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[indent][indent][indent][hr][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/center][indent][indent][indent]For as long as Carter could remember, his favorite thing about having a Christmas celebration with his father's side of the family in Oakland was finally, after spending the majority of the year apart, being able to reunite with his favorite older cousin. Not only did Carter discover his love for a certain herbal substance through his older cousin, but it was also with said boy that a new, secret tradition had begun between the two of them. First, they'd meet at their uncle's house, both accompanied by their sides of the family. Then they'd spend about twenty minutes or so getting their cheeks pinched by a certain auntie, whose makeup and wig always made her look casket ready. 

And then finally, after being interrogated for thirty minutes about their personal lives by random family members that they barely knew, they'd finally excuse themselves from the rest of the family to take a "walk" around the neighborhood. This particular Christmas, the pair decided to stop at a nearby playground to smoke Carter's supply; together they sat side by side on the swing-set, with their only source of light being a street lamp.

[color=gray]"So,"[/color] Terrell started as he fished around his jacket pocket for a lighter, [color=gray]"What's been goin on, cuzzo? What's new in your [i]lavish[/i] life down in Palm Beach?"[/color] Carter could detect the familiar hint of bitterness in his cousin's voice; it was no secret that he wasn't too fond of his best friend moving to the other side of the country.

[color=CCC6EA]"Eh, same old shit. You know how it is."[/color] Carter said, keeping things simple. [color=CCC6EA]"Spoiled rich kids, boring ass classes, open mic nights, a few organized protests here and there..."[/color]

[color=gray]"Here you go with that militant, black power... [i]Malcolm X [/i]shit again,"[/color] Terrell laughed before taking a hit from the blunt. [color=gray]"I'm talking about [i]college[/i], goofy. You always been the smart one in the family, and I know Unc was probably on your ass about applying, so where'd you get into? You thinkin' about going to college somewhere in Cali?"[/color] And there it was.

[color=CCC6EA]"Actually... nah, I think I'ma stay somewhere down south."[/color] Carter said hesitantly before taking a hit. [color=CCC6EA]"You know, like Morehouse... I got into FAMU too, so that's an option."[/color] Carter didn't even have to look at his cousin to know the face that he was making. Don't get him wrong, Carter loved Oakland, and he'd missed his other side of the family more than anything... but in his mind, moving back after graduation seemed like taking a couple of steps backwards. [color=CCC6EA]"I can still come visit and shit though, like how I'm doing now. Or you could even come visit me."[/color]

The two sat in silence after that, finishing off their own spliffs in peace. It wasn't until Terrell stood from the swing that Carter knew their bonding time was officially over. [color=gray]"Whatever, man,"[/color] Terrell said as he flicked the remaining bud into the grass, [color=gray]"Let's just head back. I'm tryna get a piece of Auntie's sweet potato pie before it's all gone."[/color]
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