"Hey Rai." He spoke.

What the hell is he doing here at Howard, this is my Adrian free zone. This has been my sanctuary where I don't have to face the truth. What do you do now, Raina think.

"Hi." I responded weakly.

"Do you have somewhere we can talk?" He stood in front of me awkwardly.

"Ok, sure. We can go up." I turned around slowly catching him take a glimpse at my ass.

It did get a little bigger, my eating habits picked up and I've been killing my squats. Oh and these jeans are fitting quite nicely. Just don't trip and fall or be weird, Raina walk normal. Damn I'm rambling in my head.

We were silent the entire ride up to my dorm, my roommate Nedra and friend Aaron was in there. I wasn't planning on him coming up, I'm sure they won't mind catching this tea though.

"It's right here." We stopped. I opened the door, walked in and he followed.

"Oop." Aaron looked up at me with a slight grin, Nedra shared the same look.

"Uh, Adrian this is my roommate Nedra and this is Aaron."

"Y'all this is Adrian."

"Hi." Nedra responded before giving me a silly smirk. I gave her an evil squint.

"What's up man?" Aaron replied sticking his hand out for Adrian to shake and he did.

"Nice to meet you both." He said to them.

"Rai I'ma' go ahead and get out of here, call me later love." Aaron winked and came over to me for a hug. I noticed Adrian watching us closely.

"—And it's nice to meet you too bruh." Aaron told him and he nodded.

"I'm right behind you Aaron, wait up." Nedra said walking out to leave. "Nice meeting you, and Rai text me."

"Ok girl, see y'all later." I waved and Adrian nodded.

I closed the door behind them and gestured for Adrian to have a seat at the desk. He did and so did I on my bed.

"How have you been?" He looked me up and down.

"Everything's good, I'm adjusting here." I answered, slightly dry. I'm anxious to know what's really going on in his head.

"Cool, that's good." He nodded. "This is a nice dorm you have here." He added while looking around.

"Thanks as you can see I added some color." I smiled a little.

"I see that." He laughed. Then an awkward silence came.

"Why did you come here?" I abruptly asked.

He glanced at me hesitating his next response. "Who's this Aaron?"

I giggled dryly. "He's my friend."

"Oh." He said sounding a little disappointed. I studied him for a second.

"It's good you have people out here."

"Yeah, he really means a lot to me." I replied.

He nodded slowly looking away trying to figure out what to say next I presumed. I decided to go ahead and ease his mind.

"The answer is no we're not together. Not that it matters but he's gay. Him and his boyfriend have an amazing relationship."

"Oh." He said quickly while nervously nodding his head. "I wasn't trying to assume anything, I just-"

"Adrian why are you here?" I repeated.

He looked at me and noticed how serious I was.

He scooted up in the chair. "First off I want to apologize for the way things ended with us. — I'm trying to figure out where you are right now, how life's treating you out here. You deserve nothing but great things-"

"Adrian I'm not understanding-"

"Hold on let me finish." He paused then got up and walked over to sit with me on the bed.

"I just need to know where you're at in your life as far as commitment. I love you and I would do anything in this world to get you back."

I continued to listen.

"With that said I'm not trying to be selfish either, you're young. I've already been to college, I get it. I know you have goals you're trying to accomplish, so you need to stay focused." He stopped to grab my hands. "Tell me what you want me to do, if you want me to leave, I will no pressure? I'll be ok with whatever you decide. I just didn't want to not try."

I took a moment to take in everything because it was a lot. This year has been hard, it took a lot to get to this point. To a point where I'm not crying everyday.

"I've had to deal with people leaving me my entire life. I also dealt with people taking advantage of me. So in that moment when you and Mikey had me at your house to end things I felt played. I felt humiliated and like —I didn't have any say over anything."

"I opened up to you. I never thought I could fall for someone before you. In a lot of ways you've broaden my perspective. I was even in love with the fact that I was able to love you everyday and to be able to receive that love back meant so much."

He continued to listen with guilt plastered all over his face. I started to tear up.

"You were my rock, you were my good thing. You made me feel safe and secure. No matter what, I would have fought for you. You know my life, you know you meant everything to me."

He exhaled. "Baby I'm sorry. Honestly I didn't know how to fight for you, or even if I should've. Some of what Mike said made sense to me at the time."

"I don't want to be in your way Rai, but I love you with everything in me too. You hear me?" He said while wiping away my tears and I nodded.

Damn I missed this so much.

I smiled a little. "You do know my brother would've never called the cops on you right?"

He chuckled. "I know, —trust me when I tell you I broke it off because of us. I would never leave you because of someone else's beliefs not even for your brother."

