Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 10: Water

Wednesday morning she did not get up for yoga. Instead she sat up in bed, prayed and read several verses of the Bible and journaled. Around 7 she jumped in the shower, got dressed in opaque black leggings, a black floral skirt and black tank top. She pulled her hair in a high ponytail, applied mascara and gloss to her lips and grabbed her mustard colored cardigan before putting on her suede black mary jane shoes. Nzinga walked into the kitchen to see a fully dressed Dru... "When did you get dressed? I've been up since 6 and heard nothing." she asked in surprise.

"I showered around 5 and dressed in the living room. I made some green smoothies while you were in the shower" Dru responded pointing to two mason jars on the countertop.

"Thank you... uh, I don't think I'll need to stay here any longer. The pixies are awesome protectors and my place is cleansed of any spirits. I also think I know what the thing was looking for"

"How do you know it won't come back and get it?"

" Because, I've also asked the Divine to shield my family - everything else is faith"

"Well, what is it? What did you find?" His curiosity evident in his words.

"Another time...either way , my sister and I are used to this and spent our lives protecting ourselves." She gathered her things and placed them on top of her small suitcase. She gripped the door handle to leave. "I'm calling a uber - I'll see you later?"

"Let me put those in my car. I'll drop it off at that apartment after class." He walked up to her and grabbed her things. "I'll drive to campus today if you're ready to go." Being so close she could hear him inhale the scent of coconut oil she applied to her scalp. He licked his lips and played it off by reaching for his chapstick with his free hand. They both headed toward the door out to the car and headed to class.

After her last class of the day, she met with her committee to discussed the forum. "Have you completed the panel questions? Have we received confirmation of attendees?" Nzinga inquired from her committee. She was always in charge, even if she wasn't in charge.

"All is complete and we're ready for Saturday. The coordinated color we're wearing is black with violets and pearls." Haley responded.

"Awesome! See everyone then!" Nzinga looked at her watch and saw it was already 6.

"Need a ride back to your place?" Haley asked while both ladies packed up their things.

"That would actually be great."

In the car the two ladies discussed the forum more and then laughed at a clip of the Trevor Noah show playing on the radio. They arrived at her place, Nzinga gave Haley a quick hug and walked quickly in the building. She bounced up the stairs arrived at the door greeted by Kitt who was too excited to see her. "Finally!"

The house smelled like warm apples and cinnamon. Eric Bellinger played in the background and a raucous laughter could be heard from a plant on the windowsill. The place was alive with cheer, Nzinga smiled. "Has Dru dropped by with my things?"

"Yeah. He said he'll be back around 8." she shouted from the kitchen. Nzinga walked toward her to see a small brown female pixie with dark eyes and shoulder length black hair laughing and talking with Kitt. Her wings were translucent with gold, brown and black outlines along the edges. "Nzinga, this is Calida" Calida responded back in a rich spanish accent "Hello Nzinga!"

Nzinga smiled brightly and waved back. She went to her room to remove her shoes and lay down her bag. The doorbell rang and Dru's voice rumbled with a deep "Hello everyone". He sounded warm, maybe even happy. Definitely not his normally solemn serious self. Walking out to the common space the pixies all flew and landed on him each one greeting him before flying back to resume their activities. Nzinga marveled at the male standing there. He caught her eyes and smiled and removed his backpack and duffle bag from his shoulder.