PHANTOMS: RIDE OR DIE

distraught | 23.

It was early when I decided to get up and get out of the house. I had been staying at Ari's apartment for the past week now. It was an adjustment. I missed my large walk-in closet but at least I had somewhere to lay my head at.

I didn't speak to my parents and I didn't want to. They made their decision when they thought they could continue to control my life as if I wasn't an adult.

There was a coffee shop within walking distance so I figured I go there to see if they had a Carmel Frappe.

When I got there the shop was a little full. I didn't feel like walking back so I just stayed in line.
The person in front of me finished ordering and now it was my turn.

"Hi, how may I help you today?"

"Can I get a large caramel frappe with extra caramel ?"

"Is that all?"

"Yes." I handed her a twenty-dollar bill from out of my wallet. "Keep the change."

I grabbed my receipt that she handed me & walked off so I could wait for them to call my order number.

I suddenly had the urge to pee so I looked up at the signs that led me to the restroom in the back. I knocked on the door before walking inside of the single-stall restroom.

I hurriedly sat my stuff down on the counter and rushed over to relieve myself, making sure to squat. As I pulled my pants up the doorknob had jiggled.

"In here!" I called out.

I was using my foot to flush the toilet when I heard the door open and closed.

"Get the fuck out!" I snap while turning around.

𐩃

"Nothing to say now?" He asks, chuckling bitterly. "You had all that mouth when you called the police lying."

"Ezekiel, what the fuck are you doing?" I question while taking a step back. "Why would I ever lie on you knowing how police treat our people as is? Don't try me because I should've been went to the police with all the bullshit you put me through."

I was backed into a corner. There was nowhere for me to run and I didn't have anything or anyone to protect me.

"What the fuck was I doing? Simone, you called the cops on me over a silly ass watch." He tried playing dumb.

He pulled his hand out of his coat pocket, taking something out along with it. It was the watch. He threw it towards me and I caught it before it could touch my face.

"Nobody told you to take shit out of my house. Now you looking dumb. All the verbal and physical abuse you put me through. Stalking me. Niggas got amnesia now, huh?" I stuff the watch in my pocket. I walk around him but he grabs me by my arm, pulling me back.

"Don't walk away from me, Simone."

"Ezekiel." I glared at him. "Get off of me now. You brought this shit onto yourself so deal with it."

He pushed me into the door making a loud thud sound. Before I could react he grabbed my arms and pinned them against my back.

"Get off of me," I grunted. "You're real life delusional. It's crazy."

He grabbed my bun and pulled my head back. I hissed in pain. I tried fighting him off of me but that only led to him being more aggressive.

"Yeah you're right I think I am crazy. Drop the charges and we'll be fine."

"No. Your mental ass needs help." I fight against his hold. 

He turns me around and pushes me against the door once again. I couldn't lie and say I wasn't scared. All my old fears were coming back.

He wrapped his hand around my neck squeezing to the point that I felt like I couldn't breathe. I scratched against his arms trying to get him to release me.

"Drop them fucking charges or watch what's going to happen next." He lets me go, shoving me to the side.

Tears prickled at the corner of my eyes but I held them in, not wanting to cry in front of him. My breathing was heavy as I tried to get a hold of my it. I needed to calm myself down.

The door opened and shut, signaling his leave.