Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 9: Sister

English passed by quickly and she grew anxious for her Urban Economics class. She was not nervous. She was prepared, an excellent presenter and was extremely confident. But anxiety was the fuel and the motivator before each endeavor. Nzinga saw Badru when she entered the class, but sat several rows away from him. Students presented their updates with approving nods from the audience and unenthusiastic claps.

"Nzinga and Badru" called the professor.

She walked to the front handing the professor and his assistant a printed copy. Her diction was powerful and confident. Each point was delivered with precise justification not veering or missing the objective of the presentation. When she was complete, the class sat silent. The teacher blinked then smiled with what she had seen in many teachers' faces- appreciation as a peer and a desire to engage further beyond the scope of the classroom environment .

Badru replied to the room "And that's all we have today." his tone sounded amused with the faces in the room staring back at him.

The class ended and Nzinga separated from Badru to continue her plans for the day. Badru didn't stop her from leaving or insist on a goodbye, but rather stood at the door and watched her walk pass without an uttered word.

Nzinga's sister arrived at at Reagan international at 6 in the evening. Kitt's long thick ombré kinky hair framed her round smooth face. Her almond eyes spotted Nzinga and Kitt enthusiastically waved at her across the airport. She walked toward Nzinga with a small carryon and camel colored duffel bag. Kitt wore dark slim jeans, short cognac colored booties, a long cable knit cream cardigan with a forest green T-shirt with the continent of Africa in the center .

"Nzinga! You look beautiful!" she shouted

"The light is shining on you too!" Nzinga responded as they embraced.

Nzinga summoned a Uber for them both and proceeded to her apartment. Her phone buzzed in her lap, the screen said Dru. She hit ignore and continued the conversation. Her phone buzzed a second time indicating he left a voice message. She wondered... who still leaves voicemails??!!

"I have a few groceries in the house, and some gumbo I made on Sunday preserved in the freezer. Other than that, we will have to order something." Remarking to Kitt.

Her phone vibrated again and a text message indicator popped on her screen. She unlocked her screen and saw that Dru text her.

"Where are you?"

Annoyed she text back "picking up my sister from the airport..."

"You haven't answered your phone all day" his response was lightning fast.

"....OK" 

"You just told me something was after you and then you disappear..." it was like he was in the car with her, predicting the response before the messages were even sent.

That's fair, she thought . "You're right. I'm sorry. I'm fine. I'll catch up with you later"

"Are you on the way to the apartment?" His responses would not let up.

"Yeah, I need to clean up my space"

Several minutes passed without a response and she continued with her conversation.

Buzzzzzz 

"The pixies should be at that apartment when you arrive to help and set up a home for themselves. What time are you coming home?"

Chuckling... typical fae male behavior , although she would need to understand the difference between the Aziza and Fae - protectiveness seemed to be a consistent theme.