Chapter 6: Ahliyah

Carter came to the shop early to take me for lunch, while he waited for me I was fixing my bike and working up the courage to tell Elias I was leaving for lunch and I might not be coming back for the rest of the day. I stood in front of his office door trying to figure out what would be the right thing to say.

He was filling out paperwork when I opened the door. " I'm taking lunch." I said. I walked out of his office without further explanation because he didn't need to know if I was coming back or not. I knew I needed the job until I could find a place of my own, but I also wanted to have fun and do what I wanted without someone telling me I couldn't.

Carter and I ended up going to diner. I ate the sandwich and fries I ordered, sitting with Carter eating lunch was the first time I felt like I had a friend. " So, you like fixing motorcycles?" He asked.

I smiled. " Yeah, my old bike is sitting in that shop and I'm fixing it. I want to take it out for a ride when I'm done."

" I like watching cartoons." He said. We laughed and I understood why he would like watching cartoons because watching them made you feel like a kid again. No worries. No problems.

" I'm serious. I like sitting on my couch and watching cartoons and movies." He smiled. We finished our lunch and I was going to go back to work, but I was having fun. I had to go back to work because that was the only way I was going to be able to live with Elias.

" Carter, I really need to get back to work." I said.

" Come on, I have one more place I can show you. Then, you can come back to my place and relax for a moment." He beamed. I gave in because I didn't want to go back, but I knew that I was going to have to go back and deal with Elias's many complaints about where I was at and what I was doing.

We went to a candy shop and we loaded our bags with candy. We ate the candy while we were waiting in line, as I thought about what I was doing, I realized this was the most fun I've had since I'd been down here. Carter paid for my bag of candy because he wasn't going to take no for an answer.

When we got to his apartment, I walked in and it looked neat. It looked like he had recently moved in, there weren't any pictures on the wall. There was a small table and a tv in the living room, but it felt like home. If felt comfortable.

" Make yourself at home. I'll be right back." He said. There were no pictures of his family on the walls. I looked in the kitchen, everything was placed were it was supposed to belong. I walked to the back of the apartment where the guest room was and it was filled with boxes. I shouldn't be looking around his apartment, but it felt like home. So, why didn't it look like it? Where were the pictures? Where were the trophies for his sports?

Carter came back and he sat down on the couch beside me. I laughed at the cartoons that were on tv, but I was still stuck on trying to figure out why there were no pictures on the wall. I would let him tell me when he was ready I didn't want to rush anything and ruin the friendship between us.

After watching several different episodes of cartoons, I decided it was time for to head back to Elias's. But, I hesitated to leave because I knew what I would have to listen to. " I have to leave but I tell you something real quick," I sighed. " My mom sent me to Florida because she's sick and she wanted me to make things right with my supposed to be dad. I don't really have a place of my own yet, but if I go back to where I'm staying he's going to ask questions I don't really feel like answering. I need to know if I can stay here just in case."

I felt the headache coming as the knot in my throat got bigger. Carter nodded his head as told me to call him if I needed to. While I drove back to Elias's, I was holding my breath because I didn't know what I was supposed to expect anymore. I walked in and Elias wasn't there. His apartment was empty but my belongings were sitting in the hallway.

I reminded myself to breath and calm down. I wasn't going to jump to conclusions unless he said something to me. I laid in my bed, staring at phone wondering if now was the wrong time to text Carter.

Mercedes: I made back safe. Found my bags in the hallway, I'll let you know what happens.

Carter: Alright. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'll start cleaning out the guest room for you.

Mercedes: thank you. I had fun though, so whatever happens at least I'll be able to spend more time with you.

Carter: Thank you. I like spending time with you too.

Carter was the only person who was trying to show me around and help change my perspective about Florida. Everything about him feels real and although I can figure out about why there are not pictures in his apartment, he was the closest person I had to a real friend.

I laid in my bed thinking about watching cartoons with Carter and how much fun I'd had. I was going to make things right though with Elias and my dad. When I was finally able to leave, I was leaving and not turning back no matter what.

I just hoped that I got to know Carter better before that time came.