😗sorry for any mistakes

Friday

"Carmen, you said you blocked him. What is this?" Sarai fussed and stopped walking to look at Carmen as if she was crazy.

"I did! He texted me from a finsta. He keeps makin' accounts after I already blocked his first two." Carmen rolled her eyes, taking her phone back from Sarai.

Sarai shook her head and started back walking towards the kitchen of Suga Sweets "Tell Maj. Have him cuss what's his name out," Sarai shrugged, not knowing what other suggestions there could be. They were in different state, they couldn't fight Carmen's ex-boyfriend for harassing her.

That's all Sarai saw it as, him harassing and blowing up her direct message on Instagram. Sarai read the messages between them, her ex was so mad about Carmen breaking up with him. Sarai didn't understand why, he was the one doing Carmen dirty by lying and trying to blackmail her.

"That's not going to do anything but make my situation worse. I still don't think my Uncle talked to my mom." Carmen sighed, pushing the silver metal door of the kitchen.

"Rule one, never, ever, ever, fall in love wit' sum dick that you meet up in the club!" Ariyah rapped loudly as they walked into the kitchen. She aggressively stirred whatever was in the big silver metal bowL with a mug plastered on her face.

Sarai and Carmen tried to hold in each of their laughs. They just knew her husband had to piss her off again from the way she was rapping those lyrics. She didn't even greet them like she usually would when they walked in, it also made sense why all of their co-workers were working upfront.

"Hey Ari," They greeted, walking over to the corner where they normally put their book bags. Ari looked up from the bowl, and she gave a tight lip smile "Good afternoon ladies" She spoke, sounding fake professional.

They each snickered to themselves as they put on their working aprons "What did Kai do now?" Carmen asked, turning around for Sarai to tie the back of her apron. They had already changed into their work shirts in the car.

They only bring their book bags inside because they had homework and Ari would help them sometimes if they asked. Sarai always asked for help, she hated how her teacher gave them a study guide package for finals that are coming up in the next couple of weeks. She was glad she wasn't going to be in the same pre-calculus class anymore next semester.

That class stressed her the hell out this semester.

Ari slammed the bowl on the silver metal table in front of her, making a loud crashing noise and Sarai jumped at the sound "I'm glad someone finally asked. I've been dying to talk about it and was starting to think nobody cared about me here" She heavily rolled her eyes, and they laughed at her.

"So boom, y'all know my man and I are team fuck them kids, and only are dog parents. Right? Right." She started then laughed a little "So Lucky needs a sibling because he's been an only child for years and we want him to have a sibling now. So this motha' trucker wants to get a pit bull" She made a disgusted face.

"What's wrong wit' a pit bull?" Sarai asked.

"For one, they're too damn big and it takes too much time to train them. I want a dog that's going to stay small like Lucky." She stated "They're cute dogs, don't get me wrong but I just don't like the fact they become big dogs. Once it gets big, I'm not going to want it anymore and I'm going to give it away with no hesitation."

"He said he's gonna get one anyways because it shouldn't matter if they get big or not. I told him I was gonna give him away with no hesitation too if he brings that damn dog into my house. Then he gonna say I hurt his feelings and I said boy fuck yo' feelings" She said then laughed a little more "So then his petty–sassy ass gonna take my damn wedding ring and left for work. That's four or three hours away" She shook her head and Sarai's jaw dropped.

"He took your ring?" Carmen busted out laughing while Ari was fighting the urge of laughing. "Yes! Now I can only wear my wedding band. I swear he gets on my fuckin' nerves and he's out of town wit' my fuckin' ring" She heavily rolled her eyes and slapped her hand on the table.

"Now I have to make it up to him because I really did hurt his feelings or whatever. I'm taking him on a trip to apologize even though I don't want to. It is what it is I guess." She dramatically sighed, going back to stirring the spoon.

"So you usually break up wit' him now it's the other way around?" Carmen chuckled, walking over to the sink after she helped Sarai with her apron.

