Onika Tanya Maraj
Days at Bootcamp: 29
Onika sat on the beach and looked outward to the sea. She wore a open kimono as her cover up for her bathing suit.
She sipped on her alcohol free fruity drink and smacked her lips together,
"Stop looking at the waves like you want to fight them child." Robert said while doing his yoga a few feet away from her.
"Your eyes are closed how can you even tell?" Onika groaned and he shrugged.
"I can sense an uneasiness. Care to vent?" He said changing positions of his poses.
Onika wasn't sure, she stayed in most of yesterday. Attempting to get her thoughts together and that didn't work out.
"You should stop isolating yourself when your sad and confused. I think It will make you more sad and confused." Robert commented and Onika thought he was a psychic.
She just sighed and looked out toward the beach.
"I mean—can you blame me? I feel like my brain is..jumbled." Onika muttered. Robert allowed her to speak.
"Realizing one of your bestfriends—well—used to be bestfriend—is a terrible person—kinda shakes you to your core ya know?"Onika said.
"I mean I trusted her. And she never even asked for my input—she never considered my feelings on certain—things." Onika mumbled.
She didn't want to tell her father about the multiple assaults Lauren did to her—she was still processing it herself.
"Unfortunately not everyone we trust throughout our lives are good people. But it's your job to know that she isn't good for you. Cutting out toxicity is the best way to began a true healing process." Robert said breathing in deeply and then exhaling.
"Thanks dad." Onika said hugging her knees to her chest, Robyn opened one eye and looked at the back of his daughter.
"I have a feeling that's not all you've spent cooped up in your room thinking about." Robert said and he was right.
She was also thinking about Beyoncé.
A lot.
"Well it is." Onika said stubbornly and Robert just waited for her to give in and actually say what she was thinking.
"D-Dad?" Onika called out and Robert hummed.
"Can I ask a personal question?" She asked and Robert nodded. Onika felt like she was gonna start sweating.
"H-Have you—-ever.." Onika gulped and refrained herself from asking and Robert looked at her, "Continue your question child." He prompted.
"Have you ever had—like a—gay experience?" Onika asked and Robert smirked.
"My first kiss was with a boy named Kaden in freshman year—we didn't know how to kiss girls and decided to try each other. We never spoke of it again. He was a bad kisser in my opinion."Robert said and Onika laughed a bit.
"You ever have a gay experience Onika?" Robert asked and the girl looked down nervously.
"Technically—yeah but—it—it wasn't a good experience. Or one I want to—even talk about."Onika mumbled.
Onika listened to the sound of the sea, and a few minutes of silence passed.
"What does—being in love feel like?" Onika suddenly asked and this spiked Roberts interest.
"Being in love? Well it depends." Robert said sitting down on his mat.
"Isn't it supposed to be like—the best thing ever?" Onika asked and Robert shook his head laughing.
"Love is a feeling but it's also a bond. A bond that can be broken—repaired—or severed to never be re-tied." He said looking out at the crashing waves.
"But being in love itself? Oh it feels glorious. It feels like—even when everything goes to shit you have that one person. Who at the end of the day you can hold—or they can hold you." Robert explained.
"Love—is complex but it's also bliss."
"Do—do you think someone could ever—f-fall in love with me?" Onika asked with a shaky voice and Robert turned to her.
"Of course I do sweetheart." Robert said seriously. Onika started shaking her head.
"Wh-who could? No one wants someone with this much baggage—and with h-how many times i've been touched without my o-own permission? Who would want me?" Onika sobbed Robert shook his head.
"That wasn't your fault. I need you to understand that—if anyone you love holds that above your head—you shouldn't love them." He stated. Robert caught onto the fat she referenced it was multiple times—he didn't want to think about that part.
Onika was damaged—she knew that. And her biggest fear was being judged for that damage.
"Why are you asking me these questions Onika?" Robert asked and Onika sniffled and looked toward her father.
"B-Because I—I feel a certain way—about-about someone. And—and I'm not sure if it's right—it's a new feeling and well I was thinking about it yesterday—I'm not sure if this person would even want to be with me that way. With how fucked up I-I am." Onika managed to get out while sniffling.
"I'm sure Beyoncé would still care for you in every way possible."
Onika lifted her head up slowly and looked at her father who had a light smile looking at the ocean.
"H-How did you—" Onika stuttered out but didn't get to finish.
"You know Ming's been calling me?" He said interrupting Onika.
"We've been talking. Mostly about you. But each time we call she mentions Beyoncé. And how she makes sure she tells ming to tell you that she misses you. And that she's been moping around for the past month." Robert said.
"Sh-she's usually.." Onika trailed off.
"Happy? Giddy? Always smiling? Always making you smile? Yeah. I think she misses that last detail." Robert said grinning.
Onika didn't know what he seemed so happy about.
"You know—ming and I were talking yesterday to be exact. And she told me about how anxious and sad the girls been. And I suggested.." Robert trailed off.
"If she misses you so much—why doesn't she come and see you?" Robert asked turning to Onika and Onika stared wide eyed.
She heard the faint sound of a thud of some sort and saw her father look over her shoulder.
"Oh there she is." He said and Onika turned around quickly—she sure it was enough to give her whiplash.
There she saw her, standing right infront of her older sisters car.
She dropped the two bags she had in her hand and she could see—even from there, the tears forming in her hazel eyes.
Onika could feel the ones forming in her dark ones.
She got up with wobbly legs, and she's sure they started moving on their own. Her pace quickened and so did her heartbeat at the thought of this really being real.
Beyoncé approached her first—her legs were longer and Onika felt tears blur version and her senses as she ran into Beyonces arms—wrapping her legs around her waist. Holding her close afraid of letting her go.
