The dirty stares and the whispers from society as they walk, elbow to elbow.
Why?
Malik paid no mind
But Sandra May did.
"Malik" Her smile disappeared, she was now whispering, slowing down. She was going to grab his arm and pull him back, but he kept on walking.
She caught up to him.
"What's wrong?" He asked, now opening the Café door for her.
But Sandra didn't move.
She looked up as the bold sign sent a chill down her spine, but she also felt anger build up. Her feet and fingertips getting numb.
WHITES ONLY
Malik looks up as well, then back down at Sandra May. "I...I'm sorry"
"It's fine. I don't even want a milkshake...I..." She couldn't finish nor did she want to.
She looked up at Malik with a smile "Go, have fun" She quickly said.
She was so confused.
He was black from head to toe.
But they accepted him, anyways.
What did this young man do? Why wouldn't he claim his own?
She crosses her arms and walks away from him, but he grabs her elbow and pulls her back to him. "What is it?" She asked in frustration "I gotta be home soon-- Sunday Service" She pulled her arm away "Sandra, I don't think it's safe for you to walk home alone" He sound so concerned. "Well..." Her voice trailed off "Well...let me walk you" He closes the door-- All Sandra seen was white people, looking at her through the glass as her and Malik cause a scene. A random man and his crew rise up from their table, and walk outside to stir up some madness and confusion.
They wore plaid, their hair shined-- a lot of gel was applied, probably.
"Is this girl causing you trouble?" They asked, looking at Malik then Sandra. "Not at all boys. She's a friend of mine" His voice shook. Sandra noticed that his jaw clenched, his skin begin to glisten. The group of men stand there for a few, just in case. They soon return inside and mind their own.
"The street lights" She muttered "I have to return home soon" Malik looked her in her eyes for a minute "Don't you worry, Sandra." His voice, deep.
His finger traveling her elbow then her wrist, now her fingers. He held her hand. "I'll...I'll have you know-- I can walk home alone" She releases her hand from his. She walks away from him, but he followed.
"Malik Forrest, You stop following me right now, this very moment. I meant what I said" Sandra raises her voice, picks up the pace. And so did Malik.
The sun was down, they were walking toward her neighborhood. It was absolutely silent, but the quiet was sometimes broken by a dogs bark or the chirp of a cricket. Dew on the grass or the crunch of gravel as they walk. the buzz of mosquitos annoyed Malik a little. He looked around at her not so perfect neighborhood, He seen the flickering of TVs from upstair windows. Some fences or gates were damaged.
Sandra stopped walking "You done?" She asked as Malik met up with her "Yes" He said in exhaustion "You like what you see? hm?" She asked, arms out wide. Malik thought her home would be much different. But he paid that no mind.
"I do" His eyes traveling down her brown legs. She quickly walks up to him and lifts up her hand, fighting the urge to slap him.
"Sandra May" Malik sighed
"Your name, your skin--"
"What is wrong with you, boy?" She whispered, putting her hand down
"You think you're sum' special don't cha? Your skin may be light, Malik, but I know for damn sure, you are me" Her heart racing
"I...I don't" He couldn't finish. "Disgrace" Sandra shook her head and walked on her porch, she could not be seen because of how dark it was. But he knew she was looking right at him "I'm sorry. I'm just confused right now. You will never know how it feels to be thrown in the middle of this, at all" He took a step closer. Sandra opens her front door and closes it.
After that, he didn't hear from her for about two days. The park, she was nowhere to be found.
