This is unusual of me. I'm usually a leap of faith type of person but something about that man throws me off completely. I struggle to find the right words, I awkwardly stare, I leave.
As I'm walking out the door I find a spot and sit comfortably on the curb and rethink my every action in last 30 minutes. I feel more like an idiot the more I analyze.
The warm breeze feels like a breath of fresh air against my skin. It takes me a second to calm down but I'm getting there. I know Ali and Cairo are judging the shit out of me right now but they know me well enough to know I'm not staying out here while the two of them are in there with the bar and... him.
"My Darling..." The sound of this man's raspy voice begs to differ. I guess I'll be out here longer than I expected.
I almost stumble trying to stand up from my once comfortable spot.
"No, please." Wilson motions for me to sit back down. "Would you mind if I joined you?"
"No, not at all." I said sounding a little too eager. I'm just happy I got words out this time. This is becoming a little easier. I need not lose my resolve.
He sits down close to me and I stare up at the sky; I stare anywhere that isn't in his direction. I know if I even think about it I'll be stuck. He's doing something but I can't quite figure out what because I refuse to look at him. I hear a click; maybe a lighter. I close my eyes and smell the burning sensation of marijuana. I quickly open my eyes and take a good glance at what seems to be this fine black man smoking a joint. How classy of him. I'm very aware of my infatuation with this young man but at this moment I'm pretty sure he's the one.
"Oh! I do apologize, where are my manners? Want a pull?" He says smirking at me. I think about my answer which is something I tend not to do.
"Absolutely." I choke out. He chuckles. It's a pretty sound. He passes, I pull and I swear it's the most exquisite feeling; It's been a while.
"Wow, you're a natural." He says as I pass the fat joint back.
"I'm something..." I choke out trying to hold in what I just inhaled.
"It's Nala, yes?"
"How did you know?" I shoot him my irresistible confused look and he giggles again. I'm doing alright. Keep it up Nala.
"Your very interesting friends told me things they thought I needed to know."
I laugh lightly. Why? Why would they..?
"That's great to know. I'm going to annihilate them both." I respond irritated.
"All good things." He says looking at me, eyes low, breath still minty with a hint of bud.
"Oh yeah, like what?" He said nothing.
I stare at him for what seems like hours still waiting for an answer. Wilson gets up and puts out a hand to help me up. I involuntarily take it. It's not time for this conversation to be over. He takes a pull of what's left of the joint and smirks at me. I'm getting really tired of this man.
"Are you just not going to answer my question?" I say. I know he can sense my annoyance. He places his long fingers on my chin and moves my face to force my attention to his eyes.
Oh fuck.
"Relax, Darling. I'll keep that information to myself and let you show me who you really are tomorrow morning when we have coffee." He slyly says.
Now I'm being told what to do?
"I'm sorry, what?" I raise an eyebrow at him.
"Here. Coffee. Tomorrow morning." He sasses.
"First you don't answer my damn question and now I'm being ordered around?" I question just as sassily.
"Yes. Now I'm going to give you instructions, Darling, listen carefully..."
I snicker. He is unbelievable.
"Firstly, do not curse at me. Secondly, be here at 10 AM. Thirdly, it was wonderful meeting you, Nala, is it?" I hesitantly nod while staring at this man in disbelief. "I like Darling better." He smirks. Wilson finally removes his fingers from my face. He winks at me and walks back inside the café.
In the moment I'm surprised with myself and also proud. I didn't throw up or faint. We just had a somewhat regular conversation.
I seem to be stuck in the spot he left me in. It's the weed. I giggle at myself. I look up at the window to find Ali and Cairo staring at me through the glass. As soon as they realize I'm staring back at them, they rush back into their seats as if I didn't see them. Assholes sold me out and they're gonna hear my damn mouth.
I walk to the entrance of the café and time feels as if it's slowed. What the fuck...
I walk back to my seat next to my best friends and sit calmly and quietly. I don't say a word. I look at Wilson back at the bar and he winks at me. I have to be back here at 10, tomorrow morning. Great.
I feel Ali and Cairo staring at me. I get up, grab my shit, and look them both in eye, "Let's go" I say annoyed.
They rise from their seats innocently and I walk over to the bar and pay our waitress for the caffeine and walk out. Ali and my brother follow me to the car and Cairo reluctantly opens the car. I open my door and we hop in. Cairo doesn't turn the vehicle on. I sit and wait a couple minutes and look at them. I'm waiting for somebody to say something slick but no one abides.
Right when Cairo opens his mouth to begin the never ending conversation about Wilson, my phone rings...
I look at the screen and sigh. I'm already exhausted at this conversation.
"Nala, are you settled in? How's the apartment? It's late and you didn't call me." My mother is ballistic.
I'm way too high for this shit right now.
