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.
Knock
Knock
Knock
"Lena could you give us a ride to school, we don't feel like walking and dad's already gone," Journee yells outside my door.
"Yeah, I'll give you guys a ride. I'll be out in a few minutes," I call back. I go into the bathroom to brush my teeth, wash and moisturize my face, and fix my twist out. I put on a little body spray and grab my jean jacket, bag, and wristlet and leave my room.
I get to the kitchen and see that Journee is there and ready, but Jackson isn't anywhere that I can see him.
"Where's Jackson? Are you guys ready or what," I ask looking around for him.
"He's fixing his hair, he should be ready soon," Journee says.
"Okay, is mom here or did she leave too," I ask.
"She went in to the office today, she said she had a morning meeting with a client or something," she says looking me over.
"Ah, okay," I say.
"Sis, you look nice today. Are you okay," Journee asks.
"Yeah, I'm better than okay. Thanks," I say smiling at her. I should've known the twins would notice my changes even though they're still in high school they are perceptive to things like this.
"That's good. It seems like you're in a better mood or headspace I should say," Journee says.
"It's been a while huh? I was lost a little while ago; I don't plan on going back there," I say to Journee.
Her and Jackson have had a front row seat to my depression and self-imposed isolation and have been stepping up to be more responsible in the wake of it all.
"Yeah, it has. I'm glad you overcame your depression sis. We knew you would," she says smiling at me.
"Yeah, I am too," I say walking over to squeeze her hand reassuringly letting her know it's all going to work out just fine.
"Yoo, big sis! Why are you dressed so nice? Got a boyfriend or something," Jackson asks as he slings his bag onto his shoulder.
"Nope, no boyfriend. Just feeling myself, can't I do that," I respond back to him knowing he's just being silly.
"Yeah, I guess. It's been a minute though, I'm glad you feeling yourself sis," he says patting my head because he's protective of me even though I'm the older sister.
"Thanks Jackson and you too Journee. I really appreciate it guys! Now let's get y'all to school before y'all are late," I say proudly. They really are growing up fast, it's only a three year difference between the twins and me, but I've always been responsible for them. We leave and lock up the house and go to my car. The twins both sit in the backseat leaving the passenger seat available for my bag, I let the car warm up before pulling off.
"So what have you guys been up to? I haven't seen y'all like all week," I ask the twins.
"What have YOU been up to," they reply in unison. I see they're in sync this morning.
"Huh," I say feigning innocence. I haven't been home before they go to bed all week and barely see them in the morning. I've been hanging out and studying with the girls all week it's been really chill being around them again.
"You haven't been home like all week, for real," Jackson says.
"Right, so do you have a boyfriend," Journee asks following right behind Jackson.
"Nah, I told y'all before I don't have a boyfriend. I've been hanging out with Rylie and Nova; studying and having dinner," I reply to their interrogation.
"Uh huh, it's been a long time since you've looked like this though. All happy and what not. Hair all done and lip gloss poppin'," Jackson says perceptively.
"Yeah, I know. That break up with Jay was bad for me y'all. I was lost for a while; I'm just finding my new self and practicing a little more self-love," I say candidly. The twins have always been perceptive and I've never really tried to hide anything from them because I literally can't. They notice everything and can be very understanding.
"Yeah, we know. That's why we can't forgive him," Journee says seriously.
"You should. Forgive and move on. I am, it wasn't easy for me, but once the haze lifted I ran whole heartedly out of it. I don't hate him anymore, it's not worth my energy and you guys shouldn't waste your energy on it either," I say with the wisdom I've gained from the whole ordeal.
"Yeah, you're right big sis," Jackson says.
"Thanks y'all I appreciate you guys more than you know," I say because it's true. I pull up to the school and they get out the car.
"Thanks sis, see you later," Jackson says and hops out of the car.
"Thank you, see you later," Journee says closing the door and following behind Jackson.
"No problem," I reply before the door slams.
Whew! What a morning. I have to get something to eat, I could go home and make some breakfast…or I could go to the café. The café, I decide. I turn on the radio and listen to some old school R&B music on my way there. The conversation with the twins replay in my head again, they are maturing right before my eyes and I'm proud of them. There are times when they fight and don't speak to each other, but it never lasts long because they can't stand not speaking to each other for too long. Now anyone else they're giving the silent treatment to be out of luck, when one is mad at you, they're both mad at you like a married couple. I guess it's a twin thing. I'm glad they gave me space during the whole ordeal and were even nice enough to comment on my outfit and mood this morning.
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
When we are finished at the nail salon we sing our nail techs praises, pay our bill, and leave the salon feeling refreshed and a little more confident than when we entered. We discuss a place for brunch and decide on a place that sells chicken and waffles that's more than a few blocks away. So we get in our cars and drive the ten minutes away to the restaurant and are luckily able to find parking in the front so we don't have to do much walking. When we get inside we are greeted and seated within a few minutes. The air smells of fried chicken and sweet maple syrup and it is very intoxicating. The furniture is dark colored with light colored walls and a lot of natural lighting; it is much different from the darkness of my favorite coffee shop, but this place reflects my current mood. When the girls and I get our drinks and appetizers we loosen up and talk as the edge hunger causes eases."Are you ready to go to the game," Nova asks.&n
We park almost at the end of the parking lot so that we can be next to each other given that it's already so crowded and it'll be easier to remember where we parked. We join the small crowd of people heading to the gym and go through the process of purchasing tickets, using the bathroom, and finding our seats. We are seated next to the tunnel our players will be coming out of and I just so happen to have the end seat. I take my seat and relax into the chair and chat with the girls while we wait for the game to start. Suddenly the lights dim and the announcer begins…here comes the away team and their starting lineup. They look confident and very sure of themselves as they proceed to their bench. Then the announcer builds up excitement and with a booming voice introduces the home team and the crowd goes wild! I stand to look over the rail and watch the team jog out and see that the starting lineup is waiting to be called. He starts to call out some