Before Him Comes Me (11 page)

“Where’s your phone?”

“I forgot it in my room.”

“Zara Faith, it is critical you carry your phone. At all
times… for safety reasons. Is that clear?”

“Yes. I am sorry.” Zara says in a whisper standing next to
the car unable to make eye contact.

Gently touching Zara’s elbow, Garrett guides her to the
patio of a green building. ‘Golden Harvest’ is painted on a sign. The smells
swirling around are heavenly but all Zara can concentrate on is the fact that
she has displeased Garrett. He gestures her to sit in one of the patio chairs
and moves another one next to her but the opposite in the direction she is
sitting. Zara can see a line of people at the front door of the building but
Garrett is facing an abandoned building across the street.

When he sits, she realizes the positioning allows them to
look at one another and speak without needing to raise their voices. Sitting in
front of the restaurant with a line of customers waiting to go in, Garrett and
Zara are able to have an intimate conversation without worrying about being
overheard.

“Zara Faith. Do you know why I gave you the option of not
completing the Circle Ceremony with me?” Her eyes grew to the size of saucers
at his blunt question. Shaking her head only slightly, she is surprised they
are having this important conversation sitting outside with people around.

“Little One. I’ve known about you since I was around ten
years old.” Zara eyes jump to meet Garrett’s.

With an audible gasp, Garrett nods and continues. “Your
mother and my mother are friends. As you know, the Community doesn’t allow a
submissive to maintain her relationships with her past lives without her Dom’s
permission. Your father refused, so their friendship was terminated.

“When you were born, my mother was the only person your
mother asked to be notified. The information given was limited to your date of
birth and the fact that you were a healthy beautiful baby girl named Zara
Faith. My mother would always talk about you like you were an angel in a faraway
land that I would someday meet.

“When the time came for me to go through the selection
processes, you, Zara, were the only candidate I was interested in researching. Traditions
within our Community are very shortsighted for future submissives. As you know
you receive no information about the man that you are paired with. But for the
Doms, it is a different story. Information is shared freely about the pool of
submissives. When I began to research the adult you, there were indications you
were not sold on the idea of being collared.”

For the first time since Garrett began speaking, Zara looks
away, embarrassed he knew of her lack of commitment to the Community and the
traditions she had been raised in and humiliated that her feelings about the
collaring ceremony have not been kept private.

“Little One, it’s okay. I don’t blame you for not wanting to
be given to a man you’ve never met and know nothing about. Not knowing what
kind of Dom I would be, what type of relationship I want, it’s almost a relief that
you questioned our ways.”

“NEXT!” shouts a tall, lean man standing in shorts and a tee
shirt. With the door held open, loud thumping music spills out. Garrett stands
and quickly moves his chair back to its original location, gesturing for a
stunned Zara to follow him inside the door.

“John, good to see you. Who have you brought with you today?”

Garrett shakes the guy’s hand. He then steps to the side and
allows Zara to enter. “Zara, this is Timmy. Timmy serves the best coffee in the
city and never allows your cup to get past half empty. Timmy, this is Zara. Zara
is a lover of coffee like I have never. Seen. Before.”

“Well, sit sit sit. You’re in the right spot.” Timmy is
already filling the mug that is sitting on the table in front of the seat that Zara
sits in. “Ms. Zara, take a second and look over the menu, Vanesa will be right
over to take your order. Oh and check out the specials on the board. Zane is
creating masterpieces this morning,” he says with a wink. Then Timmy buzzes off
to pump coffee and take time to speak with all the customers.

Looking at the board of specials, Zara is determined to
choose her own breakfast and not disappoint Garrett a second time. She reads
through the first three items and as she gets to the fifth, her confidence lessened.
By the end of reading all twelve specials, she is overwhelmed.

“The waffles and pancakes are awesome. Would you be
interested in splitting a waffle and ordering your own breakfast?”

A lovely woman wearing combat boots walks up to the table, “Hey
John, welcome back. Hi. I’m Vanesa.”

“Hello. Zara. It is very nice to meet you.”

“You guys know what you’re having?”

Turning to John with a look of desperation, Zara’s eyes beg
for Garrett to save her. He orders her a breakfast burrito with hash browns and
a Polish omelet for himself.

As Vanesa was preparing to rip the check off the pad, Zara
whispers. “And a waffle to share please.”

“I’m sorry, Darling. You are going to have to speak up in
here.”

“A waffle. We would like to split a waffle, please.”

“Sounds good. Now where are you from Zara? I thought I heard
a bit of Southern sweet in you.”

