I'm watching my phone and sitting on my bed, waiting for the screen to glow or something. Anything. Whatever to make sure they're alive or thinking about me.

Suddenly, my phone lights up and my heart is filled with joy. The ping that came from it has me in great spirits. There's still hope.

When my eyes look at the screen, I see a text message from my sister, reminding me of Darren's store opening up tomorrow and checking up on me.

This is the wrong number, the wrong person I want to talk to but could be the right person. Nope, it isn't the best time to talk to them.

I dial a number into my phone and wait for an answer. The phone goes straight to voicemail and all hope is gone. It's not even a creative voicemail like they used to have. It's one of those automated ones. They're mad at me for sure.

"Hey. Look, I know I'm the last person you want to speak to right now but we really need to talk about this. I'm sure you don't want to hold this grudge for long. We have to heal from this together, even if we aren't friends anymore. I just care about us talking this over. I miss you so much. Call me back when you can."

That was the fifth voicemail I've left this week. I wish this didn't bother me so bad, especially on, what's supposed to be, a fun night with my friends. It keeps eating me alive and bringing me down. I don't even know if they are okay.

"Cass, come on out! You're missing the couple's performance at the Christmas parade." Eliza calls me out of my feelings and reminds me of an event similar to that one.

Performance. The park.

That Saturday after the shopping at the grocery store, I was on call and was supposed to meet up with Kyla at 2 in the afternoon. Nobody asked for me around 1:30 so I thought to go hang with her. I had some time on my hands and I needed some time to breathe. Why not go and see what all the fuss was about?

I headed off to the open park, filled with many people of different ages and ethnicities. Families and friends spread out across the area, dancing and playing. Some of those people I worked with or knew in high school but just forgot about them. Hopefully, they may have forgotten about me too because they surely didn't say a word to me.

I caught sight of the band setting up on stage but there was no sight of Kendra.

Did she leave me hanging? She did not just set me up. See? This is why I keep a small circle of friends because you can't trust people these days. It's folks, who act like that, who irk my nerves.

I debated on leaving because I considered the fact that Kori could've been late or something. Also, the band looked ready to play and everyone was talking about them. Since they were so popular amongst the public, they must've been good; another reason to stay a while.

There were no picnic materials with me and I felt a little uncomfortable but it didn't matter. Waiting for Kyra grew tiring. She was taking way too long and I could've been at home cleaning or watching a movie. My time was wasted and that disturbed my peace. It was about an hour and a half since I decided to do so.

Fuck this, I'm going home. Here I stand, looking stupid and waiting for someone I just met. Why would I do that?

As I walked towards my car, I caught sight of Karrie in her dark plaid shirt and skinny jeans with black converse on. Her hair pulled back and I could see air pods in her ears. She was dancing in a silly way and her friends attempted to make her stop.

She had friends there already and I didn't want to get in the way. Plus, one of them spilled nachos on me a while ago and I'd feel embarrassed being around them again. Kinsley had this huge, beautiful smile on her face as she tapped her foot and shook her head to the music playing in her ear.

She was enjoying herself and gaining attention from others around the park. Glad she was happy, having a good time, and not setting me up. I just couldn't find her but glad I did.

I'll just go home. My bed's calling for me and I got a new body pillow that works wonders for me.

My feet led me to my car and I almost got there until the sound of footsteps followed me. That damn smell let me know exactly who it was.

Just give her a cute little smile and thank her for inviting you.

Turning to her, I watched as she placed her air pods in her pocket.

"Leaving so soon? The band's not even playing yet."

She didn't want me to leave and I didn't have a good excuse as to why I was leaving. Besides the fact that I was on call, there was nothing else I could say.

"Are they not done? I thought I got here late so that's why I was going home."

She rolled those dark brown eyes and smiled while slightly biting her lip.

"You know that bands don't play on time, right? Especially at events like this. Come hang with me and my friends. Don't be shy."

Karol took my hand and led me over to her friends. They were all settling down at a picnic table while we walked towards them. She introduced me to them while patting my shoulder. Most of them were her roommates.

