Forever and a Day Read online

  Forever and a Day

  By: Jasmine Barber

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to real people, event, establishments, or locals are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Other names, characters, and incidents occurring in the work are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, as those fictionalized events and incidents that involve real persons. Any character that happens to share the name of a person who is an acquaintance of the author, past or present, is purely coincidental and is in no way intended to be an actual account involving that person.

  Copyright © 2013 Jasmine Barber

  All rights reserved.

  Dedication

  I dedicate this to my mother Taiesha. Everything I do is to make you proud of me. Every girl wants their mother to be proud of them and I’m happy to say that is the case with you. I love you mommy.

  I also dedicate this to everyone that I’ve lost throughout my life.

  Antwanett “Netta” Smith, Mary Mitchell, Kenya Barber, I wish you were here to celebrate my first book release, but I know you all are in Heaven looking down at me. I just want to say I love each one of you and keep looking down on me.

  Acknowledgements

  First and foremost, I would like to thank God for bringing me to where I am in life. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t even have this acknowledgement section to show. I’ve been through many trials and tribulations over the past year, and that’s what bought me to write this.

  To my mother, Taiesha Barber. I love you more than anything. Thank you for all the support you’ve shown me through out this writing project. I owe you the world for being my cover model Yes everyone, that’s my mommie on the front cover <3.

  To my brother, Alonza. Boy I swear I wouldn’t think you were 10. As I wrote, you threw out ideas that you wanted me to write and thanks to you Alonzo is a character in Forever and a Day.

  To Poohbear, Thank you for everything. I’m thankful for all the tips you gave me on a business aspect. You supported me through out the whole process. Like you said we on the roll. As a unit we will make it.

  To my Auntie, Tonya Barber. Thank you for inspiring me and pushing me to write my own book. You were the one who said that I should turn my short story into a full project.

  Tiffany McGhee: I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You barely knew me, but you motivated me and took me in like a long time friend. I will be forever grateful. I told a couple of my friends, but I have to say you are the best editor ever!

  MC Family: Mercedes, Leondra, Tiffany, Dwinique, Danielle, Alicia and Jarell. Each of you pushed me hard to make sure I finished Forever and a Day. Nique, you made me laugh throughout the whole process making writing so much better. Danni, you pushed me to be different from other authors and for that I would like to say thank you. You definitely were my savior when it came to writing at the end. My WORSE critic Cedes, you made sure that Forever and a Day was perfect before I could say I was done. I knew this wouldn’t be a good book without getting your approval. Leondra, thanks for giving me friendly advice as an author and as a friend. You saw me stress over little things and made sure I never let it deter me from reaching my goal. Alicia, you publishing Shy’s Heartbreak was motivation for me. You gave me advice, you were an honest test reader and I just want to thank you. You pushed me and I’ll forever be grateful. Tiff, I love you man. You are one of the biggest ain’t shit people in MC but that’s what makes you Tiffany. Thank you for being the test reader throughout the process.

  Dynasty’s Cover Me: Thank you so much for giving me one of the most creative book covers ever! I’ll be back for my future projects!

  Jade Broomfield: Thank you for making my 1 Cover. Just wanted to let you know your work did not go unnoticed! Love you Jadie.

  Special Thanks To:

  Tajana Sutton (Tajana Sutton’s Deja Series)

  Leondra LeRae (Hood Love Fan Group)

  Monique Chanae Tillman & Dama Cargle (The Takeover)

  Nae (Dollhouze Ent)

  Shameek Speight (#TeamTrueGlory)

  Tonya Barber (Tonya’s Reader Den)

  Brandie Davis (My Urban Book Club)

  Thank you all for letting me promote my work in your groups. I truly appreciate it.

  My 1 Set of Test Readers: Jasmine, Christina, Naiima, and June. I love y’all. To be honest this wouldn’t have been a book if it weren’t for y’all. Ya’ll asked for more so I gave y’all more and look at me now

  Support System: Kellee Enos, Jackie Black, Ellie Melon, and Nellie Mithcell. Thank y’all for encouraging me throughout the process. Sometimes I just needed to hear that, “I’m so proud of you”, “Keep up the good work”, “I can’t wait to read that” and you were the ones throughout the project who continuously gave positive feedback. I love y’all more than y’all will ever know.

  To everybody who said I was going to fail, eat your heart out because Forever and a Day is now a reality.

  If I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me and know that just because you weren’t in my mind, you were still in my heart. Here is a place for you: ____________________.

  Now, I present you with my baby, “Forever and a Day.”

  Love Always,

  Jasmine B.

  Chapter 1

  “I'll always love you but I can't stand being with you.” - Brielle

  Dear Murder,

  It took me a long time to write this letter because I didn’t know if I really wanted this. After going back and forth, I've decided that this is exactly what I need. I've been nothing but faithful and understanding to you and to your "career." I'm not your typical chick from the hood. I never relied on you for money or materialistic things. I own my own business, house, and I have cars that are completely paid off. So again, I ask myself, why the hell am I taking your shit?