“Tennessee. Chattanooga.” Zara said lightly with a bit more
authority and no hint of a southern accent that time.

“Beautiful city.” Vanesa says, walking towards the grill
behind the bar.

“This place is unique,” Zara remarks, looking around.

“Ahhhh. The Golden Harvest is one of Lansing’s pride and
joys. It’s the only place locals are willing to wait in line in all types of
Michigan weather. We do that because once inside, we know that we’ll be treated
to a wonderful eating experience.

“Vanesa and Zane own the place. It’s a neighborhood staple. Years
ago, it caught fire and the customers came out day after day to help put it
back together. We missed the food, atmosphere and company so much that a lot of
us would come here after working all day and pick up paint brushes.

“Several of their long-time customers took vacation days and
were here every day to help wherever they could. Some have a neighborhood bar
where everyone knows their name, here we have a neighborhood diner that serves
the best food in the entire city and everyone is a friend.

“This is my favorite place to eat. You’ll see. My favorite
is a painting that hangs between the bathrooms. It reminds me of the old
television show,
The X-Files
. I used to watch it all the time online. Have
you seen it before?”

Giggling, Zara shakes her head no. Listening to Garrett sing
the praises of the establishment, Zara is able to clear her mind of the conversation
they had outside and enjoy being in his company.

Vanesa sets a waffle between them and gives Zara a huge
smile, “Enjoy!”

“No, I have not heard of the files,” Zara tells Garrett
after Vanessa backs away.

Garrett freezes. “You have not heard of
The X-Files
?
Oh, we are definitely going to have to introduce you to Mulder and Scully.”

Shaking his head, Garrett picks up syrup. Lifting his
eyebrow, he seeks Zara’s permission before smothering the waffle and hands her
a fork from a mason jar in the center of the table.

Garrett and Timmy chat about old movies, neither of which
Zara is familiar with. Laughing as they make their way out, Garrett assures
Timmy he will see to it personally that Zara gets an immediate introduction to
Dancing
with the Stars
.

I want to come back. I have a new favorite restaurant in
Michigan.

Back in the car, Garrett’s tone becomes serious. “You will
be able to do this college thing. Only someone raised to be put into a specific
box, and who wants to break out of that box, would have made the choice you
made not to finish the Ceremony. Zara… you are much stronger than you think you
are. I see it every day that we spend time together. I know you will make
friends and do well in your classes. What I am less sure of is whether you will
choose me at the end.”

Zara keeps her eyes in her lap as she processes all of Garrett’s
words. He believes in her. He believes she can handle all the new challenges
that school will present. His only is concern is that she will discover there
was something or someone else out there for her. The rest of the drive to
campus is silent, both replaying the declaration Garrett had made.

Recognizing they are pulling up to Yakeley, Zara turns a bit
in her seat. “I am so very thankful for this opportunity. I am nervous but I am
excited. I will be living as my own person for the first time.”

Zara watches Garrett put the car in park and turn to look at
her. “Thank you for coming to breakfast with me. I am going to let you jump out
without walking you to the door since it’s move-in day and I shouldn’t take up
the space. As I said at the beach, I am going to allow you to determine when
and how often we talk. You don’t have a purse. Why don’t you have a purse?”

Reaching into the center console and pulling out her room key
and student ID, Garrett looks at her picture and smiles before handing them
both to her. Blushing, Zara does not answer his question.

“Okay. Take the credit card and go shopping this weekend. There
are several good stores across from campus where you can pick up some items for
yourself, including a purse. Am I clear?”

Zara nods. The nervousness that was gone the whole time she
was with Garrett, bubbles to the surface. People are everywhere.

“Thank you for taking me to Golden Harvest. I liked the
people and the food was amazing. I hope that we can go back.” Zara uses the
moment to take a deep breath and square her shoulders.

“You’ve got this, Little One.”

SUVs, U-hauls and cars jammed with students and their
belongings wedged onto campus for the massive drop-off. Doors that had been
closed before now stand open, ready to be filled. Zara politely excuses herself
over and over as she makes her way through the crowd to the safety of her room.

Catching glances, Zara is conscious not to stare at the small
groups of girls excitedly laughing and hugging after a long summer apart. A wave
of loneliness catches Zara off guard.

