Please excuse ANY grammatical errors.

July 27, 1993

~Tupac's P.O.V~

"I'm not playin' with you Sekyiwa, you not goin' with that boy." I pointed at her. "And that shit is final. So ion wanna hear shit else about it." I told her

"But why? Because you think he's white?" She asked me. "I'm turning eighteen and soon you won't be able to tell me what to do."

"As long as you livin' with me you gon' listen. You can't go because I said so. " I said thinking they'd be my last words on the topic.

"No, you won't listen to me or answer my question truthfully. I'm BARELY here as it is. I'm mostly at aunties house while you're out."  She rolled her eyes at me.

"You too young, that's why. Why couldn't you ask to be wit' a brotha'? Even then I probably would have been more accepting." I told her.

"I'm too young? You were congratulating Kastro and Yak for it and they're younger than me. Plus, do you know how the black boys at school treat me? They treat me like I'm SHIT." My eyes widened at her cursing. "I'm too BLACK, too nappy headed, hair too short, and nose TOO big. The ONLY compliment I EVER get is on my lips and it's ALWAYS sexual! It's a little understanding for other races to mess with me, but for my own people. The ones I'm supposed to call brothers are the most hurtful when they look exactly like me!" Sekyiwa said raising her voice.

I stood up. "Wait a damn minute. You ain't finna be yellin' at me in MY house. Cussin' at that. You out yo got damned mind if that what you thought. Now you can't go nowhere for two weeks." I pointed in her face. "Who said that to you?" I am referring to the name calling.

"It's not like I really go anywhere anyways but follow Kastro and Yaki around when I'm there. Ain't nothin' I wanna do out there anyways." She rolled her eyes at me. "Mama will be out soon so..."

"Well, you go somewhere EVERYDAY for two weeks and not with that boy! Now, who said that shit?" I asked her again.

"He's not even white, he's Asian, and he's not like those other guys at school." She whined.

"He look white though. Who be sayin' that shit to you Sekyiwa? I'm not askin' you again." I warned.

"Did you NOT hear me say the kids at school? Not just the boys but girls too, but MOSTLY boys. They been on me like that since I got here. It ain't easy being me, a dark skinned girl WITH 'nappy' hair." Sekyiwa voice was solemn as she touched her straightened hair.

"I tell you what, imma be at that school tomo afternoon to straighten that shit out. Ain't nobody finna be talkin' about my sister like that." I told her seriously.

Her eye's widened. "NO!"

"No? Why? Them lil motherfuckers need to know who sister they dealin' with." My voice held hostility.

"Well you can but it's summer and nobody's at school. Summer school isn't even in session. There may be some custodians but no children. Plus, that'd be embarrassing. Imagine someone going to your high school. It'll get even worse." She held her hands out in front of her face, expressing herself with her hands.

"Not after I get done with them, but you still ain't goin' with that boy. That ain't even the only reason. Boy's this age only be wanting one thing from from you and it ain't a meaningful conversation." I'm just being honest.

"Be we have had a MEANINGFUL conversation. He isn't like them other boys and he doesn't even hang with them. Who said that we're into having MORE than a meaningful conversation? We're friends and only want to hang around each other. You hung out with Jada at my age, so what's the problem?" Sekyiwa finished. Well, she does have a point. "Did y'all have more than a meaningful conversation?" She asked me with raised eyebrows.

"Nahh, but that shit different..." I trailed off.

"It isn't different. We just want to go to an indoor arcade. It is summertime and I'm tired of just following my cousins around like a lost puppy. They always end up ditching me anyways to be with a hoochie." She reasoned.

"Alright, you can go, BUT you bringing a couple of my security guards. They gon' be there and they will tell me EVERYTHING that happens. So if you fuck up, that's it." I took a seat on the couch.

"I'm not. Why can't you trust me?" She exasperated.

"It's not really you ion trust it's HIM. Ion know that nigga. Tell him to come over tomorrow, because I wanna meet him. Ion send my sister out with strangers." I told her and pressed play on my game.

