Age Is Just A Number

Age Is Just a Number 6

Trey POV

I finished getting dressed and headed downstairs to get some water. This house was great but I have to complain about the stairs. It was too much. I was heading towards the front door when Kaleem came down the stairs.

"Yo, can you pick up some chips?" He asked. I looked at him like he was crazy.

"Why?"

"Cause Im hungry. Thats why."

"I ain't picking up no chips for your hungry ass." I said. I looked at my phone since it vibrated. I just got a message from Devin telling me to call him immediately. So I did. I waited for a moment. Then he picked up.

"Junior! Man stay awake!" I heard someone yell. "Hello Trey??" Devin said into the phone.

"Whats up?" I said.

"Junior got shot. And he ain't doing well." He said. What the hell? Are you kidding me?

"By who?"

"D'Shawn." He said. "Damn, Junior open your eyes man. You freaking me out!"

"Who is with you?" I asked.

"No one. Its just me." He said.

"Okay. Kaleem and I are on our way." I said. "Get him to a hospital or something."

"Trey, he may be the youngest but he is heavy. I cant get him into a car."

"Call the ambulance or something!" I yelled into the phone. "Where are you guys?"

"By the apartment." He said. I hung up and got my keys.

"Where are we going?" Kaleem asked.

"Junior got shot. And we gotta go. Now." I said walking out the door. I could hear Kaleem cussing inside. I got inside the car and started it. Kaleem came in and I drove off in speed. Kaleem's phone started to ring and he answered.

"Yeah? Okay. We'll be there." He said before hanging up. "There at the hospital downtown." I nodded and headed in that direction. About fifteen minutes later, we ran into the hospital. Carter, Blaine and Keon were already there with Devin. We went over to them. "Whats going on?"

"We don't know." Keon said. We were all anxious. I sat down and thought. Junior was the one we had to take care off. don'tWe all grew up together and he was like the little brother. The one who tagged along. If he died, things would be different. Things would change. War would start between D'Shawn and I. A huge war. Where one must die to win. I was snapped out my thoughts when my phone started ringing. It was Desiree. I totally forgot about tonight. I got up and went outside to answer the call.

"Hey babe." I said.

"Baby, where are you? I thought we were going to see a movie tonight."

"I know Rey. But something came up."

"What?"

"Junior got shot so Im at the hospital."

"Are you serious? Oh my gosh! I hope he's okay."

"We are all hoping. Did you hear anything outside?"

"Uh not really cause I was taking a long shower. But when I got out, I heard yelling and cars speeding off."

"Alright. I promise, Ill make it up to you."

"No. Its okay. You don't have too. Your friends need you right now. So go along. Its fine." She said sweetly.

"You sure?"

"Yes Trey."

"Alright. Ill call you later okay?"

"Ill be up waiting." She said giggling. "Love you."

"Love you too." I said. I hung up and went back inside. It wasn't the right time but they all looked funny pacing around. I walked over to them and sat down. "Anything as yet?"

"No." Devin said.

"Okay, what happened?" Kaleem asked.

"I was peacefully watching tv and smoking a blunt when I heard yelling. I thought it was those teenage nigga so I didn't pay any mind. Then, I heard some gunshots and looked out the window. Some guy was down and a whole set of people drove off. I went outside to see who it was and it was Junior. Man had blood running down his nice white polo and bruises. I think they were beating him up or something. Then I called you. At that point his eyes were like rolling back and I don't think he was breathing properly. When you hung up, luckily someone called the cops and everything came. They took me and Junior here and yeah thats it." Devin said. We all became silent. No one said a word to each other.

"Anyone here for Junior Richards?" A man said. We all got up and walked over to him.

"Whats going on?" Devin asked.

"Well, we tried our best but Im sorry. He didn't make it." The doctor said. You have got to be f*****g joking right now. Devin walked out the room, Carter and Blaine sat back down, Kaleem started to pace around the room, and I just stood there. I thought to myself for a moment. Things were about to change dramatically.

