The Girl From The Show

Starting over

(3 months later)
Essence's POV

"Essence, you got a customer in the front."

I quickly hurried and put up my skittles before jogging to the front of Foot Locker.

"Hey, I'm Essence how may I help you today?" I asked as I tried to hurry and set up the computer.

"I'm tryna see if you got these in red?" I looked up and froze.

Kevin Alston.
That's Kevin Alston.
Like THE Kevin Alston.
In Atlanta.
What is he doing here?

"Kevin?" I asked.
He gave me a small smile before nodding.

"It's so nice to meet you!" I told him before walking around to him.

I was going to ask for a hug but......he's tall.

"Dang. I'm like a elf compared to you." I chuckled.
I opened my arms to hug him and he didn't hesitate to hug me.

"Okay, back to the shoes. I'm pretty sure we do, but what size?" I asked.

"Eleven." He answered.

"Okay, I'll be right back."
Jogging to the back of the store, I checked to see if we had the shoe in red but we didn't. But we had it in purple.

So I brought them to see if he'd want it.

"We only have it in purple right now. We should be in stock tomorrow though." I said as I entered to checkout area again.

"It's okay, I'll just cop these today and come back tomorrow." He said as he slid the box from my hands.

"These are fire too. I like em." I smiled and nodded.

"Ready to checkout?" I asked.
He nodded and I rang him up.

But I honestly could help but notice the sadness in his eyes. He looked like he was trying to hide what he's going through.

I mean, I should know. I'm doing the same thing.

"You okay?" I ask softly.
He glanced up at me and shook his head no.

"I'll be fine." He responded with a small smile, but it quickly faded.

"You want another hug?" I asked as nicely and gently as I could. I probably seem annoying, but I'm just really nice.

He stared at me for a second before nodding.

I opened my arms and wrapped them around his torso and he wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

I don't know what he's actually going through or what actually happens between him and Amelia, but I know he's hurting and I just want to be there for him. Even if it's for one minute. It's probably gonna be the only time I'll ever get to see him.

"Essence! What the f*ck are you doing bruh?!"
My eyes widened as I was being snatched away from Kevin.

I looked up to see Hakeem in front of me.

"I was just hugging him." I explained fast. He got more and more angrier with me in seconds.

"Go to the f*cking car! Right now!" He yelled.

Feeling embarrassed and scared I headed to his car.

After a few minutes, Hakeem got into the car and sped off.

"What did I tell you about talking to other n*ggas bruh?" He asked.
I didn't answer and I felt a sting in the middle of my chest.

"What did I say?!" He yelled.