Page 8 of U + Me

“The fuck happened then? Why this nigga come lookin’ for you?”

“He was just been doing the most lately. Ion really want to talk about it for real. What I really want is to run the hell away. If I could I promise I would.”

“You still ain’t talked to yo pops?”

“Nope. Ion have his number nor know enough information about him to find him. After my 8thgrade graduation, he basically went ghost. According to my mom, they talked once since that day and he told her that he never wanted to hear from any of us, me included, ever again.”

“You believe that shit?”

“Not really but what can I do? I just been holding onto hope that he is going to pop up when I graduate next year.”

“That’s fucked up. That nigga Todd ain’t shit. I hate you gotta go through that shit. You know you can talk to me about anything, KK. Ion give a damn how fucked up it is forreal. I hope you know that. I feel like you holdin’ back.”

“I’m already knowing, and I promise I’m not lying he didn’t hit me,” I reiterated as I took a bite from a piece of the sandwich.

“I feel fucked up for bringing this up now, but I got some shit I got to holla at you about.”

“This is already sounding scary. Please tell me you don’t have a baby on the way, Darius.” I chuckled but prayed at the same time that wasn’t the case.

“What?!” Darius roared in laughter, doubled over holding his stomach and all. “Girl, hell fuck nah! Ion play well with kids right now. I got way too much to accomplish before having a jit is even possible.”

“I mean, with you and your fan club of females you just never know.”

“Man, I might mess around but I know how to strap up, shorty.”

“What you got to tell me then?”

“I got accepted at GSU on a full football scholarship.”

“Oh my God Darius! That’s so awesome friend!” I cheered then jumped up and gave him a big, long hug.

“Appreciate it, KK.”

“No forreal, I’m so happy for you! This is what you wanted and isn’t GSU your first pick?”

“My first damn pick. I’m hella excited too. Shit’s crazy but I’ll finally be moving the fuck from round here.”

As I listened to Darius rave about his major accomplishment, I was beyond excited for him yet a lil saddened at the same time. News of Darius going away to school scared me because I still had an entire year left to deal with my mom and Todd and now, I was going to have to find a way to deal with them on my own.

“Don’t worry, I’ll just be a phone call away.”

“I’ll be fine,” I responded and prayed that I was right.

After we finished eating, it felt like the energy was a lil weird between us. I knew that it was mainly on me because I was still sitting there processing the fact that he was going away soon. Of all things I didn’t expect for him to say that yet at the same time I shouldn’t be surprised. His dad was in Georgia, and he has always talked about GSU being his top pick for football.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Now that I’ve told you I’m leaving, I feel fucked up. I’m not as excited as I was earlier.”

“Please don’t let my problems stop you from doing your big one friend. Whether you leave or stay Todd gone be an ass and my mom gone be a fool. It is what it is.”

“How do you really feel about me leaving?”

“I support you. I’m so proud and happy for you,” I responded, really meaning every word that I said.

“Nah, how do you really feel?”

“Ion know what you mean?” I rebutted, not sure what he wanted me to say but I would never deter him from doing something he had always dreamed of.

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