Take a Mile (Being Revised)

Chapter Thirteen

I made it to work on time with two minutes to spare. It took a little speeding and cutting a few people off but hey, you got to do what you got to do. Later that night after finishing up some paper work for my boss, I sat at my island eating a bowl of dirty rice. The flavors mingled on my tongue. It had to be the best batch I had ever made. Or maybe it was because I hadn't had lunch, who knows. Patrick had left a note saying he used the cab money to go back to the diner and get his car. He left his number and promised to call and come back tomorrow.

I flipped through a book I had just bought, uninterested at the moment. My eyes weren't looking at the words on the book but at the small white card sticking out of my wallet. I was still thinking of a reason fine guy had given it to me. I know he helped me out and maybe felt guilty but, it wasn't his fault. I wonder what he meant when he said if I need anything. Did he think I was just some teenager who was still living with her parents? Most likely he does.

Well he would be surprised to know that I am lacking nothing in the material department. Maybe giving me his card was some sort of booty call. He was eyeing me up behind those glasses. Chalking it up to that I put my bowl in the sink deciding never to call him. I didn't need anything for him and he wasn't getting anything from me. I did appreciate the offer though. Not everyone would have even helped. I put the card in my book as a marker and shut it.

I put the book on the edge of my nightstand and shut off the light. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep with a lot of things on my mind.

*Friday*

I laid out my outfit for the beginning of the day. Black ripped skinny jeans, red converse, a red tank top, unbuttoned red and black flannel shirt, and a white hoodie with a red 1D logo on the back. I scrubbed down in the shower and brushed my teeth. I combed out my hair and let it air dry. I styled it into a fo-hawk and put on my clothes.

I put on a thin line of eyeliner and mascara. Grabbing my phone off the charger, wallet, and my keys I headed out the door. I said hey to Thomas and climbed into my mustang. Turning on my radio I sang along to Live While Were Young. I turned off the engine and climbed out of the car. I walked into Pick n' Save. I got the things that I needed for the pot luck tomorrow at my church; cornbread, green beans, and cabbage. And I got more candy, a lot more. I paid and put the food in the trunk.

Humming to myself I pushed the cart to the cart rack. Is that what they called those things? Right when I put it back and began walking away a familiar face appeared. Her hair was longer, she had gotten smaller, and she had gotten to be more of a slut, and apparently hasn't lost any admirers. Two guys were walking behind her obviously checking her out. She was walking in my direction and I tried to get to my car unseen but of course, luck wasn't on my side. "Rickeesha oh my goodness! Is that you?" Her shrill voice rang out behind me. I turned around with a fake smile on my face. "Tamera!" I called back with fake enthusiasm.

"How have you been baby girl!?" She pulled my in for a hug crushing me into her fake cleavage. "Umm, alright I guess." I said patting her back awkwardly. "It has been way too long! You changed so much I almost didn't recognize you." That was a disappointment on my part. "What happened to you Rickeesha?!" She questioned holding me out at arm length. "You are like a totally new person! Your hair is gone, you are wearing ripped jeans!? Are those converses? Eye liner and mascara? And what's 1D?" I pushed her hands away and shoved my hands into my pockets. "Umm, yeah." I said awkwardly and curtly.

She frowned slightly before smiling again. "It's good to see you. You just dropped off of the planet for the last couple years. No one has heard from you ever since the whole Tyler shot himself incident. I mean I know it was sad and all but come on he was only a guy. You can't just ignore your own friends and family." I flinched at her words. She sure put it subtly. She was never one to sugar coat things. That's often what drew people to her. Her need to speak her mind and say what she wanted. I found it quite obnoxious the way she didn't care how her words hurt other people. In this case she didn't care how they hurt me.

Tyler was more than just some guy. He was my best friend in the world. He was my friend and my family. He was always there for me when my so called "friends and family" weren't. I dropped off of the planet for a reason. I didn't want to be involved with them anymore. They had no remorse for me or anything. None of them showed to the funeral to support me or held me while I cried.

"He was more than just a guy Tamera, he was everything." I said coldly. She frowned at me pouting her lip. "You can't be telling me that you left all of your family because of a guy you had a fling with." I sneered at her. "You just wouldn't understand. It was not a fling, we weren't even dating and you of all people know that and it wasn't like he moved away he died. That's not something I can just get over in a week and move on." It was her turn to flinch and back away. "Where did this anger come from Rickeesha? What happened to insecure ol' little Eesha?" I took a step closer until I was in her face. "She grew up." I spat and turned around leaving her to the horny vultures walking up to her and climbed into my car.

Did she really have the audacity to say those things to me? She didn't know me. I laughed icily. Honestly what she said didn't sting as much as I thought it might. It was just the fact she had no problem saying them to me without a lick of sincerity. After all this time that's all she had to say. It was alright though because she is just one of the people that helped shape me into who I am now.

I drove to a nearby music store and parked my car. I took a deep breath and walked in. I browsed the different genres of music looking for nothing in particular. Just being in here helped calm me down. Music was always a place of refuge for me growing up. It never left me alone. Now I understood why Tyler loved it so much. He felt alone and that helped him cope more. I was always finding some way to try to lighten his spirits. Taking him out places like the movies, carnival, or park. But it's not what he wanted. He just needed the music.

I knew what to do to make me feel better. I'm going to do it for Tyler to. I had two empty rooms in my place. I'll just convert one of them into a recording studio and make music like Tyler did. With my DJ and tech skills it'll be a much needed distraction from the recent drama. I smiled at my new plan. It will be good for me. Purchasing a couple of CD's I left the store and drove home. I put the ingredients on the island and went to my computer. I checked my stocks and my bank account. I rubbed my head at the increase in balance.

I had to find a new charity to give some money to. I transferred a few thousand dollars to my card and logged out. I began cooking the food for the pot luck and planning the renovation for the studio. It took all about three hours. I had the plans ready and the food ready to be heated up. I had a couple of hours until I had to go to Starlight.

I sat waiting for Patrick since he had not called or texted what time he was going to come over. So much time had passed that I didn't notice i had an hour to get ready for work. I would just have to tell Thomas to have him go to Starlight or wait for me inside until i got back. I got in the shower and scrubbed down quickly. When I got out I went into my closet and found another Starlight "uniform". There really wasn't one. The only requirement was that you wear something visible with the Starilights logo and or name. I always wore differemt colored shirts with that with skinny jeans.

I was only one of the modest dressers. Other women who worked at Starlight dressed... a little out there. They explained to the boss that it was just to get peple to come back for more- eye candy. Yeah , she could have cared less. She didn't like it but she was barely there to see it.. So when the other girls were scantily clad in something that could barely be called a dress no one said anything. I just don't care as long as they don't bother me.

When I was finished getting dressed I checked my phone for any missed call or message from Patrick. Seeing none I put on my jacket. got my keys and wallet, and clicked off all of the lights. I hurried out of the building getting into my car. Truth was, I was hoping I might run into Mikhail again. But, what are the odds of him showing up again? I didn't even get to speak to him after his "performance". He was too busy being treated like the celebrity he is.

At least that's what it looks like from the outside looking in. I've never been one to judge but he also dosen't pass off as an egotistic maniac. But it could all be fake. Who knows, he could be the best person ever. I wouldnt know. I probably won't get the chance to. I surpsingly was not okay with that. But what could I do?

-I know its been a long time and I know the chapter is short, but school has been kicking my butt and I did lose some of my inspiration for this story. I dont even know where it is going at this point and I am basically throwing in random stuff.... BUUUTT! I wont give up on it an hopefully I will get my groove back.

--JJ