ANAYA• P.O.V

5:30pm

We love coming to Jamaica to visit Auntie Dian and her husband, our cousin Melanie and Grandpa Dion. At most, we like visiting our grandma's grave site which is the most beautiful one in the cemetery— I might add.

The jet's door lowered on the tarmac of Jamaica's bustling international airport. As we descended the stairs the warm breeze greets us. Analeia, bold and vibrant, dressed in a colorful floral sundress and oversized prescription glasses while me, I'm more understated, wearing a chic short jean romper. I have twenty-twenty vision, I won't be needing glasses like my sister.

As we walk across the tarmac heading towards the airport. Analeia and I glanced at our mother and notices a slight limp in her usually graceful stride. Analeia brow furrows with concern as she moves closer.

"Mom, are you okay? Why are you limping?" Leia asks softly, her voice tinged with worry.

Mommy offers a reassuring smile but winces slightly as she shifts her weight. "Oh, it's nothing darling. I just twisted my ankle while exiting the plane just now."

Dad cross our paths and laughed at mom's explanation.

"Daddy, you nah come help you wife?" I ask, my voice pleading.

He shakes his head, saying no but he's clearly amused about something, "no, she gov man."

Analeia stops in her tracks, placing a gentle hand on mom's arm. "Mom, you should have said something. Do you need to sit down or see someone?"

Lemar, overhearing the exchange, steps in with a concerned look. Mom waves her hands dismissively, though her smile is faint. "I promise, it's not a big deal. I just need to rest it. I'll be fine once we're settled."

Our brother shakes his head, "grab the bags, I will deal with mommy" he instruct us, his focus fixed on our mother.

We took her bags and watched as Lemar lifts her into his arms like a ragged doll, as if she weighed nothing.

I'm over exaggerating. . . I know.

"You don't have to do this lemar. I could make it to the airport on my own," mom says, her voice soft and gentle. Lemar ignores her and kept walking.

Our mother's face is flushed with embarrassment but I don't see why when it's her son carrying her.

Check-in went by smoothly.

Currently, we're on our way to our house. Uncle Fiftie and Jerome came to pick us up from the airport.

"Anaya, you realize daddy and mommy are traveling in separate cars today?" Analeia whispering her question.

Nodding "yeah, I done peep that" I respond. Something is definitely off about our parents. Dad refusing to help her at the airport now they're moving in separate vehicles.

I truly hope they're not getting a divorce.

Upon arriving to the house, we collected our luggage and everything part ways heading to their bedrooms since we have to be at Aunt Dian's house by seven o'clock for dinner.

Later than evening, Analeia and I stood at the bottom of stairs leading to our bedroom. Every master bedroom has their own balcony.

I'm dressed elegantly in a stylish green midi skirt paired with a cream crop top, accessorized with matching green shoes and minimal jewelry. Meanwhile, Analeia compliments the scene in a bold and fitted black and cream mini dress, which highlights a striking pattern, and she completes her outfit with chic black sandals, adding a touch of sophistication.

Lemar had already disappeared down the driveway in his sleek Porsche, music thumping as he sped off.

"Typical" Analeia mumbled, adjusting her black sandals. "He always gets to leave early."

Perks of having a license.

I smirked, slipping on my green sandals that fell down a step. "At least we don't have to hear his music blasting all the way to Aunt Dian's."

Moments later, our father pulls up, leaning out the window with a grin. "You two planning to pose all night, or are we going to dinner?"

Our mother waved from the passenger seat, she seems happier tonight. "You both look beautiful, now hurry up before Lemar claims all the good stuff."

With a shared laugh, we climbed into the backseat, the hum of the G-wagon is a comforting contrast to Lemar's roaring engine.

LEMAR• P.O.V

Tomorrow I'll be given the opportunity to speak to the female students of St. Hugh's High School, thanks to my Aunt Dian.

I sat at the kitchen table, a notebook in front of me and a pen spinning between my fingers. My aunt bustled around the stove, humming as the smell of herbs and simmering stew filled the room.

"Let's go over this again," Dian says cheerfully, turning to stir the pot. "You open with something about your journey— simple, inspiring."

Slouching further into my chair, staring at the blank page. "I dont have a journey, Aunt Dian."

"Of course, you do! Everyone does. You're a DMD , Doctor of medicine in dentistry before the age of twenty-five. You have accomplished a lot while being this young." She shoots me a look. "You're quiet, yes but sometimes the most asocial people surprise us."

I let out a low sigh and scribbled a few half-hearted words. "How about, 'Hi, I'm Lemar. Thanks for listening,' and then I leave?"

