"Keria! Bri! I don't know what to wear!" I huffed and went through my closet. I should have some stuff stored away here and if not? I'm shit out of luck. My date with Jabari was today and hell I might not be going. I only packed a little for this weekend because I got one more week of school and then it's Winter break. I'm really dreading packing all that shit up.

"Girl why you screaming?"

I walked out my closet and saw Bri climbing into my bed with a bowl of grapes in her hand.

I pouted. "I don't know what to wear!"

She shook her head. "Did he say where y'all were going?"

"No. His ugly ass didn't even give me a hint or anything. He just said be ready by six." I grabbed my duffle and starting go through it.

"Call him."

"Pass me my phone."

Bri reached to the middle of the bed and tossed me my phone. I swiped my screen up and tapped the phone icon—pulling up Jabari's number. I tapped it and placed the phone on speaker. It rung about three times before he answered.

"Wassup gorgeous?"

A small smile came across my face. "Hey, where are we going tonight?"

Jabari smacked his lips. "I'm not telling you."

I frowned at the phone. "Then how the fuck am I supposed to know what to wear?"

"First, change your tone and dress causal. I'll see you soon." And with that I was faced with a click. I was honestly stunned. Shocked. Perplexed. Because who he talking to? I was taken from my thoughts when I heard Bri laughing.

She pointed her finger and shook her head. "Oh, you done met your match sister girl."

"Bri!" I stomped my foot. "That's not funny, stop laughing and help me."

"Girl he said dress casual, you can't do that?" Bri said as she jumped out of my bed. She walked into the closet and came out five minutes later with some clothes over her arm and shoes in her hand.

"Here." She threw everything on the bed and grabbed her bowl walking out of my room.

I looked at the outfit and shook my head. She knows me all too well. It was a pair of black distressed jeans, a graphic tee, my black leather biker jacket and a pair of red, black, and sliver Air Max ninety-fives. I looked at the time on my phone and nodded my head. I was making perfect timing. It was four thirty. I took my shower not too long ago, so all I had to do was put my clothes on.

I kicked my door closed and removed my robe. I grabbed a black bra and panty set and slipped it on. I rubbed my body down in coco butter and applied some more deodorant. Can't be musty. I went through my drawer and grabbed a pair of ankle socks—pulling them on my feet. I grabbed the jeans from by bed and stuck my legs in. I jumped and pulled them up buttoning them. Picking up the shirt, I slid my arms through and pulled it over my head.

Walking over to the vanity I had in the corner I sat down. I went through my jewelry box and slipped my diamond earrings in my ear along with my gold nameplate necklace around my neck. I pulled my bonnet off and removed the scarf from around my head. I had another slick pony but it wasn't as long as the last one. I made sure it was still intake with no frizz. I stood up walking around the room.

I grabbed my Louis Vuitton Trio and switcher my essentials from my neverfull over. I made sure I had cash along with my cards. Lipgloss. My house key and gum. I grabbed my shoes and jacket. I quickly sprayed myself with Gucci Guilty and looked around the room. I cut the light off and made my way downstairs, only to be met with everybody and Jabari sitting in the living room.

Easing my way down the last step. I walked over slowly and threw my stuff on the couch. I looked at Jabari and shook my head because he was already staring at me. "How long you been here?"

He licked his plump pink lips. "I was already on the way when you called."

I nodded my head and slipped my shoes on. I pulled my jeans up and pulled my jacket on. He stood up and I took in his attire. He had on a pair black distressed jeans as well, the hoodie and bomber jacket combo and his feet were covered by a pair of black yeezy boost three fifty. His ears were shinning and neck was beaming from his gold chains. He even had a gold hoop in his nose. I didn't even know he had a nose ring.

"You ready?" He asked as he pulled his pants up.

I nodded my hand. "Yes."

"Kai you got your key?" Bri asked as she climbed off of Cam and walked us to the door.

"Yes." I said as I stepped out of the door with Jabari behind me.

"Y'all be safe! Let me know when y'all make it." She waved and shut the door.

We walked down the steps and made it to the front of the house where he was parked. Jabari pulled the passenger door open to his big ass truck and held my hand as I climbed in. He shut the door and jogged around to his side and hopped in. He pushed the start button and grabbed something from the floor of the backseat.

"Here you go gorgeous."

He set a beautiful bouquet of blue roses in my lap and pulled his seatbelt across him. I looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you, Jabari."

"You're welcome. Bri told me your favorite color, so I did what had to do to set the tone." He said as he pulled off.

"They're beautiful." I positioned them in my lap so they wouldn't fall.

He glanced at me his licked his lips. "I'm glad you like them love."

I relaxed into the seat. "So, where are we going?"

