Life After Death

Time heals everything but who says we have time…

Ariel
As we sat down in the restaurant, I realized Justin and Alexis were both in their own daze. We haven’t spoken at all since we gotten here which was really weird to me. I felt extremely awkward at the moment knowing something was wrong. By the looks of things, Justin seemed to be in an intense deep thought while staring at his fingers and Alexis on the other hand just looked lost, in her own world. I took another sip of the pink lemonade I was given to occupy myself for the time being then grabbed my phone out of my purse. I wasn’t about to ask them anything because I know they’re just gonna wave me off and say nothing is wrong and obviously there is. Well maybe Justin would say something like that, not necessarily Lexis because Justin could be so secretive at times. For some reason I had this weird feeling that I was being watched. I looked at the side of me noticing our waitress was walking over towards our table. Reactively Alexis and Justin finally snapped out of it when she started placing the food down. We were at my mom’s friend; David’s restaurant called Nice! And the food here was extremely good.

“Thanks.” I said giving the waitress a small smile as she sat the plate in front of me.

“No problem.” She replied while setting the rest of the food out for Jus and Lexis. They thanked her also but instead of leaving the table she stood there as if she wanted to say something.

“Y— , ugh, is there anything else I can help you guys with?” She questioned with a nervous look on her face.

“Nah we good.” Justin spoke, giving her an unsteady glare.

“Okay… well my name is Chelsea, let me know if you need anything else.” She said contemplating on whether or not she should walk away from the table.

“Gotchu.” Justin responded quickly to her and smirked, before the rest of us could nod. With that she gave us a smile and quickly walked away, seemingly uncomfortable.

“Bugga, you scared her.” I said while covering my mouth so that no food flew out while I giggled.

“All I did was smirk at her. Shit she scared me! The way her hand was shaking I could’ve sworn she was gonna drop the food on me.” This nigga. I just continued to laugh. That was pretty awkward, but I am grateful that she came over. She did lighten our mood giving us something to talk about but ignoring the big elephant in the room, Alexis of course wasn’t making it easy. She was acting like she didn’t know anything that was going on, she only did that when something was going on with her or us. That shits annoying at times; she’s making this hard for all of us. Damn, I’m not here for the drama and I’m damn sure not about to sit up here and discuss all our problems like this is some damn soap opera. I’m not asking Lexi what’s wrong either ‘cause I don’t care to talk about it, especially not with Justin here. I told that nigga I’m fine and so did she. What’s the problem now? Cause if your gonna lie, learn how to keep up with your shit. You fall, I fall too cause we both lied and got the same damn problem. If you let anything slip out your mouth that would send the wrong message out. It would make people think that whatever you said was open for discussion. —No— I don’t do mediations.

“Lex wassup?” Justin questioned, concern plastered on his face.

“I been chillin Justin, wassup with you?” She replied. That shit didn’t convince me. If he wanted to know how you been he woulda asked, ‘what’s been up with-’

“I never asked what’s been up Alexis. I asked what’s up meaning NOW! Present time.” He quickly spoke, breaking my train of thought. He made sure to say now loud and clear. Took the words right out of my head. See great minds think alike. Where was Lexi’s mind at the moment, I couldn’t tell you. But if she had it, she would of thought shit out clearly. Choose her words wisely. Especially speaking to Justin he was very clever. Clever enough to use your own words against you.

“Nothing is up either Justin. I’m still chilling. How have you been.” She sighed, obviously annoyed. She was making no eye contact.

“I been living trying not to let shit stress me out. But I’m human, can’t help it. I ain’t in-denial either. That’s just how shit is and I ain’t afraid to say it.” He stated, glancing at both Alexis and I. Last time I checked he was talking to Alexis only. I quickly took my phone back out, trying to avoid this conversation he was bringing me into. That’s when shit hit me. I had to hit Crystal up to chill so why not do it now.

“Riee put that shit away before I break it.” Justin said, irritation and annoyance spoke with his voice. Don’t get me wrong I ain’t afraid of nobody. But both my brothers and father just had that control over me. I knew they weren’t ones to fuck with because if they say something, they’ll do it.

“Chill the fuck out Justin, this ain’t my argument you speaking to Alexis not Ariel” I said referring to myself as third person while putting my phone away. Lexi shot me a look. It was then that I realized, I had threw her under the bus.

“Fuck you Ariel!” Alexis glared at me while getting up from the table and letting her long legs lead her to the exit. We didn’t bother to stop her either. I simply didn’t because I wasn’t trying to have this conversation. I knew where it was leading to, and Justin didn’t because he was mad. The nigga caused it on himself. Learn how to leave shit alone

“Leave shit alone Justin.” I half yelled at him.

“Fuck you mean leave shit alone, that’s what Ma claims Junior did right?” He asked rhetorically. Knowing he was correct, I just stayed quiet.

“Answer me Ariel!… Ma thought Junior’s motive with leaving for college was because he couldn’t handle this shit. Little did she know that y’all can’t either. That’s why y’all hiding shit, keeping it in and I’m not having that.” He yelled, banging his hand on the table. His veins pulsing like he just got done beating the shit out of someone. I walked over to his side of the table and kissed his cheek. Even when we’re mad at each other we still show some type of warmth and affection.

“I’m out Jus, not today.” I said before turning on my heels and leaving the table. Good thing we all drove in our separate cars cause we all would’ve been stuck at that table with nothing to do but talk.