Dian snorts, ladling conch crowder into the bowls. "If you try that, I'll drag you back there myself."

Smirking faintly, though it faded as I stared back at the notebook. Public speaking was never my thing. People were not my thing. Yet here I am, roped into something I never asked for.

Aunt Dian sighs, "you'll be fine, Lemar. They don't need a performer—they need you. Honest and real."

I glanced up at her, her encouraging smile softening my reluctance. Maybe, just maybe, I can get through tomorrow before making a complete fool of myself.

A soft knock against the kitchen table, drags our attention. A young girl carrying a backpack stepped hesitantly forward.

"Excuse me, Miss Dian, I hope I'm not disturbing you." She says softly. "I'll be head out now—I've called a taxi. I don't want to interrupt your family dinner."

Aunt Dian, mid-sip of her water, waved the girl off with a warm but decisive smile. Since this conversation has nothing to do with me, I tuned out their voices.

"Nonsense, Nora. Your mother would have my head if I left you to fend for yourself." She turns to me, I am already mid-sigh as I sensed what was coming.

"Lemar will take you home," Dian says firmly.

I blinked. "Me?"

"Yes you, you've got a car and it's good practice for tomorrow—you know, interacting with people."

The girl smiled awkwardly, her eyes flickering between me and Aunt Dian. I muttered under my breath, dragging myself out the chair. "Right. Perfect."

Once again she is offering up my services without my consent. Glancing up at Aunt Dian who offers me a sweet smile.

I grabbed my keys and headed for the door, the tutor trailing behind me. "Sorry," she says softly as we stepped outside.

I shrugged slipping my hands into my pockets. "Don't worry about it. This is just how she is."

The night air was cool, the silence between us comfortable as we walked towards my car. I don't mind the quietness— I'm used to it. Besides, it was easier than facing Aunt Dian and that blank book.

My gaze flickered briefly towards her as she adjusted the straps of her bag. She has warm brown skin that seemed to glow under the soft porch light, her figure unmistakably that of a grown woman— curvy in a way that made her presence hard to ignore.

Her outfit is subtle dressed in a black graphic designed drawstring pants, a pink plain tee styled with a pair of black crocs filled with different kinds of jibbits.

She gives me an apologetic smile, moving her ponytail from her shoulder. "Sorry about this. Your aunt insisted."

I shrugged, keeping my expression nonchalant, though I've noted the quiet confidence in how she carried herself. "It's fine. Let's go."

Twisting the key fob round and around in the palm of my hands, I press down on the unlocked button and vehicle lights flickered.

I no longer hear the extra pairs of feet behind me. Stopping in my tracks, I turned to see her standing like a deer in headlights looking at my car.

Her feet seem to be cemented in place, cause even after I turned around she still hasn't taken another step. "Do you just stand and stare at everything."

She chuckles nervously, shaking her head then began walking towards the car. I wait until she enters and does the same.

The Porsche comes to life when I push the start button. I had my car customized to my liking, the interior is strictly blue. The dashboard, doors and floors have blue glowing lights.

She jumps—startled by the roaring sound of the car engine.

I found myself stealing another glance, cataloging the subtle details—a mixture of elegance and strength in the way she moves minus the easily spooked and easily astonished expressions. I quickly looked away, placing my right hand on the steering wheel and the left one on the gearbox.

The girl fumbles on the seat belt struggling to get it fastened.

Jah know

Why this girl so jumpy?

Hurry up drop home the people them pickney lemar.

The quiet hum of the car filling the space between us. She clutched her bag in her lap, her gaze fixed on the passing streetlights.

After a beat, I glanced over, brows raised. "Uh... so where am I going?"

She startled slightly, her voice soft as she replied, "Oh. Sorry. Just... take the next left."

I nodded but have a better idea, "Do you have an iPhone?" I ask.

She nods in return "yeah."

I stretch my phone to her, she gazed at it puzzled. "AirDrop the directions to your house."

"Oh!" She gives a nervous chuckle, with a shaky hand she place her phone next to mine sending the directions immediately.

Pairing my phone to the deck with the coordinates. The silenced stretched again, and I let it sit. I don't mind quiet—it's familiar to me— but I can't shake the thought that the girl seemed more uneasy than she needed to be.

"You can relax, you know." I say finally, my voice low. "I don't bite."

That earned me a faint laugh, barely audible. "Oh. Okay... yeah."

This neighborhood doesn't seemed safe, my grip on the steering wheel tightened as the car rolled deeper into the neighborhood. The streets are dimly lit, the houses unevenly built and crumbling in places. Faded paint and broken fences lined the narrow road, and small groups of men loitered by a side street shop.

