{Not Edited}

My favorite time of the day, my morning run. Standing outside stretching in this dewy hot air. The silence of the world at this hour, nothing else can compare to it. No birds, no crickets, just peaceful silence. The sun is not up all the way yet, the sky is changing quickly. It makes me feel like I could run to the edge of the earth in rapid time. No wind blowing, the trees are still. Just peace surrounding me.

"Hey." Adrian stood closer to me, we were doing some warm ups.

"Hi."

"Are you ready to do this?" Adrian asked while stretching.

I looked up at him. "Yes, now I'm ready."

I caught him again looking at me from behind. This time he saw that I peeped.

"Sorry." He sheepishly smiled.

I didn't know what to say, I never do. I simply gave him a nod.

"You're very attractive Raina, I don't want you to be weirded out by me."

"You don't have to say that, but thank you though." I nervously giggled.

"You don't believe it?"

"I mean-"

"You're beautiful." He said making me blush. I hate that I'm so awkward.

He stared in my eyes with a little smile. He shook his head. "Aight lets hit it."

We began jogging down the side path in the neighborhood. When the house was no longer in sight, I picked up pace to a more comfortable speed. Adrian followed suit. I love how he understands my liking for quiet time. We ran all throughout the neighborhood and ended up at the front gate. I was about to turn around and head back but Adrian lightly touched my arm which caused me to stop in my tracks.

"You just don't stop do you?" He shook his head chuckling, while catching his breath.

"Sorry, sometimes I just zone out, and I don't even realize it."

"It's cool, I think it's dope. I get like that when I'm working out or driving, I'd drive with no destination in mind. I start thinking about life, my plans and just the world in general."

"Is that safe though, you driving around in a daze?" I giggled and so did he. "No I get it, life goes by so fast and your days are so filled. It's like I just need this time to be present within myself and God. The world can have me for the rest of the day, just not right now." He nodded his head impressed. I was relieved he didn't think I was weird. I'm impressed with myself, I'm actually talking to him.

"That's exactly what I mean, just couldn't word it so beautifully like you just did. Solitude is very important."

I nodded.

"Alright now we can head back, now that I've caught my breath." He said dramatically.

"Ok." I laughed.

We got back to the house, we said our goodbyes. Nothing too much, he didn't want to chance it so he just told me he would text me when he got home. We literally jogged up to the house, he then mumbled he would text me and I mumbled back ok bye. With no eye contact or anything whatsoever. He waited until I got inside then drove out of the driveway.

I walked in the house heading up the stairs to hop in the shower. I stayed in there for a while, not wanting to get out. I got out and got everything together with my routine. I did my makeup. I have rehearsals today after school, and a tutoring session. Then my acting class tomorrow. I have coming up in the play. I've done a lot of plays but the love connecting scenes are usually the hardest for me. Mikey and I also have to figure out this studio situation. I need help, I still have her old staff but I need someone to come in and manage it. I don't have time right now with my schedule.

I texted Mikey, to see if he was up. He said he was. He's a chemistry teacher, over at Maynard. He applied to my school B.T.W High but they were only offering him English lit. He painfully declined. I'm actually glad he didn't get it, I love my brother but I need my space from him.

I went downstairs to the kitchen Mikey and Leah were already there. I gleamed at the sight seeing Leah sitting on Mikeys lap at the breakfast table. They were sharing a bowl of fruit.

"You two look adorable." I stated proudly, walking further into the kitchen.

"Good morning my Raina." Leah sang, grinning from ear to ear.

"Hey Rai." Mikey smirked, looking at me. We shared a look, my brother got his girl I just know it.

"Soooo—— don't leave me in the dark. Can I ship you guys already?"

They peered at each other then nodded in unison. My brother interlocked one of their hands together, kissing the back of her shoulder.

"Yes! Finally ugh." I smiled really hard.

"Thank you." Leah replied smiling then got up. "Now Michael, if you could go upstairs and finish getting ready please sir." She stated hinting she wanted to talk to me, he pecked her lips a few times then obliged heading upstairs.

Leah waited until he was out of sight before she spoke. "Are you sure you're ok with this?" She furrowed her brows at me with worry in her eyes.

I was a bit shocked and confused. "Yes Leah of course I am, I've been praying for this. We love you and KJ so much."

"Ok, because I know how close you two are and I would never want to get in the way of anything." She exhaled nodding her head.

"That's nonsense, I would never see you as someone getting in the way of anything. You're more like an addition or something that was missing." We smiled and Leahs eyes began to water slightly. She let out a sigh of relief.

"Awe come here Leah." I pulled her in squeazing her.

"I'm not gon' cry, don't worry. —Thank you Rai, y'all have always shown us so much love and support." She stated while we held on to each other. She's about to make me cry.

"Wow, I can't believe y'all are finally in a relationship after all these years." I released her so I could see her face. She's so happy. I know KJ will love this as well.

"Yeah me too, it's been a long journey. I think we can safely say we know each other now. Perhaps maybe now we are ready for this."

"I believe so too, you and KJ complete him. He's sick without you. Trust me it's true. —You remember when he was in college, when y'all stop speaking to each other for that while. He was very unpleasant to be around."

She smiled. "He wasn't the only one. I miss him when I'm away from him. Just imagine how I was when we weren't speaking to each other for months."

We chatted a little longer then she grabbed the bowl of fruit and went upstairs to her man.

Mikey met her his senior year of high school, he spotted her when we were out grocery shopping. They were eyeing each other every time they went on the same isle. After we got everything we needed he finally worked up the courage to speak to her. He said hi and so did she. They ended up exchanging numbers right then and there, yes it was pretty awkward for me. My brother was always somewhat private about any girl he liked, well private towards me. He then introduced me to Leah and that's when I saw how beautiful she was. Not just her vanity, because she's absolutely stunning I'm talking about as a person, she seemed genuinely sweet.

They ended up getting to know each other. She later told him about her son and his feelings for her never changed. He had already grown attached at that point. He was in fact even more intrigued to know more about her.

They would always flirt and kiss but that was it. He didn't want her seeing anybody else and was always extremely jealous. —Why would she not pursue other people, she was single?

He wasn't trying to commit and he had his fun going on when he was in college. He'd hang out and kick it with girls, —him and Adrian would. Then he'd want to come home and snuggle up under Leah. I remember mama Laurie had a conversation with Mikey about this. She told him 'make sure your clear on your decisions before you mess around and lose out on your friend.' So I think timing is everything, he had some growing up to do. Mikey always said he would never commit to anyone unless he could see them together forever. So this is major for my big bro. He needed that time to grow as a man, future husband and father.

I'm just relieved to know I'm no longer part of the cause of them not being together. Perhaps this might even open his eyes a little more to me dating,— his best friend.

I went ahead and made my green smoothie to have on my way to school. This was definitely a great morning.

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{Heyyyy, vote comment please!}

{DEFLEE doing a POV on Leah next stay tuned (getting more into her and Mikes new relationship) they have a few kinks to iron out.}

{Oh and 🤔 I'm pretty sure Raina sneaking behind her brothers back is not a good idea} ------> But you ain't hear that from me.

✌🏾