AND THEN THERE WAS ONE.

AND THEN THERE WAS ONE.
______

Camden County Correctional's facility had become a second home to Indie. Over the past year or so, it seemed as though the walls themselves had claimed her as one of their own.

She had grown accustomed to the security checks, the long waits, and the brief, disjointed conversations in the visitation booths barried by plexiglass. All of which had been wedged into her daily life routine.

Today, she sat tucked amongst a sea of orange. A color she had grown to hate. The sounds of clanking keys and the murmur of distant voices were her background.

On the other side of the glass, the fluorescent lights cast a glow over an incarcerated Jonas Bryant. Like every other visit, he sat numb— free of any expression.

Indie forced a smile that he failed to return. She rolled her eyes as the mood for today's visit settled, and with a deep breath, she picked up the phone with a napkin and placed it up to her ear.

"The fuck happened to your face?" He instantly frowned at the sight.

Indie chuckled softly. Most would be offended given the circumstances. However, his harsh tone and bluntness were traits she was more than used to.

The two were one and the same, which is exactly why they got along so well. Or at least, that's what she liked to tell herself. Deep down, she knew their similarities were a double-edged sword.

"Some bum ass Philly bitches jumped on me last night."

Jonas sucked his teeth, tossing his head back, causing his long locs to fly with it. "Didn't I tell your hardheaded ass to stop going out there?"

"I like their skating rink," She shrugged, carelessly.

"Look at your fuckin' face In!"

"It's straight. I'ma catch up with them, I promise you."

"You need to stop wit' all this fighting. Shit is reckless. Look at you scaring up your face. You too pretty for allat."

"So I'm supposed to just let them get away with this?"

"You know what I mean," He glared, "That shit don't ever be worth it in the end, fuck they jump on you for in the first place?"

She remained silent. Jonas took note of her lack of response and simultaneously put the pieces together.

"Over some dude?"

Indie cleared her throat, "Let's talk about something else."

"In, we're not together anymore. You don't owe me nothing. It's straight."

She fiddled with the phone's cord, her cheeks flushing in slight embarrassment. He was right; they were no longer together, but Indie couldn't help but feel as though she had been caught red-handed, like a little kid touching the hot stove despite being told not to.

"Indie," He reassured, "I'm cool."

"This guy I've been involved with. He got this crazy ass ex' with a thing for running all his new bitches out his life. Her and her friends just caught me slipping last night, that's all."

The irritation in Jonas became more than evident as his hazel irises enflamed at the sound of Indie's words.

"And the nigga?"