"Michael?" May asked looking across the living room at the boy who was on his phone.
"yes?"
"i don't want to argue, but who is Tia?"
michael sat up looking at May then to his phone.
"she's a friend."
may stared, waiting for him to continue, hoping he wouldn't lie.
"she's from school. we had a project together, she was messing with some dude at our school who was putting his hands on her. we were working on a project one night and he came in, started throwing shit and knocked her out in front of me. we got to fighting and then the night guards got involved."
may sat there in shock, piecing things together in her head. "that's how you got that bruise on your face? it wasn't because of a game."
"i ain't wanna worry you, plus ol'boy got kicked out of school. Tia's been a help since we met at orientation, like a background sister and you know how I am with family."
"why didn't you want me to know before? i feel like such a bitch." she sighed.
"i don't know." he shrugged, both of them now sitting next to one another on the big sofa.
"you're such a hero, it's kind of disgusting." she laughed
"mama ain' raise no punk ass nigga." he joked
"wow, and to believe I love you - that was so corny.
--- next day ---
"Why do you have to go?" may asked following Michael back to the room where his suitcase laid open on the bed
"Something happened at the apartment and I need to actually be there." He said throwing in another chunk of clothing before turning towards May
"I'm going to miss you." He said crawling over to where she was on the bed.
"Then you wouldn't leave."
"I have to."
"I know but I don't want you to." She sighed rolling her eyes
"I'll be back in like two days." His lips attaching to hers making both of their hearts flutter and stomachs flip
"No, I don't want you spending all that money Bakari."
"I'on wanna be dramatic or nothing but, you know I'd do anything for you. No doubt."
May smiled ready to show him what she'd do for him but then he'd miss his flight -
"Why don't you just come?"
"I can't, I have appointments with my aunt for the next three days."
"Well, come after. You need a mini vacation from all the shit that's been happenin'."
"You are my vacation and it just got shortened." She mumbled falling back onto the bed
The two stared at one another for a second then burst out laughing
"Yo you're so extra May." He managed to get out
"That was so good though, like come on." She laughed
"It was, but like,"
They laughed for a solid five more minutes before calming down and finish packing.
Before they knew, Michael was boarding a plane and May was crying because her little escape was leaving her to fend for herself. She always said she'd never let someone be her happiness but here she was watching her happiness fly back to his normal life.
——————-
"Auntie." May whispered
"Yes baby?"
"How long are we going to be here?"
"What?? You trynna rush my appointment to rush my death, a little rude boo." her aunt giggled
"Not funny." May sighed "it's just really cold in here. You know I don't like the cold."
"Me either but you'll be fine. Here." She said pulling a sweater out of her bags of wonder that May always remembered her having since she was a kid
"Where, why- never mind." she whispered
--- an hour lata (like the sponge bob guy)(anyways---
May was stretched out on her bed, staring at the endless options on Netflix, nothing standing out to her. After her appointment, Mays aunt wanted to come over and she was currently asleep on the couch, leaving May to do nothing. At all. Except for looking at pictures of her and Michael- like the one when they went to the Zoo. Or the one he took of her laying in the bed at golden hour which was beautiful might she add. Then there's the one where-
"May! May please come here."
Practically jumping down all the stairs she seen her aunt hunched over a bag.
"What happened? Auntie?"
"Please go get me another bag please." She asked as May did so in a rush, bringing for and a mini trash can
"I- is that blo-"
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Twenty minutes had gone by and May was sitting on the couch with her aunts head in her laps. She had let her clean up before demanding she laid down.
"Hey Bakari. I know you're probably still busy but I-" she began choking up "there was blood and her face and Michael I can't do this. I'm trying to toughen up but I can't. I love you, I miss you." She whispered, hanging up the phone and letting it slip out her hands.
Why was she cracking under pressure? Now? Out of all times? This isn't what she wanted, but when did people ever get what they wanted in life?
——-
Yoooo hey y'all I'm back. Finally seen BlackPanther, finally went swimming, finally have a weekend off !!!
Also, this club is opening n they said Michael is going to be there. I'll update y'all when I post again - see yaaaa
