Chapter five

Maila Kolbi
Atlanta, Georgia
September 1st, 2024 (Sunday)

The shrill sound of my alarm jolted me awake. Groaning, I reached over to silence it, my hand fumbling for the snooze button. It was time to get ready for work, so I reluctantly swung my legs off the bed and grabbed my phone, heading into the bathroom.

I turned on the faucet and let the water run as I reached for my toothbrush. My reflection stared back at me, sleep still evident in my eyes. While brushing my teeth, I absentmindedly scrolled through my notifications.

@Micahh.1kk followed you.

I paused mid-brush, the notification instantly putting a smile on my face. Micah had followed me.

Curious, I clicked on his profile and started scrolling through his highlights. Video after video appeared—clips of him singing in the car, his dreads down, swaying as he vibed to the music, and mirror selfies that showcased his tattoos in detail. His profile was full of photos from college visits, each one swarmed with comments from girls practically drooling over him.

I shook my head, smirking, and clicked on his story. My heart skipped a beat when I saw an off-guard picture of me, holding the bear he’d won for me at the fair. The string lights twinkled in the background, and at the bottom of the frame, our matching shoes were visible.

I smiled softly, replaying the image in my mind.

Snapping back to reality, I quickly got ready for work. I slipped into my pink scrubs, added a few simple pieces of jewelry, and styled my hair into two sleek ponytails with fluffy edges. After grabbing my white Stanley cup, Marc Jacobs tote bag, and white Crocs, I headed downstairs.

“Hey, sissy!”

Keyla’s excited voice greeted me before I even reached the last step. She ran toward me, her curls bouncing with every step. I bent down and scooped her up, holding her close.

“Hi, Key!” I said, tapping her tiny nose and planting a kiss on her cheek.

“Can you fix me some cereal? Daddy’s still sleeping,” she pouted, her big brown eyes making it impossible to say no.

“Of course.”

I set her down and went to the kitchen, grabbing her favorite Hello Kitty bowl, a box of Froot Loops, and almond milk. After pouring it all together, I handed her the bowl.

“Here you go, Key. I gotta go now, okay? But Daddy should be up soon to take you and Olay outside.”

“Okay,” she said with a small nod, already heading toward the living room with her cereal.

I glanced at the clock and hurried to the door. My mom was waiting, keys in hand and her usual sense of urgency radiating off her.

“Come on, sweetie! We’re going to be late,” she called, holding the door open.

“Coming!” I grabbed my things, followed her out, and climbed into the van the nursing home sent for us to ride in.

Once inside, I slid into the backseat, popped in my headphones, and opened my phone again. I couldn’t resist rewatching the videos Micah and I had taken at the fair. My favorite one was the TikTok where he wrapped his arm around me, both of us laughing as the camera captured the moment perfectly.

“Stop being delusional, Maila,” I muttered under my breath, though I couldn’t stop smiling.

My mom’s voice broke through my thoughts. “What’s got you grinning so hard back there, baby?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. “I’m just excited to see Mrs. Nova.”

“Mm-hmm,” she replied with a knowing smirk.

Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the nursing home. After checking in and grabbing my badge, I headed to the third floor, where Mrs. Nova’s room was located. I knocked gently on the door before pushing it open.

“How’s my favorite girl?” I greeted with a smile, stepping into the room.

Mrs. Nova was seated in her recliner, her eyes glued to the TV, where Golden Girls was playing. A small yogurt cup sat on the tray in front of her. She looked up and broke into a wide smile.

“Hi, babydoll!” she said warmly, pausing the TV and patting the seat next to her.

I walked over, gave her a hug, and adjusted the oxygen tubing resting under her nose before sitting down.

“So, Mrs. Nova,” I began, crossing my legs and grinning, “I went on a date yesterday.”

Her eyes lit up with curiosity, but her expression quickly shifted to concern. “It wasn’t with Liam, was it?” she asked, her tone sharp.

“Ugh, no,” I said, shaking my head. “You know my friends Kamiya and Skylar, right?”

“Of course,” she nodded. “Such pretty girls.”

“Well, Skylar has been dating this boy Keith for a while now. Do you remember him? The class clown?”

