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But since the first time I laid eyes on her at the grocery store, I just wanted her. She drew me in within seconds. Alluring me with that smile and those hips. I don’t blame Damien for wanting to marry her. Same here. Maybe I could be next. Maybe I’ll finally have my one and only. No more toxic baby daddies. No more crybaby manipulators. No more being left alone. No more second place. No more bloodshed and stab wounds. This could be my end game. My Cinderella story.

Maybe then I won’t have to leave town after all. I wait around for her, still sipping my tea. She eventually texts me again to tell me she’s here. Butterflies are flocking in the pit of my stomach. I skip to the door, cheeks swollen with a large grin. The sound of footsteps grows louder down the hall until Morgan becomes visible.

She receives a warm smile. “Hey.”

Morgan throws a cold look my way, walking right past me into the apartment. “Is everything okay?”

“How do you know Dime?”

My heart drops. Where’s she going with this?

“Dime?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Syren. Answer the question because I’m only asking once.” I’m fidgeting with my fingers. A complete ball of nerves.

“She…I-” I stutter out, “I dated her baby daddy a while back. Casual. Nothing serious.”

“Casual?”

“Yeah. We went out like twice. I never went inside his house.” She laughs like she doesn’t believe me.

“Syren…effective immediately, we’re done,” she coldly announces, “No more fucking. No more talking.”

“Wait, seriously? Because I dated somebody your friend knows?”

“No. Because whatever really happened, I can’t have that shit around me or my husband. Dime isn’t just my friend. She’s one of my best friends. And I’m not kicking it with somebody who makes her uncomfortable. Plus, I’m still curious as to who you were texting that day we sat to talk. You seemed suspicious. I don’t know who you really are and what you’re really capable of. So, we’re done.”

I throw my hands into the air. “Wait a minute. You can’t just end everything. That’s not fair.”

She walks closer. “Life ain’t fair, baby. If anything knows that, you should. I’ve done some research on you. I know about your parents. I know you’ve had it hard. And I’m sorry about that, but you have some skeletons, girl. And I can’t have my family affected by your bullshit. I’m sorry, Syren.”

“Did Damien put you up to this?”

“Damien? Baby girl, my husband knows everything. Yes. But trust, this is coming from me.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Well, believe that I’m about to walk the fuck out of the door.”

She walks away, brushing my shoulder on the way past me. I’m in full panic mode.

“Morgan, wait. Morgan!”

She continues on, coldly ignoring the fact that I’m still calling her name. I grab onto her wrist, tugging her back to me. We’re entrapped in a scuffle, both of us trying to gain control. Finally, she shoves me away with both hands, reaching back to slap me to the ground. I hit the floor with a hard thud, landing on my side.

“Bitch, don’t ever put your hands on me like that again,” she scathes, “I will fucking kill you.”

I can’t do anything but watch as she storms out of the door. If we weren’t done before, we definitely are now. My face is on fire, but my heart is stone cold. Everything hurts. Especially my chest. I stagger to my feet, throwing furniture around in a blind rage that’s swept over me like a disease. I replay her words in sickening repetition. We’re done, Syren. We’re done, Syren. No, we’re done when I say we’re done. And we’re not fuckin’ done. Not by a long shot.

An hour later: Leon’s Cemetery

I’m alone, holding a bouquet of red roses. Her grave always gets so dirty during the Summer. I use my right shoe to knock away some dirt, making her name visible. Sidney Atkinson. I place the roses right across her headstone, taking a step back to admire the visual. They were always her favorite flower. My eyes close at the same time that I start to reminisce over the good times. As rare as they came. Picking flowers in our yard every Sunday. Going to the fair on opening day, collecting as many candy apples that our bags could hold. I miss her so much. It’s a constant reminder of how alone I truly feel. Makes me think back to the day I had to plunge a knife into Javon. And all of the things he’d told me that day. About how I’d always be alone. Nobody would ever love or marry me. How I was just a miserable little bitch who’d never be a mother, I’d just end up like mine. It set me off. Maybe because my inner projection made it seem like he had a point. Because every time I start to get used to something, it’s taken from me. It’s like the universe hates the idea of me having love.

It’s sickening. Also, very ironic. Because a selfish man took my mother’s life, just like Morgan’s selfish husband took her from me. I don’t care what she says. I know Damien had something to do with this. Men like him obviously love being in control. I bet he’s the one who pushed her to end things. He saw how much better I fucked Morgan and hated it. The bad news is, I’m not just going to take that. I’ve got something for his ass.

The plan is cooking in my mind as a hand caresses my shoulder from behind. I shuffle to the side to get a clearer look at the person. It’s Makai. Wearing black shorts and a matching black tee. I let my nerves subside before drawing close to him.

“You’re late.”