Write In The Middle of It

“Shit!” she exclaimed.

The man easily towered over her and would have typically been perceived as dangerous, but he smiled a smile that was so warm it lit up his brown complexion with an amber glow.

"I'm sorry," he said, "Did I scare you?"

"Hell yeah," Mekayla said slightly frowning, "I am usually out here by myself."

Oh that was smart, Meek. Just tell the strange man that no one comes out here so he can rape your ass.

"My bad, I just followed you out here to tell you that you are very good." The man said still smiling.

Glowing

Mekayla then began to take inventory.

Glittering eyes.

Hair cut close.

Bling in his left ear.

Attractive.

She thought to herself and then shuddered.

Kevin would have her ass.

"I'm Brett." He said as he extended his hand to her.

"Mekayla." As she went to extend her hand, she realized the blunt was still in it and became embarrassed.

Brett chuckled as he switched hands for Mekayla to shake.

"It's cool.” He held on to her hand a little longer than customary.

But somehow it seemed okay.

"May I say Mekayla, that you are adorable as well."

Mekayla let her hand fall from Brett's grasp as she blushed. To ease the tension, she handed him the blunt and began twirling her bangs.

"Thank you."

Brett took a hit and said through an exhale, "That your man wit choo?"

She shook her head, "Nah, he's my boy."

"I see. You have one though huh?"

Mekayla nodded.

"Thought so."

Mekayla smirked, "Is that right?"

Brett took another hit, "Well hell yeah, you look well kept."

Mekayla laughed, "Oh yeah?"

Brett nodded as he handed Mekayla back the blunt, which she put out against the wall.

"Yeah, you do. I hope he's treating you right."

She smiled at the thought of Kevin, "He sure is."

"Damn, just my luck. First woman I met saw since I moved here who seemed to have her shit together and she's taken."

Mekayla could do nothing but smile and attempt to change the subject,” are you a poet?"

"Nah", Brett said shaking his head. "But I dig that shit though. You do that a lot around here?"

She nodded, "Yeah here and all over."

"Well I was going to ask you for your number because you're fine,” Brett said smile sparkling. "But… I'd like to keep in touch with you, so I can see those other events if that's okay."

Mekayla laughed, "Oh really 'Brett', don't bullshit a bullshitter."

"No seriously," Then he said mockingly,” Besides I would tell your man who I was, no disrespect."

"He doesn't stay with me"

Shit you idiot why did you tell him that?

"Well then," Brett took a pen out of his pocket and began writing on his hand, "What is it?"

Mekayla shook her head, "I am not giving you my phone number!"

Brett said with a sinister grin, "Okay look, even if I promised to keep it poetical?"

Mekayla began walking away, "Nice meeting you, Brett."

"Mekayla,” Brett gently grabbed her elbow, "Okay maybe I approached you wrong, but seriously I'm new here and I don't know anyone and I felt you on stage. I want to surround myself with positive people; it’s not my fault you are so damn sexy."

Mekayla glared at her elbow and then back at Brett. He sighed in frustration and let her elbow go.

"Look I promise, just a friend okay, if I cross the line all you have to do is tell me."

Mekayla took the pen from Brett's hand, scribbled her number on his palm, and walked away. Her high was completely blown. Brett watched her walk away, licked his lips and smiled to himself before he followed her.

Maybe it was the weed wearing off so quickly but Mekayla felt like she was dragging on the way back to her booth. She said a few pleasant hellos to the people in the crowd that acknowledged her presence but began to feel really uncomfortable and was damn near tearing her bangs out of her head.

That's it I made up my mind, I am goin to start twisting my hair tomorrow.

Mekayla eased by the stage where a poet she had never seen before was projecting his little heart out. She reached the booth and found Erik scribbling on a napkin.

In the meantime, Brett followed Mekayla's every movement but decided not to follow her over to the booth. He sat on a stool on the opposite side of the room that had a clear view.

"How did I do?" Mekayla said softly as if unconcerned

"The usual, you're winning." Erik said still scribbling not looking up.

"Ok, cool." Mekayla all of a sudden started feeling warm and began unbuttoning her blouse while looking around the room. The room itself started looking cloudy but the people became quite clear and really animated. Mekayla had difficulty breathing and felt as though her body temperature was rising by the minute. She started fanning herself with a cardboard advertisement as sweat started forming on her forehead.

"God!" she sighed as she buried her head in her hands, "I'm fucked up."

Erik didn't look up but smirked, "You hit it too hard."

"Nah, E, that ain’t it, I ain’t feeling well." She continued to fan herself. "Would you be mad if I left?"

Now Erik never knew Mekayla to leave a poetry event early, and he looked up with concern, "Hey you ok?"

"Yeah" she nodded and got up from the table.

Erik got up and grabbed her elbow, "You want me to take you home?"

"Nah, I'm gonna walk." She gave Erik a hug. She grabbed him before she let him go and whispered in his ear. "Aye yo, if you don't beat me by at least three points you splitting the money with me."

Erik chuckled as he let go of the embrace, "One and a half."

"Two." Mekayla smiled but staggered a little. At the same time they held up a finger and said,

“One”

Their normal goodbye.

Erik stayed standing as he watched her leave. He was kind of worried. Mekayla usually didn't look this weak when indulging. He'll call her when he got home.

Brett watched Mekayla walk up the steps to the street, still smiling, and began following her.