  You’re a liar and a cheater and that’s all you will ever be! I tried to reason with your "job" because I've always loved the edge of a bad boy, but every time I turn around I'm being slapped in the face with reality when some random chick is playing on my office phone or better yet sending me pictures of you and her doing all types of wild shit. The worse thing a man can do is have his girlfriend thinking everything is all good, while other females look at her KNOWING she is not the only one. Emotionally, I’ve been done. Mentally, I’m still drained. Even though I feel that way you always see me with a smile.

  I haven't been happy with you for the last month. I was the one who took your shit and still cared about you, but all that has changed. So with that being said, I've packed your clothes that were at my house and put them in storage. (If you were wondering, yes the key in the envelope is for you) I've changed the locks to my house; so don't bother coming by to try to beg your way back in my life. I just want to end this letter off by saying thank you for everything you taught me about "these niggas" as you put it and about life in general. You really prepared me for the bullshit you threw at me. I'll always love you but I can't stand being with you. Hopefully one day we can be friends but until then I'm officially moving on.

  Love Always,

  Brielle

  As Brielle went to get ready for her first official Girls Night Out with her best friends as a single lady, she couldn't help but feel proud of herself for finally leaving Murder alone. She knew deep down in her heart that she would probably need sometime to get over Murder, but she knew with friends like hers she would be perfectly fine. As Brielle walked into the bedroom next to the master bedroom, which was converted into a walk-in closet, she thought about the past three years with Murder. She met Murder at the end of her sophomore year of college.

  It was a hot spring day in the middle of May, everybody in
New York City was pissed the hell off. Everybody wanted the summer time to hurry up and come but this was crazy. It was hot as hell. It was that aggravating heat, that unbearable heat that no one likes. The heat where it was hot but there was literally no air blowing. Anyway, she was on her lunch break from her internship at Madison Square Garden. She had been working a total of six hours before she decided that she could no longer hide her hunger. As she snatched her favorite Michael Kors bag and her iPhone out of her desk, she dreaded going outside in the scorching heat. As soon as she opened the door and took two steps out the door, she was being pushed down by some dude running into her.

  "Ayo what the fuck? You blind or something?" Murder screamed out, not paying attention to who he had ran into.

  As Brielle was getting up she yelled out, "Me? You’re the one who wasn't paying attention to where the hell you were going! And you broke my damn iPhone!"

  When she woke up this morning, she knew her day wasn't going to be good and this moment made her realize she was definitely right. As Brielle was talking, Murder looked up to find the most gorgeous girl he had ever laid eyes on. He was at a lost for words. Brielle was brown skin, long beautiful black hair that stopped pass her shoulders in a tight ponytail holder. She had dimples so deep that he couldn't help but want to stare at them. He got so deeply mesmerized by her beauty that he didn't even acknowledge anything this girl was saying.

  Becoming even more annoyed by this insensitive ass jerk, Brielle picked up her broken iPhone and her bag and began to walk back inside the door to her job. Before he realized it, Brielle's hand was almost stretched out to open the door to Madison Square Garden. Murder quickly shouted out, "Aye ma, my bad. I didn't even see you. I'm sorry for breaking your phone and making you fall. Let me make it up to you."

  "Look the only way you can make it up to me is by buying me a new iPhone, everything else I can handle on my own," said Brielle.

  "A new iPhone? Ma that's nothing, give me your number and I'll get up with you and buy you a new phone.” said a smiling Murder. Usually his smile was a sign of trouble but today he was generally happy to be in Brielle's presence even though he would of preferred to meet her a different way.

  "Why the hell would I give you my number, if I don't have a phone to answer when you call,” stated an annoyed Brielle. “You know what just leave it alone! I'll buy my own phone! Goodbye.”

  Brielle walked back inside Madison Square Garden thinking, my day just can't get any worse. Brielle definitely went home that day with a bad attitude.

  ~~~~~

  One Week Later

  Brielle was leaving work with a positive attitude. She had a great weekend ahead of her with her girls. She walked to the train station thinking about the relationship she had with her friends. Danielle, Shanice, Sabriya and Chloe were the best friends she could of ever asked for. You would of thought they knew each other all their lives when you saw the group of girls. When in reality, Brielle only knew Danielle and Shanice since fourth grade and she met Sabriya and Chloe her senior year in high school at Rutgers University accepted student day. She then smiled thinking about how each of her friends were different but how they all blended in together as one.

  As she was about to enter into New York Penn Station, she heard, "Damn you didn't even know you was gonna see me today, so why you smiling like that?"

  Remembering the voice she got an instant attitude, turned around and quickly stated, "No one is smiling at your ass, you better be lucky I don't push your ass like you pushed me!"

  "If I could remember clearly, I didn't push you. I ran into you and it was definitely an accident, stated Murder, but that ain’t what I’m here for. I was trying to catch up to you and give you something."

  "You don't have anything to give me, but nice try,” said Brielle.

  "Well I guess I should go return this little iPhone because I damn sure don't need another phone" Murder said, handing Brielle the new iPhone 4s.

  "OMG how did you get this? This phone doesn't come out for another 3 months!" said an excited Brielle.

  "It doesn't come out for another 3 months for normal people, but when you a boss like your boy, anything is possible," said a cocky Murder.

  "Well thanks for the new phone since you broke my old one,” said Brielle ready to go inside Penn Station.

  "That's nothing Ma. I could give you so much more. If you gave me a chance," Murder stated.

  "Thank you, but I'm good. Again thank you for the phone. I appreciate it.” Brielle stated as she was walking through the doors of Penn Station leaving Murder intrigued to find out more about this girl.

