“Hello?” I’d answered, putting the phone on speaker as I quickly changed into something more suited for a night out. I’d already taken a shower in the locker room at the venue we’d performed at, so I was good. “What do you need, Myra? I’m heading out soon.”
“You mind telling why you’ve been ignoring my calls these last few days?” She’d asked, and I rolled my eyes. “Better yet, please explain to me why your annoying ass friend is paying for your mom’s room at her retirement home! I told you that I couldn’t afford it, so you went crying to your rich ass bestie to sort the shit out? Are you not embarrassed, Raine?”
“And why in the world would I be embarrassed?” I asked, the headache and anger slowly building. “First of all, I didn’t ask her to do this. She decided to on her own, and I’m thankful for her for it. There’s nothing wrong with getting help when you need it, and I’m not going to let you make me feel bad for having a friend who wants to help me. She’s like a sister to me, and Mom has always been like a second mom to her. You should be thanking her! You were complaining about herhaving to live with you, and now she doesn’t have to. So, Myra, what’s really the problem here?”
The line had gone silent, and I thought she’d hung up on me, but I could hear the faint sound of noises in the background. I explained to her that there was no reason for her to get all worked up, since the issue was now resolved, and she eventually let it go. She then tried to change the subject, but I was over talking to her, so I made up some excuse and hung up.
That was three days ago, and I haven’t heard from her since. I figured she was giving me the silent treatment because I hung up on her, but I didn’t care. Us not talking brought me a kind of peace I'd only ever experienced when I was up on stage or lying in Dawn's arms. It was the kind of peace that you felt when you watched the sunrise from that comfortable spot under the big tree in an open field. It was the kind of peace that I wanted to bask in forever.
The sound of a knock on the door brought me back to the present, and my eyebrows furrowed as I glanced at the clock that sat on the bedside table. 5:13 am. Who in the world could be coming to visit me this early? Better yet, how did they know that I would be up at this time of morning?Iwasn’t even expecting to be up this early, but thanks to the rumbling of my stomach shaking me out of my sleep fifteen minutes prior, I knew that I wouldn’t be going back to sleep until I’d at least eaten a snack.
I finally manage to pull myself from the comfort of my bed and walk over to the door. Upon looking through the peephole, I saw Dawn standing there dressed in sweats and a hoodie, holding a bag and two cups. I quickly open the door and invite her in, the smell of fast food breakfast filling the room in an instant. My stomach growled loudly, and I rubbed it gently.
“Seems like I came just in time, huh?” she chuckled, and I nodded.
She walked over to the small table on the side of the room, placed the bag and drinks down, and then walked back over to where I was. She leans down to kiss me softly before taking my hand and guiding me to one of the chairs at the table. I watched quietly as she distributed the breakfast sandwiches and hashbrowns and then slid a drink in front of me. I picked it up and brought it to my lips, the scent of orange hitting my nostrils. After taking a sip, I felt my insides warm as my stomach danced happily.
“Mm, this tea is delicious,” I nod, savoring the subtle taste of vanilla and coconut cream on my tongue. I glance at her once more as she claims the seat beside me. “This was just what I needed. How did you know?”
“I figured you’d be hungry since you crashed right after your shower last night,” she pointed out. “I felt bad that I couldn’t stay with you all night, thanks to Sam and her love for working early into the next morning. I was leaving the studio when I decided to grab us something on the way back here.”
I nod, finally digging into the food as she told me all about the long night she had in the studio. I remember her hanging out with me until I started to doze off when her phone rang. She told me that she was needed in the studio to work on tracks for her upcoming album, and I had nodded along, only half listening. With a kiss, she’d said goodbye, and I fell into a deep slumber, only awaking this morning.
“Well, thank you for thinking of me,” I state, and she nods. A beat passes as we eat before I speak again. “Are you heading back to the studio today since we have the day off?”
“Actually, I thought you and I could spend the day together,” she admitted. “If you don’t have plans, that is.”
I smile, assuring her that I didn’t. We were currently in Atlanta for a three-day stay, with two shows: one yesterday and one tomorrow. That’s why we all had today off, which could’vebeen spent practicing, but I decided to push practice back until later this evening because I, as well as the other dancers, needed the rest. When I relayed this to Dawn, she agreed, stating that she would probably head to the studio whenever I went to practice.
“But until then, I have a few things planned, which is also why I’m up so early,” she tells me. “We have to be somewhere in about an hour and a half, but it won’t take long to get there, so no need to rush.”
“Oh, well, now I’m really excited,” I chuckled. “You’re always so amazing at planning dates, so I have no choice but to have high expectations.”
“Ones that I hope I’m able to meet,” she smirks, leaning closer to me. Her tongue swiped across her lips, and I felt my heart skip a beat.
Why was she so fine?
“Always,” I nod, gripping her chin lightly as I inched closer to her. I placed a soft kiss on her lips, and she moaned in satisfaction. The sound lit a fire inside of me, and it took all of the strength I had not to straddle her right now. Although I didn’t think she’d mind. I pulled back with a sigh, and she winked at me. “You are dangerous, Dawn Anderson.”
“And you’re not?” she teased. “Every time I’m around you, you’re so tempting. All I want to do is hold you close and kiss you.”
“What’s wrong with that?” I smirk, kissing her once more. “I think I like that idea a lot.”
“You’re so obsessed with me, aren’t you?” She smiles.
“You’re one to talk,” I chuckle softly.
We sit there like that for a while, staring into each other’s eyes as if we were the only people in the world. The world around us faded, and I let myself fall into her trance. The way she made my problems feel so minuscule just by being in her presencewas nothing short of magic. When I was around her, I felt safe, protected…maybe even the first signs of love. We weren’t there yet, but I knew that if we kept going how we were, we’d be there sooner rather than later. And honestly, I wasn't opposed to that. I actually welcomed the feelings.
“I can’t help but be obsessed with you,” she says, finally breaking the trance. “You make me feel things I’ve never felt for anyone before. I’m calling it now. By this time next year, we’re going to be married. Or at least engaged.”
“You’re quite the optimist.”
“It’s called manifestation, Siren.”
“Siren?” I laugh.
“Yeah, it fits you,” she smiles, unapologetically. “You’re gorgeous, talented, have the voice of an angel, and ever since that first day I laid eyes on you in the dance studio, I’ve been drawn to you. You have an aura of beauty and grace. It’s hypnotic, and whenever I’m not around you, you’re all I think about. You’re dangerous, baby, but I’d still happily follow you into the deepest part of the ocean.”
