Part 2 of this story will be on that account ]

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𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗞𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶

𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚗 𝚃𝚇 .

❦

"Someone bring me some Hot Cheetos and Nutella please." I shouted from the living room of my townhouse.

"Yea, shorty done lost her mind." I heard Rell say from the kitchen.

"Baby in there cryin' talm 'bout mommy, stop eating that nasty ass shit!" I heard Eli mimic in a baby voice and I bussed out laughing along with everyone else over in the kitchen.

A few seconds later Samiron walked into the living room with a big ass bag of Hot Cheetos and a jar of Nutella. He handed them to me and I smiled, taking them from him. I took one of the Cheetos out, dipped it into Nutella and ate it while Samiron stood there staring at me looking concerned as fuck.

I pinched my eyebrows together, "You wanna try or something?" He just stared at me and walked out of the living room.

Samiron, Rell, Eli, and Camille were currently over my house for god knows what. I mean, me and Samiron are always together but I don't know why the rest of them are over here. Muthafuckas don't have a life.

The past two months have brought me and Samiron closer. We're still working on ourselves and our relationship but we're on good terms and everything is better than it's ever been between us. The only time we'll get into it is when we talk about where we're gonna be living once the baby gets here.

Samiron is always talking about moving me in with him but I dismiss the whole conversation and tell him that we still have a few months to think about all that. Truthfully, it's just my nerves and the constant thought of "am I movin' too fast?" But then again i'm having a whole baby— we're wayyyy past moving too fast.

The rest of the group doesn't seem to think so. When me and Samiron announced the pregnancy to them, they were definitely shocked but it was followed by

a lot of them telling us it was 'about time'. Come to find out niggas were betting on me getting pregnant.. a damn shame.

My parents were excited about having a grandchild. At first they were hesitant because they feel like I'm still pretty young to be a mom, which I am. But they both know that i'm not in school, I have a good support system, I'm financially stable, my mental health is good, and my baby daddy isn't a deadbeat so I feel like im inna good position to raise a child.

My momma was talking about me not being able to live out my young-adult years but that doesn't really matter to me as much as I feel like it should. I think that all the shit i've dealt with in my life has forced me to mature and grow faster than a lot of other people my age so the stuff other 21 year olds are doing doesn't really excite me.

On top of that, everyone collectively agreed that this baby was far from a mistake or accident, especially after being told I wasn't going to be able to get pregnant at all. So if god blessed me with a baby at 21 then so be it, at least he blessed me with a baby now instead of not ever being able to have one.

Then again, god doesn't do things unjustifiably and he definitely wouldn't put a child in my life if he thought I couldn't handle it.

I sat up on the couch and tried to drown out the sounds of laughing in my kitchen while I glued my eyes to the t.v and ate my Hot Cheetos and Nutella. I turned around and glanced into the kitchen to see Rell leaning over the island talking to Camille who was dying of laughter. I just turned back around and shook my head.

I've been watching Rell and Cami the entire time they've been over here and I don't want to make assumptions or anything but it seems like they have sum goin' on. Aijah's obviously my best friend but I

consider Camille a friend too so I really hope they don't have anything going on for Aj's sake cause that would be fucked up even though Rell and Aijah seem to be on good terms despite their unexpected

break-up. From what I've heard from the both of them, it wasn't really unexpected but for the rest of us it definitely was.

I looked away from the tv to see Juelz helping himself back up onto the couch next to me. I had Shaila drop him off earlier 'cause me and the boys hadn't seen him in a while.

Juelz pointed at the jar of Nutella that sat on the couch next to me. I nodded, telling him it was okay to try so he dipped his small finger into the jar and licked it off. He furrowed his eyebrows 'cause I guess I got some Cheeto dust in there.

"It don't taste good Ju?" I laughed and he shook his head.

"Don't be givin' my nephew that bullshit now." Eli walked into the living room.

