The next few days went by fast. I was so excited to be moving on soon and starting fresh. Spring break was almost over and I was done packing. I made sure to pack everything that I could. I paid for every single item in my room and I'd be a fool to leave any of it behind. Dashawn is gonna help me with the bigger stuff like my dresser and my bed. I just had to survive the next two days.

"You seem in better spirits," Elliott smiled as I walked past him.

"I am," I smiled grabbing a tray of food.

"That's wassup. Oh, I almost forgot. You have table 5 when you're done."

"Ok cool."

I delivered the food before making my way to table 5. It wasn't actually in my area, but I didn't mind taking on another table. When I got there, I was surprised at who I saw. Briana, Brandon, Ashanti, Derek, and April were all crammed into a booth. I laughed when I saw them. Their eyes lit up.

"Hold on, let me get y'all some chairs." I stole two chairs from an abandoned table in the back. When I got back, they all sighed in relief.

I noticed that Cairo wasn't present but I shook it off. Maybe, if I gathered enough courage, I would call him later to check up on him. Once I took their drink orders, there was an awkward silence until Ashanti spoke up.

"I see you ain't want to spend spring break with us," she playfully rolled her eyes. "I guess I'll act like my feelings weren't hurt," she continued.

"I know. I've just been real busy. But if y'all can stay until I get off or at least until my next break, I will explain." They looked at me skeptically but agreed.

"Did y'all want some food?" I asked. They only ordered small stuff. When I finally delivered their food and refilled their drinks, I told them to give me another hour.

On my break I explained as much as I thought was necessary. I told them about my plan to move out soon. I told them that I found a place close to the city and that they could come visit me whenever. They were excited for me which made me feel good. They stayed around until my shift was over. They even waited for me to clock out. It was late as we walked out the diner when Cairo pulled up next to us.

"Wassup bro," Derek said leaning into the car.

"I'm late, but can I talk to you, Asha?"

"Yea," I nodded.

"You good?" Briana asked me.

"Yea, I'll get a ride from Cairo," I smiled lightly.

"Let us know when you move. We can help," April said. Briana and Ashanti nodded their heads in agreement.

"Ok," was all I said. They all left and I hesitantly climbed into the passenger seat of Cairo's car

"Hey," I spoke first." He looked over at me, giving me a once over.

"I was supposed to be here earlier but I got caught up," he said.

"It's fine. You didn't miss much," I shrugged.

He pulled off and it was quiet between us. I had so much that I wanted to say, but I didn't know where to start. Should I apologize? Should I ask how he was doing? Should I try to explain what I've been going through? Would he even care?

"You seem better," he interrupted my thoughts.

"I'm trying."

"I'm sorry for telling yo business. I was only worried and everybody wanted to know what was going on, especially Briana."

"I understand. I know that y'all were just trynna help and I appreciate it." I cleared my throat before continuing, "I'm moving out of my momma's house soon."

"Yo mamma?"

"Yes," I breathed deeply. "We're not compatible whatsoever, so it's time for me to move on."

"And, how do you feel about that?" He asked. I thought for a moment before answering.

"It sucks. I'm only seventeen and it terrifies me to be on my own even though I've already been on my own since I could remember. 'How do I feel?' I feel relieved to get away from here and away from this toxic environment."

Cairo had his attention focused on the road, but I could tell he was listening intently. When I looked over at him, I couldn't read him.

"I'm trying so hard to get away. I'm currently looking for a part time job on top of the full time I already have, I saved up quite a bit of money over these past few years, I got a place to stay, and I'll be graduating soon," I smiled to myself.

"What will you do about school?" He asked.

"I'm waiting to see if I get accepted to the colleges I applied for. If I don't, I have no backup plan. It's school or nothing. Right now, I'm relying on luck. And if I do get accepted and they don't offer me a full ride, then scholarships are my best bet."

"I have other stuff that I still need to figure out, but at least I'm starting somewhere."

Cairo looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't. He ain't utter another word. I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious about what was on his mind. We pulled up off to the side of my house not long after. There were two unknown cars in the driveway. I tensed up a bit.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I don't know those cars."

"You want me to walk you in?"

"No, I'm good. But thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it Cairo." We held eye contact for a while until I looked away. I was half way out the car when he grabbed my arm.

"Asha." I turned to look at him.

"I can tell you left some information out cuz some things just don't add up. But, it ain't my business, and if you want to keep it to yourself, I gotta respect that. I know your going through some shit and it's your business, but if you don't feel safe you need to speak up."

"I'm fine."

He rolled his eyes.

"I'm moving out soon. I will be fine," I smiled genuinely at the thought.

Cairo looked so handsome even as his face held no emotion. It baffled me that someone like him would want to be around someone like me. He seems so perfect, but I don't really know him well. But, I like how nice he is and how caring he seems, despite his asshole tendencies. Maybe if I wasn't so fucked up, I would tell him about the butterflies I get when I'm around him. I would tell him how refreshing it is to be in his presence even though he is often intimidating.

