" but on my graduation day my dad came home from the army and i was so happy to see him after three years of him gone and fighting for our country. he was home for a few months or longer than that if they hadn't called him back by then. but instead of making use of that time with my family, i made Darius my main priority, at the time i didn't think i was wrong but now everyday i regret it. after a few weeks of my dad being home i was in my room getting ready to go somewhere with Darius. my dad came in and started to ask if i could spend more time with him, and it turned into an argument and i ended up telling my dad i hated him and to leave me alone. that same day, he was called back into duty and he left later that night. on my way back home i felt so guilty and wanted to apologize to my dad and ask him could we go on a picnic like we used to when i was little. i felt so bad when my mother told me he had left. after a while i felt as if i could apologize through a letter, it was summertime so i was barely doing anything useful anyway. as i started to seal my apologies to my dad, there was a knock at the door. i told my mom i would get it as i walked towards the door. i opened it to be greeted with two tall men in military uniforms. by the time i had figured out why they were there my mom was already behind me as i screamed to the top my lungs crying out that it couldn't be true. but indeed it was. my father was gone forever and i felt like it was my fault. i'll always feel that way. after the news i would not eat for days, weeks, months almost. but Darius helped me back on my feet and i will always be thankful no matter what."
i cleared the lump in my throat and looked to make sure he was still listening, and he was. way more attentive then i expected but i continued.
" after the summer was over, Darius got accepted to countless colleges out of state and he ended up choosing one of them while i stayed back home and attended a college closer to home. we had a long distance relationship but we managed well... at first. he would come and see me every two months and every holiday. after a while his whole demeanor just went downhill. and i hated it. he would call me names but would quickly apologize afterwards. and i would happily forgive him because i thought that's what you did when you loved someone. when we both graduated from college he moved back and we were still together and things got worse, names turned into slaps and slaps turned into punches and kicks and so forth and so on but whatever. but that's it, thats my story...."
i frowned slightly when i seen tissues laying before me. that's when i noticed i was crying, i quickly wiped my eyes and sniffled.
"you don't deserve any of that Tabitha and its not whatever he is wrong and he's gonna pay, as for your father, its not your fault you were wrong but you were young and naive." i shook my head in agreement.
"thanks."
"he doesn't deserve you, you know that right?" i looked down at previously used tissues. he lifted my chin and looked me in the eyes. what he said next was unexpected but its something i'll never forget.
"i don't know you that well. i also don't know what it is about you but im drawn to you. ever since i met you there's been a tugging at my chest when you're around and i can't help but feel the need of your presence. im gonna find out what it is though sooner or later. but in the meanwhile do you wanna watch a movie?"
"sure." he led me to his black and white furnished living room. i sat down on the couch pulling the plush throw that was beside me over my legs as he opened a compartment under his tv full of movies. he pulled out a few and when i saw new jack city in his hand i flipped out in a fit of laughter.
he looked at me confused but soon caught the joke and chuckled. "Nino it is then." i was literally almost to tears and already brought back into a good mood. he sat in the love seat adjacent from the couch respecting my space but i told him it was okay to sit by me. i wanted the awkwardness in the air deflated as much as possible. the movie begin and that's what we did for the night we laughed, talked, and watched movies until falling asleep.
i ended up waking up in what seemed liked the middle of the night. that was confirmed when i looked at the cable box saying that it was almost a quarter till 3. i noticed that i was snuggled on Xavier's shoulder and his head was nodded back to the edge of the couch. i was a little uncomfortable so i tried to shift my body without waking him up but i failed because his head shot straight up. his hair was slightly disheveled falling from his bun from earlier but it was so cute.
"what's wrong?"
"nothing i was just a little uncomfortable."
"you can sleep in my bed if you want i'll stay out here."
"no, thats okay you can have your bed i don't wanna intrude."
"nah i insist go ahead just tell me if you need anything."
"ok, thanks again Xavier."
"don't mention it, it's nothing."
"goodnight." i said before grabbing his room door to close it.
"goodnight Tabitha."
........................................
i woke up to the smell and sound of bacon sizzling on the skillet. i remembered my surroundings after looking around. i stretched before sliding over the edge and placing my feet on the floor. i noticed a picture of Xavier, Kendall over his shoulder, and what appeared to be her mother all smiling picture perfect. i grabbed it smiling slightly. i looked at it for a normal amount of time before i put it back on the night stand.
i got up and headed to the bathroom. i rinsed my face and after doing so there was an unopened toothbrush on the counter along with my clothes and shoes from yesterday. i did my do with the toothbrush and placed it in the cup alongside his. after getting dressed and satisfied with my appearance i walked out of his room and into the kitchen. he was doing something at stove, shirtless at that. his chiseled back looked even more delicious than the smell of breakfast.
as i sat down at the island Xavier spoke to me.
"good morning beautiful."
"morning good." he turned around to me with a plate full of food and placed it in front of me. waffles, eggs, bacon, french toast all graced the expensive plate and my mouth watered greatly.
"this looks delicious Xavier." he placed a champagne glass filled with orange juice as well as my phone on the island.
"i charged it for you." his face look was unreadable.
i looked at him confusedly before taking a bite of my bacon.
"he's been calling and texting nonstop."
i swallowed slowly and unlocked my phone revealing the several missed calls and messages that i dared not to read. i just scanned them for a while. i locked my phone and begin eating again until another text came through but this time it was my mother.
MADRE😘😇: goodmorning sweetheart expecting to see you in a little while.
my stomach dropped as i looked at my phone and realized it was sunday, i dropped my fork and hopped up searching for my keys and purse.
"what's wrong??"
"something came up." i said finally finding my purse and keys on his living room coffee table.
"Tabitha don't leave please."
i saw the pleading in his eyes, he must've have thought it was about Darius but i had no time to explain. i had some where to be.
"goodbye Xavier." and with that i was out the door.
otayyyyy that's the end of that chapter im so excited about my first book but its taking forever for people to read it but i have faith.