***

We all sat down in the kitchen trying to figure out things.

"Did you guys tell anyone?" Jazmine asked. We shook our heads.

"Do you know where his mom is?" Desiree asked.

"Died a while back." Devin said.

"His dad?" Jazmine asked.

"Left him a while back." I said.

"Brothers or sisters?" Desiree asked.

"Not that we know of." Carter said.

"Do you have his phone?" Desiree asked again.

"Yeah." Devin said taking it out.

"Keep it. We can call everyone on his contacts and tell them what happened." Jazmine said. "Now, are you guys gonna have like a funeral or a memorial service?"

"Uhhh, no. We were just gonna burry him." Blaine said.

"What kind if people are you!" Desiree yelled. "You cant just burry someone like that. He's not a dead animal or something you can just put in a box and put underground!"

"How would you feel if I did that to you?" Jazmine said to Kaleem.

"Well, I wouldn't care cause Id be dead." Kaleem answered.

"Alright. When you die, Im putting you in a cardboard box and throwing you in a lake. Since you wouldn't care and you'd be dead anyways."

"This body doesn't belong in cardboard box." Kaleem said offensively.

"And neither does Junior's." Desiree said. "So get some paper and pens and start planning." She said. We all looked at each other.

"We don't got pen and paper."

"Well luckily, I do. Here. Start writing what we say." Jazmine said handing me the paper. Damn, these girls knew how to plan. Within ten minutes the paper was full. And they kept on talking. I had to stop writing and record what they were saying. After half an hour, we were set. Now all we needed was to get everything prepared and ready.

***

Its been a week and today was the funeral for our buddy Junior. The church was full. I didn't think so many people knew him. We only call about twenty people off his phone. So far the program was going as planned. His family spoke about him, his other friends spoke about him. Devin said a few words, I said a few words. It was hard. This whole service was hard. I cried a few times. Junior was such a great guy. Never got himself into any trouble, he was actually in school. He didn't deserve to die. It wasn't fair. Soon, Desiree got up and went onto the stage.

"Do you know what she's doing?" Kaleem asked me.

"No idea." I said.

"Hi, everyone. I'm Desiree and I recent friends of Junior. I loved him. He was a great guy, didn't harm anyone. And umm now, I'm gonna sing a song. And I hope it give us all the strength to carry on cause I know that is what Junior would have wanted." She said. Soon a track started to play. (You can either read the lyrics or listen to the track "Take Me To The King by Tamela Mann")

Take Me To The King

I don't have much to bring

My heart is torn in pieces

It's my offering

Take Me To The King

Truth is I'm tired

Options are few

I'm trying to pray

But where are you?

I'm all churched out

Hurt and abused

I can't fake

What's left to do?

Truth is I'm weak

No strength to fight

No tears to cry

Even if I tried

But still my soul

Refuses to die

One touch-will change-my life

Take Me To The King

I don't have much to bring

My heart's torn into pieces

It's my offering

Lay me at the throne

Leave me there alone

To gaze upon Your glory

And sing to You this song

Please Take Me To The King

Truth is it's time

To stop playing these games

We need a word

For the people's pain

So Lord speak right now

Let it fall like rain

We're desperate

We're chasing after you

No rules, no religion

I've made my decision

To run to You

The healer that I need

Take Me To The King

I don't have much to bring

My heart's torn to pieces

It's my offering

Lay me at the throne

Leave me there alone

To gaze upon Your glory

And to sing to You this song

Take Me To The

Lord we're in the way

We keep making mistakes

Glory is not for us

It's all for You

Chorus

Take Me To The King 3x

She finished singing and I was blown away. Desiree had the everyone on their feet. I didn't know she was a good singer. No, not a good singer, a great singer. She had the voice of an angel. She placed the mic back on the stand and came off the stage and sat down beside me. She allowed a tear to drop and I held her hand. She looked at me and smiled. After the service was over, we walked out the church and headed towards the car.

"I don't wanna go." Devin said.