Her face lit up. "Okay, I'll tell him!" Sekyiwa said excitedly and went into her room.

My mama is now back here in New York. Yes, we found her and she really wanted to get help. She's not like those other fiends that say they want help and end up right back on, but my mama is really trying. She changed her circle and back with the people she started with from jump. We didn't actually find her but she found us, she called Yaki's mama because my number has been changed multiple times.

I went back home, flew back out here together, and now she's in one of the best rehabilitation centers in New York. So that's how I know she want to get better. The ones who don't, don't come all out they way to contact somebody far away by phone. I'm proud of her by far, me and Sekyiwa both are proud. My mama been in there for a little over two months now, and we visit her every week or every other week during visitation days. It all depends on work.

I sat there and played my game for a little while. I'm a peoples person but I just need some time to be away from them type of people; industry party people. I love this lifestyle but I'm not trying to get lost in it though. This industry stuff is crazy and REAL friends come a dime a dozen. Then everybody at your neck for the shit you say. The doorbell rang so I paused the game. I went to open the door and it was Tia.

"Long time, no see." I laughed rubbing my hands together in a playful manner.

"Boy you saw me the other day." She laughed and hugged me. I hugged her back and moved to the side for her to come in.

"Yeah, but it was only for a minute."  I said and closed the door.

"I know but we had to go, we already pushed Donald's visiting hours past time." She took her shoes off before stepping onto the carpet. "May I sit?"

I looked up at her like she was nuts. "Now you know... 'May I sit down?' Nahhh, keep yo ass standin'." I said and the look on her face told me that she thought I was serious. "Gon' sit yo ass down, if you want to." I laughed.

"Okay." Tia took a seat. "Congratulations on your album by the way. I didn't get to tell you in person due to circumstances."

"It's cool. I was gon' go down to Atlanta for your birthday but my label wanted me to release it on the same day as yo day. It's cool though."

"That's right, money first. That play stuff comes later. Where Sekyiwa?" Tia asked me.

"Sekyiwa!?" I called out to her and that scared Tia because I saw her jump which made me laugh. "I'm surprised you not with ya boy De." I told her.

"I see De a lot. Plus, I don't want to come between him and his relationship. YOU on the other hand, I haven't seen since January and it is now July. Sekyiwa too. I missed y'all." Tia cheesed and Sekyiwa came from the back. She sat back in thought for a second. "I thought that I told you I was coming over today. Matter fact, I know I told you I was coming."

"A nigga forgot. I'm taking care of a lot of shit." I shrugged at her.

"Wha- TIA! Oh my goodness! I missed you!" Sekyiwa came to hug Tia. Tia stood up to do so.

"I missed you too. You look good Kyiwa!"

"Thank you, you do too. How're you feeling?" Sekyiwa asked Tia.

Sekyiwa wasn't able to come when Tia was in the hospital because she had to go to school the next day and I didn't want her to miss school. She already missed enough days due to girl stuff and I ain't want them coming at my neck nor did she.

"I doing fine. How're you? You too 2piece." Tia laughed. 2piece is a little stupid inside joke.

"I'm doing good." Sekyiwa said excitedly. "I got so much to tell you." She beamed. "You didn't tell me you was coming the last we spoke on the phone."

"I know. Only one person knew and that was Tionne since she's the one that invited me to Dalvin's birthday party."

"I'm alive, so I'm good." I answered Tia's question. "What you mean when you said you don't want to come between they relationship?" I asked Tia.

"Well, you know- let me put it this way. You wouldn't want someone of the opposite sex who isn't related to your girlfriend extremely close to her? Not to mention with De, you the one who told me to pay attention to him and he tryna get with me. You should seen her face when I hugged him the other day, it was sour like she swallowed a Cry Baby whole. I wouldn't want my man to be around nobody of that sort. Some people may say it's insecurity, but I say that it's just precaution. But yeah..." She trailed off.

