INNOCENCE

• nine

NELLIE

2 months ahead.

I watch a murder documentary on Netflix quietly until my phone rings. I groan in annoyance & pause the tv staring at my phone with a frown. I grab my phone & my frown is quickly replaced with a smile. Leonardo.

I answer his incoming FaceTime call with my nose. His deep chuckle is heard from the other end of the line.

"Uh, you can back up a little bit." He jokes & I laugh.

"TikTok!"

"What are you doing right now love?" He questions & I furrow my eyebrows.

"Watching a murder documentary." I respond.

"Go get dressed, I'm picking you up." He speaks & I attempt to hide the smile forming on my lips.

"For what?"

"Just go get dressed ET." He teases & I scoff.

Did this white man just call me an Alien?

"It's because I'm a fat negro isn't it?" I fake cry & he snorts.

"Never. Go get ready pretty girl." He sticks his tongue out & I do the same making him laugh. I end the call & hop off my bed heading into the bathroom. I turn on the shower & strip out of my clothes.

"Let's see what this man is up to." I whisper to myself before entering the shower.

•••

As I'm putting on one of my white sandals, Leo FaceTimes me once again letting me know he's downstairs.

"Hurry up before the food gets cold." He speaks & my eyes widen.

"Food?!"

I quickly grab my house keys & basically bolt out of my apartment holding one of my sandals in my hands.

"I'm coming!" I run to the elevator & press the button.

"Take the stairs love." He chuckles & I scoff.

"Uh sir, I'm on the 16th floor. What makes you think my fat ass will walk down 16 flights of stairs?!" I speak in disbelief & he chuckles in response.

"Fair enough & you're not fat. Don't speak about yourself that way." He points at the camera & I roll my eyes.

"Bleh."

The elevator doors finally open & I step in clicking the main floor button. The doors close & I watch the numbers go down. I look down at my phone & gag, my double chin being visible.

Ew.

I take the time to put on my other sandal. I finally reach the main level & step out speed walking out of the building. I spot his car across the street & I hear his deep chuckle on the phone.

"Look closely, I don't want you getting ran over." He laughed humorously & I snort.

"Shut up!" I laugh & end the call. I look on both sides before crossing. I reach his car & open the passenger seat stepping in. I shut the door behind me & I'm greeted with a soft tap to the forehead.