her eyes. "I seen you staring."
"Guilty," I chuckle, raising both palms. "It's just that, you were looking fine as hell and you threw you head back to laugh and I was like damn."
Shyly, she looked away, a smile biting at her lips.
She doesn't make any further comments, instead, we end up at her door as she stops and turns to me.
"Thank you . . . for tonight. Like really, you didn't have to do any of that, could've just shoved my black ass back onto the streets but you didn't. Plus you fed me, I think you're proving to be one of a kind."
"Aw, you're welcome Kukoo."
Placing her hands on her hips, she gives me a blatant look while I flash her a grin.
"Goodnight Don." She turns and makes her way towards the steps.
"You gonna be ight?"
"I'll be fine prince charming, I'm a big girl."
Kinse offers me one of the softest smiles I have ever seen as she disappears into her small, dainty white house. I can't help but breathe out a sigh of content, as I turn around and walk back home.
-----
"Yo Don!"
What time is it?
"Donatello!"
Too early for this s**t.
I groan as I slowly lift myself off the bed, clenching my jaw as my eyes struggle to open up. As if on cue, my door slams open and my brother Tip.
The 18 year old glares at me and places his hand on his hips.
"What?" I grunt.
"What are you doing man? Mom's getting married in like an hour!"
"That ain't got s**t to do with me Tip." I stand and stretch, padding over to my bathroom to brush me teeth. He follows.
"Dude when are you going to put this to rest? She's happy, isnt that enough for you?"
"Shes marrying a bum and a con artist."
"Ex con artist."
"You think that shits okay Tip? Really? Ion trust that nigga. Send ma all my love but I won't be there." Tip rubs his head, but nods.
"Ight man, I'll catch you later."
"Be good." I dap him up before he leaves, chuckling at the sight of him in his weird ass suit.
After taking a shower, and dressing loosely in some basketball shorts, I check my phone only to be met with numerous orders of supplies, just like every other day.
Pulling a shirt over my head, I grab my keys and slip my phone into my back pocket before locking up the house and heading over to my car.
"Don!" Turning around, I find shawty basically sprinting over to me in some high ass heels.
I furrow my eyebrows as she slips into a c***k in the pavement, and comes flying my way.
"s**t, Kinsé what the hell?" I grab her arm to help her off the ground and she winces, folding her elbow to reveal a bruise that she now has.
"f**k," she murmurs, annoyed as she dusts off her pants. I then take in her attire, and see that she was now covered in work clothes. A tight fitting black pant with a white blouse.
"Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?" At this point I was lost as hell as I look around for what she was running from. She sighs, before finally looking up at me. My breath catches in my throat, and it's almost as if she batted her eyelashes in slow motion.
Her lips were like . . . popping with oil, but in a good way. Her brown eyes glistened at me as she shook her head.
"I'm okay," and you know what this girl did? She gives me my coat back.
"You're telling me," Bruh. "That you almost . . . Ate your face on my pavement over a freaking hoodie?"
"I didnt want to miss you!" She defends and I just blink at her.
"You're crazy. That's all there is to it."
"Just take it."
"Come on kukoo, let's clean your wound."
"I'll be late for work, I really have to go or else I'll miss the bus."
"I'll drive you, obviously."
"Don—" I open up the passenger side for her, indicating that she should get in and she sighs again, but complies.
After climbing in as well, I grab my first aid kit from the glove compartment and clean her elbow bruise nicely before placing a bandage on it.
"Thank you," she mutters and I nod.
"Where you work?"
"Miruim,"
"You a therapist or something?" I ask in surprise as I pull out.
"I am actually."
"Oh, alright Miss boss lady," she rolls her eyes, and finally a little smile graces her lips.
"Everything went smoothly last night though?"
"Yea, it went fine."
Kinsé seemed a little clipped as she sat quietly. I could tell that she had something on her mind but I knew better.
The last thing I wanted to hear was to mind my business.
"You had something to eat already?" I ask.
"I'm not really hungry." She replies.
We arrive at her workplace and she turns to me before getting out.
"Thanks again," she says, forcing a smile and I nod.
"Dont mention it." She gets out, offering a small wave before disappearing.
I don't know why but it bothered me that shawty was upset. I wanted to ask but I knew how girls worked. I would've probably gotten snapped at, or worse, she would've tried to put me in my place for no reason!
I hoped that whatever it was, that it would pass, and she would have a good day.
- Writer