I shrugged at her. "I don't trust it. But DAMN who hurt you!?"

"Exactly!" Sekyiwa said in a high pitched voice.

"It's a respectable place for me to sit. I won't do what I don't want other to do with me. Why does it have to be that the women is speaking from a hurt place? It could be that she saw it happen second hand." Tia frowned at me.

I nodded. "Yeah, but you sound like you speakin' from experience or some shit." I shrugged at her. "Anyways, what the hell you got on? I ain't ever see you show bare legs."

"A dress. Dude, it's hot as the devils balls out there. Plus this is the FIRST time that I can actually enjoy being in New York in the summer." Tia told me.

"Anyways, can we go do something? Being around boys all day ain't much fun and I ain't did nothing much this summer. A girls night out will be fun." Sekyiwa asked Tia then she looked at me. "You did say to leave the house everyday for two weeks." Sekyiwa smirked.

"Tell me about it. Being around testosterone all the time is not ideal. We could go somewhere, if that's okay with Bullet Head?" Tia turned to me.

"What happened to 2piece? It sounds better than this shit and even closer to my name. But yeah, you gon' 'head with her." I said looking at Sekyiwa. "I was planning on chillin' by myself anyways. Forgot about you comin'. But gon' 'head. Shit, go pack a bag, stay the night." I told her.

I been itchin' to be at home alone. Well, it's not really going to be alone because as soon as they leave, I'm bring over some girls and some of the homies. I don't be alone for a long time because a nigga a peoples person. I get high off people and my blunts. With my sister living here, I don't invite too many people over.

"You for real?" Sekyiwa asked me in a surprised voice.

"You see my face and hear my voice don't you? Go have fun." I told her.

"Oh my God. Thank you!" Her voice trailed off as she ran to her room in jiffy to pack.

"Well, thanks for letting her come." Tia smiled.

I shook my head no. "Shit, thank you because- don't get me wrong, I love my sister but I'm tired of always leaving to hang with my niggas."

"Ahh, okay. I feel you." Tia nodded in understanding.

"Make you you take security EVERYWHERE y'all go. Ion want my sister getting hurt." I eyed her. I don't want my sister to end up in the hospital like she was some few months back.

"I ALWAYS do, now. They're right outside your door. Surprised you didn't see them. I learned my lesson and it sholl won't be repeated." Tia said seriously.

"Good." I nodded and started back playing my game again.

"Mind if I go back there to help her? I have some ideas on places to go and I want to make sure she has the right kind of clothing." Tia asked me.

I shrugged at her. "Go 'head." And she walked to the back. They left in no time and now I had the place to myself for a little while. Like I said, I called up some people to come over.  Possibly turning it to a party and get fucked up. All we need is a bunch of bitches, weed, and liquor.

July 28, 1993

~Tia's P.O.V~

"Ye know, I've always wanted to have a girls night out. I've only done this once and it was with a few family members. This is fun." I whispered excitedly because we are in a public place. We're currently at the nail salon. I sound like a little kid, but I am really enjoying this. I've always wanted a sister or a true female friend. My sperm donor has other children and they're women, but I've only met a couple of them twice and never met the other one.

"It is." Sekyiwa nodded at me in response. "I haven't done this with my sister in a few weeks now so I NEEDED a new set."

"Ooo, girl. Yes, you do." I laughed shaking my head while looking down at her toenails that were about to go in the foot bath. Jax chuckled from besides me.

She playfully pushed me in my seat. "Shut up." She said laughing and Jax chuckled from beside me. Sekyiwa gasped. "Not you too. You're supposed to be the nice one." She turned her head to the side at him.

"I'm not nice?" I said with widened eyes in a shocked tone with my hand on my chest.

"You are but..." She trailed off looking at the ceiling. I know she was just playing.

"Whenever someone say 'but' there is always a deflection." I laughed.

"It is but I've got nothing. You cool as far as I've witnessed." She shrugged.

