Lovers

Ch. 21: Pride

PRIDE.- Kendrick Lamar

"Me, I wasn't taught to share, but care. In another life, I surely was there. Me, I wasn't taught to share, but care. I care, I care... Hell-raising, wheel-chasing, new worldy possessions, flesh-making, spirit-breaking. Which one would you lessen?. The better part, the human heart. You love 'em or dissect 'em. Happiness or flashiness? How do you serve the question? See, in the perfect world, I would be perfect, world. I don't trust people enough beyond they surface, world. I don't love people enough to put my faith in man"

"So, you won't eat dinner with me?"

"It's not that I won't; it's that I'm busy..." Dawn trails.

"Busy doing what?" I can't help but ask.

"Studying."

I roll my eyes at her feeble excuses. She has what, one class? But I can't press it. I don't want her to feel pressured to spend more time with me than she has to. This is the reality of what I put myself into. Once were about a block away from the apartments, she asks, "Mind if I use the restroom before I go?"

"Of course not, " I mumble, drumming my fingers against the dashboard to busy my disappointment. She parks across the street. I saunter out of the car with her a few steps ahead of me. She must have to use the restroom badly, I suppose.

As I unbury my pockets for the keys, I purposely drop them to have a moment longer in her presence. God, who's pitiful now.

I open the door, and before I know I'm met with cheers, "Surprise!!"

Alice, Casper, and even Andrew stand before me behind the foyer. I can see them through the window from the kitchen. They can't attain their excitement.

"What— what the?" I try to ask, but Dawn nudges me forward, letting my boots drag against the mahogany floor.

Alice stands tall, with her bohemian open toe shoes, what a Soho chic model.

"Well, Miss. Dawn wanted to celebrate your first day of therapy. She walks over to me and reaches for a hug; I do so, looking over her shoulder to see Casper smirking and Andrew biting his nails. In the corner, I see Len. And I instantly feel awkward by this celebration. Firstly, I humiliated him in his own home, and then Dawn decides to throw some get together with the only family that gives a shit about me. Or not to mention, I didn't want him to know about my therapy sessions, but that's too late now. He sits on the sofa, minding himself with his cellphone, but I know he's just not trying to stare at me.

"Alice, you didn't have to come up here? None of you, in fact. It's not a big deal," I say as I pull from her grasps.

"It is." She reassures me. "You haven't been to therapy in years, well you have, but you never have spoken to one. And now you're really going, and I'm happy for you." I can tell she's trying to restrain herself, but her voice may betray her, so she looks down at the floor.

Dawn comes to my side, looping her arm into mine, "Surprise," her smile softens my unapparent scowl. "Don't be a party pooper. Alice made you're favorite with the help of your new roomie. The smell of tacos finally reaches my brain. "How did you even set this up?" I ask incredulously.

"I have my ways." She brags, she nudges me, and Andrew steps forward, fumbling with his sweatshirt.

"Hi." He greets timidly.

"Hi buddy," I look to Casper, "Cas."

"Al, you want me to help set up the table?" Dawn asks; Alice nods, following Dawn into the kitchen. I can tell she might cry any second, and Alice should calm down on her own, then in front of everyone.