Save Me ( Keith Powers)

59

Ashly
It's been three weeks since the McComb trip and things are back to normal, well somewhat. Everyone is still treating me like I'm broken and I have to keep reminding them that I'm good. Momma suggested that I go to therapy but of course I declined it. She told me that I had to open up to someone but my response was always I'm good. I didn't need to talk to anybody, I didn't need anyone bothering me with questions every five seconds and I didn't anybody in my home. I just needed peace, quiet and to be left alone.

"Ashly, I thought I told you when you take a water bottle out of the refrigerator you put another one in there." He said after he flicked my forehead.

"Ow! I done told you about doing that, stupid."

"Well do as we agreed on then."

"First of all Tyree-"

"Nah ain't no first of all, go replace that water."

"Nope. You want some water so bad you go do it."

He looked at me then got up and went to the kitchen mumbling.

"What? What was that? I didn't hear ya."

"You heard what I said. I didn't stutter." I chuckled as he went into the kitchen.

Okay, I know what I said earlier but I'm making an exception for him. Before we got together he was my best friend and he was always, always, always there for me. If I couldn't talk or just be around my family then I knew that I could be around him. He took all of my problems away and made me feel free. And at this moment that's what I needed, for my problems to be away and just be free.

Candace: Come to the gym now. We need to talk.

Me: Cand, can we talk tomorrow? I'm really not even in the mood to go to the gym right now.

Candace: what's wrong? Keith done broke your legs in half already and now you can't move? 😒

Me: 😳😳
•••
Bihhhh
I'm on my way RIGHT NOW!!

"Hey Keith."

"Yo?"

"I'm about to head to the gym. Will you be alright here by yourself?"

"Ashly, this isn't my first time coming here. Of course I'll be alright here by myself plus I'm about to leave anyway and go to the studio."

"To go see Blaq tuxedo?"

He laughed at my tone of voice trying to sound like Dominique.

"Nah, I was going to go see Algee but they might be there."

"Oh okay. Tell them I said hey."

"Will do. Make sure you work out them legs."

"Stop." I laughed out as he hit them.

"Alright, alright. Give me a hug bab- Ashly."

My eyebrows rose up then went back down once he corrected himself. We gave each other a hug then we both left out of the house, went to our cars and went our own separate ways.

I made it to the gym and soon as I went inside I spotted Candace and Miracle at the treadmills.

"Well, well, well look at what the cat done dragged in. Are you done with your workout session with Mr. Powers?"

"Ha ha so funny." I gave them a sarcastic laugh. "It's not even like that."

"Are you sure?"

"Why are you even back with him? Did you forget what he did?"

"Nah, but did you? Since you found out about his wrongdoings before I did."

Miracle stopped the treadmill and stepped off of it and walked to another machine.

Last week Miracle accidentally told on herself when her and I were having our sister sister conversations. I can't remember exactly what we were talking about but I know soon as she started talking it somehow slipped out. Now was I mad? No but I was hurt and disappointed. You're my sister and we're supposed to tell each other everything especially when it involves the other's boyfriend.

"Why did you guys text me?"

"What happened to 'oh I'm done with him. I don't want to deal with him anymore and I'm cutting off all ties with him.'?"

I looked off to the side and rolled my eyes a little. I should've known that's why she texted my phone. I don't even know why I came.

"C, it's not even like that. Trust me when I say I am very much still mad at him and we are not back together."

"Then why is he chilling at your house, Ash? No better yet, why are you still keeping contact with him?"

"Because before we got together that was my best friend and my only guy friend. He took all of my problems away and made me feel free and after the things I went through, I need that."

"But Ashly he's part of the reason."

"And I know that, Candace. You don't think I know that."

"I don't think you do."

Before I could respond to Miracle, Candace put her arm out and told her to chill.

I looked off to the side and rolled my eyes a little.

"Look I know what I'm doing and what I'm doing is harmless."

"Is it?"

"Yes, it is. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I'm going back home."

I threw up the peace sign and walked out of the gym to my car so I could leave.

Omniscient
"If Ashly is back with him then she's dumber than I thought."

Candace shook her head.

"I don't think she's back with him. After he flat out embarrassing her, I don't think she'll go back."

"She went back to Mike and it took her a while to leave Rodney."

•••
Eh, I guess you can call this a filler.

I would've made it longer but I wasn't really feeling this chapter.

How do y'all feel about Ashly "chilling" with Keith? Do y'all think her reasoning for chilling with him is good enough?