Moving Forward

Eighteen

Aaliyah

"Prodigy? What are you doing here?" I gasped, taking his hand as he helped me up. I couldn't believe it. He looked different, harder than before. His jaw was clenched, something he only does when he's angry.

"Are you okay?" I asked, concern washing over me. I leaned forward running my fingers over the side of his face. I didn't even realize what I was doing until Prodigy cleared his throat. I jumped back.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, looking away embarrassed.

We stood awkwardly for a moment until Prodigy broke the silence. "How's the baby?" He asked, and I wished he hadn't.

I looked away, trying to hold back my tears. "He was stillborn," I whispered, my voice catching.

"I'm sorry," Prodigy said, wrapping his arms around me. I welcomed the hug, burying my face in his chest. His hug sent chills up and down my back. God I had missed this. I just wanted him to hold me forever. But in the back of my mind I was still wondering about Ray.  

2 Months Later

Aaliyah

I lay curled up in Ray's arms on the sofa. A basketball game was playing on the TV, but I wasn't paying too much attention. My mind was reeling. Ever since my last visit with Prodigy, I had been thinking about him non stop. It had been months, yet here I was, struggling to remember the feeling of his arms around me.

"I'm going to get some popcorn," I said, quietly.

When Ray only made a grunt to acknowledge my statement, I headed over to the kitchen.

"Hey, Liyah," he called out to me from the sofa. "Can you grab my phone while you're in there?"

I shoved a bag of popcorn into the microwave, snatching Ray's phone off of his kitchen charger. Deciding to wait for my snack on the sofa, I sashayed back into the living room. Ray's eyes immediately fell on my body, and he held his arms out for me.

"Damn, ma," he said appreciatively. His lips found mine, and I combed my fingers through his hair, earning a small moan.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, and he broke apart from the kiss to check his messages. He frowned when he read it before gently pushing me off of his lap. I watched him as he typed out a reply.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I questioned him, attempting to wrap my arms around his body. He jerked away from my touch, an agitated look crossing his face. "Baby, what is up with-"

"Shut the hell up, OK?" he said, holding up a hand to silence me. "Can't you see I'm doing something?"

I froze as I looked at him. I know this fool did not just talk to me like that. After I had been preaching to Roc about how he changed and how he was so much better, he was going back to his old ways.

Frowning, I headed towards the door. "Fuck this, Ray. Call me when you get your shit together."

My hand reached out for the handle, but I barely managed to grab it when he yanked me back by my hair. I screamed out in pain, only to feel his fist connect with my eye. Stumbling backward, I crashed into a picture hanging on the wall. The glass cut into my skin, and I shakily pulled out the pieces.

"You couldn't just stay your ass where you were, could you?" Ray screamed.  He yanked me towards him, pulling out the rest of the glass. His eyes angrily met mine, and I whimpered. "Next time, do what I say, OK?"

I nodded my head slowly. He released me from his grip, sneering at me. My back and arms began to ache from the glass, and as though he could sense my discomfort, his gaze softened.

"I'm sorry, baby," he kissed my cheek. "Go clean up in the shower. I'll get some extra clothes for you."