Page 52

I rolled over to find Saint sitting up in bed. His eyes were pinned on the ninety-five inch monitor across the room.

“Can we–”

The television powered off at once. The story had been circulating for twenty-four hours, making its rounds on all the news stations in Clarke, though it was weeks old.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” Royce promised.

“She’s dead, Ro. What more is there to be done?”

“Let the entire world know she was a psychotic ass bitch that belonged in a fucking mental facility, not on the fucking stage where she couldn’t get ahead to save her own goddamn life. Ditzy ass bitch! Fucking bag of bones!”

“Ro–”

“I’m going to make sure her headstone reads that she fucked with the right one this time. And, I will make sure that bitch never rests in peace.”

“On my soul,” Roulette agreed.

“Every time the ground starts to settle, I’m going to have them dig her dirty ass up.”

Royce had kept her word. She didn’t care that Aliza had died. She still wanted her character flaws on full display.

Saint slid down in bed, closing the gap between us. I pushed my backside into him. My arousal had awakened me.

His hand snaked around my body, lifting the oversized shirt of his that I wore religiously. It was one of twelve of his championship shirts. I was a proud fiancée. I wanted everyone around to know that my man hadn’t only won the championship, but he was the MVP– on and off the court .

His shaft pressed against my clit. My body trembled as he slid it up and down my slippery slope, preparing for his intrusion. I held my breath, anticipating the very moment he breached my boundaries.

Saint’s left hand wrapped around my neck. He angled my body toward his, giving him access to my lips. He lowered his onto mine before pushing his tongue into my mouth. Simultaneously, he entered me.

“Uhhhhhh,” I moaned against him.

“Good morning,” he whispered into my mouth.

Passion preceded him.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

His strokes were long.

Calculated.

Mythical.

Medicinal.

Each one had healing powers beyond the one before.

“Fuck,” he groaned. “Fuck, baby.”

He tightened his grip on me. His strokes grew in intensity. They came hard.

Fast.

Powerfully.

He pounded into me, uprooting my worries and bidding them farewell.

“Yessss. Yesssss. Yesss.”

I felt my body mounting.

“Yessssss.”

“I’m ’bout to cum, Mellow. I’m ’bout to c– Ugh. Fuck.”

As we peaked in unison, my body convulsed. Numbness grew rapidly throughout my lower half.

Finally, Saint loosened his hold on me. As my head became one with the pillow, I looked at the brighter side of it all. I’d saved thousands of dollars on therapy. Off-season mornings with Saint were all the therapy I needed.

“Up, Mellow. We’ve got a few stops to make. You’re riding with me today.”

Excitement grew within me, stirring me from the slumber I was seconds away from falling victim to.

“As long as we make a stop before you get started.”

“Whatever you want to do, baby.”

Good . I cheered inside, sliding from underneath the covers and following Saint into the shower where he suddenly forgot that we had stops to make .

I hadn’t gotten the chance to soap my towel before he was inside of me again.

I embraced his greed, welcoming him into my oasis with fresh fluids and plush walls. He was safe here. Always would be.

It took two full hours before we were out of the house. I cruised the streets of Clarke confidently with Saint by my side. I’d been the passenger Princess my entire life. Things had changed.

And, if I had anything to say about it, they’d keep changing and I’d keep evolving. Because, as Teddy had told me once. I’m no baby . I am a grown, capable woman on a mission to be the best version of herself each and every day.

There.

Confidently, I switched gears, careful to ease off the break after doing so. Saint was the first out of the car. He rushed around to assist me out of the driver’s seat. Hand-in-hand we strolled into Clarke Medical Center .

We stepped onto the elevator with our fingers still intertwined. I was elated to push the number four. It was a step down unit. A unit that signified healing. It was one step closer to going home.

Almost there, love.

I stalked the halls, conquering each square foot required to reach my destination. When we finally made it, I stopped at the door.

“Give me three minutes before you come inside.”

“I can just wait in the family ar–”

“No. I want to formally introduce you to the only woman I call a friend.”

“Alright.”

“Three minutes, baby.”

“Three minutes. I got you, Mellow.”

I stood on the tips of my toes, kissed his lips, and then pushed the door open. There she was. Tiana. Sunshine on even the darkest days, from the beginning of our time.

I lowered my bag onto the floor. Almost everything inside came tumbling out. Forgetting to fasten the zipper always had its consequences and I was always paying them.

“Gosh.” I sighed, flustered from the mixed emotions I was feeling for the day.

