No Angel (Complete)

Chapter 2

Byron

I moved to Seattle about 2 weeks ago. I was on my way from practice to get lunch when I saw her. The love of my life. Xai was the only girl who ever treated me like a person and not some famous idol on campus. After constant hooking up and having normal conversation, I treated her like shit. She came up to me one day after class while I was with a group of friends and I treated her like I didn't know her. I felt horrible afterwards. I tried calling and texting. I even tried to check for transfer. She never responded. I wanted to  patch up our relationship. I wanted to make things between us right. She was walking to her car when I called out to her. "Xai!" I know she saw me because she rolled her eyes and continued walking. "Xavier please!" She stopped and leaned against the car. I could see tears welling up in her eyes. "What do you want Byron?" She whispered. She wiped her eyes and sighed. "Came to do more damage?" I sighed. "Xai I'm so sorry. I can't say sorry enough. I was wrong. I messed up. Hell I looked everywhere for you after you left." She chuckled. "I moved away from heartbreak." I sighed.  "The sad part is, I have a reminder of you everyday." I heard her mumble. She looked up at me. "I knew that leaving was the best decision I had made. I was nothing more than a friend to you and you treated me like shit. You are a self centered, concieted, egotistical jerk. I hate you and your immaturity to attention." I looked at her eyes. They were cold and I could see the hurt. "I just wanna make things right Xai. I know I was selfish and ignorant and greatly apologize. But please give me chance to fix things.." She sighed. "I'll think about it. Your number still the same?" I nodded. "Can I atleast have yours?" She looked up and shook her head. "I'll contact you." She climbed in her car and sped off. I lost my appetite so I got in my car and headed home. "Ma you still here!?" I called out. I was still kinda uneasy about the whole Xai situation. "Livingroom!" I made my way to her and sat on the couch. "What's wrong son?" I sighed and ran a hand over my face. "I ran into Xai." She sighed. "How'd it go?" I laid my head back. "She still hates me and I don't blame her." I saw my mother smile. "Just give her some time. She'll come around. She's still fairly hurt. Be patient." I sighed and nodded. My mother was right and I knew if I played my cards right I could have Xai where she belongs.

Xavier

"Mommy! Mommy!" I  pulled out of my daze to hear the pitter patter of two little feet coming towards the living room. "Hey sweetie. How was school today?" She smiled big and showed me a drawing she made. "It's beautiful. Go hang it up with Gram." She ran to her as they headed to the kitchen. "Tell PawPaw what's wrong." I sighed and laid on his shoulder. "I ran into Byron today. I was so angry when I saw him. I was prepared to give him an ear full and tell him about Bakari but when I began to talk. It didn't go that way. When he got close to me, I felt my emotions get all jumbled up and I couldn't find it to share that little piece of happiness with him." My grandpa kissed the top of my head and huggeed me tightly. "Babygirl. All of this anger and hatred you feel towards this man needs to be put aside for the sake of Kari. She needs to know her father but not until you're certain he's ready for it. Let him show you he's grown up but take it one step at a time. Ease her into it." I nodded as I heard Kari making her way back into the livingroom. I quickly wiped my face and smiled as soon as she walked in. "All done mommy." I smiled and hugged her tight. "Big girl. How about we pack you so you can have a sleep over with Nanny Nadia." She jumped up in excitement. "Yeah!" I picked her up and placed her on my hip. She laid her head on my shoulder and I ran my hands through her curly hair as I made my way upstairs to pack her bag and lay her down for a nap. I made my way back downstairs and went to get things out of the garage. "I see you did more shopping." I nodded as my grandmother took a seat in the kitchen while I placed the gifts in the top of the pantry with the other unwrapped gifts. "I talked to your father today." I smiled and grabbed a drink from the fridge while handing her a green tea. "How is he?" My father was in the Army so it was very seldom that I saw him. She nodded. "Doing well. Said he's coming home for christmas. He misses Kari and can't wait to see how big she's gotten. He asked how you were holding up." I smiled weakly. "For once, I'm not sure. Running into Byron today really did a number on me. I thought I was over the whole situation but today only showed me that it was just pushed away." She placed her fragile hand on top of mine. "It will get better dear. PawPaw told you right. Ease Bakari into the idea that she has a father. Don't do it until you're completely content with the idea but that little girl does need her father. He deserves to know." I nodded as she smiled at me. I decided to go take a nap with Kari while my granparents went to visit with a few friends before coming back to wrap gifts. I laid in bed thinking of the last conversation I had with Byron.

