✵ ˚ : · ─── 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤
˙ .✫ * snowfall ✦ .
❛ chapter two: on the block ❜

outfits are in the media

It had been a week since Sabine and Coco moved to Los Angeles, California. Both of them took up jobs at Marcie's bakery shop, helping her run the place. Sabine alternated times between that and her other job as an RN at Cedar Sinai. Coco worked part time there, usually working three days out of the week. And because she is still new to Los Angeles, she could only do morning shifts. Getting off at around 3:30 pm.

It was a hot Saturday and Coco sat up front of the bakery, enjoying the slow hour as she leaned on the counter, reading a book she brought with her. It was the Fourth of July and all morning, it was hectic as many orders had to be filled for many people's parties and barbecues. After the morning rush, it started to die down. Allowing Coco to be able to do whatever while she waited for customers to come in.

Sabine was at her other nursing job until 4:30 pm.

Mama Marcie wanted to close early that day in favor of the holiday. She even wanted her and Sabine to dress accordingly for the occasion. Stating that it will make work more festive and 'draw in more customers.'

"Coco, baby." Marcie said, walking out of the kitchen. She was dressed in a nice red and white long sundress with her long dreads in a top bun. "Do grandmama a favor and take that king cake over to Louie and Jerome's place. I done forgot I had to meet up with a friend of mine an hour ago. She outside waiting on me."

Coco bookmarked her book and closed it. "All that weed you been smokin' is messing with your memory, grandmama." She joked, giving her a knowing smirk.

Marcie pursed her lips as she picked up her purse. "Girl, don't do me. I'm grown." She retorted with a chuckle. "You can use my car, the keys are in the office. Hurry up, now. They throwin' a party right now and while ya at it, take the rest of the day off. Just remember to lock up."

"Okay, see you there." She says before Marcie left.

After she left, Coco started cleaning the store a little, counted the register and doing everything her mom and grandma would do before locking up. Which only took about thirty minutes. She grabbed her grandma's keys to her 1970's black Cadillac. A car that used to belong to her late grandfather, who would spend summers fixing it up and restoring it. After he passed away, Marcie kept it to keep his memory alive.

Coco carefully carried the box containing the king cake inside and locked the door behind her as she left. Not before flipping the closed sign in the window.

The drive wasn't long, but finding parking was a bit hell. When Coco got to the street they lived on ( Which was easy to remember since Marcie lived across the street from them ), she was immediately met with the sounds of One Way's 'Cutie Pie' playing and a large amount of people all around their house. Dancing and drinking. Cars parked all around, making it almost impossible for her to even find parking nearby.

"Damn." She mumbled, looking for a free spot to park in. "Might as well just park in the driveway."

She turned the car into Marcie's driveway and parked it there. It was already hot enough, driving the car there, she hoped the icing didn't melt or anything. She turned off the car, unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out of the car.

She looked across the street at the full party as she walked over to the back and opened the door. Coco could smell the barbecue going and the heavy scent of weed floating over her way. It somehow reminded her of home. Especially this time of the year. Everyone is just vibing and having fun.

She liked the atmosphere of it all. Even though it was still new territory for her.

Franklin walked through the party, talking to everyone and greeting people as he gripped the red cup filled with beer in his hand. Enjoying the fun vibes and the familial feel of it all. Honestly, summer was his favorite season. The heat, the vibes, the relaxation. He loved it. His Aunt Louie was busy entertaining some of the women in the kitchen as she cooked while his Uncle Jerome was outside, preparing fireworks for later on that night.

He grinned softly as he made his way outside, seeing many of their friends and family dancing, smoking, drinking in front of the house, and having the time of their lives. He leaned on the post on their porch, sipping his drink. People watching peacefully until his eyes found a sight he never thought he would ever see here.

The bounce of her long, soft and fluffy black curls, the shine of her deep golden brown skin, the way her hourglass body fit in that red crochet top and white shorts. He already knew who that was. His mysterious neighbor. Looking a lot better than the last time he saw her.

And there goes that corny ass romcom moment playing in his head again. Watching her as she walked towards the party, looking sexier than Pam Grier in Foxy Brown. All brown sugar and cocoa.

The man in Franklin was pushing for him to peak at her body some more, telling him that a little peak wouldn't hurt anyone. But the voice of his mom threatened to beat his ass if he let his eyes wander to places on her body he shouldn't be looking at in the open. But damn.....This had to be the most difficult moment of his life.

"Hey, girl!" Louie's voice made him snap out of his fantasy. She waved her down with a big smile, carrying a rack of ribs in a tin cover for the grill.

Franklin looked as Louie walked down the porch as his fine ass neighbor smiled, meeting her halfway. Maneuvering around the dancing crowd. He noticed she was carrying a large cake box as Louie gave her a one armed hug.

A lot of questions rung in his head. But the only one he wanted to know was, how the hell did his own aunt meet her before he did?! And he was the one who lives next to her. Ain't this a bitch.

Coco smiled after Louie gave her a one armed hug. "So glad you made it," She says with enthusiasm, looking over her. "You are just gorgeous up close. You look just like your mama."

"Thank you." She thanked her, carefully holding the cake box up. "Grandmama said that she's sorry she couldn't deliver this, herself. She had to meet up with someone but she'll be here in an hour or so. She'll most likely bring my mom, too."

