Page 77 of Church Girl
I glance at him, searching his face to see if this is a platonic offer or...
“Nah.” He chuckles, holding up his hands. “It’s not like that. Afriendlylunch, that’s all.”
My laughter joins his, and why not? Shoot, I don’t want to be alone anyway. And he’s smart and funny and will be good company. It’ll keep my mind off...Stop it, Aaliyah. God, can’t you go twenty minutes without thinking of him?
“That’s sounds good. You okay with McDonald’s or do you want to go somewhere else?”
“Mickey D’s is good.”
We hike over to one of the student parking lots, talking about our class and what’ll probably be on the final after Thanksgiving break.
Thanksgiving.
At one time, I imagined spending it with Tamara, Von and Gia. That dream looks a lot different now. Sadness spears me in the chest, and I rub my knuckles over the aching spot. Gia has called me more than a few times, and those conversations have been the bright spot in my days. But it’s not the same as seeing her and spending time with her.
God, I miss her.
“Uh, Aaliyah. Please tell me you know that Ryan Henry looking dude mugging the shit out of me. I mean, I’ll cape for you if I have to, but damn, that muthafucka huge.”
“Huh?” I toss him a startled look, but he dips his head in the direction of my parked car.
“Over there.”
I follow the line of his sight, and my heart stalls behind my ribs before speeding up so much I’m light-headed. “Von?”
I’m not even aware I said his name aloud until he pushes off the side of my car and walks forward, pausing at the rear of his truck. The truck I’m just now noticing is next to my car.
“Aaliyah.” He switches his attention to Amari. “Who’re you?”
“Her friend and classmate who has zero interest in her other than her class notes, bruh.” He glances at me. “Tell him, Aaliyah, before he knocks my ass to sleep.”
“Seriously, Amari?”
“Dead ass.” He laughs. “Look, I’ll get up with you later. Looks like you have different plans for lunch. See you.”
With that, he walks off, leaving me alone with Von.
My heart still pounds, throwing itself against my chest as if trying to get back to its owner. The traitorous thing obviously hasn’t learned its lesson.
“What’re you doing here?” I ask, proud of myself when my voice emerges cool, unbothered.
“Came to see you.” His gaze shifts in the direction where Amari disappeared. “Who’s he?”
“A friend. Not that it’s your business. What did you want?” An alarming thought suddenly pops in my head. “Is it Gia? Is everything okay with her?”
“She’s good. Well,” he grunts, “she’s fine anyway.”
“What does that mean, she’s fine? Did something happen?”
“Yeah, you left. She hasn’t been good since then.”
Guilt seeps inside me, but so does anger. As if he didn’t have anything to do with my resigning. I bear the responsibility, too. I knew better than to get intimately involved with him.
“I miss her, too.”
“She’s not the only one who hasn’t been good.”
My mouth and throat go dry.