"No, but they aren't THAT bad. They're tolerable." I shrugged, referring to her feet. At least they didn't look like Dalvin's toes but I won't say that aloud and ruin how she view him. The girl does like that man.

"I know. Anyways, how're you and DeVanté? When will y'all finally get together because it's loonnngggg overdue." She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Girl..." I trailed off like I was about to reveal some juicy details. "Will you match your toes with your nails?" I asked her.

"Yes, at first I was thinking about doing a different neon- Tia, don't try and change the subject." Her voice went from chipper to serious again.

"Chile, I don't think it'll happen." I shrugged and her eyebrows scrunched up. "What gave you the impression that we're fond of each other?"

"The first time I met them and it was the first time I saw you guys together in real life. Why'd you say that?" She said with her eyebrows still furrowed.

"Chile..." I trailed off looking at her from the corner of my eyes. "We're just friends, my roledog." I carelessly shrugged. "What happened that day that made you think otherwise?"

"A child could see y'alls chemistry and y'all are way past being in high school."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"While everyone else was in a conversation as a group y'all were whispering and giggling quietly together. It was... Pretty much everything that y'all did together that day. Both of y'all energy matched each other. Y'all both even horribly sung that song during karaoke. What was it called again?" She explained.

I smiled at the thought. "It was Love & Happiness by Al Greene. That was fun."

"See, you love him. You even smiled when I mentioned it." She teased.

"Of course I love him, he's my friend. I love him like I love your brother." I shrugged.

"No... See that's a different type of love. COMPLETELY DIFFERENT." She emphasised.

"How Sway?" I arched my brow.

"I can even see from how you both look at each other. It's not just you but it's double sided. I see it in him just as must as you. You look at my brotherHave you and my brother ever whispered-"

"Yes, we have." I accidentally on purpose cut her off. I hate when people cut me off but I really want to get off the subject it's tiresome.

"You didn't let me finish. Have y'all ever whispered to each other in a room full of people you know for the majority of the time? In y'all own little world." She finished.

"Well... No, we haven't. BUT-"

"No buts. You don't and there's my answer. I can even see how you both look at each other. It's not just you but it's double-sided. I see it in the both of you and that was just my first impression of seeing y'all together. So that isn't counting the other times." She smirked. "Stop being in denial."

"I'm not being in denial about anything Sekyiwa. It's the truth." I told her.

We both finished at the nail salon and headed out to get properly dressed. I was planning on going to a fancy little dinner alone in New York. I wanted to go because I've never been to a formal or semi-formal required restaurant in my life. I made reservations for myself the week before coming to New York, but since Sekyiwa is here with me, she's coming too. Yes, I was going to sit at the restaurant table alone with my bodyguards at a nearby table.

This particular restaurant has caught my eyes everytime I came here and was booked so I had to make mines a little earlier. I'm wearing and orange shorts suit, orange heels, and a white plunge top. Sekyiwa is wearing a white off the shoulder dress and white sandals. I made sure it was full coverage because her brother would kill me. Her hair was curled and mines was in a huge afro.

(Tia's outfit minus the top/ Sekyiwa's outfit.)

"This place it nice, and look at the view." Sekyiwa said using her inside voice.

"Yes, and it's even better at night." I told her.

"I'm Sandra, how may I help you?" The lady smiled at us.

"I made reservations on July fourteenth under the name Tia Andrews." I replied.

She checked the computer and then looked up. "Yes ma'am. Two tables with a nice view right?"

I nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"Right this way." She motioned for all of us to follow her to which we did. "Here you are." Sandra handed us the menus after we took our seats. Jax and Big Redd were right besides is at the next table.

"Thank you." We all almost said in sync. We told her our first course meal of choice and she walked away shortly after to get them.

"This is so beautiful." I cheesed looking down at the lit city.

"And you were planning on coming here ALONE. Girl, this is a good date spot. Get you a man, you probably need one. You got it all together, you might as well get with DeVanté." Sekyiwa told me. Jax and Bigg Redd was cracking up silently.

