Page 140 of Falling Into Gravity

“He ain’t gon’ mess up that hair for nobody,” Aku said, and the girls burst out laughing.

“Damn, y’all talkin’ shit?” Malik called out.

“Always,” Aku shot back.

“Your girl the ringleader,” Noodle said.

Aku stood and walked over to him with her hips switchin’. She stepped between his legs, her hands slipping into the pockets of his shorts. “You not hot in this hoodie?”

“Only thing hot out here is you,” he said, real low.

She smiled, pulled him down by the chin, and kissed him slow. “I needed this…all of it.”

“I know.”

“Didn’t know how bad I needed it ‘til I saw you smiling again.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “You do that. You give me reasons to want shit. - Big shit. Peace, a home, and a yacht just like this one, but with our name on the back.”

“You really want all that?” she asked.

“I want you sittin’ pretty, dripped in all the shit you like—diamonds, custom heels, designer shit I can’t even pronounce, and I wanna earn it. Ain’t no handouts over here.”

Her eyes softened. “You got me already, Malik. You don’t need to buy me.”

“I know. That’s why I want to. ‘Cause you ain’t never asked me for nothin’ but to love you right.”

Bu walked by again, this time with a plate of shrimp and a bottle of champagne, laughing ‘bout something the chef said.The whole group had shifted into good vibes—jokes flying, inside stories spilling out, and laughter bouncing off the water…

On the deck above, tucked behind a makeshift canopy clipped to the poles—just a thin white sheet fluttering around them—Aku and Noodle sat cross-legged on lounge cushions. It was their happy den. No boys, except for Little Lunar when they were kids, no shoes, and no responsibilities. Just them and whatever truth needed air.

Noodle twisted the ends of her hair, squinting across the dimly lit space. “You good? You keep smirking.”

Aku pulled her knees up and grinned. “I got something to tell you.” It had been killing her since she found out.

Noodle blinked. “Tell me then. Don’t be weird.”

“I’m pregnant.”

Noodle’s mouth dropped open. “No you’re not.”

“I am.” Aku’s smile spread wide.

“Stop.”

“I’m not playin’, Noodle. I’m dead serious.”

Noodle covered her mouth, eyes wide. “Oh my goodness, Aku. Wait, for real?”

Aku nodded. “Took the test the other night. I was sittin’ in the bathroom stall with my heart in my throat. My Mama waiting in your room while I peed. Two lines, clear as day.”

Noodle let out a shaky breath, smiling so big her cheeks hurt. “You gon’ have a baby…”

Aku nodded again, slower this time. “Yea.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of it settling between them.

“Are you okay?” Noodle’s voice was soft—always sing songy.

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