“You keep tensing up every time we come through here,” Booda said, watching me closely. “Something about this area bothering you?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, frustrated. “Everything keeps blending.”
We’d been riding around for hours, doubling back through neighborhoods, stopping at gas stations, cruising past old apartment complexes and corner stores while I tried to pull memories out of the static crowding my head.
The city looked different at night. Every alley felt as though it was hiding something, and every pair of headlights creeping up behind us tripped my nerves.
“Slow down,” Booda said calmly when I started rubbing my temple again. “You tryna force it.”
“I’m tired of not knowing shit,” I snapped.
“I know.”
That simple answer took some of the heat out of me, but not enough.
I leaned back against the seat and looked out the driver’s side window as we rolled past another crowded strip lined with smoke shops, beauty supply stores, and fast-food joints.
A group of girls crossed the street laughing loudly, heels in their hands, while traffic crawled around them. Something about that scene made me smile despite the frustration weighing on me.
“I think I used to come over here.”
Booda glanced at me. “For what?”
“I don’t know.” I frowned. “But I know I did.”
Before he could respond, my phone vibrated in my lap. When I looked down, I saw Giani’s name lighting up the screen.
“What’s up?” I answered on the third ring.
“Where you at?” she asked, sounding cheerful. “Please don’t tell me you still in that apartment hiding from the world.”
I looked through the windshield at the street ahead of me. “I am. Why?” I lied.
Giani hadn’t given me a reason to believe she had anything to do with what happened to me, but right now, trust wasn’t something I could afford to hand out freely.
“Well, I want you to kick it with me tonight,” she laughed.
I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. “Nah, boo. I’m good.”
“Koko,” she groaned dramatically. “Don’t start. I’m celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?”
“My promotion, bitch,” she shouted, and I could tell she was also kicking her legs. “Diamond Curve Cosmetics finally made me a regional manager.”
“Congratulations,” I said, genuinely happy for her.
“Thank you. Now come outside with me.”
“I’m really not in the mood, Giani.”
“Yes, you are. You just don’t know it yet,” she replied smoothly. “I’m getting ready now. Come pregame with me for a little while.”
“I don’t know… I got a lot going on right now.”
“That’s exactly why you’re getting out with me, and don’t worry about what to wear. You will not be in one of them sad-ass hoodies in my section,” she added. “I’ma dress you.”
A laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it.
