You Can Trust Me (Keith Powers Story)

9

Stop running

Manhattan, NY

• November 2, 2017 •
• 9:36 am •

It's time to stop running away
from things that are uncomfortable
and hard. It's time to
confront issues in your life.

__________

The bright sunlight was illuminating my room as I woke up from my slumber. Squinting my eyes, I checked the time to see that it was dead early in the morning. There's no reason for me to be up this early so I'm going back to being sleeping beauty.

However, the more I attempted to fall asleep again, the less sleepy I became. Finally giving up and rolling my eyes, I got up and went into the bathroom. Something had me feeling like I should get out and jog and that was exactly what I was going to do. I have a shoot at one so I have plenty of time to do whatever.

I smoothly put on some black nike leggings and a jacket to match. It was getting colder and colder by the day so I threw on an extra long sleeve shirt before hand. Once I was ready to go I grabbed a water bottle and took a few gulps before swiping my keys off the counter and zipping them up in my pocket. Saying bye to Coco, I pulled a black beanie on and was out the door.

Jogging used to be an almost everyday thing for me, especially when I realized I had put on a few pounds in college. But obviously that faded for reasons you already know.

I slowed down my pace while catching site of my future studio. It's right around Times Square and it's gorgeous inside. It's been on sale since I moved here after school and I haven't taken my eyes off of it for one second. It really fits my style and once I get enough money for it, which should be soon, it's mine.

After about a half an hour of being out in this cold ass weather, I decided that it was time to head back to my apartment. Picking up my speed, I couldn't help but to spot someone who resembled Veronica heavily in Starbucks. Not even meaning to, I slowed to get a better look but soon cursed myself when she turned her head to spot me. She had called and texted me a few times after that night at the gallery but me being so caught up in getting back to my non-social ways, I completely ignored them. Now that I think about it I sound like a whole bitch. All she wanted to do was be my friend but I'm too stuck in the past to let that happen.

Her face lit up as she got up from where she was sitting and began to speed walk to the exit of the store. My eyes widened as I picked up my pace once again and tried to get out of her sight as quickly as possible.

"Venus!"

I rummaged through groups of people walking along the sidewalk and was cussed out a few times from bumping into some of them.

"Venus wait up! Why're you running?"

After finally running out of breath, I began to slow down but stopped abruptly when Veronica stepped right in front of me.

She tried to catch her breath as her short and wavy hair blew in the wind.

"What the hell Venus? What was that all about?" She breathed after every word.

"Oh that. Pshh sorry I thought you were tryna rob me girl." I laughed nervously and attempted to hit her shoulder to make my stupid ass lie believable.