Chapter 2: Bobbie

"I thought I told yo ass to get the fuck out of my house," I yelled as I flung the remote at Ramon's head.
"Bobbie, if your crazy ass doesn't calm down, I'm gonnna... I'm gonna, well shit I don't know but you won't like it," Ramon whined back as he dodged the remote.
I smacked my teeth and folded my arms across my body. Ramon had pissed me off for the last time. He was always trying to watch sports on my television that I pay the bill on. I couldn't believe this mofo had the nerve to walk up and change my television. Plus he had been staying with me for the past month and he was working my nerves.
Ramon and I had been dating for about a year and a half now. I meet him when I first moved to Atlanta from DC. I had just graduated from law school and I relocated because I got an offer from a firm here in Atlanta. I was out hanging out with one of my home girls Elle (whom I meet my first year of law school) at a club in Buckhead when I noticed Ramon. I have always had a thing for pretty boys with light eyes. Ramon was pretty as hell. He walked up to me and asked if he could buy me a drink.
"I said hell yeah! I want a bud light,"
He laughed his ass off.
"Are you fo' real?" he asked.
"Hell yeah, I want a motherfuckin' bud light," I repeated.
"Bud light for the lady," Ramon said to the bartender. "Whats your name sexy?"
"Bobbie," I said back.
"I'm Ramon," he smirked moving in closer to me.
"That bitch is taking forever with my drink," I retorted as I watched the bartender mix someone else's drink.
"Damn, girl you are off the chain. Where are you from?" he asked.
"MIA baby," I proudly answered.
"I'm from LA," he volunteered.
"So are you going to ask me for my number or keep chatting about some bullshit," I proclaimed as I grabbed my beer that the bartender finally brought back.
"Damn, girl! I like the way you just handled me," he responded.
And I have been handling him ever since. Ramon is a young dude. I'm 26 and he is barely 22. Matter fact he is still in undergrad at Georgia State. He is cool sometimes but he doesn't have no common sense and he is always gettin' into shit. He is staying with me now because his dumbass got kicked out of his spot because he took his rent money and promoted a party that ended up putting his dumbass in the hole. I don't mind him staying because I'm 26 and a six figure bitch so I can afford it but he wasn't about to try to run my house while he is here.
"I'm sorry baby," Ramon said kissing me on the check as he watched me pout.
"Niggah, get out of my face," I retorted back as I pushed him away.
"Girl, why do you act sooo damn hard all the time," Ramon laughed.
"I told you to get out of my house!!!!" I yelled.
Ramon raised up off my couch and made his way to the kitchen area.
"Where are you going?" I asked twisting my body in his direction.
"Bobbie, I don't have time for your crazy ass mood swings. I'm about to go to Jamal's house. If you want me out, I am gone. I will be back tomorrow to get my stuff," he responded calmly as he grabbed his subway sandwich from the counter.
"Fine, let Jamal take care of your ass. You can drive Jamal's car, eat his motherfuckin' food and while your at it let that niggah suck your dick too!!!" I yelled getting up from the couch and following him into the kitchen.
"Bobbie, this is some bullshit. I knew, I shouldn't have moved up in here with your crazy ass. But its cool, I'm gone. You don't have to worry about me," Ramon muttered as he walked over to grab his gym bag and coat.
"Bye, but if you leave don't come back!!!"
"Baby, I'm good. I can't be around yo craziness. Good night."
Ramon walked past me and headed to the door. He looked back at me and shock his head. I shot him an evil look. With that he calmly opened the garage door and walked out. I stood frozen as I listened to his car crank up. Then I smacked my teeth and returned to the couch. Shit I worked too damn hard to let that niggah ruin my saturday night. I had been working crazy hours for the past three weeks. Fuck Ramon.

