Chapter One
"Girl, can we take a break?" Sasha huffed, trying to catch her breath, raising her arms over her head to open her lungs.
"Do you want to keep wearing that wristband of shame?" Michonne asked, jogging back to her best friend and eying her.
"I only need to run 600 feet through cones!"
"Um, want happened last time? You passed-"
"I passed out after the stair climb. You don't have to keep reminding me."
"Don't I? You have to limit those drinks and late nights with Abe. He's already in the military, you wanna be a deputy in King County or not?" Michonne lectured while tightening her medium sized dreadlocks further in their ponytail. Her deep chocolate skin was enjoying the vitamin D that it was absorbing.
"Alright, alright! I know I need to recommit to this but damn, it's the weekend!" Sasha exclaimed.
Michonne paused her drill inspector façade for a moment. She was pushing Sasha, not only for her own good but with a bit of selfishness. A dependency she'd recently acquired, but she didn't want to go down that hole right now. She could feel the dread creeping back in and running helped her escape it. She thought if she were too exhausted to unpack it then she could ignore it. Procrastination became the name off her game. Her circle of sisters, Sasha, Maggie and Rosita have been there to support, comfort and remind her she's still herself. Pushing them away would not only be a slap in their faces but would leave her isolated.
"I-I'm sorry. I just don't want to do this without you." She explained, sincerity pouring off her. Sasha catches her eye to see the sorrow breaking through.
"No, you're right, you told me to stop that night. I just thought I'd be fine, but you and I- "she paused, gesturing back and forth between the pair, "are not the same." she finished before offering a smile and giggled. Michonne joined in and came over to embrace her friend.
"Yuck, we're all sweaty. Lets just get this over with." Sasha said while stepping back from their hug. "I gotta pass Tuesday. I definitely don't wanna be in the losers group waiting for the final P.E.T. to see if I graduate." With that Sasha took off before Michonne could respond. She just shook her head and ran after her tawny-skinned friend.
After their workout, Sasha and Michonne made their way back to the parking lot of the track and drove off in their prospective cars. Michonne smiled knowing Sasha was more than likely headed to Abraham's apartment, the girl had it bad she mused as she drove. Her friend deserved happiness after dealing with the loss of her younger brother, Tyreese to a drunk driver a couple of years ago.
Michonne remembered senior year in high school when Tyreese would follow them around, scared of the upper classmen. After they graduated, he came into his own, growing to 6'2", joining the football team and getting a scholarship to become a Panther at Clark Atlanta. Everyone was so proud of his accomplishments, none more than Sasha, even if she still bossed him around whenever he came home for laundry or a home cooked meal.
Michonne pulled up to her loft apartment in Castleberry Hill which she shared with her roommate and friend, Rosita. Before she even made it into the door, she could hear the music blaring and the aroma of a meal being prepared. She walked in to Rosita dancing, rolling her behind on Tara's lap at the kitchen counter to Mario's' "Let Me Love You". Tara blushed and covered her face while Rosita, totally unaffected ran over to Michonne and grinded her butt onto her. Michonne just laughed and thrust her pelvis on Rosita. After the song ended, they hi-fived before Rosita rushed back to Tara's lap.
"Oh, you know you enjoyed the show!" Rosita exclaimed before giving her a peck on the lips. "And Chicka, you need a bath!" she yelled, turning back to Michonne.
"That's where I was headed until I was accosted." Michonne offered while making her way to the bathroom. Rosita just stuck her tongue out and turned back and continued to dance on Tara, this time to Ciara's' "Goodies".
While in the shower, Michonne breathed and thought of her plans to get her life back on track; become a Deputy in King County- yeah it was a short list. She had to focus on smaller pieces to keep herself from becoming overwhelmed. "Aroma therapy always soothes me" she thought while breathing in a rich, coconut scent, saved for only her most stressful days, opting for vanilla or shea the other days. It was something her old therapist had recommended, before she stopped going anyway. Her mind flashed back to Sasha's words, "You and I are not the same." But they were in so many ways, only she was just coming out of her life's upheaval.
