As I drove onto the freeway, I sighed softly. I didn't mean to go off on Makayla or Khari. I was angry with Elgin, but took it out on the both of them. I glanced beside me at Makayla who was silently staring out the window. She hadn't said anything to me at all, and I couldn't blame her. Fingering my braids, I bit my lip carefully forming my words in my head.

"I'm sorry Makayla." I glanced between her and the road a few times. I heard her clear her throat as she shifted in the seat. However, she didn't open her mouth to say anything. "Makay.." I called softly.

Finally, she turned her head to look at me. Her eyes told me everything. She was hurt, and I'm sure I was part of the reason why. Not just Elgin. I intertwined out hands before pulling over. We needed a serious heart to heart. I didn't want to be driving while we were the midst of it. Keeping the heat on, I turned in my seat to look at her.

"I really apologize for how I handled the situation." I said sincerely. "This was your first heartbreak and I acted horrible. You didn't need me to be your mother, but your sister.. your confident." I continued as I rubbed her hands softly. Tears cascaded down her caramel cheeks as she wiped them quickly off of her face.

"Something told me that something wasn't right, Lia." Her lips trembled as her eyes met mine. My heart broke for her because I understood the pain. That alone made my actions even more inexcusable. My baby sister was heartbroken. I wanted to protect her from things like this. I pulled her into my chest, and she couldn't hold in the pain any longer. She cried as hard as I did when I discovered that Duane had been unfaithful.

Gently rubbing her back, I allowed her to have this moment. I even wiped a few tears that escaped my eyes. "Get it out baby girl." I said softly.

After a cool ten minutes, she managed to get herself together although her makeup was ruined. I'm sure that was the last thing on her mind. She reached into the backseat, grabbing her purse and taking out her travel makeup bag. Well, it was on her mind, I thought. I watched as she carefully redid her makeup in the mirror with a small smile on my face. The King daughters were never going to be caught slippin'.

"Do you forgive me?" I asked.

She looked at me, putting down her lipstick momentarily. "Of course, Lia. I know you didn't mean any harm. You were only looking out for your little sister. Now, how you talked to my baby daddy... that's different." She chuckled.

I stale faced her causing her chuckles to grow louder. I knew that I did cross the line with Khari. I threw some things into his face that I shouldn't have. His inability to comfort people was an issue, but it wasn't his fault. Also, hearing that him and Karmen had a sex only relationship kind of made me act that way too. Again, I was confused with my feelings. He was attractive and the more I attempted to get to know him better, he displayed another layer.

However, Duane and I's relationship was slowly rekindling. My childhood lover was back and it breathed a new life into me. Love had to trump a crush. "What are you thinking about over there?" Makayla asked as she placed her makeup bag back into her purse.

I hadn't realized that I had zoned out. "Nothing, um, just thinking about some things. School and stuff, ya know?"

Makayla smirked, letting me know that she wasn't buying it. She looked into the mirror, removing the excess lipstick off of her lips. "You might can get mom with that sorry excuse, but not me. Spit it out." She looked over at me.

I chuckled at my sixteen year old sister. Here we were supposed to be talking about her, but the focus was on me. "You know Duane and I are back on speaking terms, right?"

She nodded her head. "Looks like more than speaking terms, but do continue." She replied sarcastically.

I waved her off. "Anyway, I think he's realized some things. And I think that break was crucial for us because we've kind of grown even closer these past two weeks. I see the Duane we've both known all our lives, but it may be a better version. He's matured greatly and seems to know what we wants."

She looked at me with her thinking face. "I'm a little bias because I just got my heartbroken so if you asking me should you give him a second chance, the answer is no." Before I could protest, she held her finger up. "Butttt.... If your heart and mind is on the same accord them go right ahead. However, I'm not sure that's the case."

"Why?" I asked.

She shrugged her shoulders lightly. "Well, I've noticed how you've looked at Khari. He's fine so I completely understand." She laughed a little. "It's like you're interested, but don't want to pursue it.. Because it's new. Duane is a comfortable stomping ground because you know him. The process is easier. You've been in love with him and may very well still be. But, Khari is an unfamiliar one and it scares you. Your mind doesn't agree with your heart."

