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toni braxton — fit. ⤴
I'm so tired. I really didn't want to go to this class, but I've stalled on it for too long. It's public speaking. And, with me being a mental health advocate, it's needed.
I threw my shoes on, fixed my socks and grabbed my bag. I knocked on that girl's—on Janet's door and waited by the front.
I could've sworn I heard her fall or something but I shrugged it off, it wasn't my business. Two minutes later, her door swung open and she nearly tripped on herself on the way out.
I raised my eyebrows, that being my way of asking if she was alright, she nodded and gave a nervous smile.
Jesus she's awkward.
"You ready?" I asked, already opening the front door.
"Mhm! Is this—is this okay to wear? I wasn't sure because—"
"Yeah, it's fine." I cut her off, saving her the embarrassment. I could tell she was a rambler.
"O—alright." She mumbled looking down.
Her outfit was actually cute. It wasn't my style, but it looked good on her nonetheless. She was one hundred percent the time to wear Doc Martins, and I had to admit she wore them well.
She reminded me of a hippie. Her outfit wasn't exactly fit for this weather, but still looked warm.
"We'll take my car. Sometimes you might have to take the bus depending on if we have classes around the same time or not." I told her. She just nodded while I unlocked the car doors.
The car ride was pretty silent, I'm not much of a talker. Plus, I didn't need her running back to Ciara's manly self saying I'm flirting with her.
I was focused on the road, but also her. She kept tapping her fingers against her thigh, and occasionally she'd count them. I wasn't trying to analyze her or anything but it was clear she struggled with some type of anxiety.
I noticed she kept opening her mouth, not obnoxiously or anything but like she wanted to say something. I got tired of it so I just spoke first.
"You wanna say something, say it." I sighed, turning my blinker on and waiting for this long light.
"No—I—I don't know, it's just—nevermind." She stammered. Shaking my head at her nervousness, I shrugged and let it go. I didn't have time to pull it out of her.
⤵
We got to campus, and I showed her around. It was sort of like how I showed her the house. Me giving short statements and her struggling to even say anything. I mean, I know that I can seem hostile and unapproachable but she was just out right—awkward.
She decided to tag along with me to public speaking, and unfortunately we found out that she has the class too. Mr. Spaganoli made the smart idea to give us an assignment too.
Almost like those dumb movies where the new student is paired with whomever they sit by and all of a sudden they're together for the rest of the movie.
God I hope this doesn't become that.
Although Janet wasn't supposed to start classes until next week, she took the opportunity to get ahead in work.
Just. Great.
We finished getting the instructions and left. I always go to the coffee shop after a class, I hate waiting until the last minute to do work so I get started right away.
Usually I'll sit alone, but, Janet and I had to work together. So, she sat across from me counting her fingers.
Which, might I at is a symptom of severe anxiety. But, who am I to say, I've only got masters degree in psychology.
I pulled out two notebooks and pens then passed her a set.
"We've got to present one another to the class, so we can start with you." I told her, and of course she opened her mouth like she was going to say something but opted out to just shaking her head.
"So that means you have to talk." I blinked. She's grown and I'm stating the obvious to her.
"Alright." She mumbled.
"Good. Where'd you grow up?" I asked and Janet scratched her head. Does she not know where she was raised?
"Ga—Gary."
"Gary, what?" I rolled my eyes. This was going to be a long process.
"Indiana. Gary, Indian." She clarified.
"Sorry.." She mumbled and I waved it off, it wasn't that serious for her to apologize.
"Yeah, I'm from Maryland. So write that down. What's your major?"
"Dance." She said. I raised my eyebrows and nodded. That was unexpected, but believable. She had a dancers body. Even though she's shy.
"What kind?" I asked.
"Um I'm best at hip hop, but I can also do ballet and jazz."
"That's actually pretty cool." I nodded.
"Tha—thanks."
"You good. I major in psychology. I'm going for my doctrines degree." I told her while writing down her information.
"To be a therapist?" Janet asked me.
"Yeah." I said, just like the kind she needs.
"That's cool too, I used to wanna be a therapist." She stated.
I truely don't care.
"Why aren't you studying for it then?"
"I—I'm not smart enough for all that. Ciara says I should just stick to dancing." Janet mumbled. The last part of her sentence made my face scrunch up. What the heck did she know? She's a drug dealer who can't even do basic math.
"Ciara's an idiot, she doesn't know what you are." I scoffed, shocked that she would actually believe my cousin.
"She isn't, she knows what's best for me." Janet said, looking around as if it was a clear fact. I was about to say something, but stopped myself. It wasn't my relationship, if she wants to be dumb, so be it.