 We laid in bed in our night clothes in the dark. Something we did many nights. Our talks always comforted me. They were always about our lives and what we wanted to do once we got older. "If there was one thing you could have in the world. What would it be?" He asked. We laid with our heads touching and on our backs, with our hands folded across our stomachs. I sighed. "Family. Family is the one thing in life that no matter how many times you let them down and disappoint each other, they always forgive you and love you unconditionally with no terms or strings attatched." I rested a hand on the side of me. I felt him lock our pinkys together and I smiled to myself. "Your turn. What's something you would want?" He looked out of the window as he placed the other hand under his head. "Peace. No one constantly shouting plays to me. No practices. No popularity. Just normal." We got quiet. It was a comfortable silence. We were content with each others company. He began to chuckle, I looked at him in confusion. "Wanna know something?" I nodded. "The only time I feel normal is when I'm around you. With everyone else I have to put on a face and act a certain way that's expected of me and it gets exhausting." I sighed and turned over facing him completely. He looked at me so our foreheads were touching. My hair was sprawled across the pillow and a little across his head but he never complained. "You never have to put on a mask with me. I like you as you are. Flaws, insecurities, difficulties, silliness and all. I wouldn't have you any other way." He smiled and pecked my lips. "You're an amazing person Angel." I smiled and pecked his lips. "Get some sleep doofus. We have class in the morning." He chuckled and pecked my lips. "Night Xai." I snuggled under him as he wrapped is arms around me securely. "Night Byron." I drifted to sleep peacefully.

I was awaken by my phone ringing. I looked to see if Kari had awaken. I grabbed my phone and walked downstairs. "Hey NaNa." I heard shuffling. "When are you bringing my baby over? I'm ready to party with little Kari bugg." I giggled. "I'll be over in 10." I responded. "Good. That means I can interrogate you about the whole parking lot thing this afternoon." I sighed and pushed my hair back. "See you in 10." I saw that Gram and PawPaw had already wrapped everything and placed it behind the couch and in the closet. For a 2 year old Bakari was very smart and she was getting smarter everyday. She reminded me so much of Byron that it made no sense. I knew in my heart the right thing to do was tell him about Bakari but I wasnt ready to tell her about him. I went back upstairs to find Kari wide awake. "Hey love bug. You ready to go?" She nodded and reached for me. I grabbed her bag and headed out the door. I arrived at Nadia's house to see Aiden watching cartoons. Kari ran over to him and joined him. We made our way to the kitchen when Carlos came in. "Hey Xai. How's it going?" I hugged him and pecked his cheek. "Hey Los. It's going. I graduate in April. Kari is getting bigger and I ran into Byron today." I watched his expression change. Carlos was my older brother who stayed in Seattle. He met Nadia a little after I left for Florida. We were pregnant around the same time and she had Aiden a week before me. We became close and Carlos was happy with it. "Los calm down. He doesn't know." He sighed. "I'm here if you need me sis." I nodded and watched as he took 2 juice boxes to the kids with some apple slices. "So what are you gona do?" Nadia asked as she cooked dinner. I sighed. I guess meet up with him and talk. Inform him about Bakari but have them meet on my terms. My way." She nodded. I had alot on my mind so I kissed Kari goodnight and promised to take her and Aiden to see Santa tomorrow. I headed home with one thought in mind. Byron and Bakari. It wasn't something I wanted but it was something they both needed and deserved.