Gardena, CA
Wednesday — 3/14/23
Ko'tavia Morris

    "THIS IS THE Chicago county jail. You have a pre paid call from, Sancere Lowen." Her heart dropped and she could feel anxiety quickly taking over her body.

Why the fuck is he in jail. In Chicago!?!

"If you would like to accept this call, please click one at the sound of the tone." The automated voice machine said as the tone came right after.

She clicked one and let Laniya know she was going to take a phone call outside.

The line was silent for about a minute until San finally got the guts to speak up.

"Mama you can hear me?" His low voice called out. She couldn't help the scoff she let out. "Don't call me no fuckin' mama San. What the hell happened?"

She could hear him freeze up and the hesitation in his voice. Of course Ko'tavia knew what he did for a living, he was open to her about it and she was used to it.

It was more so the fact that she never expected him to be arrested. Everyone always talks about how good he is at covering his tracks.

"Listen, I can't tell you much cause these calls being recorded. But I did some dumb shit, ight? Shit, yo people prolly gone run and tell you later today.."

He ran a hand down his face before continuing, "just promise me you gone stick wit' me. Ight? Once you find out just listen to my side of the story before you make any decisions."

She was silent for a moment trying to take in all that he was saying. What could he have done that was so bad?

Clearly he killed someone but she never cared about that before.. it was none of her business so she never pried. But this time it has to be something worse.

"Just tell me what the fuck you did A'Jace. We're not little kids. Can you just be blunt with me?" By now she was fed up with his stalling. Tavia was naturally an impatient person so this wasn't helping.

He knew she was pissed because she used his middle name which she's never done before.

"Pretty ma.. You not understanding me. I can't tell you cause they listening but ima call you back around 6 pm tomorrow. You better answer too. Ion care how mad you are, ight?"

She stayed quiet and gave a low 'mhm' as she hung up in his face. Her whole mood was ruined and she honestly didn't even want to be at this event anymore.

"Hey pooh, you okay? You been out here for a long time." Laniya asked and passed Tavia her drink.

'Aww she came out here to check on me. A real ass friend!'

Ko'tavia weakly smiled. "I'm sorry Niy. I don't mean to ruin your night I know you were having fun, but I'm just ready to go home."

"No no don't even worry, we can go! Here's the keys so you can start the car for me I'm just gonna go get my lighter back from Jared."

Ko'tavia grabbed the keys and sat in the car waiting. It didn't take long for Laniya to say her goodbyes and come to the car.

She was grateful Laniya didn't give her any attitude about leaving. She was perfectly okay with it.

"Now, tell me what's wrong. I know we're not that close but you can talk to me whenever okay? You're cool peoples and I like hanging out with you." Lay said sincerely.

Ko'tavia could tell her intentions were genuine and that she was honestly a good person. Most of the girls she's hung around were all two faced or just mean. One of the reasons she could barely make friends now.

The two girls only knew each other because of Nori. But Laniya had a fall out with her simply because she was weird. So Ko'tavia never really got the chance to get to know her because of it.

But now she didn't give a fuck. Her and Nori were no longer friends and she never had any bad blood with Laniya.

Tavia smiled and let out a small sigh. "Thank you for that. You chill as hell so I'd love to hang out again,"

Laniya pulled up in front of El Pollo Loco and slowly pulled up to the drive through. The line was long as always.

"Okay so let me fill you in-"

"Wait no!" Laniya yelled, causing Ko'tavia to jump. "Wait til we get our food so it could be like them movies. Eat and gossip you know?"

Ko'tavia side eyed the girl next to her and shook her head. "Something is wrong with you for real. But okay let's get the food."

They sat in a comfortable silence until they got to the ordering window.

"Hi, I'd like a grilled chicken avocado burrito with a Powerade and?" She looked over Tavia asking what she wanted.

"A carne asada burrito and whatever drink you got."

Laniya nodded and finished the rest of the order as Tav pulled out her wallet.

"Your total will be 15.27. Pull up to the next window to pay please!" The worker said and the car moved forward.

"Here boo." Tav mumbled and tried to hand her a twenty dollar bill. Laniya stared at her hand and mugged it, "Girl no. I'm paying, let me be a sugar daddy in peace."

Ko'tavia snickered as she sneakily slipped the $20 into the cup holder.

"Ya' black ass not slick. Put the shit back in that wallet hoe!"