Gone is the quiet emptiness and peace of the dorm. Concentrating
on every step, the hallway seems much longer than when she left before
breakfast. Grasping the pendant around her neck, Zara focuses on the hypnotic
sound of loud music playing from the room nearby. After a few seconds, she
realizes someone is singing every word over the artist

Errbody wanna be a dope boy

Errbody wanna be a coke boy, errbody gotta choppa

Errbody get money, errbody say they from the hood

Errbody real but they not boy

Err’bitch say that she a bad bitch

Zara continues down the hallway toward the music. She looks
in open doorways until she is directly across from her room watching a short
curvy woman in the middle of the room singing and dancing with her back to the
door.

Zara unlocks her own door and slips in, shutting out the
sounds behind her. Making her way across the room, Zara sits on the bed and clutches
the pillow to her stomach, not sure she is ready to experience the journey she
has started on.

Zara is startled by a loud knock at the door. She smiles to herself
at the thought of Beth popping by to see her again.

“HI! I’m Ella and this is Liliana. We’re your hall mates. We
share the room across the hall. We wanted to come over and introduce ourselves
to you and your roommate. You’re stunning! Love that dress. Wait… are you
alright? Hey… how are you all unpacked already?”

Zara stands wide-eyed, confronted by two strangers blasting
her with information and questions. “Zara…”

“Your room is blue. I didn’t know we could paint. Lil, did
you know we could paint? Hey, where are you from? I’m a junior in ‘I’m not
quite sure’ and Lil is majoring in engineering. What’s you major? What year are
you?”

“Fuck, El! Let her absorb all the questions you’re throwin’
at her. Shit. Sorry, this is Ella. Ella has only two gears, fast and faster. Welcome
to Ella’s world.” Liliana speaks at a pace easier for Zara to follow as Ella
works to look around Zara into her room.

Fearing she’s about to push past her way past, Zara relents,
“Would you like to come in for a moment?”

Ella passes before the words are out of Zara’s mouth. Standing
in the middle of the space, Ella slowly spins in circles.

Liliana causally follows her in and peers into the bathroom.
Liliana shakes her head, “I would have never thought of a bead door for the
closet. It gives more space but still provides a visual barrier. Nice. Excellent
thinking.”

While Liliana wanders around commenting on the various space
saving units in the room, Ella hops on the end of the bed and makes herself at
home. Zara turns to close the door realizing her guests have no plan to leave
any time soon.

“Oh, just leave it open. Then we can see if anyone stops by.”
Zara is puzzled by the comment but yields to Ella’s request.

Removing her sandals, Zara climbs onto her bed and leans
against the headboard.

“What year are you again?” Ella repeats pausing for Zara to
reply.

“This is my first year. I am a freshman.”

Ella and Liliana glance at each other and look back at Zara.
Liliana walks over and sits in the desk chair.

Liliana approaches the subject again, “So, you’re a first
year, but it looks as if you have a single. And you scored a room in the
upperclassmen wing. Who are you really?”

“Yeah. Tell us. We will keep it just between us. You know…
hall mates,” Ella chimes in leaning toward Zara to hear her response.

Zara’s body tenses and her eyes find her hands that are
resting in her lap.

“My name is Zara. I am from Chattanooga, Tennessee,” She responds
in almost a whisper. “I am not sure why I was given this room. Garrett just
said that I was…”

“Who is Garrett? Father? Boyfriend? Pastor?”

“Ella. Stop. We just met her. Would you give it a rest?!” Liliana
scolds.

“Shit… music stopped.” Ella bounces off the bed and heads
over to their room. With the music started, Ella races back in and leap onto
the bed.

Ella is speaking, but Zara’s attention is captured by the
hymnal quality of the music.

“Excuse me. What is this song?”

Zara watches Ella and Liliana glance at each other as if
mentally discussing what she just asked.

“This is
Take Me to Church
… by Hozier,” Ella says
with a dramatic drawing out of the names.

“Hozier is just the ‘IT GUY’ at the moment. Forgive, El. She
grows on you. Give her time,” Liliana smiles at Ella and Ella sticks out her
tongue in reply.

“Don’t they play Hozier in Chattahoochie? What are you into?”

“I was not raised with music. My parents did not allow music in
the house.”

“What about at school? Your friends?” Ella questions with
hopefulness.

“My brother and I were home-schooled. I did hear some
wonderful music when I arrived in Michigan. I do enjoy it,” Zara says.

Clapping and bouncing up and down, Ella plasters a big smile
on her face, “Hooray, you will be our blank canvas.”

Again, Liliana comes to the rescue. “Zara, if our music is
too loud, just let us know. We’ll turn it down. Ella tends to play it on full
blast. There will be no hard feelings.”

