Innocence

Memories

🚶🏽‍♂️C•H•R•I•S🚶🏽‍♂️

My eyes flashed open, and I scoped out the vividly white space I floated in. Suddenly, a force yanked me and I flew through a gateway, my feet settled on the ground. I looked at the three doors that stood before me with bold gold letters on them. I read them and discovered they were names: Jessica, Tina, and Aries. Jessica's door flew open, and I was sucked in. The door slammed close behind me and the scenery changed; I stood in the corner of my living room.

Jess and I sat on my living room couch. I leaned back, and she placed her feet on my lap. I massaged them while we watched, "Meet The Browns" on TV. I always prerecord 'Meet The Browns' and 'The House of Payne' for her. Those were her two favorite shows since she didn't have cable at home. My house was her escape; she'd come over here crying, but she wouldn't tell me what was wrong.

I picked up the tissue box and sat it on the coffee table, "I ain't tryna force you to tell me non, but this the fourth time this week you came over here crying. Wassup?"

She gazed at the Tv, "Nothing, Chris." She waved me off.

I looked at her with a poker face, "You really expect me to believe that shit Jess?" I scoffed. "Tell me wassup cause you running to me like I'm yo nigga."

She rolled her eyes, "You could be if you would just drop the hoes."

I chuckled, "Everybody knows you fucking wit Jerome. I'm not finna drop nobody when you treating me like I'm yo side nigga."

She pouted and looked at me, "Chris, I'm not treating you like you're my side... I can't tell you what's going on and I can't go out with you because of Tyler."

"Baby girl, I don't give a fuck about Tyler." I groaned.

She touched my cheek, "I won't be the reason for you two to stop being friends."

I huffed and looked at the ceiling, "Jessica I don't give a fuck, I like yo ass I needa be wit you !"

I gazed into her hazel eyes and held her hand, "Tell me what's really going on."

Her eyes watered, "I can't!" She dug her face into her hands.

I pulled her in and laid her on my chest, "I'm sorry, ight?" I rubbed her back. "I just hate seeing you like this." I sighed.

A room of clocks stood before me, and I was pulled into my room. I stood in a corner and looked at myself watching TV. I remembered this day, Jessica finally confessed to me what Tyler was doing to her, but she made me swear not to do anything. I lost all respect for Tyler that day, but I still held him close like he was my brother. I was glad when Hakeem beat his ass, but it took everything in me not to tell him he deserved it. 

The doorbell rung and I ignored it. I wasn't expecting anybody, and I told niggas to call me before they showed up. The doorbell rung three more times before I huffed and went downstairs. I opened the door, and Jessica hugged me. She was soaking wet and sobbing. I closed the door and locked it. I ain't know what to do because she refused to let me go. I sighed, and her legs automatically wrapped around my back. I held her and took her upstairs to my room.

I sat on the edge of my bed, "Jess?" She lifted her head from my shoulder and kissed me.

My eyes widened as her tongue seeped into my mouth. I pulled away, "What's up with you?" My eyebrows furrowed.

Her lip quivered, "I..."

I bit my lip and sat her on the bed. I walked into the bathroom and turned on the tub. When I was younger, I'd throw big ass tantrums over my parents not coming home. I'd cry for hours and wouldn't stop until the maids sat me in a bubble bath. I sprinkled Epsom salt at the bottom of the tub and poured some soap inside. I walked back into my room, and Jessica laid on the bed in a fetal position, sucking on her thumb; her face was stained with tears.