A Lasting Sacrifice

2 - Marco

After four long-ass years, she's finally coming back to me. All this time, I've wondered what she was doing and why she left me. She never gave me a straight answer, but now that she's coming back, it won't matter. I can finally have her all to myself. I know she still wants me as much as I want her, but she keeps trying to push me away.

I wish I knew why she left if I had to guess it was because her mother has never liked me. On more than one occasion, she's tried to sabotage our relationship. I have no idea why she'd disapprove of me; I've known Aaliyah since we were kids. The orphanage I stayed in, as a kid, was only three blocks away from her house.

Aaliyah and I met at her birthday party; her mom invited all the kids on the block. Music filled their backyard, which was packed with people. I'd never tasted such delicious food in my life; fried chicken, potato salad, baked mac n' cheese, a homemade birthday cake and more. I remember seeing her for the first time, her hair in two afro puffs with pink bows on each.

I'd never seen hair like hers, all the kids at the orphanage were either white or Latino. I thought it was weird, and she caught me staring. Aaliyah, ever the sweetheart, let me touch it. I remember thinking it was so much softer than it looked. We hit it off after that.

Aaliyah and I spent the entire day together. Attached at the hip. She and I had play dates where her mom would bring her to see me at the orphanage. It's always been her and me, Zeke and Jenna came into the picture once we reached middle school. After that, she seemed to take on different interests; makeup, fashion, boy bands, boys.

I never thought I stood a chance until we graduated from high school. She and I went to prom together since we didn't have dates. After the dance we went to the after-party; we almost went all the way. But, through sheer shenanigans, Jenna got alcohol poisoning. It sucked, but I love the memories all of us shared that night.

By the time we got to college, we all went our separate ways. We always kept in touch and partied together since our schools were all in California. Zeke went to Berkeley, Jenna went to UCLA, Aaliyah went to USC, and I followed her. I had opportunities to go anywhere, and I chose to go where she went. I always felt strongly about her, but I never knew how to admit them.

After prom, I knew I had to have her. We were so close to what should always have been. I wasn't happy when she left; I wanted to track her down and bring her back. She belonged with me; her mother never saw it that way. After dating all throughout college, she continued to look down on me. I was just some lowly orphan to her, not worthy of her daughter.

Maybe I wasn't worthy or deserving of her, but I tried my hardest to be the man she needed. Thankfully, I got into college on a scholarship; I was good at basketball but not good enough to go pro. I always had my love of music, though. With the right connections in LA and the raw talent, I've maneuvered my way into being one of the best up-and-coming rappers in the industry. I've been selling out shows with tens of thousands of people there. Of course, I'm the headliner, but I have brought other people on tour.

Life felt good for a while, but with all this success, I can't help but want her. The girls I've slept with, since, never hold me interest. When I see her tonight, I plan on getting her back. One way or the other, I will have her again. I know she still thinks about me, though I'm sure she'll deny it when I see her.

***

It's finally evening time, and she has yet to get here. I know her flight already landed, so what could be taking her so long? The party starts in less than two hours; I need to see her before then. Aaliyah knows I don't like to be kept waiting. She's surely avoiding me because she's scared of what I may say.

All I want her to know is that---

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

The sound of my condo buzzer interrupts my thoughts ringing. I check the digital intercom and I can see her gorgeous, worried face. She's not dressed up though, I figured she'd chicken out of wearing a costume. Luckily, I picked one out for her to wear to the party. I open the door and there she stands, hands clasped in front of her and avoiding my gaze.

"Hey," she says nervously.

"Hey."

We stand here saying nothing for a few moments. It's weird seeing her after all this time, I'm sure it's weird for her too. I know she still thinks of me, it's evident in how much she's avoiding my gaze. After a few more moments of silence and averted gazes, I invite her into my condo. I stand to the side as she enters slowly and cautiously. It's almost as if she's afraid I'm going to hurt her.

Aaliyah looks around the condo briefly before she stops in my living room.

"Sit, please," I tell her.

Aaliyah sits down with her hands nervously clasped on her lap. She crosses her legs after a few seconds, trying to figure out how to get comfortable. I miss how looks when she's nervous; she seems so sweet and innocent. I sit directly next to her, on her left, and she tries to inch away from me. My arms wrap around her waist and pull her gently towards me.

"Relax, Aali. Im not going to hurt you." I say in a low voice as I lean in for a kiss.

Aaliyah doesn't have time to resist me before my lips are on hers. A soft moan of surprise escapes her lips in between our kisses. I lean forward as we kiss, so that I am over top of her. I move her legs up on the couch and spread them slowly as I lay between them. My hips press against hers and I thank God our clothes are still on. If I could, I would make love to her right now, but I know she wants to take things slowly.

We've been apart for so long, she needs time to adjust to being back.

"Wait, Marco, stop. We can't carry on like this. At this rate, we won't make it to the party." She says between our kisses, her hands pushing lightly against my chest.

"Please, just let me have this. I promise I won't go any further yet. You know how much I miss you. I've waited so long to see you again."

"I know and... I'm so sorry about how I just left---" Aaliyah starts to ramble on, but I cut her off with my lips on hers again.

"Don't worry about that right now. I just want to enjoy the moment. We can talk layer. For now, I have a costume for you. So I need you to get dressed or we'll be late." I say as I stand to my feet and help her up as well.

Aaliyah looks at me, confused, before she tries to protest.

"Aali, stop worrying so much. Just change so we can have some fun. I know you want to see Jenna and Zeke. They have been dying to see you and...so have I," I say truthfully.

Aaliyah sighs.

"Do I really have to get dressed in a costume?"

"Yes. They are dressing up and so am I. C'mon, just get into the spirit of things. I'm sure you'll have fun. That's all tonight is supposed to be about, having fun."

My hand runs through her curly hair and she smiles at me.

"Fine, I'll get dressed, but I hope it isn't something ridiculous."

"I think you'll like what I have for you," I chuckle.