Seven Days in June

by Tia Williams

By virtue of being a woman, she’s stronger. Girls are given the weight of the world, but nowhere to put it down.

“One thing,” she whispered, her lips by his jaw. She didn’t want anyone to overhear. “Before I forget.” “What’s that?” “Stop writing about me.” Only Eva could’ve noticed the change in his expression. She saw the flinch. The slow, satisfied curl of his lip. His bronzy-amber eyes flashing. It was like he’d been waiting years to hear those words. Like the girl whose pigtails he’d been yanking during recess all year had finally shoved him back. He looked gratified. In a voice both raspy and low, and so, so familiar, Shane said, “You first.”

BRO. I LOVE THIS

“I ain’t tryna get shot, fam.” “Ty, it was a metaphor.”

Eva burst out laughing. “What’s funny?” “Shane Hall, you’re not scary anymore.” “I know. I put the ‘hug’ in ‘thug.’ ”

“Don’t fight. Write.” She cuddled closer. “There. A mantra, to keep you out of trouble.” “Don’t fight. Write.” “Right.”

“Ready?” he asked. “Ready.” “I love you,” said Shane. “Dramatically, violently, and forever.”

“Stop being such a Scorpio with an Aries moon.

If someone ever said this to me, i woud go insane

Why women gotta be the cause a evilness in man?

Eva was listening but was soon lost in her own thoughts. For the first time, she could identify the striking difference between herself and her ancestors (aside from successfully mothering a child). She was the first to almost get love right.

EVA: YES, STOP YELLING. And what’s a dermoid? SHANE: You and Audre been talking about me, I see. EVA: No, we were talking about her stepmom, Athena. Who had a dermoid. SHANE: Ask Audre if Athena has pictures.

I love them