Alliyah

She had taken Lamar out to play basketball for quality bonding time… And to forget about the fact that her girlfriend had been out of touch for three days.

On their way back home, when they reached the building, they saw Cleo sitting on the stoop.

“What do you want?” Alliyah charged.

“I’m… Going to shower.” Lamar stated, sensing the awkwardness.

“Don’t lock the bathroom.”

“I know, I know.” He waved a hand in dismissal.

She watched him walk inside the building and step into the elevator. After the door closed, she turned her gaze back to the young woman.

“He’s so grown.” Cleo voiced while getting up.

“What do you want?” Alliyah crossed her arms.

“I just want to talk…”

“I didn’t particularly enjoy our last conversation.” Alliyah thinned her lips. “If you can call it that.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here. It was embarrassing to lose control like that. I’m sorry. You know me, though, that was out of character.”

Alliyah’s lip sneered as she studied her from her perfect hair to her expensive boots.

Did she ever mean anything she said? How Alliyah hated to never be able to read her. Just a while ago she forgave her and then at the Halloween party, she disappointed her once again.

“Yeah, okay.” She ended up saying and moving to walk inside.

“Say you forgive me!” Cleo demanded while stomping her foot down.

“Why? So you can feel better about yourself; feel better enough to go back to your shitty behavior?”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry that I realized how great you were too late, okay? I did now what I should have done back then. Dylan was never good but…” She sighed, and ran her fingers through her silky hair, before lowering her voice. “I was scared. I liked you. I liked girls, but I also liked boys. You know how little we were told about bisexuality back then. It was barely a thing…”

“So you out your best friend! Way to go!” Alliyah’s voice dripped with sarcasm, and she even clapped her hands.

“I’m genuinely sorry. If I could, I would go back in time and correct that. I’d change us. I’d do everything differently. But I can’t go back, all I can do is apologize and…” She took another deep breath. “And change myself now.”

“Well, good luck with that, Ms. Cliona Pierce.” She intentionally used her fake name.

Alliyah moved to get inside the building, but this time Cleo didn’t say or do anything to stop her.