—

Laniya parked the car in a shopping center lot. There were little to no cars which was better for them. People wouldn't drive or walk past and just see them sitting in the car talking shit.

"Gimmie a song." Laniya randomly spoke and turned the radio to 12. It was low enough for them to talk and be able to focus.

"Uh something by Tyler The Creator. That's how I'm feelin' right now." Tav smiled, taking a sip of her Powerade.

"Good choice! I got the perfect playlist mixed with Frank Ocean too."

Ko'tavia cocked her head back, looking at Laniya in shock. "Since when you switch sides? I thought you was an Nba young boy and Rod Wave type bitch."

Laniya mugged the girl and tucked her lips together. Because she had her fucked up. "Don't EVER disrespect me like that again nigga."

EARFQUAKE by Tyler The Creator played lowly in the background as Laniya made herself comfortable in the drivers seat. "Alright now, tell me erthang."

Ko'tavia took a deep breath before starting.. this was gonna be a lot.

"Okay so. As you may know, Berlet passed. We were on bad terms and I never even got to figure out why. He was one of my best friends for so long so it really hurt me. Especially knowing he died hating me for whatever reason, you know?

Like that shit just broke me and I think about it everyday. I feel so guilty and I regret having too much pride to just go and talk to him. And now it's too late so-" She didn't realize the sobs coming out of her mouth or the tears dripping down her face until she felt Laniya wiping them for her.

"Me and Nori aren't friends anymore. She moved out completely and tore up all our pictures together. She was mad because I didn't go over to comfort her when I said I would. But the thing is I was literally having a fuckin' meltdown! I couldn't even make it out the door without feeling like I was having a panic attack.

Then my boyfriend popped up at my house. So of course he comforted me and I fell asleep in his arms. But I forgot to let Nori know I wasn't making it so I just had her waiting on me for comfort. But let's be honest it really wasn't that serious she had to act the way she did.

She didn't even consider for a second how I felt. I couldn't possibly drive anywhere as I'm having panic attacks left and right. So yeah, thats how me and her fell out. She didn't understand my side of the story at all. Didn't even fucking know how much her words hurt me. I literally relapsed that day, causing me to have an overdose.

It wasn't intentional I just picked up the wrong bottle but still. I have separation anxiety so losing two people that were so close to me really hurt. Plus she moved out so it's even worse for me. The moment I go home I lay in her old room hoping she'll come back and we can fix things. It's dumb but it gives me a sense of comfort.. oh and this is the icing on the cake bro. Earlier at the party my boyfriend called me from jail. In fucking Chicago.

Like how the fuck do you get all the way out there? He won't tell me why he's there or anything. So I'm just sitting here praying he's okay and he'll get out soon because I really can't lose anyone else. Shit I'm sorry for the ramble, and I really hope you're not weird or anything because I just told you a lot of shit you can use against-"

Laniya grabbed the back of Tav's head and engulfed her into a tight hug. It was so comforting that it caused Ko'tavia to cry even more.

"I'm so sorry Ko'tavia. If you need anything I'm always here for you. Once again we might not be close but I really do plan on changing that. And if you don't want to go home right away we can just drive around and listen to music for a bit.. Maybe get some ice cream from Coldstone? And you can show me your art cause I know you have a bunch." Laniya smiled and grabbed a tissue from the glove department. All while still holding Ko'tavia in her arms.

She handed Ko'tavia the tissue and she blew her nose. "I'd like that. Only if you let me pay tho you already paid for the food."

"Bitch whatever! When we get out we gone have a race and whoever win get to pay."

Tav chuckled and finished wiping her tears. It felt so good to let everything out and vent to someone. Also, she made a new friend. This girl turned her whole day around and Ko'tavia felt it in her bones that Laniya was a genuine ass person.

Nori didn't even really compare.. she was always so self centered and uncaring about how Ko'tavia felt. And Nori never in her life asked to see any of Ko'tavia's art pieces!

Ko'tavia would always have to show it to her forcibly and even then Nori never really cared. She would just look at it and nod. Maybe give a slight smile here and there but that was all.

But all she had to do was spend a day with Laniya and she felt like they'd been friends for years. They had so much more in common and it was a different feeling to be around her.

This was only the start of the new unbreakable bond..

"Bitch put that money back in yo' fuckin wallet."

"Hell no I said I was paying. Black bitch."

authors note
Sooo Laniya? Y'all fw her or
y'all want nori back 🤮?

(Filler chapter, we get back to the serious shit next chapter..)