Be Without You (Completed)

8

May 2003, Beyoncé's POV

I had just finished getting ready when I heard Kelly ring the doorbell. "I'm coming!" I yelled as I ran downstairs. I just wore my hair curly and put on a simple dress and some red lipstick, but compared to how I looked when I came in the house this morning, I looked like a supermodel.

My mom smiled when she saw me, "You look beautiful baby, are you feeling any better?"

Earlier when I woke up from my nap I went downstairs to get something to eat and I told my mom and Solange everything that happened with Shawn, which lead to more tears on my part, more sympathy on my mom's part, and straight up wrath on Solange's part. I swear I fear for this man's life if Solo ever runs into him. She was always very protective of me, which I find funny since I'm the older sister, but she was always much more bold and outspoken. But since I've come home my mom has been treating me like a little kid. I appreciate her concern but I don't want to just sit around and be pitied, which is another reason it'll be nice to go see old friends tonight.

"Yeah, I feel a lot better. I'm excited to just spend some time with friends."

"Well I'm sure you and Kelly will have a lot of fun tonight, be safe ok."

"I will mama," I gave her a kiss on the cheek and left out.

...

When Kelly and I walked into Lyndell's we saw lots of familiar faces from the old cheerleading and basketball teams. I felt like I had stepped right back into 1998, which was kind of a nice feeling, it was a much simpler time.

"Ayyyyyyy Bey, Kelly!" Lyndell said when he spotted us. He came over and gave Kelly and hug. When it was my turn for a hug, he picked me up and spun me around and I immediately started cracking up.

"Put me down fool!" I said through my laughter.

Kelly just laughed and shook her head. "You two haven't changed a bit. Bey, I'm gonna go talk to some people, you guys catch up."

Lyndell looked me up and down, "You really haven't changed a bit. Just as beautiful as you were at homecoming. Nah that's a lie, you're even more beautiful than you were back then."

I blushed and playfully swatted his shoulder, "Lyndell, stop it."

He held his hands up in defense, "Hey, I'm just telling the truth! Anyway, what've you been up to?" He asked as we walked over to find a spot to talk.

"You know, just graduated school with my degree in nursing -"

"Congratulations, valedictorian."

I gave him a confused look, "Who told you I was valedictorian?"

He chucked, "Nobody had to, I know you, Bey."

"Well, thank you. But yeah, I'm excited to just start applying for jobs and get started in my career."

He smiled at me, "That's always been your goal, I'm proud of you."

I returned his smile, "Thanks, Lyn. What about you, what's next for you?!"

"Well, same as you, finished up school. UCLA was amazing. And actually in about two weeks I'll be moving out to LA for good. I'm gonna be starting on a little team called the Lakers, maybe you've heard of them?"

I gasped, "Lyndell! That's amazing, I'm so proud of you!"

"It's no big deal," he said jokingly as he pretended to pop his collar. "But yeah, this is kind of a going away party. I wanted to see everyone again before I headed out there for good. What are your plans though, you gonna stay in the Houston area?"