“Yes, and the other one—Cameron. The boy Kamiya likes but pretends she doesn’t?” she added with a knowing smirk.

“That’s the one,” I laughed. “Anyway, they set up a triple date with one of Keith and Cameron’s friends. His name’s Micah.”

“Ooh!” she exclaimed, leaning forward slightly. “How did it go? Let me see a picture of him! Is he cute?”

Laughing, I pulled out my phone and opened the gallery, scrolling to the videos and pictures Micah and I had taken together. I handed the phone to her, and she adjusted her glasses before studying the screen.

“Oh, he’s definitely a cutie,” she said, nodding approvingly. “Look at those eyes—just gorgeous! And he’s got a nice build.” She glanced at me with a smirk.

I laughed, feeling my cheeks heat up. “He’s more than just looks, though. He’s so sweet, Mrs. Nova. He’s a gentleman, and he’s amazing at basketball. He’s the number one recruit in Georgia! Oh, and he loves to draw, works on cars in his free time, and speaks Spanish,” I said, my excitement bubbling over.

Her smile widened as she watched me gush. “Wow, babydoll. The way you’re talking about him, I can tell he’s something special. And from this video…” She turned the phone around to show me the TikTok of Micah with his arm around me, both of us smiling like we didn’t have a care in the world.

“There’s definitely chemistry,” she said, handing the phone back to me.

I looked at the screen, my heart fluttering as I replayed the video. “You really think so?”

“Oh, I know so,” she said with a wink. “But be careful, babydoll. Don’t let that smile of his sweep you away too fast. Make sure he’s worth it.”

I nodded, her words sticking with me. But deep down, I already knew Micah was different. And I couldn’t wait to find out just how much.

I smiled at Mrs. Nova’s words, her wisdom sinking in deeper than I wanted to admit. She patted my hand gently before looking me in the eyes, her tone soft but firm.

“Well, start off being his friend first, babydoll. Take your time and make sure those feelings are real and not just a little honeymoon phase,” she said, her gaze steady. “And do me one favor, sweetheart.”

“What’s that, Mrs. Nova?” I asked, curious.

“Don’t compare him to Liam, Malia,” she said, her voice laced with both compassion and a hint of warning. “That’ll ruin things for you. Not everyone is going to be like him, thank God. Now, I’m not saying to put one hundred percent trust in this boy right away—that takes time—but don’t be scared of him either. You can’t let your past keep you from seeing what’s right in front of you.”

I bit my lip, her words hitting me harder than I expected. She was right. I had built walls around myself, and sometimes it felt easier to hide behind them than to let anyone get too close. But maybe—just maybe—it was time to start tearing them down.

“I’ll try, Mrs. Nova,” I said, my voice soft but determined.

She nodded approvingly, her wrinkled hand giving mine a reassuring squeeze. “That’s all you can do, babydoll. Just try. And remember, you’re worth more than Liam ever made you feel. Don’t you forget that.”

Her words made my throat tighten with emotion, but I blinked back the tears threatening to spill. Instead, I forced a smile and stood up, eager to shift the conversation to something lighter.

“But for now,” I said, walking over to where her wheelchair was parked, “let’s get you to bingo time.”

“Oh, you’re just saying that because you want to flirt with the cute boy who calls out the numbers,” she teased, her laughter filling the room.

“Mrs. Nova!” I gasped, laughing as I pushed her wheelchair closer. “I didn’t even say anything about him!”

“You didn’t have to, babydoll,” she said with a playful wink. “I see the way you blush every time he calls you ‘darlin’.'”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help laughing. “Well, if I do, it’s only because you start talking about how handsome he is every time we see him!”

“Can you blame me?” she replied with a grin. “Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I’m blind.”

Shaking my head, I carefully helped her into her wheelchair and adjusted the blanket over her lap. As I pushed her down the hallway toward the rec room, the sound of her laughter stayed with me, filling my heart with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up.

The rest of the day at the nursing home passed in a familiar, comforting rhythm. After I wheeled Mrs. Nova into the rec room, the chatter of the other residents filled the space as they got settled for bingo. I helped Mrs. Nova find her spot at the table, placing her bingo cards in front of her with a fresh cup of coffee.