In high school, Michonne was a great student, but she'd never really pushed herself as most times, things just came easy to her. That's the way she liked it. She did well enough to get a partial scholarship to Virginia State University which meant for the first time in a long time, she'd be alone with Sasha staying home and working retail to save. She too had been accepted to VSU, but without a scholarship to lessen the cost for her parents it was not feasible. The Castleberry Hill neighborhood they had grown up in was changing, being gentrified. Their parents met while working in the factories in the industrial area. The old inhabitants were being pushed out as rents increased and bank loans were not being dispersed fairly, redlining.
College started out on a great note, Michonne was a blossoming butterfly. The first two years flew by. In her junior year she was well known on campus by students, staff and faculty alike. She attended homecomings, step shows and parties. Unfortunately, she had carried her high school habits into university. She was young, beautiful, intelligent and witty, all the ingredients necessary for fool hardiness. She'd use her charms when late for class or assignments. What she could have done with all that talent, had she any sense of hindsight.
One night, while with her roommate Jacqui and her boyfriend Theodore who everyone affectionately called T-Dog, she went to an off campus party and met Mike, a senior at Virginia Union. Michonne was headed to get a drink when Mike grabbed her by the waist, pulling her to him. At first, she began to protest but once she saw that smooth dark skin, bright white smile and muscles under his wife beater tee, she smiled back. Mike was popular and even though he attended a rival school, he'd come to visit her every weekend, unless she bummed a ride to see him. Holding hands as they walked into parties or the Waffle House, much to the chagrin of Mikes many female admirers, was exhilarating. When he touched her, kissed her, fucked her, he possessed her. She enjoyed being his.
"This was the way it should always be."
Then boom, Jacqui is taking her to the clinic off campus to get a free pregnancy test.
She didn't need the test as two months without a period was all she needed; her cycle was like clockwork. It definitely wasn't ideal being a junior and pregnant, but she could do it. Her parents wouldn't be happy, but she'd have Mike and that's all she needed. After leaving the clinic she headed straight to his off-campus apartment.
"So what you gonna do?"
His words rolled around in her mind. "What does he mean you? This is a we situation." she thought.
"I'm…I'm going to have the baby- our baby." She stuttered.
"Nah- nah."
"What the fuck does that mean?" she thought, taken aback by his casual hadn't asked if he wanted butter on his popcorn.
"I know a place you can go, they don't charge much. I've sent chicks there before."
Her heart was pounding. She must be having a heart attack or maybe this was a dream sequence built by on her own repressed fears. Michonne's eyes welled up and tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I love you." was all she could manage. Mike stared at her as though she'd transformed into some armless creature he didn't recognize when it was actually the reverse.
"How I even know it's mine?"
The punch to the gut felt physical. What did he mean? She'd only been with him. Given her virginity to him. Loved him. How could he question her now? The tears came down unfettered now.
Mike had his homeboy, Terry, drive her back to her campus. As they finally pulled into the parking lot, he turns to her.
"Look, if you just get the abortion done than Mike will probably get back with you." Michonne turned to face him, she'd had her swollen face pressed to the window, trying to absorb some of the last bits of March's cool air. Terry reached out and rubbed her thigh.
"If not, I'm willing to take you for a spin." A Cheshire Cat smile spread across his face repulsing her even more than the touch. She jumped out of the car as quickly as she could.
"Hey, you alright in there?" Tara's voice interrupted her bad trip down memory lane.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming out!" Michonne shouted back.
After dressing and having dinner with the petite brunettes, she hit the sheets. Tomorrow was Monday, back to the police academy for a 1600 x 2400 tour.
Michonne and Sasha took turns with who would drive the hour and a half drive each day. If they were too exhausted after a late physical training class, they'd crash at Maggie's place. Maggie, another childhood friend of theirs who'd moved away after her dad, Hershel was promoted to Major years ago in a smaller town, King County.
It was growing fast after several big I.T. companies realized the land was cheap and they could relocate people to the area for more reasonable fees than to California or New York. As the people came, the town came to life, shops and condos sprang up. An outlet mall moved in soon after, to catch anyone driving past to the larger cities, bringing in more traffic. As the population, grew so did the police department, recruiting from everywhere. Michonne saw it as a fresh start when Maggie mentioned it. Sasha needed the money and they could support one another through the process.
