Arlene 🤎

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arlene was glad to have some time to herself. self-care always brought her out of a funk and she knew if she spent time taking care of herself, she'd have less time to think. she might even pull out her yoga mat if she was feeling restless. her heart ached, but she knew it wouldn't last forever.

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angel: "yeah, whatever. but really, i'm gonna always be on your side. if you're done with her, that's cool with me. i know it sucks. we could get dion to beat her ass." arlene: "and bring out 'disaster dion'? absolutely not. let's keep this between us for now. i'll tell her eventually."

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angel: "damn, i really sound like that?" arlene: "what are you talking about?" angel: "i tell you to stop coddling me all the time. i'm going to make sure you're okay, that's not coddling. this dad thing has made me soft so you're gonna have to deal with it." arlene: "shut up, dummy."

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arlene: "...and now, here i am. but, i'm fine. you don't need to worry, it is what it is." angel: "bullshit. that's really fucked up! she was in your bed last night, what is wrong with her?" arlene: "see this is why i didn't want to tell you! stop coddling me, i told you i'm fine!"

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"what's wrong, lena?" "nothing's wrong, i'm just tired. you put cam's high chair together? it looks nice." "stop changing the subject and tell me what happened." arlene let out a deep sigh, almost frustrated with how attentive her brother had become. she had no choice but to tell him.

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of course camryn and angel would both be in the kitchen when she just wanted some privacy. angel: "oh, hey! i didn't think you'd be home so soon. i would've made more than just rice. something wrong?" arlene: "it's okay, i was tired so i just wanted to have an early night in."

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camryn's new high chair had finally come in the mail and angel spent all day putting it together so the two could enjoy dinner together. angel: "you seem more excited to fling the food around instead of eating it. come on, baby. you like sweet potato remember?"

when arlene finally made it back to the city, all she wanted was a cup of tea and a long soak in the bath. she was hoping she could sneak in the kitchen then up to her room without her brother noticing. it was unlikely but she was hoping for a miracle.

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maxine: "and you let me in every time so what does that say about you!" tee: "if i don't you cry to your parents and tell them i'm abandoning you and leaving you out on the streets! we're never getting back together, maxine. you need to let me go! i'm not some toy you pick up when you get bored."

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maxine: "oh quit acting like a baby. she found out she was the side piece and now you want to get mad at me?" tee: "like i said, get the fuck out of MY house, maxine! we haven't been together in a long time and you know this! you come in town for your stupid blog just to ruin my life!"

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maxine: "did i make your new girlfriend upset? i keep telling you to leave these bitches alone. you have me and that's all you need." tee: "get your clothes on and get the fuck out of my house. i'm done playing with you."

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arlene had nothing else to say. she just wanted to go home and forget that she ever met tee in the first place. this is why she never got close to anyone because everyone disappoints her. it was her fault for thinking tee would be any different.

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"i would never use you like that, arlene. we have a connection that's beyond attraction. i've told you things that no one knows because i trust you. i do want to take things slow because i've rushed into things before. please believe me." "i don't believe anything you say. just leave me alone."

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"no, no! i meant every word last night. i know it looks bad but i promise you. she means nothing to me!" "i thought you were genuine. i trusted you with everything. that was your way of getting in my pants then when i didn't give you what you wanted, you move on to the next?"

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tee: "i swear she's my ex and she just came over. i was going to tell you!" arlene: "yeah, she's an ex but she just so happens to be in her underwear in your house. do you think i'm stupid? i almost FUCKED YOU last night! so, all of this shit saying you want what i want was a lie then, huh?"

tee: "arlene, please wait. i want to explain." arlene: "get your hand away from me. i said i'm going, and that's what i'm going to do." arlene couldn't believe how naive she had been. all those sweet words and reassuring her for nothing. she was upset, but she wasn't going to breakdown. not yet.

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before tee had time to explain, maxine was beside her. maxine: "baby, who's at the door? oh, hey." tee: "would you get out of here?! and where are your clothes? fuck, arlene i--" arlene: "oh i didn't know you had.. company.. i'm just gonna go."

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when tee answered the door, arlene couldn't help but notice that something about tee was off. arlene: "hey, i thought i would bring you leftovers so you wouldn't have to cook tonight. did i wake you? i'm sorry, i can go." tee: "no! i mean, don't apologize. i'm happy to see you but--"

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arlene had to give herself a pep talk the whole way to tee's house. she would just drop off the leftovers and say hi for a few minutes. sure she was imagining tee's hands all over her and them entangled in her bed last night. but, today's a new day and arlene was determined to keep things friendly.

"i just want to know if i'm going to have a sister-in-law or not." "relaxxx. i like her but i'm not rushing in a relationship. you don't think it's too much if i just drop food off to her?" "the way you two are, i think she would appreciate it. just be careful." "i will, baby brother."

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"there's nothing to tell! we hung out and she spent the night since it was late." "nah, i need more details then that. she snuck out of here at 5:30 this morning!" "we may have kissed.. a lot.. but! that's all i'm telling you. i haven't even told dion yet."

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arlene had a productive day. she submitted her paper and had time to write her own stuff. she decided it wouldn't be too much to just drop leftovers off at tee's. her and dion did that for each other all the time, typical friend activities. "so are you gonna tell me about what happened last night?"

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maxine had invited tee into the bedroom for a "nap" but tee wasn't falling for it. having maxine here did exhaust her so maybe if she slept long enough, she could kick out maxine tomorrow and carry on as normal. maxine was her ex for a reason, and with arlene in her life, she would keep it that way.

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"you say this all the time, i know you don't mean it. i love you and you love me. now let's go inside.." "i'll let you stay tonight, tomorrow you're gone." tee didn't feel like arguing. one night wouldn't kill her and she would tell arlene right after. hopefully she'd understand.

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maxine: "i just need to stay a few days, you know you missed me. come on, baby." tee: "stop calling me that! why would i miss someone who continues to play mind games with me? i'm not going to keep doing this with you."

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tee: "maxine, what the hell are you doing here?" maxine: "don't be so angry, baby. you know the minute i come to town i come here. i texted you." tee: "i told you last time you can't stay here anymore. i don't want anything to do with you."

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tee was glad to be home after a long day, she had been texting arlene back and forth to try to convince her to come over. tee enjoyed their banter and no matter how much she convinced herself, she was eager to see her again. unfortunately, a surprise guest was at the door to interrupt her plans.

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tee left arlene’s house feeling energized after only sleeping a few hours. she loved her job, but couldn’t help how often her thoughts led her to arlene. she enjoyed her company, but in the spirit of taking things slow, tee would go home to unwind instead of finding an excuse to see her again.