"I ain't even worried about it." Louie waved off. "I'm happy we could get our hands on her king cakes. Jerome and I love them."

Coco smiled a little at her, happy to see people enjoy her grandmother's baking. "Where should I set this?"

"Oh, my nephew will show you. His name is Franklin." She said before turning towards the porch area. "Franklin! Come over here, real quick!"

Coco watched as she flagged down her nephew. Her eyes met with a tall young man. Skin like rich chocolate, nice hair cut, on the slim side but still built enough to show his muscles in his arms and chest. Fine as hell. It almost caught her off guard. So much so, she almost missed Louie introducing them.

"Franklin, this is Mama's granddaughter," She introduced, placing a hand on her shoulder. "And this is my nephew, Franklin. He'll show you to the kitchen while I make sure nobody burns shit on the grill."

She quickly left them there, making a beeline to grill. Coco chuckled as she watched her hurry off with that tin cover before looking at Franklin. "Nice to meet you, Franklin." She says with a sweeter than honey smile. "I'm Colette Jimenez, but everyone calls me Coco."

Franklin let a grin grace his lips. It took everything in him to not fold. That strong and heavy New Orleans accent sounded like sweet music to his ears. It only made her sexier than before. She could get him to do anything she wanted with that voice and accent.

"It's nice to finally attach a name to the face, Coco." He says, stuffing his hand in his pocket while the other carries his drink. "I'm your neighbor. I've only seen you once, around the way."

Coco let her small smile grow upon knowing that information. So he lived right next door to her. Even better. "I'm glad I can meet you this way." She replies. "It's good to be able to know my grandmama's best customers. Even their kinfolk."

Franklin chuckled a little, nodding a little. "Yeah, Mama Marcie is pretty popular around these parts." He compliments, sipping his drink. "Come on, I'll show you the kitchen. Hot as hell out here."

Coco giggled as she followed him into the house.

Coco was able to place the cake in a free space in the fridge for later. After that, Franklin stuck by her side, getting her something to drink and talking with her. She enjoyed herself in his presence. He had this vibe to him. Like he was smart, intuitive and easy to talk to. Also easy going but he kept to himself, as well.

"You from the deep part of New Orleans," He says as they hung out on the porch together. Sitting on the sill together and getting to know each other. "Is it true they got alligators and cougars everywhere?"

"Alligators? Yes," She chuckled out, moving a curl from her face. "I ain't never seen or heard no cougar. And I used to live near a bayou. Seeing an alligator there was like second nature to me."

"So you was a real wild child, huh?" He joked, making her laugh. "I bet you used to climb trees and pick up reptiles, huh?"

"All day." She added to the joke, lightly tapping his shoulder. "I used to do things you city folks wouldn't dream to do. I don't think you would survive in my block."

Franklin smacked his lips, looking at her sideways. "Don't let the smooth look fool you. I get down."

"Alright, city boy." She says with playful sarcasm.

Franklin snickered a bit before comfortable silence fell between them for a few seconds. The more he got to know Coco, the more he was really starting to feel her. She had this unmatched aura to her. Sweeter than sugar and as warm as a sunshine. It was inviting. Something he didn't mind having around all the time.

"So, how you liking the party?" He asked, looking back at her. "Do they party like this in New Orleans?"

Coco drank the rest of her beer before answering him. "Everyday is a party in New Orleans." She says, reminiscing about her hometown. "Someone's always celebrating something. Life, death, anything. It keeps the atmosphere alive."

"Yeah, I get you," He mumbled, taking a moment to look at the dancing crowd in front of them. His eyes caught a woman who looked like Coco but obviously older, walking into the party with Mama Marcie.

She had long curly black hair like her, the same pretty complexion, and she was wearing the hell out of that long form fitted red sundress. She was greeted by Louie, who stepped away from the grill for a moment. The three women hugged each other and were all smiles. Franklin could see where Coco got her beauty from. With a youthful grandmother and a mother that reminded him of Donna Summers, of course Coco would come out looking like that.

"That's my mama." Coco said, smiling at the sight before them. "Sabine Romero. Everyone calls her Nene. And I'm sure you know my grandmama."

"Yeah, she owns that bakery everyone around here loves going to." Franklin replied, looking right at Coco with a soft grin. "It is crazy how you look exactly like your mom, man."

Coco giggled, nodding. She's heard it before. Every time anyone sees her, it's always the same line. 'Girl, you look just like your mama!' or some variation of that line. Either way, she was used to it. "I get that a lot," She hums out, tucking her arm under her other one while she still held her empty cup.

Franklin took notice of that, wanting to do something about it. "You want me to get you any more to drink or are you straight?"

"You don't have to do that," Coco politely declined. He was kind to her this entire time, he didn't need to go above and beyond. "I can get my own drink."

"My momma would slap the shit out of me if I make a lady get her own drink." He joked, taking her cup from her. It caused her to laugh at his silly behavior. "So I got you, don't worry."

     Coco smiled at him as he gesture for her to follow him. "Cute and a gentleman? Now, I done seen it all."

     Franklin chuckled, shaking his head as they walked back inside. "Like I said, my momma would slap the shit out of me if I didn't act like I was raised right."

So sorry this took too long to
even post. A lot of shit has been going
on in my life and I just got time to
update again.

Next chapter will be more eventful
I promise. I didn't want to leave y'all
hanging.

Love y'all! Stay safe!