Yesssssssss I finally updated after almost a month. Hope y'all like it tho *blows kisses

The world really chose to move in slow mode for the rest of the day. The transparent beads of water on the floor-to-ceiling windows generated by the drizzle appeared to be the only thing unaffected as they raced down the glass without a care in the world while I sat there mentally cheering my chosen water drop to win the race having nothing better to do after finishing my calculus and English assignment.

“Sheesh…. Another one?” My eyes drew to the slouched figure that slumped on the seat opposite mine with her thick mop of curly hair tied in a neat bun, a few strands escaping. “Nick Cannon’s expecting his 12th child” She elaborated, seeing my confused expression which returned to its solemn state right after.

I placed my chin on my fisted palm which was supported by my elbows on the shiny red pristine rectangular table and twirled my straw in the quickly forgotten iced coffee I ordered about an hour ago, all the ice now melted reducing it to plain light brown liquid.

“Hey Rae, you okay?”

“Yeah yeah, I’m fine” The white lie slipped smoothly from my lips even as I shot her a quick smile but who was I kidding?

“Does it have anything to do with what happened earlier today?” My brows shot, confused as to how she knew then remembered she didn’t and referred to the bathroom incident. “It’s okay if you still don’t trust me but I promise I won’t tell or are you still bothered by the incident that caused it? It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it, like I said I’ve been there so I totally understand” A small, reassuring smile graced her lips while her hand held my forearm in a supporting manner.

“No no, I promise I’m fine” I shook my head vehemently at her assumptions still grateful she cared but what piqued my interest was her own story. Is she referring to the drug problem or is there more to it?

“Okay then cheer up” Her grin brought a smile to my face.

Her eyes lightened up as she spoke “I got just the perfect thing that’ll cheer you up” She came over to my side of the table and I had to scoot over a bit to fit us. She brought out black AirPods from her red apron with heart-shaped patterns tied around her waist and gave me one which I put in my ear as she did so too, confused as to where this was going.

I don’t know what I expected to hear but the buzzing of a fan was the last thing I expected. “Uh…. Was this s’posed to make me feel better cos I’m lost right now” She only shrugged in response, a goofy grin masking her face as she began to beckon on someone.

“Hey, Kash over here” She waved over a girl standing by the counter. A bright smile lit on the girl’s face as she jogged over to where we sat.

“Cash as in C-A-S-H?” I spelt out, curiosity getting the better of me. My question made them both chuckle before the girl spoke, taking a break from the chicken nuggets she was stuffing in her mouth.

“No. Kash as in K-A-S-H, short for Kashvi” She smiled, pushing away the messy jet-black hair from her face, her brown skin illuminated by the setting sun that riddled through the windows. Her thick long lashes made her appear more divine, put in her neatly carved thick brows bringing out her cat-like eye. She had a round face which made her plump dark pink lips stand out. Her name and looks quickly conveyed her Indian roots.

“Kash meet Raven, Raven meet the craziest Indian girl you'll ever set eyes on and sadly my biggest nemesis, Kashvi” Cora did the introduction, earning herself a playful slap on her arm.

“Hey! That ain’t no way to talk about the love of your life” She playfully shunned a chuckling Cora before turning to me. Her chin rested on her interlocked fingers while she fluttered her long lashes at me “Wow when God made you, He was seriously showing off. Would you grab my arm for a bit, I’d like to know what the touch of an angel feels like”

My eyes widened at the mixed signal I sensed. Was she-? “No, I’m not-“

Cora coughed followed by Kash’s nagging. “Hey, why’re you laughing fool?” Her poorly aimed dust rag landed on the floor.

“Go use your corny Pinterest-inspired pick-up lines on an actual boy, you scared the poor girl”

“Just wait and see it’ll work on a guy someday”

“Yeah, when you’re 70” Cora murmured making me laugh. The dust rag finally connected to Cora’s face.

"What y’all listening to without me?” Kash asked, changing the topic.

“I don’t really know… Er, a fan?” I replied unsurely and sent Cora a wary glance, who by now had her mouth stuffed with fries.

“Ugh, Cora” Kash dragged out apprehensively; her fingers pinched her nose as she shook her head subtly.

Cora raised her palms in defense “You can’t exactly blame me, it’s actually really relaxing” she defended “I was trying to cheer you up by the way” She made a face at me.

“And it didn’t work”

“I highly doubt that. What’s that I see on your face, isn’t it a smile?” I slapped her wavering index pointed at my face but smiled nonetheless. “See it worked” A triumphant smirk on hers.

