Chapter Four: Five Years Later

Omari’s P.O.V.

As I logged into my email account; I noticed that I had six new emails and 244 Bulk mail. Tsk; I never check my Bulk folder. It’s usually a bunch of shit anyway. I knew that one of the emails in my Inbox had to be from Yanique. I scanned the list of unread mail with my eyes until I found her name. Aha; got it! There it is there. Yanique Davidson. I opened up the email with a big ass Kool-Aid smile on my face. This one is super long.

She just got a new job; and she hates it. She asked me the usuals. How’s the album coming along? When am I going on tour? You know; those kinds of things. Since I’ve become a solo artist; I never have time for anything anymore. Do you know how many times I’ve been to Florida and I still haven’t seen Yani yet? Countless times. See; I told you. I don’t have time for shit.

Damn; it’s almost been five years since Yani moved away to Florida. Time sure does fly. Every time I plan on seeing her; the plan fails. It’s either she has to work; or I have to work. Something is always in the way of us spending time together. I can never understand why. Five years is a long ass time to not see your best friend. I feel so bad about it. But; it’s not our faults. We’ve tried numerous times.

I still remember our last night that we spent together. It was beautiful. Words can’t describe how much I love that girl. She has truly been a wonderful friend to me; and I really appreciate that. We’ve had some great times together; that can never be replaced by anyone.

Since Yanique moved; we’ve talked on the phone every single day. We used to write to one another every other week; but that stopped as soon as we both got internet access. Now we email each other; which is so much better. My hands used to cramp up; because I would always have so much to write. We send each other pictures occasionally. And we never miss out on sending gifts on holidays and birthdays.

When Yani left; I took it real hard man. I tried to act like everything was all good; but deep down inside -- I was ripped to pieces. I’ve never met a girl like her before. I feel so blessed to have a friend like that in my life; who truly cares for me and appreciates me. She’s also very classy and she has respect for herself. It’s hard to find a female like that now-a-days. The female compliment the male; and the male compliment the female. I always pray that she would find the perfect man to spend the rest of her life with. She deserves someone special. Hopefully; she’ll find him one day.

I did however; meet a very nice young lady three and a half years ago. We really hit it off. She was a normal college girl and she was beautiful. Of course Yani had to check her out before things got too serious. She always looked out for me when it came to the ladies. She didn’t want her brother to be with someone that didn’t fit my criteria; I guess.

I mean; I’m not real picky with mine. I’m not too big on looks. I dig the brain. I like a woman with something going for herself; ya know? Someone with the same morals that I have or even better. I don’t want someone that’s easy. I feel that what a woman has; is precious and it’s a gift. You have to earn that. What man would want something that he doesn’t have to work hard for? I like a chase.

I think that young ladies should respect themselves more; and know that their body is a temple. A man respects a woman who respects themselves. I’ve ran into a lot of females that don’t even get a chance to know who I am as a person. They look at my appearance and my status; and assume that I got it made. Nah; I work hard as hell for everything that I‘ve got. And I need someone that’s gonna understand me and love me unconditionally no matter what.

Anyway; back to the young lady that I’ve been dating for three and a half years. Her name is Loraine and she’s two years younger than me. It’s so funny how we met.

One day; I was chilling at one of my spots. It’s this nice little club for teens that I used to go to on Friday nights; to just relax and enjoy the music. So; I spotted this nice looking young lady; and I decided to go over to her and talk to her. She had her back turned to me by the time I made it to that side of the club. As soon as I walked up to her; I lightly tapped her on her shoulder to get her attention. The music was super loud; so I had to kind of yell over it. “Excuse me Miss?” I said in a low; sexy like tone -- but loud enough for her to hear. Apparently; I startled her when my ice cold fingers touched her shoulder; and she accidentally spilled her drink on me.

She gasped and abundantly apologized for what had just happened. I told her that it was cool; and that I’ll be fine. I needed to get cleaned up quick. I didn’t want Dr. Pepper to seep through my Polyester vest. I just bought that vest; and I was rocking it real hard that night. I then told her that I would be right back. Without any delay; I scurried to the Men’s room to dry myself off.

After about five minutes of scrubbing with anti-bacterial liquid soap; and hard -- all-purpose paper towels; I finally went back into the club area. I walked back over to the section that the girl was in; but she was no where to be found. Damn; where the hell did she go? I know she ain’t leave. I scanned through the crowd for her; but -- still no luck. Damn. I wanted to get her number. She was that hot. Oh well; I guess it wasn’t meant for me to talk to her then. I walked backed over to where I was before I got splashed; and ordered myself a drink. I chilled out for the rest of the night. And of course I hit up the dance floor.