Patrol guide, penal law book, gym clothes, extra uniform shirts, tie and extra black socks were all accounted for in her duffle bag. Michonne double checked while she waited for Sasha to pull up. The old Honda Accord came into view. She made haste and jumped in not wanting to be late.
"How's Abraham?" she asked while slipping her duffel into the backseat.
"He's great! You know I can't resist that giant of a man." she said with a sly grin "But I didn't drink." she added before Michonne could mother her.
"Um hmm." She offered with a small smirk.
"So, what's up with Rosita? I haven't seen her since she dumped Gabe and hooked up with Tara."
"Thank god for that. Gabriel was so ugh" Michonne shivered at the thought of him.
"You can say that again. I was glad she decided to give Tara a chance, I think it could really be something. Then all we have to do is get you a new piece."
"Ah, no thanks. I'm just fine."
"Really? That cat ain't starting to jump yet?"
"Cat? Really?" Michonne rolled her eyes. "My cat is just fine. I don't want it having me make any Bob decisions." She snickered.
"Wow!" You are really gonna bring him up! That was a very, very weak moment of absolute desperation." Sasha professed. They both laughed as they speed down the highway.
Monday's were always tough after resting for the weekend. Luckily, Michonne and Sasha were in the same Company 05-02, so they had the same PTO homework to complete, same quizzes and exams. Michonne, with her new attitude on life was giving it her all. She was on track to be the valedictorian with only one person tying her on the midterm with a 98, Andrea. The dirty blonde was in another company, always so smug when she wasn't smiling in Lieutenant Walsh's face.
Last class of the day was always PT. After hitting the lockers to change into their gym uniforms it was time to "fall in" to the hall outside. The Company Sergeant called them to attention and had them jog into the gym, once again back into formation.
"Recruits! I need you all at attention while I introduce you to your new instructor!" shouted Lt Walsh.
All heads remained forward but the eyes followed the man from behind, that entered the room. His easy bowlegged stride drew you in and up to his gun belt that sat slightly lower on his waist letting you know he was indeed fit. Michonne quickly rolled her eyes back forward when Lt Cahill walked past her.
What she heard next was a honey whiskeyed southern drawl you only got south or west of the city.
"Hello Recruits, I'm Captain Richard Grimes. I will be training you in tactics and gun usage and safety in your last weeks here in the academy!" he shouted as he paced away from her view.
"Damnit" she thought, just wanting to get a good look at him, to see if the face matched the alluring tone. She heard the click-click of his boots from the rear of the class.
"You will learn how to protect yourselves, disarm someone, how to administer CPR, as well as stocking and operating your RMP." the voice getting louder with every step.
"Now I know tomorrow is the second chance at passing the Physical Endurance Training. Everyone with a wristband better ace it."
Closer still, almost…
"As my first academy class, I fully intent on graduating every single one of you!"
Curly dark brown hair just above his shirt collar slipped by her.
"Yes Captain Sir!" all the recruits shouted back except Michonne.
She was too busy willing him to turn around. Michonne was the first person in the third row. A perfect position to view him, her pupils dilated as he spun around. Shit, he was handsome. They locked eyes.
Staring each other down, she knew she should look away but couldn't. His cerulean eyes had her transfixed. She must have cast some spell on him too because he didn't look away, but it was backfiring on her. Her heart sped up and her lips slightly parted. He moderately tilted his head to the side and squinted at her. She didn't know whether she was in trouble, but she couldn't look away. That's when she noticed his lips parted as well.
"Recruits, starting with Company 01 fallout to begin your run!" Lt Walsh's voice startled them.
Captain Grimes was backing away from her as the Companies turned to run laps around the gym.
The companies were supposed to keep line formation as they ran and stay together.
"What the hell was that?" Sasha slowed herself so she could whisper to Michonne, having been released with the first group of runners as she was shorter.
"What, what are you talking about?" Michonne dismissed, speeding up her pace only for Sasha to match it.
"Good thing I peeked back and saw what I saw. We will talk about this later." Sasha panted out as she stuck with Michonne.
How the hell could she explain it? She didn't know what the hell just happened herself.