I rested my arm on the arm rest, placing my finger under my chin. "You're right." I agreed. "But, doesn't the heart triumph the mind? Love always win."

"Welllll.." She sung. "Not always. You remember what daddy used to always tell us?"

"Sometimes your heart can deceive you." I repeated.

She nodded her head. "Yep. Not saying that it will in this situation. Duane could be the guy for you. You won't 100% know that unless you're willing to go onto unfamiliar territory."

Rubbing my head softly, I took in everything Makayla was saying. She was making really good sense. She had matured well for her age. "I'll pray about it. But, I'm going to continue giving Duane a chance to prove me right. He hasn't given me a reason not to."

"I'm behind you 100 percent." She looked at me.

My mouth formed a smile as I reached over, giving her a loving hug. "I love you sis." I placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you sis."

I pulled away from her to look in her pretty face. "Don't be scared to come and talk to me about things.. Especially about guys." She nodded her head, seemingly understanding. "Your intuition is your best friend. A guy who doesn't wanna be seen out with you isn't good for you. He isn't worthy of you. Okay?"

"I understand. I've learned my lesson. And I do know that I shouldn't date twenty year olds right now. It won't happen again."

I nodded my head, giving her another kiss on her forehead. "Good. Did mom let you dance?"

She nodded her head excitedly. "Yes! My next recital is next month. I'm so excited!" She giggled.

I laughed at her silliness. "Good! I know you're going to kill it, boo. You know I'm there." Putting the car in drive, I headed to drop her off at home. On the drive to the house, my mind kept going back to what Makayla said. Was my heart really on different accords with my mind? Was I really interested in Khari? Better yet, was he even interested in me?

Later on that night, I found myself just driving around. Kaleigh had a pair of night classes and Danielle had a group project to do. I'd finish my homework so I was going to be bored. My car took me to Khari's apartment. Cutting off the car, I sighed loudly as I eyed the complex. His light was on which meant that he could be home. It was after ten so I'm sure that he was out of practice.

Grabbing my purse by the handle, I stepped out of the car and locking it with the key. I walked into the building and onto his floor. As I got closer to the door, I heard loud music playing. When I approached the door, I immediately started to talk myself out of it. But, I knew I had to make it right.

I knocked on the door hoping that he could hear it. I'm guessing he did because the music died down and he fumbled with the locks. Seconds later, the door swung open and I was met in all of his glory. All of the air sucked out of my body as I stared at his muscular, tatted chest. His pants were hanging off his waist just a little and he looked kinda rough. The sexy kind. His hair was a little messy as if he needed a haircut. His facial hair appeared to be the same way. He looked like a freaking model.

The look I was returned with didn't match mine. His eyes were a little angry with a blank facial expression. I cleared my throat, suddenly feeling small in his presence. He was kind of intimidating.

"Yes?" He greeted emotionless.

I flickered my eyes up to his, shaking out of my trance. "Hey K—Khari, are you busy?"

"Yes." He said simply.

I sighed a little, knowing he was upset with me. He had every right to be. "Look, I just came over here to apologize for how I've been acting towards you. Especially today. I was way out of line." I looked at him with the sincerest eyes. He looked as if he was trying to read me.

"Can I come in?" I asked softly.

He scratched the back of his neck, looking behind him before shaking his head. He stepped to the side allowing me to come in. I stepped in, glancing around the apartment. Papers were scattered everywhere which made me believe that he was doing some work. That was, until, I spotted an opened black Bible nearby.

He closed the door, and I'd turned on my heels to face him. He was biting his lip like he was nervous. His eyes wandered elsewhere as he went back to his spot on the couch. I placed my purse on the bar, taking off my heels. Part of me was weary from walking in them and part of me just wanted to be comfortable. I walked to where he was, taking a seat by him.

"How have you been?" I asked quietly.

He rubbed his eyes, shifting in his spot. "I been straight."

