• A Blackbird's Serenade • (GxG)

"Like a Star"

Journee

Safety...Security...Solace...

You feel it when you hug someone you love or tell an importance to someone you trust. You feel it when another person is simply accompanying you in the emptiness of your home. You feel it when your significant other gazes into your eyes, or kisses your lips, or takes you in their arms... Or, you feel it when you're alone. Simply because you're the only trustworthy company you've ever known....

It gets taken for granted by those who've not had to think twice about it, of course. By those who have such a blanket tucking them in tight. Only, it's a privilege, among other things that most wouldn't spare a second glance.

Personally, I find it far out of reach, and always have.

I didn't know of it when I was five, and I was my sisters' protector, as well as my mother's, against the person who was supposed to be the man of our household. The person who was supposed to be protecting us. I didn't know of it when my mama told me that being a woman comes with many downsides as well as ups, at the age of seven. I didn't know of it when I was ten, and had to outsmart the wide eyed old man that tried to follow me home from school on a Friday afternoon. I didn't know of it when my first boyfriend damn near forced me to lose my virginity one night at his house. And I didn't know of it when my second boyfriend backhanded me across the face for using my mouth too loosely while he was drinking.

I did have Franklin though. Therefore, when he was around, I knew what it felt like...That didn't mean I got to experience it often though.

However, right now, I felt it... So much so that I never wanted to leave this spot.

I was afraid if I moved even an inch, the fragile bubble would burst and the dream would fade away, its remnants slipping through my fingers. The dread of it made my chest feel heavy and my muscles tight with tension. I didn't want to let go...not yet.

"Hey..." A deep, rasped voice whispered from behind me as the arm over my waist slid to place a hand to my hip. "You okay?"

"Yeah..."

I could feel her pause, seeing right through me, even from behind. It made my eyes shut knowingly. "Journee... I can feel when your body tenses and your breathin' changes. And I can tell when somethin's wrong."

Sighing against the pillow, my body stirred. "Tee..."

"You ain't gotta tell me or nothin," she tugged at my hip, urging me on my backside to face her more. "But you also don't have to be alone with whatever it is." Though it was dark, I still searched for her eyes as she did mine. "I'm right here if you need me."

"I know," I whispered, with more meaning than she probably realized. Then my hand slid from the arm around my waist to her cheek. "I'm not upset, I promise you."

"That's not what I asked honey..."

Another quiet sigh escaped through my nose as my eyes darted down between us. "I know..."

It seemed she knew that was the extent of my reply, seeing as she simply kissed my cheek before hugging up to my side with her head on my chest. She held me close, providing me with a comfort that I found myself never wanting to be without. And as the arm I had under her body caressed the smooth skin of her back underneath her t-shirt, I felt the tension within me leave once again.

Tiana and I had ended our moment on the sofa upon the blaring ring of her house phone, courtesy of Coco checkin' in.

When they said their goodbyes and Tiana hung up, she looked over at me as I sat on the couch, hot and bothered, though trying to hide it. A look between us was shared before we then broke into a fit of laughter. Her sweater had been unbuttoned all the way, leaving it open as she stood there with her exposed bra and breathtaking abs on display. Finding the strength, I had to immediately look away to get a hold of myself again.