Almost There

Amelia had been staring at her reflection in her phone screen for a solid five minutes. Heaving a sigh, she dropped it to her lap. “Could I ask you something?”

Syrah looked up from her prospective university’s homepage she had been aimlessly scrolling through. “Of course.”

“Okay, if you’ve got any world-shattering revelations about New York, now’s the time to tell me before I move there and can’t turn back.”

“Yah. There’s rats everywhere. On the subway, the park... probably behind your future fridge.” 

“I accidentally just spent over six hundred dollars on makeup and clothes. I guess I can just consider this a late Mother’s Day present to me.”

“s-six hundred. god my parents barely give me 180 for food and clothes here a month. I asked my mom, “mom what if i want a chateaubriand steak” as a joke and she cut my funding.”

Kaiden was thrown off by this city. It was as lively and bright as Manhattan but it had a more peaceful vibe. It made him feel better for some reason. Like maybe this was the place that finally saw him make it.

“You think? “ Tiana asked. “I’ll tell you what, the food isn’t anything to gawk at on campus but there is a little diner down the road with an open mic. If you want a dinner and a show that’s the place to go. This city is full of a little spots like that they make this big city feel more like home.”

tianasluogo:

“Not even in the summer? I’d imagine with all the crowds it’d get sticky over there. You know what I found to be the best to fight off the heat? Baby wipes. I always carry baby wipes in my purse so if I need a little somethin’ to freshin up, I have my cold baby wipes to do the trick. You want one?”

tiana hudson:

“I’ve always loved interior decorating. I have my plans set out for the future; New Orleans greatest chef, but if I could choose one other route it’d be decorating. I didn’t bring much when I came here. Just a suit case and a carry-on so my dorm is mighty roomy. “

 The shadow man had been avoiding anyone and everyone in sight. Keeping himself occupied with unusual small tasks. The voices always in the background offering him their ‘advice’. 

Tiana sat down right beside Facilier, offering a warm and open smile. She had her own suspicions of Facilier but today was not the day to let them take over. She could tell when someone was having a bad week from a mile away and that was not a look she wanted to see on anyone.

Naveen felt like he was living a dream. He’d used the money Facilier gave him to turn his dorm room into a half nursery for the child he was caring for now. He was grateful to his nannies for letting him help care for his brother when he was younger. He knew what he was doing but it still felt like he was messing it all up. So he’d texted Tiana and asked her to meet him at the park. He sat at the bench while he waited. He stared into the stroller as the little girl slept. He was caught up again with how innocent and sweet she was and how he wished she’d have a happier beginning. 

Tiana received a well-needed text to visit Naveen in the park after spending her day hauled up in the library. The smell of fresh air was a nice change after being surrounded by dusty books.  Tiana enjoyed the stroll she took while finding Naveen. She noticed things she hadn’t taken the time to notice before like the etches on the fountain, the peeling paint on the benches. One surprising thing she noticed was Naveen’s soft, kind voice as he fixed the blanket of a baby in a stroller.

“If you ever want to feel better about yourself, just know that you haven’t misread Kiara as Kiera, Kara and Kiana all in the same week, even after being corrected. I swear that teacher’s doing it on purpose.”

“Now that’ just ridiculous. They are either very forgetful, have some vendetta, or need some new glasses. All those names are spelled the way they’re pronounced.”

“Well. The decor could use some work but I guess this place is better than nothing.”

“I agree. This place could use with some new lights. These one’s remind me of the ones in hospital rooms or k-mart. And don’t get me started on the furniture patterns.”

“So another lonely Valentines? Well, Good thing I had my handy-dandy scrapbook to keep me company.“

“It doesn’t have to be lonely. I spent this Valentines with my mama. It was a fun skype call. But a scrapbook, huh? What did you scrapbook about this year?”