I held a firm grip on the can of gold paint and began to move my wrist in swift upward motions repeatedly until one of the areas of my new piece was completed to my satisfaction. It had been in my head for days. Forming itself, putting its own pieces together. It took me about two hours to get it out on paper. It was a beautiful work of art. One of my favorites.
Al Green was blasting through my earphones. I always listened to music while I created something, it kept me from getting easily distracted, I flowed with the rhythm of the music and that was sure to get me through the entire process. I grinned as I finished up the last bit of it. I released a breath and stood back, removing the scarf that I used to avoid inhaling the fumes, from around my face and allowed the chilly fall day's fresh air to finally hit my face after two hours.
The longer I stared at it the more I fell in love with it. It felt like I had created it for a reason that remained unknown. Nonetheless its perfect, and I can feel myself becoming inspired again. I took a look to my left at some other artist's painting that had caught my eye when I got here. It was breathtaking..alluring. It was something surprisingly similar to what I had came here to paint today. I had to stop and marvel at it, like I did every other day with their art. Whoever 'Breezy' is, he is surely talented. I would have to keep my eye out for him or her. For as long as I've been coming here I have never seen who the spot beside mine belonged to. All I knew was that everyday I was here, another one of their stunning murals were too.
I decided to do something daring today and join my art with his. Though I'm most likely gonna get told off for crossing some lines doing so, who would I be not to take a risk? I'm an artist, its what I do on a daily basis.
"Simply beautiful.." I said to nothing in particular.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and snapped a quick picture of it. I then closed the camera application in my iPhone and glanced at the time. It read, 9:45AM. I had a solid 45 minutes to get to work. I bent over and hastily gathered all of the paint cans, tossing them into my duffel bag, then grabbed my backpack that contained my work clothes and cleared out from the alley.
"Be back later" i said to the walls as i strolled by them. All of a sudden having a strange gut feeling that today would be one to remember.
Kommentare
RunIt!!
Never thought I would say this but Tyson and Paige...that's that s*** I don't like!!!
Like Jay said...what happens if they move on...myself as a reader will lose my damn mind! Plus Tysons little tough girl act is getting boring and od tired. Chris gave up his whole damn career and was willing to die...what else you want girl?!?!
After Chris cheated I will never be on Team Chris but until she wakes up and realize love is right there I'm done with her ass too! Team Jeramiah over here!
Dude we see you are hurt but girl get it together!
As far as Paige she is a horrible person cause she is stringing Tristan along especially being in love with Jeramiah! Like they ain't looking at Mack and seeing how happy her and Michael are? My goodness! SMH!
RUN IT -_-
yes! tyson take your own advice, i like how jerry did that tho, spitting her own advice back at her. they both need to take that advice :) RUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN IT :)
Jeremiah and I sat in a booth eating our combos ordered from checkers, silently eating. I bit greedily into my cheeseburger, savoring the taste. Jeremiah looked over at me from across the booth with a slightly frightened face. I slowed my chewing somewhat embarrassed, but quickly sped it back up to its previous speed brushing him off.
"Pregnancy brings out my inner fat woman." I shrugged. He nodded in agreement. I took a sip of my cranberry juice.
"So, all these girls in here and not one of them under your arm?" I asked with a sly smirk. He shook his head in amusement swallowing the fries in his mouth.
"These girls are fast man. I know almost every one of them in here." He smirked. I wrinkled my nose at the thought of almost every girl in here underneath Jeremiah.
"T.M.I. homie." I visibly shuddered. He giggled.
"Just kidding." He said, taking a sip of his drink.
"But seriously. I don't want just any girl under my arm." He said. I smirked.
"Heard you visited Paigey in the hospital--"
"I knew it!" He laughed, resting his drink down.
"How'd it go?--"
"I knew it--"
"How'd it goo? It's innocent curiosity! I swear!" I smiled at my own fastness.
"I knew you were gonna bring up Paige. Tyson Kindle, you're an open book sometimes man." He gave a hearty chuckle and leaned back in his seat, playing with a fry in his tray.
"Oh whatever. So how'd it go? Was she dismissive? What?" I squirmed in my seat. He tried hard to hide the blush in his cheeks, but it was too late.
I had already caught the endless love he still had for her in his eyes.
"She was happy to see me." He answered. I smiled.
"How do you know?" I said.
"Because..she said she was happy to see me." He said. I giggled happy for him. He smiled unable to hold it in any longer, but just as fast as it appeared it had disappeared.
"..I nearly lost my mind the night Mike and I walked into the gallery.." He said as he took himself back two months in his mind. My brows came together in confusion.
"There was blood everywhere man, all around them. I-I didn't know what to do. Mike found Mackenzie not too far away from Paige." Said Jeremiah. I watched as his mood travelled south.
"Wait, you were there? You found them?" I questioned, unaware.
"Yeah, Paige called me that night asking for a ride home. Said Tristan wasn't answering her calls of something. I borrowed my boys car." He replied.
"My heart nearly stopped beating man." He said, a pained look on his face. I frowned.
"She's okay now, Jerry. You saved her." I said. He nodded.
"When I heard that she woke up I went to see her...She told me that she was still in love with me.." He said with a small smile. My eyes widened in shock.
"Wha-what did you say?" I questioned on the edge of my seat. He smirked at my behavior.
"I kissed her, and told her that I was still in love with her too.." He smiled wiping his stubbly chin, but I couldn't help but feel that there was something else.
