Michael looked at her and smirked "Welcome to the hood."

She instantly mustered up a stink face "Boy, you must be confused. I grew up in the hood. Flying bullets don't phase me no more." She said from the living room

Michael, Dominic and I got up from the bar stools and followed her in the living room. Jasmine was sitting in her previous seat which is the recliner as Dominic and I sat in the love seat, and Michael had the three seater to himself.

I watched the three of them as they all looked relaxed and calm, while I on the other hand was completely distraught. They all look unbothered, like how do they do it?

"So we're gonna act like we didn't get shot at and almost died a couple minutes ago?" I spoke up

The conversations ceased and all eyes were on me. Are they really this used to random gunshots firing off in the distance?

"Trinity, you're dragging it." Michael spoke up

"Mamas its okay. The gun shots were no wear near the block and no one was shooting at us." Jasmine said to reassure me

"A stray bullet could've hit one of us. That's not okay." I argued

"Wow, you're really terrified about this." Dominic said from the side of me

I felt him staring at the side of my face as I kept my eyes on Jasmine sitting across from me. I didn't want to look at him so I just sighed and looked down at the carpet trying not to cry. I don't like this, I'm not fit for this at all. I wan't to go home.

The room grew silent and all that was heard was the cartoon that was playing on the television.

"Dom, I'm about to bring the stuff back to the house and check up on them." Michael said getting up from the three seater

He pulled his slightly saggy pants up and picked up his phone from off of the coffee table. I watched him as he exited the room and came back in from the kitchen with the food world grocery bags in his hands.

"You coming?"

"Yeah, Let me just say bye to Trin real quick." He said which caught me off guard

"Aight bro." Michael said walking over to the door and going outside to wait I assume

Jasmine also got up and disappeared somewhere up stairs which left Dominic and I alone in the living room. I avoided eye contact as much as I could but was defeated as Dominic got up from his seat next to me and stood in front of me. He forced me to look him in the eye by pulling me up from my seat so I can stand right in front of him. Then he held me by my chin giving me no other option but to look him in the eyes.

His nice brown eyes and his long eyelashes. All his qualities just stood out and they were all beautiful, no matter how little they were. He was just beautiful.

"Trinity, you gonna be alright?" He asked searching my eyes for some type of answer

I just nodded taking in how good he looks right now.

"There's no need to be scared. You'll be safe." He reassured me "I'm gonna text you when I get home and when I do, FaceTime me. Okay?"

I nodded again, swallowing hard. He pulled me in a hug by my waist sliding his hands down a little, touching my but. He broke the hug and kissed me on the forehead, then my cheek.

"I'll talk to you later Trinity." He said

"Alright." I said lowly watching him leave out of the front door

"And you're not dating him why?" Jasmine said coming down from the stairs slowly with her face deeply in her iPad

"Shut up."

'''

"Merry Christmas." I said cheesing in the camera

"You called late. It's two in the morning." He said sighing

Hearing his tired voice did something to me. I don't know what, its like a tranquilizer. Its soothing and calm.

"Humbug to you, why are you complaining?" I asked entering my dark room closing the door behind me

"I texted you four hours ago."

"I'm sorry, were you sleeping?" I asked with no interest

He caught on my sarcasm and chuckled "Nah."'

"I just woke up from a nap on the love seat." I said rubbing my neck "Jasmine and I were binge watching episodes of Steven Universe. She's still down there as we speak."

I walked over to my side table and turned my lamp on. It grew quiet so I looked at him as he looked at me.

"What?" I asked slightly blushing

I got in bed and faced the lamp propping the phone on my pillow pet so I wouldn't have to hold it.

"Nothing." He said cheekily

"Nothing?" I repeated "You just don't look at a person like that for no reason." I said rubbing my eyes

"You tired still?"

"Yeah." I yawned "but don't try and change the subject."

"What do you mean?" He asked with a smirk tugging on his lips

I rolled my eyes "Never mind Dominic. It's too early and too late for your games." I yawned again

"Trinity stay up with me. You just woke up from a nap and you 'bout to take another one."

"I'm not going to take a nap Dominic, relax." I murmured half awake

"It's cus you're beautiful." He said randomly

"Huh?" I opened up my heavy eyes but caught them as they were closing again

"I was staring at you because you're beautiful, Trinity."

"Merry Christmas ma." I walked in the kitchen and instantly smelt breakfast being made

"Boy!" She jumped up and turned around "What I said about sneaking up on me?" She took the dish rag from hanging on her shoulder and slapped me with it

"Aight ma, chill." I chuckled

She set several plates of food on the table, from a plate of bacon to a plate of pancakes. My mouth started watering and my stomach started going crazy. Like clockwork, Mia (Me-Uh) made her way in the kitchen rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"Morning." She mumbled and plopped on the seat across from me

I nodded at her "Merry Christmas." I said making myself a generous plate as she poured herself orange juice

"Merry Christmas bro." She replied doing the same

"Ma, we still going over to China's crib tonight?"

She looked up at me in disgust "First off you betta chew your food before you try to have a conversation with me." She said with all seriousness "And what the hell is a crib? You mean her house? I swear y'all young people just be making shit up straight from the ass."

I shook my head and continued eating my bacon. Parents are so fucking annoying, damn.

"When can we start opening presents?" Mia asked looking somewhat awake now

Mia stayed up all night and morning just to open presents, but ma was knocked. She know damn well not to wake mom up while she was sleep. Especially if she had work the night before.

"After y'all finish eating." She replied pouring her a cup of coffee

Mia instantly cleared her plate and stuffed the pancake, bacon, and eggs in her mouth. She got up, put her plate in the sink, and ran out of the kitchen making sure to take her orange juice with her in to the living room.

'''

"Who is it?" China said from behind her door

"It's Chris China, open the door."

She then opened the door as we were met with a big smile "Hi guys! Hey mama come in. Merry Christmas." She pulled Mia and my mom in for a hug and nudged me

"Merry Christmas." My mother and Nia said simultaneously

As soon as we all stepped in the house, I immediately heard familiar voices coming from the living room. I was greeted with a warm smile from China's mom. I walked over to her and hugged her, greeting everyone there. I dapped up Michael and Dominic and nodded at Kae who was standing next to them, just to be civil. She been staring ever since I walked in the house. I turned around and spotted Trinity and her cousin sitting in the love seat, looking down on their phones.