With Friends Like You...
Maisha Mahalia
March 9, 2018

Lyric James - Can't seem to catch a break when it comes to finding a friend. Her friends give new meaning to T.R.U.: Trifling, Ratchet, and Underhanded. Lyric's friends portray themselves to be ride or die, while making plans to ride over her. Or so they think.

Nicole Macon - Lyric's BFF. They have big plans to start a company together. Nicole watches her best friend make all the moves and holds it against her. Nicole knows she could be doing the things that Lyric is doing yet she just won't. She is not able to put old ways aside. Nicole sets out to manipulate and come up once her "friends" coattail, all the while trying to sabotage her BFF. However, there's one move she never sees coming.

J'Miyah Miller - Knows Lyric would do anything to help her. Lyric has never let me down yet J'Miyah envies her because of her relationship with Nicole. She knows the schemes that Nicole plays and feels it is her duty to throw salt on that relationship to make sure she isn't left out when Lyric comes up. She will receive her just reward in the end.

Jason Thomas - Has done nothing but lets Lyric down time and time again. He is a fair weather friend if there ever was one. Jason pops in and out of her life like a jack-in-the-box. He really cares for her, but he knows her past. Never thinks about the fact that he played a part in her past. Strings her along to keep anyone else from having her. He doesn't realize the strings are frayed.

Bianca Kitchens - She sees the antics of Nicole and J'Miyah. Bianca hips Lyric to their games while she remains cordial to them. She helps Lyric devise a plan to remove them from her life once and for all. No one knows these two have formed a bond that will sever theirs.

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Prologue

Lyric's party was lit. Rocking a dress that was a butterfly design wrapper around her body, she looked like a queen. Her new short cut fit her face and brought out her eyes. Butterfly shoes encased her feet. She couldn't wait until it was time to make her announcements. There were going to be a lot of people shocked by what she would reveal.

She looked at the crowd, at her so-called friends. Nicole was going to be surprised by her announcement, and she hoped she wouldn't start a fight afterwards. J'Miyah was going to be beside herself, and Lyric knew what she was about to do would hurt her but it needed to be done for her own good. She really wanted to see the reaction on Jason's face when she sprung her news. It would be worth it though.

"Hey, Lyric. You ready to make your announcements?" Bianca asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Lyric replied as she walked to the stage.

Nicole watched as Lyric walked on stage. "I know my BFF is about to announce the opening of our salon Buttafly's." Nicole was smiling from ear to ear.

She had dressed for the occasion. The cream Karan pantsuit, mauve bell sleeved Vera Wang blouse she had fit her to perfection. The Red Bottom shoes on her feet made her five foot, three inch frame seem taller. Her quick weave was a short Halle Berry style with soft lavender highlights. Most would think this looked ghetto, but she made it work. Her dark complexion brought it out. Nicole loved the fact that she didn't have to do any work and would still reap the benefits. "Lyric better not shit me out of my money," she thought as she watched Lyric take the stage.

"Man, Lyric is going to announce me as her manager for Buttafly's, I just know it," J'Miyah thought as she watched her friend walk to the front of the room. Looking over at Nicole, she shook her head in disgust. She tried time and time again to warn Lyric about her shady ass friend, but it was like the girl had blinders on when it came to that ratchet ass bitch. J'Miyah wished Lyric would open her eyes. She hated for her to get fucked over by that two-faced ho.

Lyric was always looking out for her and she never had to worry about a place to live. So she would keep trying to look out for Lyric and herself. "I can't wait to move to Atlanta. Maybe Lyric and I can become closer."

Jason watch Lyric strut up the aisle. That dressed showed off her fit body. He loved the way they connected when having sex. Lyric was a real freak and he liked the fact that she didn't run her mouth. They had been cut buddies since the day he moved to Georgia. Even though he hooked up with Tawanda Lord, he and Lyric continued to hook up sexually. He would never leave Tawanda. Why would he? She was the mother to his daughter and never complained about his cheating. Tawanda let him have his cake and eat it too. "I can't wait to get her in bed tonight."

As Lyric took in the crowd, she took a deep breath and stepped up to the microphone.

"Thank you all for coming..."

Loud applause filled the room. She waited until it died down.

"Thank you all for coming out and helping me celebrate my birthday."
"We love you, Lyric!"
Lyric laughed and continued, "Tonight is about growth, maturity, and change. As you all know, I have been striving to open my own business with the help of a very supportive friend."

Nicole grinned ear to ear. J'Miyah looked over at her and rolled her eyes. "Bitch," she said under her breath.

"Well, on February 27th, Buttafly's will have its grand opening in Atlanta. It will be an upscale restaurant that caters to the elite."

Applause.

"What the hell?" Nicole thought. "That's not the kind of business we talked about. It was supposed to be a salon." She couldn't wait to catch up with this bitch and ask her what the fuck happened.
J'Miyah smirked. "Damn, she finally listened."

"It will be managed by my good friend..."

J'Miyah started to stand. Nicole figured being a manager was better than nothing.

"Bianca Kitchens. Bianca, please come up and say a few words." Lyric's eyes searched the crowd and found the two people she knew would be blown by the news. To her delight, they both looked devastated.

"That bitch," J'Miyah hissed. "She told me I would be the manager. Damn, now what am I going to do!?"

Bianca walked on stage, shocked. She knew nothing about this. "Uh... thank you. It will be a pleasure to work with you."

"Now, for my final announcement. I would like to introduce you to my fiancé."

Jason was dumbfounded. He didn't know she was seeing someone. That would explain why she had been avoiding him for the last six months.

"Terrance, would you please come up?"
"Happy birthday, baby," Terrance said before giving Lyric a sensual kiss.

The crowd applauded. Only a few stood in silence.

"Okay, I know I shocked a few people."
"You damn sure did!" Nicole spat.
"Well, let me enlighten you. It is said that people come into your life for a reason, whether it be for a lifetime or a season. Nicole, you were one that was placed only for a season. You helped me realize the saying: 'Not everyone that is in your corner is for you.' It's true. I always wondered why it seemed like I was getting nowhere with my plans. You tried to sabotage me by talking bad about me and even telling my contacts that I was trying to get one over you. You just wanted a ride on my coattail.

"J'Miyah, I have always been there for you and never let you down. Made sure you were straight. Well, baby girl, it's time you stood on your own two feet. Your free ride is over, at least from me anyway.

"Jason, you toyed with my feelings and emotions long enough. I deserve better than what you have been offering, and I found it in Terrance. So I just want you three to know that with friends like you, I don't need enemies. Thank you all for coming."