"But, Tristan came into the room. She said she call me later, I went home to get rest and.. I haven't heard from her since." He smirked sadly. My heart broke for him.
"Dude! Why didn't you just go back to the hospital and talk to her? She was in there for like ever!" I exclaimed.
I could smack Paige right now.
"I didn't want to pressure her man. Plus I didn't wanna walk in and see Tristan by her side. I've done that enough..if its meant to be, it'll be." He said. I could see that he was only trying to convince himself.
"Do you really believe that?" I questioned. I shook my head slightly when he frowned.
"Jeremiah, what are you afraid of? Look, I'm not medaling, trust me when I say that I've learned my lesson, but the reason why you and Paige have this wedge between you in the first place is because she feels like you never fought for her. You just let everything go." I watched his eyes as they filled with guilt.
"If you keep letting it be, sooner or later, time's gonna turn on you and she's gonna move on from whatever this is and she may not show it, but she's gonna resent you for that." I told him.
"You've both made mistakes, and you've both overcome them, because you love each other and you know at the end of the day, that's what's enough. If you love her, you need to go to her and show her." I finished. I watched the wheels turn in his head.
"Look Tyson, everything you're saying is right, but you failed to remember that she has Tristan now. They seem happy together." He said. I shook my head and mustered up the most somber expression that I could and looked deep into his eyes.
"Do you really believe even for a second, that Tristan has anything on you? That given the opportunity, she would choose him over you?" I questioned trying to read him. I caught the uncertainty in his eyes.
"How's Breezy?" He asked taking a small bite out of his half way eaten burger, changing the subject. I let it slide, saying all that I had to say about the matter. If he were serious, he would take my advice.
"He's at a meeting with his record label, signing his release. He's supposed to pick me up from here when he's done." I answered
"Dope. You and him back together yet? I saw y'all here last week all boo'd up and whatnot." He gave a sly smirk. I rolled my eyes playfully, digging into my fries.
"No. And we were not boo'd up. He was supporting my weight." I answered. He shook his head with a small smirk playing at his lips.
"Dude. Y'all ain't back together yet?" He asked. I shook my head no, looking down at my tray as I finished chewing. The smirk fell from his face.
"Tyson.." He said, I could hear the disappointment in his tone.
"You really gonna sit here and give me all this good advice and not take any for yourself? I thought you were smarter than that." He said. I sighed looking back up at him.
"What are you afraid of?" He asked me, looking into my eyes.
"Let me tell you something. I ain't never met a dude that was more serious about holdin' someone down like Chris..other than Mike and Jesse. But Chris? I look into that nigga's eyes and I could see that all dude knows is you and Alayah. He would do anything for y'all. You are his life, dead ass. And I ain't never seen a love like yours before. It's pure and raw and honest..everything love is supposed to be." Spoke a serious Jeremiah. I thought long and hard, eating his words instead of my food as he looked down at his watch to check the time.
"s***. I gotta get back to work." He mumbled as he stood from the booth to throw his food away. He came back over to the booth and stood next to the table before he leaned onto it.
"Look, if you asked me, I'd say that if you keep letting it be, sooner or later time's gonna turn on you and he's gonna move on from whatever this is and he may not show it, but he's gonna resent you for that.." He smiled. I couldn't hide the smirk as he fed me my own advice.
"I mean you've both made mistakes, and you've both overcome them, because you love each other and you know at the end of the day, that's what's enough. If you love him, you need to go to him and show him what's up." He finished. I smiled.
"That's..that was some good advice, Jerry." I chuckled.
"Ah, respect Ty." He smirked showing off his dimples. I shook my head in amusement. He eased off of the table.
"..Take it." Said Jeremiah as he threw me a wink and rubbed my shoulder gently before he walked off, back to work.
I sat alone at the table with my thoughts. I smirked when Chris snuck his way into my mind. There wasn't a day that went by where he was never in it. I checked the time and saw that it was 2:35pm.
He would be here to pick me up soon.
"Oooh my goodness.." I ran a hand down my face in frustration. The last thing I wanted to do was sit in a car with Chris while my mind was battling with thoughts about our relationship. I stood to my feet tossing my food into the garbage and the tray on top of it before I walked back over to the booth to collect my purse and shopping bag. Ready to make one last shopping trip in the mall. I walked out of the food court at a slow pace.
"Take it.."
Rang Jeremiah's voice in my head. I frowned.
"Thanks a lot, Jerry.." I sulked resting a free hand on my back for support.
RUUUUN IT!!
run it
Tyson's Outfit.
Awwwwwwwwww, lol! RUN IT!
I slowly passed by all the men's shoes inside of foot locker, making my way towards the toddlers section. On a weekly basis I would go out to the mall and buy things for Alayah just to pass the time. It beat sitting at home, watching re-runs all day.
Finally making it to the toddler shoes I picked them up one by one, observing them closely making sure to choose one that Chris would like. He was in the middle of signing his contract which permanently released him from his record label, so he couldn't come out with me like he always did. His fans were against the idea of course, but he made sure to leave them with a few more songs before his retirement. His last song is said to premiere tonight at 7:00pm, so I made sure to do my shopping early so that I wouldn't miss it.
I frowned not sure of which shoe to choose, my eyes darted back and forth between the pink converse's and the Jordan's. I huffed holding both of them in my hand while my purse hung lightly on my shoulder.
"Which oneee?" I whined. Chris would like them both and though the thought of purchasing them both crossed my mind, I was on a strict budget for the day and still had other things to buy.
