I Just Need

22- "You're bitter"

Teckz was perched on one of the high stools by the snack counter, leaning back just enough as he chatted up the girl behind the till. She was laughing at something he'd said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, and Teckz flashed her a lopsided grin in return.

From their table, Mimi's jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing as she watched the exchange. Her grip on her phone was stiff, her knuckles slightly white.

Yara noticed immediately. She nudged Mimi with her elbow, barely looking up from the small bowl of chips she was munching on. "Don't even start. We're not doing this tonight."

Mimi rolled her eyes, but her gaze didn't leave Teckz. "He thinks he's slick."

Yara smirked, taking a deliberate sip of her drink. "Babes, he's not your man...Technically."

Mimi groaned, her head snapping towards Yara. "Omggg... Shut up." She stressed.

Yara shrugged, her smirk growing. "I'm just saying. You wanna claim him, claim him. Otherwise, let the guy breathe."

Mimi muttered something under her breath, leaning back in her chair, but her eyes still flicked toward Teckz now and then.

As Riyah stepped into the bowling alley with Tee and Krazy, she immediately felt a few pairs of eyes on her.

The air seemed to shift slightly, not in a way anyone else might notice, but enough for her to feel it. Tee was scrolling on her phone, not paying attention, but Riyah could see Sasha out of the corner of her eye.

Sasha was sat near Seven, casually sipping on a Coke and scrolling on her own phone, but the moment she spotted Riyah, her posture changed. She leaned slightly toward Seven, muttering under her breath just loud enough for him to hear.

Seven chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "You're moving mad, Sash. Leave the girl alone, man."

Sasha shrugged, a sly smile playing on her lips. "What? It's a joke."

Seven shook his head, watching as Riyah scanned the room. "You're tapped you know. Actually tapped."

By the time the trio reached the group, Tee clapped her hands together, effectively cutting through any side conversations. "Alright, everyone pair up for teams. If you're here, you're playing."

Riyah stood off to the side, watching as everyone shuffled around to form groups. The energy felt weird, like everyone was walking on eggshells but trying to act normal.

Tee grabbed Yara immediately, the two laughing about who would carry their team. Mimi reluctantly paired up with D1, though her eyes flickered toward Teckz one last time before muttering something to D1 about how she was "not taking this game seriously."

Krazy ambled over to Riyah. "Come be in a pair with me."

Riyah shrugged at him. "Okay."

"You know how to play?" he asked casually, his tone so neutral.

Riyah's scoff was immediate. "Of course I do."

"Swear?" He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into the smallest of smirks.

She kissed her teeth. "I'm calm, don't worry about me," she said, crossing her arms.

"You say that now," Seven chimed in loudly from his spot by the scoreboard, grinning. "Watch her launch the ball into the next lane."

Riyah shot him a sharp look, a playful smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Shut up, Sev."

"Man's just saying," Sev said with a laugh, holding his hands up defensively. "Your vibe is bare clumsy."