"Wassup, bro. How you livin?" Boodah greeted James.
"Was good, bruh." He replied dapping him up.
"Heyyy Deja!" Boodah said in a playful tone as he walked into the room.
"Heyyy Jerome!" She greeted back.
"Ain't seen y'all in a minute man. Missed y'all." He smiled.
James chuckled, "Yeah, we missed you too."
There was a brief awkward silence amongst them.
"Well... There is something that needs to be addressed."
Jerome sucked his teeth, "Oh my fuckin god."
"What?" She asked.
"Everytime you gotta play mediator it's some fucked up shit happening."
She tucked her lips.
"See."
"What you do now?" He asked looking directly at James. His leg was bouncing fast.
"Rome, I need you to calm down." She said.
"I'm calm." He chuckled. "Calm as a bitch for real."
"Cmon dawg." James pleaded.
"It's bout Mari ain't it? You been jaggin it to her pictures or sumn?" He accused.
"Why you be gettin like this?"
"Ight, you know what. Tell me." He insisted.
James took a deep breath, "A few nights ago I had a dream... about the time me and Mari-"
"Oh my god." Jerome interrupted, putting his head in his hands.
"Let him finish." Deja said placing her hand on his back.
"The dream brought back those feelings I had for her."
"I can't do this shit again." Boodah stressed. "Why her, bruh? Why my girl?"
"I really wish I didn't feel this way."
"So what now?" He asked plainly.
"I don't know." James admitted.
He stood up, "Ion want you around her until you get ova this lil fuck ass crush. Don't text her. Don't call her. Don't even tell her this shit."
He left the room while muttering under his breath.
James exhaled, "Fuck."
"That honestly went better than I expected." Deja admitted.
•••
"Rome? Das you, sweetie?" Mrs. Carmichael called.
"Yes ma'am." He answered.
"Hey sugar, I just finished cooking. Come get a plate."
"Thank you, but I'm not really hungry right now." He spoke truthfully.
"You and James just had the conversation, huh?" She assumed.
He nodded.
"Come on." She said, signaling him to follow her to her room.
He grabbed her plate and drink then followed her.
•••
"How you feeling right now?" She asked.
He shrugged and shook his head.
"Come here." She said with pity in her voice.
He laid her arms on the bed. He felt his throat tighten and he began to shake.