"I'd go with the classic, chucks." Said a voice from behind me. I spun around slightly startled to find Jeremiah there in the store uniform and name tag with his name on it.
I smirked looking into his beautiful eyes.
"Yeah?" I countered. He nodded taking them from me.
"Let me rap and ring these up for you, mama." He smiled. I rolled my eyes playfully and followed him to the register up front. I watched him intently as his eyes flickered from the bad code on the side of the tiny box in his hand to the screen of the computer. He began punching in keys on the keyboard.
"I thought you hated pink.." He said keeping his eyes on the screen with a smirk playing at his lips.
"I do, with a passion, but that doesn't mean Alayah will." I rubbed my tummy. He let his gaze fall on me.
"Sixteen dollars and ninety-six cents, boo." He said. I smiled sweetly realizing that he had given me a fifty percent discount. I dug into my purse and pulled out my wallet.
"Alayah huh? That's a pretty name." He complimented. I handed him a twenty dollar bill.
"Thanks, honey." I replied taking my change from him and dropping it into my wallet before shutting it and putting it back into my purse.
"Chris' last name or yours?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Chris'." I said shifting my weight onto another foot. They were growing tired from me walking around for the last two hours.
"You eat yet?" Asked Jeremiah as he tore the receipt in half, taking one for himself and putting the other into the bag. I shook my head no as I pulled it down from the counter and to my side.
"Nah, I was planning on going after this. Why?" I asked. His eyes wandered the floor of the shop for a moment searching for something.
"Want some company?" He smirked. I smiled and nodded yes.
"Eh Mark!" He yelled to another employee who was mingling with another customer.
"Imma take my break now. Be back in thirty!" He said as he rounded the counter to my side. Mark nodded his okay and Jeremiah led me out of the store.
"Let me hold this." He gestured to the shopping bag in my hand. I obediently handed over the bag and smiled my thanks to him as we walked towards the food court.
"What you want to eat?" He asked eyeing stores as we passed them.
"I could go for some junk food." I said not completely sure.
Girls eyed Jeremiah and myself in completely different ways. Some gave dirty looks to me while others gave flirty looks to him. He chuckled at their blunt attitudes and brushed them all off.
"These girls man.." He mumbled more to himself. I chuckled in agreement holding onto my stomach out of habit.
"Can you see your feet?" He laughed. I looked down at the floor trying to look around my round stomach for the tips of my converse, but they barely appeared with every step I took. I frowned earning a giggle from Jeremiah.
"They're disappearing. It's like..magic." I sulked. The sweater dress I wore barely hid the fact that I was blown up like a balloon.
"Four more months man." He said throwing an arm over my shoulders and pulling me into his side as we walked. I broke into a smirk feeling a bit better. I couldn't wait to meet Alayah.
"Checkers?" He suggested. I nodded quickly, a big grin on my face as I saw the sign held up in the food court.
"Aight then, checkers on me." He said as we may our way over to the line.
"Jerry you don't have to really--"
"It's cool, Tyson." He smiled removing his arm from around me as we stood side by side in the small line of four people.
"Consider this your early baby shower gift." He grinned. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Cheapskate." I said.
Awwwwwwwww, lol! RUN IT!
lol! she really going to have a sour look on her face if he move on. she playing games. RUN IT!!!
Ok, don't get me wrong I'm Team Tyson and have been down for her even since Chris signed his life away but low low low key I wish she would let Chris know he's doing something right. Hint that this won't last forever but he has to work for it.
Run it!
Ty is irking my nerve now they need to fix it and shes bring stubborn!! RunIt!!
run it asap!! so glad mack is awake...i felt like i was in a movie while i read that add...very well written =)
run!
2 Months Later..
I sat quietly in the living room of my still apartment. Memories from two months ago barely visual in my mind. I had overcome that incident a while ago. Now I was left with a comfortable silence inside of colorful walls.
I heard the front door unlock and looked over to the hall waiting for the person to walk into sight.
"Mags?" Called Chris.
"Mags!" He yelled. I rolled my eyes.
"This ain't the beach Chris." I said mocking his mother. Chris walked into view and I caught his eye roll as he walked over to me, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl on the way and thew himself on the couch next to me.
"What you doin'?" He asked biting sloppily into his apple, chomping down in it obnoxiously. I smacked my lips.
Chris came around whenever he felt it was necessary which was almost everyday since I left the hospital, and even though we aren't in a relationship with each other, he felt obligated to be by my side to take care of my every need.
"Chris man, you see me here sittin' down doin' nothing, what kinda question..." I said as I threw my neck back to look at him. He screwed up his face as if I attacked him.
"Damn girl, it was just a question.. bitin' my damn head off.." He defended himself, taking another huge bite out of his apple.
"Aggravating.." I murmured under my breath as I stood to my feet slowly. The big bump in my stomach making things extremely hard. I had grown a couple cup sizes and my butt had gotten way fatter. I had to buy a whole new wardrobe of maternal clothing and my feet were beginning to disappear.
Alayah was making things really difficult.
Chris smacked my thigh as I stood up causing me to smack my lips at him. My hormones were off the charts lately.
"With ya hormonal ass. You lucky I got patience!" He yelled from behind me.
"I'm lucky? You're lucky I don't reach down and smack you upside ya dumbass head." I mumbled. Hearing him chuckle, I waddled into the kitchen to fix myself a salad and something to drink. I looked back at Chris who propped his feet up onto the coffee table, relaxing.
