Miss Sacrifice

Malik

Jaaliyah seemed to open up more throughout the time we ate and each question was answered with ease. I learned her dreams and aspirations along with what she hates and loves. She finished her hamburger faster than any girl I know but she ate with class. She was much different from the other girls that I dated, she wasn't Hood and it was nice to have a change. Jaaliyah loved to read and sing but never goes out to experience things on her own. I could tell she loved to laugh and have fun but there was something barricading it and it wasn't just her timidity. I was going to find out one way or another.

I paid for the food and bought Jaaliyah a 'Take Home' box, she refused but I insisted. I didn't drive her home directly after, instead I took her to a park that was isolated from everything else. It was almost three when we arrived and she didn't seem to mind the time being. We walked around the track five time before she asked to sit.

"Tired?" I asked.

"Not used to this, I have Asthma." She said as she put her hands on her knees and bent to catch her breath.

I sat down on the bench, "Here, do this." I put my legs up and placed my head in between my knees.

Jaaliyah looked at me with question and laughed.  "I can't. My thighs are too big and I'll suffocate if I do it."

"Just try it." I begged and pulled her to sit next to me. Jaaliyah flinched once I touched her arm and I immediately let go. "I'm sorry, ma. I didn't mean to grab you so hard."

She shook her head and sat down, Jaaliyah did as I told her but with struggle. I watched her back rise up and lower down as she took deep breaths. She looked up to me when she was all set and was feeling better.

"I'm sorry. Its been so long since I've walked that long my asthma is just showing off right now." She laughed.

"You OK now?" I asked. I wanted to reach out and touch her head but I didn't want to upset her any further.

"Yeah. Thanks."

Before I spoke I looked at her but she already seemed to know what was on my mind.

"Ill tell you in the car." She assured.

"Why then?"

She inhaled deeply again, "So that I can run out and not see your anger when I tell you."

I thought of what could be the possible reasons for a bruise like that I became worried. It couldn't be what I was thinking of, Jaaliyah could never be getting abused or hurt at home. I didn't think any further, knowing that if I did I would hurt myself before I knew the truth.

"I'm gonna pretend like you didn't just say something like that and that you're not hinting what I'm thinking." I didn't look at her anymore but I look down at the ground and rubbed my hands together.

I saw from the corner of my eyes that she held her hand out to touch my back but she pulled back, "What are you thinking?" she asked.

"Its nothing, forget it. I'll just wait until you tell me." I shook my head but never looked back up.

"Malik." Her voice was soft.

"No, no. I'll wait." I waved my hand at her. I was beginning to feel hot with anger.

"Malik. You want to know and you won't accept it?" Her voice was hurt.

"I don't want to know at the moment, let's just wait until we're in the car. You wanna go check out a store near by?" I asked.

She looked at the time on her phone, "Just for a bit." she said.

We walked at a slow pace in silence. She was quiet because she was timid and I was quiet because I was thinking of what she was going to tell me. The thing she was going to tell me had my nerves working and pumping like a factory. I didn't want to find out what she was going to tell me, I could tell there was going to be tears from her and I didn't want to shed tears as well but as deep as I am now I think I'll do more than just shed tears.