“Yeah yeah, whatever. I got a better way you’ll love” Kash waved dismissively, and began beatboxing. “Come on” She urged us to join in.
Cora shrugged and then began drumming her fingers on the table in rhythm. Kash began rhyming words or better still rapping while Cora picked up the beats. I chuckled and then joined in the fun.
A few minutes later, Kash signaled Cora and they switched roles with Kash beatboxing and Cora rapping. 

“What?” I shot at them with the look they were giving me.

“Just give it a try” Kash encouraged.

“Okay, so what should I rap about?”

“Anything at all that comes to your mind”

My mind was blank to say the least and I’ve been relishing in that after thinking nonstop about today but now they made it seem so lame.

Anything that comes to your mind, hmm……

My eyes landed on the bunch of plastic fruits in a tray at the table beside ours and I think I’ve found just the lamest thing to rap about.

Watch out, Eminem!

Nodding at them to start the beats, I let it sink in for a while then began “Look at ‘em a couple of plastics, they be fruits? Yeah, it’s a lot, tore your boot, step on stones then hurt your foot but don’t worry it’s cute” I smirked, dropping my invisible mic.

They stopped and shared a look then burst out in laughter making my face heat up slightly.

“So are y’all through or we’re gonna keep going at this?”

“I’m sorry, I just couldn’t- what the hell?” Cora stuttered at her words, trying her best to stop laughing but failing miserably, very miserably.

“Okay, so rapping isn’t your thing, roger that!” I rolled my eyes at Kash’s comment.

“It’s not that I can’t rap, not just my lyrics” I shrugged truthfully. I don’t mean to brag but I can proudly say I almost rap as fast as Eminem. his songs of course but I just can’t rap my lyrics to save a life. I can’t not rap and I feel many hip-hop lovers can relate.

Kash shrugged as well. “I totally get it. Cora didn’t but I taught her a few things. So who do you rap?” She asked, genuinely engrossed in knowing.

“Uh… for the most part Eminem I guess and a bunch of others as long as they’re good to me”

“Nice. I also listen to many rappers even Eminem but I like to think of myself as a J.Cole person”

“Since my existence has been forgotten for the past 2 minutes, I like NF thanks for asking” Cora interrupted, glaring at us both before turning to Kash “And FYI, Kim’s working extra hours so she won’t be coming”

Kash’s face fell “Seriously? She’d have told me earlier before I got 3 tickets for no reason!”

“Or you could come with us to the movies?” Cora directed at me hopefully, making Kash perk up. “That is if you want of course?” she added cautiously.

As tempting as this opportunity was as a perfect distraction from a long week, I’d rather not be a third wheel. Don’t get me wrong, they both are particularly lovely to be around but being around them reminds me of Liv and I, at least what we used to be before she found the need to impress others, losing her authenticity-at least to me- and hanging around them even now makes me feel sick just thinking about how I should also be with my supposed bestie and not sulking up to being a third wheel.

“Thanks but um.. I kind of have things planned already” Not entirely a lie, I planned on sleeping in tomorrow, a  break from life would definitely help quicken the hurting process.

“Okay, in case you change your mind, we’ll be here till about 2 pm” I smiled with a nod though I didn’t plan on it.

**

Today unsurprisingly turned out to be one of the driest weekends so far. My plans of sleeping all day failed since I couldn't sleep back after so many attempts and ended up watching the cloudy skies that matched my gloomy mood.

"I'm sorry, I can explain"

Sighing, I dropped my phone after staring at the vacuous text- the only one-I woke up to this morning a billion times.

I sank lower into the cushion of my chair, basking in how miserable I'm feeling.

I know what you're asking, why not just watch Netflix or a movie as a better way to waste your day?

But the wifi had other plans of getting spoiled yesterday-

"Kenz, remember Mrs. Tabitha, our neighbour?" I turned to my mum's voice, where she stood at the entrance to my room with her face and body leaning against the wall. "She texted if you could help babysit her grandchild this evening while she visits a few friends"

There and then I made the decision; between being a third wheel or babysitting the most annoying snotty toddler, you'd without a doubt know which I'd rather pick.

I quickly threw on my jean jacket over the thin-strapped knee-length yellow dress with flower imprints I already had on and bent down to buckle the sandals I picked out.

"Nah, I'm heading out for a while" I picked up my phone, looked at myself in the mirror then ran out before she could question me.

"Be back by 6 latest!" She hollered

"Okay. Bye, love you" Without waiting for a response I shut the front door and then trotted to my destination.

I slowed down and tried to catch my breath when I spotted them heading out of the restaurant and approached them with a smile.

"Is the offer still up?"

*sips tea*

Another long chapter, if you didn't like it I'm sorry but for those that did, my pleasure as always*winks*

So who's your fav rapper?
Mine's Eminem of cos.

By the way, things start getting better from here and by better I mean the real drama starts.

Xoxo Ruth