"Excuse me? Tia~Nakia does not NEED a dude nor is she ready for one at the moment. I'm cool on that..." I placed my hand on my chest. "And shush y'all." I said to the guards chuckling.

"I said you a man, specifically DeVanté." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Whatever little girl." I pointed a finger at her with an amused expression.

"Don't tell me you don't want him because you rollin' with the other team?" Sekyiwa frowned at me.

"Girl... NEVA that." I silently laughed shaking my head at her assumption.

"Okay, I was just asking. You never know, right?" Though it was more of a rhetorical question I still nodded at her.

"What're you ordering?" I asked her.

"I think I'll get steak, potatoes, " She squinted that the menu. "Yeah, that's what I'll get. What you gettin' girl?"

"Food." I responded and put the menu in front of my face.

She smacked her lips at me. "Really?"

I moved the menu below my glasses. "Yeah." I chuckled. "I think I'll get blackened salmon." I said with my bottom lip poked out.

Sandra came back with our first course and water. They already give you water before you order your main course. We all thanked her. "You're welcome. What would you all like today?"

"Well- done steak with garlic potatoes and macaroni. For my drink I'll take sweet tea." Sekyiwa told her.

"Lobster tail, shrimp, and the same sides as her. My choice of drink will be semi- sweet lemonade." I told the waiter and Sekyiwa looked at me sideways. Sweet tea is disgusting I'm more of an iced tea gal. The waiter wrote down our orders and turned to the guys at the next table.

"I want the grilled chicken and shrimp, garlic mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and... sweet lemonade." Bigg Redd ordered.

Bigg Redd is really a BIG dude. I mean Jax is a pretty big guy but Bigg Redd is bigger. He's at least seven feet even. His real name is Jeron. He told me that he got his nickname because he was born with red hair and ten pounds but he doesn't like the color so he keeps it black.

"Imma get the blackened salmon, red potatoes, asparagus, and some strawberry cranberry juice." Jax ordered. She wrote it down and told us the time limit for the foods arrival and walked away.

The waiter was just cheesing at Bigg Redd as Jax ordered. "She want you man." Jax told Bigg Redd patting his shoulder.

Bigg Redd shook his head at Jax. "Man, she ain't my type."

I don't think women are his type. Eej flirts with him a lot but it's just play- play, Eej has a different taste in men as far as I know. Anyways Bigg Redd flirts back and just like every other man he has wondering eyes but his eyes wander off to other men. Bigg Redd ain't no punk, people tend to think gay or bisexual men are punks but not him, hence me hiring him as my security.

"You can have her." Bigg Redd laughed.

"You actin' like she a gift. Talking about I can have her. I don't want her though." Jax shook his head at him.

"Well alright then nigga." Bigg Redd laughed.

I chuckled while shaking my head. "You can have her." I mocked Bigg Redd. "Wrap her up in a bow, why don't ye?"

I looked over Sekyiwa's shoulder and and squinted once I saw a few familiar faces. I tried to shift my eyes but I guess he felt me looking and looked me dead in the eyes. I shifted my eyes and put my hand in front of my face trying to hide. Please don't come over here. Please don't come over he- Too late, I saw him standing up and making his way towards my table. He's just going tk leave his girlfriend sitting there?

"What are you doing at a place like this?" Donald asked me. I had my hand in front of my face. "Yeah, YOU, TIA. I saw you see me see you back there."

I dropped my hand from in front of my face. "Excuse me?" I frowned at him. "What's that supposed to mean? You said it like I don't belong here."

"You and me both know that ain't what I meant so stop it. I ain't talk to you in a while now. What's goin' on wit' chu?" Donald said taking a seat. Then he looked over to Sekyiwa, Jax, and Bigg Redd. "Wassup Sakenya, Jax and Bigg Nigga."

"Sup man." Jax nodded at him.