"Bye Eli! And stop cussin' around him." I rolled my eyes.

"Girl he ain' even listening to me." He said and we both looked at Juelz who was watching Ice Age attentively on the tv.

"Still, you gotta stop all that cussing. There's gonna be a whole bunch of kids around with Duck and Tasia's girl, me being pregnant, plus Cee and Juelz."

"It's not my fault no one likes to use condoms around here." He shrugged and sat on the armchair.

Just then, Rell, Cami, and Samiron walked into the living room being loud as fuck. Samiron sat down next to me, placing Juelz in his lap while Cami and Rell sat on the couch adjacent to us.

I eyed Rell and Cami who were still giggling in each other's faces. I don't wanna burst anyone's bubble but my loyalty lies wit' Aijah so I don't know how to

feel about what Cam and Rell got goin' on. I also know that if I were in Aijah's place I would want her to tell me if Samiron was fucking with one of my friends.

Samiron covered Juelz ears with his hands, "Y'all fuckin' or not?" He took the words right out of my mouth. I rolled my eyes at his bluntness.

Samirons that one person that'll say what everyones thinking, and he's harsh as fuck about it and he won't care. He definitely got that from Nas.

Me, Eli, and Samiron all stared at Cami and Rell impatiently waiting for an answer. They both looked at each other awkwardly before Cami cleared her throat. "We uh, slipped up."

"Meaning?" I raised my eyebrows.

"We fucked once a few weeks ago after we all came back from the mall." Rell blurted.

Eli and Samiron sighed and shook their heads. I know Rell is their brother but even they know this is fucked up.

"Does Aj know?" I asked and they both shook their head.

"You gon' tell her?" Rell asked and I looked at him like he was dumb. "Duh."

He sighed. "I guess that's understandable."

"Y'all fucked up for that. Just sayin'. Out of everyone you could've fucked it had to be one of her friends?" Samiron asked Rell rhetorically. He really went and did the same shit he got mad at Aijah for... Granted they're both in the wrong, but still.

"Mane, all I know is that I heard she was back talkin' to that TayJay nigga and that shit got me hot. I wasn't thinkin' about her feelings at all after that."

"I know Aijah better than I know myself and trust me, she's not talkin' to Tayjay. Her and TayJay kept it casual since highschool. He's the one who started catching feelings and she stepped away from him and ended up gettin' witchu. So no, she isn't back talkin' to him because they weren't talking to begin with." I told them making Rell sigh, knowing he fucked up.

I didn't take Rell to be a spiteful person, ever. Well until today. You heard she was talkin' to someone else so you went and fucked her friend? That doesn't make any logical sense. Him and Aijah have the same toxic ass mindset too— probably why their relationship didn't end up workin' in the first place.

"Y'all fucked up for that." Eli shook his head and leaned back on the couch.

You know you fucked up forreal when even ELI is telling you you're wrong.

"I know you were drunk as hell that day Cami but still, even you should know how fucked up that is." I sighed.

"How fucked up what is?" Someone asked and we turned around to see that Aijah had just walked through the front door. I heard Samiron sigh next to me, probably already knowing shit is about to go left.

"Who's telling her?" Samiron looked between us.

"Telling me what?" Aijah pressed as she walked deeper into the living room and sat down on the floor in front of me.

"They-"

"We fucked." Rell and Cami said in unison making me and Eli groan. So just fuck easing her into it huh?

We all turned our attention towards Aijah who sat there with the same blank look on her face. Sis looked like she couldn't give not one fuck. I don't know how she does it.

"I figured." She shrugged and I heard Samiron mumble something from beside me.

"What do you mean you figured?"

"I don't remember when exactly, but one day, I went

to Cami's house to drop her Airpods off and she wasn't there so I checked her location and it said she was on the same street Rell lives on."

"I decided to wait 'till she got back so I sat in my car. About 30 minutes later I saw her hop out of an uber wearing Rell's beige Chrome Hearts shirt." She explained.

