Time Can Only Tell

Chapter 1

Arianna

"You can place the boxes anywhere, I'll just unpacked everything myself." I say to my cousins Cam, Justin, and my mom.

"You sure, baby? I can help you; it's a lot of stuff to unpack alone."

"I'll be fine, ma. Besides I want to get started and settled in before my roommate gets here." I say with the sincerest smile I can muster up. I'm lying straight through my teeth. I know that my roommate isn't arriving until tomorrow. I just want them to leave already. They're embarrassing. Cam and Justin whistling and yelling at every girl that walks past. My mom hugging me every 2 seconds. Like, DAMN CAN YA'LL GIVE A SISTER A BREAK?

"Okay, boys we can head back to the car. Cam? Justin? " My mom says trying to get their attention. These fools are too busy arguing about who's badder and whose butt is real? I go over and slap the back of both of their heads. That gets their attention.

"What the fu?" Cam stops mid- sentence, remembering my mom is in the room. "I mean? Dang, Tae! You scared me."

These boys are big and overgrown, yet they're still scared of little ole' Auntie. She's 5 foot even and they're both over 6 feet. SMH, her death stare can scar you for months at a time. You begin to think you're a helpless little kid again. That's part of the reason I was such a good kid.

"We're leaving Arianna to get situated." I hate it when she calls me that and she knows that. Everyone and I mean EVERYONE calls me TAE.

"Baby, I'm going to miss you, I love you. Don't hesitate to call me anytime, whether it's 6 in the morning or midnight. Just call I'll always answer." She was lying to save face but nonetheless I smiled.

"Okay, mom I will. I love you too."

"Now give me, a hug and kiss for the road" she says wrapping me in an embrace.

"I'll be in the car waiting and if you make me wait longer than 10 minutes, you'll be walking home or hitch-hiking a ride." She say while switching right out of room.

Justin comes over and hugs me. "I'm actually think going to miss you fat head. Now, I'm going to have to find someone else to torture on a daily basis" He laughs. "Naw, for real though I'm going to miss you. Love ya, cousin."

"Aww, you're gonna make me cry." I start fanning my face. "NOT!" I yell. "But I'm playing I'm gonna miss you too and love you too stanka."

Cam walks over and basically snatches me in a bear hug. I'm startled because Cam never hugs or shows affection for anyone. "Look here, little cousin I love you and I'm going to miss you. But don't get up here and think you're grown and can do whatever. You here to learn not mess with these trifling' niggas ". And just when I thought I've lost him he comes back to form always being protective.

"I know, Cam. You know me better than that." I say with a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, yeah. I know guys and they only want one thing. And just so we clear they ain't getting that from you? Understood?"

"Yes, Cameron Mitchell. I gotcha you."

'Alright, let's go Jus".

----

After I unpack all of my necessaries I decided to head to check out the set on campus. My residence hall is close to the food market and the gym, so you know the set isn’t too far away. Usually, I avoid places like this but I at least need to check things out, right? Immediately, I see some FINE frat brothers breaking it down right in the front of the market and when I say fine I mean FINEEEE! They got my heart beating all fast just by watching them. Woo, I need to calm my ass down.

I walk towards the food market and some chick stops me from a group of people chanting “save mother earth” and starts going on and on about “Mother Earth” and global warming. She hands me a flyer and I keep it moving. Dang, I’m just confused now. Once I enter the market everything settles in nothing surprising me about this scene. Everyone has separated themselves into cliques just like high school.

The band crew is sitting on upfront towards the door looking exhausted. Hey probably came here right after practice. The theater majors are practicing a monologue in the right corner. Some kids that sitting with tablets and laptops directing in front of them kinda throw me for a loop I can’t exactly pinpoint who they are. And last but not least the BALLERS, hooray! Ugh, they’re sitting exactly in the middle of the room and their groupie jump-offs are right on their asses.

Typical. I decide to get me a latte from the in house Starbucks; I need some caffeine if I’m going to finish unpacking tonight. I order a large chocolate mocha latte with extra whipped cream and caramel on top.

“Will that be cash or credit?” the lady cashier says

“Credit.” I reply.

“ It will be a moment , we’re extremely busy right now. Would you like a complementary cookie or pastry for your inconvenience?”

“Yes, a blueberry muffin would be great. Thank you”

“No prob.”

I sit towards the counter, pull out my phone, hop on twitter, and wait for about 5 minutes. I don’t look up until a see one of the guys from the ballers clique approach the counter.

“ Let me a uhhhh, hazelnut macchiato. How much will it be?” He asks.

I zoned out just checking him out. He’s a caramel brown color about 6’1, a smile that knock any girl off her feet. He’s cute and he knows it the way he walks and focusing in on everyone he passes just daring you to look away or smile at him. Ugh, the things good looks can do to a girl. Damn, I hope I’m not staring.

“Nothing, for you Mr. Superstar.” The cashier says as she bats her eyelashes like her eyes are having a mini seizure, while grinning like she just won the lottery.

“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t be going around taking free stuff. You know?” he slides her a five dollar bill.

“Coming up right away.” This broad here is really striving to be a jump-off for this n***o.

“Taylor, Taylor your order is up.” She rings the bell. I

I go to grab my order. Yes, I gave her the name Taylor. I told ya’ll I don’t like the name Arianna. I start to walk away but then I turn around to get some napkins and…

BANG! Mr. Superstar runs directing into me and spills my drink all over lucky me. I immediately sling off my pullover hoodie leaving me in nothing but my purple cami because this f*****g coffee is hot. The whole market is laughing their asses off by now.

“My bad , I didn’t mean to do run into you” He says scrambling trying to wipe me off.

I grab the napkins from him. “I can wipe myself off.” I yell.

“Look, I’m sorry. Here’s some your money to replace your drink.” He says pulling money out his pocket.

“I don’t need your money, I’m good.”

“It’s the least I can do.” He says shoving the money towards me.

By this time I’m 38 hot mad right now and he’s about to get it in 5 4 3 2 1 !

“Look I said I didn’t want your money or your help. So drop it. You have already did enough by spilling my damn drink all over me. Maybe next time watch where you’re walking instead of flirting and smiling at every damn chick who gives you their time of day. You don’t own this place.” I yell, staring him directing in his eyes. Knowing that every damn eye in this place is on us.

“You need to calm all the down with all this hood-rat baby mama drama. You ain’t in the hood no more honey. This right here is college. Where your momma, daddy if you got one and cousin Pookie and RayRay can’t help you.” He smirks.

“No, the hell you ain’t trying to flex. Boy, you so tired and corny. Walking around like you god’s gift to women. Nigga, please.”

“Gir” I cut him off.

“I ain’t here for this lil back and forth between me and you. So I’m just gone leave you and your goofy ass groupies to this crap.”

I never stormed out of a group of people so fast in my life. But, embarrassment and anger can always make a girl do some crazy things.