"What's your stance on social injustice, oppression and gay rights?" I asked calmly.

I looked up to see my date, Germaine, looking back at me with a dumbfounded expression. He let out a brief laugh which made me lean my head to the side a little. I wanted to know what was funny. I didn't tell a joke. He looked away for a minute before focusing back on me. "Excuse me, ma?"

I cringed at the word ma, rolled my eyes slightly and repositioned my glasses on my face. I hated repeating myself. It had to be a pet peeve of mine. It was probably number one on the list. I pierced my hazel eyes into his. "I didn't stutter."

"That's a pretty bold question. Can we talk about something lighter since this is our first date?" He looked at me as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. I shook my head, and dropped my fork on the plate. I abruptly got up from the table, weary of this date.

"Whoa, where you going?" He asked, lifting his eyebrow.

I lifted my eyebrow back, daring him to challenge me. "I'm leaving. First of all, you came an hour late. And if I'm not mistaken." I glanced at my Chanel watch. "It is almost eight which means Scandal is coming on."

"Damn, why you acting like a stuck up bitch?" He scoffed.

I smirked. "You clearly do not know the definition of stuck up. Because if I really was, I would leave you with both checks. Now sit down and eat your food."

"This was really a mistake." He mumbled.

"Clearly." I retorted.

By this time, I had drawn an audience. They seemed really amused, but I wasn't here for the show. He shook his head, but did as told. After finishing the rest of my drink, I slipped on my burgundy pea coat. I abruptly gathered my things, dropping them into my Chanel bag.

Although it was dark out, I still slid on my Chanel frames for the drama effect and proceeded out the door after paying for my food. I was tired of the typical dates anyway. Guys weren't creative with them anymore. Movies and dinner is cool, but I'd like for them to think outside the box.

I shook my head as I walked out of the restaurant and bumped into someone. I looked up slightly, and my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. The guy standing in front of me with sort of a scowl was actually a handsome young man.

"I'm sor—" I started to say.

"Just watch where you going, aight?" He said without even allowing me to apologize. I didn't miss his Louisiana accent, which would've been cute if he wasn't such a douche.

"I was about to apologize if you didn't decide to be rude!" I yelled as I placed my hand on my side.

He chuckled, as if I amused him. He brushed passed me, walking off. I turned around, shocked that he'd bump me instead of walking around me. I didn't know what the hell was his problem.

"Asshole." I mumbled as I walked away before sighing. "Forgive me, Lord. Not today, Satan."

I was honestly trying to stop cursing. It's not ladylike and it's not helping my spiritually cause. I was doing good because I could've easily cursed Germaine out. I walked to my car, grabbing my keys out of my bag and unlocking it. I slid in, cranking the engine and sped off.

As I drove back to my dorm, I pouted as I came to a realization. I had an eight thirty Black Political Theory class in the morning. I loved the class, but I wasn't a morning person by any means.

Lay Me Down by Sam Smith played through the radio and I turned the volume up, singing loudly. The rest of the drive was me singing tunes that I liked. I applauded the radio host for playing good music. Pulling up to the dorm, I found a park that was extremely close and swerved in. It's not everyday that you can get a blessing like that.

I grabbed my bag and ID before getting out of my car. I sashayed into the dormitory, removing my frames.

"Hey Malia." The RA greeted.

I flashed her a quick smile. "Hi, Rena."

I took the elevator to the honors floor and headed to my room. I swiped my ID, pinning the code in and stormed into the room. I noticed my roommate, Kaleigh, humming to some tunes causing me to smile. She was a really talented singer and wasn't shy about it. I admired that about her.

"Hey Leigh." I greeted as I sat my bag on my desk.

"Hey Lia. How was your date?" She asked with her Nigerian accent. She looked up from her guitar to focus her attention onto me.

I darted my eyes over at her and she shook her head, laughing.

"Let me guess. He couldn't answer your stance question?"

I nodded causing us both to laugh loudly. Even though Kaleigh and I only known each other a semester and a half, she was becoming one of my closest friends. She definitely made freshman year enjoyable. With my friends and I going our separate ways, I needed someone to help me adjust to the college life. Kaleigh had been that someone.

I threw my coat on my bed and plopped down on it. I watched as Kaleigh ran her hands through her dreadlocks. I was never a fan of dreadlocks, but it grew on me once I got around Kaleigh. They fitted her perfectly with her glossy, dark chocolate skin, grey piercing eyes and white teeth. She dyed it honey gold causing her to look like a Nubian goddess.

"I'm surprised you're not with Elgin." I smirked.

