Fast Life by Cassandra Carter Page B

anger subsided, she slowed her pace to listen to Justin.
    â€œYeah, he’s her brother. Richard Pierce. Their father owns some resorts on a few islands. So that pretty much makes them uptown rich—you know, in other words, stuck-up as hell.”
    â€œThat would explain the car, then, too.”
    â€œBasically.”
    â€œSo now what I’m wonderin’ is why on earth did you two ever break up? You guys seem meant for each other. She’s stuck-up and you’re just…you. So, hey, I don’t see why y’all didn’t click.”
    â€œHey, sometimes things just don’t work out. She just still tries to claim me because she knows she messed up and she doesn’t want to see me with someone else. And her brother, Richard—if you’re even thinking about dealing with him, be careful.”
    â€œYo, chill, motor mouth, I was just wonderin’ if they were related or not. I never said I wanted to holla at the boy.”
    â€œDid you just call me a motor mouth?”
    â€œSure did.”
    â€œSo you’re saying I talk shit?”
    â€œNo, chill. I’m just saying that it sounds like you like to gossip.”
    â€œOkay, new girl, let me set you straight on something. I’m just trying to look out for you.”
    â€œDon’t get no attitude, I was just sayin’.”
    They walked to the end of the lane in silence.
    â€œThanks, then…I guess,” Kyra said.
    â€œYou’re welcome. So…where do you stay?”
    â€œWhat does it matter to you?”
    â€œDamn, you’re so feisty! I like that. It’s cute.”
    â€œUgh, Justin, stop!” She laughed.
    â€œNah, I’m just messing with you. I was going to walk you home, but…”
    â€œA’ight that’s cool but don’t try no funny stuff. No, you can’t come in to get a drink or use my bathroom, understand?”
    â€œOkay.” He held his hands up in surrender.
    â€œYour house is really nice.”
    â€œThank you, and thanks for walkin’ me home. That was fun.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. But I’m going to get going, so I’ll see you at school tomorrow. And don’t forget about me tutoring you. When should we start?”
    â€œHow about I just let you know. I’ll call you or somethin’.”
    â€œBut you don’t have my number.”
    â€œThen give it to me.”
    â€œOkay…” Justin reached into his backpack and retrieved a pen and paper, then scribbled down his number. He had been caught off guard by Kyra’s forwardness but was pleased by it, as well.
    â€œHere. Let me give you mine, too.” She neatly jotted down her digits before passing the scrap of paper to him.
    â€œOkay, I’ll see you tomorrow. First light. Bye, baby girl.” He gently tipped her chin and headed up the street on his way home. Kyra could feel the goose bumps on her skin from when he had called her baby girl. Makai always called her that.
    Kyra unlocked the door and walked into the air-conditioned house. The cool air flowed over her body as she took a seat in the living room and picked up the phone. She was going to call Makai.
    She called all his numbers but got no answer. She called over and over, until the sound of the ringing was stuck in her head and gave her a headache. Whatever he was doing, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t right.
    Kyra leaned back into the cushions of the couch. She missed her boyfriend and her friends, and she seemed to worry more now than she ever had before. She felt stressed and overwhelmed from having to adjust to so much “new.” Everything was new. Everything had changed in the blink of an eye.
    I just wish that I was back where I was last Monday, where the only thing I had to worry about was how much my feet hurt . That was the last thought to cross Kyra’s mind before she had no worries and was gone to the world, and to her problems in