"Spit it out." I said eyeing him.
"How you know I got something to say?" He asked with a dumb look.
"Because I know you. What is it? The label giving you trouble about signing your release tomorrow?" I asked.
"Nah, nah..mama called me earlier. Lee-Lee wants to come out here for the summer.." He answered slowly as he stood to his feet and walked over to the island in the kitchen.
"So let her, I miss her anyways, I could use her company." I smiled, not understanding why he seemed so hesitant. He nodded, but the same concentrated look was still plastered onto his face. A moment of silence passed between us.
"Why don't y'all wanna come and live with me at the house?" He finished, finally getting down to the main thought on his mind. I sighed resting the bowl of lettuce on the counter top.
"Chris I already told you why, I like living here. Everything is within an arms reach away from me and with this pregnancy it's exactly what I need." I said softly, not wanting to start any arguments. He smacked his lips rising from the couch and sauntering over to me in the kitchen. He opened up the fridge to grab a Gatorade.
"I told you I would look after y'all. I don't feel right leaving you here every night after what happened. Justin's workin' and s*** and everybody got they own life to deal with, they ain't got time to look after you during the pregnancy." He argued, closing the fridge and leaning his back against the counter that I was currently tearing lettuce on.
"Don't you have a life to get back to or something?" I asked with a raised brow, trying to my hardest to get him to drop the subject. When he didn't reply I looked up to find him staring hard at me. A sullen look on his face.
"..you and Layah are my life." He said softly with a genuine look in his eye. I sighed tossing the lettuce and cucumbers in the bowl and shaking it up, my frustration building up.
"Chris, you're here everyday anyhow--"
"Yeah but I don't like driving up and down the city everyday like that. A nigga gets exhausted." He spoke taking another sip of Gatorade and then a bite of his apple.
"I can't help you. I'm not moving. That's it. Want some salad?" I asked finally changing the subject. He smacked his lips and turned to face me with a sulk look on his face, his mouth turned into a frown and his eyes went dull.
He knew he couldn't argue.
Not a word was said as the seconds passed by during our stare down. He reached into my bowl to grab three slices of cucumber all the while looking me straight in the eyes before he dismissed himself from the kitchen and walked around me like a child.
"Baby." I teased with a triumphant smirk.
"Kiss my ass." He said sourly before he grabbed his keys and made his way towards the door. I chuckled in amusement.
"Ohh don't go away angry, just go away!" I smiled and laughed when I saw him stick his middle finger into the air above his head.
"See you tomorrow!" I yelled before he slammed the door. I waddled over to the couch and collapsed happy to be alone again. I ate my salad in peace and looked down at my stomach.
"Your mama is the poo." I smiled talking to my unborn daughter.
The sound of the door unlocking again grabbed my attention. I looked up alarmed to find Chris stalking into the apartment again. A pleasant look on his face. He crossed the hall and made his way into the living room collapsing on the couch like he did before. I held my bowl up, careful not to let any salad spill from it, annoyance etched upon my face. Chris rested his arm around the back of the chair and crossed one leg over the other, getting comfortable.
I looked pointedly at him.
"Girl, you must have lost ya mind if you think i would let a woman run me out some apartment." He said. I scoffed in disbelief.
"Don't make no damn sense.." He said as he stole the fork from my hand and began eating my salad.
I sat there stunned into silence, a sour look on my face.
"Baby." He chuckled.
I made a note in my mind to change my locks.
Awwwwwww, RUN IT!
run it!!!
OMG I was in tears when Mac was talkin to Kelly..ur writing is so good
RUN IT!!!
Tyson's POV
"You look better. Well rested." I smiled at Chris as I chewed greedily on my burger.
"So do you, minus the well rested part I mean-you look more at peace with things around you.." He smirked as he chomped on his French fries.
"Kenzie's awake, everyone's okay, I have my burger..I'm good." I smiled genuinely for the first time in a while.
"You seen mama." Said Chris. I nodded.
"Yeah, she and Lee stopped by after you left. We talked for a while before the doctor said it was aight for me to take a walk." I said. I was much happier now that I knew everyone was okay.
"All that's left to do now is recover." I said looking at Chris as he nodded agreeing with me.", mouth full of food.
"Doc says you can get outta here tomorrow. Youngin' and Justin too. Mack's gotta stay for another night for observation but that ain't nothin'." He said as he rubbed his hands together trying to rid them of the oil and salt. I handed him the paper that once contained my sandwich and watched as he tossed the empty paper bag into the garbage and returned to his seat, a smile lingering on his lips. I payed close attention to the dimple that disappeared into his cheek, and followed the trail of stubble along his jawline. Missing the days when I used to place tiny, gentle kisses along it. That's when I felt them in the pit of my stomach, the butterflies.
I was still madly in love with him.
"Thank God." I smiled happily. Pushing thoughts to the back of my mind.
"Talk to Tina at all?" I asked, curious about his plans for retirement.
"Yes, she ain't happy but she understands. I agreed to put out three more singles before the label tarnishes my contract. The upside is that I can do it from here, so I'll be able to look after you and Layah." He said eyeing my stomach. I smiled glad to hear that he'd be around. As much as I didn't want to admit it, I hated when Chris wasn't around.
"I'm glad they understanding about this." I said.
"Me too.." He grinned resting his hands on his thighs, I glanced at his pants pocket and noticed the tiny bulge in one of his pockets. I eyed it curiously but tore my gaze away before he noticed. I leaned back in my bed, satisfied and tired, ready to take a nap.
