the art of falling for you (bxb)

twentyfour - nobody likes you when you're twenty three

the art of nobody liking you when you're twenty three

- - -

The curtains were closed, but silvers of faint sunlight managed to seep through the thin material. It wasn't not quite enough to illuminate the space, which left the room enveloped in a soft shadow.

Last night was still coming back to me in a blur. Smudges of color, of dark lashes and sour limes and Hendrix's god awful singing. I could still feel the adrenaline simmering within my veins, making my head dizzy.

Next to me, Kareem looked relaxed. His hair had grown quite long within the past few weeks, and it was fanning out darkly against the sharp white of my pillow. His lips slid into a hazy grin, I leant over to press our mouths together, tasting the sharp bite of smoke and something else - a hint of lemon. I think Hendrix suggested the tequila shots, and I must've been handing the fruit to Kareem out of courtesy for our sober status. Kaz kissed me back lazily, hand coming up to cup my jaw with a gentle but firm grip.

Legs still tangled together, I rested my head on his bare chest as I listened to his heart beat. As fun as night's out were, nothing quite beat these times. Just laying in bed together, holding one another close.

"Happy birthday, my love."

"Thank you, Angel." He murmured back quite happily.

I snuggled into his hold, tranquillity buzzing through my nerves.

"You're officially old now," I teased, poking at his cheek as he scrunched his face up. "You have been alive for 12,088,800 minutes."

One of his eyes opened, eyebrows furrowed as he looked at me weirdly. "How long did it take you to memorise that number?"

"A couple of hours," I kissed his nose, "Hendrix helped."

This ignited a groan, "Of course she did."

"You wanna get up, Kaz?" I petted his hair, prompting a quiet sigh.

"In a minute," He yawned, rolling to his side and snuggling closer to me.

"Everyone's going to come over around noon. Sound good?"

His eyes lulled shut as he nodded against my chest. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders, I pulled our bodies closer together.

After what was definitely longer than a minute, I got out of bed and showered as Kareem started on breakfast. I towelled my hair, trying to contain the wet strands as Kareem slipped into the bathroom, reminding me to not let any of our food burn.

Thirty minutes later, we'd managed to eat and clean our bedroom. I reminded Kareem to reply to everyone's elaborate birthday messages.

He complained, as usual, but acquiesced. I was starting to get excited over seeing his reaction to Kezziah's present. After such a good couple of days, I knew this would be the peak.

My own presents seemed pitiful in comparison but I hoped that he liked them, regardless. I've never been one of those people who can easily buy birthday or Christmas gifts, having always over-thought every single part of the process.

Regardless, an hour later everyone was bustling into the house. Jem trailed behind Hendrix, their hands carried no doubt their own bag and Hendrix's, given her complete incompetence when doing anything for herself.

"Happy birthday, bitch." Hendrix said, poking Kareem's cheek. He moved back, slapping her away. "Twenty thee years ago, you were pushed out of a vagina and brought into this great world, knowing that one day you would be privileged to meet the greatest woman and lesbian to ever live. Her name, you may ask? Hendrix Joy Dexter."