Short Stories draft 1

Story Segments that are apart of a bigger story

Originally written 11/12/21

Posting with edits and revisions

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-section 1--

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Riyah paced down the foyer into the living room in a huff plopping onto her best friend's couch. She tossed her work bag to floor with an annoyed sigh. "I'm really getting tired of this bitch"

Anja crossed her legs from the couch across analyzing her friend's body language, "Emerald." She stated in a knowing tone.

Riyah threw her hands up "yes, fucking yes! " she cried "Every fucking time when she gets around Sherod BOTH him and her get to damn friendly with each other it's almost sickening. I swear she does it to piss me off and hes just being oblivious!" She could feel her heart begin to race with frustration.

Anja gave a soft sigh feeling for her friends frustration, " and you said you talked to him about this right?" She asked.

"We did, but i felt i held back for the sake of keeping the peace... "

"Ri you gotta understand if you're going to be in a relationship its not always going to be pretty. Sometimes you HAVE to disturb the peace if you want to bring clarity with communication," Anja explained "just because she's his friend doesn't mean you have to accept shit that bothers you. Let these fuckers know. Especially when its a bitch testing you."

The young woman could feel her face get hot from fighting back tears, " i know" her voice cracked a single hot tear fell down her cheek " i just.... don't want to ruin everything,"

"Trust me, if you really cares and i feel he does. He would understand. Maybe just give him a lil reminder with a slight more ......authority " she smirked. " now... clean yourself up, take a breather or two and I'll Door Dash us some food for movie night," she said as she got up from the couch.

Riyah took a deep breath, "you're right... I'll do that... thanks for letting me clear out some steam."

"Anytime love," she said as she placed a hand on her shoulder "you're a good person, don't let your feelings think otherwise,"

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---------section 2------------------

Sherod pulled into the lot of the bar, parked into a spot and smiled to the passenger seat " ready?" He asked to riyah

She gave a small smile with a slight heart pounding, "yep,"

The couple got out and went for the entrance of the local bar they frequent , meeting up with his friends Emerald , Hassan & Pete. Upon walking in Hassan immediately noticed Sherod he yelled out his name and waved them over to their table.

"MY MAN! " he yelled "WHATS GOOD BRO"

Sherod cried out with the same energy to his best friend "BIG H BRO, WHATTUP !"

The two friends briefly caught up with each others while having not seeing each other for a few months. Hassan recently got promoted to a lead team advisor at his tech job, and Pete recently had his first child with his wife.

Riyah smiled while watching her significant other catch up with his friends. Then the smile faded when Emerald came up to him for a hug that Lasted a little too long in her mind.

"OH MY GOD sherod ! Straggling in last minute like always! " she teased in high pitchy tone that irritated Riyah .

"Oh you one to talk Em," he laughed " miss cant return a call cuz you was sleep til 10pm"

The two laughed then Emerald looked at Riyah with no expression "Hey." She said in a normal tone.

"Hey" Riyah replied.

Everyone eventually settled down into seats then Pete grabbed a menu "idk about yall but im hungry! First round of drink on me!"

"Oh word?" Sherod grined "bet I'm ordering the most expensive drink " he joked

Pete laughed "aye just know... i got it like that if you did bro!!"

As the night went on the group of friends mingled with food and drinks and catching up with each other's lives. Riyah found herself getting a little more comfortable as the night went on . Sherod would periodically check on her asking if she was ok which eased her anxiety slightly .

"You ok?" He whispered while rubbing her back

"Yeah, just getting a lil tired from all the food and drinks,"

"I feel it, we can get ready to leave here soon , it is almost 2am"

A little while after Sherod announced they were about to leave. Emerald made a face and mockingly rolled her eyes, "now sherod you know you and i always stay up til 6am on the regular," she laughed.

"Yeah but this place definitely closes at 3 am Em," he grinned .

She rolled her eyes "you know what I meant boy!"

"Anyway lets do this again sometime, see you guys!"

After saying their goodbyes and making it back to the car, Riyah broke the brief silence "hey can i ..ask something "

"Yeah of course " he said while starting the car

She paused to carfully pick out her words, while remembering what her friend told her, " is..... Emerald always that obnoxious?"

"What do you mean?"

She sighed feeling she may have said the wrong thing but continued. " the way she act... least around you.. the loud obnoxious talking, the borderline flirting to look like teasing... but talks normal and very minimal to me..."

Sherod got quite for a moment not realizing the behavior patterns "thats kinda how she always been honestly, guess she's just really extroverted,"

" if shes so extroverted, kinda weird she doesn't give that same energy to me... " she explained " i don't know... its just weird and off putting allowing another woman to be overly friendly with you and you doing the same in front of me just feels very disrespectful. I know she doesn't like me sherod & I honestly don't like her either."

The car ride was silent for what felt like hours, once they made it home and parked the car he said "..... I'm sorry for not realizing riyah, honestly I thought we were all having fun together. And if you're wondering I've never pursued anything with her. I do love you riyah"

She sighed wanting to cry again, "then act like it, I want to trust you but i don't trust her... just promise me no inappropriate behavior, joking or not goes on .."

He gave her a soft kiss " I promise."

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----Section 3-----

Riyah walked into the gym foor, clenched her fists and gave Anja a look, "anja. Teach me how to fight."

Anja gave a proud smile awaiting this moment, to teach her best friend self defense. "I ...would love to.."