"Why not?" Keon asked.

"They are going to burry my best friend since middle school. How the f**k am I suppose to watch that happen!" He yelled. Yeah that is true. Junior and Devin were in the same class since middle school. Even though Devin was a year older than him, they were like brothers. "I'm not going."

"You don't have to come if you don't want too. If its too much for you to handle, you can just meet us at the reception." Jazmine said.

"Or we all go and you can stay in the car." Carter said.

"Nah, Im tired. Im going home. See y'all later." Devin said. He walked away and headed to his car.

"I hope he's gonna be okay." Jazmine said. We all agreed and got into my car. We were carpooling today. I started the car and headed in the direction of the cemetery.

"Yo, Desiree." Keon said from the back. She turned around to face him.

"Yeah?" She answered.

"I didn't know you could sing like that! Damn, you got some good vocal chords! Hitting all them high notes!" He yelled. Then he tried to imitate her and it didn't work out since he started choking. Everybody started laughing.

"Well thank you. Imma be famous soon." Desiree said.

"Good. Then you can get me into the VIP sections at parties and I can dance with Beyonce." Carter said.

"There's so many things wrong with that sentence. First off, Beyonce wouldn't want to dance with you and secondly, who said Imma take you anywhere with me." Desiree said. Again everyone started laughing. This girl had jokes. We arrived at the cemetery and got out. We headed to where Junior's family was. They sang a few songs and a few more people said somethings before they started to lower the casket into the ground. Thats when I lost it.

Desiree POV

I watched as they lowered Junior down. Watching someone die is one thing but seeing them going six feet under is a different thing. I allowed a few tears to drop and I tried to reached for Trey's hand but I touched air. I looked around me to see where he was and saw him walking away. I left the crowd and followed him. I caught up to him.

"Trey? Are you okay?" He didn't answer me. He kept on walking. I reached for his hand but he snatched it away from me. I ran in front of him and saw tears streaming down his face. He looked mad but sad at the same time. "Oh my gosh, Trey its okay." I said giving him a hug. He hesitated then hugged me. Hearing him cry made me cry. It was a different.

"Im good. Lets go to the car." He said. I wiped away his tears and he smiled. "Cant believe you saw that." He said taking my hand.

"Aww. I think its manly that you can cry in front of me." I said. He laughed and unlocked the car door. I opened the passenger side.

"Nope. In the back." He said with a smile. I opened the back door and got in. He did as well.

"So why are we in the back Trey?" I asked. He smiled and came closer to me.

"Why do you think we're in the back baby?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulders. "I think you know." He said. He brushed his lips along mine. Soon our lips were pressed against each other. I loved his lips. They were so soft. He bit my bottom lip asking for an entrance. And I allowed him in. Our tongues had a war which made me laughing. He started to kiss along my neck and run his hands all over my body. Especially my boobs. So far I was liking it. But when his hands started to get lower, I started to get nervous. I wasn't ready for s*x as yet. I wanted to wait a bit longer.

"Trey stop." I said. He pulled away and looked at me.

"What's wrong baby girl?" He asked. I looked away. I was kinda ashamed that I was still a virgin. All my friends lost theirs a long time ago. "Wait, you're still a virgin."

"I'm sorry." I said looking down. He lifted my head so I could look at him.

"Why are you sorry ma? Not so many girls have their innocence. I think it's awesome that you kept yours."

"Really?"

"Of course. But when you're ready, let me know. I wanna be your first." He said giving me a kiss. I smiled and kissed him back passionately. We kept at it for a while until we heard a banging at the window. We pulled away and saw everyone at the window.

"Are you guys finished? I would like to get something to eat." Kaleem said.

"Why are you always so hungry?" Jazmine asked. Kaleem shrugged his shoulders. Trey unlocked the doors and gave him the keys.

"Alright. Im driving." Kaleem said. They all got in the car and Kaleem headed out the parking lot. "Do you guys really wanna go to the reception?"

