Page 3 of Chemistry: The Chemist

They were reminders I did have a heart and that motherfucker was functional.

“What are you doing here?”

“My lesson was canceled. My profes–”

“That doesn’t answer my question, baby.”

“I–” she mumbled.

Head down. Hands in front of her. Fingers fondling each other. Eyes low. Heart heavy. I didn’t need to see Rome to feel Rome… to know Rome. She wore her big feelings on her sleeve, a trait I despised in humans. No one needed to know what you were feeling, what was on your heart that easily.

One should always have the right to choose what information others were privy to. Rome didn’t have that privilege. That was why she was the center of my world. Because we were so many years apart, she felt more like a child I shared with my father and stepmother than a sister.

“Rome.”

Turning, I found her standing behind me with weary eyes and anxious hands.

“I won’t beg you to express yourself.”

“I haven’t seen you in a few days and haven’t had the chance to tell you I’m auditioning for The Black–”

“Swan,” I finished.

“Of course, you already knew.” Sucking her teeth, she rolled those big, doe-like eyes that were mirrors to her soul.

“It’s my job to know, Rome. You’ve stayed late for the last week. I needed to know why.”

“You could’ve asked.”

“I didn’t think you were ready for me to know.”

“I wasn’t. In case I didn’t get the part.”

“That’s impossible.” I scoffed.

“Without your help.”

“I–”

“Or Royce’s.”

Chuckling, I nodded. “Okay, I get it, baby.”

“I’m serious, Pop. I don’t want any of you getting involved. I want to earn this.”

“You’ve earned everything you’ve been involved in, baby. I don’t understand.”

“Influence feels like the driving force behind some of the accolades in my life thus far.”

“I have never allowed my influence to serve your passion. Neither have I ever lied to you. So hear me very clearly when I tell you it has always been all you. You’re the best there is and will ever be.

“You’re a natural, baby. Accept it and never credit me for anything other than your discipline and determination. I’ve done nothing more than push you to heights that were always attainable for you, even when you didn’t believe it.”

“Thank you.”

The longing in her stare made my lips curl and my head shake from one side to the other. She was yearning for something–someone. It happened to be me. Physical touch was her greatest love language. It wasn’t mine.

I observed as her brows raised on her forehead. Dark skin covered every inch of her except the spot underneath her right arm where her mark of birth rested. With a round head and wondrous eyes, Rome was incredibly beautiful. She shared identical features with at least two of the women she shared blood with and called her sister.

---