Miss Sacrifice

Malik

With excitement running through me I was getting ready with music playing. I played 'Everybody Mad' by O.T Genesis while I showered and dressed. I've been on dates before and anticipation was never this hot for me and I'd never gotten this dressed for it. I wore my best pair of black jeans with a black Polo T-shirt and topped it off with a light washed denim jacket with fur at it's collar. I wore my black Timberland and finished the whole outfit with a small gold Cuban Link chain. I'd gotten a fresh line-up and picked my hair out not wanting to have bad curls in front of Jaaliayh . I sprayed myself with my favorite Old spice spray scented cologne, I knew I looked and smelled good. I looked at myself in the mirror and was content with what the outcome was, I knew Jaaliyah would like it as well so I didn't add or remove anything. I took some money from what I'd made this morning and added it to what I already had in my wallet, only to be sure I had more than enough for our evening.

The time came about where I had to go and pick up Jaaliyah and I became nervous. I was nervous only because I would be in a car with the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, her beauty only makes me want to hold her longer each time I'm with her. I thought of what she would wear and what she would look like tonight but immediately stopped when I knew I'd go too far. Jaaliyah hasn't texted me since our FaceTime call, so I decided to text her.

I'll be at your house in about 10 minutes. I texted.

She replied immediately, OK see you then.

On the drive to her house I picked up a bouquet of Purple Dahlias hoping she wasn't allergic to them. I picked the purple flowers only because purple is the color of royalty and ambition and I wanted to bring positive things for her. As I got closer to her house I became more nervous but kept a calm and poised facial expression.

Don't knock on the door. I'll be outside. Jaaliyah texted.

Why not? I asked. I thought of the reasons why and regretted asking.

My dad's home Malik. Was her response.

I pulled up to her house and spotted her on the porch. I didn't sound the horn but she seemed to have already memorized my car. She was wearing a short red dress that hugged her body in the correct ways and had a beautiful sweater over it. The sweater covered her butt and was long showing off how short she was, Jaaliyah also wore the red heels I'd bought for her and they looked even better when she had gotten dressed up. Her hair was in a stylish bun which was pinned with a bow. I stepped out and took the flowers to her while I tried to hold my smirk back.

"Hi Malik." She said as she stopped in front of me.

I didn't know if I should hug her, so I simply handed her the flowers. I hated myself for handing her the flowers without saying a word.

"You look very beautiful Jaaliyah." I said to her.

"Thank you, so do you." She said.

She took the flowers from me and sniffed them with a smile. Jaaliyah looked up at me and I took her hand, leading her to the car. I opened the passenger's seat for her and this time I didn't have to help her as much now that she had heels on--though I still smiled as she did her little hop. Before I closed the door, she looked at me and smiled--again.

"Malik please hurry, my dad could be at the window." she said as she strapped on her seat belt.

"Aight ma, we goin'." I assured and started towards my side of the car.

Before getting in the car I inhaled deeply and stepped in. I exhaled out of nervousness when I got in, and started the car. I noticed Jaaliyah taking several looks back at her house and through the window. I reached over to touch her hand and assured her that she was OK, but she looked worried and I didn't like it.

"You OK ma?" I asked her.

She nodded vigorously, "Yeah." I knew she wasn't telling me something.

I took her word for it and drove off. The ride was quiet as always and mostly consisted of Jaaliyah's face in the window and my eyes on the road. The first words spoken were from Jaaliyah when she'd question me about where I was taking her.

"It's a surprise." I said and finally turned to look at her.

"I don't like surprises." Jaaliyah said.

"You'll like this one, I know it." I assured her.

Jaaliyah looked confused, "What if I don't?" She asked.

I pulled up to a red light and stopped and turned to look at her, "Ma, trust me."

She smiled slightly and turned away, "Alright."

Jaaliyah was very quiet and I wasn't use to that kind of environment. I noticed every now and then she would side eye me and smile--it was cute and I liked it.

"Jaaliyah?" I said.

"Yes." Her attention was to me now.

"Tell me something." I said.

She smiled, "Like what?"

"I want to get to know more about your life. What it's like to be, Jaaliyah." I did jazz handas as I said her name and that seemed to have warmed her up. 

"Uhm, it's alright being me." She said with a shrug.

I didn't respond wondering if I said something it would ruin the mood. Her face was unreadable as I drove into the park's parking lot.

"Ready?" I asked.

She shook her head and we got out of the car, she met me in front of the car and stayed very close to my side as we walked towards the gates. I wanted to finish the distance of space between us and touch her but I was afraid she wouldn't want me to.

"Why do you do that?" Jaaliyah asked.

I frowned, "Do what?"

"Look at me and smirk." She had an impish look about her that lured me in.

I smiled again, "Because."

"Because what?" She nudged.

"Because you're beautiful and I'm really feelin' you ma" I said.

Jaaliyah blushed and looked down at her feet, I took her hand and led her to the gates. She didn't fight when I grabbed her hand she only became tense and loosened up after a while--which she did a lot. I planned on spending a good time tonight, walking, talking, and eating together. Jaaliyah was a flower worth blossoming.