He laughed and rubbed his chin. "You just don't quit do you? But since you insist, I'm taking you to the race track and I was thinking seafood afterwards. I wanted to do something different than something fancy. Is that okay with you, ma'am?"

I shook my head and smiled to myself. "Yes."

He nodded his head and increased his speed getting on the interstate. He tapped a button on his steering wheel and Get On Up x Jodeci came through the speakers.

"Said it sounds so good to me. You gotta get on up now. Say it again, Jodeci. Get on up, you gotta get on up now." Jabari sung horribly and I was biting my lip trying not to laugh. He glanced at me and smiled.

"What? I can't sing?" He asked as he changed lanes.

I shook my head and leg my laugh out. "No sir you can not."

"Girl boo." He bucked at me. "I sound just like Jodeci."

I busted out laughing. "In your dreams, in your dreams Jabari."

He shook his head and changed lanes getting off the exit. He took a couple turns and drove through some stoplights before we pulled up to our destination. I shook my head as I looked out the window. This track was huge. He drove through the parking lot and found a park no too far from the door. I threw my seatbelt off and set the flowers in the back seat. I reached to grab the door only to be popped on my thigh.

"Girl don't ever touch no door when you with me." Jabari frowned at me and opened his door stepping out. Oop. Excuse me then. He opened my door and held his hand out for me to grab, which I gladly took and stepped down. He gripped it and shut the door door behind me.

"You ready?"

I nodded my head and he pulled me along. I wonder how many laps we doing because this track big as fuck. He pulled the door and let me walk through first. I looked around taking in everything. It was loud. All you heard was yells and the cars zooming through. We walked up and stood in line behind some teenagers. I popped Jabari on his hand because he was poking me in my sides. "Boy stop."

"Boy? I ain't haven't been no boy in twenty-three years, stop playing with me girl." He bumped me with his hip and walked in front of me. I shook my head and followed behind him.

"How many? Together or separate?" I heard the attendee ask.

"Separate." I said and Jabari mugged me.

"Together." He spoke as he turned around and pulled his wallet out in the process. I stepped back and let him pay. The lady gave him two helmets and Jabari grabbed a hold to my hand and pulled me towards other line.

"How many laps we doing?" I asked as I adjusted the helmet to my liking.

"Best three out of five?"

"Bet." I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and slid it in my trio and zipped it up—sliding it back on my wrist.

"Next!"

"That's us love." Jabari grabbed my hand and led me to one out of the two cars they were lined up. I stepped inside and sat down pulling my helmet on. The work helped me strap the seatbelt on and made sure it was secure before walking over to Jabari. He walked back to his post.

"Go!" He waved the green flag and I hauled ass down the track. I braked and hit a turn.

"Whew!" This is fun. Jabari was gaining up on me, so I increased my speed. I was hitting the corners and curves like I was a racer for real. I laughed and noticed it was a tight upcoming turn. I eased up off the gas and pressed down on break—drifting through the whole turn. I straitened back up and hit one more corner before crossing the finishing line. Ahhh! I won race one and if I found out Jabari let me win, I'm beating his ass.

I don't know how but I'm tired. Five laps around this big ass track is definitely some work. I won the first three and Jabari won the last two. I took the seatbelt off and stood up taking off the helmet. I just know the front of my ponytail is fucked up. I ran my hand done the the side and stepped out of the car. I stretched my limbs and wait on Jabari to get out of his.

"You ready girl?" He walked up and grabbed my helmet.

I nodded my head and followed behind him. We stopped and gave the lady our helmets before making our way outside. He opened the passenger side door and I stepped up sliding in. Truck big for no fucking reason. I shook my head and pulled out my phone. I tapped on the camera icon and held it to up my face. My hair was ok I guess. I grabbed my lipgloss and ran the tip of it across my lips. I popped my lips and twisted the cap back on. I looked up and saw Jabari staring at me.

"What? I got some on my face?" I reached my hand up to my face but he grabbed it.

"Nothing is on your face love. I was just admiring what's in front of me. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable." He licked his lips and dropped my hand into my lap.

I shook my head and blushed bashfully. "You didn't."

He nodded his head and pushed the start button. "Okay good. You ready to go eat?"

"Yes. I barely ate anything today."

He frowned at me and pulled out of the parking lot. I pulled my phone out and scrolled through my personal and school emails. I shook my head at people inquiring me about christmas shoots. I thought about it and yea it's a no for me. I definitely don't have time. Between packing and finals? Hell no. I'll just have to do a sale for Valentine's Day.

"What you over there thinking about?" Jabari glanced at me before putting his eyes back on the road.

"People are asking me about Christmas theme photoshoots, but I don't have the time to conduct any." I sighed and locked my phone before sliding it between my thighs.

"Why not?" He asked as we approached a red light.

"I have finals next week then I gotta pack and move all my stuff back to Houston. Then I gotta turn around and pack again for Cali. Not even about to put myself through that stress."

