• A Blackbird's Serenade • (GxG)

"Escapism"

~ Days Later ~

Tiana

Focus is important.

With it, your gaze is narrow and your vision is tunnel. There's no room for distractions or detours. There's no space for doubts or hesitation. Your head is set straight and your only worry is the finish line. Whether it be minor, like getting to work in the morning. Or major, like accomplishing life's accolades.

Only I've done most of it already, at the age of twenty-one. I finished high school at the top of my class, got a college degree in three years, and have my own place. In turn, I sacrificed a social life and romantic relationships. Also known as, distractions.

Now I'm at a point in my life where my career is my main focus. Being a well known cosmetologist is my ultimate goal. And doing so for a singer is a substantial foot in the door. Only problem is, the singer ain't just my boss.

And that's where I've messed up.

Without focus, your vision is foggy. There's a million questions and considerations from every which way. Your mind just wanders, and wanders, and wanders some more, until you're damn near in Neverland. Your goal becomes farther in distance, due to you stopping to smell the damn roses. Suddenly everything else around you has gotten your attention.

All my life, I've never had a problem with focus and discipline...until I met her.

She's exasperating, yet the most beautiful and enticing person I've ever known. Understanding her is a challenge to say the least. But it only makes me want to know her more; to want to understand her more... It's vexing. And not only that, but I can't seem to stop my feelings for her. I've tried, to no end, but it's been useless.

Every kiss, every glance, every touch, every laugh... It's only dug the hole deeper, rendering it impossible to get out of.

But, I guess I have no choice but to do just that.

Wearing tracksuit bottoms and an athletic tank top, my abs, legs, arms, and calves burned as I sparred with my third opponent for today.

Her name's Jackie, who's my cousin, and we've always enjoyed scrimmaging together since we were kids. My father and his brother Allen, Jackie's father, grew up boxing together competitively. The ring and the gym have always been their second home, meaning it was bound to be ours.

Jackie has two older brothers, one ahead of her by five years and the other a decade. She and I were born around the same time, her being two years older. We've grown apart over the years, due to her moving away, but it's like she never left whenever she comes to visit, usually for holidays.

Studying my focused movements, she chuckled while holding up the pads. "You sure you good Tee?" Not responding, I punched twice more, having her eyes narrow. "'Cause uh, you seem a little... tense-" I punched again, and she bit her lip.

"I don't know what you mean," I replied dryly, glancing up from the pads at her. Then I continued while speaking. "Besides- ain't that- what this for?" I ducked as she swung at me, then I punched twice more. "I'm fine, it's just work."

"Oh yeah?" Jackie held back a knowing smile. "Is it Harvey?" Jabbing again, I shook my head. "The customers?"

"Ion waitress no more-" I ducked again, and noticed how she nodded as if she'd known already.

"Coco?" Shaking my head again, I punched twice more. "Hm..... Journee?" Not that I meant to, but I felt myself pause at the mention of her name. Then I huffed under my breath before going at the pads again, without stopping. "Okay, so it's Journee," Jackie chuckled.