INNOCENCE

• five

LEO

Black women never fail to amaze me with their beauty. I stare at the woman sitting beside me in awe. Her afro is out freely adding onto her beautiful features.

"Stop staring." She smiles, her brown eyes glowing under the light.

"I apologize." I chuckle. I look around & smile at my cousin dancing with his fiancé, the shine in his eyes making my heart warm knowing he finally found his person.

Seeing other people in love makes me happy. I've always found the happiness of other people beautiful. It's heart warming seeing other people in love, the shine in their eyes filled with pure happiness.

I sigh & turn around, the woman beside me gone. I look around for her hoping to spot her on the dance floor. Although there's only relatives in this building, she's no where to be found.

I call the bartender over & ask if he'd seen the woman leave.

"She went through there." He points to the back exit & I nod. I stand from my seat & leave through the back exit.

I spot her outside sitting on a bench near the lake. The dark blue sky being lit up by the stars. I approach her & take a seat beside her.

"Stalking me now?" She jokes & I chuckle.

"Very funny." I smile. We remain silent, gazing up at the stars, her afro flowing freely in the wind. I sneak quick glances her way, her beauty having me stunned the more I stare.

"Are you okay?" I whisper.

"I came to recharge my social battery." She smiles & I nod my head. I notice the goosebumps on her arms & remove my suit jacket.

"Can I cover you with my jacket?" I ask & she smiles softly before nodding. I won't touch her without her permission. I cover her shoulders & arms with my jacket.

"Thank you." She whispers & I smile. I look at the bright moon reflecting off the lake.

"You're welcome." I whisper.

•••

NELLIE

"So Mr. Can't Drive, tell me about yourself." I smile & he laughs beautifully.

"You got jokes huh?" He chuckles & I shrug.

"Okay Ms. Dramatic, I eat ass for fun." He stares at me with a blank face & I snort, a loud laugh erupting from my chest.

"Seriously?" I laugh & he joins me, his beautiful laugh making butterflies flow in my belly.

"No, buttholes are very ugly looking." He chuckles & I laugh.

"Can we be friends because I love your sense of humor." I smile.

"Aren't we already friends?" He smiles at me, his green eyes glistening under the moon light. I smile at his words.

"Yes."

"Come on let's go inside, it's getting cold & I'm becoming pale." He chuckles & I laugh.