A year with you.

' 5.....6....7....8....9.....10. I'm coming to find you... A girl no more than 12 years old is running to a room to hide. She looks like she's enjoying their little game. Her uncle is behind her. He's her favorite and so is she. Her parents are workaholics, so it's just her, her siblings and her uncle most of the time. Growing up with 3 siblings and being the second was okay for her 'cause she didn't see the need to sit and talk with them often, so she usually just stared and didn't say anything. She's hiding in the room with her uncle, waiting for her brother to find them, but it feels like forever. Her uncle was tickling her, and she was trying to stop herself from laughing, He slides his hand up her dress and fondles her little tiny, close to nothing n*****s. She's trying to talk but...... Uncle: shhhhhhh, aren't you enjoying it? Isn't it the same for all girls? And he continues . After what seemed like 2 minutes, her brother found her. She left the room running and laughing knowing nothing. Time to hide again. 7....8....9....10 I'm coming to find you. She's looking for a place to hide, and her uncle calls her. Come Nyla, let's hide in the room. The voice in her head: run.' I wake up with a jolt, my back drenched in sweat, the remnants of the dream clingling to me like a damp shroud . The child in my dream, no more than twelve, with eyes that had seen too much, haunted me. The recurring nightmare had returned, leaving me with a throbbing headache and a sense of helplessness. I swing my legs over the side of the bed, trying to shake off the chill that ran down my spine. The sheets are soaked, clinging uncomfortably to my skin. My movements mechanical, i walk to the balcony, the cool mountain air a welcome respite from the turmoil inside. "Oh Mr Sun, Sun..... Mr golden Sun, please shine down on me." The breathtaking view of the Asheville mountains hit me like a balm. The sky was ablaze with the colors of the setting sun, a kaleidoscope of oranges, pinks, and purples that seemed to pulse with life. I spend most of my time here, wearing just a crop tee and my underwear... smoking weed. Sometimes, i use those old-ass smoking pipes to feel like I'm a sexy lady mafia boss. It helps me enjoy the moment. However, i need to know why i have to pretend to be someone else, just so i can relax. Hmmm, maybe another day. Meanwhile, Ebony, my friend, is cooking dinner downstairs. She's gorgeous....like soooo pretty. We've been friends for ten years and still counting now. We're both 27, rich and still single....you'd think i have almost everything i desire, so i shouldn't be talking about suicide so casually, but old habits die hard, baby. Afterward, i head down to the kitchen where she's cooking dinner, then straight to the fridge for a bottle of wine. Some people might think ebony is a snub, but she's not, she's a sweet potato (haha) but she doesn't talk much, and she really likes her space. We could go a day barely speaking to each other. Sometimes, i think she's bipolar because of her mood swings, but I know she's a sweet potato...she once cried her eyes out when i finally opened up after 4 years of being friends about my toxic relationship with my father. I can't forget how she hid her face in my arms and cried while apologising for not knowing. It was a wonderful evening, seeing her that vulnerable. "Hey Debbie", ebony calls. "Yes baby". I reply with a flirty smile. I love teasing her like this. Ebony rolls her eyes like she's tired of me but I know she's Not. "Pour me a glass of wine please," Ebony says. "Alright baby..... are you smoking too?" I asked, dropping the bottle of wine on the counter, so I can roll a joint. "Yes". Ebony and i met in college, our second year. We were in the same department but never really talked, she was friends with Caroline.....our other friend. Although we are not as close as i and Ebony, i love her and she adores me. The three of us were assigned to team up for a project in our second year. That's how we got to know each other and ever since then, we've been inseparable. Caroline lives in Los Angeles, she owns a walk-in boutique that's filled with all sorts of designer clothes, bags, and shoes. She's like the mother in our group, always calling, checking up, and nagging. Whenever she comes to visit...she takes full control of the kitchen. It's really fun having her around, especially because she pumps us with food. We started working on our careers as fashion designers after graduation. While Ebony focused more on bags and accessories, i was always and have always been a sucker for clothes and fashion. We worked under some designers in New York, and even got the opportunity to work alongside some big brands in the fashion industry. The experience was rewarding, and soon after we got our lucky break. We were given the opportunity to showcase some of our best designs during New York Fashion Week. The walk-show got us media attention, buyers and even attracted some industry professionals. Soon after, we launched and opened a fashion house for our brand in New York. The media tagged us as the dynamic duo taking the fashion industry into new dimensions with our authentic and unique designs. Meanwhile, we moved production and design to Asheville, also in alignment with the plan of Ebony, and I was moving to Asheville in North Carolina. We came here for research work in our finals and fell in love with the vibrant city nestled in blue ridge mountains. I have never been a fan of hiking and biking, which is very common in Asheville. Ebony is a huge fan of those outdoorsy things. I fell in love with the beautiful mountains, the galleries, craft breweries and artisanal food. We left the management of the fashion house in New York to trusted professionals. Although we go to New York from time to time to check on the management and market. Whenever people ask why we decided to move all the way to Asheville, we just say it's for inspiration, but that's a big lie. The truth is, we have a lot of healing to do as individuals and there's something about Asheville that really hits that spot. The fact that the view, people and culture here facilitates inspiration is also a bonus. