Katie: Hey guys! Guess who is turning 21 this weekend? Tamia!!!! We so need to throw her a surprise party.
Tasha: I so agree. Once we get back to campus tomorrow we need to plan ASAP.
Jay: I’ll be the stripper. LMAO. Kellen, I’m kiddin’, man, if you’re reading. But yeah, let the planning begin.
Katie: Boy, you are so crazy!
Jay: ;)
After reading the group text, I close it because, at this moment, my mind is trying to figure out why Ashley keeps calling and texting me. When we broke up, we agreed we would try to remain friends. Friends text each other, right? But the shit she was texting me told me she wanted to be more than that. I scroll through my phone again and pull up the texts sent by Ashley.
First text: Kellen I miss you. I know we both fucked up. I’ve forgiven you since then. I hope you did the same for me.
Second text: Can we start over?
Third Text: I miss you.
Then the last several texts consisted of naked pictures of Ashley and others of me and her when we were together.
I delete every single text. “This shit is getting out of hand,” I say aloud. I press the speed dial for my dad’s number to call and get flight information. After I end the call, I cut my phone off and toss it on the pillow. I lie down and stare at the ceiling. Then I close my eyes. This can’t be happening…
Tamia
After Mom and I return from our trip to the grocery store, I lay the bags on the counter then go to the den to check on Kellen.
“Hey, Daddy. Where’s Kellen?”
“Hey, sweetie. At half time, he went upstairs and never returned.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll go upstairs and check on him.”
“Let him know that the third quarter is about to end. Touchdown!” he yells. “Yes!” he continues to cheer as I leave the den on my way upstairs.
When I get to his room, I find Kellen lying on his bed fast asleep.
“Kellen,” I call, walking closer to him. When I don’t get a response, I gently nudge his knee, and he slowly opens his eyes and looks at me.
“Hey, are you feeling okay?” I ask, concerned.
He stretches and sits up. “Yeah, I’m fine. I had a slight headache, but I’m good now.”
I walk closer to him and run my hands through his hair.
“My dad said the third quarter was about to end if you wanted to catch the rest of the game.”
“Thanks, babe. I’ll head back down in a few. Our plane leaves at ten a.m. tomorrow.”
“Good. I miss being here with my parents and all, but I’m ready to get back. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” he asks, now standing and stretching.
“You look like you have a lot on your mind, that’s all.”
“No, I’m good.” He walks past me, toward the door. I’m going to finish watching the game with your dad, okay?”
“Okay, have fun,” I say, mostly to myself.
Later that night, Kellen managed to sneak into my room, but this time, we weren’t bold enough to have sex since my dad has dog-hearing ears. The next morning after packing, I go to his room to find that it’s already empty, and he is nowhere in sight. I go downstairs to look for him, and he’s in the kitchen with my mom and dad, engrossed in what seems like a serious conversation. When they see me, they stop talking.
“Good morning,” I announce, looking at them strangely.
Kellen gets up from the table and walks in my direction. He places his hands on my face and looks down at me. After several seconds, he leans his head down and lovingly places a kiss against my lips. Then a throat clears behind him.
“That’s enough, young man,” my dad warns. “That better be all you’re doing with my daughter.”
“Oh, hush! Leave your daughter alone,” my mom says.
“I love you,” Kellen whispers against my lips. Then he leans down and takes my bag from my hands and carries it outside to our rental.
“Sweetheart, I’m going to miss you,” Mom sniffles as she pulls me in for a tight hug. “You take care of yourself. We’ll see you at Christmastime.”
“Move, woman. Let me hug my daughter,” Dad says from behind her.
“You just wait until she leaves this house,” my mom threatens, pointing a finger at my dad.
“I can’t wait,” he counters, wiggling his brows.
“Gross! Yeah wait until I leave,” I laugh at their teenage antics.
“Don’t act like that. That’s what people who love each other do,” he says, hugging me. “I’m already looking forward to your next trip home, young lady. Keep your head in the books and make sure that young man outside treats you right. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Daddy, I hear you. I love you guys.” I squeeze my dad tight.
“We love you, too, Tamia.”
The front door closes and Kellen reappears.
“Kellen,” my dad says, now focusing on him. I appreciate everything that you and your family have done to allow my daughter to get home so quickly to see me. But if I hear that you’ve been mistreating her in any way, I’m going to come down there and whoop your—”
“Dad! He hasn’t done anything stupid—yet.” I look at Kellen, trying to gauge his response. “But if he does, I will let you know.”
“As long as we’re on the same page, young man, everything will be cool,” my dad warns, giving Kellen the evil eye.
“Yes, sir. I totally understand,” Kellen replies. “Ready?” he asks me.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
We say our final goodbyes, then leave for the airport.
“I wonder what’s taking so long? Weren’t we supposed to have taken off at ten fifteen? It’s now eleven o’clock.” I look out of my window. “I hope nothing’s wrong.”
“I’m sure everything is fine,” Kellen reassures me, scrolling through his phone. “I’ll go talk to the pilot and see what’s going on.” He lays his phone down and heads to the cockpit.
He’s been gone only a minute when his phone chirps, alerting that a new text message has arrived. I look down at his phone and see that its from Ashley—again. Beyond curious, I pick his phone up and see it’s already unlocked. You shouldn’t go through his phone, Tamia. I click on his text message box anyway and instantly regret my decision.
Went by your apartment today. I guess you’re still out of town. Do you remember this pic ; )
I hesitantly scroll down and come across a picture of Kellen and Ashley engaged in a sexual act. Then his phone chirps again, and this time, it’s another text message:
Call me when you get in town. I can come by and we can take more pics like these. TTYL : )
He lied to me. Again. I’m shaking so hard from anger that the phone slips from my hand, and I’m not the least worried if it shatters into pieces. I blink away the angry tears blurring my vision and get up and start to put some of my belongings back into my carry-on bag. I hear footsteps coming in my direction, but I don’t turn around.
“We should be taking off in five minutes,” Kellen says. “Tamia, what are you doing?”