Caught Up by Amir Abrams

that’s what it sounded like to me.”
    He belches. Doesn’t even excuse himself. I frown. “Oh, my bad. But, I’m sayin’. I ain’t gonna front on da panties, ma. I wanna get up in ’em ’cause, yeah, you lookin’ right. So yeah, I wanna stroke you up. But I ain’t on it like dat. Its whateva, whateva. But, I’m sayin’, you can still let me see what dem lips ’n’ dat mouth is all about, nah mean.”
    Now I’m ready to go.
    I push my chair back, pulling out my phone. But then I remember I can’t call anyone. I’m supposed to be with Jordan and her dad and quickly toss it back into my bag. Now, I’m stuck with this boy. And I’m annoyed at myself for lying to my mother just so I could spend time with him.
    I narrow my eyes. “Listen, Blaze . I don’t know what impression I gave you, or what you think you know about me. And I definitely don’t know how other girls are when they’re with you. But I’m not a whore. And I’m definitely not playing head nurse to you or anyone else. So if that’s what you’re hoping for, then you’re sadly mistaken and you have definitely wasted your time, and your money.”
    I dig down in my bag and pull out my wallet. I snatch out a twenty, tossing it at him, then stand up.
    He starts grinning. “Yo, why you trippin’? What’s dis for?”
    â€œI’m not tripping. It’s for your time and for my half of lunch, plus the tip.” I sling my bag up over my shoulder prepared to walk off.
    â€œYo, hol’ up. Where you goin’?”
    â€œTo find me a way home.”
    He quickly stands and reaches for me. “Nah, nah. Chill, ma. You ain’t gotta roll out like dat. I was only effen wit’ you.”
    I fold my arms, giving him a “yeah right” look.
    He puts his hands up in mock surrender. “You gon’ break my heart, yo, if you bounce.” He picks up the money, handing it to me. “Yo, take dis back. I don’t need ya paper, yo.”
    I stare at his hand.
    â€œC’mon, relax. Real spit, I’m not on it like dat. I was only testin’ you. Here, take ya money, ma. I don’t need ya paper. I got dis.”
    I raise my brow.
    â€œI’m sayin’. I dig you.”
    I tsk him. “Boy, please. It seems like you’re more focused on trying to dig something else instead. So if you are, then we need to leave now.”
    â€œNah, we good, babe. I mean. Yeah, I wanna get up in dat. I ain’t gonna front. I’m tryna cuddle up ’n’ boo you up. But I’m not gonna press you for da panties. I respect how you get down.”
    I know just seconds ago I was ready to bolt for the door, but now I suddenly have a change of heart. I keep from smiling at the thought of cuddling up with him. Even though I know he’s a horndog, there’s still something about him I like. Still, I let him know, again, that I am not easy. And that I’m not going to allow him to treat me like I am.
    He apologizes. Gives me a sad puppy-dog face. “I got you. My bad, a’ight. Let me make it up to you.”
    â€œHow?”
    He grins. “I’ll figure sumthin’ out, a’ight?”
    I shrug, reluctantly pulling out my chair and taking a seat. “Well, let’s see if we can get through the movie first.
    He grins. “Oh, we will. Believe dat.” He lifts his drink, taking long deep pulls as he glances at his watch. “C’mon, let’s roll.”

7
    T he movie was good. Hazel Eyes was a gentleman through most of the movie. I mean, yes. He did put his arm around me. And a few times his hand did accidentally wander a little too high up on my thigh. But other than that, I really enjoyed myself.
    It’s a little after six o’clock in the evening and now we are heading back to his place. I’m nervous. And, okay, I know I shouldn’t be going over to his