We all sat there in an awkward silence waiting for someone to say something, specifically Rell or Cami.

"I honestly don't care if y'all get together or not 'cause I've been moved on. It would've been decent for y'all to let me know though." Aijah said and I furrowed my eyebrows. Moved on... to who..?

"My bad AJ.. you know I didn't mean to disrespect you or nothin'." Rell muttered and Aj nodded dismissively. It was clear she was just trying to get the convo to end. Just by looking at Aijah's face I could tell that she couldn't care less about the situation. Tuh, she's better than me.

Rell scratched the back of his neck, "Whatchu mean you been moved on though?" He pinched his eyebrows together.

"I moved on." She reiterated. "I'm talking to someone right now."

"Who?" I raised my eyebrows. I hadn't heard shit about this.

"Thirty." She said and my eyes shot out.

"Thirty!?"

"Thi-"

"Someone clean my ears. 'Cause I know she didn't just say THIRTY."

"My fuckin' head hurts, this is too much." Samiron took his fitted off and started rubbing his temple.

"Since when?" I asked Aijah in complete shock.

She sighed, seeming hesitant, "We just started talking like 2 weeks ago. I thought he told you?"

"He didn't tell me shit." I said. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know to be honest. I was definitely planning on tellin' you since he is your cousin and all but I just wanted to keep it between us for a lil' while, you know? At least to see where it would go." She said

and I sighed. I can't really bring myself to be upset with her about that.

I'm more shocked than upset that she nor Thirty didn't tell me shit. But then again, I can't blame her for wanting to keep her business private. Knowing Aijah, she was probably afraid people were gonna judge her for movin' on too fast. But i'm cool with

whatever, as long as she's happy and isn't dwelling on her and Rell's relationship then I can't be mad at her.

"Are you happy?" Rell asked, breaking his silence. I looked over at him and I can't lie, he looks a lil' hurt.

"I mean we just started talkin' but yea, i'm happy." She said and he nodded.

"Then i'm glad. I can't be mad at you for movin' on, especially after the shit I did." He admitted. Aijah tore her eyes away from Rell and looked everywhere else but him.

Cami cleared her throat, "Can I talk to you outside, Aj?" She said. Aijah nodded and got up, following her out of the front door.

"Did not expect that." Eli muttered.

"You good?" Samiron asked Rell.

"Yea. I mean, like I said, I can't be mad at her for movin' on after the shit we did to each other. It's obvious that we were toxic as fuck together and we're better off as friends." He stated and we nodded even

though he seemed kinda weary about it.

"What's done is done." Eli shrugged, making the room go silent.

I glanced over at Juelz who was now asleep on Samirons chest while he rubbed his back.

"He look so much like Soovy." Samiron mumbled looking down at him and I nodded. I poked my bottom lip out and stared at Ju who was fast asleep with his lips slightly parted.

No matter how many months go by, I'll never stop wishing Soovy was still here. Juelz is a carbon copy of Soovy and a constant reminder that he isn't here anymore. I know Shaila wishes Soovy was here more than anyone, especially now with Juelz's autism. She's expressed multiple times how hard it's been learning how to raise a child with autism and no matter how many of us are here to help her with Juelz, it doesn't, and never will, compare to Soovy's presence.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of Eli's phone ringing. He yawned and put the phone to his ear.

"Wadda-"

We heard someone yelling over the phone and Eli's face instantly turned to a mug.

"Okay nigga but don't yell at me! You not my damn daddy, that nigga is dead!" Eli yelled into the phone making all of us look at him crazy. He hung up and shot up from the couch, snatching his keys off the coffee table in the process.

I shot my eyes towards Juelz who had woken up with a frown on his face, clearly startled. "Eli, you god damn idiot." I grumbled, knowing that was an effect of Juelz's autism.

