THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION.

MAZE 6.

After the game

Cleo POV

yall what the fuck am I gonna wear I wanna look good and maybe show a lil skin but ion wanna look hoe-ish if yall couldn't tell its my first like real date my brother took me out and showed me how its supposed to be and how I'm supposed to be treated and he told me to just be myself the Cleopatra that everyone knows and loves he also gave me a box of condoms which I wasn't expecting but thanks I guess I spend like an hour trying on different fits trying to see which looks the best I decide to go with this all grey fashion nova sweatsuit with my all gray newbies

i hop in the shower and wash up thoroughly playing my music to calm my nerves I shave my areas carefully trying not to cut myself and no I don't plan on having sex with Nick it's just in case we get there and i don't want my shit-looking like a forest if he tryna dive up in it

i get out and do my skincare and do a little bit of makeup

that's the look I'm going for today i apply lotion and my body oils and perfume I'm tryna smell like a tall vanilla caramel frap from Starbucks

i make sure my oils dry so they dont stain my clothes before i start to put my clothes on then put my robe over top to do my makeup "you must like this nigga because ion remember the last time i saw you with your nails done earings on and your makeup done" my brother says coming in my room sitting on my bed "it's my first date why not go all out" i say trying to place my lashes my hands keep shaking "fuck" i say trying to stop "chill Cleo relax its gonna be cool you gon have fun and run this nigga card up"

he says trying to calm me "but in case that nigga broke i gotchu" he says taking out his wallet counting money nigga your supposed to be a broke college student how the fuck you just got so much money to spare "i always got you no matter what" he says placing three hundred on my vanity "are you selling drugs?" i ask with both my lashes on finally "girl no i just have diverse streams of income" he says putting his wallet away " i wont be here when you leave but i will when you get back so come in this house at a reasonable time understand me"

this nigga "yea nigga i understand" i say putting on my lip combo "Ard be safe you got the piece i got you?" he asks halfway out the door "Yes and i have the brass knuckles" Ever since we moved he made sure i never went out without at least one self-defense item he finds a new one to buy me like once a month i think what happened to me fucked his head up bad "ard cool if you need me i am a call away dont hesitate to call me Cleopatra I'm not playing at all" i got it Ryan damn "ok Ryan ill call if i need to" i say taking my robe off because I'm done my make up "have fun but not to much i love you" he says leaving my room "i love you too bro" i say putting my black and brown braids in a ponytail with a swoop in the front i stand in my mirror taking a pic as he closes my door