“Ay, don’t overthink it, shorty. We just passed a little time while we were waiting.”
She shook her head before striding out of the kitchen. Good. She believed me.
Now I just had to convince myself.
I didn’t recognizethe house. I twisted and turned, my eyes darting around me, looking for anything familiar. Suddenly, the door to the room opened and my gaze flew there, unable to make out the tall figure that hovered in the doorway, no doubt observing me. And then it moved closer and closer until I recognized him. All the air seemed to leave my body.
“Hey, pretty girl.”
I flinched as Trell’s cold finger trailed down my cheek. It didn’t offend him. Instead, he smiled, his perfect white teeth a beautiful contrast against his brown skin.
“Don’t,” I pleaded.
“Why? Mekhi wouldn’t like it?’
His voice taunted me. I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I kept quiet. He stepped closer to me, and I sucked in a deep breath, inhaling his expensive cologne before trying to exhale my fear. Trell was undeniably handsome, undeniably fine… and undeniably terrifying.
“Wh-why are you doing this?”
Just as he had in the store, he had me boxed in, one tatted hand on each side of my face, keeping me from making an escape. He leaned down, close enough to kiss me. I bit down on my bottom lip, wondering if he was going to do it.
“You know why I’m doing this, Farrah,” he whispered.
I could feel his warm breath on my lips. My racing heart was about to explode in my chest. I was shaking so hard that I knew that he could see it. I was scared… and mesmerized.
“Tell that nigga I’m still waiting on him to find me. Tell him if he doesn’t, I’m gon’ come see you again. But next time, I’m gon’ take you, Farrah. And there’s nothing he can do to stop me.”
He brushed his lips against mine and?—
I sat up in bed, suddenly, the dream still on the edges of my mind. Just as it had in my dream, my heart was pounding. I could feel the sweat cooling on my body.
“It was just a dream, Farrah. A dream,” I whispered to myself, but I didn’t feel any calmer.
Covering my face with my hands, I took several deep breaths, trying to get myself under control. I couldn’t stop shaking, though, not even when I lay back down and pulled the covers over my chilled body. I was terrified and I didn’t want to be alone. Unfortunately, there was only one other person in this house, and he didn’t exactly comfort me.
I tossed and turned, trying to ease my mind and get comfortable but it did no good. Trell had proven, twice, that he could get close to me. What if he were outside right now? Whatif he could get in? Would I have time to scream? Would Mekhi make the effort to save me? My mind swirled with worrisome thoughts. There wouldn’t be any more sleep for me tonight, unless…
I sat up again, my mind made up. Swinging my legs out of bed, I searched around for my furry slippers with my toes. I found the crazy things and shoved my feet into them before standing up. Crossing the room, I opened the door and walked out into the hallway. Slowly I made my way to the door of Mekhi’s room.
Should I knock? What if he doesn’t answer? What if hedoesanswer and tells me to go away?I wasn’t risking that. I counted to twenty before I twisted the knob. It was unlocked and I pushed it open. He sat up immediately and I held back a scream as he pointed a gun at me. My hands flew up.
“Mekhi! It’s me!”
“Farrah, what the fuck are you doing?” he snapped, anger in his voice.
For a minute, I didn’t think he was going to put the gun down. I stood there, waiting and shivering. Finally, he started to lower his arm. I sighed my relief. I could feel his eyes on me, although I couldn’t make out his features.
“Why didn’t you knock?”
I shrugged. “I-I’m sorry.”
He rubbed a hand over his head and sighed. “Why you in here, Farrah?”
Slowly, I walked toward his bed until I stood beside it. The closer I got, the clearer he came into view. By the time I reached him, I could see the aggravation on his face. Suddenly, I was embarrassed. I was overreacting. It was all a nightmare, but I was behaving like the shit was real. Still…
“I… I had a bad dream,” I admitted. “About Trell.”
His face softened a little bit. “I told you I got you. You ain’t gotta worry about that nigga.”