“Thank you, sweetie,” she said, smiling up at me as I sat beside her. “You’ve got such a good heart, Malia.”

I smiled back, adjusting her cardigan and making sure her oxygen was secure before sitting down. The old wooden chairs creaked as the other residents shuffled into their seats, and I greeted a few familiar faces.

As soon as the game started, Mrs. Nova was all business. She sat up straighter in her chair, her eyes scanning her cards with laser focus. I couldn’t help but admire how fiercely competitive she was.

“B-12!” the bingo caller called out, and Mrs. Nova’s hand shot up, marking the square with a steady hand.

“Got it!” she said with a wink, looking over at me. “I’m winning this time, Malia. Mark my words.”

I chuckled. “I wouldn’t doubt it, Mrs. Nova. You’ve got the best luck of anyone here.”

Her eyes glinted with amusement. “It’s not luck, honey. It’s skill. And I’ve been playing this game for years.”

I watched her with a smile, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. The nursing home, despite its quiet and sometimes lonely atmosphere, felt like a second home to me. The residents, especially Mrs. Nova, had become like family over the past year. They were kind, wise, and full of stories that I loved to hear.

After a few more rounds of bingo, Mrs. Nova leaned over to me, her voice lowered so only I could hear.

“You know,” she began, her tone soft but serious, “you’ve been looking at your phone a lot today.”

I blinked, momentarily taken aback. “I—I haven’t been that bad, have I?”

Mrs. Nova gave me a knowing look. “It’s not about how much you’ve been on it. It’s about what you’re looking at.”

My heart skipped a beat. I knew exactly where this conversation was going. I’d been distracted today, scrolling through my messages and looking at the videos I’d made with Micah the night before. I hadn’t realized how often I’d been thinking about him until Mrs. Nova pointed it out.

“I’ve just been… thinking about some things,” I admitted, feeling a flush rise in my cheeks.

She didn’t press me further, just nodded as if she already knew. “Well, don’t let that boy take up all your thoughts, Malia. He’s cute, I’ll give you that, but remember, you’ve got your own life to live first. Don’t get too caught up.”

I swallowed, her words hitting close to home. “I’m just trying to figure things out, you know?”

She nodded slowly, her eyes softening. “I understand, babydoll. But just be careful. You’ve been through a lot, and I don’t want you to get hurt again. Not by anyone, especially not by someone who doesn’t understand how special you are.”

My throat tightened, and I nodded, taking a deep breath. “I know. I’ll be careful.”

We sat in silence for a few moments, just listening to the sounds of bingo balls clinking in the air and the soft murmurs of the residents. The rest of the afternoon was calm, filled with the easy companionship of the people who’d become my extended family.

When the game finally ended, Mrs. Nova had won—just as she’d predicted. She clapped her hands together with a grin, and I helped her gather her things.

“Well, I’m off to take my prize,” she said, winking at me as she shuffled to the prize table.

I watched her go, my heart full of gratitude for her constant support and wisdom.

As I left the nursing home that afternoon, the sun setting behind me, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t had in a long time. Even though I still had a lot to figure out—especially where Micah was concerned—there was a clarity settling in. I knew I had to take things slow, one step at a time. And with people like Mrs. Nova by my side, I was starting to believe that maybe, just maybe, I could get things right this time.

Kolbi Residence
8:00 PM

The house was eerily quiet. With my dad working late again and my mom and Keyla staying the night at my grandma’s house, it was just me tonight. Sundays like this had become “me days,” my little escape from everything. Ever since my grandad passed, I’d been avoiding my grandma’s house. It wasn’t the same anymore—the warmth, the laughter—it all felt heavier now, like the air carried a sadness I wasn’t ready to face.

Instead, I stayed home, opting to make a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup for dinner while planning a night filled with TikToks. It was my way of distracting myself, keeping busy so I didn’t have to sit in the silence too long.

As I flipped the sandwich on the stove, I thought about how Liam used to try and come over on nights like this, knowing no one was home. He’d always want to do… things. Things I wasn’t comfortable with, but I didn’t have the courage to say no back then. After we broke up, he stopped coming around, and I finally felt like I could breathe again.

