𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟑
𝟐 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐂'𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 : 𝐀𝐓𝐋 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡.
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟕:𝟒𝟎 𝐩.𝐦.

"Azula, I told you. You can't be taking Dj's stuff and leaving it anywhere. And definitely not in my room. Got it ?" You watched as C crouched down in front of the little girl, whose bottom lip was curled into a pout.

She sniffled and nodded with a stank look on her face. He sighed before giving the girl and her brother a twenty dollar bill. "Get something to eat while I'm out. I'll be back soon," he says rustling the hair on both of their heads.

C got up from his crouching position and you and him began walking to the door. He stepped out before you so before you got the chance to cross the threshold, you felt a slight tugging on the leg of your black joggers. You looked down to see Azula peering up at you, with the paper crown you had on in hand. "You forgot this, Princess (y/n)," she held it out to you.

"Why thank you, Princess Azula," you said, curtsying.

If this was any other kid, you would've took it and threw it out once you got home. But you realized she probably didn't get a lot of opportunities to play with girls since she's growing up with only two brothers. Plus she was a sweetie, so you didn't mind cherishing this one thing. You took the crown from her and placed it on top of your head, watching her eyes light up in amusement. Her small hands quickly went to wave C, who was now watching the two of you interact.

He brushed past you, walking back into the house to see what she wanted. C crouched down to her level and waited for her to speak into his ear. Azula cupped her hands and whispered something, keeping her eyes on you. When she was done, he got up and began walking back out, this time walking behind you. "I'll ask her," he called back to her. "Don't open the door for anybody unless it's from the pizza place. And stay outta my room or both of you will be sleeping outside."

You sucked your teeth playfully at his empty threats before waving at his two younger siblings. Once the both of you began walking over to the car, you noticed a bouquet of white orchids in his hands. Trying not to seem like you cared, you decided to ask about what Azula said. At least that's what you were going to do until he spoke first. "Azula must really like you," he started.

"What makes you say that ?" you asked, hopping into the passenger seat he rushed to open for you.

"She wants you to come back over. She asked me to tell you."

You poked out your bottom lip, pouting. "That's so sweet."

"Of course I'll just tell her you're busy, though. I know you don't want to-"

"If it's okay with you, I could take her somewhere on Friday. She's probably tired of being in that house with just boys," you offer.

Connie's face lit up but you didn't notice since you were looking out the car's rolled down window. Azula was a handful. It was lucky that she even liked you. So the way you had no problem with spending time with her made him happy. "But what about my party ? You have to come to that."

You playfully shoo him with your hand, still looking out the window. "I'll have her back before."

"She'd love that. Thanks, Princess."

Him and that damn nickname. "Mhm," you hummed. For the rest of the ride to your mystery destination, you and C would sneak looks at each other from the corners of your eyes. As much as you would've liked to detest the fact, C was very handsome and not as bad as you thought. When you guys were at his house, you saw how caring of a big brother he was. And it appeared that he was doing the most work to take care of them but maybe it was because his parents were always at work.

The car stopped in an empty field with a babbling brook running through and one single weeping willow tree. Next to that tree was a gravel path leading into a meadow of lavender. "Coming ?" He asked, already outside of the car.

You nodded, taking in the pretty sights of small creatures running around. You were confused how there could be something like this hidden in ATL but still enchanted nonetheless.

As the both of you got closer to the tree, you were able to make out the carvings on the tree.

𝐋 + 𝐒 <𝟑

𝐃 𝐱 𝐉 <𝟑
𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫

You ran your hand over the man made indentations, left by old lovers. You snapped out of it, when you noticed C walking farther onto the gravel path. Following him down, you watched as his grip on the orchids got a little tighter.

The both of you reached the lavender field. In that field was a small space, cleared of the purple plant. Inside of the space, were two slab gravestones. The other had fresh flowers but the one that said , "Samuel Springer" didn't. Must be what the orchids were for. You watched as C crouched down to change the flowers and spruce up the other grave that belonged to, "Diane Springer".

He hummed a song you recognized to be, "My Girl" by The Temptations as he cleaned up Diane's gravestone. C must've noticed your confusion as to who the graves belonged to. "Too early for us to meet each other's parents and grandparents, right ?" He laughed. "This is my mom and this one is my pop pop's," he said pointing to the one whose flowers were replaced.

Not really knowing what to say, you said the most generic thing in the book. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Meh, it's whatever," he said getting up and starting to walk back down the gravel road. "Sorry if that was weird-"

"It's fine. It's really pretty out here," you say looking at the small stream that wasn't too far from the weeping willow tree.

"You think so ?" You nodded. "My mom and dad used to come here on dates. So did my grandparents."

"Have you ever came here on a date ?" Something in you felt as though you already knew the answer. But then again it could be either way. Maybe he wasn't the date type, just the sneaky link type. Or maybe he always took girls here and this was one of his moves.

"No. I don't go on dates," he answered bluntly.

Okay so it was option one. You shrugged your shoulders, "I figured."

"What's that supposed to mean ? Don't think I'm cute enough to get a date ?" He nudged your arm playfully.

You wiped your arm. "No. I meant that you're the sneaky link type."

C lets out a small laugh. "Not true." You side eyed him so he cut the act. "Okay partially true but it's mostly because I find no need to." You gave him a confused look so he continued. "If each girl I meet isn't someone I genuinely want, then what's the point ? They usually settle for sex, anyways."

So basically you're a fuckboy, you thought to yourself. "Hm," was all you let out.

C then realized that maybe that wasn't the best thing for him to say to you and mentally facepalmed himself. You kept on walking back to the car and waited for him there as he continued to call himself an idiot in his head. Over and over again.

