CHAPTER TWO

Sakyja's Sweetening

Houston, Texas.

————

my liyliy🤎.

these folks up here gone piss

me off. on my mama.

what them chic fil a folks

doing na ?😭

so girl i'm at the register

and im telling this lady that the

cooks said it wasn't anymore

mac n cheese....

right....

and this young broad

really gone try and tell

me that it is mac n cheese

back there ... bitch who work

here? me or you?

girl what the hell? folks at

walmart know not to play with

me like that😂

mannnn.. they gone see

when i toss a paul and

neisha sauce at one of

these hoes head!

lmfaooo as you should friend.

period. i'm not

playing no games.

Ky exited out of the message thread, having nothing to say in return to the message. She went back to cleaning the bathroom that was located in her room. She felt the need to clean on this Sunday. It was the start of the week and she wanted to feel a fresh start. She also just loved cleaning because she felt it was therapeutic.

"Threw away your love letters, I .... thought it'd make me feel better.." Ky sung along to her speaker as she bent over the tub scrubbing it with comet and kaboom.

"You don't know what love is .. if you don't stay up all night" Ky sang out again with a smile on her face.

Ky loved the thought of love and being in a relationship although she never had a real boyfriend. She had high standards of men and that caused a lot of boys to not want her. They felt she was stuck up.

"wait wait wait" Ky said smiling big. She hopped up off her knees running to her phone to change the song.

"Note to self .. stay true to self. Shorty I could use some help" Bryson Tiller voice boomed through her speaker.

"And you know what to do to help" Ky dragged with a wide grin plastered on her face. This caused her one dimple to deepen on the left side of her face.

She walked back in the bathroom to finish cleaning up. She tucked the plastic shower liner into the tub then turned shower on to rinse the tub. She let the shower run as she sprayed and wiped the sink out. She then lined the things on the sink up neatly and walked over to the toilet.

Her phone rang interrupting her music and cleaning making a mug unwilling come over the girl's face.

That was one thing Ky could not control. She was a sweetheart by words but her face could hold the most menacing look when something didn't sit right with her or in her spirit.

She was wondering who was calling her because the only person she talked to on the phone was at work.

Ky turned off the shower then walked out of the bathroom once again shaking the water from her hands then wiping them on her "cleaning shorts".

She walked to her phone that was sitting on her dresser. She leaned over it seeing "Ma💗" flash across her screen.

"Hello" Ky said after swiping the icon to the right of her screen then clicking the speaker icon.

"What you doing ky?" Her mom's soft but piercing voice spoke from her phone.

"Nothing. I'm cleaning up my room and bathroom" Ky answered her mom while staring at herself in the mirror that was connected to her dresser.

"Oh ok. I'm at the grocery store. I was just seeing what you had a taste for because Im cooking tonigh ... sick of fast food" Her mom slightly ranted.

"Can you make seafood? I really want some of your crab legs, you make them better than any seafood place" Ky said .

"Yea. You want everything or just crab legs ?" Her mom questioned.

"Yes, everything" Ky smiled running her fingers through her black closure install.

"Alright.. I'll see you in a minute" Her mom said.

"Ok." Ky said back then triple tapping the end button really fast. It was a habit of hers.

She then walked back into the bathroom and quickly scrubbed the toilet with kaboom and comet then flushing. She fixed the rugs on the floor before flicking the light off and walking out.

"Can't listen to what I say ... bitch you know i need youuuuuu" Ky dragged snatching the cover and sheets off her bed putting them in a pile. She then pulled the silk white cases off her pillows throwing those too in the pile.

She sprayed her bed with lysol then fabric refresher. She then began redressing her bed with the sheets then cover and then the pillows.

She decided to hop back into the shower even though she got in when she first woke up. She woke up around 9 and it was now 2:37. She still wanted to get back in the shower so she wouldn't smell like cleaning products.

She grabbed her towels for her shower, sitting them on the bathroom sink. She then went back to grab the mini speaker that sat on top of her dresser taking it also into her bathroom.

She tapped around her phone playing her jhené aiko playlist. Jhené was her favorite. She liked rap sometimes but she mainly liked listening to soft music.

"I ain't gonna hold you, baby I like what I see" Ky softly sang grabbing her face towel, turning on her shower then stepping in.

