Ari Lennox's soulful voice quietly played through the Echo Dot speaker in the kitchen. It was barely the crack of dawn, as Egypt was already up attending to house chores. This had been her daily routine for the past week. She would wake up very early in the day, clean up the entire condo, and prepare a nice breakfast before Jordan came downstairs.
Now that Michelle's unexpected visit to Toronto had come to an end, Egypt was able to regain her sanity back. Throughout her one week stay, Michelle either complained, insulted, or belittled her with any given chance. She refused to see any good in her son's girlfriend, which only caused Egypt's patience to run thin with the older lady. Once Jordan made it obvious that he didn't have her back, she was left with no choice but to spend a few nights in a hotel until it came time for Michelle's departure.
"I've been eatin' whipped cream, havin' vivid dreams. Of your face and through people on the TV screen." Egypt calmly sang. She was mindful not to be too loud, as Jordan was still asleep upstairs.
Egypt spent an hour wiping down the countertops, mopping the floors, vacuuming the carpets, and disinfecting the entire home. After, she was back in the kitchen to cook breakfast. Jordan was extremely particular with his meals, so Egypt made sure to be careful with the way she prepared them.
From a distance, Jordan's light footsteps were heard coming down the staircase. A Louis Vuitton duffle bag was sported over his shoulder, as the Off White hoodie, he wore covered the growing curls on his head. Despite the explicit music that played through the AirPods in his ear, he could still hear the soft voice that peacefully flowed from the kitchen.
"Mornin' babe." Jordan greeted over the music. He stepped further into the kitchen, dropping his duffle bag at the entrance. "It smells good in here."
Egypt cheerfully smiled at his words. Though it was a small compliment, it still meant a lot to her. "Thanks... and good morning."
"You must have done some cleaning earlier. I've been smelling bleach all morning."
"Yeah, I got up early to handle a few chores."
"Well, I'm glad you did... everywhere's finally spotless now. Did you ever get a chance to wash those clothes I left in the hamper?"
Shaking her head, Egypt replied, "No, I haven't gotten to them yet. I'll try to get it done before the end of the day."
"Please do, my team shorts are in there and I need those cleaned asap," Jordan mumbled, finding a seat at the stool of the kitchen island. "Oh and also, I need you to pick up my suit from Romano. I gotta have it here before Friday night."
"Okay, I'll try to get it sometime today."
"Thanks."
"No problem. Are you hungry?"
Now diverting his attention to the cell phone in his hand, Jordan shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I could eat. How much longer do I have to wait?"
"Not too long. I'm almost done." Egypt confirmed, grabbing a few plates out of the cupboard. She continued to finish up at the stove, while Jordan patiently waited at the island. Momentarily, she placed a plate filled with blueberry pancakes, potatoes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and mixed fruit in front of him, while taking her seat beside him. Together, they blessed their food and dug in.
"How does it taste?"
Jordan looked up from his meal, "It's actually good. You didn't overdo it this time with the seasoning. Good job."
"Thanks." Egypt smiled.
As silence roamed the kitchen, the young couple continued to enjoy their meals. Egypt slowly bit into a strawberry, allowing its juices to fill her mouth. She chewed slowly until the taste of the fruit was no longer on her tongue.
"You remember, before we left Texas, we talked about me getting back in school and you paying my tuition?" She sparked up.
"Yeah, I remember."
"Well, I'm ready."
"Ready for what?" Jordan absentmindedly asked her.
"I'm ready to go back to school," Egypt muttered.
Gently placing his fork down, Jordan reached for his glass of orange juice. He carefully brought it to his lips and sipped slowly. Egypt watched his every move, unsure if he had actually heard or even paid attention to her.
"Did you hear me?" She asked him.
Nodding his head, he answered, "I heard you loud and clear. You said you were ready to go back to school."
"Yeah, I am. I've done all my research, and there are so many good universities here in Toronto. I was thinking about applying now, so that way I'd be enrolled by next semester." Egypt rambled with sudden excitement. "I could also do online school, or go to a local community college... either one is fine with me."
"Don't you think it's too soon to be talking about this? We've barely been here for two months, and you're already looking at schools to go to."
"Baby, I've been looking at schools since we left Houston."
"Egypt, we haven't even settled in proper-,"
"We look pretty settled to me." Egypt interrupted.
"That's not what I mean. We're still adjust-,"
"I think we've adjusted well." She interrupted once again. "Two months seems like enough time to me."
"Just because it looks like we've adjusted well, doesn't mean anything. I literally signed my contract last month... the season hasn't even started."
"Yeah, but remember what you told me? You said that after you signed your contract, I could start applying to schools."
"I remember what I said, I don't need you to remind me. I just don't see why you're in such a rush... you still have time."
"Babe, there is no time. I withdrew from Texas Southern right before my senior year... I have every reason to be in a rush." Egypt picked at the food on her plate. "I don't wanna end up like Sierra. You remember she used to go to Prairie View a few years ago and ended up dropping out her junior year. Years later, she's never gone back to finish, because she became too comfortable and lost all motivation to."