I was glad I would be getting out of here soon. I wanted so badly to return to my life outside of this hospital.
Hell yes!!!!!
runit!!!
YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Best update ever! RUN IT!
Michael's POV
I stood outside of the room. I had just come back from Tyson's room, her hour was long overdue and Doctor Reid had come down searching for her when Chris reported her missing. She argued not wanting to leave Mackenzie now that she was finally awake, but eventually gave in after seeing the food that Chris had brought for her. I had to wait in the lobby for a few hours while the doctors removed the tube from Mackenzie's throat and gave her an observation. She also had to rest and the doctors refused to let me sit with her while she did.
I released a breath I didn't know I was holding and turned the knob, pushing the door open. I slowly walked in, eyeing the quiet room. The sun was beginning to dip into the horizon.
"Your hair is a mess.." Said Mackenzie. Her voice horse and barely audible. I chuckled, more than happy to hear her voice.
"Yours isn't exactly picture perfect." I said as I walked up to her to brush a loose strand behind her ear. She was sitting up with her head rested against her pillows.
"I got shot, what's your excuse?" She smiled lopsided at me. I frowned at the memory.
"I spent days in a hospital waiting for the love of my life to wake up." Her smile faded and her eyes went sad as she looked down at our hands. I melted at the sight.
I couldn't wait any longer. I dug into my pocket with my free hand.
"..So that I could make her my wife.." I said pulling out the ring. Her reaction was like a breath of fresh air. Her head snapped up and her eyes widened causing the green and blue flecks to pop out in surprise. I sat on the edge of her bed grabbing a soft hold of her hand.
"Mackenzie, I've known you for nine years, you were the love of my life in high school and you're still the love of my life today. I came here because I knew I couldn't live without you. Nothing feels whole if you're not around. And I want you to know that I need you.. to be whole. You make me happier everyday, with your smile, those green eyes..your cute nose, and your ability to love me unconditionally.." I said as my throat tightened, my eyes threatened to release my tears.
"So could you please be my wife?" I asked smirking nervously finishing my proposal. She sniffed back the tears and nodded unable to form words. I broke out into a smile and laid a passionate kiss on her lips, collecting her into a tight hug, sure not to interfere with her injury.
"I love you so much of course ill be your wife." She cried into the crook of my neck. I ran my hand over her hair, shutting my eyes momentarily as I felt her body heat.
"Don't ever scare me like that again." I said as I pulled back to kiss her passionately once more. Showing her all of the love I had for her.
To a love that is patient, may it never be forgotten..may it bloom and grow with every season..
Wait hold up! Chris got a box?? what that nigga about to do?!?!
I love Kelly! It sucks he is gone but yo! That's my dude tho.
Mack you about to get married boo and once you had your brothers blessing although it was hard you will be alright.
Whew! You keep hitting me with these tracks that make me cry. First Time Flies now this?!? Dude you already know I think you are a dope writer so all those thoughts in your head keep them coming girl!
And thank you for doing this the mobile way cause I know its not the easy way!
Run it!
My goodness...when my emotions get back in tact I will be able to comment properly.
That was a really longgg NICE add....run it!
Okay! So! The first song used in my last add was called "Infinity" by The xx. So be sure to listen to that one as well as the last song being used which was "Quiet In My Town" by Civil Twilight. If you don't you'll miss out on a beautiful song and I fear you won be able to really connect with what's happening.
Hope you love it! Leave your thoughts I'd love to hear what you have to say! Mwuah!
Much love.
forthoughtsake ;p
I looked behind me at Michael who had fallen a few steps behind me, busy texting on his phone. Curiosity fell over me, but I decided to let it linger. I fixed my neck facing forward again as we approached the room that contained a man who nearly died for me, not even knowing me for over a year. I smiled faintly and stopped in front of the door. Michael looked up from his phone with an encouraging smile.
"Don't be scared, he's fine. I'll be right out here." He said taking a seat in a vacant chair against the wall. I smiled and twisted the knob and pushed the door open.
I shut the door behind me softly.
"Well if it isn't Mrs. Tyson Kindle.." Said a tired voice whom I recognized as Justin's. I smiled turning away from the door to look him in the eyes.
"Happy to see you still got that bump." He said pointing to my stomach. I smirked running a hand over it softly.
His face was badly battered and his arm was in a sling. I had never seen so many bandages on one persons face before. His nose was clearly broken and the bruises under and around his eyes were alarming. E.J. really did a number on him.
"You're in one piece." I said sadly. No matter how strong I wanted to be for everyone, my strength fell through me every time.
"You can't get rid of me that easily." He chuckled. The pain was evident in his face. I frowned and sat by his side taking his open hand in mine. I turned it over and rubbed his rough skin with my thumb, afraid to look back into his eyes. I didn't respond to his words, I only sat there replaying everything in my mind. I could feel the tears threaten to fall.
"Tyson.." Said Justin, voice sad and sympathizing. I shook my head.
"I know you want to say it wasn't my fault, that you're okay, but you're not...look at you." I said just above a whisper.
"Stop that." He said, his tone stronger than before. I breathed.
"Look at me.." He said patiently. I took a moment before lifting my chin and looking into his light brown eyes.
"I'm fine. And in a few days, I'll be good as new." He smiled encouragingly. I read the confidence in his face and nodded slowly.