"That print in them sweat pants got me weak off in my knees" She continued.

Ky squeezed the dove sensitive skin body wash in her hand and lathered it onto her skin. She lightly scratched around her neck and shoulder area. A long sigh escaping her lips because of how good it felt.

She washed up good, rinsed off, then got out. She stepped out, her feet hitting the soft black rug that was aligned with the side of the tub. She leaned over, grabbing the body towel off the sink, wrapping it around her wet body.

She walked out the bathroom after shutting the light off. She dried her body off with the towel before re wrapping it around her small body. She went and closed her room door then walked to her bed, flopping on it.

She crossed her legs turning on her side before clicking on the instagram app.

She scrolled through the app , liking some of the pictures on her feed, then going to look at her expolore page. She found a lot of funny relatable quotes and pretty girls to follow so she loved scrolling on there.

Ky scrolled down her instagram explore page for about 30 minutes. She had no other social media's because she felt it was toxic and messy. She would rather only deal with one. Her eyes became heavier and heavier as she scrolled. She eventually fell asleep with her phone hanging out her hand.

——————

"Put some clothes on Ky, we have company downstairs" Sakina, Ky's mom, said waking the girl from her slumber then quickly shutting the door closed.

"Ugh, I just want to freaking sleep" Ky said while groaning and stretching then throwing her legs off the bed and standing up. She stretched again before walking over to her dresser.

Ky threw on some pink panties and a regular bra. She lotioned down with some cocoa radiant lotion to refrain from being ashy. She then put on some loose fit Nike joggers with a white tee. She tied her hair in a scrunchie while sliding in her walmart "Birkenstock" sandals. They felt really comfortable to her so she wore them often.

She grabbed her phone before flicking her room life off and shutting her door the walking down the stairs.

She walked down the last step and finally lifted her head. She was a clumsy girl so she had to watch each step she took carefully. When she raised her head, her eyes met with an older man.

The man stood about 6'1 and had dark brown eyes. His hair was cut into a afro taper fade. He also had a well groomed beard occupying the lower half of his face. He looked to be in his late 30's or early 40's.

Ky knew that the man was seeing her mom by the way he stood behind her 5'6 frame as she rinsed off some spoons and put them in the dishwasher.

"Ky this is Isaiah" Her mom introduced shaking the water off her hands and going to stand in front of her daughter.

"Hi, How are you?" Ky greeted with a small smile.

"Wassup" He returned with a blank face making her smile slightly fall.

Ky didn't like that gesture. She felt it insinuated that he didn't really want to talk.

"Ky, I just started talking to Isaiah a little over 3 months ago. I wanted to make sure I was sure of him before bringing him around" Her mom explained noticing the look on her daughter's face.

Ky understood her mother's reasoning for not telling her off bat that she was seeing the man but she still felt a certain type of way. It had been only them two since Ky could remember. She didn't know her dad and didn't plan on trying to find him.

"Oh" Ky responded.

"Um I have a nephew and he has some friends. If you know.. you wanted to get out. They have a lot of fun and stuff" Isaiah suggested.

"Boys?" Ky asked while frowning.

"Yes but they aren't like that, I promise. Girls also be around" He quickly cleared up.

"She doesn't go anywhere without her bestfriend so give her time to respond" Her mom answered for her earning a head nod from Ky.

"Ok that's fine. I just wanted them to meet since you said she doesn't go out a lot" He said back.

Doesn't go out? She be telling my business?

"Yea. She'll most likely come to me later with a answer" Her mom assured.

"I'm going to Liy house, she gets off work in a little. I'm gone get her and then come back here so we can eat" Ky said looking at her mom for approval.

"Ok that's fine" Her mom said.

Ky grabbed her keys out the bowl sitting on the stand by the door then walking out to her car.

"Oh, shit " Ky exclaimed to herself under her breath, quickly grabbing her phone.

"Hello" Ky said after dialing her jobs number.

"Hello" Ms.Jackie greeted unsure of who was on the other end.

"Yes, may I speak to Ms.Jackie" Ky said properly.

"This is she" The lady responded.

"Hey, this is Sakyja. I was calling in to say that I won't be able to make it into work today" Ky said.

"Why is that?" The lady questioned, attitude laced in her voice.

"I just won't be able to make it. Can you do your job and relay that message to the manager" Ky said back, putting emphasis on manager.