A few days passed by and I was riding around in Hollywood; searching for a Starbucks. I really wanted a Frap that day. As I was searching; I spotted one. Not only did I find a Starbucks; but I spotted this nice looking young lady as well. She was light skinned with chestnut eyes. Her hair fell down the middle of her back and her smile was priceless.

I didn’t want to approach her and make myself look stupid. So; I had to think of a plan. Not really a plan; but -- I had to whip out that O.G. charm. Nah mean?! Nah; I’m just playing. I had to think of something classy though. I walked over to her and lightly tapped her on her shoulder. She greeted me with a warm smile. Wait a minute. Something about her looked so familiar. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I asked her if she’d seen me before and she smiled at me and nodded her head yes.

A smirk zoomed across my face as I was still trying to figure out where I knew the young lady from. And then it hit me. She was the girl that spilled her drink on me at the club the other night!

After our little “reunion” we laughed about the situation; and I asked her if she cared to join me for a Frap. With no doubt; she took me up on my offer. I gave her a warning though. I told her to be careful with that drink. I wouldn’t want to walk around smelling like a Vanilla Frap. She laughed as we found a nice table to sit at.

We sat and chatted for about an hour or so. We exchanged numbers after a while; and she said that she would call me later on after she got off of work. I couldn’t let her get away from me this time. Nuh-uh O. All I could do was smile from ear to ear. This girl had a lot of brains; and she was beautiful on top of that. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a relationship; but I was looking for someone that I could kick it with and share some late night conversations with. I guess I started feeling empty inside again with Yani not being there. So I did what I thought was best. I tried to find another girl to fill in that empty spot that I had inside.

Now; I wasn’t replacing Yanique; if that’s what you’re thinking. No way. Never. She can never be replaced. But; in order for me to get over her -- in the sense of the fact that she isn’t coming back -- I had to find someone to help me take my mind off of it.

As time passed by; Loraine and I became closer. We both felt the same way about each other. We didn’t want to be in a relationship; but we needed some type of companionship. After a few months of being good friends; we finally decided to get together officially. She was feeling me; and I started to really feel her. It took me a while; but I finally came around to it; and decided to give her a shot. It was worth a try; right?

At first; I wasn’t too sure about it. Because I thought that we would be better off as just friends. But; I dunno. Something sparked one day and BAM -- it became official. I didn’t plan on liking her. When I seen her at the club and then at Starbucks -- it wasn’t my plan to make her my girl. Nah. That’s not what I had in mind. Like I said; I just needed somebody to fill that gap that was in my heart. And Loraine did that. So as a result; it was only right that we took our friendship a little further. We decided to step it up a notch and take it to another level.

That was almost four years ago. Since then; things have changed. Loraine and I broke up earlier this year; and it has really taken a toll on me. I mean; how could something that felt so right -- turn into something that was so wrong? I didn’t quite understand it but; I was left hurt at the end of it. I’m not tryna throw Loraine under the bus and put her out there like that. But; we both felt that it was best for her to just do the college thing; and I was gonna continue doing me; with my music career and everything. Sometimes people are on a different page from you. It’s hard to see eye-to-eye with someone if they don’t make a commitment to change where it’s needed.

I mean; don’t get me wrong; Even though that decision left me in a hole; I still don’t have any hard feelings against her. I’m still trying to recover from our wounded ending. But; in all honesty. If I see her on the street; I’ll say wassup to her. But; that’s about it. After that relationship; my heart began feeling so cold. I felt like I couldn’t date anyone else; because I was afraid that they would do me the same way. I had an ice box in substitution of my heart. That’s what it felt like. I was so numb about getting involved with another female. I couldn’t take it at the time. It was too much for me. It’s like; I would meet someone but then; I’ll think about what I went through with Loraine and I’d back out of the situation. Just for my own safety; and the safety of my heart.

To this day; I still have crazy memories about Loraine. All of our arguments and break-ups and make-ups. Damn; we been through a lot. I feel like she sometimes haunts me or something. I dunno; it’s weird. Like; if I try talking to another girl; I can see her in my mind. And all of those crazy memories come back up again. Weird huh? I know. It’s crazy as hell.

Now I’m single and I’m not looking for anyone. If I just so happen to stumble upon something; then that’ll be fine. But I damn sure ain’t looking. I heard that it’s not good to look. You jinx your relationship. At the rate that I’m going; I feel like I would never find the perfect woman for me. I don’t want someone that’s gonna be around for a season.

I need someone with the potential to be wifey. People think that I’m too young to think that way; because I’m only twenty-one. But hey; I don’t think so. I wanna make sure that I sterilize my future the right way. That’s something that Yanique always tells me. But hey; only time will tell. I have to make sure that I do what’s right for me.

••CHAPTER FIVE

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