Victoria paused, taking a long, deep, relaxing breath before her beautiful face lit up. “Now, me on the other hand, I did lose my virginity after prom, and I’ll be honest, the first time was alright. I didn’t know what to do, and Essex had to keep making sure I was okay. It was painful and nerve racking because I didn’t know what to expect. He didn’t judge me, though. Every time after that, though, magnificent.”
Her eyes were all dreamy, and I immediately regretted asking Victoria when I was reminded that this was all about my brother. “Essex wasn’t a virgin? You said you didn’t know what to expect, and he didn’t judge you.”
“Girl no. I told you them hoes at your dad’s churchbeenfucking out both pants legs. Who you think they were having sex with?” She rolled her eyes. “Another reason I was glad to switch churches. You didn’t know?”
“No, I didn’t know. Essex was allowed to go to more unsupervised outings than me so I can see it. Do your parents know you lost your virginity?”
“Yeah,” she chatted, and my eyes ballooned. Victoria emitted a low chuckle at my reaction before continuing. “I told my mom after we had sex a second time, so I could make an appointment to get on birth control. I’m sure they already had suspicions, though. I used to go to Essex’s apartment every day after school and stay there until dinner time. Once school ended, I pretty much moved in with Essex and Rashawn while I waited for college drop off day. They can’t really tell me what to do anymore. I’m eighteen, and I was a few weeks away from leaving the nest. They can’t babysit me while I’m up here, and your parents can’t either,” she proclaimed.
I admired Victoria, wishing I had the courage and confidence to even think something like that. Until I could grow the same backbone, I’d have to continue living vicariously through her unfiltered rants. Victoria pulled her phone out and started texting again.
“I’m telling them your parents are leaving tonight. Rashawn has family here, and some of his people are having a house party tomorrow. Are you going to come or are you going to be acting too scared? I want to enjoy this weekend before we lock in and start classes on Monday. Oh, and Faith is my roommate, so I’ll be in your room a lot.”
“No fucking way, they put you with Faith,” Victoria rolled her eyes as there was a knock at the door. “If she tries you, I’mma whoop her ass.”
There was another loud knock, and I knew it was my handlers coming to whisk me away from Victoria once they noticed my absence.
“I’m coming,” I confirmed as there was a knock on the door. Victoria went to answer the door, and of course, it was my parents. “Hello, Pastor Hunter and Sister Hunter,” Victoria spoke, amusement lacing her tone.
She didn’t play about Essex and kept her distance from my parents because of how they treated him.
“Victoria,” my mother greeted her, leaning in for a hug.
“Maybe I’ll see you around,” I put on a front because Victoria was also on the unapproved friends list due to her relationship with Essex. If the Metcalfs weren’t there to distract my parents, they would’ve ensured I didn’t go anywhere with Victoria.
“Yeah, maybe,” she waved.
“It was nice seeing you guys again,” I waved at the Metcalfs before following my parents out of the dorm room.
“Make sure you are not getting too chummy with Victoria while you’re up here. I hear she was shacking up with your brother like they’re grown. We love Victoria, always have, but right now, she isn’t under the best influence,” my mother spat. “You and Faith have been going to school together since Elementary school, so you guys have each other. I’m so glad that you guys are roommates. I also sent you an Excel spreadsheet with names and phone numbers of all the young ladies from the church who will be attending FAMU. I color coordinated them by grade level, and the upperclassmen have cars, so don’t be afraid to ask if you need a ride. I’d rather that than you catching the bus places.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Where do you want to go for dinner?”
“Doesn’t matter,” I replied.
It didn’t matter. I was ready for them to get on the road and out of my hair. I was desperate to breathe easy again. Essex coming to town was the best news I’d heard in a while. I hadn’t seen my brother since graduation day, and even that was limited to the actual ceremony. He wasn’t invited to the graduation party my parents threw for all the seniors at the church, and they blocked Essex, Rashawn, and Victoria’s phone numbers from my phone; therefore, all communication with my favorite people ceased since then.
After a long, sermon-soaked dinner filled with lectures and cautionary tales, my parents couldn’t get on the road fast enough. I waited a good thirty minutes in my silent room to make sure they weren’t coming back before I slipped out of my dorm room and went to Victoria’s room. Knocking hard to ensure they heard me over the loud laughter on the inside, I impatiently waited for someone to open the door.
“Twin!” Essex shouted.
“Essex,” I bawled, wrapping my arms around him. Those few weeks apart were the longest we’d gone without contact. Even when I was trying to comply with my parents’ demand to cease communication with Essex, I’d at least see him in the school hallways. “I’m whole again,” I sobbed.
“Awww sis, don’t cry,” he squeezed me tighter while I expelled my emotions. We remained in that position until I got my tears under control. It took a while; I hadn’t realized how much I missed Essex until I laid eyes on him again. Essex didn’t rush me; we stood there like the only other people in the room. When I finally pulled back, I realized Essex was crying too. He used the back of his hand to gently wipe his tears away.
“We’ll never go that long without seeing or speaking to each other again. Of course, I wanted to chill with my girl, but I needed to see you, Elise,” his voice cracked. Essex placed his fist in the middle of his forehead, closed his eyes, and leaned hishead back, taking a deep breath. “You’re free, Elise. You don’t have to put up with their shit anymore than you want to. I got you another phone,” he explained, walking over to grab the white bag from Victoria’s bed.
Victoria silently shed tears off to the side while watching us and Rashawn leaned up against the wall staring us down. I wasn’t embarrassed. They’d seen us at our lowest and emotional multiple times. The last two years with Essex out of the house were extremely difficult on both of us.
“If they want to cut you off, I got you. They can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, Elise,” he insisted, cupping my chin.
I nodded, taking the phone from him. “I love you, Essex.”
“I love you, Elise,” he said, kissing my cheek.
“I think we should all stay in tonight, y’all got us getting emotional,” Victoria noted.
