Page 63 of Save Room for Us

“Crumb donuts, a sparkling water, some gum, and a Twix.”

“You need to bring yo’ ass in then.”

“No, my legs are tired, Sif. Please.” She pouted, making me suck my teeth before hopping out.

Only time I cut my car off was when I had Banks with me because I didn’t trust her little ass not to joyride in my shit. It was tough having a little sister so fucking extroverted and always wanting to get into some shit.

I got everything Banks wanted first, while her list was fresh on a nigga’s mind so I wouldn’t forget shit. Only then did I procure my candy straws, water, and an Arizona tea.

As I made my way outside after purchasing, I spotted a nigga by my ride, smiling too fucking hard as he peered down at Banks through the window rolled down halfway.

“Ah!” He grunted when I grabbed his left arm, twisting it and pinning him to the side of the car roughly.

“How old is you, nigga?” I questioned as he winced in pain.

“Asif!” Banks shrieked, hands clutching the window.

“Take this fucking bag and be quiet, Banks,” I stated sternly, handing over the plastic bag to her flirting ass. “I asked how old you was, cuz.” I rotated his arm more, awaiting the answer I already knew I wouldn’t like.

“I’m… I’m seventeen,” he replied.

“When yo’ birthday, and don’t forget the year?” When I saw him trying to calculate, proving he was lying, I whipped him around and sent a punch to his stomach, making him fold over. After dropping his ass with a deep elbow to his back, I said, “If I ever catch yo’ creep ass trying to fuck with any underage girl again, muthafucka, not just my baby sister, I’m gon’ put you in the ground, cuz.”

“O-okay.” He held onto his stomach, hacking like a cat that had swallowed a hairball. “My bad. I—I thought she was older.” He decided to lie as I was about to walk off, so I doubled back and kicked him in the stomach hard as shit, making him vomit.

He didn’t think she was older, hence why he felt the need to say he was seventeen.

“Any of you niggas see him or any other grown ass man checking for minors, especially this one, you make sure I find the shit out,” I announced to the niggas watching with wide-eyes as they hung around the store.

Everyone nodded, commenting lowly as I hopped into my Lambo.

“Asif, he didn’t know?—”

“Hedidknow.” I cut Banks off, slamming my door. As mad as I was, I was keeping my cool. Hollering and shit at women wasn’t my thing, especially not at my baby sister. “These grown ass muthafuckas not into you ’cause you act mature or whatever the fuck they gon’ try to put in yo’ fucking head, B. They into you ’cause you impressionable as fuck and because you ain’t gon’ make their muthafuckin’ asses come correct like a grown ass woman would.” I sped out of the lot, irritated as fuck that I couldn’t pop that nigga. It was daylight and me whupping his ass was risky enough.

“They gotta come correct with me too, trust.” She folded her arms.

“They better not come with shit unless they want niggas coming to see them lowered into the fucking ground.” I came to a red light. “Baby girl, you gon’ learn all the shit that impresses you now ain’t gon’ make you bat an eyelash when you become a woman. Niggas know that and gon’ try their best to get yo’ time while yo’ standards ain’t as high. Don’t give it to ’em. They not fucking worthy.

“Nah, I don’t fuck with the fact that you growing up, got crushes and shit—don’t tell me—but I’m mainly trying to protect you.” I looked over at her and could see she was calmer now, cute face not all twisted the fuck up. “Next time, shut it down, Banks, or me and you gon’ have issues. You understand?” I asked calmly.

“I understand. I’m sorry.”

“You good.” I reached into the bag she’d set to her right nearest me and handed her the donuts. “You better eat all this shit I bought.”

Giggling as she tore it open, she replied, “I am. Calm down.”

ONE WEEK LATER…

Adds “You” by Lucy Pearl to the playlist…

I decided to actually take Asif’s advice and use the money he gave me to take care of myself. I got my nails done, pedicure and a manicure, I got damn near a full body wax, some new makeup and skincare, then a few new pairs of clothes, and shoes.

He gave me so much money that I was able to buy some things for Sophie and then save the rest. I did splurge on one of those foldable treadmills so I could squeeze in small workouts occasionally.

So now as I stood in my full-length mirror wearing a thigh length dress that was sort of slinky around my breasts, I smiled.I hadn’t felt pretty and dressed up in a long time, and I had Asif to thank for that. I didn’t get my hair done because I hadn’t found someone I liked, and Lisara’s shop was always too busy, so I styled my curly hair with some tied up and some down.

I heard the doorbell go off just after I put on my jewelry, so I spritzed on my Tom Ford perfume, grabbed my tiny purse, and then strutted out to the living room, rocking my favorite Tom Ford padlock heels.

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