I looked at him sideways but China's mom called us from downstairs to eat which caught all of our attention. Everyone raced down the attic steps almost falling on each other. It was funny. But what wasn't funny was the way Chris was acting. I haven't spoke to him since that weekend when he came over my house to tutor me and we kissed. Now he's constantly staring at me, not even caring if I catch him or not. Like he wants me to know he's staring at me.

Look at me trying to get over him and leave him alone while all I can do I think about him.

All seven of us came tumbling down the stairs, through the living room and into the Kitchen. When we all zoomed through the living room I noticed the adults were already eating, like they've been eating for a while now.

Paper plates were on the Kitchen counter along with eating utensils. China's mother had food on the stove, kitchen table, and dining room table. My mouth instantly began to water. She went all out!

"Help yourself guys, most of the food isn't gonna fit in the fridge." Her mother announced

Don't mind if I do!

"Oh hell yeah! I got my eyes on that baked ziti." Michael announced with wild eyes "Dibs!"

China's mom chuckled and walked out of the Kitchen with some of China's aunts and relatives leaving all of us in the Kitchen.

"Damn, they wild out on the mac n' cheese." Dominic said with his brows furrowed

There was a big dent in the macaroni and cheese.

"Mac n' cheese who? Them chicken legs looking appetizing as hell over there." Jasmine said elbowing him and Kae out the way

I just sat back and watched everyone pig out until it was my turn. After all of our plates were piled we headed out of the kitchen and into the living room.

"Thank you Ms. White." We all chimed simultaneously with huge smiles on our faces

"You're welcome guys." She laughed holding up a wine glass of apple cider

I looked at my father enjoying himself. He caught my glance and winked in return. We all raced up the steps and then entered the attic. Except Michael and China who detoured to her bedroom...

We all sat in our previous spots, but Kae sat on the bed with her legs folded picking at her food, constantly looking over at Chris. We all sat in silence, with the constant noise of tapping on phone screens and the plastic forks scraping against the plastic plates. Well that was mostly Dominic vacuuming his macaroni and cheese.

It sounded like China's mom turned the volume up because the melody of Toni Braxton's voice started to sound more clear rather than muffled.

"Holiday, celebrate, making out with my babe

Holiday, in the snow, kissing under mistletoe...

I'm thinking about all the things we can do

When I see you tonight

I'm so excited 'cause everybody's here,

So let's dance all night..."

It was awkward and I felt some sort of tension in the room but I just couldn't pin point what it was. Chris then left the attic for a minute and Kae ran right after him leaving Jasmine, Dominic and I up here alone.

"Damn I need myself a nigga." Jasmine announced blowing a raspberry

I looked at her confused "What?"

"Michael and China obviously getting that ho ho ho Christmas sex on in her room, it's obvious Kae ass ran after Chris to get that egg nog and y'all just here acting weird ass hell."

"Dominic, set me up with one of your bros." She said looking up at him from her phone "A nigga that hasn't been touched by Kae."

"Why Kae?" He asked, his turn being confused

"Because she the only female I know besides Trin and China that I wanna spit on." She replied bluntly "Oh and also one who hasn't touched that Tyra bitch and her little guppies."

"I'll see who's available." Dominic responded with an uneasy look on his face

I laughed at him fishing my phone out of my pocket feeling it vibrate under my butt.

You ready to go home?

No. Why you leaving?

"Jasmine I think my father about to leave." I announced

"That's my queue to go make my plate of food." She said getting up from the chair and down the attic steps

Yeah, when you and jasmine are on y'all way coming home, be safe.

Make sure y'all bring a generous plate home cus I aint cooking tomorrow

He then sent a picture of his to go plate and I immediately started laughing out loud.

Daddy 😭💀 Oh my god. Why? 😢

I'll be home soon

Dominic looked at me funny until I showed him my messages and he started laughing too.

I looked down at my phone again and began laughing out even more when I saw the picture, which caught Dominic's attention. He nodded at me and smiled which I returned the favor. He smirked and looked back down on his phone which made me felt uneasy.

"I know you didn't just post me laughing on your snap." I said getting up from the chair

He locked his phone and started smiling wide "Trinity, why would I ever." He said in a posh accent

I charged over to him trying to get his phone but he tripped me by kicking my ankles. I fell on my back hard making a loud thud. He pulled me by my calfs towards him so my legs would drape over his lap. Smooth might I add.