“It is not a problem at all. I don’t hear anything once my
door closes and…”

“What?!” Ella leaps off the bed again and shuts the door. As
the latch clicks, all sound from the hallway is muted. Ella looks at Liliana
and raises an eyebrow in the silence.

“NO FUCKING WAY!”

Liliana meets her at the door and begins opening and closing
it over and over again. Zara sits staring in confusion at the strangeness of
their behavior.

Liliana turns and gestures toward the door with her hands. “Your
room is soundproof! How in the hell did you get a soundproof room? Why do you
need a soundproof room? Ok… what the hell is going on?”

“I do not know. I thought all the rooms were similar. Are
you positive your room is not soundproof?” Zara asks in a shaking whisper.

The question brings laughter that Zara is not accustomed to
and she wonders if they are laughing at her. “Our room is definitely NOT
soundproof. The walls are paper thin in this old building. Where’s your stereo?
I’ll show you.”

Ella looks around. “Wait… you don’t have a television or a
stereo in here. What are you going to do for entertainment?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Zara is beginning to feel self-conscious.
“I was not raised with a television either. I read a lot. I will study, I guess…”

“Well, thank Christ that you found us!” Ella states matter-of-factly.
“We have TV, music and video games. The door is always open if we’re home. It’s
kind of a dorm thing… you’ll get used to it. You’ll come over and chill with us
all the time.”

“Trust me, Zara, it’s so much easier to just say yes. She is
short but mighty,” Liliana proclaims with a giggle. “And she’s correct. You’re
welcome anytime.”

“Thank you. I would like that.” Zara forces out a small
smile on her face.

“Oh, hey, Sara! We’re in here!” Ella yells at two blonds
dressed in MSU tee shirts at the door of their room.

“Cool as FUCK room… score!” says Sara. Zara admires her waist
length hair and blue eyes.

Walking in behind her is one of the most breathtaking women
Zara had ever seen. With hair a darker blond than the first girl, her magnetic
eyes and seductive smile make Zara forget where she is for just a moment. When
the girl winks at her, Zara has to give Ella her undivided attention to regain
her composure.

“Zara… these are more of your hall mates. Zara? Hell–O?”

“Yes…” Zara drags her eyes back to Ella.

“Sara… this is Zara and Zara’s room. She is a freshman from
Tennessee. She has no music baggage and no bad TV show habits that we need to
break. She is a perfect addition to the hall.”

“It’s very nice to meet you Zara. I am lovin’ your room. How
did you get on an upperclassmen floor?” Sara asks walking further into the room
with a wave and sits on the floor next to the bed.

“No point in asking… she is not giving up any info. Zara…
this is Christine,” she finishes and moves on to a new conversation with Sara
and Liliana.

Christine joins Zara at the side of her bed where Zara locks
eyes with her. With a slight shift, unobserved by the rest of the room,
Christine’s posture changes. Immediately, Zara casts her eyes down and modifies
her sitting position to that of a submissive. In this moment, she realizes all
her secrets have been told, for she knows she is in the presence of a Domme.

“Zara… it is a pleasure to meet you. Please let me know if
there is anything I can assist you with.”

Zara nods, unable to reply. Without another word, Christine
turns and walks from the room.

“I guess we aren’t staying to chat. See ya.” Sara stands and
follows Christine out.

“We need to get to unpacking too… Ella. That was the deal.”

“It was very nice to meet you both. Thank you for coming
over and introducing yourselves everyone.” Zara stands, grateful for the alone
time to process what had just occurred.

“You can still keep your door open and listen to the music. Or
come over and hang out in our room while we unpack,” Ella states with a lift in
her voice.

Zara smiles back at her. “Actually, I am going to go
shopping for a…”

“SHOPPING! We love shopping. Lil, let’s go shopping and put
the room together later. We cannot let our new friend go shopping alone. Please…
please… please,” Ella hops up and down in front of her roommate.

“Let’s shop!” Liliana concurs, giving Zara two new shopping
companions and zero alone time.

In a matter of moments, they gather what they need and lock
up their rooms.

From the hallway, Zara can hear the music from her hall mates’
room clearly. “Told you, not soundproof.”

At each open door they pass, Ella introduces Zara as her new
friend that they have to get to know and by the time the three make it out the
door, Zara has been introduced to over twenty-five new people.

“Don’t worry. I don’t remember any of their names. That’s Ella’s
specialty. She knows everyone and remembers everyone she meets,” Liliana
whispers in her ear.

Smiling as they make their way out, Zara cannot wait to tell
Garrett that she has made new friends. For the first time since coming to
college, excitement is outweighing the fear of being at Michigan State on her
own.