The day has gone by so quickly and I haven't seen Mekhi at all. Like a crazy person I've been looking around for him all day maybe he's an upper classman; I haven't considered that at all. The rain has turned to mist as I get into my car to head back to the coffee shop to meet Rylie and Nova. Just like this morning I'm able to park near the front so I grab my bag and wristlet and head inside. I find them at a table near the front window so I go over to meet them.
"Leeenaaa! What's up," Riley says loud enough for those close enough to hear and pulls me into a hug. She releases me just in time to get Nova's hug.
"Hey chica, what's going," Nova says giving me a little squeeze. We all sit and I smile at my two best friends. It's been about a month since I've seen them face to face.
"Nothing much guys. Mom's trying to get me out the house so I called you two," I say feeling a little guilty for neglecting our friendship.
"Hmm, I see. Kudos to ma. So what did you guys want to do," Rylie says looking between us.
"I'm not even sure. I thought karaoke or something, but I got invited to a basketball game Saturday. I'm not even sure I want to go though," I say looking at Rylie and Nova; who are looking at me with big eyes and mouths slightly open.
"Who invited you," Nova musters up the strength to ask.
"Umm some guy named Mekhi, do you guys know him," I ask feeling myself get a little nervous and self-conscious as they're both still staring at me and barely blinking.
"Mekhi Johnson," Rylie asks moving a little closer.
"I don't know. I didn't ask his last name; we just met this morning," I say looking at her and Nova dropping my bag on the floor next to me.
"Tall, handsome, brown skin brother," Rylie asks looking at me.
"Yeah with a PBS, that's him," I reply in a small voice.
"Lena he's a star on the basketball team! How did you not know that," Nova says giggling.
"I don't know, y'all know I don't be keeping up with that stuff," I say a little relieved and anxious because this dude is somebody.
"Wowwww, chicks stay surrounding that guy. How did you not know? And what is PBS," Rylie says giggling as well.
"Panty Busting Smile," I say giggling with them. So that's what it is, he's super popular and a star. I should have guessed that by how handsome he is and being on the basketball team.
"Girrrlll I'mma have to use that. That's funny! PBS," Rylie says laughing slapping her hand on the table.
"Seriously though, how did you meet him? He's two years over us," Nova says patiently ready to listen to my story and Rylie follows suit.
"I met him here at the coffee shop actually; he caught my umbrella when the wind blew it out my hands," I say to them gaining confidence.
"Sooo he caught your umbrella and was like 'Do you wanna come to my game'? Come on girl, details," Rylie says looking for more information.
"Not exactly. He caught my umbrella and we came in and waited in the long line so we made small talk," I say looking at them.
"You made small talk…" Nova says.
"Well to thank him for catching my umbrella I tried to pay for his stuff…" I say getting a little nervous again.
"Aww girl…" Rylie says.
"Shhhhh," Nova hisses to Rylie.
"Well like I said 'I tried', but he ended up paying for my stuff instead. So he suggested we sit somewhere and chat and we did…that's when he invited me to his game. I told him I don't know yet though," I say finishing my story.
"Wow! How did this make you feel Lena? You didn't feel pressured or anything right," Nova says grabbing my hand.
"Actually no. I was confused at first cuz y'all know the whole thing with Jay but, talking to him I realized that I feel like I wasted about a year worrying about that fool. I actually looked him in the face and I'm so attracted to him it scares me," I say opening up to my two best friends. This feels good and cathartic.
"Wow! This is big," Rylie says smiling.
"Right," Nova and I say together and instantly start laughing.
"What am I supposed to do y'all," I ask my friends pleadingly.
"Well…do you like him," Nova asks.
"How is she supposed to know she just met the man," Rylie says taking the words right out of my mouth.
"I don't know. I mean I did just meet him. I don't even remember seeing him before today," I say backing Rylie.
"That's true. I can't believe you haven't seen him around though. I know this had been a rough year, but girl he's gorgeous," Nova says giggling at the end.
"Yeah he is. And you know I normally would have rejected him; something just feels different," I say to my friends.
