Staring at her I realized…t felt like it'd been an eternity since I last saw her smile…since I last heard her laugh…since I last got the chance to say I love you…
Flashback
Troy pulled his eyes away from the road to hit me on my arm, "Wait, Chad your part is coming up."
I cleared my throat, "Bad bitches I'm your "da da". White girls go "ga ga". When the sticks out, they bust it open like the "ya ya's" a piñata. Bitch look down…tell me what's up. Girl you talk too much. Shut up. I got that mad dick you know it's always nut up. And it got an attitude- no wonder why it's stuck up."
He rolled his eyes, "You never cease to surprise me dude."
I let out a hearty chuckle, "I'm quoting my boy Big Sean. He speaks for all the playas in this hustlin' society of ours."
"Chad what the hell are you talking about? The only time you hustle, is when you cheat in Monopoly."
I laughed again. Well then again, he did have a good point. I never knew what it was like to hustle on the streets-well at least not as a true gangsta that is. I've spent my whole life in Albuquerque and honestly there was nothing "thug life" bout' that.
I sucked my teeth, "Whatever."
We were on our way to Kelsi's end of the summer blow out bash. Tonight we were gon' get tipsy and let it all go before reporting to our first fall semester at U of A. we just had to make a quick stop to pick up Taylor at her house.
"Why don't you call Tay and tell her to come outside?"
I dialed her number, letting it ring and ring…
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
No answer.
I disconnected and hit redial.
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
Hey you've reached Taylor. Sorry I can't come to the phone right now. I'm probably studying or hanging with the family and friends. (Giggles) So leave a message at the cool beep and I'll give you a call back.
Voicemail.
I sighed impatiently, "Troy, she's not picking up."
He shrugged, "Maybe she's still getting ready. You know how women are and getting ready."
I shook my head, "Nah…no Taylor always texts me and tells me when she is ready. Always…"
"Well try calling her again. We're like a minute away."
I hit redial with much force and waited…
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
Ring…
Hey you've reached Taylor. Sorry I can't come to the phone-I hung up again.
"No…not answering Troy. I think something is wrong."
He waved me off dismissively, "Calm down Chad. Why don't you head in and see what's up if it worries you that much?"
I hadn't even realized we'd already pulled up in front the house. A sudden chill passed over me-hittin' me down to my core. The feeling made my stomach turn into a knot.
"Dude…I'm not feeling too right."
He opened up my door and pushed me out, "Go in and get her! We're gonna be late and I still gotta pick up my baby."
"Boy, chill with all that."
He rubbed the back of his neck, nervously, "You know how impatient Sharpay can get. She is an Evans, if I may add."
Ignoring his last comment, I made my way up to the front door. The closer I got…the more my stomach churned and churned…
I knocked once, "Taylor?"
No response…
I knocked again with a little more force.
"Taylor?"
No response…
The sounds of muffled yelling could be heard through the door though… It sounded like Tay's voice.
"No!"
What the hell was that?
Meanwhile inside…
Taylor's POV
Taking one last glance at myself in the mirror, I made my way to the stairs. Okay I more like darted to the stairs. I hated to walk past my father's room. "Dad I'm heading out! I'll be back around 12 or 1."
Ran into an old friend yesterday
Caught me by surprise when he called my name
He was a familiar face, from a chapter in my past
Talked for a while, asked him how it's been
Said that he was seeing somebody and
He stuck his head out the door, "Come give me a kiss Tay."
I immediately became nauseated with hearing his voice. He sent chills up my spine beyond belief…
"I uh… gotta go dad. Chad and Troy are waiting for me outside."
Told me this was gonna last
Showing me her photograph
He stepped further outside and flashed some type of sick smile at me. Taking in his appearance, only then did I realize he was in his Boxers.
"So what. Can't I get just one kiss before you leave?"
Lord please…not again. I can't take this again…not tonight God…please..
I nervously laughed, "I'm…I'm a little too old for that…d…dad."
Step by step, he slowly grew closer to me. With every step, more anticipation and…fear filled in the air.
[Chorus]
(Truth is) I never got over you
(Truth is) Wish I was standing in her shoes
(Truth is) And when it's all said and done
Guess I'm still in love with you
(Truth is) I never should have let you go
"One kiss princess, please?"
My breathing suddenly came to a halt. It was hitched in my throat and refused to come up….my heart instantly started to race…I couldn't even take a proper step back. My feet felt like a two cinder blocks stuck to the ground.
"Dad…"
He wiggled his eyebrows and took just one more step towards me. "Come on baby girl. Daddy wants a kiss."
Against my bodily protest, I puckered my lips.
He hasn't even touched me yet, and I already want to vomit.
Everything thereafter, seemed to happen all in one moment…
(Truth is) And it's killing me cuz now I know
(Truth is) And when it's all said and done
Guess I'm still in love with you
Grabbing my neck, he forced my lips against his.
I pulled away with instant disgust only holding in my vomit with much weakness.
We reminisce on the way things used to be
Shared a couple laughs, shared some memories
Talked about the things that changed
Some for good and some for bad
His hand collided with my cheek-sending me tumbling down the stairs. My skull was met with step…after step continuously bobbing up and down. I could remember no more than after the very moment his eyes met with mine again.
Then he said good-bye and he paid for lunch
Promised that we'd always keep in touch
Grabbed my bags and grabbed my thoughts, walked away and that was that
I stared into the emptiness of what used to be my father's own love. Now he had become a monster.
And all the feelings that I thought were gone
Came rushing back to me at once
Tried to smile and hide the way I felt
But I was thinking to myself
I had had no more energy or …fight left within me or my very soul. I had been fighting this battle for too long. It was time I gave up.
This time I would meet my very death…