"Or maybe she doesn't want to go back. You do know I did three years at LSU before I committed to the draft, right? I could always go back and finish my final year, but I don't care too." Jordan looked over at her. He chewed away the remaining food in his mouth.
"Jordan, you're a professional athlete now, you don't really have to go back to school. You're already where you want to be... I'm not. If I want to have a successful career, then I need to finish out with a degree."
"A successful career? Egypt, you're trying to be a photographer. I've told you multiple times before, that's not a real profession." Jordan nearly fought the urge to hide his annoyance. The last thing he wanted to do was have this conversation with her. "I doubt you need a degree to take a couple of pictures... anyone can do that."
"Wow, you're so supportive." Egypt sarcastically mumbled. She wasn't surprised at all. She had actually expected Jordan to make some sort of negative comment throughout their discussion.
Whenever the conversation of Egypt's choice of career rose up, Jordan had always been vocal with his disapproval. It never pleased him, to know that his significant other was aspiring to be a photographer. Numerous times, he had tried persuading her into changing her major to either Nursing, Biology Pre-Med, Social Work, or even Criminal Justice. He always believed that these last few years she spent at Texas Southern University majoring in Media Studies, were a waste of time.
"Babe, I'm not trying to sound like a jerk... believe me, I'm not. I just think right now, there are more important things to focus on."
"So my education isn't important anymore?"
"Your education is very important,... but there are so many things that need our attention. I'm about to start my rookie season in a month. Do you know how huge that is for me?"
"And what does that have to do with me going back to school?" Egypt questioned. Both of her eyebrows raised from slight confusion. "Have you forgotten the only reason I'm no longer enrolled at TSU, is because you begged me to be here with you?"
"So now this is all my fault? Yeah, I remember begging you to come, but I don't remember putting a gun to your head. You made the decision to drop out of TSU after you agreed to be here!"
"And I only made that decision after we both agreed that I would start applying to schools, once we moved out here and you signed your contract."
"And you can still apply babe. I would never stop you from doing that... I just think you should wait until the season is over."
Egypt's eyes widened in disbelief, "Wait until the season is over? Jordan, that isn't what we agreed on back in Houston!"
"As you can see Egypt, we're obviously not in Houston anymore. Things have changed and so have my priorities."
"Just because your priorities have changed, doesn't mean mine has. I made a promise to myself... and I'm not about to wait on a season that hasn't even started, to be over with. That's not fair to me."
"Well since you wanna do things your way, then I'm assuming you've already figured out how you're about to pay for school. You clearly don't need me." Jordan uttered with sarcasm. He knew very well that Egypt couldn't afford to cover her tuition on her own, but if she wasn't willing to commit to his instructions, then he wasn't obligated to help her.
It was at that moment, Egypt knew she'd lost this argument. Jordan's ultimatum would only delay her journey of graduating on time, and that had always been something she'd feared.
Egypt didn't want to wait until the season was over to go back to school, but she knew that was her only option. Financially, she needed Jordan's assistance, and there were no two ways about it. Regardless of how she felt or what she had to say, the decision wasn't for her to make. Once again, it was Jordan's call and not hers.
"Fine, I guess I'll wait... until the season is over." Egypt softly sighed. There was no hiding the disappointment in her voice.
Jordan's lips fell into a smirk, "I knew you'd understand. I promise you can start applying to schools as soon as the season ends."
"Okay."
"I gotta hurry up and get to training camp, so I'll see you when I come back," Jordan informed her. He excused himself from the island and placed his duffle bag over his shoulder. "Please don't forget to take care of that laundry."
Egypt nodded her head, "I won't. I'll have it done before you're home."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Have a good day."
"You too." Jordan quickly rushed out of the kitchen, leaving Egypt alone at the table. Shortly, the home alarm sounded, which only confirmed he'd left the condo.
Egypt took it upon herself to clear off the table and wash all the dishes, she'd used. Once she was finished, she dried off her hands and left out of the kitchen. Making her way upstairs, the popular iPhone ringtone sounded from the cellular device in her hand. Egypt stared at the screen and quickly answered the call.
"Good Morning!"
"Good Morning, my love." Kayla's cheerful voice beamed.
Egypt couldn't hide the smile on her face. She was excited to hear from her longtime friend. It had been almost two weeks since they'd last talked, and a familiar voice from back home was what she needed right now.
She entered the bedroom she shared with Jordan and relaxed on the bed. "Do you know how happy I am to hear your voice right now? I miss you so much."
"Hell, I can't tell. You haven't bothered to call me in how many days? I almost thought I had to put an Amber alert on your ass." Kayla playfully chuckled.
"I know, I'm sorry. It's just been so much going on, you know. I really do miss you though."
Despite the enthusiasm in Egypt's voice, Kayla couldn't help but feel something was wrong with her best friend. "I miss you too... are you okay?"
"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know. You usually sound happier on the phone."
"I'm fine... I'm just... a little tired."