It wasn't long before the two of you got back onto the road. Now, the sun was beginning to set and was casting an orange light onto all you could see. It was beautiful. "There's this local spot I was gonna stop at. Unless the Princess wants something more pricey. Perhaps escargot or a beef wellington ?" he said in a terrible British accent.

You rolled your eyes. "Haha so funny," you sarcastically responded. "I'm fine with whatever."

"Local it is..You sure though because I'm willing to spend a thousand-"

"Boy shut up and drive."

𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟑
𝟐 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐂'𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲
𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 : 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐓𝐋 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡.
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 𝟖:𝟏𝟕 𝐩.𝐦.

The door chimes on the door of Maribelle's Soul Kitchen rang throughout the local spot as C held the door open, condescendingly bowing for you. You rolled your eyes, holding back a laugh.

"Yo bro !" The chubby boy behind the counter calls. He had beautiful 4c hair that was dyed blonde at the tips. He had a stud ear piercing in both ears and a little mustache that was clearly struggling to grow.  He had to go to Paradis because you know you've  seen his face before. What could his name be..

C rushed up to the counter to dap him up. "What's up Kash ?!"

"I got your usual cookin' now- I see you've bought someone with you," 'Kash' says peeking behind C to look at you. He dreamily waved at you, whilst a flirtatious grin grew on his face. You shyly smiled and waved back. "Wait. You're (y/n), right ?"

You nodded. "Yeah. Hi."

"You're one of Sasha's friends then. You think you could get me a date-"

C put his hand up in front of Kash's face. "You know she's like a sister, man."

He sucks his teeth. "Never hurts to ask. What can I get you, miss thang ?"

You laughed at the new found nickname. You decided to order the fried chicken platter with the two sides. (A/N: WHATS YALL GO TO SIDES FOR SOUL FOOD)

"And are y'all paying together or-"

"Separate."

"Together."

You and C looked at each other, now confused on how you guys would be paying. "Let me pay. I'm good," you say, starting to slide you card to Kash.

C slapped your hand lightly and gave his card to Kash. "Hold on to that, Princess." He winked at you before turning his attention back to his friend behind the counter.

"So C, got anything new for me to cop off you ?"

C shook his head. "Same shit until Friday. Gotta restock before my party."

Kash sucked his teeth. "Then lemme get whatever you got on you til then."

C went to reach into his pocket, to grab the keys to his car so that he could get the forbidden product. That is until he looked at you. He sighed, putting the keys back into his pocket. "Can't right now. Don't wanna do anything with her present."

Kash raised his eyebrow as he began to bag the both of your platters and looked at you. "Why ? She a snitch ?"

C sucked his teeth. "Nah, man. I just don't want her to be around that. That's all."

You stepped forward a bit to interject. "It's fine. Don't let me stop you."

"Yeah C, don't let her stop you. It's not like you be doing this with the other-," Kash co-signed.

"I already said not right now. I'll swing back around later in your shift, kay?" C said a little more sternly. The tone of voice was all Kash needed to hear before handing the two of you your platters.

"Come back soon, (y/n) !" He called before you left the shop.

Literally as soon as C began to drive off, your phone rang from your pocket. Thankfully, it wasn't your dad or your uncle, worrying about your whereabouts. It was Bryson.

"Yo. Where the hell you at ?" he spoke into the phone. Sounds of Rihanna could be heard in the background. No doubt they were in JuJu's car.

"I just came back from this soul food place."

"You still with C ?"

"Yeah, why ?"

"What you mean why ? If we don't walk into yo house with you present your dad will give us the third degree-"

"AND YOU KNOW I START TO CRACK WHEN LEVI FINE ASS GETS CLOSER TO ME !" JuJu interjects.

You giggle. "Alright I'll tell him where to go. See y'all in a few."

You hang up the phone and turn your head to look at C. You took note at how he was leaned back while driving. One hand on the wheel and one hand rested on the middle console. "Hey. I have to head back home now. JuJu and Bryson are waiting for me."

"Yeah no problem. Just put your address in." You listened and typed your address into his phone. You didn't know if he could tell but you lowkey didn't want your time with him to be cut short. Don't get me wrong you were still on the fence about if you even liked him or not. But riding around with him was fun. Not to mention getting to learn little things about him.

C didn't want his time with you to end either. Just being around you was enough to make him feel better. Which once again was something he never really experienced before. Except for once but that's something we can talk about later. And truth be told, you were the first girl he's ever allowed to follow him to his pop pop and mom's grave.

In about ten minutes, C pulled up to the front of your house, where JuJu's car was waiting. Before you got out he turned to you, saying bye. "See you Friday ?"

"Yeah. I'll be there at around 1 to get Azula so make sure she's ready," you responded getting out of the car.

He completely forgot about the time you were going to spend with his sister. C actually wished that that time could be spent with just the two of you instead of Azula.

He nodded, not being able to find the right words quick enough. Before you even reached JuJu's car, the window of his pink jeep began to roll down. "We cool but you better not have done anything with my baby !" JuJu called from the driver's seat. Any other time, you could tell he was joking but right now, he seemed more serious.

"Of course not ! Isn't that right, Princess ?"

You nodded before sucking your teeth and looking back at JuJu. "Stop embarrassing me !"

Bryson climbed over JuJu to poke his head out the window. "Yeah ! We too young to be uncles. I mean I don't even have the outfits for allat."

JuJu sucks his teeth. "Boy I ain't mean that type of shit. I meant the-" JuJu paused to pretend he was selling drugs "type shit," he said finishing his sentence.

You laugh one more time and look at C as he got ready to drive off. "See you."

"See you, (y/n)."