Crown Imperial

© 2021 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved.

Tired.

That's all I can think of. I don't know if it's the later nights or the early rise I have to take, but the bags under my eyes were silent answers.

Sainiyah's morning consists of fresh air and order. That's the only two words I can think of as I dazedly walked through the clean house, that smelled of bleach and vanilla candles. I had an early day ahead of me going to college to re-enroll then going to work at 9 it was currently 6:30.

I'm showered and dressed ready for the day. My bun was slicked with my baby hairs curled and layed courtesy of Saniyah of course. I put on some yellow pants that flowed towards the leg.

Matching it with a white t-shirt. Paired with some gold strap sandal heels. I was channeling my inner feminine today. Walking into the kitchen I can hear the faint sound of the kettle whistling. There were two tea mugs on the counters with spoons next to them.

Saniyah stood in front of the stove staring intensely at her phone. Her nails tapped harshly at the screen.

I silently walked to the kettle sliding past her pouring myself. I poured myself a cup left hers for her to do as she pleases. And started mine with a few tablespoons of honey.

Sipping I scrolled through my social media laughing at the new trends. Twisting the gold hoop I had in my ear a number popped on the screen.

'Anthony'

I'm confused on why he would be calling me. I mean we're cool and all, but he doesn't normally just call me out of the blue. After a second of deciding not to answer, my thumb made up its mind and clicked the button.

"Um.. hello?", whatever it was he honestly could have texted.

"Aye wassup I know it's pretty early and stuff, but I wanted to let you know before you made any decisions that I got an awesome opportunity for you!"

I couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

"What do you mean? What kind of opportunity?"

"Well, I know someone who's a dean at a college and-"

"Wait, you know a dean? At what college?"

At this point, Niyah was leaning towards me trying to hear what was being said.

"Who is that?" She mouthed. I mouthed his name as I was trying to focus on what he was saying.

"Well, my mom knows a dean."

"Figures." I laughed.

Anthony's mom was a doctor who knew a lot of people. Dr. Lionette Cosby. Yes Anthony Last name is Anthony Cosby I made fun of him and said every Theo joke in the book trust me.

I honestly admire her for being a successful black doctor; specializing in NeuroScience, she's the definition of someone I admire. Another thing I know is she has many friends in high places. She came by the bookstore a few times and from the conversations, We've had I could tell she was a smart woman who knew what she wanted in life.

"They have an opening for a teacher's assistant at a Visual Arts College on the Northside. In return for your work you could take a few of their courses in Visual Arts."

"Wow really? That's awesome, what do I have to do?"

I'm shocked he's honestly coming through for me this much. I've had conversations about things with him but I never thought he thought about it outside of work. Having had conversations with his mom in the past about my art.

"Nothing really, just go and have a meeting with the dean today. I told them you can meet them around 7:30. Easy. We both know they'll love you so it's pretty simple."

His last comment did make my heart flutter a little. This is genuine of him, and I appreciated this. This is something that pushes me closer to my art gallery and all of my goals.

"Thank you so much for this. I appreciate it. Honestly."

By my tone, I rolled my eyes from Niyah's suggestive eyebrows.

"Of course you're very welcome." by his warm tone I can tell he was remembering our past conversation of him asking me out. Before any new ideas popped up I decided to end the conversation here.

"Well I'm going to finish getting ready, and then I'll let you know on any updates."

After our goodbyes I was drilled with questions, some I had answers to and some I didn't like what am I supposed to say if I would go out with him? Of course not I said no the first time I surely meant it.

Finishing our tea and grabbing our bags we went out to head to the college.

"Thank you again for driving me; this had been a pretty stressful week."

"Of course, anytime. And I know you would do it for me in a heartbeat too.. so it would be kind of fucked up if I didn't."

She laughed in the end.

"But tell me though I mean... Anthony is showing his stuff, right? Like he puttin in his tickets for the draw, are you accepting?"

"Well, so far he is the only ticket if that's the case. But I'm not accepting anything right now anyway. So it doesn't matter."

She sucked her lips mumbling. "Yeah whatever".

"You talking about me what about you and Terrence? I mean I wasn't gone say shit but was that him I heard hella early. He didn't stay"?

Around 4 ish I know because I check the time. I heard mumbling and shuffling around which slightly woke me. It was hers and a man's voice. I assume the man is Terrence. I mean I hope so.

"Yeah that was him, he came because he forgot a bag. He's already on his flight," she stated flatly.

"That's it?"

"What else is there?"

" I don't know, I guess nothing. It just seemed things were a little tense."

"Yeah well, it's not."

"Alright."

Her tone showed something was wrong but it did slightly hurt that she didn't tell me.

The rest of the drive was quiet the Northside wasn't about a 10-minute drive so it didn't take too long thank god, cause the silence was sitting well with me.

We drove up to a big building with a few people walking around. Knowing this is a Visual Arts college helped the aesthetic of the students hold well. I admired a flowy long rose skirt a girl wore. With a matching bandeau top, her light blue hair; with a shaved side topped off her edgy look.

"Look we're cool okay." Niyah casually said as she stopped in front of the school.

"I'll be back in like an hour?"

She looked at me reminded me of us in middle school when her spunky attitude with my stubborn one balanced but all clashed many times. I nodded with a small smile I could suffice.

"Yeah I'll text you, thank you."

With another nod, I closed the door walking towards the building. Opening the doors I was greeted with a fresh breeze. I welcomed the cool away from the heat and searched for the front desk.

© 2021 by Ireland Rea. All rights reserved.