"Not really." Carter said.

"Yeah, can we go somewhere else?" Keon asked.

"Sure. Let's go bowling or something." Trey said.

"I'm down for bowling." Kaleem said.

"Uhh, hello? Two girls here, in dresses." Jazmine said.

"They have rental shoes. You guys will be fine." Blaine said.

"But I just got my nails done." I said looking at my fingers. "I cant just put my hands in a bowling ball." I kinda lied. I couldn't really bowl. All the times we went, I played sick and just watched.

"You'll be fine." Trey said. I looked at his furiously.

"Excuse me? This cost me over fifty dollars so-"

"You paid more than fifty bucks on your fingers?" Carter asked.

"Hey, a girl gotta look good from head to toe." Jazmine said. The guys all shook their heads and Jazzy and I laughed. We drove for about an hour an a half until we stopped at Bowler-mania. This place was the best bowling place I've ever been too. It had a bowling alley, a mini club, a bar, and a restaurant. We got out the car and headed inside. It was around five o'clock so I guess we planned on spending quite some time there. I've been here a few times with the guys and this was Junior's favourite hang out spot. We paid for a good period of time and everyone got their shoes but me.

"Why aren't you getting a pair?" Kaleem said.

"Uhh, I don't wanna play." I said quietly.

"Why?" Blaine asked.

"Yeah. You never play." Keon added.

"Cause I don't feel like it." I said.

"Come on baby. Play in this game." Trey said. I shook my head. "Desiree."

"Come on play this one." Jazzy said.

"Im gonna get something to eat cause Im hungry." I said walking away. I went over to the restaurant and order myself a chicken salad and a root beer. I sat down and ate. It was really good. I noticed a karaoke sign up sheet. "Umm excuse me?" I said to the lady who served me.

"Yeah?"

"Umm what is this karaoke thing about?"

"Oh. Every Saturday night we have Karaoke Night and open mic."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You wanna sign up?" She asked. I thought about it. I should. I wanted to get out there so I might as well start now.

"Sure." I said with a smile. She gave me the sheet. I signed up for the karaoke. I had my own songs but I wasn't ready for anyone to hear them. I gave her the sheet and finished my food.

"Desiree?" I turned around and saw Trey.

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you want to play? Its going great."

"Trey. I don't want to play." I said.

"Tell me why." He said.

"I just don't want too."

"Desiree, Im so serious right now. Tell me why-"

"Fine! I suck at bowling. Im not good at all. And I don't wanna make a fool of myself in front of you guys." I said.

"Why couldn't you just say that?" He said. I shrugged my shoulders. "I can teach you if you want me too."

"No. Its fine."

"Nah, Imma teach my girl how to bowl." He said. He grabbed my hand and walked me back to the others. "Hey, Carter take my spot for a bit. Imma have a private game with Desiree." They looked at me and I rolled my eyes. "Come on." He said walking me to the shoe rental to get me a pair, then pulling me towards the end of the building to an empty bowling alley.

"Trey, I don't want to do this. I was fine sitting down. By myself." I said.

"I'm not taking no as an answer."

"Yes you are. Trey, I'm not gonna do it." I said sitting down on the chairs that were there. "Plus, if I ruin my nails, you're giving me sixty four dollars."

"Desiree, come on. Just try it." He said. Soon a bunch of bowling balls came out. "Come here." I got up and stood beside him. "Okay, watch me." He said. I watched as he bowled the ball and got all the pins down.

"Yeah, good job. Not doing that." I said.

"Baby, here. take it." He said handing me a ball. I sighed and took it. Damn it was heavy. "Alright. You saw what I did." He stood behind me. "Now, pull back and throw it." I did what he said and it ended up hitting one pin. "Good. Now try it yourself." I took a ball and did exactly what he did. I threw the ball with force. I got all the pins down. "Woah! I thought you said you couldn't bowl."

"I cant."

"Then how did you-"

"I don't know."

"Wow. Well-"

"Im done. I'm going to sit down."

