Butterfly

Old Times

[ Natasha at the top]
After 5 hours of talking to Denisse
because Justin had to dip out to practice I got the chance to actually analyze her. She was a beautiful women just didn't seem right for Justin. I'm happy for him and she invited me to her bridal party because I'm so close to Justin but something about her just seemed off to me. Girl , you didn't tell me you grew up with that fine man, Natasha said as we walked to the car. I wouldn't call him fine I said allowed even though my thoughts told me otherwise. That's my homie I said smiling to myself as we got in the car. Natasha just stared at me. What I said in a confused look. Her smile grew bigger. Hello , Natahsa not so good with reading minds here I said as I awkwardly put on my seatbelt. You guys hooked up didn't you she said in a mysterious tone. No , no, no , me and Justin .. HA, of course not , that's just my best friend I said calmly. Best friend my ass, you mean to tell me you've never thought about dating him ? I mean I saw the way he was staring at you, it's been years and you guys act like y'all see each other everyday, Natasha says as she proceeds to drive the car. He was staring at me ? I said curiously, Ahhhh there it is, so let me guess this has to be like one of those , I love him but he could never know type stories. Natasha hush, me and Justin are just friends and that's it, I said looking out the window. Are you sure planning this weeding won't get you caught up Keira ? I looked at her, Just friends Natasha , I turned up the music and that was the end of our conversation. Just friends I said quietly to myself.

Later on the Night
( On & On by Erkayah Badu plays in the Background )
Ugg she uplifts my spirit, Cyn said sipping her Martini. I smiled as I closed my eyes Vibing to her mellow voice. So how was work today, Cyn said. Well I ran Into our old pal and it turns out I will be planning his wedding. Oh my gosh Cyn said in shock who ? I smiled at her , Justin Brim I said awkwardly. Oh no, Kiera don't do it. Why not I said taking a sip of my cranberry juice. What do you mean why not? Cyn said in shock, you were in love with him, this is going to do nothing but rekindle old flames and you don't need that in your life. I respected Cyn's advice but I thought differently. Cyn I'm totally not looking to rekindle old flames, I just know that I could handle my emotions. And I have a date Friday anyway. Cyns eyes lit up , details like now !!! Well he's 6'1, Carmel, buff, he's owns his own restaurant, he's in grad school as well and I met him on the job. Planning his wedding ? Cyn said confused. No I said patting her shoulder, his sister was getting married and he came with her for support to our shop. Omg Kiera I'm so happy she said hugging me tightly , don't run this one away. It's time for you to be happy. But please don't fall for Justin Brim again. I will not Cyn, I Promise. We hugged again and vibed to the mello vibes bleeding through the speakers

Thursday Morning
Well same old routine as follows but this time I would be painting. I have off on Thursdays to fully devote the day to my passion which was art. Art always got me through anything that I ever needed to vent. And today was the day I would be hand delivering a painting to a guy who is paying me $1500. I have yet to meet him but at the request it was put in anonymously. I straighten my hair today , put on some skinny jeans, some high white socks and then my combat boots. For my top I just wore a button up with a white American eagle sweater on top along with my peacoat and neck scarf. I through on my beanie and grabbed my keys. 122nd south blvd is where I'm headed. I grabbed my coffee and proceed to the address. I pulled up to this medium size house that seemed familiar. Driving into this neighborhood brought back instant memories of when we were all younger. I parked my car and got the painting out. I walked up the stairs and instantly caught a flashback
** Flashback****
Man I told you stop messing with these dumb niggaz, Justin said eating his burger. I know but like he told me they were done. Keira niggaz are going to tell you anything just to get some pussy, don't fall Into their trap, you're to beautiful and my best friend won't be getting played out here. I smiled and layed my head on his lap, oh yeah well what's the 4-1-1 with Domoinque? Man she's a thot , I can't be messing around with them, shawty wanna settle down and man I'm telling her like it is, we are in 10th grade , don't nobody want to be all cuffed up, he said casually. I laughed how are you going to call her a thot then say she wanna settle down. She's a settling down thot , we both laughed historically.......
*****************
I laughed a bit before I felt a presence behind me, Fam, he said placing his hand on my shoulder. I smiled at the thought of him, what it do Fam, I said turning around to his hug, ahh ain't shit, you remember this place. Justin how could I forget, I havnt seen your mom in years. He smiled, oh but she's been keeping tabs on you beloved. Seriously ? I said in shock. Yeah she's been dying for one of your famous paintings which are pretty incredible by the way. I figured we could catch up here. I smiled , of course lets go inside. Inside was just how I remember it. Cozy yet very formal. Keira sweetheart is that you ? Yes Mamma Brim it's me I said walking to her open arms. Oh baby look how've you've grown , you are so beautiful. She said hugging me tightly. Thank you, I've missed you so much, ahh it seems like just yesterday you and Justin were getting on my last damn nerve , we both laughed yeah so many memories. Well this is for you, ahh she said in awe, this is magnificent baby girl , I'm going to hang this right in the living room, excitedly she ran Into the room. Here's the check, Justin said handing me the paper. Are you kidding me ? I'm not letting you pay me for this I said pushing his hand away from me. Oh come on fam, we ain't young anymore , take the money , you earned it. No Justin , your mom is like my mom I won't. Still level headed he said smirking. I smiled to myself , I'm not level headed. Oh yeah he said picking me up and spinning me around. Justin quit it would you , I said laughing. Take the money he said tickling me. No I said through laughs. The tickling increased Kiera Simone WillStone take this money girl. I couldn't breathe before screaming out fine, fine I'll take the money I said gathering my breath and controlling my laughter. He smiled come on let's go to the old spot. We got up, Justin grabbed the blanket and we went to the backyard. Woah , I havnt been here in years I said walking around admiring the memories that played in my head. That is true, Justin said spreading the blanket , last time we were here you helped me to see the talent in myself that I didn't even know was there. I smiled as we layed out on the blanket like old times. So Kiera what's new in life, well I have my own apartment , a couple of blocks down from here and, just as I was about to continue justin cut me off. Kiera what's really new. I smiled to myself before answering, I'm still the same person you left me, single. Justin rose up , single ? He said confused. Keira there has to be somebody he said laying back down next to me. Nope, I can't seem to find that one person who fully understands me. Justin smiled to himself as if my words soothed him. What are you grinning about I said sarcastically. Kiera you always say that, im pretty sure there are plenty of guys waiting to get a chance with you. You are beautiful, funny, outgoing , got a cute little frame and you're still single fam? I let his words carry me into an overthinking frenzy , I gotta shake this feeling I thought , well what about you Mr. ball player. Well, as you can see I play for the heat now, I met Denisse at one of my games. At a game I said laughing to myself. Yes at a game, she was just dying to get a shot with me so I took her out, the bond was there and the connection is there. When did you meet her? Like 2 weeks ago. Justin I said sprouting up. What ? Are you sure you are ready to give away your life to someone you barely even know. Kiera listen , she's everything , it feels like I've known her all my life, you'll experience the same thing one day. His words lingered in my mind as if he didn't know I have already. You think I'm moving to fast ? He said shamelessly. It was quiet for a moment before I could respond , no fam, I always told you to follow your heart and if this is what you want to do , then you do it. I support you a 100%. Justin pulled me closer to him and I layed my head on his chest just enough to feel his heartbeat. Keira I've missed you, and our friendship. I smiled I missed you to, don't worry you've got 2 weeks until the big day. We talked for a bit more and watched the day transition into night. All this time I had to keep replaying what Cyn said, don't fall for him.