Time Can Only Tell

Chapter 11

Alicia

HEY! Remember me??? For those who don't ALLOW ME TO REINTRODUCE MYSELF MY NAME is.... Alicia Ramirez. I'm 20 years young and a sophomore at the University of Kansas. GO JAYHAWKS! I'm a Leo and the proud daughter of the famous baseball player Alex Ramirez. If you don't know who he is, GOOGLE IT TRICKS!

20 years ago my lovely mother Veronica Nicole Allen snatched him up and threw away the key. By snatched up I mean got pregnant from a one night stand.

Yeezus said it best " 18 years, 18 years She got one of your kids, got you for 18 years"

Nine months later they welcomed their pride and joy into the world. With a little pushing and strategic planning, three years later the three of us were standing in front of a church with wedding bells ringing loud and clear. Call it a shotgun wedding or whatever, but you didn't obviously think that my father was just going to knock up my mom without planning on one day marrying her. LOL, that's real funny. My grandpa Billy wasn't gonna allow that to happen to his baby girl or his precious grand baby.

Call my mother a gold-digger, w***e, trap whatever, it doesn't matter because she saw what life she wanted and went for it. Honestly she was smart and determined. s**t, a b***h had to get paid!

I plan on getting paid too. I learned everything I know from her. I'm definitely not in college just to get an education. I'm here to score a baller, secure my future, and have a hella amount of fun in the process. Hey, don't believe me just watch!

I been trying to catch one of these niggas slipping , Tristan Hill in particular. He has all the potential to become the next Reggie Bush minus Kim Kardashian who happens to be my idol. He's fine as heck, has that beautiful Hollywood smile. Oh,yea he's good at football too. That's the ultimate key anyway.

He could be butt ugly and I still would be flocking since I don't mess with basketball guys any more, long story there and Zaire old tank head ass wouldn't give me no play. I see him walking around with that black freshman trick. Anyway, as I was saying Tristan is my meal ticket and I'm trying to get fed.

I need to figure out a plan to get his behind back at least for one night so I can get what I need. I could of been pregnant and living in Beverley Hills, but I swear that nigga live in a condom. He always straps up and flushes it when we're done.

Speaking of my meal ticket & future baby daddy I spot him standing by the exit tunnel just looking sound around. I was still at the stadium because I had a date with one of opposing teams quarterback. What? A girl has to have options, right? Plus I get to stay around the stadium until it shuts down. Did a forget to mention I'm a cheerleader? Sorry about that.

I was just to make my move and go talk to Tristan, but then I saw HER! Ughh, does she have to always be around being all giggly and peppy. I watch their encounter and back & fourth flirting for a while. Then they kissed, I couldn't stand there any longer without marching over there and ripping out that trap's hair. It's probably extensions anyway.

That's MY MAN she's tonguing down! I staked my claim before she even knew he existed. She's gets here and instantly thinks everything changes, HELL NO! The sun doesn't rise and shine on her ass. I'm going to get Tristan back and if in the process she gets hurt I'll charge it to the game. She should have stayed out of the kitchen because she's about to get BURNED!

---

Arianna

“Girl, these mid-terms were kicking my behind, I’m glad mid-term week is finally over.” Monica said as she sipped on her passion fruit tea.

We were sitting in the campus coffee shop, our spot. Just chilling, trying to relax and unwind from the stress of mid-term week. Today is the last day of tests; I have taken all of my exams. Yet, I’m still going crazy. Why? Because Tristan’s last exam is today and out of the classes to be last it’s his creative writing class. YAY ME!

Normally, I would always be calm and collected during exam week, but now I have to worry about my baby. I find myself wondering did I explain this enough or did I show him how to do this or that. Like I said I’m driving myself crazy. I wasn’t even focused on my own exams, luckily I have sort of a photographic memory except when it’s comes to math. So when it came to me preparing for my college algebra exam I was sort of a nervous wreck. Yet my amazing boyfriend helped me with that.

He wasn’t lying when he said he was math genius. That boy can solve polynomials and sequences in his sleep. I’m just saying that if we were to have babies they would be little mathematical and scientific geniuses; it’s all in the blood line. Not saying that me and Tristan are thinking about having babies. No way Jose! I still have my v-card intake & everything. Tristan and I have been together for about three months and some change and nothing’s happened. Surprising? I know right. He’s been nothing but a gentleman about the whole situation, yet I know it’s only so much a man can take. I see the lust in his eyes whenever I wear a short skirt or dress and whenever we get into a make-out session; it kills him to pull away.