I glance over at her, who stared straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with the world outside the window. Her posture is tense, as though she can feel my unspoken questions.

"You sure this is the right place?" I ask, my tone carefully neutral, though my eyes scanned the area warily.

She nodded quickly, her voice soft. "Yeah, just up ahead."

I slowed the car, my expression unreadable as I navigate past a group of men who turned to watch the vehicle pass. The tension in the air is palpable, and I couldn't help but glanced over at her again as the sudden movement of her sinking into seat catches my attention.

"They can't see you. The car has on 5% tint all around." I responded to her unspoken question. She fixes her posture but leans onto the door.

"Do you walk home through here often?" I ask.

She hesitates, then shrugged. "Everyday."

I didn't respond, but something about her quiet acceptance of the situation doesn't sit right with me. As the car stopped in front of a small house, half wall, half board with a sagging porch, I stayed silent, watching as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

An elder lady stands behind the grill "A me grandbaby that?" She calls out, her voice pained with uncertainty.

"Thanks for the ride sir," she says softly, opening the door.

Sir?

How old dah girl yah take me for?

I nodded, but my gaze lingered on her as she walked up the part to the grill. For the first time since Asia, my nonchalant mask cracked, replaced by an unfamiliar sense of concern.

Lowe dat fada, you no see a jailbait that?

After turning the car around the same men we drove past a while ago stood bravely in the middle of the street preventing me from taking my leave.

One of men walked over to the driver's side window, I opened the window halfway enough for him to see me while acknowledging his presence.

"Weh yar come from" he ask, his voice firm. He tilt his head to get a better view of the inside of my car.

I hope him find wah him a look fah

Me too...

"Home" I say, my voice firm and flat.

His facial expression changes drastically from neutral to rage. "Pussyhole mi mean which par you from."

I chuckled lightly "You see how English is a funny language doh?"

Uncle fiftie always told me to never travel without my piece whenever I'm on the island.

More time me jussa let the pussy dem feel like dem have some kind of upper-hand on me.

Another man walks up to my window, hands in his hoodie pockets. "Some rich white prick dis, him no pose no threat to we."

Amused by his remark, I quirk a brow before saying "How you know mi rich? This vehicle could be stolen just to impress one b."

He kiss his teeth as he took a few steps back "Likkle bwoy yuh be. Yuh no know ntt'n about badness."

Streets fulla drama queen ya'man

I shrugged "if a so, a so. I have somewhere to be so if that's all mi a mek a move now."

"Hmm" the first man hums lightly.

The second guy gets hyped "mek him jump outta dis since no him own." He suggests but the first guy doesn't budge nor does he acknowledge his foolish statement.

Why of all the nights this shit a reach me tonight pon top a di stress me done a deal wid at home.

"Siri call Fiftie" I announce.

-calling fiftie mobile- Siri announce.

Uncle Fiftie wasted no time in answering my call. "Yoo neph—" but before he can finish I cut him off.

"You know dem bwoy yah down a Johnson shop?" I ask, voice slightly elevated. "Down a trivoli, price lane."

He groans, obviously irate. "Wey yuh a do dung desso?"

"Mi no have time to explain all a dat. Just wan' know if mi haffi tek a few bodies with me to the graveyard." I say calmly but inside I'm far from that.

Laughter can be heard from the two men standing outside my window.

They tek dis fi a joke thing.

In my peripheral, another man can be seen in the dark shadows of the shop veranda picking up a phone call. A few seconds passed by before signaling the two standing outside my window to come join him.

"Fuck!" One exclaims but not loud enough for the summoning him to hear.

"Party ova or wah?" I asked cockily.

I pay them no mind but keep my gun in arms reach.

The trigger happy one returns "yeah bossy" he says to question while putting his gun away. He hit the hood of the car and walk away.

In the U.S that's considered a farewell but I'm unclear as to what it means here.

I shift the gear into drive and floor the gas peddle. The roaring sound echoed behind me as I speed off down the poorly lit road.

Not even a few seconds passed and I can hear Siri announcing that my father is calling.

"Yeah" I answered.

"Weh you dey?" He asks, his voice edgy as he speaks. "I left you in the kitchen with your aunt."

"On my way back to the house, a wah?" I ask knowing damn well uncle fiftie already alerted him.

He sighs "fiftie gave me a pree. We spoke about those endz already Lj."

"Aahh..." I pause. "Everything gov pops." I reassure him with hopes that this will truly turn out to be nothing.

"Aite son. Well we're waiting." He replies before the call ends.

**************

I know I'm super behind with updates but enjoy this one before the new year 🍾