This was craziness at its highest.
I felt jolly, happy some type of euphoria that brought uncertainity of my next move, I felt like screaming, shrieking and jumping along the street hugging every pedistrian I walked by.
I had not felt like this in a while, I didn't deserve to be happy. Atleast not yet.
In less than thirty minutes the walk I usually took home in an hour was covered but still I was exhiliated.
Within less than a second of walking through the gate, I knew just well enough that my mother was up and better. Was it the aura?, or was it the cleanliness of the windows outside? But something just told me that today was only getting better.
I entered the house to find it sparkling clean, I followed the voices into the small living room and grinned at the people in the room.
"He is back", Beard used his staff to get up and greet me.
I shook his hand, "What's happening?, why is every one here?".
It was unpredictable instinct to think of death.
My mother, Diamond Beard and his niece Laika were at the table all staring at me.
Well everyone I cared about was seemingly breathing.
Could it have been my cousin Tamecca that hit the bucket?.
I would not mind one bit if it it was her, I never really knew her but from what I remember she brought out the worst in me, the last time she even drove me to slapping her, we were always constantly arguing and frankly Tamecca Landford was a headache.
So no, if the gathering today was about her passing then oh well we all die some day.
"Come on take a seat next to Laika".
I stared at Laika, she was black and dark skin beautiful, she wore only eyeliner and her face simply added up although I did think her nose was a bit too big but she was gorgeous, she was exactly my age and maybe even older by a few months. She had a tattoo on her wrist of a sword and approximately five piercings on both her ears. I did think she could do without them but she was nonetheless beautiful.
Okay Laika is getting way too much credit in my head right now.
I shook my head and joined her, Laika's perfume crept slowly till it reached me and I could not help but wonder whether I was the only one that did not spray perfume.
"Nothing is happening Lindon, we just wanted to give this a shot because well your mother insisted".
"I'm dying baby, and I want to spend my last days with the ones I love", She smiles at me.
She looked awesome compared to the day before yesterday, "You are not dying, these are not your last days, and 'the ones you love"', I repeated "Beard can always go in the bin. I mean it's one less problem".
The table roared with laughter and we ate in chatter.
I threw a little sarcasm at the table while my mother handed the table flowers and sugar.
"So you seem thrilled today, what did them boushy people at your work place do to you?", Diamond spoke within bites.
"Prolly gave him some good weed", Laika blurted.
What the hell?.
"Actually, I think I am going to get a promotion real soon", I threw back.
My mom smiled "Really?".
Beard arched an eyebrow "You think?".
Why is he always acting like my father?, could he not just reply with atleast an ounce of enthusiam like my mother.
Huh?.
My mouth opened itself and spat out the least thing I expected it to "I am getting promoted, I do not think I am but I know I am".
My mother's reaction was absolutely priceless and I stayed rooted as she reached across the table and squeezed my hand.
I just lied.
"That's what's I'm talking about son".
The girls tidied the table and I remained with Beard.
"What have you been promoted to?".
"Uhhhhh-", I stammered, I had never found a reason to lie before because I always blurted out the truth despite the next persons feelings "Nothing much really but, It is an upgrade in pay though".
"Interesting by how much?".
I smiled "Twenty Five percent".
"I'm impressed Youngin".
"I am grateful that you are Sir", I lifted my eyes to the ceiling.
"Uncle BD!", Laika yelled.
"Inside voice!", he yelled back.
Laika yelled "Sure thing".
"Why are we yelling?", My mother practically screamed.
"I think we will take our leave", Beard gave me1 a grin and stood from his chair.
I entered into the kitchen and lined myself behind Laika as she walked outside.
"You kids go along I want to talk to your mother".
"Yippie", Laika gave me a once over.
Her oversized black and white shirt was completely unbottoned. She wore a black buster inside with white high waist jeans.
My eyes lingered on her body for way to long before I yanked them away from her abdomen and lifted them to her eyes.
"Shall we?".
"We shan't".
I rolled my eyes "Will you just walk".
