jhené taylor
laurens , south carolina
2•2•2018

I woke up to the sound of gentle R&B playing from the other room. My head felt foggy and my body felt so heavy. I threw the blanket back and got up slowly.

Before I walked out the room I stopped in the mirror and noticed the big shirt I had on. I entered the kitchen catching a glimpse of the girl from last night.

"Emari?" I questioned.

She turned her head and looked at me with a gentle smile. She was so goregous and I love her locs.

"Bout' time you got up, good morning." She smiled.

"Good morning, I'm sorry for the hassle I put you through last night." I laughed slightly.

"You're good, I'm just glad you're safe. Breakfast?" Emari asked.

"Yes, thank you." I flashed her a quick smile.

She was super sweet and genuine, I liked that. Then again I couldn't just stay here. I really don't even know her we just met last night. I hope that isn't rude.

I began eating and her food turned out to be really good. Once I finished she grabbed my plate for me and took it over to the sink to wash it.

"Emari I promise I'm not trying to come off rude, but I think it's best if I go. I appreciate everything from last night but then again, you're a stranger really." I said.

"You're perfectly fine, I understand where you're coming from. Could I atleast get your number so we could become more than strangers?" She asked while looking at me with gentle eyes.

"I suppose." I sighed.

She unlocked her phone before I typed my number in. Afterwards I headed back to her room to change back into my clothes. I can't believe this happened.

I picked up my phone and realized I had dozens of missed calls from Renae. She's probably losing her shit, I never did call her last night.

I slipped my shoes on and was ready to leave until I realized I didn't drive myself anywhere last night. This was going to be a bit awkward.

"I know I just said all this stuff about you being a stranger but do you mind dropping me off?" I smiled.

"No, I don't mind." Emari laughed.

She grabbed her keys before opening the door for me. We walked to the car and she opened my door once again. Nothing could tell me she wasn't a sweetheart.

I gave her the directions to Renae's house soon enough we were there. I said my goodbye's then walked up the door. I knocked a few times and waited patiently.

Renae opened the door and hurried me inside.

"Where have you been?!" She exclaimed.

"I-"

"I thought somebody had kidnapped you or something!" She continued.

"Renae! I'm fine. I met someone and they didn't want anything to happening to me if I got an Uber so they just took me back to their place." I sighed.

"And that sounds safer to you?" She questioned.

"I'm here aren't I ? Nothing happened. She cooked for me and everything then brought me home." I replied.

"Mhm." Renae mumbled.

I walked past her and into the bathroom so I could shower. I scrubbed my body for a hot minute before I stood there letting the water hit my body.

How did I come across her? Nothing like that has ever happened any other time I've went out alone. People usually see me throwing up and look the other way.

Then she brought me home, no ill intentions or anything just generosity. On the outside she appears frightening but appears as a mask to me.

When I woke up and seen her for the second time there was nothing to fear about her. What could it be? Why do I find myself thinking  so deeply about her?

"Jhené!" Renae yelled.

I couldn't catch a break.

"Yes?" I answer aggrivated.

"Get your phone, it's been ringing forever." She says.

I sigh and turn the water off before covering myself up. I had a few missed calls from Dee, fuck. I hurriedly dialed her number and called back.

"Yo." She spoke.

"Hey, you called?" I asked.

"Fuck you mean, did I call ? You seen the notifications correct?" She replied.

"You don't have to talk to me crazy."

"Well, Jhené you act like you've lost your shit. I ain't heard from you in days."

"You told me to leave you alone?"

"But you really gave up on us with no type of remorse."

I looked at my phone confused by what the actual fuck I was hearing. Dee couldn't keep up with what she told me and the other females she lay with.

"Alright Dee, I'm going to get off the phone with you now love." I said.

"Whatcu' smoking?" She laughed.

I hung up the phone and left it on the counter. Dee was my biggest stressor. She knew ways to get inside my head that I've never been able to understand before.

I guess because she's been with me so long, but I hate all of it with a passion. But I'm also not interested in starting over with anyone. That love shit is draining.

It took me forever but I was finally dressed. I threw all my clothes back into my duffel bag and headed out the room. I needed to spend some time at home.

"You're leaving?" Renae asked.

"Yeah, I'll be back I just need to spend some time to myself." I shrugged.

She nodded and told me she loved me which I returned the favor before walking out the door. Dee usually crept around whenever I didn't answer her.

I didn't want to bring that drama to Renae's place. This time I'll just have to call the cops like I should've done a long time ago. Instead I just go along with it.

I was happy to see the gas station on the corner which indicated me being close to home. No words can explain how tired I am in this moment.

𝟐:𝟏𝟓𝐩𝐦

I'd finally made it home and settled back in, by this point I was smoking my blunt scrolling through my phone. Being back at home my peace returned.

I know I said I wanted to be alone but I am pretty bored, but I just left my friend's house. I wonder who I could invite over, I don't talk to many people.

Emari.

I sent a quick text asking if she was busy currently. With no hesitation I instantly recieved a response. I invited her over and suddenly she was on her way.

But as soon as she let me know she was leaving rain started pouring down, of course. I hope she makes it here safely. I could hardly see out the window.

Eventually she made it I opened the door quickly trying to cover her from the rain.

"You can take a seat on the couch, let me grab you some blankets." I said.

"It's no big deal." She replied.

"No, I'm grabbing a blanket for you." I argued.

She had no choice but to give up. I went to my room to grab and blanket then returned to the living room. I threw it across her back while she wrapped up in it.

I lit re-lit blunt again before passing it to her.

"I'm so sorry I didn't know it was going to rain. I wouldn't have told you to come out in this weather." I said.

"You're good, love. I made it right?" She smiled.

"Yes, yes you did." I laughed.

"I apologize for how I acted that day we ran into each other."

"What do you mean? Wait- that was you I bumped into?"

"Yeah, I'm really sorry. I'm not really a people person but I felt pretty bad after the fact. So, when I seen you at the club that night I thought I could make it up."

"I really appreciate your generosity, Emari. Especially the fact that you'd go so far just to make it up even by coincidence."

She smiled at me with the brightest smile ever. She was so admirable. I want to knock all these walls down and let her see me for who I really am.

But why so soon? Was it the way she held me? Or took care of me and fed me? Or maybe it's the simple fact that she does it all for me.

"I really want the opportunity to get to know you."
Emari spoke.

"What is it that you want to know?" I asked.

"Everything." She replied.

That was the beginning of a conversation that went on for hours. I found myself laying in her arms listening to her heartbeat going on and on.

It's like I was able to tell her anything. I'm unsure if it was the weed or just her vibe. I couldn't tell honestly.
All I know is that the energy was there.

"But, is there anything you want to tell me about you?" I asked.

I didn't recieve a response resulting in me turning my head to find a sleeping Emari. I smacked my teeth honestly upset that she fell asleep.

I enjoyed talking to her so much, but I let her get her rest as I laid back down and shut my eyes. How do we keep finding ourselves caught in each other's embrace?

I've never met a stranger only to be so deeply intrigued by them and their ways that I knock these walls down for them. No boundaries, nothing restraining us.