"You're right something is different. Today you are wearing a color that is not black, grey, or white for starters," Rylie says looking at me.
"And you've pulled all your hair back into a pony tail; unlike before where you had the curly bang going on," Nova says looking at me too.
"I don't know today just feels a little different. I'm okay with it though," I say smiling at my friends.
"Yeah, we are too," Rylie says smiling at us.
"Feels like I'm becoming myself again," I say looking at my friends.
"Nah chica you're becoming a better version of yourself," Nova says smiling at me.
"Yeah, a better version," I say.
"To better versions of us," Rylie says putting her hand out.
"To better versions of us," Nova and I respond placing our hands on top of hers.
"So are we going to the game or what," Nova asks.
"Hmm, we should have breakfast or brunch first. If he's really that popular I don't want to go running because he calls. Let's show up around half time," I say looking at my friends who both have a shocked look on their faces.
"Sounds good to me," Rylie says recovering.
"Yeah me too," Nova agrees.
"Cool, then that's what we'll do. I'm not sure about after the game though, I guess we can cross that bridge when we get there," I respond feeling very confident and in control of myself.
"Alright Lena," Rylie says clapping and smiling.
"You're back mama," Nova says a little emotional.
"Alright guys, don't let me sink again," I say feeling a little emotional looking at Nova.
"We can't promise to not let you sink, we can promise to be there to pick you up though," Rylie says.
"So this guy better not be playing around," Nova says giggling to lighten the mood.
"Well we don't know what he is but, I won't lose myself this time," I say reaffirming myself to myself and my friends.
We spend the rest of the evening doing homework and having girl talk. It's been a while since I have really participated in girl talk and I miss it. I text my mom to let her know I'm going to have dinner at the diner across from the coffee shop with Rylie and Nova. I know she's happy because she tells me to take my time coming home. After two hours of homework we go over to the diner and have dinner. I have a huge bowl of macaroni and cheese and a cola with light ice. Rylie has chicken tenders and Nova has a cheeseburger. We always order the same food when we come here, next time I'll get something different.
When I get home I find my mom in the kitchen having a cup of tea so I join her. I take my boots and rain jacket off at the door, drop my bag on a chair, wash my hands, and grab a mug to fill with water. I sit in the chair across from my mom and drop a tea bag into my mug full of water. My mom is wearing her red bath robe and her hair is wrapped up in a silk scarf. I yawn, stretch, and wrap my hands around the warm mug and relax in my chair."It seems as though you've had a busy day," mom says smiling at me and touching my hair."Yeah, I did. I'm glad that I called Rylie and Nova and met up with them today," I say to my mom feeling sleep weigh on me."I'm glad you did too. Your eyes are glowing with life and happiness," my mom says."I didn't realize that they were devoid of life; Nova and Rylie said kind of like the same thing earlier," I respond putting sugar into my tea and taking a s
Beep!Beep!Beep! It is Friday, I roll over and turn off my alarm with a little more enthusiasm than needed. Last night I had that dream again except the guy didn't leave me behind, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the light with him. It feels like my dreams are mimicking my reality because I feel myself coming alive with each passing day. I check the weather to figure out an outfit for today and proceed to begin my morning ritual. The weather isn't going to be too bad, low sixties and partly cloudy. I'll wear my white v neck t shirt, destructed light blue jeans, and boats shoes. I put on my necklace with the peacock pendant and put on a little lip gloss to finish my look for the day. This week has gone by so fast and with each day I change a little more for the better.KnockKnockKnock"Lena could you give us a
I have missed feeling cute and positive. Unable to find a spot in front of the café I end up parking on the side of the building and having to walk around to the front. Good thing the weather isn't bad today. I go inside and the familiar smell of coffee hits me and I stand in line thinking about what I want to eat. As the line moves along I decide on a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a croissant with hash browns and orange juice; I'll get my coffee to go later. I order my food and head over to my spot to drop my bag in a chair to save my space while I'm waiting for my breakfast. As I am waiting I pull out some notes to go over for my Biology class, exams are coming soon and I want to be as prepared as possible. As I'm going over my notes I hear the cashier call my order so I go to retrieve it. On my way back to my table I notice someone sitting there with their head down. I have no idea who it could be so I pick up the pace because my stuff is still th
