Girl With The Tattoos™

Survivor.

"I'm happy for you Renee, really, but...I don't think it's a good idea that I come," Na'imah respectfully declined. The thought of attending her good friends wedding excited her but after finding who all would be attending, that excitement quickly died down.

She wasn't ready to face them yet.

"I promise I did not invite them Imah. You know how much disdain I have towards those folks, especially after what they did to you. My mother was the one who sent out the invites," Renee couldn't understand why her mother sent the Owens one to begin with when even she herself didn't care for them. But since Renee's wedding was the talk of the town, she assumed her mother wanted as many people to witness it as possible.

"I don't blame you or mama dukes," Na'imah quickly reassured her. "It's just, I'm not sure how I'll react if I cross their paths you know?"

If she could get away with murder she'd probably attempt it because her perverted uncle, his wife, and their two daughters truly deserved six feet under.

"And I get that, I do but I really want you to be here on my big day. I haven't seen you in person in six years Na'imah and I miss you. Facetime and text messages can only do so much,"

Na'imah bit at her lip in deep thought. Renee was the one person from back home who she remained in contact with since she left and the only one who knew her story. They had met each other during eighth grade and had become friends instantly. She was the closest thing to a best friend that Na'imah has ever had the pleasure of having.

Renee was the one she confided in about what was being done to her inside of her aunts home. If it wasn't for Na'imah constantly begging her to not tell anyone, who knows how things would've turned out. Even with knowing these things, Renee never judged her or left her side. Something Na'imah appreciated greatly. She was the one who had helped her get away and leave without a trace.

And because of Renee being there during the darkest times of Na'imah's life, she always promised to keep her close.

She was the only source of happiness Na'imah had back then, with the exception of mama dukes cooking of course.

"Look Imah, I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life but...you have to face them eventually or else you'll never be able to fully move on and be happy,"

"I am happy,"

"Are you?" Renee countered back with a serious tone. "Be honest with me right now, since you left have you truly allowed people in? To get close to you? To get to know who you really are?"

Na'imah grew silent, knowing she couldn't hide much from the irritatingly observant individual on the other end of her phone. "Exactly my point," Renee says after Na'imah chose not to answer her questions.

"You act like there's something wrong with being alone Nee," It wasn't as if Na'imah never tried making connections with people because she has but damn, most didn't deserve to get close to her like that. People weren't shit nowadays.

"Oh, it's not, however, you've been alone long enough best friend. You should be out there living your best life, creating memorable moments, not wasting away like some hermit crab,"

"Stop being so dramatic. I get out a few times but I just prefer to be at home instead," Na'imah argued back. Maybe she could try a little harder to create long-lasting relationships with people but-

"He's still holding you back isn't he?" Renee questioned quietly. "Even with you being thousands of miles away from him, he still has control over your life,"

"But he doesn-"

"You can't lie to me, remember that," Renee quickly interjected. "I'm sorry Na'imah but I can't let you continue on living your life like you are now. It's not healthy,"