"There's a silver lining in all of this you know?" He said smiling slyly. I rose an eyebrow waiting for him to continue.
"Where is it?" I asked, my lingering curiosity coming to light brighter than before.
"Chris." He answered simply. My forehead creased with confusion.
"He came by to visit me..looks like he doesn't hate me so much anymore." Chuckled Justin. My mouth fell open slightly in shock.
I never thought I'd see the day.
"Yeah, he came in here before he left to go home, thanked me..told me that he respected me and that he was just scared of losing you to me. Thought I had potential to take his spot..." He said. I looked down at our hands studying them for a moment before I pulled away from him, resting my hand in my lap. I frowned.
"I told him that no matter what happened in this life, that he would always have that spot, because you love him just as much as you did before everything happened. I told him that he had nothing to worry about...was I right?" Asked Justin with calculating eyes. I brushed back my hair frustrated.
"He has no right to be here anymore." I said pointing at the area of my chest, where my heart lay beating quickly underneath. Justin looked at me with the strength that I so badly craved to show.
"Because he loves you as much as he does, he has every right to be there." He said.
"Why are you so hell bent on shutting him out?--"
"When you look at into my eyes what do you see there?" I asked cutting him off. His eyes pierced mine, searching for something I was unsure of.
"A woman with a heart full of resilience, and a soul that no matter how bent out of shape, always snaps back. You're light on you're feet with everything that you do, because you want to be careful. You consider all of the odds..and you know how to fight. Sometimes I think it's all you know.. I mean you hopped on a plane to fight for the man you love..lookin' at you right now, I see a woman who knows exactly what she wants, and knows exactly how to get it, but she won't go after it, because for once she wants to be fought for...I see you waiting for Chris to say something that'll finally make it all better." He finished. I nodded slowly digesting his words.
"I want to thank you for everything you've done for me. I owe you and I love you for being there for me whenever I needed you. You are a great friend and I appreciate every inch of your soul." I said standing to my feet slowly.
He smiled nodding his head once.
"And you, Mrs. Tyson Kindle, are running. Stop running--"
"I'm not running Dr.Phil. I'm on a clock and I'm running out of time. I gotta go see Mackenzie. I just wanted to see you first." I said with a sweet smile as I playfully rolled his eyes, earning a chuckle from him.
"Aight. Whatever you say." He said grinning knowingly. I shook my head pulling open the door.
"Ey.." I turned to face him once more.
"Mackenzie's gonna be fine." Said Justin.
Mackenzie's POV
".After all the time after you. Had you seen me with someone new. Hanging so high for your return, But the stillness is a burn.."
"Stop looking at me like that, loser." I chuckled as I sat cross legged opposite from my older brother in a field of green. I looked down at my hands that were currently tangled in blades of grass.
"I don't understand why you wouldn't go back.." He said, watching me with sad eyes.
"Because Kell." I answered shortly for what must have been the tenth time now. Every so often a peaceful silence would fall over us and neither would say a word. Instead we enjoyed it, but as seconds passed, my tongue released itself from it's hold.
"Why wouldn't I want to stay here with you?..." I whispered keeping my gaze on the ground. He said nothing in return.
"You were a big part of my life and you just disappeared...you left me..you left mom.." I vented. I knew the tears were bound to show up, but I was already too far gone.
"Your leaving had no goodbye. Had I just seen one in your eyes.."
"She's a mess you know? Not the same..she doesn't even smile anymore...and I beat myself up everyday because I know I can't fix her. Only you can fix her...and it's not fair that I had to stick around to watch her fall apart. I've never seen her so broken before, never..and I never told anyone this, not even tyson, because I didn't want to be a burden. I can't talk to anyone about this." I sniffed.
"Mackenzie.."sympathized Kelly. I shook my head.
"I opened the gallery with Ty and I fell in love with Mike and I moved into your apartment and-I did all that because I knew that its what you would've wanted me to do--"
"Don't lie to yourself. You know you loved that dude way before any of this bulls*** happened." Interrupted Kelly. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment.
"..I don't want to go back. Not if you won't be there when I wake up.." I said glaring at the single blade of grass.
"I can't give it up for someone else's touch, because I care too much, care too much, care too much.."
--
--
Tyson's POV
"..will she?" I asked wondering how he could be so sure. He stared back at me.
""Could you tell, I was left lost and lonely. Could you tell, Things ain't worked out my way.."
"I believe that she will be, because you need her here." He said. I nodded shortly looking down at my tummy.
"Her name's Alayah." I said softly. He smiled.
"She'll be beautiful." He said. I threw him one last smirk before exiting the room and joining Michael who was already at his feet. He smiled a sweet smile and held out his arm for me to link with. I gladly passed my arm through the space and leaned into him as we walked. I was feeling a little fatigued but I wouldn't let that stop me from seeing Mackenzie. She needed me.
"Tired?" Asked Michael.
"Yes, we are." I said. He chuckled before releasing a breath.
"Give it up (I can't give it up) Give it up (I can give it up).."
-----
"Can you do something for me when you go in there?" asked Michael as we approached Mackenzie's room. I looked up at him with questioning eyes.
Mackenzie's POV
"Mackenzie look at me.." Said Kelly. I pulled my gaze up to the eyes that reminded me of my own.
"I am here. Everyday, from the minute you wake up to the minute you fall asleep. There isn't a thing that can keep me from lookin' out for you. You hear me?" He spoke. I let the tears fall.
