Sanctuary

“Samiyah, honey, come back. Don’t run away from me like that.” Savannah said as the toddler jetted away with little legs.

The toddler continued to run until she bumped into someone’s leg. She paused and looked at the tall man, who smiled down at her.

“Oh, well, hello there, little one,” He grinned, then kneeled to her.

“Samiyah Jae!” Savannah ran down the aisle, and her heart instantly dropped.

The man looked over and saw her.

“Savannah...”

Their eyes locked.

“Saint...”

“Girl, I’ve seen how you’ve been looking at the new guy who works at the garage. You ain’t foolin’ nobody.” Kierra smirked, then casually plopped down on her friend’s couch.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Savannah sat next to her and shook her head.

For weeks, she had been watching the guy that worked across the street at the car garage. Savannah worked as a receptionist at the eye care center in front of the car garage. He was tall and fair-skinned. His hair was copper-colored, and his eyes were dark as an obsidian stone. Savannah was typically outspoken, but when it came to someone she found attractive, she would become shy.

"I think you should talk to him," Kierra said while scrolling through Instagram on her phone.

"I'm not." Savannah pushed her curly hair out of her face.

Kierra looked away from her phone and frowned. She didn't like when her best friend reframed from going after people she desired. To her, she was beautiful, and anyone that didn't want her must be out of their mind. In the past, she spoke about having this face of rejection which often kept her from telling people how she felt.

"You can't let your fear of rejection keep you from taking chances."

Savannah sighed. She knew her friend was right, but she never felt right when shooting her shot with people. Sometimes it was a confidence issue. She didn't find herself unattractive, but it was hearing someone say no that made her feel nervous.

"I know, Ki. I need to stop. I'm over here acting like I'm so shy. You can hear my mouth miles away. I shouldn't be afraid. And even if he does turn me down, I'll be fine. It isn't the end of the world." She nodded and smiled.

Kierra laughed a little. "Exactly, you're mad beautiful; if not him, somebody will."

"You're right. I'll talk to him eventually, but for now, I want to hang out with my best friend. This new horror movie just came out on Hulu, and I've wanted to watch it with you!" excitement filled her voice as she grabbed the remote and turned on the television.

Kierra frowned and shook her head.

"You know I don't watch horror movies like that but go ahead. I'll watch it this time."

Savannah laughed and then turned on the movie. She was happy to have a friend like Kierra. They've known each other since elementary school. Sometimes people thought they were sisters because they spent so much time together. Savannah had an older sister named Jamie, and Kierra was an only child.

They've had other friends, but they didn't have a connection they had. They didn't know if it was because they were both Geminis or what. Savannah was a June Gemini, while Kierra was a May Gemini. They had many similarities, but they were still different.

"What do you wanna eat?" Kierra asked, going to DoorDash on her phone.

"Anything but Wendy's. I'm tired of eating there. I ate there three times this week. I'm put out with it." Savannah yawned a little and crossed her legs.

"Pizza it is, then." Kierra made an order and yawned too.

"I know we both ain't getting sleepy. " She rubbed one of her eyes.

"It's been a long week. I can't even fathom it. I don't want to get into what happened at the eye care center. That's why I called you over so we can hang out. I'm going to enjoy these next two days off." she yawned again, then placed her phone on do not disturb.