The sunday morning, I woke up on my couch to my cell phone buzzing next to me.
"Hello," I answered throwing on my professional tone.
"Hey girl," Elle sang into my ear. "What are you up to?"
"Shit, enjoying my weekend. Trying not to let that dumbass niggah Ramon ruin it," I answered.
"I told you not to let him move in with you," Elle lectured. "I was calling to see if you wanted some company. I am on pins and needles over here."
"Why are you on pins and needles?" I asked. I knew she wanted me to inquire.
"I told you about that guy, I'm talking to. Anyway, I haven't heard from him in a week and I need to keep myself busy so I won't call him anymore. Yesterday I wen shopping with Jordan. Today I want to spend sometime with you."
"I so you trying to use me heifer!!!" I laughed.
"Whatever, can I come over or what?" Elle responded.
"Yeah, girl bring you little behind down here to the SWATS honey!!!" I said as I hung up.
Elle was one of my favorite people. When I meet her, she was crying after class when one of our legal professor embarassed the hell out of her. She was like a little fragile doll. She spent the whole year complaining until second semster of our second year when she told me she was coming back home to Atlanta. Most people drop out of law school their first semester. Not Elle, her crazy ass left when she only had one more year left. Anyway, Elle was one of the only black girls at Georgetown that I actually liked so when she left I buckled down really hard. I graduated top of my class. Pretty big accomplishment for a girl from the projects in Miami. I was one of those people that always excelled. I had never made a B in my life. I was the first person in my family to go to college and now I was chillin' at 26 with a phat house, my first car and a six figure salary.
Elle arrived to my house about an hour later. I came to door to see Elle standing at my doorstep with Jay trailing behind her. Elle was about 5'3, with coco brown skin and hair to her ass. She was wearing a winter white coat and black pant stretch pants, bright pink sneakers and her hair was pulled back into a long braided ponytail.
"Hey girl, I brought Jay and he brought Panera," She smiled as she entered my house from the cold.
"Hey Bobbie!!!" Jay sang as he entered after Elle carrying two large bags.
I gave Elle and Jay a hug and urshered them in from the cold air in the foyer area.
"Is Ramon here?" Jay asked as he walked toward the kitchen to put the bags down.
"Hell no I put that bitch out last night!!!" I announced as I followed them into the kitchen.
"Bobbie you are one crazy mofo," Jay laughed. "What did his ass do now?"
"You didn't tell me you put Ramon out," Elle chimmed in as she searched the bag for her food.
"Biatch, you didn't ask you was busy talking about you as usual." I teased.
Elle rolled her eyess.
"Tell the story heifer," Elle responded plopping her butt up on my bar stool at the kitchen counter.
I looked over to Jay. Jay was busy trying to fix his tea. I kinda giggled to myself. Jay was a tall light bright guy skinny guy. I never pictured myself hanging out with such a trendy gay dude but Jay had been more than welcoming when I meet him. I started in on the story. I told them about how I picked a fight with Ramon over the tv and how he said he was going to move out and go to his homeboy house until he gets on his feet.
"Why are you always picking fights with that man?" Jay laughed. "Your crazy ass shouldn't be fucking with that immature ass niggah anyway. How old is he like 19?"
"You know Ramon is 20, why you acting Jay!!!" Elle teased.
"Fuck ya'll, you know my baby is 22. Plus I'm younger than ya'll mofos anyway," I responded defending myself.
"Girl please, you are only a year younger than my ass!" Elle joked pushing my arm.
"So he is your baby now," Jay teased. "I need you to meet some men your age and on your level. Girl you are too cute and smart for immaturity. Especially considering the fact that you can't handle him being younger than you!!!"
"What?? I have been handling it for a year and a half!" I said finishing my bagel.
"Bobbie, Jay is just saying you always cussing him out for acting his age. He is still in undergrad, you are a young professional. You make a lot of money, have gone to the best schools in the country and you are very mature even for your age. Ramon isn't you sweetie. He likes to party and do his music thing. When you were in undergrad you studied 24/7. Ramon is not you and you need to stop trying belittle that man because he isn't you."
"Preach it girl!!!" Jay laughed as he clapped his hands dangling his gold tiffany toggle bracelet.
"Well he is out now!!" I retorted back rolling my neck.
"By the way, Bobbie. Girl I am lovin' your cut," Jay said as he ran his fingers through my short do.
"You know betta than to touch a black woman's hair boi," I said backing away from Jay.
Jay laughed.
"Whats up with you and the artist, Elle" I asked. I knew she was dying for me to ask.
Elle was one of those people loved to talk about her. True enough I liked to talk about me too but that little girl could run her mouth. Her and her sidekick Jay would gossip backward and forward all day with you.
"Nothing, I thought we were vibing but now he is not returning my calls," Elle answered.
"Thats because this heifer scared him off too. You know how she does," Jay lashed.
I shook my head. Elle and Jay were like the black Will & Grace. They hung tight, finished each other sentences and would probably end up spending the rest of there lives together. It was a shame too because Elle was a beautiful girl and Jay was fine ass he wanted to be too. Jay wasn't even really flame. He acted like a really fashionable straight guy. If I didn't know any better I would think he was straight. He was from Atlanta like Elle and they had known each other forever. Jay was short for Jarod. He hated Jarod and had gone by Jay all his life. His parents were very wealthy. His dad was a real estate mogul and his mom was doctor. Jay called is self being a real estate agent/ investor. I wasn't sure if he really ever sold anything but he did do a good job with the investing thing. Hell he owned Elle's loft.
"I don't understand why I'm always getting dumped," Elle said sadly.
I didn't understand why she always got dumped my damn self. Typically, Elle was a push over but with dudes she kinda acted like she had some sense. We spent the rest of the day watching lifetime movies and bitching about men until Jay got a phone call from some guy to go out tonight and told Elle and I, he had to bounce. I offered to take Elle home later if she wanted but she said she need to cook and get prepared for work tomorrow. I shook my head a walked them out.