"I know, I know-I can..I can feel you there sometimes it's just..it's not the same Kell! I can't see you!" I cried.
"For someone else's touch, because I care too much, care too much, care too much.."
"You don't need to see me. All you need to know is that I'm there..and the reason why you're here is because I wanted you to know that. I'm around you all the time. When Michael told you he still loved you I was there. When you spent the night at moms making sure she was okay after the funeral, I was there." I broke down feeling the heavy weight on my chest build up. I felt like I couldn't breathe.
"You can't leave them hangin' like that man.." Said Kelly.
---
Tyson's POV
"Give it up (I can't give it up).."
"Of course." I replied as we stood outside of Mackenzie's room.
"Could you tell her..that I'm here waiting for her..and that it's important that she wakes up..because I need her...and I don't know what I'll do without her? I told her already but maybe she'll listen to you better." He said sniffing back the tears that threatened to fall. I reached up to caress his cheek with my palm.
"Give it up (I can't give it up).."
"Okay." I whispered. I placed my hand over his phone that was conveniently attached to his earphones.
"Can I borrow this one more time?" I asked softly.
"Give it up (I can't give it up).."
"Of course." He said moving it into my hold. I smiled and turned to open the door an enter the room.
--
--
The first thing to grab my attention was the machines hooked up around her body. The ventilator, the heart monitor, the IV's, they were everywhere. Determined not to feel defeated, I took a seat in the vacant seat next to her bed, counting the amount of times I had done this for the day. I looked at her pale face, it was so calm and peaceful.
I would have thought she were taking a nap.
"Wake up, Kenzie.." I said as I leaned over in my chair. When she didn't reply I took a deep breath, sucking in the brutal reality.
She never made a move.
"I know you're still here..because I haven't seen your spirit anywhere around yet." I chuckled more to myself thinking about Kelly.
"I brought something for you.." I said resting Michaels phone on the bed next to her limp hand. I untangled the earphones and reached up to her ears to place each bud in one.
"I made a playlist while I was on bed rest.. I know you like your sad music so that's what it consists of. Bet you love Michael for having the same taste in music as you." I smirked.
"We're okay, the baby and me. So is Paigey..incase that's why you haven't woken up yet..because you're scared you might have lost one of us, but were fine. I promise.." I said as I opened up the music app on Michaels phone.
I pressed on Civil Twilight's "Quiet In My Town" and watched as one second went by while the song played.
"Thought i'd start off with your favorite song.." I smiled, but it faded away into a thin line. I grabbed hold of her limp hand and squeezed tight.
"I know I'm not talking to myself Mackenzie. So wake the hell up, you've got a man who wants to marry you waiting right outside that door..you're important to him, and he needs you and he doesn't know what he's gonna do if he loses you...he told me to tell you that.." I spoke before leaning back in my seat.
"I don't care how long I have to wait, I'm right here so..whenever you're ready.." I said to her.
I sighed and looked up to the ceiling counting the tiles.
"..where is your sister, Kelz?"
--
--
Mackenzie's POV
"She's right here.." Whispered Kelly with a smirk. His eyes had shut momentarily as I stared at him, practically burning holes into his face.
"What?" I asked confusion etched upon my face.
"You have a visitor.." He said opening his eyes.
A sound began to play around us, it sounded familiar to me but I couldn't place it, that is until words were said and I recognized it to be my favorite song. I searched the field of green for any sign of someone else.
"Today I heard that someone left this earth. That someone disappeared, left no mark here. Today I heard that someone just got up and left himself..Lying on the ground.."
"Who's playing that song?" I asked clearly thrown off. Kelly only smirked.
"Someone who misses you." He answered.
"Don't you dare go cryptic on me Kelly." I said with threatening eyes. He chortled.
"Today is, today is, Today is quiet in my town. Today is, today is, Today is quiet in my town.."
"Tyson's in your room, she's making you listen to music, waiting for you to wake up." He said. My eyes widened at the mention of my best friend.
"She's okay? Her and the baby?" I asked.
"Yes. They'll be fine..though I don't know if they will be if you don't go back." Said Kelly. I huffed.
"What you're doing isn't fair Mack." He said.
"Today two boys disappeared without noise
And I wish that I was them flying somewhere overhead.."
"I can be unfair if I choose to be. I lost my brother. Do you have any idea how that feels?! It's like there's someone stabbing my heart with a hot poker everyday. The wound never heals over. There's nothing in my world that can take that pain away." I said as a few tears fell.
"And tonight in silence, two lovers hate and find. One is bored, one is angry, But neither one of them is right, oh.."
"It's not easy for me either Mack. I don't get to do the things I used to do when I was alive..do you know how hard it is to watch people you love hurt over you and not even be able to give them a hug? That s*** ain't easy. It's a constant reminder of how much I hurt y'all, but I've learned to let it go. The pain? It'll ease up I promise you that.."
"Today is, today is, today is quiet in my town. Today is, today is, today is quiet in my town.."
"..I know I can't leave them, but living without you is something I know I can't do either, I've tried.--"
"You're letting this rule you man, stop it. You're stronger than that." Said Kelly.
"Oh, somebody say something, somebody say something, somebody say something to me, ohh.."
"What if the pain never goes away?" I cried.
"It will--"
"Today is, today is, today is too quiet in my town.."
"But what if it doesn't!--"
"It will!" He cut me off. Determination ran through his veins.
He didn't want me to stay here.
"Why don't you want me here?" I asked defeated.