"Desiree. Let's do one game."

"Trey." I whined.

"How about this, you do this for me, and I'll do something you want me to do okay?"

"Anything?"

"I'm not doing some stupid s**t so get that out your head but yeah anything."

"Alright. Fine." I said. After a while I was staring to like the game even though Trey was beating me. I came out pretty decent before our game was over.

"Good game right?" He asked.

"I guess." I said with a smile. I looked at my phone and it was already nine o'clock. I wasn't tired as yet though but I wanted to hangout with Trey alone. I wondered if I could stay with him the night. I decided to text my aunt.

Me: Aunty?

Aunt Talia: Yes Rey?

Me: Can I spend the night at a friends house?

Aunty Talia: Who?

Me: Uhhh Trey? Please??

Aunty Talia: Fine. But be home by eleven tomorrow morning. We have to talk

Me: alright

"Trey, can I spend the night with you?" I asked him.

"Sure." He said. We walked over to where the others were. "You guys want some drinks or something?"

"Just get some shots or something. Im in the mood to play some pool." Kaleem said. Jazmine laughed. "What?"

"You're so cute." She said.

"Anyways, we'll be over there in a sec." Blaine said. Trey nodded and we walked over to the bar. Trey order twenty shots and a cranberry and vodka for himself. All the guys were over at the pool table. I sat down and watched the drinks while the other played pool. I looked down at the twenty shot glasses sitting in front of me. Now, I wasn't an alcoholic but leaving me with shot glasses is not the right thing to do.

Trey POV

The game was going great. I was winning so far. It was my turn again. One more and I would win. I lined up my pool stick in line with ball number four and got it straight in.

"Thats how you do it." I said proudly. They started mumbling. Blaine walked away while they others were mumbling.

"Uh Trey?" Blaine said.

"Yeah?"

"Did you get the shots or just the glasses?"

"What do you mean?"

"There are twenty glasses but they are empty." I walked over to Blaine and saw what he was talking about. Then I noticed Desiree wasn't there.

"Where's Desiree? She was watching them while we played."

"Over there." Carter pointed. I saw a girl going wild to the songs that were playing. Soon she got up on the table and started screaming lyrics. I walked over to her.

"Desiree get down from there." I said to her.

"Trey!! Come sing with me!!" She said.

"No. Get down from there." I said again. She didn't listen. "Baby please come down. I gotta ask you something." She stepped off the table and fell hard on the ground. "Are you okay?"

"Of course I am!! What did you want to tell me?" I walked her over to the others

"I asked you to watch the shots that were here. Where are-"

"Ohhh, you don't gotta worry about that baby. No can take them." She said seductively.

"Where are they?" Kaleem asked. Desiree pointed to her stomach. Don't tell me this girl drank all of them?

"You drank them?" I asked her. She nodded. "Why???"

"You're not even legal to drink." Blaine said.

"f**k the law. I do what I wanna do." She said. She climbed up on the pool table. Im Out by Ciara and Nicki Minaj started to play.

"Oh boy." Jazmine said. We all looked at her in confusion. "Just watch."

"Aye yo, CiCi. Let me show you how to do a singing b***h greasy,

you was by Lenox, yeah, the one on Peachtree,

I was with Dimitri,

Seen you on your Love & Hip Hop, Mendecee

Fuck these petty niggas" is a b***h motto,

If I say it on wax, every b***h follow,

If I'm sipping in the club, Myx Moscato,

I got a big fat ass, big d***s follow.

Hit them with the back shots,

hit them with the ass shots,

take them to the bank, then I hit them with the cash drops,

I do it big, I hit them with the caps lock

I'm gonna ball, I hit them with the mascot,

No, I never been there, but I like to Bangkok

big fat titties when they hanging out my tank top

you gon' play me, on i********: niggas trying to shade me

but your b***h at home trying to play me,

I'm Nicki M Weezy F, baby,

Man, f**k you and your lady,

gun butt you, cause you're shady,

Now which b***h want it,

cause that b***h get it,

I gave him to you, b***h,

don't f*****g forget it."

