Chapter 2: The Beginning

Alissa

Ok, I know I said didn't have any friends, I have one friend actually. Her name is Audrey, sometimes we fall out over petty things and start back talking like nothing even happened. It's been a day or so since we last talked so I'm headed over to her house because I miss her. We've been friends for a year now and she is literally the only person who knows me.

As I approached her house I admire the scenery. She stays in Malibu in this beautiful home with a beach view from her bedroom. Although we live in two totally different communities and very opposite lives she has never judged me, she always embraces me and helps me through my hard times.

*Rings doorbell

"Who is it?" She said before opening the door.

"Who else are you expecting chick? It's me!" I laughed as she opened the door, she looked frustrated so I just knew some hot tea was coming.

"Finally, took you long enough to make it, I have an SOS!" She said as she drug me through the door and upstairs to her room.

"So do you remember the guy I met at that bar last week? Tim?"

"Umm yea how could I forget the one with the two gold teeth, you know-"

"Nope don't even start, anyway, he seen me out with Jason from music class and tried to fight him! He was so jealous and now he won't stop texting me, I like him he's just so much older than me I don't know."

"Ok if you really want me to be honest, age doesn't define a relationship; if you really like him and want to be with him then do that, but don't make him chase you if you're not trying to be with him. So you need to make up your mind right now Audrey it's only fair."

"Ugh I hate when you're right, why can't I just be toxic and ride the situation?"

"Because that man is not playing games with you, it seems like he likes you too."

"I guess you're right, you have so much advice for someone who don't have a man."

"I've had my share of toxic relationships and let me tell you they are not worth it ok?"

"When is the last time you been on a date?" She asked and honestly I had to think on the question.

"I think it's been about 3 or 4 years why do you ask?"

"Well Tim has this friend and-"

"Nope! No, no way, uh uh, I'm not with whatever you're about to ask me!"

"But wait he's a very handsome nice guy he's a little older but you're mature, just try it out for me"

"No"

"Please"

"No"

"Pretty please"

"No"

"I'll do your chemistry work for 2 weeks straight!"

I sighed at the thought of even considering this.

"Ugh ok, JUST THIS ONCE! I'm looking forward to you doing that work I need a decent grade anyway."

"Yesssss, ok one more thing, I love your whole tomboy style but where we're going tonight I need you in a sexy dress and heels,"

"Heels? For one date? Why do I have to impress him if I'm never seeing him again after tonight?"

"Because you're beautiful and your body is amazing, a dress will be perfect and you never know you might want to see him more than once so just in case leave everything to me, let's go shopping because this my friend is a very special occasion, and don't worry it's on me you'll find a way to make it up to me." She said with a big smile on her face.

Audreys a very genuine person, she loves to help and she's ride or die. She is definitely a great friend.

After we shopped, I wanted to stop at the record store so we went by jimmy's record store.

"Who still listens to vinyls? Isn't this what a phone is for now?" Audrey said. I'm more of an old school type of person, the vibe is different I guess.

"Me, you know I like to get away from electronics every once in a while, vinyls always set the mood for me when I just want to smoke, think, and relax!" I said turning around going to the register. I bumped into someone knocking their phone out of their hand.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going!" I exclaimed, embarrassed that I didn't look before walking. I looked up from getting his phone and it was my fine ass music professor.

"Oh hi Mr. Gooden, I'm sorry about this again." I said fumbling my words a little.

"Alissa it's fine stop apologizing, how are you?" He asked licking his plump lips, lord this man is gorgeous.

"I'm fine just getting a couple classic records for my collection, umm how are you?"

"I'm doing the same actually, the record I'm looking for is The Beatles Yesterday and Today and you actually have the last copy. " He said.

"Usually I would compromise but this is a must have umm-"

" That's fine, maybe one day I could borrow it from you or just come and listen." I think he's flirting... WITH ME!

"Yea that's cool, umm I'll see you later I have to catch up with my friend, sorry about that again!" I said rushing over to Audrey.

"Now that is a fine man, you should ask him out." Audrey said, I don't know why she wants me to date so bad.

"No I shouldn't he's our professor that's just asking for trouble, anyway, let's get out of here." I said, I have to stop home before my mama gets back to pick up some of my jewelry to add to my outfit.

***

The night hasn't even started yet and I'm ready for it to be over already. I have to admit, I'm very nervous for some reason. I don't even know who the guy is and I'm anxious to meet him or am I just anxious I don't know, ugh!

"Come on girl it's already 8:30 we're supposed to be at the bar at 9 and you know how this LA traffic is!" She yelled at me as I'm still in the bathroom observing myself, I haven't worn a dress in forever and I'm a little insecure.