"Because as much as you don't want to to admit it, I know you don't really want this. Besides, it's not your time to be here yet. You'll hurt a lot of people.." He said.
"Oh today I heard, the sound of birds.."
"I know.." I sniffed. The music grew a little louder as we sat there looking at each other.
--
--
Michael's POV
"and I wish that I was anywhere but here.."
I played around with the band of silver in my hand. The diamond shining bright as the light hit different angles of it. I closed my fingers over it in a tight grasp, shutting my eyes.
"Come on Kenz.." I breathed letting my head drop.
--
--
Paige's POV
I just woke up from my nap, feeling groggy and moody. The pain in my shoulder from the bullet wound, haunting me.
"How are we feeling Ms. Stone?" Asked the nurse. I sighed heavily.
"We'll one of my bosses is pregnant with a concussion walking around the hospital, while the other was shot and is currently in a coma..so you tell me." I said dryly.
--
--
Justin's POV
I watched as the nurse placed the food on the tray in front of me. I smiled politely not at all happy about having to eat the Porridge in front of me.
I frowned thinking about Mackenzie, wondering if she had waken up yet.
"You better wake up girl.." I sighed before peeling open the pudding cup next to my bowl of porridge.
--
--
Brooke's POV
"What's on your mind baby?" Asked Jesse as he played with my hair. I cuddled up closely next to him on the couch in my apartment waiting for any news.
"Just wondering if anythings changed with Mack.." I answered looking straight ahead.
"It's too quiet..too quiet"
--
--
Chris' POV
I walked through the hospital doors, feeling well rested, yet mentally exhausted. My hand played with the small leather box in my pocket. I wondered if anything had happened with Mackenzie while I was gone. I didn't know what I would do if she never woke up. I didn't know how I would help Tyson get through that let alone myself.
"Please be up.." I said looking up at the tiled ceiling above my head.
"It's too quiet..too quiet"
--
--
Tyson's POV
I finished counting 35 tiles on the ceiling as I sat by Mackenzie's side. The beeping was my only soundtrack as I waited patiently for her to give me a sign. I pulled away from the ceiling and looked back at her.
"Come on, give me somethin' babe.." I encouraged.
"It's too quiet..too quiet"
--
--
Mackenzie's POV
"They need you, and you need them. I will be there Mackenzie. I promise you, I will be there." Reassured Kelly.
"They're all praying to me for you right now." He spoke. I winced at the faint pain that appeared in my chest. I rubbed gently at it. Kelly smirked.
"it's just too quiet.."
"That's it baby sis, it's okay." He said. I shook my head and propped myself on my knees shakily trying to stand up, but finding it difficult.
"it's too, quiet it's too..quiet it's too.."
"It's okay.." He said in a hushed tone. He stood up on his feet, looking down at me while shoving his hands into his pockets.
"I'm sorry, I can't stay." I cried apologizing, I knew I couldn't stay here. I needed my friends as much as they needed me. I had a man waiting on me and I missed him to death, but I felt bad for leaving my brother behind.
"it's too, quiet it's too..quiet it's too.."
"You're forgiven. Now let go.." He smiled. I didn't know what was happening to me, but I couldn't stop the shaking in my legs. My hands and knees dug into the soil in the ground as the pain in my chest grew stronger.
"Quiet it's too..quiet it's too.."
"Kelly what's happening?!" I cried out, the tears leaving wet tracks down my face. He crouched down in front of me.
"This town, in here! In here! In here! It's tooooo! Quiet in my town!.."
"I love you baby sis. I promise everything's gonna be okay." He smiled.
"Oh my sing it out, say yeah! Yeah! Oh! Oh! It's so!.."
"Ma's gonna be alright too. She's on her way...tell her I said I love her." He smirked, I could see the tears threaten to fall but he held them in.
--
--
Tyson's POV
Today is! Today is! Today is too quiet in my town!.."
I continued to stare hard at her face, the twitch in her fingers that had happened moments ago had scared the hell out of me, but I knew she was here with me. I was happy I hadn't lost her.
My eyes were begging her to wake up. I clutched her hand right feeling another twitch.
"Come on Kenz, wake up.."
Today is! Today is! Today is too quiet in my town!.."
--
--
Mackenzie's POV
I fought to breathe, feeling like the air was being cut off all around me. I looked up at Kelly again clutching at my neck trying to suck in as much air as possible.
"Time to wake up Mackenzie." He said as one lone tear left the brim of his eye and traveled down his face.
Today is! Today is! Today is too quiet in my town!.."
Before I could say anything else, he reached out a hand and pushed me hard on my shoulder causing me to fall back, I squeezed my eyes shut and waited for a hard impact followed by pain in my head knowing that it would hit the ground first, but it never came.
Instead I was swallowed by painless darkness.
--
--
Tyson's POV
I jumped as Mackenzie's eyes snapped wide open and her whole body jerked up. She gagged and choked on the tube down her throat. I screamed out of fright and hopped out of my seat to run out of the room for help.
--
--
Mackenzie's POV
I choked heavily on the tube stuck down my throat. The feeling of pain washed over me like never before. Kelly's face burned in my mind and behind my lids as I shut my eyes tight.
Today is..Today is..Today is quiet in my town..."
Run It....
Ohhhhhh goodness readers I'm so sorry! My Internet has been down and I can't find the charger for my laptop so it's completely dead! I'm gonna upload the next add via mobile! Thanks for being patient with me :) I love you all!
MUCH LOVE.
forthoughtsake :p