"Coolin', Fat Head" Bigg Redd responded coolly.

"Ya got jokes, huh?" Donald laughed.

"You are the joke." I told him.

Throughout the whole thing, I saw Sekyiwa seething at him, it was right after he said her name. "For the last time, MY NAME IS SEKYIWA. Not Sakenya. Not no Second or Third. IT'S SEKYIWA." She said lowly because where we are.

"My bad." Donald told Sekyiwa and then back yo me. "Anyway, what's goin' on with you? You avoidin-" He was cut off by his girlfriend coming over. She stood over him with her hand rubbing down his chest. EXTRA, but hey...

"Hey baby. Why'd you walk off all of the sudden?" She asked him. She can clearly see that he walked over to speak with me but I'm glad she came over. Now this whole unwanted conversation can be over.

"Umm, my bad. I came over to talk to Tia." He said without looking at her, his eyes were still on mines.

"We were in a deep conversation and you just left." She frowned.

"You was in a deep conversation." He mumbled low enough for Sekyiwa and I to hear. This man is something else... "My bad, I was about to use the bathroom and saw her." This man is bored with her and that's really sad. As a woman, I feel bad for her.

"Her has a name Donald." I told him.

"I KNOW TIA. We'll continue this conversation another time. A'ight?" He said still looking at me.

"Why she does she keep calling you that?" She said frowning at me. "DeVanté. Remember that name." She told me.

"This chick..." I inhaled then exhaled deeply. "Hello, and again my name is Tia." I smiled at her.

"Hello, again..." Her voice held a deeper meaning.

Donald stood up and looked down at me. His eyes traveled all over me. "You lookin' good." He licked his lips. "We gon' continue this conversation later." He said and bent down to hug me. As soon as he pulled away she pulled him back to the table. He waved once he made it to the table.

This man is disrespectful to her and it's ridiculous. He said he doesn't cheat in relationships but he sure does have wandering eyes like he does. I haven't really been avoiding this man, I'm just respectfully keeping my distance. Don't NO woman want another woman in their man's face. I know I don't. I thought I was keeping my distance a few days ago, on the twenty-fifth to be exact. Donald wanted me to come over so I did.

When I made it to his place,  Lady or whatever her name is was the one to answer the door. While Donald was still out of sight see told me to stay away from him for various reasons. I'm not scared of her a bit because I grew up with boys and fighting was a constant thing with us. I'm respecting their relationship but he isn't. I'm glad that I'm not in her position because even though it's looking (as far as I know) it's blatant disrespect. Truth is I'M NOT AVOIDING HIM AT ALL.

"I peeped that..." Sekyiwa swung her head back around to face me since she watched them go.

"We all did." Jax butted in.

"I'm sure you all did, but it is what it is." I shrugged and sipped my water.

"That man checked you out in front of his girl. That IS his girlfriend, right?" Sekyiwa frowned and I nodded. "Why didn't you tell me he has someone?" She asked me.

"It's not my place or business to tell." I said then continued to sip my water.

Sandra came back and gave us our drinks and food. The food is good but the macaroni can be better. I felt eyes on me and everytime I looked up Donald was staring at me intently. He did it in a sly way. His girlfriend was just yapping away and he'd nod like he was listening but was looking over here.

Donald had his "deep thinking" look on his face. I don't like when people watch me when I eat. I know it's Donald and he's seen me eat plenty of time but this isn't the same. This man is across the room supposed to be on a date with his girlfriend but he's paying her no mind. Jax looked at me then Donald shaking his head at the both of us then continued eating his food.

Author's Note: Y'all probably didn't expect me to be gone THIS long but school is VERY important. I'm back though! The comeback wasn't strong. Between all of the cooking, I'm writing this book.

Word Count: 5,010

Please feel free to like and comment. Feedback gives motivation, and motivation urges me to continue to write.

Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read another chapter of this story. Thank you for staying despite the slacking.💚🖤❤💜💙💛