Exhale

Chapter 22: Why Though?

:3 This was long overdue, hope you enjoy it.

Still at Emmy's

Zuri

I can't help but cower, I feel weaker everyday and every time I think I'm happy, I prove myself wrong.

I bury my head and tears fill my hands. This is too much. I want my mom, I should've never moved to Hell's Kitchen.
I was about to implode when I heard a knock on my stall. I look up.

"Zuri? It's me."

I don't respond. Roman is so sweet, but there's no way I'm opening this door. He moves to the front of the stall and his hand appears at the top.

"Z, talk to me."

"Please."

"Open the door, sweets."

I don't. I sit in silence. Roman sits down and lets out a long sigh. He softly speaks.

"I have no clue how to comfort you, I don't know what you've gone through but I want you to know I'm here and that's not gonna change any time soon."

"Z?"

I close my eyes.
"Please open the door?" He says.

Blinking the tears away. I try to clean myself up, I lean forward to unlock the stall.
Roman stands up and closes the door behind him.

He whispers "Come here." and I'm shrouded in the biggest bear hug ever. He helps me dry my tears and rubs my back.

I confess. "I'm not ready to talk about it."

He squeezed me tight. "I won't force you."

He places kisses all along my cheek and forehead. "Don't be sad, everything's gonna be alright."

He breathes me in. "I won't let anyone hurt you ever, including me."

He picks my bag up and walks me to the sink. "Let me help?"

He grabs some face wipes from my bag and starts cleaning me up.

I try to fix my hair but he doesn't want me to. "Let me." He says handing me my mascara. I feel my cheeks warm and hand it back.

"That's enough makeup for today." He nods in disbelief and hands me a face cream. My face was really puffy, so I rubbed the face cream all over.

He nudged me and when I went to get him back he pulled me in. One hand around my waist. We stand in the mirror side by side, he slides his free hand across my stomach holding me in place and smiles.

I can't help but laugh. He smiles happily. "Take a picture." I laughed a little harder. "Why?"

"Because we're cute." He smiles even harder.

I grabbed my phone and snapped a couple photos. He's doing everything to make me feel better.

A loud voice blares through the bathroom speakers making us both jump in fear.

"067! YOUR ORDERS READY!"

"That's me." I gesture for the door.

Roman opens it and we walk through. On our way to the pick-up counter. A chick I've never seen before fist bumps Roman, and he thanks her before we grab my drink.

"068! Roman here you go." Mira smiles.

"Thanks Mira." She hands me some straws, and Roman leads me to our table. When we get upstairs he points at a small table tucked away behind a wall.

We sat down and I swear my heart skipped a little. Roman is so tall and hovers over the table.

If he leans forward he can practically kiss me. I can't help but stare.

He makes my sadness disappear completely. I always fold into him. I've never felt comfort or peace like I do with him.

I was about to thank him when my phone rang.

Roman noticed and stopped slurping. It's Marley, I answered, putting her on speaker.

"Hello?" I try not to sound annoyed.

"Lav are you okay?"

I glanced at Roman who looked away.
"I'll be alright." I tap my foot, shaking the whole table.

"I'm so sorry." Marley swallowed.

"What that she knows or that I found out before you wanted me to." I groan escapes me and I find myself battling for breath again.

I can't believe Marley. Considering what she's going through I'm trying to be lighthearted about this but I'm furious.

Vicki is not the person you want knowing all your secrets. She's conniving and cynical and I never liked her.

Marley exhales. "Lav?"

I don't answer, so she continues.

"Dad was busy so I'm headed your way."

"Don't bother, we'll see you at the house."
I hung up and let out the breath I was holding in.

Roman pushed his fries to the side. He looks at me with uncertainty.

"Z that was way harsh."

He waits for a response but I don't have any excuses.

I don't feel bad. I was always the entertainment for their relationship. I love Marley, but I refuse to let her slide any more. She's never taken accountability for Vicky's lack of boundaries. I'm tired of acting like she's just a bougie bully, she has to have ulterior motives.

Getting the lead just after Marley's expulsion even though Anna was first in line. She's always been selfish.

A sense of rage flushes through me, "I don't feel bad Ro, I'm tired of being the nice one. Marley should've handled the situation better."

He ponders. "I know,  but still don't talk to her so harshly, She's not like Vicky."

I nod in agreement. But I still stand with my feelings. I'm tired of being the laughing stock. This won't be the last time we have this conversation.

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This technical issue was not fun but we figured it out.

Any Thoughts?

See you later dude.