Zadia looked up and noticed that she was nearing towards Starbucks. "How come you backed out?"
"I'm not made for the gang life." He stated. "And I know that my mom wouldn't want that for me, not ever. So it was only right that I didn't rob that store."
Both of them stopped walking as they reached the doors of the green coffee shop. "That was a smart decision," Zadia stated, looking into his eyes. They were an almond shape and the color of brown amber. From his pupils being dilated, she could tell that he was very interested in this conversation. And from the way he blinked every few minutes, it was a dead giveaway that he found her attractive. "Look, kid, I suggest you take a deep breath whenever you want to make a good decision."
Abel looked at her confused. "And why is that?"
"Your name origin is Hebrew," Zadia said, remembering the time when she searched up Abel Tasman, a Dutch merchant, and explorer. She had to search up his name for an AP Literature assignment in the eleventh grade. "Which is pronounced Hevel. That means ''breath." She explained. "Therefore whenever you want to make a good decision, take a deep breath."
A smile formed on Abel's lips. "You are one weird lady."
She rolled her eyes. "Bye kid and make sure this is the last time you follow me." She said, as she opened the door of Starbucks and walked right in. She licked her dry lips as she made her way to the employee's entrance.
"I'm surprised you made it back on time." Her boss commented as he restocked the cups.
"Is there any way I could get my check earlier than usual?" She asked, ignoring his stupid comment. "I really need it."
Her boss scoffed. "You mean just like how you needed it earlier, last month." He replied, turning around. "Were not a bank Zadia. We only give you money when it's time too, not weeks ahead. Get it together." Zadia bit her tongue, for the third time today. "But, seeing as you are an okay barista. I'll give you your check in advance. But this will be the last time."
"Thank you." She gritted out.
"Mmh." He mumbled, avoiding her gaze. "Get back to work, I'll have it by the end of your shift."
Zadia did as she was told, not even bothering to say anything else. As time went on and she continued to take the orders of others, her mind drifted. She was thinking about how weird it is, that a different version of a person exists in the minds of everyone that person knew. It was a random thought, but that's how Zadia is.
Random.
She couldn't help herself, she just was.
Zadia remembered how her mother used to scold her as a child, for blurting out random things. "Your future self is talking shit about you." She had accidentally blurted out on her way inside church.
Her mother gasped, but then quickly caught herself. Pushing Zadia to the side, her chocolate eyes cast down on her with a heated gaze. "Don't you ever curse again. As a young woman, it is not in your nature to do so." She scolded. "If I hear you curse again, I'll slap the taste out of your mouth. And stop blurting out stupid things, it makes you sound stupid. No one is stupid in this family and I'll be dammed if you are the first! Act normal, be normal. You understand?"
"Yes," Zadia answered, trying her best not to cry.
"Yes, what?"
Zadia hurried and corrected herself. "Yes, ma'am." And as she said those words, tears started to spill from her eyes.
Her mother had an unreadable expression on her face. "Don't you dare cry, crying is for the weak! And you Zadia are not weak. The woman in our family don't cry, not ever. Wipe your tears and meet me inside." She said, before walking away.
Zadia and her mother were not close.
Meaning, they didn't have that mother and daughter bond. Zadia couldn't remember a time where her mother was affectionate towards her. As a baby, probably... but from there on, it was a hard no.
Their relationship was like a professor and a student. The only thing that Zadia's mother did was teach her what she thought was how a lady should be. Which was strong, but not opinionated. Hardworking, but only if your husband was okay with it. Stylish, but to a certain extent, so that God wouldn't punish you and your husband wouldn't feel disrespected.
In all those things her mother thought her, it was clear that there was no time for being sentimental, or affectionate.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Zadia heard her boss yell, which snapped her out of her thoughts. "Your shift is over, are you trying to get overtime? Because if you are, it's not gonna happen."
Zadia looked up from cleaning the counters. Her hands come to a stop as she blinks. She had zoned out so much, that she didn't even realize it was time to go. "Sorry." She apologized. "I lost track of time."
"Whatever." Her boss snapped. "Here's your check." He said passing it to her. "Go clock out and leave."
"Yes, sir," Zadia responded, before heading off to where she needed to be.
Once she clocked out, she took her path home, keeping her guard up as she walked through the dark city. Walking home never scared her, nor did the people. She liked the night and what it symbolized.
Serenity.
Even though most havoc happens at night.
Her stomach grumbled and she sighed, remembering she hasn't eaten anything today. Only the pack of nerds were in her system. "Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." She said to herself, quoting Forrest Gump. "I'll get through whatever this shit is. One way or another, it'll pass. It has to."
By the time Zadia got home, it was around ten in the afternoon. She warmed up some leftovers from the previous night and sat herself down on her bed.
After she was done eating, she took her shot and called it a night.
Hoping that tomorrow will be better than today.
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I was supposed to publish this chapter yesterday, but then I didn't think it was ready. So I rewrote the whole damn thing. Sorry for any grammar errors and if you see some don't be afraid to point them out. Thanks for reading🙏🏾