Elgin was Kaleigh's boo. He was sort of the asshole mixed with the sweetheart. He was confusing sometimes which could be frustrating. However, I wasn't in a relationship with the guy so I wasn't really worried.

She rolled those beautiful eyes of hers playfully. "He's having guys night tonight. One of his friends got tickets to the Wizards game."

"He could've invited us. Probably could've met my future husband." I abruptly sat up.

"I'm saying." She agreed.

I chuckled lightly. When she said American slang with that accent made me giggle. It was funny.

"So, he was just horrible?" She looked at me, referring to Germaine.

I nodded. "From the moment he walked in the door."

She scoffed. "He was late?!"

"Yep." I said poppin the p.

She shook her head in disgust. "Oh no honey. That's bogus, man."

I sighed, reaching over to grab my Bible. "He wasn't cute anyways."

"Which Book are you reading this week?" She asked.

I grabbed my notebook. "The Book of Exodus."

She nodded. Once we had gotten to know each other, I quickly realized that even though were both black, we were totally different. With me being African American has guided me to the Christian beliefs. She is Muslim, therefore, she does not share the same beliefs. I kind of picked her brain on her religious beliefs and they were interesting. It was quite interesting and I honestly decided to do research on my own, which I am currently working on.

Kaleigh went to shower and I started on Chapter One of Exodus. This has become a habit of mine every since I lost my father to war over three years ago. His death affected me tremendously causing me to having a near melt-down. My mom was spiritually strong, therefore, she made me read the Bible with her every night to heal. Since then, I haven't stopped. Overtime, you quickly learn that God heals and time does not.

I learned how to not to stray away.

****

I yawned quietly as I listened to my professor discuss the differences between black political theory now versus the past. After my reading last night, Kaleigh and I caught up on Scandal. We had a discussion about it until past midnight. Now, I was paying for it. Professor Dawkins went on and on about the "differences," but if you ask me, there was none. We were still fighting social injustice, judicial racism, systematic racism, and other forms of oppression today.

After he finished his discussion, he dismissed the class a little early which gave me more than enough time to grab a bite to eat before my next class at 11. I quickly walked to Pandini's to get me a chicken caesar salad. I took a seat and the waitress came to my table in no time. I ordered my food, and while I sat and waited for my order, I scrolled through my phone.

I rolled my eyes at the sight of Duane's number. Duane Dominc was my ex-boyfriend. We dated throughout high school and the beginning of college. I thought that he would be the one I'd eventually marry in the long run. However, he had changed a lot once we graduated high school. He attended The University of Maryland on a basketball scholarship. He was highly recruited out of high school and at the time, was quite humble. The fame went to his head, though.

He cheated the first week he reported which was in the early part of the summer. I didn't find out until I was two weeks into my freshman year, however. I quickly dropped him and never looked back. Cheating was a no go, the ultimate no go.

Hey 😕

Bye 🙄

The waitress sat my food in front of me causing me to look away from my phone.

"Thank you." I said politely.

She smiled before tending to other customers. I said a prayer over my food before digging in. I moaned slightly at the taste. As I ate my food, I observed my surroundings. I wasn't much of a socialite. I rather observe than to talk. However, I didn't shy away from it.

"Malia, I knew that was you." I looked over to see Randy heading in my direction. "Your makeup is on point so I knew it could only be one person."

I blushed a little. Randy was a sweet guy which makes perfect sense on why he is taken. Not too many good guys like him.

"Thank you, Randy. Waiting on someone?" I asked.

He nodded. "No problem & yeah. My friend from New Orleans is here now so I'm waiting on him."

"Hm, why is he all the way here in DC?" I asked curiously.

"Rough life, that's all I can say. He need to get out of that environment. Plus, he's a basketball player so he is transferring. And do you not remember that I'm from Baton Rouge?" He chuckled.

"Oh you're from Washington in my eyes." I joined in with him. "How's Danielle?" I finished the rest of my salad and dabbed the sides of my mouth.

He grinned like a fool in love. "Amazing. I'm in love, man."

I smiled at him. "Awww."

We sat for at least forty minutes talking about everything under the sun. We were both Political Science(Pre-Law) majors so we had a lot in common.

"Your friend hasn't made it here yet." I glanced at my watch.

"I know. He must be lo—"

"Randy?" Someone with a deep baritone said.

He looked up and his face gleamed with joy. He stood up to greet him and they both slapped hands with one another. "Khari my man! Wassup?" Randy motioned towards me. "This is me and Danielle's friend, Malia." He introduced me.

I grinned, but it quickly faded once I my eyes laid on his. He smirked a little causing me to stare him down.

"Asshole." I said in realization.

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