The Apartment

4

Aaliyah

I stretched at a bench before starting my run. It was around 5 in the morning right when security started heavy patrol on campus grounds and surrounding areas. There are some crazy people when you go to college and I'm not about to risk my safety.

I got on the trail and jogged steadily. I got in my zone.

I thought back to Kareem and I's talk last night. I smiled at the thought of us coming to an agreement like civil people. Even though we may never get along, we would at least be able to work together.

"Aaliyah!" I heard a voice call behind me.

I turned and saw Jerome. He and I have ran with each other since Freshman year. He was a distance away, so I waited for him.

In all the years I've known Jerome, I've found out little about him and he knew little about me. All I knew was he was trying to be a nurse like I was and enjoyed running in the morning.

"Hey pretty lady." He greeted when he reached me.

I bit my lip and rolled my eyes. He was always saying flirty stuff like that.

"Hi, Jerome." I replied

We ran in a comfortable silence, occasionally bumping into each other and earning quiet sorries from one another.

"Aaliyah." He said, getting my attention, during one of our water breaks.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"I know you've said no numerous times before, but would you go out with me?"

"Jerome..."

"C'mon girl." He begged.

His brown eyes bore into mine. He was searching for the answer he wanted. I sighed.

"How about we go out for breakfast right now, and if I enjoy myself, I'll let you take me on a real date?"

"Sure." He agreed.

Kareem

I woke up and walked to the smell coming from the kitchen. On the island was a plate full of large cinnamon rolls and a note.

I picked up a roll and read Aaliyah's scrawl.

Good morning,
I went out for a run and should be back soon. Your breakfast is in the microwave, just put a 1 min and 30 sec and you should be good. DO NOT EAT MORE THAN TWO CINNAMON ROLLS! It's not good for your basketball training. And you need to fix my car soon or your a** is grass.

Liyah 😊

I shook my head and popped a third roll in my mouth. These hoes were good. I went to the microwave and set the timer for a minute and thirty seconds and then turned on some Joel Osteen. Ever since I moved here I haven't found a church I was comfortable with, so I just resorted to watching it on TV.

The microwave beeped and I pulled out a vegetable stuffed omelette with potato wedges and a lot of bacon. I knew she was trying to feed me healthy shit because of that omelette and I don't blame her since basketball season is coming up, but I'm a man. I need red meat. Other than that, this shit was good.

Joel Osteen was talking about the signs God gives to each of us when the door opened.

"I'll see you on Saturday." I heard Aaliyah say. "Bye, Jerome."

"Alright, bye." A masculine voice answered.

Who in the hell? I thought as I got up from my seat.