The next day I didn't get home until eight that night. Ramon hadn't came by on sunday to pick up his stuff and I hadn't heard from him either. I thought about calling him to check on him but I wasn't going to bitch up. I warmed up some leftovers from sunday and decided to take a long bath. Just as I stepped in the bath I heard my door chime.
"Bobbie," I heard Ramon call from downstairs. "Are you here?"
I rolled my eyes and continued to soak in my garden tub. I was had my candles going, a glass of wine and some mellow music in the background humming. I was going to enjoy my bath.
"Bobbie" I heard him call.
His call was a lot closer now. I figured he was probably in my room. I closed my eyes and continued to ignore him. Then he knocked on the bathroom door.
"Baby, are you in there?" he called.
Of course I'm in here fool. Go AWAY!
Then Ramon turned the door knub and stumbled into my bathroom. He was wearing some grey sweat pants and a black Sean Jean long sleeve t-shirt. I could tell that he had just gotten a fresh cut because his curly hair was cut lower than on Saturday. His green eyes meet mine as he stared at my naked body. Ramon flashed me a sexy smile and I remained unchanged trying to act hard but I am sure he noticed my nipples instantly get hard as I eyes meet.
"I was about to get my stuff but, I am not so sure you want me to leave," he said standing above me. "Was all this for me?"
"Hell no," I responded back. "It's for me."
"Can I join you?" he said pulling off his shirt to realize his amazing body.
"Hell no, I thought you was leaving?"
"Girl stop frontin' you know you missed me," he said continuing to strip.
"If you get in this tub, I'll scream," I threatened still trying to play hard.
"Don't you want me to make you scream?" he teased.
He stepped into the tub and I moved over to the other side of the tub. He grabbed me and pulled me toward him. I gave in. I wanted him to do it anyway and he knew what I wanted it too. He bent down and gave me a hard passionate kiss and I put my arms around his head and returned the love. He swifted his body to force me on top of him to thrust hisself inside of me. I yielded to his whim and allowed him inside. I began riding him and kissing him everywhere I could reach. We made love all over my bathroom and clasped on my bed 45 miutes later.
I went to bed that night in Ramon's arms, loving my baby all over again.

