(carl's p.o.v)
Fiona, Debbie, Miya and I are currently setting up last minute stuff for the party that starts in an hour. It's just going to be the family, Kev, Vee, Miya, and Kate. Miya and Debbie were hanging up a banner that says "We'll miss you Carl" and I couldn't help but admire Miya's every move.
The way she talks is like listening to an angel sing and when she smiles it's like all the bad things in the world just disappear. I honestly have no idea how I got so damn lucky to have her. I know I fucked up a few times and maybe I'm fucking up now by leaving, I don't know. But, I know that I'm the luckiest guy in the world.
"You gonna help or are you just gonna stand there," Fiona asked, interrupting my thoughts.
"Sorry, I just zoned out," I said, taking a swig of my beer.
"You thinkin' about her?"
"Yeah. Am I fucking up by leaving, Fiona? I don't want to lose her by doing this."
"No, you're not fuckin' up. This is good for you. Military school is good for you. She understands that. It may be hard for her 'cause I can tell how much she loves ya, but she understands."
"Thanks, Fi," I gave her a smile and she pulled me into a side hug.
"She's a good one. Better than the last one," she said with a serious tone.
She pulled away to get the balloons from the kitchen table and handed them to Miya.
"Carl, can you help me blow these up," she asked. Obviously, I couldn't say no. So, I set my beer down and began blowing up balloons.
•••
About an hour and a half later everyone had already shown up. Everyone was dancing and eating and having conversations.
I'm currently in the living room dancing with Miya. She's a great dancer, to be honest. She's so confident, it's adorable.
The song that was playing finally finished and Miya stopped her dancing. She plopped down on the couch, out of breathe.
"I need to take a break," she said. I laughed at her as I sat down on the couch next to her.
"Want something to drink," I asked.
"No, that's okay." She was silent for awhile. Then, the smile on her face faded.
"What's wrong, Mi," I asked, wrapping my arm around her.
"I just realized how much I'm gonna miss you," she rested her head on my shoulder and I laid my head on her's.
"I'm gonna miss you too, baby. We'll stay in touch, though. I promise."
My own words struck me. 'I promise'. I've made a promise to Miya before, but I broke it. I don't want that to happen again. But, what if it does?
"It's okay if you can't, though," she said, pulling me away from my thoughts.
"What do you mean," I scrunched my eyebrows together.
"I mean, it's okay if you can't keep in touch. I know you'll be busyin military school. I don't want to keep you from that. So, you don't have to promise," she told me, meeting my eyes.
"Well, I already did and I plan to keep that promise," I said to her in a serious tone.
"Okay, then. Wanna go upstairs," she raised her eyebrows with a big smile on her face as she stood up and grabbed my hand, pulling me upstairs before I could even answer.
We reached the top and she turned around to face me. Then, she smashed her lips against mine. I quickly, but softly, pulled away.
"Wait, Mi, are you sure you want to do this here? Now? I mean everyone is downstairs. What if someone comes in," I didn't want to sound too paranoid.
"Babe, chill. It'll be fine," she smirked, pressing her lips to mine again. My tongue soon found it's way into her mouth and we collapsed on my bed. I was laying on top of her, her hands brushing through my hair. She tugged at the bottom of my shirt and I pulled it off. Then, did the same to her.
I began leaving kisses on her neck and down to her chest. She let out quiet moans and I couldn't help but smirk. I made my way down to her torso and began to pull her pants off.
"Hey, Carl. Have you seen my pho- Oh, my God," Debbie yelled as she began to walk to into my room, interrupting our little make out session. Miya and I both jerked our heads in Debbie's direction. Her hand was covering her eyes and she had her 'yikes' face on.
"Sorry, I was just wondering if you've seen my phone. I can't find it," Debbie asked nervously.
"Nope, haven't seen it, Debs," Miya answered.
"Me either," I replied after Miya.
"O-Okay, uh, t-thanks," she said, quickly walking away.
Miya removed herself from under me and picked her shirt up off the floor.
"Well, I guess that was good while it lasted," she said, pulling her shirt over her head.
"Y-Yeah, I guess," I stuttered.
"Hey, I have a question," she blurted out of nowhere.
"What is it," I asked leaning against the wall next to her.
"You never told me about your 'White Boy Carl days'. I really wanna know what that's all about. Would you mind telling me," she asked with her sweet voice. I let out a soft laugh, thinking about the days when I thought I was the shit.
"Well, I got caught trying to smuggle heroin on my nephew, Chuckie, to Michigan and went to juvie. All the guys in there called me 'White Boy Carl'. I even had cornrows. Anyways, I was let out on good behavior. I had this friend, Nick. He followed me everywhere. He was like my guard, or whatever. One day, some kid stole his bike, he got really upset about it and killed the kid..." I trailed off. Talking about this part of my life hits me hard deep in my heart. I don't ever talk about this with anyone. But Miya is so different, she's listening so intently, like she cares. It's so easy to talk to her about stuff like this. "I saw the body. Really fucked me up. I was a mess after that day. I haven't seen or talked to Nick since."
Miya's face was full of concern. She understood ever word I said. Every. Damn. Word. I can tell because if she didn't, she still wouldn't be listening.
"Wow, that's crazy. I'm sorry you had to go through that," she scooted closer to me, wrapping both arms around my neck and pecking my cheek. "I understand how you feel, though. I had a friend that went everywhere with me, too. Her name was Maggie. She was practically my sister. My parents even liked her, and my parents never liked any of my friends. She had a really bad family life, her mom was a junkie and her father left one day and never came home. One day, her mom over dosed and Maggie and her little brother, Luke, was sent to foster care. I tried to get in touch with her, but I never found out where she was placed or who her foster parents were. Last I heard her mom was serving some time," she told me.
"I'm sorry about your friend," I told her, sounding sincere.
"I'm sorry about your friend, too," she said. I rested my head on her chest and wrapped my arms around her torso.
"I love you so much, Miya," I said.
"I love you too, Carl. I always will."