"Alright" The lady said back.

Ky triple tapped the end button while rolling her eyes. The lady always seeked problems with her and she didn't understand why.

Ky connected her bluetooth playing PARTYNEXTDOOR and finally driving off.

———————

"Where you at?" Ky asked, on the phone with Jaliy.

"Clocking out. Why?" Jaliy said.

"I'm at your house. My mama making a seafood boil and I knew you would want some so I just came to pick you up. You can stay over if you want to, too." Ky explained.

"Alright. I'll be there in like 15." Jaliy responded.

"Ok" Ky said back, hanging the phone up.

Ky sat there for the next 15 minutes thinking about the man her mom introduced her to. She was beyond sad because she always heard about how parents changed when new people came into the house. She could talk to her mom about anything and she was almost positive that would change. Tears threatened to leave her eyes as she thought about how her mom and her attention would be snatched from her. Ky was spoiled.

Beeeeepppp*

Ky looked up seeing Jaliy's car pull up in the driveway. She quickly wiped her eyes and rolled her window down.

"I'm gone pack a bag real quick and I'll be ready" Liy said rushing into her house.

"Ok" Ky said.

Ky regained her composure and got her self together waiting on Jaliy to come out the house.

"Ok I'm ready" Jaliy said coming out after a five minute wait, throwing her pink bag in the backseat of Ky's car then getting in the front seat.

"Let me tell you .." Ky started, driving off.

"What happened" Jaliy asked. She saw her friend wipe her tears earlier but decided not to ask why. Ky could be really mean when it came to people questioning her, especially about her feelings. She also knew Ky would eventually tell her.

"My mom introduced me to her.. I guess... boyfriend." Ky started explaining.

"He seems like a cool person but I know all her attention will divert from me and to him. I don't like that. It's always been me and her. I don't want him just sliding in and taking my mom from me" Ky continued.

"Ky I understand you gone feel some type of way but don't be selfish. You don't want your mom to be lonely for the rest of her life right?" Liy asked.

"What you mean? She not lonely, she has me" Ky said with a frown, completely not grasping the point.

"Sakyja.... Your always with me. When your not, your at work and when you not at work, your locked in your room doing teenage things" Liy started her rant.

"Your mom is at work almost every day. She cooks, cleans, supports you in every way possible and you don't think she deserves to have a little her time? You know I support you through everything but your being selfish with this one" Liy said.

"I know. I just don't want to lose my mom" Ky said, tears falling effortlessly from her eyes.

"Bitch unt unt. Wipe your tears, you driving . I can't die yet" Jaliy said.

"I got us, damn" Ky retorted, wiping her eyes then rolling them.

"But forreal.. Dont be selfish. Ma is not gone act no different towards you. Just talk to her about it, Im sure she'll understand and reassure you" She closed off the subject as they were pulling up to the house.

"I hear you" Ky said, parking and shutting off the car.

Jaliy grabbed her bag and walked behind Ky into the house.

"Hey Ma" Jaliy said while on the way up the stairs to put her bag down in Ky's room before walking back down.

"Hey baby, how you been?" She greeted back, hugging the girl then walking back to the sink where she was rinsing and peeling shrimp.

"I been fine. Ky has something she want to talk to you about." Liy said.

"Okay" She said.

"Tell her Ky" Liy said sitting down in one of the chairs of the dining table.

"Well..." Ky started off, twiddling her fingers in nervousness.

"Sakyja don't tell me your pregnant.." Her mom said dropping a shrimp in the sink and leaning her head down saying a prayer to God.

"No.." Ky said letting her tongue flick off her teeth and down. She didn't play those games. She was still holding onto her virginity.

"Ok so what got you so nervous?" The lady asked with obvious confusion.

"I feel like since you have Isaiah your going to start distancing yourself from me. I don't want to lose my mom. I don't want him to have all your attention. Everyone always talks about how their parents changes after another person comes into the household. I don't want you to love him more than me. I know your going to because of how you kept him hidden from me for a whole 3 months! I DONT LIKE HIM!" Ky ranted, raising her voice and she went on and on. Her emotions could sometimes get the best of her and it was hard controlling.

"Ky.." Liy started. That's not how she expected Ky to ask for reassurance.