“Here,” a sweet, yet bold voice called out, “Let me help.”

I lifted my head and found the largest round eyes staring down at me, accompanied by a smile wide with glee.

“Thank you.”

Together, we collected my things, hurriedly putting them back where they belonged. Orientation was starting in three minutes. I needed to be in position if I wanted to hear well and make note of any important details.

“New here?” The girl with the glowing skin asked.

I nodded, finally grabbing the brown scrunchy and stuffed it in my bag. It was the last item that had fallen and the last to go back in the bag.

“First day,” I admitted.

“Same, girlfriend. Have a seat. It’s not taken.”

“Thank you.”

“Girl, if you’re going to be saying thank you all evening, then gone take one of those seats over there.” She chuckled. “Kindness doesn’t need a reward over here.”

“Just a habit,” I sniggered, taking the seat she’d offered as I zipped my bag.

I sat down and placed the sheet of white paper on the table. While I’d assumed there would be a hundred and one questions on the form, there was only one. For nearly sixty seconds, I stared at the thick, black lettering.

Who are you striving to be as a ballerina?

“Easy but not so easy, right?”

“Yes– I mea– I mean no,” I stuttered. “Simple while remaining complex.”

“I’ve been going over my response in my head for the last five minutes.”

“It’s like I know but having the question here.” I paused, kissing the skin of my teeth. “I don’t know.”

“Who are you striving to be?”

“The best.” I shook my head as I stated facts. “The best Clarke has ever witnessed. The best to ever put her feet in pointe shoes. The best to ever grace the stage. The best.”

“Your confidence lets me know that it’s not impossible for you. So does your presence. You’re not here by chance. Neither am I. We’re the best according to someone–we’re both babies in comparison to all the other girls.”

“I noticed.” I took another look around. Everyone was years older than us. And yours?”

“Prima. I want to be the Prima Ballerina,” she confessed, sighing as she looked out into the openness of the large area.

“And, you will be.”

“So will you–” she assured me, “Be the best thing Clarke has ever seen. I don’t know you too well, but it feels like that will change in time.

So, I don’t quite feel like a liar when I say that I promise to hold you accountable.

We’re going to have to stick beside each other to survive in here.

We’re babies. Count me in your plans. And, I’ll always make sure you’re part of mine. ”

Smiling, I nodded. “Tha–”

“You’d better not.”

I shrugged. “And, I promise to have your back as your journey gets rough because to be the Prima Ballerina, it will, and you’ll need someone in your corner.”

“Good to know she’s kind.”

“Than–”

“Girl, please!”

“Did I just say that again?”

“You did. But… I’m Tiana,” she revealed, extending a hand.

“I know who you are,” I admitted, taking a hold of it.

The first day we met was the beginning of something special. Though our progression was slow, it was worthy and it was real. Tiana had never given me reason to question her intentions, love, or loyalty.

“Knock, knock,” I sang, easing my way into the hospital room.

“Rome!” Tiana called out to me.

She was sitting up in bed, sounding and looking just as I remembered. Her arms extended, beckoning for me. I walked right into them, embracing the only person I was privileged to consider a friend other than the women I shared blood with.

“You’re awake.”

“I’m awake,” she cried. “And, you’re Prima!”

“All thanks to you.”

“Not to me,” she wept, “All thanks to you. You were meant for that title. It would’ve been yours a long time ago hadn’t you taken off. My God I’ve missed you.”

“Not as much as I’ve missed you, honey. Don’t ever scare me like that.”

“With that crazy ass nut case in the ground, I’m hoping I never scare anyone like that again.”

I nodded. “Yeah. She’s exactly where she belongs.”

“Enough about that. I’m– I’m just so happy to see you.”

“I have someone I want you to meet,” I said, stepping away from her bed.

Just as the words left my mouth, Saint knocked on the door.

“Come in,” I instructed.

Tiana grabbed my hand, looking at me with squinted eyes.

“Shit, I don’t blame her for trying to end you,” Tiana cackled, staring at Saint. “Maybe I would’ve gone a little crazy too.”

I joined her in laughter, knowing exactly where she was coming from. Peace surrounded me. My eyes burned with happy tears and my heart nearly burst from the joy of simple laughter.

Tiana had awakened from her coma. Saint was a champion. I’d been crowned Prima Ballerina. Aliza was resting in shit. My family was safe. The man of my dreams was my reality. At the very moment, there was nothing more I could ask for in this lifetime.

The end.