Like she was a dream—like she was going to fade away. Like she wasn't real. They embraced each other.
"A-Are you really here?" Onika asked with tears and Beyoncé nodded making sure she held Onika up.
"I-I'm really here." Beyoncé responded whispering. She could feel her own salty tears—she missed Onika so much.
"I missed you—I missed you so much." Beyoncé said digging her face into Onikas shoulder. She smelled like the beach.
"I m-missed you too." Onika said into Beyonces neck.
Ming smiled at the scene, watching her father walk past the two embracing each other. Hugging his daughter and looking toward his left.
"Carol." He said and she smiled lightly, "Robert." She said. Ming was a little nervous for the two to meet again but that tension disappeared as the two just smiled admiring each other as well.
Robert turned and held out his hand, "I'm Solange. Beyonces sister." Solange said grinning and Robert nodded, "Onikas father."
Meanwhile Beyonce and Onika landed in the sand—Beyoncé lost her balance.
But Onika stayed on her.
"Oni.." Beyoncé said softly, "W-We fell." Beyoncé said grinning and Onika pulled herself out her neck and looked down at her.
Beyoncé felt her heart beat a little faster at her beauty. The necklace hanging from her neck dangled in Beyonces face. Along with her curly hair—her favorite part was her smile.
She was smiling—oh how Beyoncé missed that smile.
Onika didn't know what to say as she admired her. "I—I really missed you—I mean—It's been.."
"It's been almost a month." Beyoncé finished for her. "That's way too long." Onika said softly and Beyoncé agreed.
"Way too long." Onika repeated. The two were smiling at each other like idiots.
"Thanks for letting them see each other." Solange said smiling at the scene. Robert sighed looking at his daughter.
"I figured it was time. She's been working hard this past month. She deserves spending a few days before a full month of sobriety with the people that care about her." Robert said.
"Hey! Once y'all are done snuggling each other—you should come in for the great dinner we're gonna be cooking!" Solange yelled.
She nudged Ming, "You know how to cook?" Solange asked and Ming quirked an eyebrow "You don't?" Ming asked.
"Girl hell no. She don't either." She said pointing to Beyoncé. The two sisters rushed into the house.
Carol smiled softly at her daughter, seeing the taller one of the pair help her up. Onika was smiling as her and Beyoncé held her hand.
Onika looked over Beyonces shoulder and widened her eyes at her mother. She let go of Beyonces hand before running to the older woman.
She was hesitant for a second but she hugged her mother. Embracing her—Carol appreciated it.
"Ma." She said softly, "Hi baby girl." Carol said rubbing her back.
Onika pulled back smiling, she looked happier. Healthier. That's all Carol wanted for Onika.
"I'm proud of you Oni. So proud." She whispered into her daughters shoulder.
"You should come inside when your ready." Carol said tapping her arm and pointing to the eager looking girl behind her before heading into the house.
She turned around to see Beyoncé again and she couldn't help but hug her once again.
"H-How are you even here right now?" Onika asked and Beyoncé shrugged smiling.
"Your dad offered—he said he wanted to surprise you. I wanted Solange to come as well—so we all hopped in your sisters car and drove down here." Beyoncé said explaining.
"I couldn't say so when he offered. You look—good. Really good." She said looking down at Onika.
"Thanks." She said softly looking down. The two had both of their hands intertwined with each other.
"We stopped to get groceries for dinner and I think they're going to be in there for awhile—can we.." Beyoncé sighed and looked at Onika.
"Watch the sunset together? I've missed doing it with you so much." Beyoncé said and Onika nodded vigorously as they sat down on the beach.
They were silent—a comfortable one for a little while. A few feet away from each other.
"How—how has it been? Being here?" Beyoncé asked. Onika sighed—happily.
"It's been—rough. At times. In the beginning it was real hard. But—my dad dealt with me—and put me in my place when I tried yelling at him for doing the right thing." Onika said chuckling a little nervously.
"But—I think it's helped me. I don't—I don't have withdrawals anymore. I feel active—everyday we go on a run together or do Yoga. And we talk more—day by day." Onika explained.
"I really like talking to him—he—he always knows what to say." Onika expressed, she really did enjoy these past weeks with her dad. No matter how rough it's been.
"I'm happy he's helped you Oni." Beyoncé said reaching for hand and Onika let her.
"You've helped me too—like—a lot. One of the downsides is just like—not being able to see you and Ming ever-day." Onika said and Beyoncé smiled.
"Ming definitely missed you." Beyoncé said and Onika looked down, "I don't know—I've put her through a lot." Onika mumbled.
"But she loves you. Life has put you through a lot. Cut yourself some slack." Beyoncé said nudging Onika.
Onika laid her head on Beyoncés shoulder and the taller blonde blushed at the close contact.
"This feels so nice." Onika mumbled watching the ocean reflect the colors of the sun. Purples, oranges, yellows mixing together and slowly disappearing till the white pearl in the sky began to appear.
"Do you want to star gaze again? After dinner?" Beyoncé asked and Onika nodded. "I'd love to." She said confidently.
"Oni! Bey! Dinners ready!" She heard her sister yell and Onika and Beyoncé turned around. They turned to each other and couldn't help but smile at each other's faces.
"You ready?" Beyoncé asked holding out her hand.
"Definitely." Onika said taking her hand—Beyoncé helped her up as they walked hand in hand back to her fathers house.
Onika couldn't keep the smile off her face as she stepped back into that house with a warm hand in hers.
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I gave y'all what y'all wanted and what needed to be gave!
How was the chapter overall?
Onika and her father?
Beyonces spending a few days with Onika at this beach house—what y'all think is gonna transpire between them?