At least, I hoped he was really gone.

I placed the golden-brown sandwich on a plate and poured the steaming tomato soup into a bowl, carrying everything upstairs to my room. Settling in at my desk, I powered on my iPad and phone, ready to focus on my TikTok content.

It wasn’t anything extravagant—just some promo videos for a lip gloss kit I’d been sent and a fair vlog I’d been debating posting. My followers had been begging for new content since I’d been laying low for a while, and I felt the pressure to deliver.

I scrolled through the drafts folder on my phone, pausing on the TikToks Micah and I had made at the fair. He’d said he didn’t mind if I posted them as long as I tagged him, but I’d never posted a guy on my account before. It felt… different. Vulnerable. What could go wrong, though?

“Hmmm, let me ask the girls,” I mumbled, tapping on the group chat call.

Skylar joined first, followed by Kamiya.

“Heyyy!” I smiled, setting my iPad up.

“Hey, boo!” Kamiya grinned, adjusting her bonnet.

“Hey besties!” Skylar said, pausing her Netflix show in the background.

“Okay, so I think I’m going to post the videos I made with Micah on my TikTok, but I’m nervous,” I admitted, fiddling with the crust of my sandwich.

“Ouuuu, girl! Lemme see!” Skylar leaned forward, excitement lighting up her face.

“Yeah, send them to the group chat,” Kamiya said, already unlocking her phone. “I’ll tell you which ones to post.”

I grabbed my phone and sent them a few clips: the TikTok of Micah putting his arm around me, the photos we took together, and a vlog of our time at the fair.

“Okay, I sent them,” I said, taking another bite of my grilled cheese. “We have another vlog on his phone, but I haven’t gotten it yet, and there’s also another dancing TikTok we made…”

“Girl, these videos are cute!” Skylar squealed, scrolling through her phone. “Y’all look good as hell together.”

“Especially this vlog,” Kamiya chimed in, holding her phone up to the camera so we could see.

Micah’s voice came through the video, smooth and playful: “Of course, you know I had to get shawty a lil bear or something.”

“And these pictures? Definitely post them!” Kamiya said, grinning. “Title it something like ‘Fair Nights’ or whatever. Keep it simple but cute.”

“Okay, so which one should I post first?” I asked, wiping my mouth with a napkin.

“Definitely do a photo dump with all the pics. Add a cute instrumental song—something vibey but nothing too much. You don’t want people to get the wrong idea, or for Micah to think you’re doing too much,” Skylar said, smirking.

“Ouu, let me find y’all a song!” Kamiya’s fingers moved quickly as she searched through her music library.

“What about ‘Stay Ready’ by Jhené Aiko?” I suggested.

“That’s perfect!” Kamiya clapped.

“Yesss! Now post it before you chicken out,” Skylar teased, laughing.

I rolled my eyes but grabbed my phone. “Okay, fine.”

Taking a deep breath, I posted the photo dump first. It was a slideshow of us on the swings, our matching sneakers mid-air, and the colorful fair lights glowing in the background. I titled it, “Fair Dump 🎢💗.”

Then I posted the TikTok of us singing together, tagging Micah and adding two simple heart emojis.

“Okay, I posted them,” I said, exhaling as I hit the “Post” button. “But honestly, I don’t think anyone’s really going to pay attention. I mean, I tagged Micah, but that’s about it.”

“Hmmm, yeah, we’ll see tomorrow,” Kamiya said with a knowing smile.

“Wait, bestie, did you text that boy yet?” Skylar asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Nope. I’m not chasing him down,” I said firmly, setting my phone down. “I’m letting it flow naturally this time. Besides, he follows me on Instagram. If he’s really interested, he can text me.”

“Okay, girl, period! That’s what I’m talking about,” Kamiya said, snapping her fingers dramatically.

Skylar laughed. “Yesss, queen energy! But just know, girl, those posts are gonna have people talking by tomorrow morning.”

I smiled, my nerves finally settling. Deep down, I hoped Micah would see the posts and understand how much I appreciated the day we spent together. But for now, I was content to let things unfold naturally, one moment at a time.