"Shit. When you put it like that, I don't blame you. Will missing that money hurt you?" The light was green so he pulled off.

I shook my head. "Nope."

He nodded his head. "Yea fasho don't put yourself through unnecessary stress."

About twenty minutes later we were pulling through the parking lot of Mr. Crabs Seafood Shack, one of the best seafood restaurants in Dallas. Being that it was a Saturday, it was packed. He found a park and backed in. He killed the engine and threw his seatbelt off him before stepping of out of the truck. He came around to my side and opened the door. I grabbed my phone and made sure my wristlet was intake before grabbing ahold of his hand. I stepped down and he shut door.

We made our way towards the entrance and he pulled the door open—letting me walk in first. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He grabbed my hand and we talked towards the hostess station.

"Hi! Welcome to Mr. Crabs! Would you two like a table or a booth?"

Jabari looked at me.

"A booth please." I said and she nodded her head and grabbed to menus. She motioned for us to follower her and she led us too a booth. I slid in the right side and Jabari slid in the left.

"Here are your menus and your waiter will be with you shortly." She set both of them down and walked away.

"I'm about to go to the restroom. If I'm not back before the waiter, order me a water and lemonade please." I slid out of the booth and made way back towards the front. I followed the signs and walked into the restrooms. I kicked the handicap stall open and locked the door behind me. I placed my wristlet in the door and wrapped the toilet in tissue. I squatted and handled my business. I wiped myself and flushed the toilet with my foot. I fixed my clothes and grabbed my wristlet and walked out. I walked to the sink and washed my hands for a minute. I grabbed extra paper towel to open the door.

I walked out and made my way back towards the booth. I removed my jacket and slid back in setting my stuff to the right of me.

"I wasn't sure what you liked so I ordered you the king bag." Jabari spoke as I placed a straw in one of my cups.

"What come with that?" I asked and sat back against the booth.

"Two king crab clusters, shrimp, potatoes, corn, sausages and boiled eggs."

I nodded my head. I hope he know I'm about to fuck this bag up. "What sauce did you get?"

"Spicy, is that the right one?"

"Yes. So, tell me about Jabari." I placed my arms in the table and locked my hands together.

He licked his lips. "What do you wanna know?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Anything you're comfortable with sharing."

"Well I'm the only child, my parents are my actually my grandparents but that's a story for another day. I'm 23, I'll be turning 24 in July. My favorite color is orange. I know girls like middle names so, mine is Amir. Uhh I don't know anything else. I'm bad at this so just ask me questions and we'll do it that way." He chuckled nervously and licked his lips.

"Ok. Wh—." I was cut off by the waitress.

"Sorry to interrupt, but here are you guys orders." She slid two trays on the table. "Do you guys need anything else?"

"Can I have some extra sauce and lemons please?" I asked as I was sliding a pair of gloves on. She nodded and walked away.

I grabbed the bag and poured it into the tray. Yes lawd! I shook my head and tore off a crab lab and cracked it open. I pulled the meat out and dipped it the sauce—before putting it in my mouth. I closed my eyes and moaned into the bite. Jabari coughed and I popped my eyes back open and he was staring at me. I shook my head and grabbed a shrimp taking a bite and throwing the tail.

The waitress came back and set the requested items on the table and walked off. I grabbed a lemon and squeezed it over my shrimp, letting them marinate. "Before I was interrupted, I was going to ask what made you pursue the biology route?"

He finished cracking his crab leg before speaking. "My parents. My mother is a retired pediatrician and my father is a retiring neurosurgeon. The body has always fascinated me but my parents pushed and motivated more."

I nodded my head impressed. "Oh. That's impressive."

He licked the sauce from his lips. "What about you? I think Bri mentioned you was into the business aspects of the world."

Chewing the shrimp I just threw into my mouth. "Correct. I like doing things my way and I don't like listening to people. So I knew I had to work for myself."

"Yea? What you plan on doing with your business degree?" He picked up a sausage and bit it.

"I'm actually a double major so, I'll have two degrees once I graduate. I'm going to take my business degree and open up me a studio. One side will be for hair and the second one will be put to use by my photography degree." I grabbed a corn and rubbed it around in the juice before taking a bite.

"Ooo I see you girl. Got it all planned out."

I smiled and cracked opened another crab leg. I dipped it in the juice and threw it in my mouth. We ate and talked until our trays was full of shells. I found out that when Cam dropped out of school and quit football, Jabari did too. Baby! That's a friend right there. I swear God don't make them like him no more. It's only the first date so he didn't tell much and I can respect him for that. He only told the basics. It only means I got to stick around to found out more and I think I just might do that. Show me how you coming, Mr. White. I'm ready.

—

🌚

🤣🤝