We were quiet for a minute. It was a comfortable silence. "I'm really so—"

"Say babeh.. U good." He cut me off. I couldn't help but to blush form his accent and how he said 'baby.' I had to look away and play it off like I was looking around the room. Once I had finally gotten myself together, I turned my attention back to him.

I glanced at the Bible in his hands seeing that he was reading the Book of Genesis. From the look of the Bible, it seemed to be one that was passed down to him. It had notes already written inside of it. Someone was really devoted. That was my goal. I looked up to see a picture of his mother with the exact Bible in her hands. I smiled at the picture because I'd just noticed how much he looked like her.

She was a beautiful woman. They looked like identical twins with him being a little lighter. She wore short, dark brown hair and had hazel eyes. He'd inherited those same beautiful eyes. She was a short, slender woman. I was sure that Khari got his tall frame from his father. She looked to be no taller than 5'4.

"This was your mother's Bible?" I asked quietly, breaking the silence between us.

He cleared his throat before nodding his head. "She threatened me to take it if something happened to her, so I did."

I nodded my head in understanding. My mother was the same way. Although she didn't threaten me to take her Bible, she did threaten me to take a Bible once I went off to college. Everyday, I thank her doing so. It has helped me in the darkest times of my life.

"She haunts my dreams. She's right there and I can't touch her.. I just don't understand why she's doing this to me." He continued talking. His eyes were no longer on the Bible, but was on his mother.

Studying him carefully, I cleared my throat. "She knows you're not as spiritually strong as you should be. She wants you to get to know God just as she knew him." I answered.

He tore his gaze away from the picture to look at me. "I know." He said quietly. Biting his lip again, he looked like he was thinking hard about something. "Last night, she appeared and every time I'd try to touch, she'd move. I woke up in a cold sweat, mad...crying."

Instinctively, I ran my hands through his messy hair. Again, he'd allowed me to console him even though I figured that it was foreign to him. For some reason, I knew he never allowed someone to touch him. Let alone a girl. It was too...vulnerable.

"That's when I knew...I had to find God to touch her, feel her...talk to her. This was my punishment." He continued. "I'm just not sure where to start in this book." He flipped through the pages quickly. "I asked her where she want me to start, but before I could get answer, you showed up."

I didn't say anything. I only looked at him waiting for him to get what he really wanted to say out. It took him a while, but he finally pulled through.

"Could you help me?" He mumbled, looking up at me.

"Of course. To be honest, I was going to anyway." I smiled warmly at him.

He gave me a genuine smile causing my heart to melt. The sight was beautiful.

For the rest of the night, we'd studied the Book of Genesis. The way he was engaged in what I had to say, I knew that he was serious about it. He asked questions, took notes, he did everything he needed to do to understand. Throughout the book, he even made observations I hadn't even discovered. Before we started the lesson, however, I made him skip to the Law of Moses. I wanted him to be familiar with the first commandment of the Law of Moses.

To know that God exists.

~

The sun snuck past the blinds, causing me to open my eyes. I stretched a little, but looked down to see Khari's head in my lap. He was sleeping so peacefully and I didn't want to awake him. It looked like he was finally getting a good night's rest. Remembering that today was Tuesday, I sighed in relief once I realized that I didn't have class until later this evening. "Khari." I called.

I watched as he shifted in his sleep, but didn't even wake up. I chuckled a little as I tapped him on his shoulder. His eyes flickered open, landing on me. I gave him a smile as he sat up.

"Malia, wassup?" He asked as he started wiping the sleep out of his eyes.

Our study session had ran past midnight and we both fell asleep on the couch. I think I was out before he was. He had been a great student last night and I honestly enjoyed it and his company. After the study session, we just sat and talked about our deceased parents. I was happy that I had made him comfortable enough to share his memories. Plus, I think it was easier for him to do since I could identify with his pain.

I snorted. "I was getting bored so I needed you to wake up."

