Jream's pov
The first five minutes of the car ride were silent. I just kept thinking about how persistent Brionna was. The way she tried to get under Desiree's skin. How was I supposed to get rid of this woman?
I looked over at Des, turned towards the door and staring out the car window. I decided to still keep quiet and think about our act today.
As much as it was all fake, it felt so real. It felt like she was really my girl. That liberty to hold her like she was the love of my life did something to me. I want to be able to do that all day every day. I didn't want it to just be an act.
People always asked me why Des wasn't my girlfriend and my answer was always "I don't want to lose this friendship". I wasn't lying. I'd always feared getting into a relationship would make our friendship rocky. However, now I'm ready to risk it if it means being able to call her my girl.
I looked over at her, dressed in her pretty dress, her hair down her back, and her smooth brown skin arms crossed together like she was mad.
"Are you done thinking now?" She turned and looked at me.
"No, I need about five more minutes." I replied.
"Do you see me laughing, Jream?" She raised an eyebrow.
"No ma'am." I shook my head.
"You need to get your crazy friend."
"I know, I don't know why she won't just take a hint."
Just when Des was going to say something, my phone began to ring. It was Taz calling.
"Yo I lowkey want her." He said.
Des said the loudest "what" ever.
"Des what are you saying 'what' for? You don't even know who I'm talking about.
Des rolled her eyes, "I saw you eyeing Brionna many times."
"If you're talking about Brionna. Be my guest. I'll be so happy." I said.
"I know she seems kind of crazy, but I feel like deep down she's not that bad." He said.
"Nah this dude is actually serious." I said to des.
"She's fine though, Jream. Like she a ten."
"Say less bro. I'm finna put you on."
"Really jream. You want your friend to be with someone who says the type of dumb things she was saying earlier." Des said.
"I'm pretty sure she was just salty cuz you got what she wants." Taz said.
"And so if she's chasing after Jream. What makes you think she'd look ur way?"
"Because I'm that guy." Taz said smugly.
"Yes sir." I agreed.
"Whatever, yall do what yall wanna do." Des said.
"So des you don't think I should try?" Taz asked.
"Honest opinion, no. She may use you to try to get to Jream."
Des had a point. I wouldn't put it past Brionna to do something like that.
"Aight give me her insta. I know what imma do." Taz said.
"Which is what?" I questioned.
"I'm finna try to be her friend first and see what she on."
"Yo you actually for real." I chuckled.
"Yes why not? I feel like there's something about her."
"Oh wow Taz. You are so for real right now." Des eyes got wide.
"Yea I'll call you later." Taz hung up.
"I lowkey can't believe it." Des said.
"Well you better believe it." I said.
"So how were my acting skills?" Des asked with excitement.
"Very believable." I took a few seconds before answering.
Was I looking at this the wrong way? Was what we did today just an act for her? Did she feel something too? What if she didn't feel the same way I did?
"I think you did a pretty good job yourself." She said.
I did a slight nod and rethought my earlier thoughts. All these years I liked Desiree I never thought about her liking me.
From the corner of my eye I could see Des staring at me. I had all of a sudden gone quiet. These feelings were coming down at me all of a sudden.
I wanted to tell her how I felt but the thought of her not returning the same was daunting.
"Can we stop by Walmart? I need to get toilet paper." Des tapped my shoulder.
"Yea sure." I mumbled.
What was I going to do?
---
I pulled a cart and followed Des to the toilet paper aisle.
I was still thinking about telling her my feelings while pushing the cart.
Different ways of how everything could go wrong were running wild in my mind.
Des turned around and squinted her eyes at me.
"Are you even listening, Jream?" She sassily asked.
She had been talking this whole time?
"Oh sorry. What did you say?" I rubbed my neck.
Her face suddenly changed from annoyed to worried.
She walked over to me and poked my arm.
"Are you good Jream?" She looked at me with those eyes of hers.
Why did she have to know me so well?
"Yes, why are you asking?" I questioned.
"Because you are way too quiet. Is something bothering you?"
Yes, you and your kind heart.
"Nah I'm good." I started to push the cart.
"Jream." She pulled me back.
I stopped and looked at her. She had her arms out gesturing for a hug.
I stood in place not wanting a hug.
"I don't know what's suddenly bothering you, but I'll give you a hug." She got closer.
I gave in and hugged her back. Hugging her was always a moment of relief but in this moment it made me overthink even more.
I didn't just like this girl, I'm in love with her.
●●●
Jream has finally realized his feelings. Do yall think he'll be brave enough to tell her?
Also, this book is coming close to the end. Can you believe it?
