Save Me

New Beginnings

•Friday•

  Amari Love, 17, had numerous people staring at her as she walked through Oakland International Airport. She had landed fifteen minutes ago and was now headed to baggage claim to get her luggage before heading outside.

"There's my bag." Amari mumbled to herself while grabbing it. She repeated herself as she collected two more of her luggage and waited for her last bag to roll around. As she struggled to reach for the last, yet heaviest, of her bags a man from behind her offered to help.

"Sorry?" Amari responded as she yanked her bag of the baggage carousel and turned to see a tall, sharp man standing before her.

*Damn, he's fine.* Amari thought to herself.

"You need help? 'Cause if not ima go pull the car around outside."

*Oop. JK* She quickly changed her mind as she took a glance at his arm, realizing it was her brother, Malik Harris.

She didn't recognize him at first since they were never really close and have only met in person once when she was younger- that was during a Christmas break. Malik had a neat tattoo that read "Mila" on his forearm that she remembered seeing as a kid. She always wondered who or what Mila was to him.

"Umm.. you can take this big one. I got these." Amari said, accepting his offer to help.

The two walked off and headed to his car.

"Shiitt." Amari squealed when she got close enough to make out what kind of car Malik drove. A Rolls Royce.

*Wtf does this man do for a living? Sell drugs?* She thought to herself.

•On the Way Home•

"You hungry?" Malik asked Amari.

"No, I'm fine. Thanks." She responded.

She lied- she was starving!

About ten minutes later Malik looked at Amari and said in a jaunty tone, "Welcome to yo new home, kid!" She looked up and noticed they were in the driveway of a two-story, bricked house located in a nice neighborhood.

"This place is nice." She quietly responded. The place reminded her of her parents' house.

"Mhm.. and it comes with rules too. C'mon so I can show you around before I head back to work." Malik responded smartly.

As Malik toured Amari around the house, countless questions and thoughts started overflowing Amari's mind. She couldn't help but wonder what Malik did for a living to afford the lifestyle he had. Her parents were wealthy but not as wealthy as Malik.

"Aight so... my lil' sister should be home in about an hour. She real cool so feel free to make a friend when she gets here. In the meantime, make yourself at home. I'm out. Hold it down." Malik said while rushing back out.

•Later that Evening•

"Where'd you say she was from again?" Mila asked Malik.

"Austin, Texas." He responded.

The two conversed in the kitchen while cooking. This was a routine for them. Every evening at 1900, they'd start cooking or order food while telling each other about their day. That was one of their ways to bond. Things were a little different on the weekends, though.

"Damn, she traveled hella far. Are you sure we related to her?" Mila arrogantly questioned.

"Duhh.. that's Ms. Love's daughter. In other words, Dad's first daughter. And if we weren't related she wouldn't be in my house. Now quit askin' dumb questions and be smooth. She cool people." Malik responded irritatingly.

They got quiet, and Amari walked into the kitchen from around the ways. She eavesdropped on their conversation before entering.

"'Sup sleepy head. This is my, also yours, little sister that I told you about earlier. She told me you were already asleep by the time she made it home." Malik said to Amari while handing her a fixed plate.

"Yeah, my fault. 'Had a lengthy flight here." She responded.

"So I heard. I'm Mila. Nice to meet you." Mila chimed in and extended her hand out to shake Amari's.

*Ohhh! Mila... that's the name on Malik's arm. Makes sense now.* Amari thought to herself.

"Amari. Likewise." She responded as she shook Mila's hand. "And thanks, but I'm not hungry." Amari said while handing the fixed plate back to Malik.

"Oop, you don't wanna do that." Mila advised Amari.

"Yeah, you don't so you might as well keep it, go sit down and eat up. You didn't eat earlier when I asked if you were hungry so you got to now." Malik rudely responded.

"Yeah, and you also don't wanna force me to eat." Amari said while sliding the plate back onto the countertop.

"Ima give you a slide for today, but in this crib, we take care of ourselves. Starvation isn't an option." Responded to Amari's smart remark.

Amari looked up and rolled her eyes. She just knew they were related because that's what her mom used to always tell her that.

•Late Nights Up•

*Knock-knock* Amari turned to see Mila standing at her room door.

"Can I come in?" Mila asked as she annoyingly smacked on her gum.

"Yeah." Amari answered.

Mila glided across the room, jumping onto Amari's queen-sized bed.

"So.. how are we related?" Asked Mila.

"How old are you?" Amari responded, completely putting Mila's question on hold.

"16, how are we related?" Mila repeated her question,

Amari answered and said "Big Mike's my dad."

"I know you fucking lying." Mila jokingly said. As many times as Malik told her, she still didn't believe him until Amari just confirmed it.

"Yeah, girl. He dated your momma in HS and had Malik. He cheated on her with my momma, had me and went back to your momma and had you. Just a lot of back and forth shit. But deep down, he loved your momma. That's why he always ran back to her." Amari explained.

Mila heard small talk about her dad but never anything about Amari. Everything she was just told was news to her, and she was shook.

"Well, at first.." Mila began talking while fiddling with her fingers, "I didn't believe Malik but it all makes sense now. When I was younger, my momma always hid me from everything. I just knew Big Mike took good care of her. Then one day they fought and she kicked him out.. the next day, she abandoned me- no explanation. She just left me on the streets, and this one elderly woman took care of me. I didn't understand why she was so nice to me, but I knew she was my guardian angel. Time passed by and turned out, she was Big Mike's dukes. Three years later, she passed away when I was 9.. Broke my heart and then.. Malik saved me again. For weeks straight, I was starving myself cause I was so depressed. That's why starvation isn't an option in this house."

Amari felt this overwhelming feeling rush through her chest. She was unaware of everything Mila had gone through. And she now understood what she thought to be a rude act of Malik during dinner time. He understands, and he was just trying to help.

Amari began to apologize, only being able to get out the words, "I'm so sorry.. I didn't-"

"It's coo. It doesn't phase me anymore." Mila lied. Her soul would crush all over again every time she spoke about her past.

Amari lightly smiled and said, "Question? And I'm not trying to be funny or anything.. but what does Malik do for a living."

Mila smirked and answered, "You'd think he's a drug dealer or something.. but he's a psychiatrist. Licensed and all."