Chapter 1: Elle

We meet on Thursday at Art Center train station. I work by Lenox Mall and live in midtown so I typically take Marta to work. Anyway, I had just slipped on a pair of pumas for my two mile walk down to my apartment when our eyes meet. He was a chocolate brown cutie with a killer smile. He was carrying a large canvas bag and a toffee colored briefcase. The subway train doors opened and I got off at my stop and he trailed behind me.

"Excuse me miss," he shouted as I made my way ahead of him.

I spun around to greet him and now I am preparing for our first date. He is an artist so he invited me to tag along with him at one of his friend's openings at a local gallery. I don't know what it is about me but I love the artsy type. My last boyfriend was a broke ass musician that couldn't keep his dick in his pants. Hopefully, Brice would be different. I have never been the girly type that spent forever getting dressed. I slipped on a lavender v-neck cashmere sweater, a bcbg chocolate brown skirt and a pair of sassy chocolate brown pumps. Mr. Brice finally arrived at seven.

"You look beautiful," he said as he gave me a warm hug.

"Thanks," I replied back smiling.

Brice looked damn good too. He was wearing a caramel brown velvet suit jacket, a white Ralph Lauren button up, dark rinse jeans and caramel colored loafers. He smelled so good as I hugged him I wasn't so sure I still wanted to go out anymore.

"Are you into visual art?" He asked as we walked out of my building into the cold air outside.

"I'm not an expert but I did take an art apperciation class in college," I laughed.

He smiled.

Okay, I thought it was funny. I guess he didn't.

"Where is your car parked?" I asked. I told him to park on the street considering how scare parking is down here.

"Up the street. Hey I really like your building? Do you own your spot?" He asked.

"Nope, I actually rent this place from a friend. I have a loft unit," I replied back. Most people just assumed I owned my place because I lived in one of those buildings that screams privately owned biatch!!!!

"My car is right here," he said as we walked up on a lime green VW beetle. I wanted to laugh at this dude. He is 6'3 driving a bitch car like this. And then this guy had the nerve to have it in lime green. He unlocked the car and I hopped in.

"This gallery is down off Peoples Street. I'm glad you came with me. I get cool points when I bring a pretty lady with me to these things." He said as hell gave me a sexy smirk.

Damn did he look good when he smiled. That smile just made up for this bitch car. After riding up and down the street we finally found a spot on the street. We walked up two blocks to a older refuburished building. As we walked through the door he grabbed my hand and led me to a receptionist area with two tall blonde girls in black stood.

"Hey Brice," one girl retorted as we approached.

"Abby, how are you?" he responded back. "Whats up Sam?"

The other girl smiled and winked at me.

"Ladies, this is my date Elle. Isn't she beautiful?" he said giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"Well, Mark is in the blue room. You know where to go. It was great seein' you baby," Abby said turning her attention to an older white guy in all black as he entered the gallery.

"Sam, thinks your hot," he whispered in my ear as we walked into a room lite dimly in blue, crowded with people.

I blushed but I wasn't sure if he was being funny or trying to turn me out.

Surprisingly, it was different than I expected. I guess I watch too much Sex in the City because I expected something way more sexy. His friend was a photographer not a painter and his collection consisted of ten photographs of black women from Honduras. The collection was entitled "Las Negras". Beside each photograph there was a short story about each woman. Brice guided me through the exhibit attempting to explain each photograph until we were interrupted by a tall skinny white guy with tattered jeans and a grey thermal shirt. He had short sandy blonde hair and icy sea green eyes.

"Whats up man," the guy said as he reached out to Brice to dap him up.

"I'm lovin' the set up guy! Congrats man," Brice responded after they finished the homeboy greeting.

"Thanks man, just happy to be here in the A dude. Who is your lady friend?" he said turning his attention to me. "This is my new lady friend Elle. Elle, this is my man Mark. This is his exhibit,"

Brice smiled. I looked over Mark again. I couldn't believe this kid didn't even bother to dress up for his own opening. He was a very attractive guy though. Maybe he thought it didn't matter.

"Mark is from Atlanta. We went to NYU together," Brice explained. "I lived with this guy for two years in New York."

