Together From the Start

TWENTY-FIVE

Chapter Twenty-Five| Destiny

Curiosity killed the cat.

Which it did.

Now, a cat is dead, and I will be too. Soon enough.

I've been cooped up in my room, for the past two days and the sad thing about it all is that if I even think about touching my front door. It could be the last thing I ever do. Yesterday another note was left for me, in my car. I didn't read it, just ran my black ass right back into my apartment.

My family has been trying to get in contact with me for the last two days. Telling me to come back home while all of this blows over. But, I refuse, although he has scared me into hiding. I won't let him ruin my last year of college.

Missed my classes on Friday and today I'm making up for the work I missed yesterday. This was supposed to be the year, shit got back to normal. But, that seems to never happen for me.

And the crazy thing about all of this is that it is happening around the same time it did last year.

Tomorrow is my birthday.

Superbowl Sunday, one of the biggest games Trevor has ever played in his life. Of course, I'm not there. I haven't spoken to him since last week. He's been busy with practices and media, I assume. But, he has called me every day, leaving voicemails every time. I honestly don't know what to say to him.

He lied to me, gaslit me. My whole family did, kept something from me, that in reality only affected me. I'm trying to not depend on them, especially since that was all I did after I got shot. Now, cutting them off wasn't the best decision, but it was right at the time.

My phone rings breaking me from my daydream, Trevor is calling for the second time today. After I watch the phone ring out, I decide to not leave him hanging and send a text to him.

Destiny: I just need some time, Trev. You have to understand that.

I don't expect him to respond so quickly, but he does.

Trevor: Talk to me, Nini, please.

I sigh, not knowing what to say or to do. He rings my phone again. I swipe to answer it.

"Destiny," he says my full name through the phone, something I'm not used to. "Please, just speak to me."

I sniffled, holding back my tears, "Trev, I just think that I really need some time to think about myself, for real this time."

And I was serious. After breaking up with Brandon, I told myself I would try to spend some time single. Obviously, that didn't work, Trevor make in and swept me off my feet. But, it was too good to be true.

"We moved way too fast into this," I spoke. "I'm sorry, Trev."

He sighs, "No need to be sorry, Nini." He takes a pregnant pause, "Just take care of yourself,okay?"

"Okay."

...

Jayda bursts into my room.

"Happy Birthday, Des. Big twenty-two in this bitch," she yells. Walking in abrutly with two large balloons that are in the shape of the number 22.

I sit up from the bed, smiling. Streching out from last nights sleep. She sits on the edge, tying the balloons to my headboard. Then, handing me a gift bag, eager for me to open it.

Inside is a silver charm bracelet, with my zodiac charm, best friend charm, and other cute charms. I set the gift down, and give her hug. "Thanks, love."