There it was, that feeling I missed so much. The way he stares at me, it's like he's staring at me for the first time.

"What?" I squealed not able to continue to stare at him, wiping away at my own tears.

"I missed you, everyday." He exhaled again. "So much has changed, so much I wanted to be a part of in your life. So much I wanted you to be a part of in mine."

"Yeah." I genuinely agreed.

He paused getting my attention. "Can I take you somewhere?"

I smirked. "Do you even know where to go?"

He laughed. "No, but I'm sure I can find something."

I stared at him smiling, shaking my head. "So you just went out on a limb, never minding the what if's?"

"Oh my mind was definitely all over the place. It's just when you feel this strongly about something self doubt will lose every time. —But yes I went out on a limb."

"Ok." I smiled straightening my back, answering his question.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah let's go." We both laughed.

The drive consisted of both us trying to figure out where to go. I figured we could go somewhere we could walk around a little. So I took the lead on this one.

We arrived at the Center DC where we could easily walk around. He parked in a parking garage then we got out. He grabbed my hand and I felt the familiar electric waves shooting through my body. I nervously exhaled.

I've been here a few times so I'm a little familiar with the area. There's Louis Vuitton, Hermès and there's even a Tesla dealership here.

It just hit four o clock, the weathers starting to change.

"Is it too cold for you?" He asked.

"No I'm used to it now. Are you cold?"

"No I'll be fine." He shook his head.

"How has school been?" He asked reaching for my arm, to bring me in closer to put his around me.

"Its a lot tougher than high school. My first semester didn't go well with my scheduling. I overestimated things and crammed too much in a day. That was tough but everything's a learning experience, it's a lot better now."

"That's good, you adjusted quicker than I did. Even with having Mike there with me at KU."

"Y'all were popular athletes of course so I'm sure you had plenty of help."

"Ehh." He playfully shrugged.

"Whatever I know the stories, y'all are probably banned from the state of Kansas all together." I said laughing.

"Troy and Amina might be but I was more laid back."

"Yeah ok." We both laughed.

"It's crazy how Mike and I met Troy, Amina and Chance. How we all decided to live in Atlanta after college. It was home for us but for them they took a risk. I'm glad they did though."

"Y'all just couldn't stay away from each other that's all." I smiled at him.

"Aye, when you find good friends stick with 'em." He stated as we continued to walk around looking at nothing in particular.

"Yeah, Sienna means everything to me that's my sister. I wish she could be out here with me but I did get to meet my roommate Nedra she's sweet. Aaron is amazing, I'm so grateful to have him, sometimes it's hard to open up to new people."

"I have a few other people I'm cool with but out here Aaron and I are pretty close." I added.

"That's good, he seems cool." He nodded, and I stared at him scrunching my face.

"Yeah right, I'm sure you mean after I told you about him not being my man."

"Ehhh." He playfully shrugged again which made both of us laugh.

"Little shy Raina. Are you still going heavy with the plays and the acting?"

"Actually I just got a supporting role recently and this was my first casting here. Some of the seniors here put it all together. They only casted two freshmen so I got lucky."

"That's the Raina I remember, always pushing."

I smiled. "I'm nervous about it. I'm happy I'm even being considered, but it's nerve wrecking, especially with track too."

"I bet, but you got this though."He assured.

I smiled. "How are things back at home. I heard you quit your job?"

"Word travelled all the way to DC huh?"

"Yes and I also know you've been keeping busy with your new business ventures. Congratulations by the way."

"Thank you, who told you all this?" He smiled curiously.

"Sienna, Leah and maybe I glanced at your page a few times." I confessed.

"Nosey ass."

"Whatever." I laughed.

We stopped in front of a restaurant called Fig & Olive. The atmosphere was very inviting so we decided to go inside. I love how they have comfy lounge around seating and the warm pops of color all throughout.

We were greeted and seated and as I was walking in I saw a lady eating some French toast and they looked so good.

I ordered the shrimp and salmon salad with French toast for desert. Adrian ordered the rack of lamb paired with Eggplant. We both ordered water to drink.

"This is nice, us hanging out."

He nodded. "Yes, it is."

"I'm happy for you. Going after your dreams, taking a risk quitting your job." I said with a grin.

"Thank you. I'm just grateful it's working out."

"Yeah and being able to help kids make their dreams come true." I replied.

"Well at least to give them an outlet, something they can call their own. It's a shame to see wasted talent, kids not able to live their dreams simply because they lacked the resources. The talent is there they just need the backing. Everybody doesn't have someone with connections." He went on to say with passion in his eyes. I could tell how much this means to him.

I nodded. "I agree, especially with any artist period. Everybody is out for themselves and no one is looking to support or even give advice. So I get it and I'm talking specifically in our culture."