"Yes! It's so ghetto, he wants to be like me so bad" Ari groaned "He is not even picking up the phone when I call or text him. I'ma make his ass feel so bad, might just let him think I got abducted or something." A small evil smile started to creep up on her face.

"Y'all play too much. Is that what it's like being married because if so, I want it" Carmen chuckled, drying her hands with the paper towel as Sarai started to wash her hands.

Ari started smiling "When you marry your best friend, they're gonna get on your nerves so bad but it's gonna be the best relationship you can think of because the love is so pure and real." She explained, pointing to the box of small-size gloves.

"I'm sure Miss Ray is gonna feel that way too" She smirked at Sarai. Sarai only blushed, walking over to the table they were standing at. "Look at her just blushing! Aww" Ari pouted, Sarai playfully rolled her eyes, putting on the black color gloves.

It's been a week since Sarai and Semaj started dating, and she's been on this cloud-nine feeling since. All the times she used to dreamed about him being her boyfriend since she was eleven. Her inner child and heart were doing backflips every moment she looked at her promise ring or every time she was with him.

For the first time since her uncle Myles's death, she was happy again. He's been doing a great job with keeping her mind off her uncle Myles' birthday, which was tomorrow. Usually, she was in tears and not going to school for a week around this time but he's been keeping her in great spirits.

"Since everyone is upfront, Leelee, I need you to pack up these cookies for tomorrow. And Ray, I need you to help me get the Christmas decorations out." Ari excitedly clapped her hands. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, Sarai remembers always coming to the shop and it being filled with Christmas decorations already this time of the year.

It always looked like a winter wonderland.

They both nodded, Sarai and Ari took off the gloves, throwing them away while Carmen got out the small cookie packages. Sarai followed Ari out of the kitchen and into the hallway, they walked towards Ari's office until they stopped in front of a door. Ari unlocked the door using a key and turned the light on inside the large walk-in closet

"I always thought you hired people to decorate the shop, '' Sarai said, helping her lift the heavy brown box. "Girl no. I do always have the help of Kai and my best friends tho. My best friends are going to be here later to help." She looked over her shoulder, watching where she was going as they carried the box to the front.

"Oouu, what do you want for Christmas? I asked everyone except you and Leelee" They put the box down next to the door but not in the way for the customer to come in.

Sarai frowned, following her to the back again "Gift? What do you mean gift?" She asked, standing in the doorway of the closet.

Ari bent down, picking up a smaller clear box filled with white and silver Christmas ornaments "Yes since I opened up, I and Kai always buy everyone at least one gift every Christmas. I love giving gifts, you know they say I'm the best gift giver" She smiled, putting the box in Sarai's hands.

"What's my price range?" Sarai asked as they walked back to the front. She wasn't going to turn down a free gift but she wasn't going to ask for someone worth millions either.

"It doesn't matter to me. We are using Kai's card anyways," She shrugged "Nothing over a thousand tho. He still had to spoil me on Christmas" She moved her shoulders up and down making Sarai do the same.

She loved the shoulder dance.

"See! You even do my dance like me. I told you you're like the younger version of me" Ari giggled, putting the box on top of an empty table, and started to go inside. Sarai started laughing, they did have some similar traits in the way they act. Sarai thought she was more on the shy side rather than Ari but everything else was down to the tee.

"I think I know what I want" Sarai spoke, taking out the medium snowflakes from the box. "What?" Ari raised her eyebrow, looking through the box that she brought out.

"I want that–Can I try that peach cobbler but I'on want vanilla ice cream. I want strawberry ice cream" Sarai stopped speaking once she heard a familiar voice speaking. Her heart dropped to her stomach and she felt herself start to hyperventilate, hearing the voice continuing to speak along with a unknown female voice. She felt like her ears were playing games with her. She just knew she couldn't be exactly hearing correctly.

Ari furrowed her eyebrows, looking up at Sarai "What's wrong? What happened?" She asked, looking concerned.