The day flies by again, this time I got to see Mekhi a few times in between classes although he doesn't see me I'm content. This nice March day has me feeling really good and a little more than optimistic. I check my phone and see that my mom has messaged me that she will be home late so we will have dinner at dad's restaurant downtown. I text her back and text my dad as well. I catch up with Nova and Rylie in the parking lot next to my car and fill them in on some of the details from my morning with Mekhi."Damn girl, you got it bad," Rylie says jokingly."Nah chica, you're wrong. He's the one who has it bad," Nova says and I immediately agree with her to take the heat off of me."Exactly, I didn't know he was going to be there," I say backing Nova."Yeah, but you weren't upset that he was there either," Rylie says laughing."You damn right! I was shocked," I say laughing with h
"Hellloooooooo," I call out to see if the twins are home and kick my shoes off at the door."Yeah," Jackson and Journee call out in unison."Just checking to see if you guys were here," I call out to them as I head to my room and freshen up for dinner. I turn on my speaker and play music from my phone while I get ready.KnockKnock"Na-na can I come in," Journee asks."Of course," I respond leaning out of the bathroom to see who it is."So what's new with you," she asks sitting in the chair at my desk."Hmm a lot apparently. What about you," I reply smiling at her sitting cross legged in my fluffy chair."Same as usual. I did make a little progress with Derek," she says with a shy smile."Really? I'm happy for you," I say genuinely happy for my baby sister who isn't a baby any
"Lenaaaaaaa," a familiar voice calls.I turn around to see who it is and I can't believe my eyes…it's Mekhi with a group of guys. That wakes me up more than the cool evening air does."Hey," I say as we walk toward one another closing the distance. I look back at the twins and they stop and stare as well."Hey baby," he says smiling hugging me and I'm losing my mind hugging him back."Hmm," I manage to get out as I take in his scent and relax into his arms."That's twice in one day. Since I've got you here let's exchange numbers; I realized I didn't have your number after I left the café this morning," he says releasing me and pulling his phone from his pocket."See, I knew you were a stalker," I say with a half-smile exchanging phones with him."Nah, me and the guys came down here after practice. I had no idea
Me: Y'all guess what?!?!?!? Nova: WHAT? Rylie: Whatttttt???? Me: I just ran into Mekhi while leaving Dad's place downtown!!! Rylie: !!!!!!!!! Nova: For real!?!?!? Me: Yes y'all!! And the twins were with me! Rylie: Well? What happened? Nova: Yes mamma, details! Me: We hugged and exchanged numbers! Y'all he smells so good! Rylie: Oooo you got the digits! Yessss girl! Nova: Whoop, Whoop!! Have you contacted him yet? Me: Nah, I just got in 10 min ago. Rylie: Well, what are you waiting for? Nova: She said she just got in the house…. Rylie: True Me: So what do you guys want to do tomorrow besides have brunch?? Rylie: I thought you wanted to go to the basketball game?!?! Nova: Right…what ^^ said! Me: I do, but I don't want to stay for the whole game. Let's go around half time or something… Rylie: That's cool with me…maybe we can get
"Baby, open your eyes. It's beautiful here…" Beep! Beep! Beep! Today's the day! I roll over and turn off the alarm and lay for a few more moments remembering the voice of the man in my dream. I run my fingertips along my arm and feel goosebumps to go with the burning blush I feel from my dream. I get my thoughts together and finally roll out of bed and get ready for my day with the girls and Mekhi. I check the weather after brushing my teeth and washing my face and see that today is going to be another beautiful day. Since I'm getting my nails done with the girls first I put on a pair of light blue jeggings and a white tank top with a pink and white floral kimono then I finish the look with a pair of open toed sandals and pearl earrings. I go into the bathroom to brush my hair into a high sleek bun and leave a few curls loose and apply a little lip gloss as well. When I'm finished I text the girls to