"Exactly, support is everything, can't do anything without it. It's all about who you know. —Speaking of support what about you and Mike?" He curiously asked.

"What about us?"

"How long are you going to let this go on for, because you know it's up to you at this point? I'm sure he's ready and willing whenever you are."

"I see I'm not the only whose been nosey. How do you know we're still not speaking?" I questioned.

"I have my sources now stop deflecting and answer the question."

"I'm not sure. I need him to see me as a woman. That's important to me. He can't keep controlling what goes on in my life." I paused and sighed. "I miss him though."

"I'm sure everything will work out between you two."

"Maybe."

At this point our food arrived and we said the grace. We started to eat in silence because the food was just that good, then he spoke.

"You're so beautiful Munch. Everything about you is beauty." I blushed, I nervously grabbed my water almost spilling it. He called me Munch.

"Thank you, you look good too." I glanced at him.

"You want anything else while we're here. You want to go anywhere else?"

"No here is fine. How long are you in town for?"

He tucked his lips, then licked them."I don't know I'm just playing it by ear, literally."

"Where are you staying?"

"I'll probably see what's close to your campus and check in somewhere."

"So wait, —you really just hopped on a plane with hopes of seeing me?"

He chuckled. "Yep, pretty much."

"That's crazy." I said really amazed.

"Ok I didn't think it through like that, my goal was to just find you. I came straight to your campus after leaving the airport."

This is what I missed about him, he's so passionate. The lengths he will go for me, it may not seem like a lot to some but we've been through it. So for him to even try to see if there was still a chance is very impressive.

"Twenty-one questions?" I eagerly asked.

"Ok, and this time no cheating." He narrowed his eyes at me and I nodded giggling.

"Ok I'll go first." He raised his finger quickly. I nodded.

"Do you miss me?"

"You're right here, what do mean?"

"You know what I mean?" He chuckled.

"Yes, I miss us. I missed you everyday." I nervously smiled.

"I missed you too." He blushed.

"Did you and Mike settle things, because I heard you did?" I went on to ask my question.

He nodded his head smiling. "Yeah we did. We talked everything out. He understands I genuinely love you. So we're cool now."

"That's good. I hated the fact your friendship was jeopardized."

"Yeah." He smirked waiting to ask his next question.

"Were you able to move on after or anytime after,— and you don't really have to answer that if you don't want to?"

"I'll answer it and not really, I went on a few dates. Nothing stuck, I wasn't ready. In fact Aaron was one of those dates. That's how I found out about him on the date." I mumbled the last part.

He laughed. "You got cat-fished?"

"Shut up and I don't think that's how the whole cat-fish thing work. —And I did not think it was funny, but he thought I was nice so he wanted to get to know me. We hung out and our friendship started from there."

The waitress came and refilled our glasses. She asked how's everything, we told her it was perfect. The food is delicious.

"We tried to do a double date and that didn't workout. I, without realizing ended up talking about you the whole date. So now I'm usually the third wheel, with him and Jared."

"Now that's crazy." He smiled.

"What about you, were you able to move on?" I questioned not sure if I even wanted to hear this. I didn't want to hear about him being with someone else while I was sulking.

"Nah not at all. After what happened with us I said I needed to take a step back and just focus on me. I distracted myself unknowingly by burying myself into my career change."

I nodded.

"I've been busy traveling and making business deals. Trying to network and put myself out there as much as possible. I didn't have time for that and I didn't want to make the time for it. One because if I had opened that door that would've lead me back to fucking random women." He looked at me before continuing. "That shit doesn't satisfy me. I want us, I couldn't have us at the time so I didn't really care to try again after."

"So that whole dating thing, —I wasn't really feeling it. I didn't care to actually get to know any other woman. I already know you, not sure who would be able to measure up anyway." He added making me bite down on my lip to hide my smile but failed to do so.

"So you've been with no one since the last girl before me? You know been with anybody?" I emphasized on the word been.

"No I haven't. I told you Raina I've grown. Coming from what we shared, I had gotten so used to not having sex and it not being the focus. So no I haven't had sex since before getting into a relationship with you. That's fact."

"Would you want to?" I asked in a fairly low tone.

"Raina you know I'm blunt, I don't mind answering anything you ask me. Are you asking me would I want to have sex with you?"

I nodded.

"My answer is yes, and I can say all this romantic shit about wanting to wait or for us to not worry about that right now but that would be bullshit. If you want to wait we will wait, no matter how long as long as I can be with you. If you want to fuck me right now, I will make that happen too. It's simple. You would have to communicate that with me, because I wouldn't want you regretting it later."