I've never had to work so hard or be so authentically me to get a girl. Essence was legit the kind of girl you change your life for because this type only comes once in a life time. Every time we hung out I could feel her liking me more. Granted it's only been twice but I went from "Boy Bye" to tight embrace hugs. That's progress.

We decided to pick a random movie to watch, which ended up being Kevin Hart stand up. I moved up to the couch, laying down with my head in her lap. She was massaging my scalp through my curls and I was in heaven. My dick was stiff and I was dozing off at the same time.

I slept for a good little minute before a phone buzzing under my back woke me up. I pulled it out and it was Essence phone ringing.

"Ess answer your phone" I put it on her chest "Ess come on its loud"

I sat up finally since she didn't respond and realized baby girl was asleep. I shook my head and check the time. It was only nine something. I shook my head before shaking her awake.

"Shit! What? I'm sleepy" she whined

"Ess we fell asleep" I chuckled "Look just go get in the bed"

"No" she stretched yawning "I gotta wait for my sisters to call me"

"They probably already did"

She checked her phone and curse under her breath. She stuck her tongue out at me while she placed the call.

"Y'all made it to Grace's house..... Where's her mom.... y'all good.... let me speak with her.... Hey Ms. Anderson, I just wanted to check on the girls. Thank you for letting them stay..... I mean sure that's fine. I'll bring them some more clothes in the morning.... Okay thanks again. Bye"

"They good?" I leaned back on the couch

"Yeah they all wanted to spend the weekend so I'll have to take them clothes tomorrow"

"How you getting there?"

"Probably take a Lyft"

"Let me take you" I smirked "We can go grab some food after"

"I guess that's cool"

"Bet! Well let me get up outta here"

"Yeah"

We got up and she walked me to the door. I pulled her to me kissing her forehead and hugging her tight. I had to test the waters so I let my hands rest on all that ass. She didn't flinch so I knew I was hella better off than before.

After making the hug extra long, I told her goodnight and headed to the house. I was slowly but surely becoming torn between the idea of Essence and the goal of the game. I mean I could always take a dub and lose the game, but I honestly I wasn't sure if I could just yet.

I walked in the house thinking about the situation with Essence. Before I could get to my room the boys were calling me to the kitchen. I shook my head and turned around.

"What do you niggas want with me? I'm fucking tired"

"What you been doing?"

"His ass been with thickems" Divine joked

"Shut up hoe" I pushed him "Seriously what y'all"

"So you know we only got two weeks left"

"Okay and?"

"None of us have hit yet" Luca shrugged "I know you ain't no closer than either of us"

"How you figure?"

"It's just y'all second time kicking it" Divine laughed "Honestly bro we all know you not winning"

"Fuck outta here! You aint even got ole girl to give you her number"

"Fuck you!" he threw his empty Gatorade at me "Anyway hoe! We was thinking maybe we extended since these are a little harder than the rest"

"To when?" I shrugged

"Hmmm" Lucca stroked his chin "I was thinking charter week! I mean it's the last week in January anyway plus half of that time they might not be here anyway"

"Bet" Divine said

I thought for a minute not sure if I even wanted to finish the game. Divine didn't give a fuck about a female and Lucca plan to be a player his whole life but I wasn't like that. I knew eventually I wanted a girlfriend and even to be a husband some day. However, that day couldn't be today. I shook my head before shaking up with each of them.

"It's a bet then"

I woke up the next morning to my phone ringing. I knew from the ring that it was my auntie calling. She usually called on Sunday but it would be later in the day. I sighed before picking up the phone and starting my morning routine.

Phone:

"Bonjou matant?"

"Bonjou nyès"

"What do I owe this early wake up call?" I yawned

"You should have your lazy bones up anyway! I know the girls are at a sleep over but you should get up and do everything you need to do for the week. I know you haven't been grocery shopping. Don't be eating and feeding my babies just fast food"

"I don't auntie you know that"

"That's what you tell me" I could hear her smirk "But I didn't call to harass you"

"Okay?"

"You know we requested the transfer last month"

"I know" I sighed thinking about my dad "They denied it again?"

"Well I put in two. I put in one for Baton Rue and one for Atlanta. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to get your hopes up that he would be moved there"

"What happen?"

"He'll be in Phillips State Prison in Buford, Georgia. It's about an hour and fifteen minutes from the school" she spoke quickly full of excitement "Ess? Ess? Did you hear me?"

"Yeah" I whispered "I... I can't believe it"

"I know baby! But it's almost over and he'll be home soon! I know it's hard on you. Harder than anybody else but he's still alive and well. I spoke to him yesterday and he's going to call you today. I just need you to be strong for us"

"I know" I wiped my few tears "It's just been so long since I've seen him... He isn't even up for parole until two years from now auntie"

"I know... but we got this! We're going to make it work. Listen as long as we pray and put God first he will handle the rest. God got us baby! Don't forget that!"

"I'm trying not to"

She sighed and paused as I cried.

"Bebe" she spoke up "He'll be there before soon. I decided to bring Thanksgiving to you so that we can all go visit him. He can have visitors Saturday and Sunday. We get four hours a weekend so we can spend two hours each day or four hours one day. You can visit as much as you like too"

"Can the girls go?"

"Your papa wants to see them for Holidays but since they do searches he doesn't want them coming as much and getting use to that"

"I get it"

"I don't want to tell you this but he really doesn't want any of you in there. He just doesn't want you guys to get use to it. He said it was the only good thing about the transfer was he didn't have to let yall see him like this"

"I know" I sighed "I guess I see things different now that I'm taking care of my sisters. I don't want that for them either... but I got to see him"

"He knows"

"I love you matant" I took a deep breath "I know I'm crying but I really am happy. I can't wait for you to come visit. The twins will be so excited for you to be here"

"Good, don't tell them! I'm going to send you the money that you put on your ticket"

"Thanks Teetee"

"I love you baby girl"

"I love you too"

"Until next time"

"Later"

:End

I hung up the phone before hopping in the shower. As soon as the water hit my body I began to cry. All my nightmares and bad memories flashed into my head. I couldn't shake the sadness and I felt like I couldn't breath. No one knew of my life before Georgia. Gianni didn't even know the truth. She never really asked about my dad or why we moved. I never really spoke up it because it was always too hard to talk about. I use to just cry to myself or when it got real bad I'd talk to my mom but now... now I had nobody.

I got myself together in the shower before throwing on some light make up. My momma always said if you feel bad then make yourself look even better. It didn't necessarily help but it did hide the sadness. Just as I was about to get up, I got a facetime call from "Baby Zaddy". I scrunched up my face before answering the call.

"What the fuck Pharaoh" I laughed "Baby Zaddy?! Really?"

"I mean it is what it is" he shrugged "I'm leaving the house so I was making sure you was ready"

"I'm about to put on clothes and pack they stuff so I should be when you get here"

"Bet" he starred at me as he paused "Why you look sad?"

"What you talking about" I forced a laugh "I don't look sad"

"Yes you do" his face got serious "I see it in your eyes baby girl. You can't lie to me"

"I'm—"

"You said the basis of our friendship was having someone to talk to. You gotta talk to me the same way I talk to you" he looked off

"Pharaoh"

"I'm all ears when you want to talk baby girl"

"Okay" My voice dropped to a whisper

"I'll see you in a few"

I nodded before ending the call with Pharaoh. I sat there shocked as I stared at myself in the mirror. No one had ever been able to see past my facade but my mom. There was no way in hell I was gone tell him about my dad and our past... but I couldn't stop the warm feeling I felt inside about him now. I shook my head as I got up and headed to my closet.

"God please don't let me fall in like with this man"