He released my arm and I scrambled to get out the car. As soon as I got in the house, Kennedy was all up in my face with some nigga not too far behind her.

"Aye Kennedy who dis?" I mean mugged the hell out of him.

"She a nobody," Kennedy laughed. The man looked me up and down.

"Who car was that?"

I ignored her and went to walk away when she grabbed me. I snatched away from her so fast that her nails dug into my skin drawing blood. "Don't touch me."

"Oh she feisty," the dude smirked at me. I stormed past him. I looked to the living room and saw two other niggas on the couch and one of Kennedy's friends in the middle. It smelled like straight up weed. I minded my business and trudged upstairs. I got to my room and locked the door. One of the only things I was grateful for while being in this damn house was the fact that I had my own bathroom. It was most likely because my mom wanted me to stay in my room all day so she wouldn't have to see me. That's how she liked it. Kennedy ain't care cuz I was out of her way too. Not to mention, her room was twice the size of mine. It ain't matter to her if I had my own bathroom or not.

I took a quick shower and washed my hair. I threw on a shirt and some shorts. I plopped down in bed and was asleep within minutes.

Later in the night I was startled awake by a loud noise. In my daze, I couldn't exactly make out the sound, so I got up and opened my door to see what was going on. Actually, I just barely cracked my door open to peek outside. I jumped when a figure appeared in front of my door. When I saw who it was, I went to close the door, but his foot stopped it from shutting.

"Damn, you must be a heavy sleeper," he chuckled. He was obviously high or drunk, maybe both.

"I ain't mean to bother you, but I need to take a piss," the dude from earlier said. My mom must still be gone for him to still be here. My mom would gladly let Kennedy get away with murder, but she didn't play about people in her house. That's why Kennedy usually stay over her nigga's house.

"It's down the hall," I said trying to close the door. I should've never opened it.

"Where," he pushed back with force.

"Down the hall," I pointed this time. When he didn't make an attempt to move, I spoke up.

"Can you move? It's late and I'm sleepy."

"I just want to talk to you."

I could see him lick his lips though the space. I didn't say anything but continued to apply pressure to the door. He caught me off guard and shoved the door open. I fell flat on my ass. I winced and tried to stand up.

"Get out," I tried not to yell.

"Ain't no need to be rude shawty," he said walking towards me.

"Get the fuck out. If you need to take a leak it's down the hall." I didn't like the way he was looking me up and down. He lunged for me and I screamed. I could tell he was much older than me, maybe even a few years older than Dashawn. What the fuck was Kennedy doin with him? But I guess I wasn't one to talk.

"Shhhh," he laughed hoisting me up and against the wall. I started to panic. He pulled me into my bathroom and dropped me on the floor. He walked over to the toilet and pulled his dick out before relieving himself.

I tried to get up, but the world wouldn't stop spinning. I wasn't sure what the sudden sickness was coming from, but there was two of everything. I turned over on my stomach with my knees tucked under me and tried to rock the sickness away.

I heard laughter right in front of me. I raised my head only to see his dick way too close to my face. I stumbled back but he grabbed me by my hair. The harsh movement had my stomach turning and I threw up in the space between us.

He recoiled back, but still had a grip on my hair. "You dumb bitch." He backhanded me so hard I could taste blood. I groaned in pain and grabbed my face. I thought he was gonna hit me again, but be shoved me away. I instantly curled up into a ball on the floor.

"I should beat the shit out of you," he seethed. I just laid there waiting for the blows until a sickening high pitched voice spoke up. "I said to scare her not actually touch her," Kennedy interrupted. My heart dropped. She set this up?

"Damn, this weird ass bitch almost puked on me."

"Babe come on. Just leave her and I'll make it up to you."

They left, and for the rest of the night, I heard them fucking. They ain't even try to be quiet. I just slept on the floor in the same position. I couldn't even feel sorry for myself anymore. I just felt like the universe constantly laughed in my face. My whole existence was a joke and I just wanted everything to stop.

.....

I woke up late for work. I tried calling out, but it was too last minute and I didn't have a replacement. The lower half of the right side of my face was swollen and bruised, but there was nothing I could do about it. After an hour of forcing my body to function, I was finally ready for another long day at work. I took the metro bus and people constantly stared. I tried my best to keep my head down, and I even wore a hood over my head.

I could barely tie my apron before the questions started rolling.

"What the hell happened to your face!" Elliott gently lifted my chin. I winced.

"I fell," I mumbled.

"On what? Somebody's fist."

"I'm telling Boss. She can't walk around like that," Joanne said. Not even a minute later she came back with Earl. He took one glance at me and frowned.

"Child, what happened to your face?"

"Nothing I-"

"I asked the same question. She said she fell," Elliott chimed in.

"Like hell!"

They continued rattling off questions and arguing about what could have happened to my face. Meanwhile, I could barely stand. The world was starting to spin again, but instead of fighting it, I welcomed the darkness.