Give Me A Reason

~2~

Alicia pov

Once August left, I went back to the table to clean up, and he left me a hundred-dollar tip and a note. I'm not gonna lie, I really needed that money, but I wasn't expecting him to leave me that touching note. I guess hood dudes can have a good heart too.

Where is Kenya?

That's the only thing that went through my mind. I didn't see her leave with August. Wherever she at, she needs to come and do her job. If our manager came and saw how backed up we are, he would kill us both. This right here is getting exhausting anyway. Why should I be more concerned about Kenya's job than she is? If shit goes left, it just goes left at this point. I took everything August wrote in that note into consideration. I made up my mind not to be a pushover anymore, regardless of the situation. I feel like Weeknd, I'm tired of being used. 

I went back to the bar area and finished organizing the dishes since it was about closing time. I was the only one in the club. Once everything was done, I clocked myself out and went home.

 I was beyond sleepy; my feet and back ached to the max. Felt like I was walking on rocks. A nice hot bubble bath was calling my name with seduction. I couldn't wait to get out of these clothes and into my watery oasis. Just passing through my domain, ready to strip down to nothing but skin, my phone rang and startled me. I smacked my lips in agony. Just what I needed, a fucking distraction. I was so ready to end this converstation before it began, I answered without even looking at the number.

'Hello." I answered with a cutthroat tone as I kicked off these dumb ass boot heels. I regret even bothering to try to look somewhat cute because Im paying the cost for that decision with my swollen ankle and sore arches.

'Hey Alicia, it's me, August." A calm, accented voice sang through my phone. I stopped dead in my tracks, nearly dropping my phone. 

 "Am I being punked?" I asked kinda hoping this was a prank. Because what the entire fuck is August fine ass, can sing circles around your mama ass Alsina doing calling Alicia big back, broke college student, bartending for tips ass Swanson! 

'Haha, No, beautiful. It's really me. I looked up your number." He said so nonchalantly. Looked up my number? What kind of world is he living in? We don't do phone books anymore, and my number better not be floating out there aimlessly on the internet.

"You know you could've just had me for it at the club." I chuckled softly while falling back onto my couch. Only because my feet were about to give way, I still remained uptight. "And just out of curiosity, exactly where did you look my number up at?" I raised an eyebrow because his answer will determine whether or not I should worry.

'I know, but you were working really hard, helping so many people, and I didn't want to distract you. And so you don't think I'm a stalker or something, I actually got ya number from ya homegirl back at the club." He paused for a second.

Kenya. Maybe that's why she disappeared on me. He asked her for my number, and knowing her, she couldn't handle me getting any type of attention. "Well, how can I help you?" I asked, trying to break the short silence. 

"Did you get the note?"

'Yes...And thank you for the advice and the tip. Most celebs don't even leave tips, especially ones that large."

'There's a first time for everything, and besides, you deserved it. Where is your little friend?"

'You mean Kenya?" I know dumb question, but I'm still in awe that this man is even on the other line of my phone. I wanted to correct him so bad and let him know that me and that girl are just co-workers, but I figured it's not that deep.

'Yeah." I could hear his smile over the line. I'm actually kinda surprised he's even asking about her. I got the sense back at the club that he didn't care much for her.

'Well honestly, I don't know. I thought she might have left with you." I

'Nah." He laughed. "She won't going anywhere with me." 

'Haha why not?" I was so relieved to hear him say that. Kenya doesn't need to get win every time.

'Cause shawty was a lil annoying, and I didn't like how she had talked to you. Then, when I told her about it, and I told her to apologize and help you, she got an attitude." Wow, he told her to apologize. I could've told him that was gonna happen, but the fact that he cared in the first place was nice.

'Yeah, if somebody tells her bout herself, she'll get an attitude. That's just who she is." I shrugged my shoulders and began to relax a bit and take my hair down while listening to this exotically satisfying voice.

'Still ma, that ain't no reason for her to be disrespectful." I could tell he meant that from his core. As I started to come to my senses about what was actually happening in front of me, I had to ask.

'Umm, August, if you don't mind me asking, but why out of all the many souls in the world did you choose to call me?" I heard him clear his throat after my words as if I caught him off guard.

'Well, I figured since I got my head talked off by your girl, I would take some time and talk to you since you were busy when we were at the club. And maybe I feel like you, and I could have a connection. You sparked my interest." I don't know why his honesty took me by surprise but it did. 

'You for real?" I stared at my reflection in my black TV screen. The anxiety began to creep up my leg like a hidden cancer ready to make its presence known.

'Yeah," He laughed slightly, "I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to hit you up if it was just an act." His words consumed my ears, followed by my chest constricting around my heart. With every beat, I grew more afraid of the organ freeing itself from my body. "Do you mind if I get to know you?" His words broke my gaze and brought me back to the present. 

'Of course I don't mind. What do you want to know about me?" I asked hesitantly. The anxiety has now reached my stomach. I feel the air around me dissipate into nothing. Every breath escaping my lungs is more shaken than the last. I could bearly swallow to clear my throat. In this very moment, I could suffocate. I couldn't possibly tell him the truth about me. He's gonna find out I like weird things like cosplay, biology facts, and many more traits I spent my life hiding from the public.

'Alicia?Baby girl, you good?..." A concerned tone met my ears and shocked me back to reality. "I can tell you about me first, Mama, if it will help you get comfortable with talking to me." I was shaking my head in agreement before I could even say it aloud. "Yes, please," I said so quickly I barely realized I spoke.

Omg I can't believe I'm having a conversation with one of the best R&B singers there is. And best of all, he thinks we have a connection. I'm on the verge of fainting, but ima a try to hold it down. All of a sudden, I got the largest whiff of mustiness and stank. Oh hell no! I need to wash my ass Asap, no Rocky. I know I'm going a hate myself for what I'm about to do, but I do have to get ready for bed. I have a very long day tomorrow, starting with my 8 am class. I looked at my phone screen and saw the time flash across the top of the screen. It read "4:21 am". Ima have roughly 2 hours to sleep once I finish getting ready for bed. 

'No disrespect, August, but I just got off work, and it's passed 4 am, and I really need to get in the shower. I gotta be up for class in a few hours. Could we pick this up later?"

'I understand Shawty completely. How about sometime tomorrow, after you're well rested? We can link and hang out."

'I would love to. Call me tomorrow around 11 in the morning between my classes and we can decide on a place then."

'Ite see you then, sexy lady." I damn near throw up after hearing "sexy lady" pass his lips. Is this nigga trying to kill me softly? 

'See ya, August." I said shyly

We hung up, and that's when the going crazy started. I was jumping up and down, running around, and screaming.

"I got a date with August Alsina!!" That was all I could say. I hopped in the shower and went right to bed just waiting for tomorrow***

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