Page 49 of No Love 2

“Aneesah,” I uttered, holding back laughter.

“Okay, okay, my bad,” she giggled before sitting down. “I’m just so happy to finally be 18.”

I was counting down the days until I was legal back in 2020. Then life got real once I realized being 18 came with adult responsibilities. I wasn’t going to burst Aneesah’s bubble though because her 18 and my 18 were vastly different. I had a dinner at an affordable restaurant and I went to the club afterwards. A section was out of the question because it was too expensive. Aneesah on the other hand was having her way! She’d done a professional photoshoot, she had an Airbnb that was getting decorated, she had a private room at Ruth’s Chris tomorrow night, she had a party bus, and she was having a girls night at her bnb on Saturday. Of course I’d been invited to everything and I was excited like it was my birthday. The way Armias spoiled his sisters was foreshadowing that our daughter was going to be rotten. She’d never associate the word “no” with her daddy.

“Ughhh, I hate that I’m not going to be there. I’m sick of this damn dance team,” Aspen whined. Football season was still in full swing and the Dancing Diamonds performed at every game, away and home, in front of the band.

“The dance team you’ve been dreaming of being on since you were 8?” Aneesah quizzed. “Girl, please!

“So you not gon’ miss your best friend tomorrow?” Aspen quizzed.

“Miss my best friend? What are you talking about? Maleigha is going to be there the whole weekend.”

“Girl, don’t play with me! You know I ain’t talking bout no damn Maleigha,” Aspen hissed, while I giggled. I loved watching them bicker. It was the best free entertainment ever.

“Maleigha has been my one and only best friend since 4th grade, though,” she giggled.

“And I love her down, but I’m talking about me. We’ve been locked in since birth, hoe. Maleigha can’t compete with that.”

“Girl, you crazy,” she laughed. “But all jokes aside, I knew that you wouldn’t be able to visit home a lot if you became a collegiate dancer. So yea, I’m going to miss you this weekend but your absence is for a good reason.”

“Barely…we have an away game against McNeese tomorrow. They could have given us this game off.”

“McNeese? Where’s that at?” I asked out of curiosity. “Do they have a dance team?”

“See. That’s exactly my point,” she grumbled. “They got me missing my sister’s birthday for a game nobody cares about.”

“I’m weak,” I tittered before sitting on Aneesah’s bed after finishing up with her edges. She immediately stood back and started posing in the mirror again. There was no question that she loved her hair and I was happy I could save the day for her.

“You gon’ be here next weekend though, sis,” I said to Aspen.

“Yes! Thank God next week is a bye week because I would’ve been devastated if I missed the baby shower. I know you're ready, Lourdy. That dress Daisie made you is teaaa. You gon’ have the girls mad again.”

I’d managed to secure another Daisie original for my baby shower just a few short weeks ago. I’d been searching high and low on the internet for the perfect pink dress, but nothing was doing it for me. Everything I came across was either basic or over worn. I knew I needed something custom made and Daisie was the only person in New Orleans I trusted.

“I just hope it’s not cold next weekend because the dress is sleeveless with a high split…and it shows off my stomach. I don’t know why I’m explaining it, I sent y’all pictures already.” I picked up my dress yesterday and took a million pictures in Daisie’s fitting room.

“If it’s cold you better get dressed at the venue,” Aspen advised.

“I might just do that. Nola Skyline does have a dressing room that’s included in my package.” I thought my mama was tripping when she booked and paid a deposit for the highest option that the event hall offered. She claimed that she wanted me to have every amenity offered just in case, but I didn’t think it was necessary. Evidently I was wrong and she knew what she was talking about. I was grateful that she’d gone with the highest option because I hadn’t factored in the weather when I put my dress order in. Armias had paid the remaining balance and reimbursed my mom for the deposit anyways, so it didn’t put a dent in my pockets.

“Yea, that beautiful dress is getting worn regardless of the weather outside. Fendi’s doing your hair, right?” Aspen asked.

“Yup. I finally decided on a messy up-do.”

“Ooouu, that’s gonna be so pretty with the dress! And Fendi is really good with up-do’s,” Aneesah raved. “You really managed to get a custom Daisie dress and a hair appointment with Fendi. How’s it feel to be one of God’s favorites?”

I broke out in laughter. “I’m not gonna deny that I’m one of God’s favorites, but planning ahead of time is the key in these situations. Well, I got lucky with Daisie but I asked Fendi if she could do my hair for my baby shower in September. She blocked off that day anyway because she’s attending the shower as a guest, so her coming to my house to do my hair a few hours before is slight work.”

“Chile, now I feel some type of way. You getting house calls but she couldn’t do that for me today,” Aneesah sneered.

“Bitch, I know you lying,” Aspen laughed. “That girl booked back to back today. You lucky she was willing to do it tomorrow.”

“Yea, yea,” she rolled her eyes while we laughed.

“Alright, I just made it to the band hall for practice. It was nice talking to y’all. It made my walk feel shorter than usual.”

“Why are you walking when you have a car?” I asked.