The Dopamine Rush

Chapter Two | Pound Cake

Nikolai's POV

I sat on the passengers side of my mother's 89 Honda Civic as the warm breeze covered my face.

"Jesus mom, can we let the windows up? It's hot!" I exclaimed before wiping the sweat above my lip.

"I suppose, you know how your father is about me running the air, he claims it burns up all of the gas."

I looked over at my mother with a smile. "Mama, why won't you just do what you want? It is your vehicle you know?"

"Yeah. But I don't want to cause any issues with your papa my girl, everything I have now is in thanks to him."

My eyes slowly traveled towards the rear view mirror where I could see my father trailing slowly behind before drifting my attention back to my mother.

Raquel Rodriguez was a beautiful woman. Her long black hair with deep waves graced her shoulders while her olive skin glowed from the sun rays. Her brown eyes pierced through her sunglasses and although she smiled as often as she could, there was a sense of sadness that seemed to always lurk behind.

"Nik... Nikolai!"

"Y-yeah mom?" I jumped as my eyes widened.

"My girl you are always daydreaming."

"I was just admiring your looks mom. Besides, I am the spitting image of you, at least that's what everyone says."

"You are!" She agreed while turning into the church parking lot. "I mean with the exception of those curls and those alluring grey eyes, we could pass for twins."

Just as I was getting out and beginning to respond, my father Melvin pulled into the park next to us with a smile so bright I am sure the sun was even blinded.

"My beautiful ladies!" He said slamming the door closed to his truck. "I hope you're ready for a day of fellowship."

"Definitely my love." My mom rushed over to his side before gently rubbing his caramel toned, freckled face.

*

We entered the inside of Carolina Seventh Day Adventist. Not only was this our home church, but my father Melvin had just become the pastor a little over two years ago. A church with over three hundred members, we were all a big family... or so it seemed.

Growing up in Raleigh, there was always something fun to do. From climbing oak trees to indulging in some of the best food you could ever imagine, I kept myself quite entertained as a child, it was just Kev and I.

Kevin, my older brother by four years was my closest friend growing up, also my protecter. He left home sometime after starting University awhile back and he could never seem to tell me exactly why. Dad and Kevin didn't get along too well once we got a bit older, back then I couldn't understand.

I stood at the door greeting each member while handing them a program and suddenly Wendy appeared out of nowhere.

"Well isn't it Sister James, Hey Nik!" Wendy said with excitement while grabbing unto my arm.

"Wendy!" I laughed while sliding the programs under my arm. "I was so busy saying good morning and handing out programs, I didn't see you come up."

Wendy Lewis had been my best friend since preschool and also my roommate at North Carolina State. There she stood shoulder to shoulder with me as her bronzed brown skin glistened from the light and her hair fluffed to perfection blew from the warm, humid winds.

"Let's go inside now, service is starting."

After every service, dinner was cooked by my mother and some of the other women of the church. Wendy and I did was we always do. Sit, eat, and people watch.

"When are you leaving for London again?" Wendy asked while cutting a few slice of pound cake.

"In just a few more days actually, we'll be arriving on the ninth. I don't know what we are going to do, I mean I am excited to be getting away from this place. But Brittany, she's out there." I rambled on as Wendy started choking.

"Dang! Drink some punch."

"It was that pound cake! Wendy gasped before taking a large gulp. "Did your mother make it? I sure hope she didn't, dry ass cake!"

"No mama didn't make it, Miss Barbara did."

London.

I hadn't been since I was ten and that was years prior. I could find something fun to get into, but not too much fun...

But I guess the idea of fun would become the introduction to someone that would change my life...

Forever.