Finding Us (Interracial Romance)

Heartbreak Ave

Cecilia

My family members left an hour ago, so that I can get ready to meet Aiden at the Grand Central Market. For those that don't know what the Grand Central Market is, it's a diverse retail marketplace in Downtown Los Angeles. I go there with my friends when we hang out during and post our college years along with going there when we get off work for the day because we get off at different hours, which is a part of life when you have a different time getting off work and your friends are still at work.

I style my hair in a pineapple in front of my mirror after I finish gingerly slide the floss between every tooth in my mouth. I grab a bottle from the counter, twist the cap open and pop a pill in my mouth prior to taking a strong sip of water. Eight days, I say to myself in my mind as I pick my journal up from my bed to write in the time I just took my medicine for the evening-- 7:15 PM. I slip my feet into a pair of flat sneakers along with placing my face mask over my mouth and nose as well as grabbing my phone, cross-body purse, and keys before I depart my apartment, switching the locks on the door. I make my way downstairs to the exit of the building, proceeding towards my silver 2023 Kia Telluride in addition to starting the car and putting the seat belt on before driving off to the destination.

The ride isn't that far at all -- it basically takes sixteen minutes to get there. There are busy areas on S Grand Ave as well as Broadway. I find a parking space right by the Market and I look up to take notice at more people entering and exiting the Market as it's already packed. I park along with turning the car off, gathering my phone in my purse and keys as I get out of the car and lock the doors while I'm being greeted with people passing me by with exciting and lively chatter along with the mingling smooth jazz combined with the funky 70s pop in the key of B Major coming on-- Oh, my gosh... I love this song! I have the song "Music For a Sushi Restaurant" by Harry Styles downloaded on my phone and have been singing along to this song twenty five times since it got released and now it's playing inside of the Market.

"Cecilia!" I turn my head to see who's shouting my name and pause on my two feet at the man approach towards me in his black tank top that showcase his multiple tattoos on both shoulders while his black business trousers don't coordinate with his shirt or his Doc Martens sandals. His fawn skin, including his face is speckled like pushing back a paint brush and releasing it to let the paint fleck on a piece of paper with light brown freckles.

"You're here," I envelope my arms around him before pulling away. "What's up?"

"I'm..." The blaring horns honk, muting Aiden's voice.  

Wait, what? Despite the fact of the horns honking in the busy street, I read his lips clearly.

"You're breaking up with me? Why?"

"To become a millionaire on Hustlers University. I'm changing into a new man. Cecilia, you're caring and a family oriented woman, but your family and friends always laugh at me whenever I talk. And this is opportunity for me to get my body bulked up. Do you have any idea how many gorgeous ladies would want a man like me?" Aiden answers.

Unbelievable. This jerk has me breathless in anger for bringing up the audacity to boast how many women would want him. How could he?!

"My family and friends have a right to laugh at your conceited ass because of the way you talk-- you sound like a fucking rapid jackhammer and you know what? I'd laugh at you, too!"

"Whatever! I hope the next guy you'll be with would leave you for being focused on your career and family oriented." Aiden takes his skateboard out of his backpack, in which I didn't notice until now and plants it beside him on the sidewalk before speeding away. He said I'm too focused on my singing career and too family oriented? Singing is my dream come true and one of the talents God blesses me with and I'm family oriented because I have a family that really loves me and both God and my family are my first priorities.

As I watch that dumb ass speed away, I glance at the stand consisting oranges and the back of Aiden's ginger buzz-cut. I grab an orange and the first thing I do is squint my eyes at the target before throwing. The orange flies straight ahead prior to it landing the back of his head, knocking him down on the sidewalk. "Fuck you, Tater Tot payaso!" I holler with my hands cupping around my mouth. A clown, that's what he is! Even though Aiden and I have been going out for eleven months and never said those three words, I'm free from the toxicity of his cocky behavior and he can go back to Baltimore, where he came from due to his accent. There's no tears in my eyes tonight as I can only delete and start over. It's his loss, not mine because I'm moving forward.