He gave me a blank face causing me to laugh. He ran his hands through his curls and his alarm went off. He fished for his phone before finding it between the couch. He silenced the alarm before throwing it on the coffee table. "Do you have classes today?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No, my professor cancelled. I just forgot to disarm my alarm." He said in his raspy voice. He stood up with his back towards me causing me to gasp in horror. He had a large scar on his back which seemed like a gash from a knife.

What's this?" I asked, instinctively touching the scar on his back. "Khari, what happened?" I asked gently.

His body froze at my touch. "N—nothing." He stuttered which, of course, didn't help me to believe him. However, I didn't want to press the issue. I'm sure that he would tell me if he wanted to or when he was ready to.

He quickly found a shirt and threw it over his head. I went over to the bar to check to see if I had any missed calls or messages. I had a shit load of them from Kaleigh and Danielle who were clearly worried about where I was. I immediately sent them both a text to tell them that I was alright and that I would explain everything later.

"Did you want to go get breakfast or something?" He turned to look at me.

My head snapped up from my phone and into in his direction and I lifted my eyebrows. "Did you say breakfast?"

He chuckled a little. "Yes, I said breakfast. My treat. I, at least, owe you that for what you did for me last night ya heard me?" He licked his lips, waiting on an answer. Well, you are hungry Malia, I thought.

"Sure.. We could." I looked at him.

He nodded his head. "Cool, I got an extra toothbrush in the bathroom if you need it." He motioned to the bathroom down the hall.

I shook my head. "No, but thank you. I have an overnight bag in my car. I'll just go out and get it." He looked at me curiously. "What?" I giggled. "You never know what may happen these days. You need to be ready for anything." I smirked, retrieving my keys out of my purse before walking out of the apartment.

Once we were both ready, we made the drive to Maryland for Waffle House since DC didn't have one. Once inside, we both ordered the same things which had me shocked. Just pancakes and bacon with a side of orange juice.

While he ate, I just watched him. I knew I was being creepy, but Makayla's words were coming back into my brain. I nibbled on my bacon, taking in his features. I'd noticed that a vain would pop up out of his head when he was focused or concentrating on something. He ate fast too.

"It's really rude to stare ya know?" He said, not even looking up at me. I quickly tore my gaze away from, clearing my throat causing him to chuckle. "I know I look good, but damn." He said confidently as he displayed those gorgeous teeth of his.

"Hush.." I said, joining him in his laugh. "I wouldn't even tell you if I thought that you were handsome. It'll go to that big head of yours." I said, mushing his head.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Well let me tell you that you're jaw dropping gorgeous. Stunning." He said, looking at me. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not.

"Really?"

He wiped his mouth with a napkin while nodding his head simultaneously. "Yes. Inside and out, to be honest. That's rare." He leaned down, taking a bite of his pancakes.

"Wow.. Thank you." I took a sip of my orange juice.

"Just keeping it real."

"I think my sister was right." I blurted out.

He looked up from my plate. "What'd she say?"

"I told her about how our first encounters were bad. She told me that I shouldn't allow it to deter me from getting to know you. You gave me a bad first impression, but now that I'm getting to know you; you're not bad. At all." I giggled.

"Geez. thanks." He quipped.

I took a bite of my pancakes off my fork as we ate in a comfortable silence. His phone rung, but he didn't even flinch. I guess he wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.

"This is just the first layer. I have many." He blurted out, looking at me.

"Who doesn't?" I retorted.

He smirked, leaning forward as he chewed the rest of his food. "Does Malia King have secrets?"

I sighed softly, wiping the crumb off the corner of my mouth. "No, just a crush."

I could feel two sets of eyes on me which made me continue to look at my paper as if it was the most important thing in the world. Actually it was. I was writing my rough draft for my Political Science paper. I was writing on Domestic Terrorism here in America. With America focusing on the foreign terrorists, they always seemed to forget about the ones in their own country. It wasn't like it was a huge surprise because the terrorists that resided in America were the same color as the majority in the political world.

White.

I'm not saying that all whites are terrorists because that's simply isn't true. However, it's a proven fact that they are far more dangerous to Americans(preferably the People of Color) than the foreigners. For example, mass shootings and police brutality. I wasn't going to allow people to forget, though.