She smiled "Don't you act like 'shan't' isn't a boushy word you used to at that boushy ass work place of yours".
"You are literally the first person who has said 'shan't' since I was in school, and you can imagine how long ago that was".
Laika wacked my shoulder "Don't you be acting like you older than me by nine years or sumn, and no body told you to drop out of school, you could always come to mine younno".
My eyes flew open in flabbergastment "After living here for half my life, I still get stink eyes from people in our neighbourhood so imagine if I came to your school. I'd just die".
"It's because you white bro".
"I swear even if my I was black I am way too soft to learn at your school, they would bully me to death".
Laika nodded "That's hella true", she gestured towards our gate "Now let's quicken our pace before Uncle DB and Aunt Landy catch up to us and ask us whether they did not just tell us to go along like we some damn kids".
I opened the gate for Laika and she chuckled.
"Lets play tag", Laikas eyes beamed up like a three year olds at a birthday party.
"What is that?", I asked.
"Are you stupid?, I touch or tag you and you have to chase me until you catch me and tag me then I chase you and tag you back and so forth".
Before I could even protest at her ridiculous version of fun she had already tapped my shoulder and ran down the street.
I groaned and began to chase after her.
After a few minutes she had stopped and so had I.
My legs were killing me and I sat by the side walk and tried my best to catch my breath, I lowered myself fully till I was staring at the stars.
Laika joined me seconds later.
"I can't believe you can't run".
"Boohoo", I sat up.
I leaned against the light pole behind me and heaved "I have never done sports before and neither do I run unless I am late for work".
"Mmmm, so why did you do that back there?".
Why was everyone like this?, could they not be specific in everything they said?, Did they think that I could read minds! Even if that was possible I would love to stick to my own business. Laika and Ricky were sailing in the same boat and I had to say it was disappointing.
"Why did I do what back there?", I turned to face her.
Her eyes were brighter under the light and much browner.
"You lied fam".
My heart began to race again "I did n-".
Laika slapped her hand over my mouth "You do not lie and I have noticed that, but I on the other hand do so an awful lot, so I can tell when someone is lying and you are lucky that Uncle DB can't tell a liar if one looked him in his face".
I huffed there was no use in trying to defend myself now.
"To be honest with you, you goaded me into speaking, Beard has been my father, the father I grew up without and everytime I look at him I just want him to be proud".
"I understand but if Uncle DB finds out you lied he would be heartbroken because he also feels you are like a son to him, So I want you to do me one favour, I want you to try your damn hardest to get that promotion okay".
I nodded silently.
The small voice in my head shrieked VULNERABILITY, but hey Laika was family of family.
"So how is your lady?".
What an abrupt change in conversation.
I smirked "What makes you think I've got one?".
"Of course you got one".
My expression remained plain and she bolted up in shock.
My head bumped against the pole and I winced at the pain and slowly stood up.
"Oh my word you are serious?".
"I don't see any reason to have one really".
Laika smiled "So what do you do when you feel like you want someone?".
"All I know is what to do when business is low and wanting someone is definetely something I do not have interest in thinking of".
"Younno lots of girls at my school bother me about you, they think you absolutely adorable", she told me, "And you are and they ask me lots of weird questions".
I arched my eyebrow "Weird questions like what?".
Laika placed her hand on my chest "About how it feels to do this", she said before balling my shirt into her fist and pulling me forward and kissing me.
The tips of my fingers tingled as ecstasy spread throughout my whole body. My hands remained by my side and I pulled back slowly.
"Uhhhhhh....?", I asked.
"And now I can tell them it was amazing", Laika winked before running across the street towards her house.
I walked home dazed.
What the hell was that?.
It felt nice for one.
It was new.
It was weird.
It was wet.
It was interesting.
It felt good.
As soon as I got home I checked my laptop for any notifications and my several unopened emails greeted me.
Just this time instead of 891 they were now 892.
I opened the new email and my eyes almost sprung out of my head.
"Mommmmmm!!!!!!", I screamed.
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💜AIO💜