TLC: Sleigh Ride

Getting To Know You

Lisa P.O.V.
December 27, 1993

Today, I was suppose to be driving back to Atlanta, but I decided to stay.
I chose to stay to hangout with a cute guy I met a few days ago. His name is Jamal. He asked me out for coffee. I said yes, of course. Not only that, but I love it here in Philly. That nice Philadelphia air that you can't get anywhere else.

I slipped a blue long sleeve shirt over my head and put by arms through the sleeves. I was wearing blue jeans and black boots on the bottom.

My door was open and Ronald stood in the doorway.

"Where are you going?" He asked me.

"Ima going to hangout with a friend." I said simply.

"Oh." He said in response.

I put my hair in a bun. I didn't give detail because I didn't want to be asked any questions. I mean what if things don't work out with that Jamal guy?

"Well Ima see ya later." I grabbed my jacket and put it on. Then I grabbed my keys and my bag.

"Alright."

I walked out of my room and past Ronald.

Then I went down the hallway and walked out the door. I got in my jeep and backed out of the driveway. I saw Raina look out her window. I honked the horn and drove off.

***
Ryan's Coffee Shop

I parked my car on the street, near the sidewalk. Then I got out. I walked inside and saw Jamal sitting at a table. I walked up to him.

"Hey." I said casually.

He looked back. "Hey." He got up and gave me a friendly hug. "How are you?"

"Good, what about you?"

"Great." He said. "Are you ready to go order?"

"Yea."

We both walked towards the cash register.

"Hello. What can I get you today?" The cashier asked.

I examined the menu. "I'll get a Medium cup of cocoa and a glazed donut."

"Ok and for you, sir?" The cashier asked.

"Let me get the...walnut cinnamon coffee cake and a small cup of coffee. Decaf." Jamal said. Jamal handed her the money.

"Ok...one sec." She said.

We stood there for a minute.

"Here you go." The cashier handed us our food on a tray.

We walked to the table that Jamal was sitting at before. Both of us grabbed our stuff off of the tray.

"So tell me about yourself." Jamal said taking a sip of coffee.

"What all do you want to know?" I asked.

"Anything."

"Anything can be a lot." I admitted.

"Whatever you're comfortable with."
He said.

"Alright." I thought. I took a sip of my cocoa. "My name is Lisa Lopes. I'm 22, I have 2 siblings, and I'm part of a girl group."

"So you sing?" He asked.

"Well, backup vocals, occasionally. But I'm a rapper. I prefer to be called an entertainer."

Jamal nodded and took a bite of his coffee cake. "Nice. What group are you in?"

"We're called TLC."

"I've heard of y'all. I think I've heard one y'all songs on the radio."

"Oh yea? Which one?"

"I think it was about friends." He said.

"What about your friends." I said.

"Yea, that was it. It sounded dope."

"Thanks." I said smiling.

"You're welcome." Jamal said. "So is that all I should know?"

"For now, yes." I answered.

"Ok then." He took another sip of coffee.

"So tell me about you." I said.

"Well, my name is Jamal Lyon. I'm 21 and have 2 brothers. I'm a family and music guy. Like I literally quote song lyrics all day." Jamal said.

I took a bite out if my donut. "Wow. What's your favorite type of music?"

"Well. I can't give you a genre, but I love music with a message. Like that song you and yo group did."

"Me too. I love music that touches the heart." I admitted.

Jamal just looked at me and smiled.

"So what's your talent?" I brought up randomly.

"Well I can sing, rap, create poetry."

I would love to hear him sing right now. "Can I hear a sample?"

"Sure." He took a sip of coffee then cleared his throat. He began to sing. "Isn't she lovely, Isn't she wonderful
Isn't she precious, Less than one minute old
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she
But isn't she lovely made from love "

That just made me like him even more. "Wow, that was beautiful."

"Thanks." He smiled at me again.

"You should really record yourself in the studio."

"Yea, I'm trying to work that out with my dad." He said.

"Oh." I took about the bit out of my donut and took a sip of cocoa.

"So you said you live in Atlanta?" Jamal asked.

"Yea, but I wanna move back."

"Why, it's great there."

"Yea, but I have my own personal reasons." I said. I felt like telling him why, but I don't even know him like that. I just feel so comfortable talking to him.

"I understand." He said.

I smiled cause I knew he meant it.

"Well I should get going." He said.

Aww man, really? Was it something I said or did?

"I have to help my mom move into her apartment since she just got back." Jamal said standing up.

"Ok." I stood up and he gave me another friendly hug.

"I'll call you soon." He released me from the hug.

"Don't forget to call the house phone. I'll be back at home tomorrow." I reminded him.

He threw the trash away and put on his coat. "I won't."

I put my coat on and we both left out at the same time.

"Bye." I said.

"Bye." He waved and we both went to our separate vehicles.