"when we forgive, we heal. when we let go, we grow"
Torrian | 10am
Atlanta, GA | June 9th
I woke up early, my phone buzzing with a text from Brooklyn that I had to read twice. She hadn't responded to my message last night, but when I saw hers this morning, offering to meet for breakfast, it was like I'd been given a second chance.
We're at this small, cozy spot I know downtown. We've been sitting in a comfortable silence since we arrived—quiet enough for me to watch her every move, how she looks out the window, her face soft and relaxed, not the guarded expression I've gotten used to. I'm lost in my own thoughts when she speaks up.
"I quit."
She said and i froze, the spoon in my hand paused mid-air as I processed her words.
"What? For real?" I asked, surprised.
"No, for fake." She says with a smirk.
I laughed. "Im... surprised," I admitted, leaning back in my seat, relieved as hell but trying not to let her see that. "Wait, you quit because of me?" I couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of my lips.
She raised an eyebrow, looking at me like I was crazy. "Fuck no, bruh. "She laughed lightly. "I'd been debating it anyway."
I took another bite of my food, not quite knowing how to keep the conversation going. I wanted to ask more, to dig deeper, but I knew better than to push her too far right now. Instead, I just let the silence hang between us.
Brooklyn, though, was different. She seemed to be at ease, even after what had happened between us. She looked at me, her lips curling into a smile that almost felt... real, not just polite.
"You know, I was glad when you texted me." She said softly, almost like she hadn't meant to say it out loud.
"Yeah?" I asked, meeting her gaze. I wanted to say more, to explain why I was so eager to make things right, but the words weren't coming to me the way I wanted them to.
She nodded. "I needed space... but I missed you." She admitted.
Her words caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting her to say that.
"Me too." I told her, smiling
We sit in a comfortable silence for a moment, both of us focusing on the half-eaten food in front of us. The cafe around us is buzzing, but it feels like we've carved out our own little pocket of peace. I missed this, i missed her—her dry humor, the way her presence fills a room without trying.
"This may be a bad time to ask," I started, knowing i'd probably regret it, but not being able to help myself. "Letting me help ya out?" I ask, cringing to myself at what she might say next.
She sucks her teeth. "Yeah it might just be a bad time." She said, titling her head.
"Brook." I sigh, straightening my posture.
"Torriannn." She dragged, a smile tugging at her lips as she leaned forward, slightly.
She stares at me for a moment. I stare back, shaking my head slightly, wondering what she was about to say.
"Why?"
I furrowed my brows. "Why?" I ask.
"Yes, why are you pressing it so much?" She asks, her head cocked to the side as she awaits my answer.
I chuckle lightly. "Brook. I just wanna help, genuinely. Nothing funny or bad intended behind it. You're the mother my child."
She sighs, looking at me with those brown eyes. Her body and facial expressions soften. "You know, you're kinda great." She says quietly. "Too great. Makes me feel like there's another shoe waiting to drop."