"A little tired?" Kayla questioned.
"Yeah."
"You're lying, but I won't force you to tell me what's wrong. I just hope it isn't what I think it is because I won't hesitate to book a flight out to Toronto."
Egypt playfully rolled her eyes, "Kayla, I'm fine."
"If you say so," Kayla mumbled. Even though she knew Egypt wasn't being completely honest with her, she also knew how defensive she could get, and the last thing Kayla wanted was an argument to occur between the two of them. "I just wanted to call and see how things were over there. You've been really lowkey, which is unlike you."
"Have I?"
"Uh, yeah. You haven't even been active on social media."
"Oh yeah, I'm taking a break from social media right now."
"Why?"
"I don't know...,' Egypt dragged out. "I guess I'll get back up there when I find something worth posting."
"You should have a lot of things to post. Didn't you take your camera with you?"
"Yeah."
"So why aren't you out taking pictures and showing them off on Instagram?" Kayla questioned, with confusion. "Don't tell me your ass still hasn't left the house?"
Egypt frowned her lips, "I have left the house."
"Oh really? So where have you been?"
"I've been to a few places."
"Like?"
"Umm... I've gone to get food, and I've gone grocery shopping." Egypt answered. She bit down on her bottom lip, as she thought of the few places she's been since her move to Toronto. "Oh, and I went to the nail salon... and a coffee shop down the street."
"You've got to be fucking kidding me. Egypt, you've been in Toronto for two months, and you haven't done anything exciting?" Kayla huffed in disappointment. She couldn't believe how lame her best friend had become. "Since when did you become such a homebody?"
"I am not a homebody!" Egypt defended.
"You're right, you're not!" Kayla's voice suddenly raised, causing Egypt to pull the phone away from her ear. "The Egypt I know hated being in the house. She'd love going out and hanging out with friends. Have you at least made any friends?"
"Not yet."
"Egypt!"
"What?"
"You haven't even made one friend?"
"No."
"Okay, who are you? And what have you done with my best friend?"
Egypt smacked her lips, "I'm still the same person."
"You can't be, if you're this lame."
"First of all, I'm not lame. I'm just taking my time to process everything. I am in a different country, you know."
"Which is why you need to get out of the house. Go and experience your new environment!" Kayla emphasized.
"I will Kayla... when I get the chance too. Now can we stop talking about my life? What's going on in yours?"
"Well if you must know, nothing much. I just got out of class before I called you... I have another one at two, and then I'm done for the day." Kayla smacked her lips. "Everyone on campus misses you too. It hasn't been the same without you."
Egypt smiled softly, "Aw, I miss them too. I kind of feel bad for just leaving like that."
"You should, but it's okay... we've forgiven you. Andre's the only one that's still upset about you not saying goodbye though."
"He'll get over it."
"Let's hope so." Kayla found herself laughing. "Did you ever figure out what school you wanted to apply to? I heard the University of Toronto has a really good Media Studies program, you should look into that."
"Yeah, I've looked into that already... but I don't think I'm going to apply right now. Jordan wants me to wait until the season is over."
Kayla's brows raised, "Excuse me? Jordan wants you to do what?"
"He wants me to wait until the season is ov-,"
"I heard what the hell you said, I just don't understand why you said it. Don't tell me you're actually agreeing to that shit?"
"Kay, I have no choice. He's the one that's gonna be paying for my tuition, so I can't argue with him on that."
"Since when did your tuition become Jordan's responsibility? It's not like he was paying it before."
"Which is true, but he promised to take care of it if I moved out here with him."
"Well I don't know how things operate in Canada, but I'm pretty sure they have some type of FAFSA you can apply for! You don't need Jordan to take care of that."
"What if they don't have FAFSA? Then I'm out of luck." Egypt huffed.
"Well, have you bothered to find out? You're actually about to put your life on hold because Jordan's career is more important than your degree? That's what you're tryna tell me!"
"Kayl-,"
"It's bad enough we're no longer graduating from the same school anymore, and now you're telling me that you possibly won't even graduate next year. Will you even graduate at all?"
"Kayla if it were up to me, I would be applying to schools right now... but that ball isn't in my court."
"Or maybe if you would have stayed your ass in Houston, then you wouldn't have to worry about applying to schools... because you were already in one and getting ready to graduate next semester," Kayla stressed. She didn't bother to hold back either. "But no, you're in Toronto, listening to Jordan's ass... as always."
Egypt rolled her eyes from the harsh words that left her best friend's lips. She'd always known Kayla to be extremely honest and blunt, but she hadn't expected her to come so hard. It was expected that Egypt wouldn't have her support, but she still would have appreciated if Kayla would have been a little bit encouraging.
"Look Egypt, I understand Jordan is your boyfriend and the two of you are now living together... but do not give him control over your life! Learn how to make your own decisions."
"I do make my own decisions," Egypt mumbled. She was somewhat offended by Kayla's comment.
"No, you don't, because if that was true... you wouldn't be in Toronto right now!"