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At 6 o'clock the next morning I'm up, the view from my balcony is even more breathtaking, and these stupid little birds are chirping. The morning dew covers the top of the mountains and makes it difficult to see s**t, but you just know it's beautiful all the same. I try to go for a run every morning, but I'm just a girl, so instead, I look death in the eye that very morning and decide to go to the gym. I've not been to the gym in three weeks, and i know for a fact the gym instructor is going to make me lose all the fat I've gained, that weasel would want me to tear my muscles before he is satisfied. I put on my battle armor (gym clothes) and head out for war against the weasel. Ebony is all dressed and ready for the gym. She looks forward to it every day...she's so weird but her heart is on the right path. She takes a picture for the gram and forces me to take one too. In her words... "We need an active social media presence to expand our brands." She's right though, and that's the only reason i suck it whenever we take pictures or make videos, or my absolute worst.....ughhhhhhhhhhhhh the social media challenges, I hate it....it looks stupid, I look stupid, whoever started the challenge is stupid, but I have to do it. She has 3 million followers on i********: and I have 2.8 million followers on i********:. We've really come a long way from our days as college students at UCLA, drinking beer, talking and laughing at strangers, sleeping over at each other's place for more than a month...trying new restaurants and bars.. Dating boys and falling in love. Haha, the good old days. Alright, enough chit-chat. Time to look the tiger in the eye. We head for the gym, and i want to drive there, but Ebony, of course, insists that we run instead. "It's really not far".... She says, "It's just 10 minutes away." I make a loud and visibly disapproving sound, but she doesn't care, she's already on the run, so i follow the monster for the ten-minute run to the gym, hoping and praying a stray bullet finds its way onto my foot, so i don't have to run. I told you that evil weasel was going to drain me. At least i survived, but we still have to walk home because Ebony said we should run instead of driving to our destination like normal people. I drag my feet on our way home, imagining how I'll soak my body in hot water, allow it to cook in the bath tub, Ahh, the bathtub – a deep, claw-foot beauty in the bathroom, where bubbles and essential oils work their magic. The windows let in natural light, and a tiny shelf holds candles and bath treats, making relaxation a ritual....all I can see is the bath tub filled with hot water. We finally arrive at our humble abode and i make my way upstairs, turn on the hot water and allow it to fill the tub while i take off my clothes. Lying in this bathtub with the hot water massaging my body, at this very moment, i can say life is worth living. After soaking myself in the bathtub and having a long soothing bath, i step out, dry my body and get dressed for my day. I'm supposed to be at my studio here in Asheville by 10:00 am this morning. i have a lot of things to do. ......ughhhhhhhhhh, i can already see how draining my day is going to be. I'll have to wear something very comfortable. I'm thinking, a light blue baggy jean, a cream-coloured cropped sweater and a big black blazer over it, a pair of white sneakers and a Hermès Birkin 30 Noir – Black Epsom Sellier Gold bag........looks perfect. I walk into the studio, and my assistant, Greg, greets me with a cup of coffee and paperwork for the selected fabric, trims and materials chosen by the design and procurement team that fits the theme and aesthetic we're going for. The other workers greet me as i walk to my office, i place my bag on my desk and go over the fabric and material selection. "Hey greg, bring a sample of the fabric for our latest collection." "Alright ma'am," he replies and leaves the office. We have a lot on our hands with the launch of our summer collection. After going through the samples of the material of the summer collection, and going through the negotiations with suppliers and inventory, I headed to the conference room for the presentation by the design team about the fabric/material chosen and how it aligns with our brand and theme for the summer collection. We're making progress, but there are still a lot of things to do. So I guess I'm working late tonight. I pull out my phone and text Ebony. Me........"Hey baby". Ebony......." Hey sweets." Me...... "I'll be working late tonight, don't wait up".😘☺️ Ebony........" Don't forget to eat and take care of yourself." Me........"I won't, love youuuuuuu".❤️ Ebony......" Love you toooo".😘 I put my phone back in my bag and got back to work.