Chapter Eight: The Gift

Omari pulled up to my grandmother’s house and helped me get my luggage out of the trunk and into the house. He suggested that I stayed with him; but -- I wanted to spend some time with my grandmother as well. But; we had planned to hang out tonight and watch a movie and order some pizza. Ya know; just like the good ’ole days.

Before he left; Omari handed me a gift bag. I wasn’t expecting any gifts. Damn; if I would’ve known -- I would’ve gotten something for him too. But; I’m pretty sure that the surprise I had for him tonight; would definitely make him happy. I’m surprised that I held it in for so long; I was ready to see his reaction. As I accepted the gift; he told me to open it up right now. I smiled at him as I began pulling out the tissue paper from the bag. I can tell that it was some article of clothing. I finally pulled the item out. It was a pair of fresh ass jeans that I absolutely loved!

I pulled out the shirt that he bought along with the jeans and smiled. “Thank you so much Omari; I love it!” I said ecstatically. He chuckled as we embraced each other. “It ain’t nothing girl. It’s all love.” Omari reassured with a cute smile on his face. As I packed the gift back into it’s bag; I bent down and rested it on the steps. I dunno why; but I felt that Omari was staring at my ass. Tsk; yeah right. Omari didn’t see me in that way. Maybe I wanted him to look at my ass and see me as more than his sister. As I slowly stood up straight; I imagined him actually smacking my ass and grabbing it. Then I would look up at him and and bite my bottom lip as he pulled me into a passionate kiss.

As those thoughts floated through my brain; I heard Omari saying “Yani; come home with me.” Those words repeated in my mind over and over. “Yani; come home with me. Yani; come home with me…” A permanent smile was glued across my face. Moments after; I snapped back into reality. Omari was waving his hands in front of my face. “Hellooo? Yani; did you hear me?” he asked as he chuckled. Oh shit; what the fuck? I had been daydreaming again. I felt a little embarrassed that I wasn’t paying attention to one word that Omari was saying. “Huh? What you said O?” I asked in a mesmerizing way. “I said; Yani -- I’m going home now.” Omari restated.

Damn; I was wishing that he was asking me to come home with him. I still hear him saying “Yani; come with me” even though that’s not what he’s saying. I wish he would say that. Even though he did offer for me to stay with him. But; my grandmother was looking forward to my company; so I didn’t wanna disappoint her. “Okay; well. I’ll see you tonight then?” I asked. Omari smiled and responded back in a cute tone. “Fa’sho girl. Eight o’clock. No later.”

I chuckled as I embraced him one last time. He asked me if I wanted him to scoop me up at eight. But; I told him that I would drive myself to his house -- because my grandma lived quite a way from where O stayed now. And he’d already done enough by picking me up at the airport and bringing me to her house. Omari got in his Hummer and waved good-bye as he pulled off. I smiled and waved back. That smile was gonna stay on my face until I seen him at eight. I swear. [sigh] As I grabbed the gift bag; I walked back into the house and closed the door.

It was now six thirty; and I had to start getting ready for tonight. Even though I’m supposed to be at O’s place by eight; I had to use an hour to get dressed; and another thirty minutes to drive there. So; I had to start early so that I could make it there on time. Omari likes when a girl shows up on time. He said something about it showing loyalty and keeping your word. I dunno. He always had some kind of thing with time management. I guess he learned a lot about it since he’s been in the industry.

I should’ve started getting ready by six o’clock -- but I was busy helping my grandmother bake her delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies. Those were the same cookies that caused that confrontation between me and Walt. They were so good; and I would never share them with anyone. Well; except for O. But my grandmother would always make him his own special batch. I’m actually gonna bring a batch over there tonight for him that she made. I helped as well; so hopefully he likes it.

She always joked around and said that O and I would get married one day. We’d look at each other and pretend to vomit. We explained to her that it wasn’t like that between us. But; things have definitely changed since then. I see him as so much more; than I did back then. In the sense of; crush-wise. I have strong feelings for him that I never imagined myself having. I need to get my mind off of that shit; because it wouldn’t happen the way that I would want it to.

It was now seven twenty. Good. I had an extra ten minutes to spare. I wanted to leave early so that I could impress Omari by arriving on time. Even though it wouldn’t mean much to him; because it’s not like I’m one of his chicks or something. But still; I was ready for one of his smartass comments about me arriving early. As I looked at myself in the mirror one last time; I smiled. Hey; I was looking good tonight. I wore the outfit that he bought for me.

The jeans fit me so well. Nice and tight on my ass. Just how I liked it. Just how any guy liked it. My shirt was cut low in the front; showing cleavage; but not too much. It complimented my breasts really well. I dunno why I was setting myself up for disappointment. Omari wasn’t gonna see me as nothing but Little Yanique. But; I was so blinded by my own thoughts.

As I walked downstairs and grabbed the tupper-ware of freshly baked cookies; I kissed my grandmother good-bye and told her not to worry about me. She knew that once I was with Omari; I would be fine. I grabbed her keys and headed out the door. I got in the car and I was on my way to O’s place. He moved out of Inglewood a few years back; when he got his first big check from being in B2K. Now he lives in The Valley. A lot of rich people live there; and this was going to be my first time even stepping foot on the premises.

The ride didn’t seem like thirty minutes long. I was already on Fountain Ave. and next was Harvest Springs. Then BAM; The Valley was right up the street from that. I couldn’t wait to spend this quality time with O. It’s been so long since we’ve last hung out. I was gonna enjoy this night just as much as I enjoyed my last night in Cali. Any time being spent with him was worth while. I was gonna finally hang out with my best friend after five long years.

••CHAPTER NINE

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