When It's Real | ON HOLD

14. | Advice from Jay

Josiah

Bria's blow up in the store over me just speaking to someone really threw me for a loop. I had actually thought that we'd gotten past all that, and that our relationship was getting back on track but damn was I so wrong.

I had tried to put myself in Bria's shoes multiple times. On one hand, yes I understood that she was afraid that I might go off to college and find someone new. But on the other hand, I've put in so much work in this relationship that that thought should never have even crossed her mind.

We've been on and off for years simply because we realized that we had some growing up to do, but we also knew we wanted to do that together. We fell off a couple times, but we always bounced back because the love was always there no matter what, but she's never been this crazy before.

Our relationship had ups and downs as one does, but it was never about either one of us cheating or disrespecting one another, so I don't even understand how she came to this conclusion.

After that argument I was really ready to call it quits. I hadn't seen Bria in days. I hadn't talked to her either.

"Aye man, you still playing or what?"

The sound of Jay's voice snapped me away from my thoughts. I had forgot we were playing 2k.

"Damn, my bad dude. I wasn't even paying attention," I said before sitting the Play Station controller down beside me on the black, leather couch.

"Bria still got yo head messed up huh?" he said with a laugh.

"Man, this shit has gotten out of control. She got mad at me because I spoke to Nia in the store."

"Hold up. My Nia?" He questioned, raising his thick eyebrows.

"Yea, dude, your Nia."

"Man, I don't mean no harm by this, but please don't drag my cousin in you and Bria's drama. I know y'all cool and everything but-"

"That's the thing. I didn't want to drag her in it because I know how Bria is. I was trying to be short with Nia, but she probably thought I was just being rude, which wasn't the case at all. Me and Nia were basically best friends back in the day man, I'd never do that to her and you know that."

"Nah, bruh, I know you wouldn't. That's not what I'm worried about. I'm talking about Bria basically. She might try to step to Nia the wrong way, and you know Nia don't get rowdy like that, but she don't take the disrespect and she ain't gon' back down from no fight at all."

"I wouldn't even let Bria put her hands on Nia. That just ain't finna go down like that."

Even though Tania and I aren't as close as we used to be and we barely talk, I'd still never let someone harm her if I could help it. Especially Bria. Yea, she's my girlfriend, but she's become delusional, and I wouldn't dare let her try to confront Nia knowing that this is all stemming from her insecurities.

"I just don't know what to do about this situation anymore, man. Like this has really drained me." I let out a sigh, sounding defeated.

"Well, for starters, you need to make sure you explain the situation to Tania just so she can have a heads up in case Bria tries something while you ain't around. And secondly, maybe you and Bria just need to let this thing go. Y'all been at it for a cool minute. Maybe y'alls time has just run out."

I thought for a minute on what Jay said, and he was right. Just because you loved someone didn't mean y'all were meant to be together. Everything was starting to feel forced with her at this point, and the relationship wasn't fun anymore.

"You might be right, Jay."

"Aren't I always?"

"Hell naw! You done lead my astray a few times, but that was in the past so I'm not even gon' speak on it."

"Bro, stop the cap!" Jay said laughing. "I ain't ever led you astray. You be leading yourself astray."

"I ain't even tryna hear it, dude," I said.

After a few more hours of playing video games, I got ready to leave Jay's crib. I was gonna go settle this thing with Bria and apologize to Tania.

I got in my car and cranked it up, and a light came on telling me my tire pressure was low in three of my tires. That was strange because everything was good when I made it over here. I would have known if I ran over something.

I got out and looked around and saw that the three tires were completely on a flat. How in the hell?

After getting a closer look, I noticed a slash in the tires that could have come from one thing and one thing only.

I found Bria's contact in my phone and she picked up after the second ring.

"You dumb motherfucker! You thought you were going to get away with what you did, but I found out dumbass!"

"What the fuck are you talking about? Why the fuck did you slash my tires!?"

At this point my blood was boiling and my anger was hard to control. I just hoped I didn't say something to her that I would later regret because I was pissed off to the max.

"You shouldn't have been going to see another bitch! Now let's see how you gon' visit the hoe with flat tires nigga! After everything we've been through, this is how you repay me? By cheating!"

"Bria, ain't nobody cheating on y-"

"I ain't even trying to hear it Jo! You really crossed the line! You been lying to me this whole time saying you wasn't cheating but you were and I have proof!"

"What fucking proof do you have!?" I yelled into the phone. I could hear my voice echoing through the quiet night sky. "You need to stop letting yo stupid ass friends get into your head. They the ones feeding you this bullshit, and you eating it up!"

"Check your phone and see! Ain't nobody feeding me no bullshit but you!" Bria screamed back.

I looked down at my phone and went to my messages between me and Bria. She'd sent me a picture that someone took of me the night I was at Wings N Things. The girl in the picture was Tania.

"Uh huh! Yo ass done got quiet now cause you know I'm telling the truth. You been lying to my face! That's the same bitch that was at the store, and you was tryna act like I was just overreacting!"

"First of all, chill out with that bitch word." I said getting back inside of my car so that the whole neighborhood wouldn't hear me yelling.

"Oh, now you wanna take up for the bitch!

"What the fuck did I just say! And whoever sent you that picture can kiss my ass cause I wasn't cheating on you!"

"Explain then, Josiah. What were you doing with her?"

"She is an old friend of mine. We go way back. We used to be best friends. I saw her there and we were just talking. That's it! I haven't been going to see her and I ain't cheating on you with her or none of that!"

"Nigga all you do is lie! You was out with her, and then had the nerve to come lay up with me right after! Jo! I swear I'm gon' beat yo ass and I'll find that bitch and beat her ass too! Make sure you tell your lil side bitch that she got an ass whooping coming."

"Bria, you know what, fuck you! I'm so sick and tired of this shit, bruh, I swear. I'm done! We done!"