Justin

I called the waitress over and asked her for my check but she told me someone else had already paid for it. I know Ariel and Alexis didn’t so who the fuck could it have been?

“Whatchu mean someone paid for it?” I asked, meshing my eyebrows together.

“A gentlemen said he was a friend of Ariel’s and that he would pay for it. I thought you guys knew.” She said a bit nervously, probably afraid I’ll go off on her phat ass.

“Nah give that nigga his money back. Tell him my sister handles her own. She don’t need niggas paying for her shit. Money isn’t an issue.” I let her know. With that said, I paid for our meal, and tipped Chelsea.

“Thanks.” She said shyly.

“No problem ma. I’m Justin by the way.” I said while exiting the restaurant just leaving her there blushing, before she walked away through the back door that read ‘Employees Only’. Man her ass was Nice! Fuck that nigga that tried to pay for the meal.

1. That shits rude, did he not see a nigga sittin right at the table along with Ariel and Alexis?
2. This ain’t no fucking charity case, trying to pay for niggas shit.
3. No need to break your pocket, we carry our own. Did you not see the cars we were driving?
4. That shit is gay paying for another man’s meal. Even though you wanted to impress my sister, that don’t look good on my side. Its not like you only paid for hers. I get you trynna be a baller but, pack that shit up. Respect that a nigga is at the table.

Besides, Junior and I aren’t the type of brothers that like to meet niggas who fuck around with our sisters.

Chelsea

I was now on my way back to the register when I remembered that I had to give Chris back his money. I looked over to the back where we were standing before I left to do him his little “favor”, but to my surprise he was already gone. I took out my phone and sent him a text.

Me: Chris, I’m gonna have to give you your money back tonight. Her brother said “Money isn’t an issue, that Ariel handles her own”? Lol what ever that means. But lemme know when your home so I can drop it off.

I pressed send and put my phone back in my pocket. I was glad today was Friday though. It’s been a busy week and I’m seriously exhausted. Both physically and mentally. One thing about me is that when something happens, as hard as I try to push it out my mind I just can’t. It just sits there and bothers me until I either sort it out, come to terms with it, or straight up deal with it. Right now Justin’s on my mind. I thought it was really weird when Chris told me to make sure I served that table. He told me a whole bunch of shit about what happen with that Ariel girl. She’s really pretty actually and I’m not surprised that she is Crystal’s best friend. When I got to the table, I wouldn’t be able to tell you exactly why I got so nervous. I forgot what Chris told me to tell her, which now I’m embarrassed because I was standing there like an idiot. I even forgot how to present myself in front of the customers, but at least I remembered to smile though. I never really got nervous in front of people — especially boys, but when I got to the table I sensed the tension and an uneasy vibe in which they all gave off. Justin’s was worst, it was as if he didn’t want any outsiders around. I know it sounds stupid because he was in public but that’s how it seemed. It made me feel not exactly scared but nervous. On top of that, Chris told me about Ariel’s attitude which made matters even worse. Then there was the other girl, she seemed quiet but it was like the whole world was weighing down on her shoulders. Jobs aren’t really my thing; this is actually my first job that I managed to keep longer than two weeks. I’m not trying to mess this up because it’s been a month, and I’m doing pretty well. I know in order to keep this job, one thing I need to do is not mix business with pleasure and the only way to do that is by keeping Justin out of my head, and keeping Chris away from my job. He’s the cause of Justin and I encountering each other. I seen the way Justin was looking at me and I believe that’s what’s got him riding my mind like a load of dirty laundry. I thought it wasn’t a good idea that I went over there for Chris but who knows this may be a blessing in disguise. But they always say nothing good last forever. My phone vibrated and I pulled it out my pocket to see a text from Chris:

Chris: it’s cool, I got what I wanted ;-). Thanks Chels

What the fuck is that suppose to mean and is he saying I should keep the money?

Me: uhh? I’ll call you when I get off work Chris

With that I put my phone right back in my pocket and went back to work. Ugh, 1 more hour and I’m done!


Chris

“Can you let go of my arm.” She asked looking annoyed as ever. Hm, might be having a bad day. Fuck that.

“Can I get your number first.” I responded with a smirk.

“I’m really not in the mood, I have to go. Get it from Crystal.” She spoke quickly, walking off to her car. Shawty had a nice whipp, she bad, and she match my fly!? Damn, I thought watching her pull out of the parking lot. I quickly pulled out my iPhone and texted Crystal.

Me: YO

Crystal: What?

Me: You trynna put a nigga onn Crys?

Crystal: You know I gotchu lol. Wassup?

Me: Lemme get Ariel’s # :-p

Crystal

Huh? I thought they hated each other. I quickly texted Chris the number and called Ariel.

“Hello.” She picked up on the third ring.

“Hey Crys, I was planning on calling you today. I just been a little busy, you tryna chill now?” She asked. It sounded like she was driving; I heard the wind blowing in the phone.

“Yeah come pick me up. I’m at a friends house right now and I didn’t drive.” I explained.

“Copy, text the address and get ready. I’ll see you in a few.” With that she hung up. Just as she asked, I texted her the address and told my friend I was about to leave. It’s been awhile since Ariee and I chilled, and we had a lot of catching up to do. Starting with her and my brother. What could have possibly happened during those couple days that passed since the party? If Chris thought he was just gonna fuck around on my best friend, he had another thing coming. We all got enough problems and if anything happens I’m not trying to get into theirs.