Page 13 of I Changed for You
I got the hell out of there without looking back, not knowing what I’d do next. However, what I did know was that it was time for me to do things my way. I was done protecting their image. What about mine?
After not respondingto Melijah for three whole days, I knew it was time I reached out to him. Plus, my parents tried reaching out to me, but I had nothing to say to them. After what they said to me, I was done trying with them. Erika and Erin reached out, too, but I hadn’t bothered with returning either of their calls. Who knew what they had to say, and I didn’t want to find out either. I felt that if I had answered their calls, they’d be down my back like my parents, and I could do without that.
I needed to reach out to Melijah. It was time we met up and talked things out. I sat at the kitchen island drinking a mug of tea with my cell phone in my hand, staring at his number. He probably wanted nothing to do with me since I hadn’t reachedout to him. Without thinking any further, I dialed his number and waited for him to answer.
Panic swelled up inside me when he didn’t pick up the phone. When he didn’t answer after the fourth ring, I hung up. I couldn’t even blame him since I hadn’t answered any of his texts since he first reached out.
I hoisted myself to my feet and retrieved the mug of tea to rinse it out. Just as I made it to the sink, my cell phone rang. I stopped washing the dish and wiped my hands clean before I moved swiftly toward the island. I gazed at the name on the screen and quickly answered it.
“Hello?” I murmured.
“What’s up?” Melijah’s voice was so smooth and husky that I’d listen to it all day if I could.
“Hey! I called to see if you wanted to meet up and talk. I apologize for not reaching out sooner.”
“Nah, it’s all good. I understand what you’re going through. It’s cool if we meet. Do you have a place in mind?” From the sounds I heard in the background, it seemed he was outside.
“We can meet at Crème Coffee Café.” It had been a while since I had eaten anything from there. They had the best croissants I had ever tasted.
“Word. That’s not too far from my job. What time do you want to meet?”
After I gave him a time, we hung up. I turned the lights off in the kitchen before I made my way upstairs. I had never felt as alone as I did right now, living in this big house by myself. When I first purchased it, I felt on top of the world. I had a house similar to all my peers. It was big and luxurious but didn’t feel like a home. Although I’d lived in it and had it for the past six years, I no longer wanted it. It was too much for me since I had no one to share it with.
After I got dressed, I admired myself in the mirror. I loved the way the yellow and white dress hugged my small, curvy body. Since I’d taken my sew-in out, I wore my hair in a high ponytail. I couldn’t wait to get my hair redone in another full sew-in. It was my go-to hairstyle.
I sent a quick text to Camila and Jada to let them know I’d be a little late. After that, I retrieved my purse from my bed and hit the light switch in my bedroom. I wouldn’t be returning home until late in the evening. I made it to the door with my keys in my hand, scared to walk out of it. It had been extremely hot lately, and the sun made me feel sick. With a deep sigh, I opened the door and squinted my eyes from the brightness of the sun. I had to close and lock the door and rush to my car. Once I was in, I started it up and blasted the AC. Since I had given this man a time, I didn’t want to be late.
On the drive to the café, I had to honk my horn, cuss someone out, plus stick my middle finger up at someone for driving crazy. It pissed me off how people acted like they didn’t know how to drive. I arrived at the café and was glad it was easy to find a parking spot. I turned my car off and quickly exited it. The sun would melt me before I made it inside. With quick strides, I made it to the entrance and opened the door to enter. The aroma in the place was already getting to me. That wasn’t a good thing. It also wasn’t packed in here as it usually would be.
I observed my surroundings until it landed on a man with dreadlocks sitting in the back near the window. I strode toward him with my heart throbbing in my chest. The nervous feeling I felt caused my stomach to hurt. I could get through this. WhenI made it to the table, Melijah lifted his head to gaze at me. I gulped and pasted a smile on my face.
“Good morning,” I greeted.
He stood up and pulled out a chair for me. “Morning. How are you?”
I smiled. “I’m good.”
“Are you hungry?”
I lowered myself into a chair and removed my purse. When Melijah reclaimed his seat, I answered his question.
“Yes. I’m hungry, but I’m afraid to eat. I wanted to try a croissant.” I glanced at the table, seeing a to-go cup in front of him.
He chuckled. “Yeah. I’m the same way. The only thing I can tolerate is pickles. I’ve been eating them all day long.” He smiled, showing all thirty-two teeth. He had a pleasant smile.
I cringed, screwing my face. “Nuh uh. You can have that.”
He laughed. “What’s up? Are you good?” He looked over at me, causing me to avert my eyes slightly from his.
I sighed, dipping my head. “Yeah. I guess I’m okay. As good as I’m going to get. I’m just a little tired today.” I had to bite back a yawn after saying that.
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Now, the only thing I like to do is sleep, but that’s hard when I have to work all day.”
I snapped my fingers. “Yes, I’m the same way. While at work, if I need a nap, I’ll curl up on the couch in my office and take one. It’ll either make me feel good or worse.”
Melijah shook his head. “Yeah, it can be too much.”
It felt strange to sit and talk to him about the way I felt. I wouldn’t say strange in a bad way, but it was different. It always felt like we were old friends, kicking it whenever I was in his presence.