*****

We were just getting to his apartment coming from a football victory party. I had on a navy blue skater skirt with black leather trimming at the waist and bottom, a black leather midriff top paired with black Christian Louboutin pigalle spikes. The whole night Tristan kept looking at me with this look of determination and lust as if he wished he wanted to lead me to the nearest bed and have his way with me.

Once we reached the inside of that apartment Tristan’s hands were everywhere except by his side and his lips hungrily attacked mines. Somehow his shirt had almost magically disappeared and long gone off his body. By the time we reached the hallway, my skirt was heisted up on my hips and my legs were tightly wrapped around his waist as he carried me into his room. I figured I had at least two or three hickies already when we finally made it onto the bed. It only got more intense from there and before I could tell Tristan to slow down or stop, he had pushed his self off of me and sprinted to the bathroom. Like really, that nigga hauled ass to the bathroom so fast. It was too funny to see all 6’1 of him running down his little hallway. I guess that cold shower couldn't wait any longer, .

****

Since then I felt kind of bad and sometimes even selfish holding out on him. In a strange way I guess keeping my virginity is my way of shielding myself from getting hurt. Tristan hasn’t done anything that would lead me to believe that he would hurt me, but I haven’t had the best male role models in my life so I tend to place a wall up to protect me from to BS I expect to come from all men.

Tristan’s has been an amazing boyfriend so far. Do I love him? Hell yeah! Have I told him I love him? Nope! I’m too afraid that would run him off and I like having my caring and nurturing boyfriend. I got issues, I know. Having dysfunctional parents does that to you. It’s a wonder I got out this emotionally stable.

“Tae! Tae! Earth to Arianna!” Monica said waving her hands in front of my face, snapping me out of my daze.

“Dang, You been staring into space forever. I been trying to get attention, you had zoned out and s**t. People were beginning to stare at you like you were crazy. I thought I was gonna have to bring the hood out of me for a second. THEY DON’T WANT THESE HANDS!” she said the last part loud enough for the whole shop to hear while popping her knuckles and turning to face some staring faces. I swear I have no idea what I’m going to do with this girl.

“Calm down Mon. That’s what they want to happen; they wanna see you act up. Don’t give them the satisfaction”

“Yeah Yeah you right” she nodded and turned away from the on-looking faces.

“How long had I been zoned out?”

“Tae, you had left the f*****g building for at least 10 minutes. You were here, but you weren’t here. You get it?” she said gesturing with her hands

“Yeah, I get it” I laughed and sipped on my now cold latte.

“What were you thinking about anyway?”

“If I tell you, you can’t freak out. We are in public and I don’t need everybody and they mama in my business. It’s already bad enough that b-tches be mean mugging tf out of me whenever I’, with Tristan.”

“I feel on that one. These ninjas be acting like we celebrities or something. I mean I know my baby and I are cute and we stay stunting on the ratchets, but we still normal. Your gawking is not needed. But, tell girl I’m as calm as a cucumber.”

“It’s cool as a cucumber”

“What?”

“It’s cool as a.. Never mind” I say defeated

“So tell me”

“Fine, so you know Tristan and I been together for a while now?”

“Duh, it could have been longer but you two were acting up?”

“Umm yeah, you know we haven’t done anything yet?”

“Of course not. You keep that cookie locked up tight. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got electrical fences, barbwire, bolt locks all on ya goodies.” She laughed

“Ya ass ain’t funny with either Monica. I’m trying to be serious here. I been thinking about you know?” I said playing with rings on my fingers nervously.

“OH MY GOSH, ARIANNA LASHONTAE TAYLOR! YOU PL...” she shot up out of her seat yelling. I grabbed her arm and dragged her back down in her seat before she could continue. I knew she would act like this.

“Mon, you promised?”

“Sorry, you can’t just spring a huge piece of information on me like that. You sure about this? It’s a big step especially for you.”

“I know I only said I was thinking about it. No one said I was gonna go just do it like Nike.” I paused. “It’s just that Tristan’s been so patient and understanding about our situation. He isn’t pressuring me or anything and I know it’s killing him.”

“He better not be pressuring you or I’ll f-ck him up! He’s my brother in all but you’re my best friend I’ll beat him down for you.”

“Aww, my chipmunk loves me and I love her too. I’ll do the same for you, Zaire don’t want these problems.” I chuckled “But what you think I should do?”

“Honestly, I think you should do whatever you want to do. Don’t make this decision based on his feelings or emotions, base it on your own because once you go there it’s no going back. You have to be prepared for any repercussions of your actions.”