"Ok don't look at me, maybe I should change? What do you think?" I said as I slowly came out of the bathroom. I had on a long black fitted dress, it was long sleeved and a turtle neck, my hair was in its natural state pinned up with my curls defined, my Rolex was two-toned and so was the chain I had on. It was sexy but simple. She stared at me for a while which made me have seconds thoughts on tonight.

"Maybe I shouldn't go-"

"Girl are you crazy? Look at you, your like top tier bitch, where have you been hiding this body?"

I looked at myself in the full mirror in her walk-in closet. Hmm, I do look good.

"Ok ok ok, let's go before I change my mind!"

Let's see how tonight goes...

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/The Bar/

Walking into the bar me and Audrey received looks from men and women, the attention I was getting was a little different. I've never had this many people staring so seductively at me before.

We stopped at the front of the bar and ordered a couple of drinks before the main event.

"Ok here are some ground rules for you, 1, be open, 2, TALK because I know you and when your not trying to have a convo you won't talk and last no arguing or debating, if you don't agree say that and keep it pushing because we don't need things getting heated, got it?" Audrey said in a serious tone, I guess I can do that for tonight.

"I guess I can do that, for you; you really lucky I like you girl."

After waiting about 10 minutes, I seen Tim walk up with this handsome dark chocolate man. He was definitely a looker, I guess Audrey knows my type. He was well groomed, he had a turtle neck on with dress pants, it seemed as if we planned to dress alike, I could tell by the Rolex on his wrist and chain on his neck that he lives well. This won't be all that bad.

"Hey babe, Alissa this is Bryson; Bryson, Alissa." Audrey introduced us.

"Nice to meet you Bryson." I said holding out my hand for a handshake only to be embraced into a hug. He smelled really good, I was just melting away in his arms.

I cleared my throat ending the hug and regaining my composure.

"Hey Lis, me and Tim are going to be right down there, I'll leave you two to get acquainted." She said as her and Tim went to the end of the bar leaving me and Bryson.

"So what are you drinking? By the way, you're very beautiful, that dress fits you well." He said with a grin making me blush.

"Thank you, you look good yourself, wine is fine." It's something about him that I'm drawn to, he's well kept and handsome.

"Your at UCLA with Audrey right? What's your major?"

"Yea, I'm a business major, what do you do?"

"I'm in real estate actually, I also style people from time to time. Do you know how old I am?"

"No I don't actually, how old are you?"

"34, how old are you if you don't mind me asking?"

"21 is that ok with you Mr?"

"Love, and it's fine with me, you're very beautiful I don't really date but when Audrey told me about you and showed me a picture I wanted to get the chance to know you."

"I'm glad your interested, I honestly walked into this date blindly because she didn't tell me anything about you, I'm glad your not a creep." I said laughing.

"No not a creep," he chuckled, "I see I'm doing something right though, your cheeks are rose red even with you smooth brown complexion." He said gliding his finger down my cheek.

I cleared my thought, "umm I think I need another drink." I said shyly. He ordered me another drink and we talked and laughed for the rest of the night.

After a couple of hours Audrey and Tim came back to the side of the bar me and Bryson were on.

"Tim and I was thinking about going back to my house for some fun, you should come Bryson, Alissa is staying the night." Audrey said.

"I'm cool with that if Alissa's cool with it..."

"Umm yea that's fine we can get out of here." I said and we all exited the bar and headed to Audrey's house.

Bryson was a really nice guy, he has a great career in real estate and as a stylist. I feel a connection to him in a way, plus his style, confidence, and his smile is a turn on. I think I'm a little tipsy and I already know Audrey is going to bring out the liquor.

We arrived to her house and the guys went to the lounge area and me and Audrey went to her room to change clothes. Also to gossip because that's what she's best for.

"Soooooo," she dragged indicating my thoughts on Bryson.

"I'll give it to you, you really know my type cause girrrrrrrl, he is FINE. He makes me nervous and blush, I don't know if the wine is talking or what."

"I never actually heard you talk about anyone like this so we'll see but let's change into something comfy, you know I'm about to bring the bottles out."

"Audreeeeeey, I don't think I should drink I don't wanna do anything I might regret, I think I'll pass on the drinks." I said, I don't want to do anything I wouldn't do sober.

"No, your in this deep baby enjoy yourself please, because if you don't I'll be mad, you like him just let shit flow please?"

"Ok fine, FINE, only because I really am having a good time."

I changed into black tights with a white crop top and comfy tube socks. I can't lie, even with the bs going on in my life with my mom, tonight I'm really feeling and enjoying myself.

I feel normal...