She rapped along with the track. What the f**k was she doing? I had to admit, she was pretty good at dancing but right now wasn't the time. Everyone was looking at us.

"Yeah, she's drunk. And if we don't leave, it will get worse." Jazmine said. We all tried to get her off the table but nothing was working.

"Um excuse me? You need to get her out of here. Or I will call the police." A guy said to us.

"We know." I said. "Desiree, come on. We are going home."

"No b***h! This is my song!!" She yelled at me while jumping off and running from us.

"Kaleem get the car. When we get her Ill drive though." I said throwing the keys at him. He nodded and left with Blaine and Carter. Jazmine stayed with Keon and I. We chased after Desiree. Damn this girl could run. Soon Keon got a hold of her.

"Let go of me!! b***h get your hands off me!!" She yelled. We pulled her out the building and pushed her into the car. "You all are a bunch of muthafuckin asses!!" She screamed. I got into the driver's seat and drove off. I was going to have a hard time concentrating since Desiree was yelling. "You know what! This ain't even right! I want to go back! Ugh!!!"

"Can someone cover her mouth please before I crash the car and get us all dead!!" I yelled. Soon I couldn't hear her. I got onto the freeway and drove in the express lane.

"Uhhh Trey!" Jazmine yelled.

"What?" I asked.

"You need to pull over." Keon said.

"Why?"

"Oh my gosh!! Trey pull over!!! She's going to puke!!" Jazmine screamed.

"How the hell am I suppose to pull over in an express lane!!!"

"I don't know but she is gonna throw it all up on your seat!!" Jazmine yelled. I cussed under my breath and started to drive into the other lanes. I was speeding at this point. I was over and I parked the car. Jazmine and Desiree got out. We waited for about five minutes before they came back in.

"Is she alright?" I asked.

"Yeah. We can go." She said. I got back on the highway. After dropping Blaine, Carter and Keon, I headed to the house. The car was really quiet. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw Kaleem and Jazmine making out and Desiree sleeping. She looked so peaceful. I drove into the driveway and turn off the car. Jazmine and Kaleem got out. I got out as well and went into the back to get Desiree.

"Desiree? Baby girl?" I whispered. She moved slightly. "Come on."

"Am I home?"

"Your at my house. Come on." She sat up and I picked her up. This girl was light. I opened the door and did the security stuff before walking up to my room. I opened my door laid her on my bed. I got a tee shirt and basketball shorts. Desiree was fast asleep. I unzipped her dress and slipped it off her. It was so hard not to have my way with her since her body was beautiful. Curves in the right places. Every part of her was just perfect. I shook the thought out my head and got her into the clothes without waking her up. When I was done, I turned off the lights and left her alone to sleep. I walked downstairs into the living room to watch some tv. I switched to the basketball game but I didn't pay any mind. I was starting to get tired and decided to go to bed. I turned off the tv and headed upstairs. I walked into my room and changed into my shorts. It was kinda hot in here so I didn't bother to put on a shirt. Desiree started moving and she woke up.

"Trey?" She half whispered. I got into bed with her.

"Hey baby. How you feeling?"

"My head hurts."

"Well just relax okay? I ain't allowing you to have any drinks. Why would you take down twenty shots? How do you do that?" I asked her. She chuckled.

"I don't know. I love taking shots."

"Well no more for you. Okay?"

"Baby." She whined.

"No." I said sternly.

"Okay. Fine."

"Good. Now get some sleep." I kissed her forehead.

"Night Trey." I wrapped my arms around her. I loved the way she felt in my arms. She wasn't small but she wasn't big either. The perfect size for me. I loved this girl. But I was hiding a huge part of me from her. I really didn't want her to know about that. The fact that I was basically seven years older than her and I was the basic thug. Jazmine told me how Desiree didn't like those types of guys. I had to be what she wanted. I could see myself with her for the rest of my life.