Run

Apologize...

Tahari

Wednesday...

Lunch had finally crept around and I found myself sitting at the usual table along with the usual others that I barely conversed with. As the uproar from the variety of conversations sounded, I began to dress my Caesar Salad with ranch and a thousand island. Just as I was about to dig my fork into it, my cell buzzed inside of my pocket. I set my utensil aside and dug into my pocket and grabbed my cell. I gazed at it to see that I had a text message from Jac.

I've been talking to him as well as texting him for quite some time now, the past few days to be more precise. He texted me a boat load of sweet nothings, he came off as such a sweetheart but I was more than sure that it was all an act just to get me at a vulnerable state, so he could get into my body and not my mind, but then again, I am not so sure, however I will go along with everything for the time being. I had an agreement with Sina.

My word is my bond...

A soft smile crept upon my face as I read his random "How you doing beautiful?", text. Just as I was about to respond, I heard a voice say something to me. I gazed up and saw Briana place her lunch tray on the table as she took a seat in front of me. At this point I didn't know how to feel nor what to to expect from her.

She smiled. "I see that you were too busy smiling at your phone to hear me.", she said as she got comfortable in her seat. "How have you been?", she queried as she opened up her bottled water and took a sip.

I rested my phone on my lap before I spoke. "I've been alright, I guess.", I said softly. "Nothing new", I said softly as I continued gazing at her.

She nodded before resting her elbows upon the table. "Look", she started followed by a sigh. "Tahari, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize to you. It didn't really dawn on me that I was throwing our friendship away, as if it meant nothing.", she said sincerely. "I'm sorry for the things I've said to you and for leaving you stranded at school.", she said softly as she began to fiddle with her fingers.

I didn't know what to say, my only response was to sigh.

"I understand if you're upset.", she said followed by yet another sigh. "I'd even understand if you didn't want to be my friend any longer. It's evident that I was being a terrible friend to you.", she said.

"Briana, you solely hurt me.", I started as I took my attention away from her and gazed down. "I only wanted you to understand my reasons about why I couldn't hang out like I used to, my parents, my mother especially... She expects so much of me Briana, so I take my education very serious. I want to be something for my parents and most importantly for myself.", I said as I gazed at her. "Once you started hanging out with Devin, I noticed a change in you.", I said gradually.

She nodded. "It wasn't intentional, I guess I was overwhelmed that a guy was checking for me. An older guy at that, not these niggas here on campus. I was so caught up into Devin that I damn near pushed you out of my life.", she said gazing at me. "Devin and I haven't talked much in a few days.", she said as she gazed down.

I furrowed my eyebrows due to the last statement."Is everything alright?", I queried out of curiosity.

She shook her head. "Some stuff went down at Sina's house a few days ago. It doesn't matter though.", she said as she gazed at me. " I just want to know if I have my best friend back?", she queried.

A soft smile crept upon my face. "Yes, you do", I said carrying on my smile.

She mirrored my smile. "So what's been up? Who had you smiling at your phone so hard, a boy?", she queried as she opened up a ketchup condiment and squeezed it onto her burger.