Sarai quickly turned around and saw him. She saw her uncle Myles in the flesh, alive and breathing. Sarai let out the loudest pitched scream her voice would let out in fear. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at the frightened Sarai who had tears streaming from her eyes. "Sarai, what is goin' on?" Ari helped her to sit down because she looked like she was about to pass out.

The unknown woman and Myles looked at Sarai with confusion written all over it just like everyone else. "Sarai, sweetie, you need to calm down. I can't understand what you're saying. Someone, please get her some water!" Ari tried to calm Sarai down from the panic attack she was having.

"W-we- h-" Sarai struggled to get her words out, trying to rub her eyes because she felt like they were playing tricks on her just like her ears. Her whole body was shaking as flashbacks of Myles's funeral flooded her memory.

Carmen came running to the front "What's going on– WOAH" She backed up with eyes widened. "You look just like her uncle Myles" She spoke out loud while pointing at Myles who was looking her up and down. If she thought Sarai looked like a split image of her mom, she looked exactly like him. Same colored skin, same eye shape, same perfect arched eyebrows, same nose, and ears.

The unknown women and Myles jerked their heads back some "Uncle?" They asked.

Feeling nauseous hearing the words, Sarai threw up everything she ate for breakfast and lunch today. Ari sucked her teeth and turned around "Now why the fuck yall didn't bring me the water" She threw her hands up, looking at everyone as if they were stupid while Sarai just kept going.

_________________

Justice blew out an aggravated breath through his mouth while rubbing his temples with his fingers "Daddy... I'm not lyin'. I swear" Sarai hiccupped, staring at her dad and mom. They weren't believing her when she said she saw Myles today.

"Angel...I know it's been a tough time for you. It's been a tough time for all of us, but these hallucinations... they have to stop" Justice said seriously and shook his head in disappointment.

Sarai sniffled "I'm not goin' crazy" She shook her head and covered her face. She knew who she saw and heard. She has been listening to the bear that plays his voice for weeks now from her build-a-bear, she knew she couldn't be tripping. She looked him in the eyes today.

"MYLES IS DEAD SARAI!" Justice yelled, staring at Sarai and Nicole from the base in his voice.

"Don't yell at her bubba" Nicole frowned. Sarai only cried harder in her hands, desperately wishing her boyfriend was here for support. Maybe she was going crazy but Carmen saw him too, she recognized him too. If she was being crazy, she knew Carmen won't be too.

"No Nicole, she needs to stop. She does this every year around his birthday, always thinking she sees him around the city. He's dead, I viewed his body. This shit has ta' stop Khiouri," He looked at her as if she was slow. "We took her out of therapy too soon. Have you been takin' your antidepressants?" He asked, standing up from his spot on the couch

"I'm not crazy! Why can't you listen to me for once!" Sarai finally snapped with tears streaming from her eyes. They always make her feel like she is crazy once they find out she isn't taking her antidepressants. She didn't even know why her old therapist put her on it, she hated the way it made her feel.

If anything, her antidepressants made her feel like she was crazy.

"WELL STOP ACTING DAMN CRAZY!" He snapped right back at her, making Nicole sigh. "That's all we've been doin' is listening to you. He's dead Sarai, we all want him to come back but he isn't." He fussed.

Sarai shook her head, wiping her tears away with the back of her hands, and looked at her mom "Mommy... please. You have to believe me" She practically begged, she wished she didn't have Carmen go home so she could have someone to back her up. She felt hopeless right now.

Nicole looked at her with soft eyes "Angel...you do say you have seen him since he passed around his birthday. You're wrong every time." She tried to reason.

"I'm not wrong this time. He and his girlfriend are on the way now" She ignored the hard mug Justice was giving her. She understood she might have been hallucinating in the past but right now she wasn't. She knew this situation was equivalent to the boy or girl that cried wolf and that's why they weren't believing her. This time was different, she never had a panic attack the way she did earlier. She honestly felt as if she couldn't breathe earlier.

"Nicole...call the therapist. She has lost her rabbit ass mind" Justice looked at her crazily making Sarai roll her eyes "You invited a damn stranger to our house because you believe some dumb shit that ain' true?! What the fuck is wrong with you?" Justice yelled.

