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Technically, he was right, but he would never hear me admit that shit. I could’ve given him more time. But I didn’t see the need to. I knew what I saw and what I heard. And since he didn’t seem to think it was that big of a deal, I chose to let it and him go.

“I already knew what you would say about the shit, Hasan. The truth was right there in my face. You couldn’t deny that shit if you wanted to.”

He stepped closer, tilting my head up to look at him. “Is that right? You know what I would’ve said about that bullshit, huh? And what was that, ma? Because I already told you that my choice would always and forever be you. Nobody would ever have the chance to come between us. Whatever it takes for me to keep you, that’s what I would’ve done. But you’re out here moving like you don’t already know that shit, and that’s why that bullshit pissed me off. You should know I would never do you dirty like that.”

Looking down, I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to believe him, but I also didn’t want to risk getting hurt. I’d been hurt before, and I didn’t want to go down that road ever again. I wouldn’t wish being betrayed by someone you loved and trusted on anyone. It changed how your brain worked, and not for the better. Hasan had never hurt me before the issue we had a few weeks ago, but you never knew what someone was capable of doing.

“Ask me about that shit again,” he said, kissing my lips.

“No, it doesn’t matter now. I knew who you were when I started messing with you, so I should’ve known what our relationship would look like from the beginning. I guess...I guess I just thought that you would be different.”

I had made peace with what our relationship had become, and I was actively trying to move on. And regardless of what he was saying, I wasn’t going to get my hopes up, just for him to let me down. So, it was best for us to move on and, at best, figure out how to be friends.

“Xiyah, what the hell are you doing over here? You’re going to make us lose our place in line. Y’all can do all that shit later,” Oaklyn said, coming over and grabbing my hand.

I could tell that Hasan didn’t want to let me go, but he did, and I was thankful as hell that Oaklyn came and got me. If I could, I was going to avoid his ass for the rest of the time we were here. If I spent too much time around him, he would break me down, and again, I had to stand my ground with him.

“Thank you for coming to save me,” I said, laughing as we made our way over to the entrance. As much as I wanted to turn around to see if Hasan was still standing there watching me, I didn’t, but I knew that he was.

“You’re welcome, friend. I could tell he was breaking you down. You gotta make him sweat a little bit, boo.”

Laughing, I asked, “I thought you were pro getting back with him?”

“Uh, I am. You ghosted that man and didn’t even let him prove you right about him. So yeah, I think you should get back with him, or hell, at least let him explain himself to you. However, now isn’t the time for that. We’re going to go into the haunted house, and when we’re done, y’all can do what y’all need to do.”

I couldn’t do shit but laugh as we walked into the haunted house entrance. She wanted me to get my shit together, but only after I went into the damn haunted house with her.

As soon as we stepped inside, I knew damn well I shouldn’t have been in there. We didn’t even get that far past the door before I threw my hands up to cover my eyes. I didn’t care that I looked like a little kid. I hated this shit so much. I decided that I didn’t care what anybody had to say about me. This was definitely going to be my last year. Now that I didn’t have Hasan to protect me, they could count me out.

“I know damn well you don’t have your eyes covered like a little ass kid?” Oaklyn asked, looking back and laughing at me.

“Girl, fuck you! When did they add so much damn blo—,” I said, screaming as someone jumped from behind one of the doors. I stumbled back and fell into familiar arms.

“You good? I got you,” he said, whispering into my ear before kissing my neck. “Come on.”

He didn’t wait for the protest I was sure we both knew was coming. Instead, he held my hand throughout the house, and the things that would’ve made my skin crawl before didn’t feel so scary. I never felt afraid when I was with him. I knew he would protect me with his life if it came down to it.

“You’re always right where I need you to be,” I said, smiling. I knew he couldn’t see me, so I was cool with letting my true feelings show.

“I’m going to always be here. As long as I have breath in my body, you’ll always be protected, and I need you to remember that.”

“I’ll try to remember that. I’m good now, though,” I said, trying to wiggle out of his embrace.

“Let’s move then,” he said, gripping my hand and basically letting me know without saying it that we would be going through the rest of the haunted house together.

I wouldn’t admit it, but I was thankful that he was there. He was always protecting me, and even when I didn’t want him to be, he still showed up for me. The rest of the haunted house was cool. I wasn’t as afraid going through, thanks to Hasan being there. I wouldn’t let his ass know that, though.

“Okay, they have a final passage for us to go through,” Oaklyn screamed as she led the way through. I was just trying to find the exit, but clearly my friend had her own plans.

“Oh shit,” I screamed as the scary-ass twins from that one movie jumped from behind a wall and started walking toward us.

“You’re good, ma. You know I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

Before I could say anything else, we heard a few pops from outside the haunted house, and I immediately knew they were gunshots. Even though I was from the hood, I didn’t play around with fucking being in the middle of a shootout. Bullets didn’t have a destination or a name on them, and I wasn’t about to deal with that.

“Y’all stay here until I come and get you,” Hasan said, pushing Oaklyn and me back against the wall.

“Wait, you can’t go out there. What if something happens to you?” I asked, gripping his arm and stopping him from walking toward the exit.