"Well, its nice to meet you Mark. I'm from Atlanta too and your photography is beautiful," I responded placing my hand in front of him.

"Nice to meet you Elle. She's pretty, Brice. What the hell does she see in you?" he joked as he grabbed my hand and held it.

Is this guy flirting with me?

"Yeah, I told her I only bring the pretty ones around my friends," he joked putting his arm around my waist. Mark let go of my hand but gave me a sly grin and then brought his attention back to Brice. "So whats up with you man? I heard you are teaching an art class down at the art school these days. When are you going back to finish your PHd?" he asked. Damn, I was impressed I had no idea Brice was working on his PHd or anything other than his artwork for that matter. "Not sure, I am enjoying doing this thing at the art school and working on a few pieces. I might have some people interested in doing some stuff with me at this gallery in San Fran. Plus I found a new reason to stay in Atlanta for a little while," he said squeezing me tighter. "Thats whats up my friend. Hey, I'm glad you came. I got an opportunity I want to discuss with you a little later. How about we talk soon man?" Mark requested as he let his eyes linger back over to me. "Sounds good my man," Brice responded back. "You know how to find me." "Elle, you should let me shot you sometime," Mark said unexpectedly. "Excuse me?" I questioned. I was sure what he meant and I wasn't sure if I liked the way this guy was flirting with me in front of Brice. He laughed. "I meant, you should let me take a few pictures, you know shots...," he responded back. "Here let me give you my card. I would love to have you do some work with me." With that he walked off to mingle with more people and left Brice and I to his photography.
sunday a week later...

Brice called at noon saying he would be in my area and he wanted to do brunch at the Flying Biscuit. I told him okay, I'll meet him. Typically, I walk everywhere in a four mile vinicity but I had on heels so I decided to actually drive. Flying Biscuit, was off 10th street in the gay district of midtown a few blocks away from my place. I had walked up there a few times to hang out with my friend Jay who lived around the corner.

I got to Flying Biscuit a little before Brice so I got a table by the window and people watched.

"Elle Simone Powell, girl don't act like you didn't see me sitting down up in here," I heard from behind. I looked around to see Jay's friend Ms. LouisV.

"Hey girl," I said giving Ms.LouisV a hug.

Ms. LouisV was the alias of a 5'4, fair skin guy with freckles that rocked the hell out Louis Vuitton. His real name was Lewis and he was one of the craziest guys I knew.

"I'm lovin' those jeans girl. What are those sevens? You know I'm going to have to go shopping in your closet tomorrow," he laughed patting me on my booty.

"Honey, you know you are way more petite than I. What are you like a 2 or 4? I doubt I have anything you can get into."

"Chile, please you act like you aren't fabolus yourself. Are you meeting Ms. Jay up in here this morning? That bitch told me he was going to church." Ms. LouisV said looking around for Jay.

Ms. LouisV was fly as ever. He was wearing a navy blue fitted button down shirt with a wide collar popped up, a pair of Rock and Republic jeans, a pair of yellow snake skin Kenneth Cole loafers, and a Gucci messenger bag.

"Nope, honey I have a date and I know you don't believe Jay's crazy ass went to church. We went to a party at Jordan's place. Jay was trashed he should be suffering from a hangover with his head in a toilet," I laughed.

"Damn, Jordan had a party and didn't invite moi. I hate that bitch. You are way cuter than that damn groupie bitch Elle. We need to get you one of those guys she fucks with." Ms.LouisV said rolling his eyes. "Shit, I can pull one of those homothugs she fucks with too. Where is your date ms.thang? and why is he meeting you here?"

"He should be on the way. I'm a little early."

"Who is this one? Girl you know you go through men like me chile!!!"

I laughed. Ms.LouisV did have a point. I couldn't keep a man and neither could he. Just as I was about to respond in walked Brice.

"Thats him now," I responded signally Brice to my table.

"Yummy," Ms. LouisV uttered under his breath.

"Good Afternoon sweetie," he said as he bent down to give me a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, man how are you?" he said turning his attention to Ms. LouisV who was all in his seat.