“By repercussions you mean diseases or the possibility of getting pregnant?” I ask wanting her to explain more

“Yes and no. I’m not just talking about the physical repercussions but the emotional ones too. Once you give it up your whole relationship can change. You could be Cinderella and Prince Charming one second and once the man puts his hands in the cookie jar your relationship could end up like Ike and Tina. A man can get too comfortable when he has everything he wants. When you make him wait, he has to chase you. He has to pay attention to the small details and topics of your conversation to impress you. Just to accomplish his goal getting the goodies. Once that goal is achieved, some men can feel like they have you wrapped around their fingers and no matter what they do you’re not going anywhere for the simple fact that you love him. It’s cruel, but that’s how it goes. Just make you trust Tristan completely before you dive in head first.”

“Wow, I never looked at it that way before. But, I don’t think Tristan would do that to me and you know it’s hard for me to trust people completely yet I trust him.”

“Okay, well if you trust him why haven’t you told him you love him yet? I know you do; heck anyone with eyes can see you two love each other.”

“Because he hasn’t told me first, I don’t want to scare him off or jump ahead of myself.”

“Tae that boy loves you and it’s obvious. He’s been with you for three months and not once has he tried to make you do anything you weren’t ready for. That’s love, especially from a boy that gets box thrown at him all the time; he doesn’t even pay them groupie chicks the time of day anymore. Tell the boy already.”

“I guess you’re right, maybe I should just tell him and see what happens”

“I know, I’m always right’ she said popping the collar of her shirt

“Oh, okay if you’re so good at this why you still come to me for advice?” I asked with my eyebrows raised slightly

“See bestie my advice comes from experience if don’t test the waters a little how could I be of use to you? See, I’m always thinking in your best interest, Tae! I’m the world’s greatest friend” she said smiling like she’s proud of herself.

“Is all the girly talk over or do I need to excuse myself?” I hear a voice coming from behind me and instantly recognize it as Zaire’s.

“Hey baby” he slides in the booth next to Monica and kisses her cheek

“Hey boo” she instantly blushes and gets all bubbly.

“Nigga, do you ever greet people normally? You always just pop up in the middle of conversation!” I laugh

“What can I say I have perfect timing” he shrugged “Wassup sis?”

“Nothing much just cooling where’s ya boy?” I say wondering where Tristan is. Zaire and Tristan both normally meet us here after practice.

“Ummm... Ion know. When practice I jetted I had a meeting with my English professor.” He said oddly.

“Maybe he had a meeting with one of his professors too or the coach could have held him up” Monica said quickly

“No, he would have called to let me know if that was the case. I’m getting worried I haven’t heard from him since before his practice and that was a couple hours ago” I said frantically

It’s not like Tristan to not call or text me if he’s being side tracked or held up. Now, all my mind can think about is what if my baby’s layed up in a ditch somewhere and needing help.

“Chill Tae, look how about you slide through to the crib and see if he’s there? Then you can worry.” Zaire said assuring me

“Here, you can even take my truck” Zaire said sliding me his keys smiling. That’s strange he never lets anyone drive his Lexie. Yes, he named his truck Lexie. Right now, I’m too worried and frantic to pay much attention to that. I need to know Tristan’s okay.

“Something’s up with you two? I don’t have time to figure it out right now but Imma get the info” I said squinting at the both of them

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tae. We chilling, nothing’s up” Monica said with a smirk

“I got my eye on you” I said pointing at both of them before hurrying out the doors of the coffee shop

I hopped in Zaire’s precious truck and sped my way to Tristan’s apartment. I ran stop signs, stop lights and everything. I’m playing no games.

Once I reach I reach his apartment building, I don’t even take the time to find a park. I just pull up to the entrance of the building, place the truck in park and kill the engine. I run into the lobby and head straight for the stairs. I don’t have time to wait on their slow ass elevator the man that I love could be in danger.

I flew up the stairs as fast as my short legs would let me. I reached his floor and immediately heard faint sounds of slow music. As I get closer I realize the music is coming from Tristan and Zaire’s apartment. By now I have slow my pace dramatically and I am slowly approaching the door. Thoughts of running away and pretending like I was never here enter my mind. Tristan isn’t in there cheating on you; it’s only your mind Arianna. He’s probably in hospital drugged up on pain killers because some drunk driver ran him off the road and begging for someone to call his girlfriend to let her know what’s going on. Yeah, that’s it. You’re just psyching yourself out because you want to find something wrong with him so you can run away from your feelings for him.

“Calm down, Calm down It’s only your imagination.” I say to myself

I was about to remove my hand from the doorknob and back away from the door when I heard the sound of some chick’s voice from inside. That’s when my anger set in. I’m worried about him thinking something may have happened and he’s f-cking around with some heffa.

I know he don’t think he can play me and get away with it. Oh, Hell Naw! I open the door ready to set it off on everyone when I see………………….