The Only Exception

11

Letoya

I fumbled with the tie on my trench coat as I went up and knocked on the front double doors. Why she told me to meet her here, I would soon find out.

My phone buzzed and I looked down, taking my attention away from the door. 

Kels😘
Hey, I left my laptop on my desk by mistake, you can send me a file from it?

To: Kels😘
I'm not at the dorm right now. I'll get it to you soon though.

Kels😘
It's Sunday sis.... I know you not at work. Where you at? Sunday usually your sleeping day.

To: Kels😘
I'm hanging with Momma Martha today.

Kels😘
Oh aight. Thought you was with Jo, I was finna say something.

For some reason, Kelly despises the fact that I spend so much time at work. I mean my schedule has changed drastically since I began working for Jo, but that wasn't in my control. Jo's hours just were everywhere depending on the week and month.

Rolling my eyes, I put my phone in my pocket and jumped out of my skin when I looked up and saw Jo standing there.

She chuckled. "You seemed intrigued in your phone so I let you be."

"Sorry." I shook my head at my will to get so easily distracted by things. "I was texting my friend back."

Jo shook her head. "No don't be sorry. It's fine. Come in." 

I realized that she seemed calm and cool in this moment. Her hair was tied back instead of down how she usually has it and she had on tights and a sweater. Add to that some Christmas fuzzy socks, and you'd have Jo's appearance down to a T.

Walking in behind her, she shut the door behind me and took the lead into her place. This house was beautiful and I quickly took notice to the earth tone colors and how her tables seemed to all be glass.

The fireplace was lit, giving the home a toasty feeling inside. She led me through her house and to her bedroom. I stood awkwardly for a moment until she sighed and pulled me down next to her. 

For a few moments, all that was heard was the low buzzing of something in another room, and well my heartbeat in my ears. Hopefully she couldn't hear it. I was nervous to say the least. I had signed that contract and today was the first day she had spoken to me since then. Today was Sunday, and I signed that contact Wednesday morning.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked me softly.

I glanced at her before shaking my head. "Nothing. Guess I'm just zoned out."

Jo nodded. "That was a lie, but do you want something to drink? Water? Hot cocoa? Wine?"

Following my last action, I once again shook my head. "No.. I'm fine. Thanks though."

"Okay Letoya..." Jo stood up and soon pulled me up with her. When I was standing straight up, she pulled the knot holding my trench coat closed, apart. "You gotta relax. Can we make that happen?"

"Yeah." It was partially a lie if I'm being honest. I don't think I'll ever be able to not be tense around Jo and the contact did nothing but add on to that.

"Good. Take this jacket off for me then, how about that?" Pulling the jacket off of my arms, I placed it on the edge of the her bed. "Okay, so I have a coat closet, let's utilize it. While I hang this up, get comfortable. Seriously. Get comfortable."

She grabbed my jacket and walked elsewhere as I sat down on her bed and found myself simply getting on my phone. I badly wanted to text Kel, but I knew that she would do nothing but judge me on the matter. Instead, I began traveling from app to app.