  ~~~~~

  Later on that night, Brielle was sitting in the driver seat of her brand new Summit White Camaro when her iPhone decided to ding, indicating an awaiting text message. "Aye Danni, can you please see who that is?" Brielle said to Danielle since she was driving while her, Chloe, and Shanice were on their way to pick up Sabriya.

  "Um, girl who the hell is this new nigga you’re talking to and why does he think you look like a perfect angel that he will surely marry today if you would let him?” teased Danielle.

  "Girl stop playing and read the damn message,” laughed Brielle

  "I'm dead ass serious. Look Sha and Chlo, tell her" said Danielle showing them the message.

  "She is not lying," said Sha and Chloe in unison.

  "Text back and see who it is,” said Brielle

  "Girl you late, I already did that and why you messing with some nigga name Murder. Can't leave the hood boys alone, huh?" teased Danielle sending Murder a text back.

  Brielle sat in the driver seat thinking about that name. She didn't know anybody named Murder. Shit she only had this phone for a couple hours. She didn't have a chance to give anyone her new number, not even her best friends. Shit no one even realized she had the most anticipated phone but … oh damn, the nigga who bought it. But how? When could he have? No, it couldn't be.

  Danielle interrupted her thoughts and said, " Bitch how you gone let this nigga buy you a new iPhone and then forget about him? You got it like that huh?’

  "First of all, he bought this phone because last week when I was on my lunch break. He ran into me by accident and shattered my phone on both sides and I told him the only way he could help me is by buying me a new iPhone 4. Then he asked for my number but I turned him down and told him to forget it. Then when I was at the train station today, he magically appeared with this and the rest is what they call history. However, I didn't know he had my number. So I don't know what is going on,” explained Brielle.

  "Well that sounds good, I'm calling Briya to tell her that we are around the corner and to come outside. I'm ready to party and the 40/40 club is calling my name,” said Danielle.

  Brielle pulled up to Sabriya's house and thought to herself that was too easy. Danielle was the loud mouth out of the group. Whenever she discovered something, she wouldn't let you hear the end of it until something new happen. As Sabriya hopped in the car, Brielle let it go for now, but she was sure she would hear more about this later.

  After 30 more minutes of driving, the girls finally reached the 40/40 club in Atlantic City. After the girls got out the car they noticed that the line was extremely long. Brielle got frustrated because she was one of those chicks who just simply didn't wait in lines. Just as Brielle was about to suggest that they hit another club in Atlantic City, Danielle said to the bouncer, "Our friend Murder told us to come to the front door and ask for James. Are you James?"

  "Yes, I'm James and I've been told that you are to be taken care of. Here's your VIP bands ladies and enjoy your night. If you need anything just let me know", said the bouncer.

  "Thank you! We will. Lets go party ladies" Danielle yelled.

  Brielle was confused as to what just happened but she didn't say anything until she got to the VIP Section and saw Murder there with a group of his friends popping bottles and laughing.

  "Danielle, what the hell did you do?" Brielle yelled.

&nb
sp; "Girl I was texting him from your phone and after I told him I was one of your best friends and we were headed to Atlantic City, he said we should come party with him and his team. Then when I told him that you would kill me he said, don't be the reason why true love won't get its chance between y'all! What the hell was I suppose to say?" said a laughing Danielle.

  "Girl this shit is not funny! We don't even know dude. He could be crazy and you got us trying to mingle with him,” said Brielle.

  "Crazy ain’t the word people usually use to describe me but I'll let you know now, I'm not crazy but I ain't to be fucked with. But you don't have to worry about that. You're my future wife so you’re good!" Murder said smiling while interrupting the friend’s conversation.

  "Well to be completely honest with you Mr.? What is your name? And please don't give me Murder because I know your mother did not name you Murder,” said Brielle.

  "You’re right. My mom didn't name me Murder, she named me Jaiden but, everybody else calls me Murder,” said Murder.

  "Well Jaiden, you seem like a good person and all but I really don't know you like that. You're a stranger to me, so for me to trust that you’re not crazy is asking a lot of me," Brielle offered.

  "You’re right ma! But strangers are just friends and lovers you haven't met yet," smiled Murder.

  "I guess your right, so lets start over. Hi my name is Brielle”, Brielle said sticking her hand out for Murder.

  "Wassup ma! My name is Murder, he said pulling her in for a hug, but you can call me Jaiden"

  That night Brielle and her girls partied until 4am with Murder and his boys. Afterwards they went out to breakfast. Murder and Brielle found each other very attractive. After that night they became friends and started texting and calling each other daily. Six months later, their friendship blossomed to an inseparable relationship.