"Oh shit, my bad lil' man." Eli rubbed his hand over Juelz's head, who had leaned back onto Samiron's chest in an attempt to calm down.

"Fuck wrong with you?" Samiron scrunched his face up at Eli.

"Tasia's having the baby."

A few hours later, we were all in the hospital lobby, waiting on word from Tasia's room. Shaila came and picked Juelz up from the hospital a few hours ago and went back to work. Destini and Reece said they were gonna be on their way soon too. With Reece in Arizona and Destini at LSU, they agreed to meet us at Duck and Tasia's house tomorrow 'cause they both still had flights to catch.

I felt bad for anyone trying to find a seat in the waiting room currently because our group was occupying the entire space. Me, Samiron, Rell, Eli, Aijah, Cami, and Medina were all here as well as Duck's brother and sister, his dad, my momma, and both of Tasia's parents.

My momma and Tasia's momma were the only ones in the room with Duck and Tasia, the rest of us are sittin' out here like we're on a field trip or sum. It's way too many people and I know the hospital staff are irritated as fuck but oh well, we're black.

Tasia's older sister, Talayah, was nowhere to be found but that didn't surprise me considering she didn't even show up to her own niece's gender reveal. Tasia told me about whather sister said to her after finding out she got pregnant by Duck and it's fucked up on so many levels. How do you tell your younger sister that her drug-dealing boyfriend got her pregnant on purpose and she's gonna end up being a single mom?

Talayah has no chill and I don't like how she thinks she knows everything. She's probably jealous that she's stuck in a loveless marriage while Tasia is not only in love with Duck, but starting a family with him.

Through Tasia, Talayah probably realizes that money means absolutely nothing when you truly love someone, and I guess she's upset that she's not getting that love in her current marriage. But oh well, that's what happens when you marry for money and not love.

Medina and Cami sat on opposite sides of the waiting room, taking occasional glances at each other and trying to be discreet about it but failing miserably. I don't know what happened between them 'cause I thought they were messing around

but I guess not anymore. Wayy too much shit has happened in this group..

"Call her again." Tasia's dad told Medina who rolled her eyes.

"If she wanted to be here she would've been here dad! We don't need her negative ass around my niece any-fuckin'-way." Dina snapped making Tasia's dad sigh.

"Let-" He stopped talking once we heard the sound of a baby's cries down the hallway and I felt a lil' tug at my heart.

"Whew, I think I might cry." I fanned my eyes and Samiron who was sitting next to me sucked his teeth.

"Shut yo overdramatic ass up. Haven't even seen the damn baby yet. You're just lookin' for any excuse to cry."

Didn't even have to call me out like that..

I looked at him and frowned. "Okay fuck you."

"Later." He nodded making me roll my eyes. I looked up and saw my momma smiling from ear to ear as she stepped back into the waiting room.

"They're only letting two at a time right now but once that baldheaded ass doctor leaves we just gon' call all of y'all in there cause they don't run shit." My momma said and I heard Samiron laugh beside me.

Actually they do run shit.. they work here. But let me just be quiet.

Tasia's mom walked into the waiting room wiping her tear stained cheeks and smiling.

"Y'all turn godmom and grandad!" She cheesed.

"Don't ever call me grandad again." Tasia's dad grumbled as he walked passed her and I bussed out laughing.

We rushed a few doors down the hallway to room 218 and walked in to see Tasia sitting up on the bed drinking some water while Duck stood to the side holding the tiny baby.

"Congrats baby." Tasia's dad smiled and went over to give her a hug. He walked over to Duck and his granddaughter while I greeted Tasia.

"How do you feel?" I asked her, patting away the sweat on her forehead with the towel that was near her bed.

"Like I just ran a fucking marathon." Tasia exhaled and I laughed. "This gon' be you in a couple months!" She cheesed and I jerked my head back.

"I have time to practice."

"Tuh! That's exactly what I thought before I looked down at the kitchen floor and saw wate-"