"I just wanted to show you I wasn't lying so yall can see for yourself!" Sarai yelled back.

"YOU COULD HAVE TAKEN A DAMN PICTURE! NOT INVITE SOMEONE WE DON'T KNO' WHERE WE LAY OUR FUCKIN' HEADS SARAI!" He threw his hands up. "You could have done anything besides inviting some damn strangers to our house. We could have met in a public settin' but you ain' think of that huh?" He went on with his fussing then scoffed loudly.

Sarai looked down at her lap, reaching over to her left arm, and began to pinch herself. She felt overwhelmed, mostly because she knew her dad was right. She was also feeling like maybe she was hallucinating and this someone that she saw just resembles a lot of the same facial features as Myles.

This was also hard on her because she was very sensitive and her dad never yelled at her before. Never even raised his voice at her once until now.

"Okay Justice, jus' calm down," Nicole reached up to grab his arm. Justice turned around from looking at Sarai crazily to giving the same look to his wife "Calm down? We don't know these people or if they tryna come after us or anything" He explained.

"I understand that trust me I do but look at your daughter" She pointed her finger to Sarai who was still pinching herself, making a visible red bruise on her arm "You're scaring her so bring it down because you're goin' to wake Ka'jai up wit' all this yelling" She frowned.

"She scaring me wit' all this crazy ass shit" Justice scoffed "We all goin' through it in this house, the last thing we need is another hallucination for her" He ran his hands down his face.

"I'm not crazy" Sarai mumbled, more of trying to convince herself she wasn't. She knew they were going to try to throw her back into therapy after this.

The doorbell went off making Justice groan "Don't answer it. Let me go get my gun first" Justice looked at Sarai one more time then shook his head again "At Least gotta try before they try ta' kill us first" He grumbled, going over to the staircase and hopping up on them.

Sniffing again, Sarai stood up, not wanting to be there anymore "Unt unt, where you think you goin'?" Nicole raised her eyebrow, standing up from the couch.

"To my room" Sarai mumbled, still pinching her arm. She didn't even feel the pain at the moment, just nervousness.

"Stop dat" Nicole popped her hand from continuing to pinch herself. Sarai tucked her lips and started to click her acrylic nails together instead "You need to stay down here to apologize to these people," Nicole said as Justice came down the stairs, loading his Glock.

Sarai slickly rolled her eyes, flopping back down on the couch while they went to answer that door that rang again. She picked up her phone and smiled a little seeing Semaj text her, asking if she was okay. She was about to text him back, asking if he could come to get her but stop once she heard screaming. Throwing her phone on the other side of the couch, she ran towards the door to see what was going on.

"JUSTICE PUT THE GUN DOWN! NOW!" Nicole yelled. Sarai's eyes widened looking at the scene of her dad pointing his gun at her Uncle Myles. Myles had his girlfriend who Sarai learned her name was Tori hiding behind an angry Myles. "Put it down!" Nicole stood in front of where Justice was pointing the gun.

"I told you I wasn't crazy" Sarai blurted out loud, shaking her head. Her dad owes her a big apology after he gets in his right state of mind.

Justice quickly put his gun down and put it on safety. He looked past his wife, looking at his angry younger brother with tears in his eyes "I-I buried you" Justice mumbled. "I-I-I need a fucking drink. Fuck this shit" Justice walked away from the door.

"I second that" Myles scoffed, shaking his head and turning around to his girlfriend.

Nicole just pinched the bridge of her nose "Yall better not have woken my baby up eitha' " She huffed, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.

_________________

🎶Maybe I have made mistakes and been through my fair share of pain

But all in all, it's been okay, I've lived well🎶

Eternal Sunshine by Jhene Aiko played softly off of Sarai's room. She sat crisscrossed in the middle of her bed, flipping through the scrapbook she made of her and Myles when she was thirteen.

He was truly her first-ever best friend. His 'Death' was also her first heartbreak, she never thought she could experience pain that deep before.