Page 10 of Beautiful Beginning

I set my legs on a path toward the library. Walking across the courtyard at a safe distance away from her.

“Chaz.”

My name from her mouth re-calibrated my legs. My entire body got into formation and turned. I faced her and waited for her to speak again.

“Come here.” There was a look of excitement on her face that didn’t match the sheer panic in mine. She waved her hand toward me further summonsing my body.

I couldn’t ignore her. All eyes were already on me. Waiting for my next move. So, I moved. In her direction. To the middle of the crowd of people around her. “What’s up, Journey?”

“I wanted to introduce you to my friends.” Their simple introduction included, “These are my girls.” And mine, a bit more distinct. “This is Chaz.” She rubbed her lips together before adding, “Someone I’d like to know.”

There were oohs and ahhs from all the girls standing around her. I didn’t see their reaction though because my eyes focused on Journey. The way her face slid into something less friendly, and moreseductive?

“Chaz, nice to meet you.” I recognized the girl. From the first day I met Journey and standing beside her at the game. “I’m Nia. Journey’s roommate.”

Then another interrupted. “And I’m Lauren, her other roommate. Glad there’s no coffee around.” She was there on that fateful day too.

“We had history together sophomore year, was it?” The other girl wasn’t someone I recognized. Sophomore year felt like a decade ago. Especially since time was on a new continuum. One that slowed when Journey wasn’t around, and sped up when she was near.Could I make that rhyme?

“Where are you headed?”

As she spoke, my heart raced like I was running a mile. Trying to come in first place but failing miserably. “The library.”

There was a pause, as if time caught up to me, and didn’t want to leave me behind. “Well, this is awkward.” One of the girls asked, “Should we leave you two alone?”

“Ugh, naw. I’m going to get going.” I eyed her then looked back to Journey. “But if you are free tonight, can I take you to Speak Out?”

“I’m free after practice. So, sure.”

“I can pick you up around 7.”

Journey nodded her head, and I convinced time, my legs and my body to move again.

ChapterFive

Journey

They thought Chaz was sexy. But weird. And oddly enough, I didn’t care. I didn’t care that he looked like a fish out of water standing in front of my girls on campus. At least he wasn’t trying to spit game to one of them in front of me. And his hyper-focus on me, that made the whole thing that much better.

Danielle said Chaz didn’t look at her when she mentioned the history class. It wasn’t a problem for me. Because the way he stared had me wanting to follow him to the library. To do one other thing I always dreamed of doing on campus.

Before I graduated, walked across the stage, and collected my diploma, I hoped to do it.

But to do all that, I had to open a book. To ensure I didn’t forfeit my spot on the squad, I couldn’t fail my test. To ensure I graduated I needed to study.

I had one hour after practice to get it done, and I tried hard to focus.

Very hard. But every word floated off the page and toted me with it. Speak Out, and the date with Chaz felt more appealing than investments. I needed to be solid on the stock market, and strategies. But for the life of me I couldn’t get beyond the first two sentences on the page. I’d read them over and over a few times.

Chaz wasn’t the only guy I daydreamed about. Not the only man who had me tripping when I should be studying. But he was the first who made the distraction feel worth it.

The scrap piece of paper I should use to calculate investment returns, turned into a Chaz doodle. His name in bold, surrounded by hearts and flowers.

“Oh wow.” Lauren peeked over my shoulder. “Are we in middle school?”

“No.” I shoved the paper into my book and shut it. “I can’t focus though.”

“Ehm hmm… this guy has you all messed up.” She mocked, “Coffee dates, poetry clubs.” Her head tilted to the side. “Can’t say I blame you.”

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