"You can't be fucking serious right now.. I bust my ass for you and you wanna be selfish? I had you at fucking 16. I was a baby. Your dad was a lowdown ass bitch who had been plotting on me since I was a freshman and he was a senior. My mama, your grandma, found out I was pregnant by a grown ass man and put me out on my ass to go live with him. You think he took me and his child in? Fuck no. I was crying at his door step and he laughed at me and said I was a quick nut and you weren't his. I lived with my auntie up until you were 5. After I had you, she would watch you at night while I stripped to make money for us. A man I rejected who wanted sex from me followed me home and shot up her house. She put us out and I was lucky to find a cheap apartment for us to stay in" Her mom went off on her, tears falling from all of their eyes, even Jaliy's.

She never told Ky about her past or her upbringing cause she felt it was unnecessary and not important. They was doing good now so what was the point but after Ky's outburst she felt like she needed to know what all was sacrificed before she just acted so damn ungrateful and bratty. A humbling was needed.

"Ma.." Ky spoke out.

"Naw shut the fuck up. Every since then you and only you had been my first priority. I didn't even think about a man. I was the only one getting you shit for Christmas. You spent your birthdays with me. I bust my ass to make sure you had all that expensive ass shit you wanted.. I fucking did that! Now you almost grown and I can't even get a little me time and make my damn self happy? After 17 years of making you happy? You got me fucked up Sakyja. You don't have shit else to say to me. Cook the rest of this shit by your damn self." She finished off, wiping her hands off and walking in her room, slamming the door.

Ky stood there with what seemed liked millions of tears falling out her eyes at once. Her mom never told her about her situation and hardly yelled. Her feelings were hurt.

"Jaliy what should I do?" Ky asked, looking at her with pleading eyes.

"I don't know. Just give her time to cool down. Let's finish cooking this" Jaliy said walking into the kitchen.

"She has never yelled at me like that.." Ky said, head hanging low in sadness.

"After what you said, what you expected? We almost grown Ky, you can't expect her to be all up under you like she was when you were 7. She has a life and feelings too. You was really selfish for that" Jaliy responded, shaking her head.

Jaliy wasn't a yes man. She wasn't going to agree with everything Ky did solely because they were friends. She was going to tell her friend right from wrong. She expected Ky to do the same with her.

"I know, I know" Ky said washing her hands in the empty side of the sink then finishing peeling the shrimp.

"So what are you going to do?" Jaliy asked putting the rest of the stuff in the big pot of the boiling butter and seasons.

"I'm gone go talk to her when I finish peeling these" Ky said.

Ky was going to peel those shrimps small piece of shell by small piece of shell. She was trying to avoid having to confront her feelings and talking things out.

"I'll finish them. That's the last thing to do anyways. Go talk to Ma" Jaliy said, very much knowing what Ky was trying to do.

"Okay" Ky said dragging her feet and slowly walking to her mom's room.

"Ma..." Ky spoke out, opening her room door after knocking.

"Can I talk to you?" Ky asked looking at her mother.

Sakina, Sakyja's mom, kept a blank stare on her face but Ky knew to continue talking.

"I just want to apologize. I know I was being really selfish but I just don't want to lose you. You've always been my bestfriend and I always can come talk to you. I don't want that to change because your busy with him. I want you to be happy, I swear I do but please don't leave me." Ky expressed, tears falling from her eyes once again making her mom's face soften.

"Sakyja. Its been me and you since forever, I could never let him take your place or even try to. You came out of my cooter. I birthed you in the hospital by myself with no support. The love is forever there and forever irreplaceable. I got you forever. I just want to have a little me time. That's all. I promise." Sakina explained to her crybaby daughter, engulfing her in a hug.

"I hear you, thank you" Ky said, hugging back and crying in her shirt.

"No need to thank me. I love you. Ok? I love you with all my heart and you always come first. No matter who come around!" Sakina said, looking into her daughter's eyes, wiping the tears from them.

"I love you too Ma" Ky said back with a smile.

"Ok now go help my baby in that kitchen" Sakina said, with a small laugh.

Ky laughed too and walked out to help Jaliy.

————————

Jaliy so great. I honestly love her🥺

Buttttt .. 3574 Words.

My minimum is 3500 each chapter so we did good!

Make sure to vote !

happy readings,

pooh🌟.