Page 54 of Rome: The Ballerina

Although my thoughts were running a mile a minute, my movements were contradicting. I despised the rush. It felt all too familiar. I rushed down a court in my professional life. Every day. Almost all day.

I didn’t desire that in my personal life. It didn’t matter how late I was. Moving hastily wouldn’t change the outcome, only the time I arrived. Still, I’d be late; whether by five minutes or fifteen.

Still, my adrenaline pumped as I slipped into a pair of denim jeans. A denim button down fell just beneath the Hermes belt I looped through my jeans. I followed with a black Saint Laurent cap and black Saint Laurent sneakers to match.

I slid the two tone diamond Rolex on my left wrist. Two diamond bracelets rested on the right wrist. Matching ropes layered on my chest. I stepped downstairs minutes after I’d awakened. In the full-length mirror that Aliza cleaned religiously, I stood, making sure my shit was in order.

Satisfied with all that I had going on, I secured the gold grill on my bottom teeth. Black shades covered my eyes as I entered my six car garage. I lifted the door to the third slot. The black Ferrari felt most fitting for the night ahead. I wasn’t sure what I’d be getting into, but by the night’s end, I knew who I’d be getting into. For now, that was enough.

“Ignoring my calls– sneaking off in the middle of the night– who raised you?”

Nadia stood on the other side of my garage with two glass dishes in her hand.

“Shit. I’ve been meaning to call you back all day,” I admitted. “I fell asleep after my shower and overslept.”

“I see. And, now you’re headed–”

“To Aliza. Ride with me.”

“And do what with this food?”

“You brought food–” I acknowledged.

“I did.”

“I appreciate you, big sis.”

“Well, I had a feeling you would be needing dinner. Mom told me Aliza is preparing for another big performance.”

“Yes.”

Having mothers as best friends was both a gift and a curse for Aliza and I. Because they were best friends, we managed to avoid countless heartbreaks and find each other much sooner than the average couple. However, that meant very little was kept between us.

“Tomorrow. You can have it tomorrow.”

“I will. Shit, probably later tonight. I’m not eating heavy before I play tomorrow.”

She entered the garage, depleting the distance between us.

“Here– take this. I’ll be waiting.”

“Aight. I’ll be right back. Make sure you’re in the passenger seat. Not the fucking driver seat.”

Chuckling, Nadia shrugged. “And, if I’m not?”

“I’m taking another car and leaving you there wishing and hoping I’ll let you drive again one day.”

She’d shown me one too many times that the Ferrari wasn’t her friend.

“Fine.”

I turned and headed back inside.

“You look nice by the way!”

“So do you,” I tossed over my shoulder.

She was dressed in a black silk skirt and a black graphic tee. On her feet were a pair of slide-in shoes with a large heel that covered the entire sole. Her jewelry was subtle but noticeably expensive. I’d purchased every piece she was wearing so I was well aware of the price tags.

---