"You're annoying for that. I could've got a concussion along with severe rug burn." I said staring at the ceiling folding my arms across my chest

"But did you get a concussion or rug burn though?" He asked softly tugging on my wrist

I let him pull me up so we were now face to face "What do you want?" I asked staring at his beautiful brown eyes

"You was about to leave, I wanted to say bye."

"Bye." I said plainly

He kissed his teeth and pushed my legs off of him playfully "No, no sorry Dominic I was comfortable." I wined draping my legs over his lap

I managed to scoop his phone and tucked it under my butt. In a swift moment I turned on my belly and put my finger on the touch id unlocking his whole phone. I went on his snap, deleted the video of me but took a selfie of myself captioning it 'hacked' with his head peeking behind me. He rested his hands on my butt and began drumming on it softly.

I eased up off my belly slightly propping on my left elbow to look at him "Grow up." I said scrutinizing him

"Can I get my proper goodbye now?" He asked

I turned back over off of my belly and sat criss cross apple sauce with my hands resting on my ankles "Goodbye Dominic Winston." I said cheesing

"Goodbye Trinity James." He said mocking me

He got up and stretched out his hands for me to take. I grabbed his hands and he pulled me up with no strain or problem.

He opened his arms out wide "Where my hug goodbye at?"

"Don't be that guy." I said laughing walking into his arms

He pulled me in tightly by my waist as my arms snaked around his neck like clockwork. His hands trailed down from the pit of my back to it's destination; my butt. He gave my butt a slight squeeze then chuckled a little bit as he broke the hug.

"You okay?" He asked looking at me

I nodded as he pulled me back in another hug, leaving a soft tingly kiss on my neck making a trail up to my cheek. It felt good, he made me feel good.

"You need me to walk you home?" He grabbed my hand caressing it

"Nah, Jasmine waiting for me."

"Alright be safe. Text me when you get home."

"Alright." I said as I started walking down the attic steps

'''

Where are you?

"You went missing for a while." I said under my breath smirking as I shot Jasmine a text

I think that heifer left me to go home.

"Shut up." China nudged me trying not laugh

She was changed out of her clothes and had on pajamas now, with a fruity scent like she just showered. But that's none of my business. She handed me the plate and left the kitchen.

"Bye Ms. White, thank you so much for the food." I said as I exited out of the kitchen with my plate of food wrapped up securely in cling wrap and foil paper

The living room was empty and only that one same aunt was there with her

"Anytime sweetheart. You and your father are welcomed here anytime." She smiled

I smiled also walking to the front door with China as she let me out. We hugged and said our goodbyes and then I left her house. The cold wind hit me instantly so I hurriedly jogged down her steps and onto the sidewalk. I kept my eyes on the ground as I started walking up the block.

"Trinity."

I turned around and saw Chris a few feet behind me. He was smoking, I know it. Also the clouds around his head and the smell that the gust of wind brought, told me so too.

"Hi Christopher." I waved with my free hand

"You good?" He asked

"Yeah, are you?" I asked back watching him bring the blunt to his lips

"Got a lot of shit on my mind."

He was high

"Why you walking alone?"

I shrugged in response

"Let's go." He nodded towards the direction I originally was walking in

I found myself walking sided by side with him not even a second late. I complained for so long about Chris being bipolar with me and not acknowledging me for the longest, and he's doing the opposite now so I don't want to ruin the moment. I need answers though, his little tendencies and antics were beyond irritating.

"Why you so quiet?" He asked looking at me through my peripheral

"I got a lot of sh- stuff on my mind." I said attempting to repeat what he said

And I really do. I have a bunch of unanswered questions in my head, all regards to him.

He chuckled "You're cute."

I didn't know how to take that compliment so I remained quiet getting contact high on the low since we're so close. We got closer to my house and I noticed he started slowing down. We finally made it to my gate two minutes later which should've taken us thirty seconds.

"Thank you for walking me to my house Christo-"

He pulled me by my arms as I crashed into him. I looked up at him and watched as he took a hit from the blunt. He looked down at me grabbing my chin pulling my face into his. I tippy toed a bit as our lips met. His lips were slightly moist and soft. I parted my lips slightly as he blew the smoke in my mouth. He let go of my chin slowly breaking the kiss and watched me blow the smoke in his face. He bit his lips and pulled me in for another kiss but this time it was sensual, sweet and slow causing me to close my eyes. It was bliss. He tangled his hands in my hair pulling it slightly causing me to moan. My eyes immediately snapped open, he was giving me this knowing look. I saw all the sins he wanted to commit in his glossy hazy eyes.

"I'll see you later Trin." He said walked backwards

He then turned around and continued up the block.

"What am I getting myself into?"