"Aye, Kassie! Sorry 'bout dem nachos. I was high as hell and got tired of Kai followin' me err' where." The familiar guy apologized. I was surprised he remembered.

"Followed? I'm always your bodyguard and babysitter everywhere we go, man. Don't play with me like that."

They all chuckled as the band began to play. The music they played was something close to a cool-down R&B flow and it sounded great. The band caught my attention but they started doing covers of old songs we grew up on.

Those sounded better because I knew them. Now that we're grown and know what those songs mean, we can relate to them and enjoy them even more.

"Come on, Kai! Dance wit' me out here! Err' body else dancin'!" Her friend asked as he rolled his body awkwardly.

"I'm good, man. You can have all that," Kai chuckled.

Damn, she's said her name plenty of times, yet I kept forgetting it. Hopefully, that doesn't happen again.

A slow song played and I nodded my head without thinking of it. It was chill and I liked it so much that I rocked side to side softly.

"Aye, Kassie! I see you doin' ya thang! Come dance wit' ya boy!" That same guy friend interrupted my vibe.

Shaking my head, I leaned over to Kai in a disturbed state. "Is he always like this or is he putting on a show?"

She laughed and finished off her sandwich. "Thing is, he's not even high. This is his regular, goofy ass self. He will be soon though because he has a patch on his arm. You know? For 'medical' reasons."

Yeah, in our state, it's still illegal to smoke that stuff but people still do it. I wish it was actually used for, at least, medical use around here.

I nodded with the sound of the music as Kai offered some food to me. Politely declining, I continued listening to the band.

"Didn't I tell ya? They're pretty good, aren't they?" Kai asked as she poked at my shoulder.

Good? They were great. They set the tone for the event as the lead singer led us into this musical high.

Kai's friends danced with random locals as she watched the band intensely. Her head moved to the sound of the music as she studied someone in the band. She was pretty curious. Was it the lead singer?

"Can you believe my ex-girlfriend plays in this band? She thought she couldn't sing but she's doing a pretty great job."

Ex-who? Girlfriend?

Nothing against those who date the same gender but who just comes out and says that? Who just admits that out of nowhere? I didn't know what to say.

Usually, people announce that on social media or at least warn somebody ahead of time.

"My bad. I felt comfortable telling you that. Plus, everybody else is doing their own thing so..."

So it had to be me? It was odd because I knew of no woman that liked other women. There were a few gay friends I had in the past and a nosey non-binary co-worker...

But this was different because I instantly thought she'd want me after so long. I wanted to be respectful and tell her but it wasn't the time nor the place.

"It's cool. I'd do the same if I saw an ex-boyfriend of mine."

Her furrowed eyebrows let me know that she got the message...or at least, I hoped she did. There had to be some boundaries, especially since I didn't know if she'd act like her friends.

Anyway, time flew by with her and her friends as we enjoyed the great music. My boss didn't call for a case, my family didn't call me over, and my friends didn't call to hang out. I guess it was a good thing I was there with Kai. The small ounce of much-needed air kept me going and would keep me going for the rest of the week.

It was about time to go so I got ready to leave by saying my goodbyes. Kai was the last person to part ways with.

"You pass out numbers after the first meetup or do I still have to plan meetups before you leave every time?"

Ah, she got a chuckle out of me with that one. Just to play along, I figured one more planned meeting would be required before she got my number.

"Damn it, I thought I had ya. Fine then. Meet me at the coffee shop on Broad at noon? Okay?"

"What day?"

"Well..." she stood by and thought for a second, taking her precious time with her answer.

"Whenever you feel like it. I stay over there all the time because the coffee's good. Everybody know me over there too so it's the perfect place. Just make sure you're there in the afternoon at least."

She trusted me that much to meet her at this coffee shop by the college? Well, I guess I'll be there around my lunch break. What else did I have to do?

****
AYYYYYYYEEEEEEE!!!!! What's up y'all?

We're back with another chapter and this time, Kass is surprised with Kai.

Have you ever been in this kind of situation before?

Do you think that Kai is slowly peeling off Kass' protective skin slowly?

Well, we can find out more on Friday! See you then!

Love ya!