surprised that James would even like her like that, although she often found herself wondering what it would be like to date him. Knowing that entering a relationship with James would be more than grimey, she couldn't ignore the fact that she had developed feelings for him and they seemed to grown stronger every time they communicated.
In a whirlpool of confusion, she looked up at James with longing. Just then, Keith ran up to them. "Ay yo, what up?" he asked panting, having just ran all the way from the basketball courts. Rolling her eyes, Lakia walked away.
"Man, I aint talked to her since she left my house that Thursday." Feeding off of James' bond with Lakia he inquired, "Ay, I kno she said sometin' 'bout me. What she say?"
Not wanting to disrespect his boy but not wanting to go behind his back either, he decided to place things out in the open and let Keith know. "Look dawg, you claim you really care for Lakia but you stay cheatin on her. Maybe it's time you face the fact that you can never have one girl at a time, 'cuz I been catchin' feelings for her lately."
Caught off guard, Keith lashed out, "Nall man what is you syin? Dawg you supposed to be my boi, how you goin on some bull yo?"
"Whatever yo, I'm doin' you the favor of letting you know."
Angry, Keith yelled, "You wanna do me a favor yo?! Then stay away from me."
"Ay yo calm down. Im real so Imma let you know how I feel. But neways I told her that I would have you call her tonight."
"Man you real twisted," replied Keith. "I knew you was my boy though."
Saying their byes, and holla atchu lata's, they went their seperate ways. Both felt the tension from their previous conversation but neither said anything to ease it.
* * * * * * * * * * * *       *
Sitting on her bed waiting for James to call, she looked in the mirror. The bruise from where Keith had back slapped her was gone, but it didn't erase the memory of the altercation. When she had told Keith he had to leave her house, he got all interrogative asking why.
Frustrated with him always on her case, she yelled, "Just get outta my house!" Angry, he rushed her and then slapped her in the face. The impact caused her to tumble back but she quickly regained her balance. Striking him in the face with her fist, she started kicking and punching him. After the realization hit her that they was in their first fist fight, she was quick to back up. Realizing this wasn't any way to be in a relationship she ran to her room and locked the door.
Chasing up the steps behind her, Keith yelled, "Lakia, open the door yo!"
"No. Keith I'm serious, get out my house" she objected. Continuing she said, "I don't wanna be wit' you and you hit on me like I'm some man. 'Cuz I'm not."
Pleading, Keith whispered, "Look Lakia, I know I was wrong for hittin' on you but you gotta understand where I'm comin' from."
Interrupting him Lakia spat, "It ain't that important for you to hit a female. I know your mother ain't raise you to beat up on females."
In response he said, "O.K.. Your right. I wasn't raised that way. It's just that you act like you don't want to spend time with me." It was then that their relationship soared to the next level, although she counted that as strike one. Always forgive, but never forget. That's what she always said.
However for Keith it wad different. He vowed to his self to never hit Lakia gain. All the other girls accepted their small position in his world and didn't do anything to object him beating on them except cry. But it was something radiantly different about Lakia. From then on, he knew she was the one for him.
* * * * * * * * * * * *       *
"Hey James!" exclaimed Lakia, answering her telephone.
"What's up boo?"
"Nothin' much, just wonderin' when ya boi gon' call of if he even plans on callin'" admitted Lakia. Although Lakia had developed feelings for James, she wasn't ready to give up on Keith. He was only at strike two, which was with Tina. Giving him the benefit of another strike she told James that she had to go, and licked over.
"Hey ma. How you been?" asked Keith on the other line.
Wanting to curse him out, she answered, "How you think I been? I walked in on you messin' with some other girl. But since you ask, I've been just peachy" she replied sarcastically.
"Yo I know I messed up KeKe but I wanna try again and do right. Something James said made me realizr that you're the only one I want." Flattered she quickly accepted. Happy that she agreed, Keith replied "Iight Im on my way."