Aaliyah
“What?"
I sniffed, pausing to wipe my face before I ran to my closet, dragging out my suitcase, not caring whether I knocked anything down in the process. I zipped it open, turning to my vanity. I pulled open every drawer, ready to throw everything I owned in there. I could hear Nae steady calling my name, but I was in another zone, focused on getting away, fleeing as quick as possible. This fight or flight feeling was all too familiar and nothing in me was ready to fight, let alone win one.
I stopped piling clothes into my bag, Nae holding on my forearms from behind. “Aaliyah, take your time and tell me what happened," she calmly, spinning me to face her. “He’s a liar…he lied….he’s a detective…they’re gonna find me," I barely got out between chokes, still trying to stop my sobs. “Liyah, Liyah," Nae shook her head at me. “Stop," and I listened. “Now inhale," she sucked up air, and so I did the same. “Now exhale," we both did together. We did it a few more times until I felt like my chest wasn’t caving in on itself anymore. My tears stopped as I stared into her eyes, sniffing as my nose ran a little.
"Now tell me what happened."
-
A warm cup of tea sat in my hands as I gazed at Nae, pacing my room. The afternoon ran fast as we plotted on what we’d do for the time being, the sky painted a light orange outside my window. My bag laid disheveled on the floor and it was going on 12 hours since I’d been in this dress. Time was ticking, and the fact that noone suspicious had came around our building was surprising; we wouldn’t test our chances. By now, I was numb. My hangover aged as the hours passed, but I didn’t feel sick; empty, but not sick. I’d come to terms with what had happened, similar to how I had done with Damien—now the next thing to do was to leave.
"I’ve got a friend that manages a Best Western the next town over; just give her my name and ask for a room, she’ll put it on me," Nae finally decided. I nodded, knowing I’d have be to ready in the next hour. Everything from now on was simply improv.
"Everything’s gonna be fine babydoll," she sat next to me, pushing my hair out of my face. I grabbed her hand, looking into her eyes. “I’m sorry," my voice came out shaky; I said I stop the tears but everything was triggering me at this point. Nae understood immediately, putting my cup aside to squeeze me. This is why I loved her, I could always have a moment, and even if we yell, I know she’d still care for me. I was blind to wonder about any stable person in my life when the main one was sitting right before me. I wrapped my arms around her, comforted. “I just wanted to be happy," I whispered, closing my eyes.
"That’s all I wanted."