"Hola homie, I'm Lewis but my friends call me LouisV. Relax honey, Ms. ESP is one of my dearest friends and fans," Ms. LouisV replied not bothering to rise from Brice's seat.

"Nice to meet you. ESP??" he said looking at me.

"My intials, Elle Simone Powell. Ms. LouisV coined the nickname," I said smiling at LouisV.

"Well since you are a dear friend of Ms.ESP, you should join us and tell me more about this lady," Brice remarked as he looked around for another chair to pull up.

"I would love to join you kids. Its not like I have any thang to do this afternoon anyway," Ms.LouisV exclaimed. "Let me go get my drank."

"You look nice today," I said looking over Brice. He was wearing a tan Ralph Lauren crew sweater and wool brown slacks.

"Thanks, as always you look gorgeous," he responded back flashing me his perfect white teeth.

"Elle, chile did I tell you about that new spot Malcolm and I found last friday," Ms.LouisV interupted holding his drink.

"Nope, but Jay told me about it. He said they had a really good happy hour." I responded looking over to Ms. LouisV.

"Girl you and your man should go. Whats your name sweetie? Elle is sooo damn rude," Ms.LouisV remarked rolling his eyes.

"Brice Key," Brice spoke up directing his attention to Ms. LouisV.

"I like that name honey and you look just like Mr. Brice from Groove Theory too. What do you do? You look like a corporate brother." Louis V asked.

"I'm an artist and I teach a few art classes at the Art Institute," Brice explained.

"Umphh, you don't look broke. Damn your an artist? What type of art do you do?" Ms.LouisV remarked slyly.

I want to interupt because I was a little embrassed by Ms.LouisV remark but I had no clue of what type of art. I had never seen any of Brice's work. Hell I had only know him for about two weeks now.

"Well, I am a scupltor." Brice explained.

"What have you done?? Do you do those ugly little figurines? My momma loves them. I hate them. That heifer got those damn things all over the house."

Brice and I laughed.

"Na'll man I don't do those figurines that you are talking about. I done a few cool thing but nothing big here. I am actually working on a few pieces for an exhibit that will be featuring my work in San Francisco," Brice explained. "Enough about me. Tell me everything about Elle that she doesn't want me to know."

"How about we order first and then I tell you about this chile. It won't take long Elle is sooo southern belle and boring as hell," Ms. LouisV said signaling someone to take our order.

Over brunch Ms. LouisV ran his mouth about how he meet me when he was in undergrad at Morehouse. I was good friends with his roommate Jay who had not figured out he was gay yet. He talked about how I use to hang out with them when I came home for breaks and how him and Jay went to DC to move me back to Atlanta when I dropped out of Georgetown law school. Brice laughed at all of Ms. LouisV's crazy stories about me.

After brunch Brice and I parted with Ms.LouisV and headed to Piedmont Park to walk brunch off.

“That dude is crazy,” Brice laughed. “Being a member of the art community I know so many gay guys. But LouisV is a trip. I can’t believe he calls hisself that.”

“I know, he is a nut. You have to meet the rest the crew,” I remarked looking up at him.

I couldn’t believe I was walking around Piedmount Park in the middle of January. It was cold as hell outside.

“Who is the rest of the crew? And when do I get to meet them?” Brice laughed.

“Well, there is Jay. You heard all about him at brunch he is my best friend. Then there is Jordan my gold diggin cousin who went to UCLA. She is crazy. There is Leah my homegirl from undergrad. She is off the chain. Meisha the one that went to NYU that I told you about and the crew wouldn’t be official without the queen of crunk Bobbie aka I’ll beat that biatch with a bottle. I meet her in undergrad too.”

“Your friends sound comical,”

“They are and crazy ass hell too.”

I smiled inside. I was really enjoying Brice.

Intro to Elle

My twenties have been so crazy that I decided to write a book based on my life and my friends. My the main character in my book is a twenty-something year old named Elle living in Atlanta, Georgia. Here goes...